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What our Readers Are Saying

Letters

to the Editor

Maybe not Walgreen, but PTC needs God

I read with great interest the concerns raised against Christ

Our Shepherd Lutheran Church's (COS) possible relocation

after 25 years at the same location.

Before I share some thoughts on the subject, it should be known

that not only do I worship at COS but my wife is on staff. Neither

she nor anyone on church staff know I am writing this letter.

Therefore, this letter has not been screened or approved by anyone

at the church. (And likewise, if you don't like my comments,

please don't blame them; blame me!) I write merely as a

lay member with some thoughts to share.

I would love to address many of the items and innuendoes raised

in the letters printed in The Citizen on July 28 but the goal

here is not to bicker through the press. My purpose for writing

is to address what I feel has been left out of the information

so far. Information about something far greater than a drug store

or bank or whatever else may end up on that corner should the

church move.

While I have only lived here for one year, I have been a friend

of Christ Our Shepherd and its senior pastor, John Weber, for

many years. I know of the history and the impact that this church

has made in the faith life of many people. I am also aware of

many examples where the church and its members have provided

practical, real-life support and positive influence in this community.

As a result of the love and grace shown by the pastors and members

of this church, it has continued to grow over the years. Fortunately,

God has smiled favorably upon the work being done here in His

name. Unfortunately, He hasn't created more acreage on the

site in order for us to continue serving the faith and other

needs of this church and community most effectively.

There has been talk for several years of the need for more space

as ministries continued to grow. I could share until I'm

blue in the face about all the exciting ways that God is working

at COS and the resulting space implications.

Then God, a God of surprises, out of the blue has a company

contact the church late last fall with an offer to buy the land.

Yes, it's a great offer: 175 percent of land's value.

That's a GOD-sized offer!

It got our attention and could not be ignored. Has it been emotionally

easy to consider selling? No!

God has given all of His followers (not just at COS but in all

churches) both the responsibility and joy of sharing His message:

so that others might know Him, grow close to Him, and that when

they die, they will live with Him forever. We are simply trying

to move forward in faithfulness as we feel God has asked us to

do.

COS is very concerned about what kind of establishment might

be on the property if we move. I beg everyone to listen carefully

to what the church leadership is saying to the community. Listen

to all the planning and research and discussions about options

that have gone into this process.

(Mr. Helton mentioned the sale team but did not mention the

other four teams that were working to study any and all options,

including and probably most importantly, the prayer team which

had the entire congregation blanketing this process with prayers

for discernment and guidance.)

Please listen to how we want to be good neighbors, even in leaving,

if that is the end result of this process.

Maybe another Walgreen isn't needed. But short of some

other miracle plan and financial providence being dropped on

us by God, it seems to me the greater sin would be to put handcuffs

on the growth of God's Kingdom.

I would have to answer Mr. Helton, "Yes, we are concerned

with the quality of life of PTC citizens." But in my opinion,

an even greater concern is for the after-life of PTC citizens.

Dennis Rach

Tyrone, Ga.

Church sale opponents misstate several facts

As an active, confirmed member of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran

Church, I feel compelled to respond to the letter sent in by

Mr. Nigro concerning the sale of the church to Walgreen. Before

any other concerned citizens sign the petition I would just like

them to be aware of some erroneous facts concerning Mr. Nigro's

comments.

To begin with, although there are 1,900 members of the church,

only about half of the number are adults; the children were not

allowed to vote. Furthermore, adult members had to be present

to vote.

Of the members who could appear and decided to cast a vote,

80 percent chose in favor of progressing with the sale.

Secondly, the church does indeed choose to hire an off-duty

officer to direct traffic on Sunday mornings. The reason for

this is not because of the traffic leaving our church parking

lot. Rather it is to ensure the safety of the congregants who

are parking across the street in the shopping area while they

cross Peachtree Parkway.

The simple fact is that our church parking lot cannot hold all

of the people who come to worship on Sunday mornings.

It is extremely doubtful that the high volume of foot and automobile

traffic we experience on Sunday mornings will occur with a small

retail establishment in the same area.

It is also doubtful that multiple accidents or deaths will result

as Mr. Nigro implies. Of course, a traffic study of the area

would be the best judge of the facts.

However, because Walgreen would not have people walking across

the street to enter the establishment, the need for Walgreen

to hire a police officer would be highly unlikely.

Another concern of Mr. Nigro was related to the Church of Latter

Day Saints. For the information of the public, that church was

in fact approached first in hopes that they would sell their

property, but for reasons of their own they do NOT want to sell

their property. So the fear that they would choose to sell also

remains unfounded.

Lastly, most of the congregation of the church sees the offer

seriously pursued.

As Mr. Nigro pointed out, the Lutheran church does indeed have

1,900 confirmed members. The church does not have the space for

people to park, the church does not have the space for people

to worship, and the church does not have the space for other

ministries and outreach of the church.

The church is not hoping to make a profit off of the sale to

Walgreen; instead the church is hopeful to have the opportunity

to continue its goals and missions in this community, and the

simple fact is that we cannot continue to grow in our mission

and commune together in our present location.

I hope that this helps to clarify some people's concerns

that may have been raised concerning the upcoming sale.

Jennifer Switzer

Tyrone, Ga.

PTC should say no to church rezoning

Please say "No" to the rezoning of the property at

the intersection of Ga. Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway. Changing

the zoning of this property to accommodate a Walgreen is absurd.

Office Institutional is what is currently zoned and Office Institutional

is what it should stay. Changing the zoning to Limited Use Commercial

can only lead to commercial use in the future.

I have been a resident of Fayette County since the mid 1970s.

Because of out of control "progress" (as it is referred

to by many) in Fayetteville (Pavilion and surrounding areas),

I and many others were forced to sell beautiful homes with lots

of acreage. I now get to tell my children I was baptized in a

Fayetteville church, now the site of a Ruby Tuesday's. What

a shame!

Over the years, I have seen a flood of letters/actions from

Fayette County citizens opposing various rezonings and businesses.

Yet, I have seen a history of the citizen's wishes being

ignored by our elected officials, all for corporate America.

Where do these elected officials live? Are they sitting in traffic

at the bottlenecks created by more businesses (and not just during

rush hour)? Do they live behind this growth? Do they hear the

sounds of the delivery trucks, street cleaning machines, dumpsters

being emptied all hours of the night? Do they have their lots

illumined by the lights of such establishments? Do they sit at

their subdivision entrances waiting to enter a major thoroughfare?

I moved to Peachtree City in 1991. I thought it was the place

to live since I kept hearing it was a planned community. I thought

I had done my homework this time, reviewing the land use plan,

looking at the various zonings, etc. I was relieved to be moving

to an area where two churches reside. It was refreshing to see

churches instead of gas stations, etc. I guess I was wrong.

Just what does a "planned community" mean? Is it "planned" until

the right offer comes along?

Why would Peachtree City officials approve another drug store/five

and dime on Hwy. 54 (with an Eckerd across the street, another

Eckerd at the 74/54 intersection (now that's another story

in itself), a CVS at Lexington across from the Publix?

Why do we need yet another bank to occupy that space as well

as the Walgreen (there are two banks in Peachtree Crossing right

now)? Why would Peachtree City want to further complicate the

intersection at Hwy. 54 and the Parkway?

Is Peachtree City aware of two of our children in neighboring

subdivisions being hit by cars at that intersection? Is Peachtree

City aware of the school bus stops now mandated directly on the

Parkway, in three subdivisions close to that intersection? And

lastly, what about the fire station and the response time for

the safety of our citizens?

The Lutheran Church has been a welcoming sight and a good neighbor.

Please don't spoil that. I urge the members of the Lutheran

Church to consider the opening of a second church in another

area of Peachtree City to accommodate your growth, or sell to

another church. Don't destroy the beauty of our city.

Fran Plunkett

Highlands subdivision

Peachtree City, Ga.

Adult seems to have lost her sense of humor

Unfortunately, Pat Hancock does not know how to use her God-given

sense of humor.

The article written by Virginia Lambert and Morgan Stephens

was so clearly written in fun that it almost seems silly to defend

it, but Ms. Hancock's diatribe against two 7-year-old children

is not funny. What a sad commentary indeed.

I happen to know one of these children well. She is smart, loving,

helps others, and attends church every Sunday. She respects authority

and is quite accustomed to not having her own way.

Her teachers would attest that she is an exemplary student,

both academically and behaviorally. She simply just doesn't

like adult swim.

Writing a letter to the editor (whether it is about a serious

policy or not) is a great summer educational project. It came

about as a way to teach them that the newspaper is a proper venue

to express opinions, air grievances, and possibly change a policy.

It was also just plain funny.

The most troubling issue in the lives of these two is what happens

at the neighborhood pool; that is as it should be. Childhood

should be a playful, innocent time. Let's let them keep

that, shall we?

As Ms. Hancock displays, we become adult and dour all too soon.

In the spirit of debate, I will say that I disagree with Morgan

and Virginia. Adult swim gives the lifeguards a very necessary

break each hour. They work hard to make sure you stay safe at

the pool. It also gives me sweet relief from the incessant chanting

of "Marco Polo."

Nice try girls, but I don't think you're going to

win this one!

Amy Wilder Bearden

Peachtree City, Ga.

Thanks for prayers

My heart has been warmed by people I don't know who e-mailed

me with heartfelt offers of prayer for my grandson Jake and his

family.

Kelley, Jake's mother, is a graduate of Fayette County

High School. She married when she was 30 and after the birth

of Jake, she wanted him to have a life in a rural area, so they

choose North Carolina because she loved the mountains and streams

there.

When Jake was a year old, the cabin they lived in burned to

the ground and they lost everything. They could not accept defeat,

so they bought another cabin, and John would work all day and

come home and work on the house. They live on an acre of land

surrounded on three sides by a rushing mountain stream.

Kelley has done everything to protect the health of her children.

She grinds wheat and makes her own bread, has a garden, and they

eat only organic foods. John is self-employed, therefore they

have no health insurance.

With the love of the church where she grew up, Ebenezer Methodist,

friends, family and neighbors that I have never met, all have

helped with donations to help pay for Jake's medicines and

doctor visits.

Jake is at home and still is able to play with his sister and

brother, and when he feels like it he feeds his ducks and chickens.

He is a brave little boy. His eyesight in his left eye is blurred,

but thanks to an eye patch he reads with his right eye.

His doctor said he had never seen a child adjust the way Jake

has. Keep Jake in your prayers; let's pray for a miracle.

I have cried a river of tears, however after many prayers my

inner strength told me to put it in God's hands, keep praying,

but trust God to handle it all. Thanks for your love and prayers.

LeGay Saul

[email protected]

Readers line up for, against candidates in next week's

runoff

Against Glenn

Dylan Glenn would certainly work hard to advance the interests

of the Bush administration if elected to Congress. Less certain

would be his motivation to advance the interests of people residing

in the 8th District.

Mr. Glenn's career to date seems to consist of a checkered

pastiche of low-level staff jobs. As near as can be determined,

Mr. Glenn has never in his life held a position of leadership

at any level in local, state or federal government.

He's simply a political creature existing on political

plums passed down as rewards for his near slavish devotion to

the Republican Party.

When asked to list his accomplishments, he flashes that disarming

100-watt smile and dutifully trots out those two pictures of

him rubbing elbows with George Bush. He claims to have been some

sort of economic advisor to the President, but has been a bit

vague on what that job entailed.

Given the record-busting deficits that have occurred on Bush's

watch, I'm not sure I'd be too specific either.

Four years ago, Glenn ran for Congress from the 2nd district

in southwest Georgia. He lost. Two years ago, he ran for Congress

from the 2nd district in southwest Georgia again. He lost again.

Now he's trying to convince folks in the 8th district that

he's one of us, the fact that he's spent almost all

of his adult life in Washington D.C. notwithstanding.

Dylan Glenn appears to have never owned a home in the 8th district,

or even rented one here for that matter.

When I went to his campaign Web site, I was very surprised and

delighted when I saw on the front page of his site, a link in

big bold letters, "Am I a resident of the Eight District?"

Impressive, I thought, he's confronting the issue of his

residency (or should I say, lack of residency) head-on.

Alas, that proved not to be the case. Clicking on that link

takes you to a site that tells YOU what district you live in,

based on your address.

Dylan Glenn, despite his pleasant demeanor and winning smile,

appears to be little more than a carpetbagger in pursuit of a

steady paycheck at the expense of the people of the 8th District.

Robert Jensen

Peachtree City, Ga.

For Westmoreland

Those who are even casually familiar with the Southside political

landscape had to be stunned to receive letters from Newt Gingrich

begging votes for Lynn Westmoreland's congressional opponent

in the runoff election.

Before Gingrich jilted us for what he thought to be greener

pastures north of Atlanta he was very nearly defeated by an under-funded

Democrat. One of the main reasons he managed to hang on to his

seat in Congress in that election was because of the unstinting

support and hard work of Westmoreland and his family in Fayette

and surrounding counties.

Gingrich's letter clearly establishes him as the political

ingrate of the year. He has explained that he stabbed his old

friend and supporter in the back by saying he is endorsing Westmoreland's

opponent because he is black and because Republicans need a black

in the House of Representatives.

This is plantation mentality. It is an insult to Westmoreland's

opponent and to all African-Americans. Some of us are naive enough

to think that the idea in 21st century America is to vote for

candidates we believe can best represent us rather that the shade

of their pigmentation.

If they want more African-Americans in their party Washington

and Washington-oriented Republicans such as Gingrich have a strange

strategy to accomplish their goal. President Bush kisses off

the black vote by refusing an invitation to speak at the NAACP

convention while party bigwigs desert one of their most loyal,

hard-working, proven candidates simply because he has a white

face.

Voters in this congressional district are more interested in

being represented in Congress than they are in helping Washington

Republicans paint a false image of diversity. Newt and his would-be

opportunists ought to know better. But when we reflect on his

personal and professional history, why are we surprised. We can

count on Westmoreland not to run out on his constituents, or

having to resign his seat mid-term.

Jim Minter

Fayetteville, Ga.

[Minter is the retired editor of the Atlanta Constitution.]

For Westmoreland

I've been watching with great interest the 8th Congressional

race. I've lived in this district for 20 years and have

been fortunate to have had Newt Gingrich and Mac Collins represent

me very well. We have been blessed that this conservative district

has truly had a conservative Republican at the helm.

This was not always the case, and I can still remember going

door to door in 1990, with my two small children in tow, knocking

on doors in Jonesboro handing out Newt Gingrich flyers and trying

to get out the vote. That was a very, very close race, and now

my grown children still remind me of the many times that irate

voters slammed their doors in our faces.

This election year saw no surprises, as we had a field of four

candidates that all seemed well versed in conservative principles

and policies. I felt very fortunate in knowing that my choice

to fill Mac Collins seat had many fine candidates.

I looked at Mike Crotts and Tom Mills and decided that they

were fine gentlemen, but not quite ready for the task. Then I

looked at Dylan Glenn and Lynn Westmoreland.

Dylan was not only bold but also dynamic. He truly had been

honing his skills as a good communicator and I could see why

many have chosen to select him as our congressman. The bonus

included that Dylan Glenn is black and I thought it would portend

better for the Republicans to have a young dynamic black congressman

represent us.

Lynn Westmoreland also is a bold and dynamic speaker. However,

Lynn has worked for many, many years in the Georgia General Assembly.

He has a conservative voting record that can be reviewed, scrutinized,

and even criticized. Lynn was even selected as the leader of

the House Republicans as the House Minority Leader.

Basically, Lynn has paid his dues and now has a strong record

that he could proudly run on.

So my choice was between an experienced, dynamic, and committed

conservative by the name of Westmoreland, or a new and untested

young black conservative by the name of Dylan Glenn.

I actually was leaning very heavily toward Glenn. The idea of

having a black Republican in my district was tantalizing. That's

when an epiphany hit me.

As a conservative I am bound to certain principles and ideals

that I think dictate what I and our party represents. I truly

believe that, as Rush Limbaugh says, we are the party of substance

over symbolism.

I then had to honestly look into my heart and ask myself, looking

at both candidates as objectively as I could, without a consideration

for skin color, who would I vote for, and I quickly answered

that by saying I'd vote for the candidate with a background

in conservative leadership and with a record that can be looked

at.

That choice was Lynn Westmoreland.

As a Republican, I believe in the power of the individual. I

believe that I should not hire, fire, discriminate, or vote for

a candidate because of his skin color. I should not vote for

someone merely because he is white, nor should I do so if he

were black, and I found that is exactly what I was doing.

I am looking forward to big things to come from Dylan Glenn

one day. Perhaps he will work his way up through the Georgia

General Assembly and one day be our first black governor, or

senator, or even president.

But for right now, Lynn Westmoreland has earned the respect

of the Republican voters of the 8th District, and that is how

my ballot will be cast on Aug. 10.

Richard Hobbs

Fayetteville, Ga.

For Glenn

I'm supporting Dylan Glenn in the Aug. 10 runoff for the

8th Congressional District, and here's why.

My love for the process of self-government began in the early

1980s. I've worked full-time in Washington for Newt Gingrich

and in Atlanta for U.S. Senator Mack Mattingly. I've held

numerous positions in my local Republican Party and have run

for public office.

You learn a lot about politics and politicians after more than

two decades of participation. I believe Dylan Glenn has both

the character and the experience to be a dynamic representative

on his first day in office.

Dylan's opponent has received several endorsements. Those

endorsements are based on his alleged accomplishments at the

state level. He knows next to nothing about how things are done

in Washington. Dylan is the only candidate with federal experience.

It's simple. Dylan can do the job best. Send him to Washington.

Reid Spearman

Fayetteville, Ga.

For Glenn

We are blessed in this area to have two fine candidates still

left in the runoff for Republican nominee for the Eighth Congressional

District.

While Lynn Westmoreland has served ably in the Georgia legislature,

his opponent Dylan Glenn is in my estimation by far the best

choice for our district.

Glenn has served as a former aide to both President Bush and

Governor Perdue and has shown in his campaign appearances that

he has the skills to be both a legislative leader and a consensus

builder if elected to the U.S. House.

Some of his opponents have derided him as a "Washington

insider" as if that were actually a detriment instead of

the huge positive that it is.

Of course former Georgians on the Hill such as the late Richard

Russell, Sam Nunn, and Newt Gingrich were all guilty of being "Washington

insiders" who ably served our state and nation.

As a young politician who knows how both the federal and state

governments work, Glenn should be able to "hit the ground

running" as an advocate for our district on Capitol Hill.

I would strongly urge everyone who is eligible to vote in the

Aug. 10 runoff to consider Glenn for our next congressman. His

background proves that he is more than up to the task of being

a strong voice for all in our community.

Steven R. Harbin

Newnan, Ga.

For Glenn

Because we are at war, the 2004 election will be the most important

in the past four decades. The same holds true for our 8th Congressional

District contest. Our district needs to select the best-prepared

individual for the 21st century.

No doubt, each of the candidates is an honorable man. But, I

am struck by the difference in minimum standards to become a

member of Congress in the 21st century (with the authority of

voting to send Americans to war) and becoming a second lieutenant

in the Regular Army (an individual fighting the war).

To integrate into the Regular Army, an officer must have as

a minimum a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution

of higher learning.

Since we are at war, and entrusting to members of Congress the

responsibility to raise and maintain armies (and develop incentives

to retain those armies), we in the 8th Congressional District

have an opportunity to select someone who had the self-motivation,

self-discipline, intellect and willingness to sacrifice to obtain

a double major in economics and political science. That candidate

is Dylan Glenn.

Perhaps it is now time to apply the same minimum standard for

our elected Congressional representative as becoming a Regular

Army second lieutenant facing combat!

Jack C. Wheeler

Major General, USA, (Ret)

Fayetteville, Ga.

For Chambers

Some 27 years ago, on a cool, crisp day in May, I became the

mother of Alison Chambers. Because I'd struggled with government

organizations that wanted to drop my given name, the one I go

by, we gave her no middle name.

For her seventh birthday, she asked for just one thing: to take

the name of my mother's mother to replace the No Middle

Name designation. My uncle, Charles Ballard, took care of this

most special project, and today our daughter, Alison K. Chambers,

can't keep her fingers off the locket she borrowed from

my mother to wear during the campaign, a locket that was a birthday

gift to my mother, Ada Ballard Hewell, from her mother, Katie

Belle Ballard.

Over the past several years, I've encouraged Alison to

move to Atlanta, or to join her brother, Kipp, in Los Angeles,

not because I want to say goodbye to another piece of my heart,

but because I want Alison to enjoy being young and single while

she's, well, young and single.

But she chooses to stay right here where her roots run deep

and where she's surrounded by folks she calls kin and friend.

Alison loves Fayette County with the same deep, solid, unwavering

love she has for her family, and as I attend graduate school

in an attempt to relocate and resuscitate my voice, I stand proudly

in the wings, watching Alison use hers.

She's running for state House District 72, our Alison is,

having reached into her pocket and dusted off a dream she's

had since she was a teensy tot.

She has a keen desire to go to Atlanta and represent you, the

citizens of Fayette County, as laws and policies that will affect

us and our children are shaped.

Though she has opinions and isn't afraid to own them, she

sees this job as a charge to represent you and your interests.

If you want to know where she stands on an issue or topic, ask

her. She'll tell you. But don't be surprised when she

turns the question back around and asks what you think, because

your position on an issue is extremely important to her.

She's nobody's puppet: Even my opinions (given only

when asked for, I promise!) are merely added to the soup mix

as she considers, reflects, and decides.

I have to tell you that I saw this coming a long, long time

ago, and I did try to talk her out of it by telling her what

it was like watching my mother and daddy and grandparents run

for and hold political office. It takes a lot of time, I said,

and it can get really, really ugly.

That's when Alison reminded me that she has the time right

now, and she very much wants to represent the people she's

proud to call neighbors.

Young, fresh, and still idealistic enough to believe in the

concepts America's founders set forth, Alison is ready to

do what she can to ensure a fine future for citizens of Fayette

County. I am constantly amazed at her knowledge, her love of

history, and the dedicated enthusiasm she has for building on

the best of the past to create a rich fullness for the future.

Though on occasion I still have to resist the urge to shield

and protect her, I am so proud that Alison is willing to step

up and do this courageous, confident thing: Put herself in the

center of the circle and make public her offer to serve.

When you go to the polls to vote in the runoff election on Aug.

10, I hope you'll give us, Fayette County citizens all,

the representation of a fresh, unjaded voice by casting your

vote for my daughter, Alison K. Chambers.

Jeanne Hewell Chambers

Peachtree City, Ga.

For Bonner

The Republican Primary runoff is next Tuesday, Aug. 10. A small

turnout is predicted. Don't let a few voters decide this

election.

In the state Senate District 16 race there is big difference

in the candidates. Let's compare:

Bill Bonner: Successful local businessman in real world business.

Ronnie Chance: Lobbyist at the Capitol and political consultant.

Bonner: Longtime community leader.

Chance: None noted.

Bonner: Proven voting record as two-term county commissioner;

various positions in Republican Party at different levels; local

and state party fund-raiser.

Chance: No elected office; one mediocre term as Fayette Party

chairman used as a stepping stone; giving