My critics would have you believe

I supported "big boxes" when I voted on the Wal-Mart and Home

Depot issue. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is, Council

was not voting on whether or not the big boxes were allowable; they were.

The land they are going to sit on was zoned for "big boxes"

almost 30 years ago. I did NOT rezone it.

To have denied the development

based on the fact we did not want "big boxes" would in fact

have resulted in a lawsuit that would have significantly raised our current

mill rate to pay for. Fact: Council's vote was whether or not the project

met our traffic ordinance. It did. We would have lost the lawsuit and

still ended up with the "big boxes" without any of the concessions

staff was able to work out. I was here, and I did my homework.

Not only did I stop the rezoning

request for "big boxes" at Walt Banks and Ga. Highway 54, I

fought for the adoption of an ordinance to prohibit the proliferation

of "big boxes" throughout the city. I also fought for the adoption

of our traffic ordinance, which will limit any further development in

the Hwy. 54 corridor until substantial improvements are made to the road.

Once elected to office, public

officials must often choose between following a law, or fighting it. When

you fight a law, fights should only be undertaken with public funds if

the benefits will outweigh the costs, and the fight is winnable. Good

elected officials will follow the rule of law. That is the fine line Council

walks each time they make a decision about zoning, initiating ordinances

or even proposing voting referendums.

The results and answers may

not be what people want to hear when they are passionate about their stance

on an issue. It feels much better to "fight City Hall." I know,

I have been there. I have also been on the receiving end of much of that

rhetoric, and I hope I have set the record straight. Beware voters, of

those on crusades or who pretend to know all the answers. They don't.

"Monday morning quarterbacking" is always easy.

For four years I have done

my homework to serve you, the members of our community. Now it is your

turn. Know the facts.

Do your homework. On Nov. 27,

vote with knowledge. Vote Carol Fritz.

Carol Fritz

Peachtree City

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