About six months ago, I started this column to inform and engage our community. In that time, we’ve talked about the upcoming elections, debated city policies, celebrated volunteers, and even pondered the pop of pickleballs on the courts. 

Looking ahead, things are only going to get more interesting. I’ve got articles in the works I know will fuel some heated discussions.

But before we go into those topics, let’s revisit a few stories we’ve explored so far.

Peachtree City’s 2025 Election: The “Phantom Candidate” Returns

In my last column, I examined the early field for Peachtree City’s 2025 municipal election and the re-emergence of former Councilman Eric Imker in the mayor’s race. Imker’s long history in local politics has earned him a reputation as something of a perennial contender. You could say he is a “Phantom Candidate” because he retreats from municipal life between campaigns but reappears to ask for your vote.

Despite that criticism, I acknowledged Imker’s real strengths. He’s a proven fiscal watchdog with deep knowledge of city finances and a consistent focus on protecting taxpayer dollars. I noted he deserves credit for helping stabilize Peachtree City’s budget when it was in serious trouble.

At the same time, I argued he could be a serious 2025 contender in this race if he becomes more visible, articulates a new vision, and connects with voters beyond his conservative base.

So far, though, he’s stayed true to that phantom criticism. Since filing his declaration of intent to run, there’s been no visible campaigning despite my suggestion to get moving. Granted, I only reported this story last week, and there’s still plenty of time before November. But while Imker remains quiet, he’s missing valuable opportunities to gain ground.

While all this may not be much of an update on its own, the April 17th City Council meeting delivered an unexpected twist. During the public comment period, former Mayor Steve Brown launched into an attack in which he bizarrely claimed (with no evidence) Mayor Kim Learnard ordered me to write the article about Imker.

Yes, you read that right.

Mr. Brown pointed an accusatory finger at the mayor for an article that was entirely mine. In a spectacle equal parts comic and caustic, he suggested the mayor orchestrated my article as some sort of political hit job (he must have missed the parts where I spotlighted Imker’s strengths and gave him advice to win).

Let’s be clear: Mayor Learnard had nothing to do with writing my column. Mr. Brown’s tirade was a case of attempting to shoot the messenger and missing badly.

As a member of this community, I’m entitled to have and express my opinions. Having this platform on The Citizen is a privilege that expands my voice, and with it comes a responsibility to use it thoughtfully and in service of the public good. I expect people to disagree with me, and I welcome honest conversations. During debates, I have no interest in insulting others or being combative for its own sake. But I also won’t shy away from calling out nonsense when I see it.

Blaming the mayor for an independently-written article is one of the most absurd things I’ve witnessed in my six years of involvement with Peachtree City.

And here’s a hard truth you need to understand, Mr. Brown (which you’ll likely label an “attack” because you act like criticism only stings when it’s aimed at you). If you disagree with a person or an opinion, the right response is with facts and maturity. But time and again, that’s not what you’ve chosen.

After more than 20 years of disrespectful outbursts, accusations, and bad-faith political theater—both in public and online—you haven’t built a legacy of leadership or service. If you don’t change your behavior, you’ll be remembered as someone who tore people down when you could have built this community up.

You can be better.

Can Peachtree City’s Leaders Be Civil?

In March, I wrote about a debate within city council over whether Peachtree City should renew its designation as a “City of Civility” under the Georgia Municipal Association’s program. The program encourages local governments to adopt a formal resolution committing elected officials to respectful dialogue and courteous public conduct.

The idea sounds straightforward: reaffirm that our leaders will treat one another with professionalism. But as with many things in local politics, the discussion proved more complicated.

Councilmember Suzanne Brown opposed the resolution. She argued that council members are already not behaving civilly despite the previous pledge. Others, like Councilmember Laura Johnson, supported the resolution for its symbolic value. 

At the April 3rd council meeting, the matter came back up. Council ultimately voted 3–2 to postpone consideration of the civility resolution until January 2026 (Learnard and Johnson were in the minority). The majority felt it was more appropriate for the next council, seated after the 2025 elections, to make that decision.

Postponing the vote avoids a potentially divisive debate in an election year. But it also sidesteps the underlying question: Can our elected leaders get along? If the answer is yes, then whether or not there’s a formal pledge, the expectation should remain.

We’ll see how it goes.

Ray Liotta and the Volunteers Who Shape Peachtree City

In March, I wrote about Ray Liotta, a Planning Commissioner and community volunteer who passed away on March 2, 2025, at age 71. He moved to Peachtree City in 2022 and, in just a few short years, made a lasting impact.

Ray brought decades of experience as an urban planner. He used that expertise to help guide local development while staying true to Peachtree City’s values. But what really set Ray apart was his character. He gave his time not for credit or recognition, but because he cared deeply about this community.

Now, there’s a new effort underway to honor Ray’s legacy. Family and friends are working to establish a scholarship in his name. It’s a fitting tribute to someone who spent his life not just shaping landscapes, but strengthening the communities he called home.

I’ll share more details when they’re available, including how to apply or contribute.

Pickleball in Peachtree City: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Back in February, I asked a simple question: Are we building too many pickleball courts? 

When I posed that question, courts were packed, the local enthusiast club had topped 750 members, and the city’s Recreation Master Plan called for more space. Now, just a few months later, we’re on the cusp of seeing not one, but two private pickleball facilities open.

Ace Pickleball Club is scheduled to open soon in the former K-Mart building in Braelinn Village. It will offer multiple indoor courts, leagues, clinics, and a pro shop. To boost membership, they’re already offering the first month free. If you’re curious, visit acepickleballclub.com.

Meanwhile, Let’s Go Pickleball is finishing construction on a massive 53,000-square-foot facility off Hwy 74 and MOBA Drive. With 21 cushioned indoor courts, locker rooms, a training center, event space, and an observation mezzanine, it’s positioned as a year-round pickleball destination. It’s expected to open this summer. More info is at letsgopickleball.com.

Managing Peachtree City’s Deer Population

Last fall, I wrote about Peachtree City’s deer problem. Since 2022, there have been over 200 reported deer-related collisions in the city with some areas seeing repeated incidents. Beyond vehicle damage, residents have voiced concerns about aggressive deer behavior and heavy damage to gardens and landscaping.

The problem is structural. Peachtree City is essentially built in a forest. With no natural predators, plenty of greenbelts, and an endless buffet of manicured yards, deer have thrived. 

In response, the city council started exploring solutions. At a November workshop, a wildlife biologist from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR) presented the available options. Non-lethal methods like relocation or birth control are not legal in Georgia, and they do not work. That leaves one viable path: a regulated urban archery program. Other communities in Georgia have successfully used this approach to reduce collisions. At Fort Yargo State Park, for example, managed bow hunts led to a 57 percent drop in deer-vehicle accidents.

Since that fall discussion, several developments have taken shape. 

First, there has been ongoing clarification around hunting laws on private property. Under Georgia law, archery hunting is legal on private land (including in suburban areas) as long as the hunter has permission from the landowner and follows all state regulations. The city does not prohibit the use of bows, only firearms. However, while this option exists today, it has not proved to be a practical solution. Most residents do not have the space or interest to allow hunting in their backyards, and city officials have acknowledged that it is not a scalable way to manage the population.

The more promising idea is a city-supervised public land hunt. One location under consideration is the Flat Creek Nature Area, a 513-acre stretch of wetlands owned by the city. At the February Council retreat, officials discussed the possibility of allowing a small number of vetted hunters into the area during bow season under tightly controlled conditions. If the program moves forward, it would likely need to become an annual part of the city’s wildlife management strategy.

In addition to the hunting discussion, the city is looking at ways to collect better data. There is talk of using drones to estimate herd size more accurately, which would help the city set realistic population targets. Officials are also considering increased public outreach, including reminders not to feed deer (which is already illegal in Fayette County during the months leading up to deer season) and encouraging drivers to be more alert during peak activity hours.

For those still uneasy about the idea of hunting in Peachtree City, it is worth noting that in all of Georgia’s urban archery programs to date, there have been no reported injuries to non-hunters. These hunts use elevated stands and strict safety protocols. Statistically speaking, you are far more at risk at the 54/74 intersection than walking near a permitted hunt zone.

Peachtree City Planning Commission Tackles Unified Development Ordinance

Back in the fall, I wrote my first real column about something that may not sound exciting but is incredibly important: Peachtree City’s effort to create a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

The UDO will combine all of the city’s development-related regulations — including zoning, land use, signage, architectural standards, and more — into one modern, user-friendly document. Right now, if you want to know the rules for building a shed or opening a business, you might have to flip through multiple documents written over decades. The current system is outdated, inconsistent, and often confusing. The UDO aims to fix that by eliminating contradictions, using plain language, and updating standards to reflect today’s needs. It will also add charts, tables, and visuals to make everything easier to understand.

This matters for everyone: homeowners trying to figure out what they can do with their property, businesses considering investment, and city staff tasked with enforcing the rules. A well-written UDO brings clarity, fairness, and predictability to the development process.

When I first wrote about this last year, the Planning Commission had just recommended forming a UDO Steering Committee. That group exists today and is currently made up of commissioners and city staff. As of this month, we have completed a comprehensive 104-page outline that maps out the structure of the future UDO with sections covering zoning, development standards, environmental regulations, signage, and more.

Our target is to complete and adopt the UDO by December 2026. That sounds like a long way off, but considering the scope of the project, it is a realistic goal. This will span two city councils, so maintaining momentum is key. That is why having staff and the Planning Commission leading and championing this effort is so important.

In the meantime, you can expect to see drafts of key sections released for public input and informational sessions to explain what is changing and why. Stay tuned for much more.

Our Stories Continue

One thing has become clear while writing this column: Peachtree City is never static. There’s always another story waiting to be told. From elections and city policy to acts of quiet service and ambitious long-term planning, the threads that shape our community are constantly moving and worth following.

Writing this column has been rewarding. I’m grateful for the positive feedback I’ve received in-person from strangers, the critiques I’ve received in the comments section, and the conversations this column has sparked. 

If you’ve got a story idea, a concern, or something you think the community should know more about, drop me a line at [email protected].

Thanks for coming along so far, and I hope you keep reading (even you, Mr. Brown).