Using a laptop PC, Mr.

Ellis was able to show a moving demonstration that was

supposed to mimic actual traffic passing through the

intersection. Unlike real life, the little

computer-generated "cars" zipped along happily,

waiting no more than a few seconds at any intersection. I

heard no horns blowing and didn't see any nasty gestures

from the little "car" drivers, nobody cut

anybody else off - it looked like a regular traffic

Nirvana. Unfortunately, you and I can't drive in this

little computer world; instead we have to face the

reality of traffic gridlock.

While Mr. Ellis was paid by

our city for his services, I couldn't help but feel that

he was a pitch man for the Home Depot big box project. He

had no downside to any of his projections, and seemed to

feel that this 130,000-square-foot store (and the

proposed Super Wal-Mart of equal size) would not have any

negative impact on traffic. When citizens in the crowd

questioned Mr. Ellis regarding his findings, we were

accused of "bad manners" by the developer. I

wonder if he doesn't see the irony of it: citizens stand

up to a developer who wants to "RAM" a

development through that could destroy the quality of

life in the city, and we are the ones with bad manners?

Many futuristic projections

were made by the traffic consultant, none of which exist

today and none of which are even certain to ever exist.

The widening of Hwy. 54 to four lanes, the installation

of a median island along the highway, the widening of the

bridge over the train tracks by Huddleston Road -

all nothing more than talk at this point, yet we are

expected to assume that all of these things will happen.

We need to deal with what we have today - a

gridlocked two-lane highway with a two-lane bridge that

simply cannot handle the added traffic of the big boxes.

The bottom line is that the

majority of Peachtree City residents do not want

Home Depot or Super Wal-Mart to build here. Even though

RAM Development was quick to have their attorney threaten

to take this "to the Supreme Court," we need to

take a stand, here and now. Give in to one developer and

open the flood gate.

The planning commission did

the right thing and said no. Now our elected officials

need to make it clear they will not be intimidated and

that they will do their jobs by protecting the health,

welfare and safety of our citizens, even if that means

battling it out in court.

Steve Fodor

Peachtree City

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