A proposal

to ban candy-throwing from floats in Peachtree City's July 4th parade

will be discussed at a workshop tomorrow at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

After the workshop,

the City Council is slated to consider the matter during its regular meeting

at 7 p.m.

Under the proposal,

candy and other freebies could still be thrown into the crowd during the

parade just not from the floats.

City officials

are concerned about candy dropping onto the parade route that proves tempting

to youngsters who scamper in the roadway to retrieve goodies.

There were

several close calls in last year's July 4th parade, including one occasion

where a child scrambled under a moving fire engine to get candy, according

to Fire Chief Stony Lohr.

Council will

also discuss a plan to provide an early retirement program for public

safety employees. The program would allow firefighters and police officers

with a minimum of 10 years of service to retire at age 55 since their

jobs are dependent on their physical abilities.

The estimated

cost of the program is $300,000, which would be covered by the increase

the city has received in its insurance premium tax revenues, recommends

Finance Director Paul Salvatore.

The program

would also cover medical insurance premiums for public safety employees

who choose to retire. The city would cover between 25 and 100 percent

of the premium's cost based upon the employee's length of service with

the city until the employee becomes eligible for Medicare.

The council

meets at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.