Letter to the Editor: Pinball enthusiast endorses Clifton

My mother insists on voting for the “individual”, not the party. I can’t say I always agree, but her approach rings true for Peachtree City Council Post 4 candidate, James Clifton.

By happenstance I first crossed paths with James a few years back. James, along with my friend Justin and I, are pinball enthusiasts. Yes, you read that correctly, we buy, fix, refurbish, restore, and of course play old-school pinball games. Over the course of 4+ years we’ve acquired over 100 pinball machines. It’s a hobby that requires tremendous teamwork and collaboration. My relationship with James developed around pinball: hunting for them, picking them up, fixing them, cleaning them, and moving them again and again and again. As time went on I got to know both James and his family beyond our shared hobby.

After spending countless hours with James, his family, and of course our pinball games, I learned more about James Clifton the individual. James is a lawyer by profession, but I wouldn’t have known what field unless I pried a bit. James is politically astute, but I was unaware until I inquired about his political opinions. While some tend to wear their politics on their sleeve, James treats his as something, not THE thing.

James is first and foremost dedicated to his wonderful wife and two delightful boys. That’s who he is at heart, with pinball enthusiast coming in a distant 2^nd. When James announced he was running for city council, I politely asked, “Why in the hell would you subject yourself to that?” His answer was soft, sincere, but poignant: “My eldest is entering 1^st grade, my youngest is entering preschool. I want the best Peachtree City possible for them and their generation.”

So, if you’re on the fence as to who to support for PTC Council Post 4, I’m taking my mother’s advice and voting for James Clifton, the individual who will best serve our city. 

Rayburn Martin

Peachtree City