New residents shocked

After nine years of living

in Snellville, my family and I "followed our dream" and moved

to Peachtree City last year. Snellville had become overdeveloped, overcrowded,

and a prime example of Atlanta's urban blight, whereas Peachtree City

seemed to be a more forward-thinking community and the perfect place to

raise my two small children.

My dream quickly turned into

a nightmare after witnessing the City Council meeting on Nov. 2. Can someone

tell me how, after listening to almost two hours of citizens voicing their

overwhelming opposition to the Wal-Mart plan (with the exception of the

gentleman who wants to purchase his medicine at a Peachtree City Wal-Mart),

the Council has the impudence to approve the Wal-Mart Superstore?

For a preview of what's to

come, I'd like to invite Mayor Lenox and council members Fritz and Brooks

to join me for a drive up to the new Wal-Mart Superstore in Snellville,

which is having its grand opening. This is the one that replaced the Wal-Mart

built in the mid-'90s on U.S. Highway 78 in Snellville, which is now empty,

down the road from the old Target store that has been vacant since 1994

when the new Target was built.

Let's make the trip before

the holidays, though, to minimize traffic.

Diane Avillo

Peachtree City