Mayor, where are the advocates for annexation?

Mayor, where are

the advocates for annexation?

Mayor Lenox, I'd like to weigh

in my point of view as a citizen of Peachtree City regarding the annexing

of West Village. No! No! No!

I believe one of your conditions for having one's voice heard is

based upon whether that citizen has voted. I'm a 10-year Peachtree

City resident and voter.

School overcrowding is a problem of immense proportion. We are at the

maximum mill rate now and face funding needs for the new county jail.

Two consecutive SPLOST initiatives have been defeated and our school administrators

face the conundrum of meeting legislated educational mandates without

any source to fund them.

You may disregard the educational realities of increased density which

serves only to the benefit of enriching out of county interests. If you

listen to the voice of the populace, you'll see many of us challenge

the justification and rationalization supporting increased density.

Traffic, negative environmental impact and diminished lifestyle are all

strong reasons to not support annexation. But the greatest issue to annexation,

in my view, is the impact of added density on our local schools.

When my first child began school as a second grader at brand new and beautiful

new Braelinn elementary, out in the lot were trailers!

Two grades in the building, two grades in the parking lot. Off then to

sixth grade and brand new Whitewater Middle: trailers. Next child the

same: trailers at Braelinn, then off to brand new Rising Starr Middle

- yep, trailers.

Oh, not just at the schools nearest our home in Braelinn Village, but

at virtually every elementary school. Booth and McIntosh: trailers there,

too. Trailers for classrooms all over the place.

In some instances, trailers would sound good to those with converted closets

for class rooms. Trailers also serve as locker rooms (without shower and

toilet facilities, however).

On second thought, the trailer supplier probably shares annexation fever

along with your developers.

While you as mayor of a city operating within a county school system may

not view educational issues as your responsibility, I wonder - why

is it that everyone else seems to grasp so clearly what increased density

portends for our educational system except for a limited group of advocates

with much financial windfall from development to gain? Where are all your

advocates for annexation?

Blinders and special interests removed this situation screams for recognition.

Recognition that annexation is not in the best interests for the majority

of the citizens of Peachtree City. Meeting the educational needs of our

children needs to be of paramount consideration.

I have heard you describe your job as mayor to a group of history students

visiting the city government as being a person in a position who must

strive to make decisions that are best for the majority of the residents

of Peachtree City. Good! Just reminding you of your own stated commitment.

Cary Rogers

Peachtree City