In the race for mayor I am
supporting Steve Brown. I think Steve has the talent and the ability to
provide the leadership that will be needed in the future. Some of the
candidates are attempting to paint Steve as the negative candidate. Not
true: Steve has only the best interest of Peachtree City in mind and has
the talent and energy to articulate his views.
Steve maintains his knowledge
current by attending ARC planning classes as well as having a strong background
in land use planning. I served on the Peachtree City Planning commission
for three years and Steve is the only mayoral candidate to appear at any
meeting. He was also the only candidate I ever saw in attendance at city
council meetings of the ones I attended.
[Mayoral candidate Dan] Lakly
has had his time and we now need fresh ideas. At the Rotary Forum [candidate
Gary] Rower indicated an elitist approach when discussing his position
the bond issues. He does not believe the citizens should even vote on
these bonds but leave it to the mayor and council.
Remember [Mayor Bob] "I
know more about Peachtree City than anyone" Lenox? It is puzzling
to me that the minute a person becomes a candidate he becomes smarter
than the voters. I don't think that is the type of leadership we want
or need again in Peachtree City. Mr. Rower is also pro-annexation which
means he is pro high density. That is a fact. [Candidate Frank] Murphy
seems to want to keep the status quo but has no ideas of how to finance
it.
For Council Post 3 I have a
small dilemma. Both [Nancy] Faulkner and [incumbent Steve] Rapson are
strong candidates with each having strengths in different areas.
I believe Ms. Faulkner has
an excellent knowledge of city operations including the budgetary, planning
and administrative functions. I believe Mr. Rapson has an excellent knowledge
of the financial process, the budgetary process as well as a good working
knowledge of the city's administrative system.
The one apprehension I have
concerning Mr. Rapson is the issue of nepotism concerning his wife. I
do not believe Mr. Rapson on his own would make any decisions contrary
to the best interest of the city; however, as his wife's position is under
the city manager he may at some time have to consider her interest.
Some people manage by leadership
and some even in this day still manage by fear and intimidation. I believe
either candidate will do an excellent job in Council Post 3.
For Council Post 4 I am supporting
Mr. Murray Wood. I believe his background and experience makes him the
right candidate at the right time for the right position. He will bring
to the council new and fresh ideas based on his previous employment and
his superior knowledge of intergovernmental relationships. He has firm
principles and ethics.
I believe Mrs. Fritz has to
run on her record. Let me just summarize [her] highlights: Voted to approve
big-box stores, voted for 1,500 new apartments, voted for a city charter
change (supposedly at her urging) which only served to benefit the city
manager and the city attorney. I saw no benefit to the citizens of Peachtree
City as a result of this charter manipulation. As stated at the Rotary
Club forum, she is pro-annexation and pro-high density as stated above
concerning Mr. Rower. Mrs. Fritz has to share the responsibility for the
daily two-to-three-mile traffic lines at Ga. highways 54 and 74.
In closing, I would be happy
to discuss issues or candidates with anyone desiring further conversation.
Let me again urge every citizen of Peachtree City to vote. The worse problem
we face in this great country is not fear but apathy.
Willis J. Granger
Peachtree City
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Easy button Return it to long suffering taxpayers including those who have paid huge tabs to educate other people's kids…