It is time for someone else to have the honor of being a Peachtree City council member. I have decided not to seek reelection for Peachtree City Council Post 1. A career politician I am not. (There should be NO career politicians.)
Six years ago a new council took office with the task of getting our city finances back on track. We knew we were facing an over $20 million shortfall in the city’s five-year budget model. This was an astonishing figure.
Today, despite struggling through the worst recession since the Great Depression and several years of fair market values dropping, we are now nearly balanced in that same five-year model, still have over 30 percent in reserves and are providing the best services we can while maintaining a AAA bond rating.
Posts 1 and 2 are open for election this November as their terms will end on Dec. 31, 2015.
You must go to City Hall the week of Aug. 31 to get your name on the ballot. On Jan. 1, 2016, the two elected people will join the other three current elected officials who will lead the city for the next two years.
Do not assume that all because an incumbent is not running that post will be the easiest to win. History tells us there will be a runoff after votes are split among three or more candidates. Take time to read a special letter to the editor in The Citizen newspaper from Feb. 24, 2015, “How to Run for City Council.” A simple online search will bring it up.
I hope that several people will run for both posts 1 and 2. Listen to the candidates and look for question-dodging or the “telling you what you want to hear” tactic. Dig deeper when you hear, “I support the police, fire department, road and cart path maintenance, etc.”
Ask the candidates, what would they have done differently over the last five years? This is actually an important point because the citizens will need to know how candidates would have voted on important issues in the past so we will know how they are likely to vote in the future.
Politicians are eager to show the citizens how well they are serving the citizens with new or expanded services. Give a politician more money and guess what they’ll do with it? Ask how they intend to pay for all the services they say they want to provide. In every situation, “Why” and “How” are always good questions.
Raising taxes is NOT the solution. Remember, many are still living paycheck-to-paycheck and would find higher taxes difficult or impossible to pay. Additionally, businesses will think twice about coming to a market that has a higher tax rate than nearby other choices.
The next council will have an opportunity for a fresh start with a budget that I know will not need any more millage rate increases. Fiscal discipline remains the key essential.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I tried to represent the best interests of our citizens and always did my best to help those who came to me for assistance.
I am optimistic about Peachtree City. The future looks bright and we will continue to be the unique place people want to live. I wish the future city council all the best. Please be sure to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Eric Imker
City Council Post 1
Peachtree City, Ga.
