I have spoken to many citizens

since announcing my candidacy for mayor in June. Consistently they have

told me how sick they are of the lies, innuendo and constant negative

tone of the discussions in the letters to the paper. In response, I have

made my number one platform issue a focus on changing the tone of the

debate in our town and a commitment not to participate in the constant

pessimistic arguments you read.

Since I began my life in service

to the nation, I have served at many locations across the United States

as well as Korea, Panama, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Egypt.

During these years I experienced the loss of soldiers in combat and personal

family tragedy. I was a member of the military team that helped to restore

order after Hurricane Hugo worked its destructive path across South Carolina

and have aided disabled orphans in Chunchon, South Korea.

The decision to leave the Army

and keep my family in Peachtree City was difficult and I knew I would

have to continue to serve my community in some manner. First I volunteered;

at the air show, with the Humane Society, in my children's elementary

school, and my son's Cub Scout Pack. Then I saw the opportunity to make

a difference in my city in a larger sense. I knew just writing letters

about our problems wasn't the answer.

I am running for mayor because

sitting at home in my comfort zone complaining is not my idea of contributing

to my community. It is my nature and professional training to go out and

find solutions. That's what real leaders do.

Therefore, I challenge my opponents

to as many debates as we can fit in between now and the election. I believe

that it is time for our civic organizations, political groups, churches,

veterans organizations, newspapers and anyone else who cares about our

city to stand up and host a true discussion of the issues we face.

Meet all the candidates face

to face and ask them the hard questions you want answered. I welcome the

opportunity to meet our citizens and let them decide who is the right

person to lead our city through the challenging transitions we face. Don't

sit at home and let someone tell you what to think. Come out and meet

all of us and decide for yourself.

Meet me this Saturday night,

Sept. 15, at the Rockspray Log Cabin at my campaign kickoff rally at 7

p.m and find out more about my campaign at my website, https://www.WellmanForMayor.com.

I look forward to the chance to serve the citizens of our city.

Fred Wellman

Peachtree City

[email protected]

[Wellman is an announced

candidate for mayor of Peachtree City. The Citizen welcomes letters from

candidates for all local offices and from citizens commenting on the candidates

and issues raised. We will print the letters from candidates and a representative

sampling of others subject to standard editing practices for length and

conformity to libel laws, until the week before the election.]

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