Free Speech for 8-10-05


		Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005

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FREE SPEECH
Our Readers Sound Off

What do you really think? E-mail us your pithy opinions, your short takes on life in Fayette and environs, your gotta-get-it-off-your-chest questions or sound-offs. E-mails only to editor@TheCitizenNews.com.
Put "Free Speech" in your subject line and include your contribution as the body text of your e-mail. No signature required. No phone calls, faxes or snail-mail letters, please. No personal attacks on private persons, but just about any aspect of public life is fair game.

08-10-05

I love to hear folks criticize The Citizen newspaper and the Free Speech section under the guise that both are harmful to the community. Anyone ever hear of a fellow named Benjamin Franklin? He spent much of his life writing anonymous letters to the editor. Furthermore he was a staunch defender of a free press and believed that a free and unfettered press is as significant as a strong army in protecting a democratic republic. I applaud The Citizen and Free Speech. I suspect Ben Franklin would have enjoyed this paper.

It is curious that so many people who seem to post messages in Free Speech seem to “not like” Free Speech or are “disappointed” with the comments in Free Speech. If Free Speech is so bad then why doesn’t somebody just sue the paper? Oh, yeah, I forgot, one local lawyer already tried that.

I have never responded before, but I just couldn’t keep myself in my chair while reading [the Aug. 3] Free Speech. So, here goes. Someone is in shock over negative things being discussed about Fayette County? And, they have lived here for 10 years? And someone might read it! So what! Let the real truth be seen, heard and experienced by one and all. Heads in the sand is all I can figure. Let potential PTC or Fayetteville hopefuls read the local papers, sit in on county and city issues, take a jaunt over to the Fayetteville Juvenile Court and hope they will let them sit in on one of their railroading events, sit and observe the PTC police do their patriotic duty and arrest, over and over again, kids that wouldn’t be arrested in most other states or counties (well, most of the time) and never arrest the ones that are doing the real criminal activities. Breaking into their friends’ homes, and stealing thousands of dollars in cold hard cash, busting the sculptures, stealing friends parents’ porno and making duplicates to sell to other students for profit, while all along, the real culprits sit and laugh all the way to their next victims. Oh, the warehouses have been targets for a long, long time and maybe the owners will smarten up soon. Harassing neighbors and video-taping it, while they implicate others each and everytime. And, the parents don’t question their own child’s involvement, over and over again? They have snowed their own parents and continue to steal them blind. They take pride in not getting caught and brag about it! Where is the justice? Others pull up besides local residents of PTC and shoot them with paint ball guns and never get caught? Brandishing a weapon like that, you only have seconds to catch your breath, because you’re thinking its a real gun, to then go further into shock when a paint ball splatters on your window. The boys then pulled away laughing, so where were the police then? But, these are the kids that seem to never get caught. It happened to a friend of mine with her children, and I can tell you, if it happens to me or my husband, we will run them off the road and not make any excuses for it. So, parents, be warned! I vote for the next mayor that recommends that the PTC police have a full-blown investigation done of their practices and procedures. Review all cases and do some research. And, then a Hollywood movie contract shouldn’t be far behind. But, then again, who am I? I’ve only lived here for 18 years and plan on moving this year, as so many others have done, to remove themselves from the PTC and Fayetteville atrocities and injustices. And, the sad part is that for all the good that the police do for us, the bad, wrong and hurtful things way outnumber them.

The two most logical reasons why arrests are on the decline in Peachtree City are: 1. Chief Murray has dedicated some of the officers to patrolling the World Wide Web instead of our local streets and paths and, 2. We finally have a district attorney and solicitor general who will not prosecute cases that are questionable in nature. In other words, the result of an illegal stop, illegal search or illegal arrest.

I saw a picture of Chief of Police Murray in your paper last week and it showed that the chief wore an emblem that simply said “chief.” I am quite fed up with all these chiefs and sheriffs in many cities wearing up to four-star general IDs. It is bad enough listening to them brag on every unit of law enforcement in all surrounding counties and the state and federal government every time they get on TV when 90 percent of the time someone simply turned the criminal in to them. That doesn’t make their job any less dangerous at times but, exhibiting unearned authority just makes the ignorant ones more abhorrent.

I brought my two young children to the Fayette County Police [sic] Department on Aug. 2 for their Open House. My kids got to see a police car, a fire truck, and the inside of the Mobile Command Center where they got their fingerprints taken. A special thanks to all of the policemen and firemen who were there who took the time out for our kids. You all were very kind and made my kids feel extra special. Thank you.

By not exposing the corrupt, officers who do not break the law are in fact corrupt.

Has anyone else noticed that making a left turn onto McDonough Road from County Line Road (at the intersection where the DMV is; ironic) is extremely difficult if there is a car in the left turn lane turning from McElroy Road to McDonough Road? I guess it’s just the way that the lane is positioned, but if there is a car in the opposite turning lane, especially a big one, it’s almost impossible to see any oncoming traffic. There have been many instances where I have found myself in the position to floor it because I couldn’t see any cars coming the other direction. My other bothersome traffic area is at the intersection of Ga. Hwy. 54 and McDonough Road (right by the soccer complex). the positioning of the driveway to get into that gas station is absolutely ridiculous. Yes, I could go to another gas station, but I have found this one to be the cleanest and most friendliest in the county (don’t even get me started on that topic). Trying to turn in and out of there with three directions of traffic coming at you is scary.

How many chapters of Driver’s Education 101 is Free Speech going to publish? If drivers can’t comprehend the use of the gas and brake pedals, how can Free Speech teach them how and when to turn?

I have attended many Tyrone Town Council meetings and am publicly requesting the council and town manager speak into the microphone so the citizens attending the meeting can hear what they are saying. All you hear is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. I guess you can’t really call it a public meeting if you can’t hear anything.

Guys, we are paying big time for our apathy in the November elections. Mayor Lee works a full time job 8-5 for the county. Isn’t that a conflict of interest? She draws the pay but lets Barry Amos do the mayor’s job for Tyrone. We are being sold to the developers. Look at how much sewer they signed a contract with for Fairburn, way more than we needed. No one is that stupid, even them. They have their own plans for us and they are not what we want.

In reference to the AJC which quoted Tyrone Town Manager Barry Amos as saying, “The developer took care of the conditions the Planning Commission and the council both proposed.” Also, one of the conditions was the developer also has to come up with an acceptable sewage plan. The town’s decision on the sewer plan will be completed in the next 30 days clearing the way for construction to begin, Amos said. Also, the open space, which includes wetland areas, will be deeded to the town. Two major reasons Tyrone needs a clean sweep of council and planning commission. Anytime a government lets a developer dictate to them the conditions of a rezoning, it is time to go. Also, when developer donates wetlands to town, that only means the taxpayers are responsible and the town can continue to destroy those wetlands, i.e., Handley Park. So far as Ginger Blackstone’s explanation as to why it is OK for this rezoning, her focus is how a sign looks at Eckerd and the color of buildings. Elected and appointed officials in Tyrone know nothing about land use planning and development. Please, please resign. Fayette County Commission, come to the rescue and dissolve Tyrone as a Town. Tyrone elected officials and planning commission are an embarrassment to Fayette County.

I’m amazed how all the blame for the Wieland rezoning is being placed on Mayor Lee. Let’s not forget the two that caused this issue to be placed at Mayor Lee’s feet in the first place. Mr. Letourneau and Mr. Smola are the ones that should be taken out back to the wood shed. Why did they choose to go against the people of Tyrone? If they would have listened to the people and voted as they should, this matter would never have gone to the mayor for her vote. In the history of Tyrone, I can’t think of a time when a tie vote occurred that allowed the mayor to break the tie. Now Mr. Letourneau was not challenged during the last election so he didn’t have to campaign and make statements that he had to back up later, but his history on the council would make you think he would listen to the people. Now Mr. Smola, on the other hand, stood up and made statements about adhering to the land use map and even printed that same message on literature that he put out during his campaign. Of course he also made known his desire to increase commercial zoning on Ga. Highway 74, which is also against the land use map. So what that tells me is he didn’t have a clue as to what he wanted for Tyrone. So now we see. He rolled over to Mr. Developer the first chance he got. Now, we’re stuck with him until the next election or until a recall is started against him. I’m in favor of the recall. Get him and Letourneau out with a recall, and don’t let this fall in the mayor’s lap again.

I read in the July 13 “Free Speech” that Janet Smola receives $393 a month from the school board for her service. Maybe that is enough to keep her off the streets.

Isn’t it ironic? Tyrone Council member Michael Smola mused that it would be precedent-setting to consider monetary reimbursement from a citizen where a previous failing by a developer and the town may have existed, while voting to reverse a land use ruling less than a year old, and against their own Planning Commission. [To] allow one-half acre lots for a developer to extract maximum profit is not considered precedent setting.

I’m in favor of Melissa Hill’s efforts to have Mayor Sheryl Lee recalled from office. It would be a first step in keeping Tyrone from heading in the wrong direction. We in Tyrone cause a lot of our own problems when our elected officials like Paul Letourneau run unopposed in elections. We don’t want to be a town run by a bunch of money grubbing thugs like Peachtree City used to be. We need to create a new voting system where many of our residents don’t have to go to two polling places to vote on state/county and town elections. People like state School Superintendent Kathy Cox and Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown started off as concerned citizens that were willing to make the system better. We need some new leadership to come out of the citizen ranks in Tyrone.

As a Fayette County taxpayer, I am very disappointed with our illustrious sheriff. I had no problem with the fact the sheriff and county commissioners became involved in a dispute and ultimately a lawsuit. That is due process which individuals and entities both public and private have available to them under our democratic process. My problem is when the sheriff has such an ego problem that he can’t accept the answer received from this process and is determined to spend an exorbitant amount of the citizens’ tax money. If the expense came from his pocket, he would tuck his tail and live by the recent ruling. You might think, well, we can show our discontent when the next election comes around. In all probability, the sheriff will not be running again. This could be a contributing factor in the decision to incur the expense of an appellant court battle. Legal fees are not cheap. If you have not been involved in a legal matter, count yourself blessed. I will not forget the current actions of the sheriff nor those law enforcement officials contributing to this ridiculous, insane and unnecessary spending.

Is it premature to begin planning for a statue of Greg Dunn to be erected in the town square? That would probably rile PTC since they don’t have a town square. Perhaps we could select a compromising location midway between Fayetteville and PTC on Ga. Highway 54 out behind Nub’s Market.

To the person that wrote that Ben Nelms story about the tape recorder at the City Council meeting is an embarrassment: Please grow up, go to the council meetings and see for yourself what a joke they are. All of them hopefully will be voted out. Be thankful for reporters like Ben and his editor; they print the truth. I fully support anyone taping the council meetings; they should be televised for the citizens who are unable to be there. I ask you to go to several council meetings and you will see a pattern, and you will not like how the mayor and council conduct the meetings. They do not speak in the microphone, they mumble, it’s impossible to hear most of what they say.

Ben, keep up the good work! Many citizens are behind you! I am so proud of you! It takes guts to do what you do. I am so very thankful that you are the reporter who covers the council meetings! Thank you Mr Beverly!

Hey, Mr. J.C. Penney, you’re the new guy in town and the first thing you do is cut down the beautiful trees in front of your store? Not very good PR; lots of your future customers are watching.

Canadians pay a 15 percent sales tax on everything, including haircuts, real estate, lawyers’ fees and even postage stamps, and some folks around here won’t be satisfied until our sales tax reaches the same level. We’re well on our way.

There was a recent headline in The Citizen, “Taxes increasing all across Fayette.” Taxes went UP in Tyrone, UP in Fayetteville, UP in Peachtree City and DOWN in the unincorporated county. Does this mean that cramming as much commercial into an area as you can doesn’t save money in taxes? And, I thought that was one of the secrets of Clayton’s success.

So many articles are written about the urgent need for a few more full-time fire fighters in Peachtree City that we should be concerned and get the facts. Can someone just layout what we now have: How many stations do we have and why; how many people in the fire department, and how many are fire fighters; how many work first shift, second, third, week-end; how much are these fighters paid (a total salary for fighters and for administration will do); how many volunteer fighters do we have, and why not many more; what is the advantage in taking six to eight vehicles to every fire from all of the stations? Doesn’t that indicate maybe we have too many stations? I realize that if the firefighters just once a year saves lives that it is necessary to have full-time people all of the time. However in reading the services performed by the fire department in the paper very little is going on usually. There must be a better organization available than continuously adding more and more full-time employees. Services do now provide more jobs than do factories (who make things to sell) but taxpayers are being discouraged from working due to all of the myriad of methods of collecting taxes: 50-60 percent of the cost of everything we buy is caused by some kind of tax, and most of it is not federal and state income taxes.

If you didn’t think traffic would get much worse before it gets much better at 54/74/Home Depot/Planterra area, you had your head in the sand. All the while, I continue to enjoy a virtually traffic-free Peachtree Parkway and my home on Battery Way that I purchased about one year ago. I frankly do not understand why anyone would have purchased a home off MacDuff Parkway, knowing what was going to happen. It’s been planned for some time.

I certainly hope that the person who said that four lanes were not needed on MacDuff Parkway isn’t the same person who calculated the traffic pattern at the 54/74 intersection prior to all the commercialism in that area. Using the money for the library doesn’t save many headaches, and possibly lives, in the future. However, if no bridge is going to be built over the north exit at the rail crossing, then it would be stupid to run a four-lane into a crossing. Even more stupid to four-lane only part of the way. Frankly, I don’t think we have seen anything yet as to stupid planning. We are out of good land in PTC and the developers will now be given a free hand; they certainly don’t care.

We had a visitor Sunday afternoon coming from Florida, via Newnan, and their first question was, “What is going on [Ga. Highway] 34 from Newnan? We like to have never got to Peachtree City.” It was embarrassing to explain.

In response to the young person with bad brakes blasting old folks’ driving. Have you ever pulled out from Fayette Community Hospital onto Hwy. 54? Try it sometime; it is not fun at any age. I see cars speeding at 70-75 on Hwy. 54 and there is a blind curve and small hill as you enter the roadway, making it very difficult to see oncoming traffic. By the time you pull out from the hospital, the speeding cars are fast upon you. The speed limit needs to be reduced near the entrance to the hospital, and of course we desperately need a traffic light at that location. It would also help if police officers were out giving tickets to the speeders. So, young folk, bear with the old folks; you will be there yourself one day. Please get some new brakes and a little patience and slow down as you approach the hospital area. If you check the number of accidents in that area, it includes all ages. It would be nice if people would slow down and show some civility while driving. Lastly, how many accidents, and how many deaths do we have to see before the state Highway Department puts up a traffic light at the hospital?

Old folks didn’t get old by driving like their butts were soaked in turpentine. Give them a break when they’re leaving the hospital. You never know how much of themselves they’re having to leave behind. Are not hospitals caution zones? If every driver that exceeded the speed limit by more than 20 mph was taken off the road, the traffic problem in Fayette County would be solved and nobody would be left to complain about how old folks drive.

I think people need to stop at an intersection whether there are merge lanes or not. Those lanes are not a free pass for you to pull out into oncoming traffic, as I have witnessed many times. They act like they have the right-of-way, coming around the corner without even slowing down and then moving out into the traffic as if I’m required to move over to let them in. Hwy. 74 is not the interstate. I think anyone in their right mind stops at an intersection before pulling out, merge lanes or not.

Separated at birth: Peachtree City’s Mayor Brown, and Alpharetta’s Councilman R. J. Kurey.

Someone at the Friday Citizen must be in too much of a hurry. In addition to several articles being repeated, there were a number of events listed where the dates of the event were older than the date of the paper. I noticed however that the multitude of opinion articles praising the war and the administration were all well done. It is time that the editor booted some rear end.

I must give the publisher credit. He does not call this publication a newspaper, just “The Citizen” and those who work there are listed as staff writers not reporters. Now if he could just get some rack space at the grocery store checkout with the rest of the tabloids he could publish that alien abduction story he has been sitting on.

Why would you hire an Auburn grad to write your opinion pieces in sports? He writes a column saying he’s an Auburn grad, then insults UGA and Tech and picks Auburn to win the SEC title. Do you think that’s a good way to improve interest in your paper? Don’t you think that non-Aubies will resent a bias toward Auburn? Or are there that many more Auburn fans than UGA and Georgia Tech fans in Fayette County? I bet there aren’t. I suggest that if this continues, you will corner the market on Fayette County Auburn fans reading the paper and not much else.

You know about as much about college football as my wife. That is not a compliment, by the way.

The “Cock-a-doodle-doo! Wake up, folks” writer is bull’s-eye on the money. Ten-year residents of Fayette County only receive marginal whiplash when considering the contradictory changes that have taken place over the past decade. Twenty-year-or-longer residents have to wear a neck brace. Try this. When the parties and thundering-drum vibrations begin shaking your house, take a cordless phone outside before calling dispatch. Let them get the noise-ordinance violation on tape. There are stretch SUVs in this county filled with huge bass speakers mounted in accordion-like racks. They travel the roads between 1 and 4 a.m. And they do overpower the steady hum of air-cleaners and A/C and rattle windows from at least a half mile away. It sounds like somebody is breaking into your house. How do we get it stopped?

I understand the Rising Starr Middle School Symphonic Band is raising money in the community to pay for a trip for a competition in Seattle. When the Fayette County High School Band raised money for its trip to the Australia Olympics in 2000, the thought never entered the mind of its leaders to invite the band benefactors to one of its concerts, and I stand here today as someone who gave them $1,000 and never attended a single one of their performances because they never invited me. I hope the Rising Starr folks will be smarter and show themselves to be more gracious. It might pay off.

Someone needs to tell the principal of [a particular school] that he is not God.

Why is it when I have a ton of groceries at the check out at the local [supermarket], all the baggers seem to disappear into thin air? I give good tips, so I know it’s not me. I’ve had to bag my own groceries several times. Seems to me a full service grocery should have baggers and people to take out your groceries. I’m not lazy, I just have a bad back. [A competing supermarket] in Tyrone is fantastic about bagging and they insist on taking out your groceries. Sorry, [supermarket], you’ve lost me as a customer.

Have you ever seen a fun-loving kid at a doorbell display in a department store? This repetitive scenario explains why stores now only activate the chimes at the customer’s request. We don’t stop laughing and playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop laughing and playing. Free Speech is like a doorbell display. And some bright-eyed, wily kid knows the serial numbers, manufacturing dates and locations along with the exact melodies certain buttons will elicit. Week after week, he keeps pushing the same buttons and they keep sounding off. This kid loves and respects many of these chimes, but he’ll never admit that he’s the one mashing their buttons. Relax and enjoy life. Things are never as bad as they first appear. Holster your big red buttons and I’ll holster my pushing finger.

There were at least two Free Speech articles last week griping about everyone not being real nice when they write about bad things. All we need now to stop some of our selfishness and warmongering is for people to talk real nice. This hype crap going around now is not useful and tends to mislead many. It used to be a sign of education and of being a gentleman or a lady, but such nice pronouncements these days are useless, except to make some people feel good. An example: a relative is missing for two months under very suspicious circumstances, yet the family continues to say day after day that the missing person still lives and that many people aren’t doing all they can to help. Or, I’m not giving up until they are found, and the very next week go home and stop looking. Business executives also like to hear such crap from their employees. Be honest, truthful and straight-forward and we will get more done.

Some of us poke fun at Fayette County in the same genre as the late Rodney Dangerfield used to joke about his last wife. Remember how absolutely, drop-dead gorgeous she was? And just like Rodney’s beautiful wife, Fayette County demands to be well compensated by its ugly residents for the pleasure of living with her.

There is not one thing of significance in Fayette County that teenagers can do that is not competitive. Competition in sports, school, and test scores are of course all right but kids at that age need activities where they mingle and learn to enjoy life in ways that are not competitive. We desperately need a central location in both major cities where they can meet under proper supervision and see what life can be like without having to win all the time. The fact that our civil servants do not want to be responsible for such an endeavor should not keep us from finding someone who would like to do that. Free time away from school, band practice, dancing classes, scouts, Little League, and a score of other forced activities, is worth a fortune to a well-rounded person.

My wife’s employer just informed her that she will not be receiving a pay increase or bonus because the corporation has to post sizable losses to pay a multi-billion dollar legal settlement because of improper accounting to boost a merger transaction. To date, the higher-ups responsible for the dirty dealing have not given back their lavish increases and bonuses. It is disgusting that those living in the ivory tower have no problem cheating and stealing without looking back at the shattered families in their wake. Their casual response to breaking the law and ruining a corporation that many families depend upon is appalling. This type of behavior is ruining our country.

I’m really getting fed up with our “leaders” in this country. No, I’m not talking about Mr. Bush today, but such things as Boy Scout leaders erecting metal poles under power lines. Then these same scout leaders kept these scouts in the blazing sun ( heat’s been around for weeks, fellows) waiting for the President, who never showed up, until many, many became very ill. Then we have one of our helicopters flying into the Taliban in the Afghan mountains and getting shot down, killing many of our soldiers. Don’t you guys remember what these Afghans did to the Russians? You should; Reagan gave them the launchers. Take the F-15s with you next time, OK? Our Army is being misled badly by civilians again just as Johnson and his crew did and until Nixon gave it up and scrambled. Want to hear about a shuttle that sends things flying whenever it takes off? Next time maybe.

08-03-05

I am so disappointed with the people in Fayette County that write to Free Speech. We are so blessed living in Fayette. We have one of the best school systems in the state and nation. We are one of the wealthiest counties in the state and nation. Fayette County and Peachtree City have been recognized in various polls as top places to live. We have one of the lowest crime rates in the state and nation. I have lived here 10 years and hope to never leave. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be. There are people that would risk dying to live in such a place. What if they read the Free Speech section of our local paper? They probably would view this county as a vile, ungodly place to live. So can we please either eliminate the Free Speech section, or express our concerns using constructive words that aren’t demeaning? You can make the same point without being so harsh. It just takes a few more minutes and a little effort. Aren’t we surrounded with enough negativity in our daily lives. Lets turn Free Speech into something constructive, not destructive. Especially the petty political groups who use this as their war zone.

After reading the Free Speech in the last few Citizens, I was amazed at the magnitude of complaining and grouchiness coming from the people of Fayette. The beauty of our county has been marred by a generation of “everything is about ME” population that we have become. I think some of our local residents need to put their complaints in perspective. If we look at the REAL problems of some of our residents — victims of crime and abuse, sufferers of disease, disabilty and poverty — then maybe we wouldn’t be so quick to complain. If we served our fellow man like Brian Doyne and his fellow servicemen and women are doing, there wouldn’t be so much to gripe about. I, for one, want to say thank you to Brian for his service to this country and thank you to all the other people who have fought for our country and served so well. If I saw more thank yous and less complaints in this column, I think this county would be a little more like it used to be. As a Georgia native, I miss the days of being a good neighbor and people showing a little courtesy.

I reads your article, “Going up all over,” and was rather taken back after reading a notice of property tax increase by the Fayette County Board of Education on the bond tax and the maintenance and operations tax as required advertisement in local media. Why do we advertise an increase, then pass a decrease in the rate? We have increased the tax digest every year by a minimum of the inflation rate, not including new construction. I fail to understand the thought process behind the budget process. If we run close to the edge every year and cut teachers, as we continue to lose state funds, why do you cut the millage rate? A surplus build-up would make sense in a constantly shrinking state fund for local schools. On the other hand a SPLOST would handle the bond side of the equation and spell relief for the local taxpayer and allow the O&M to rise as required without the squeeze from the bond, i.e., Coweta, Gwinnett, Clayton, etc.

Shouldn’t a legal system that allows the sheriff to spend $53,000 of taxpayer money on legal fees to resolve a simple question like the police powers of county marshals be labeled insane? How much more of the taxpayer money are the commissioners spending on this?

District voting not wanted in Fayette County: Mr. Jones just can’t seem to accept the fact that a greater portion of the good people of Fayette County do not want to change to district voting. Fayette County is a very special place to all of us, and we enjoy the fact that we are different from other counties within the metro area. Mr. Jones and Rep. Fludd want to bring us down a few notches by making our fine county leadership more in tune with the dysfunctional cesspool of Clayton and Fulton County government, just so that a minority can get elected. To suggest that a white person cannot effectively represent minority constituents is nothing more than blatant racism. The fine people of Fayette County would rather vote a person into office based on their qualifications and the content of their character, not the color of their skin.

We must say no to district voting. It will ruin our property values and our community. So, unless you want “affordable” housing next to your subdivision and MARTA coming to PTC, you better write all elected officials in Fayette County and tell them that if they support district voting they will lose your vote.

Can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m tired of hearing ex-Officer Simmons trash the Fayetteville Police Department. For years he was one of the “three amigos” receiving very quick promotions, lots of press, top pay, etc. However, with his ouster, the three amigos became the “dynamic duo.” He’s now making all sorts of news with his claims, legal problems appearances, etc. What’s the matter, Harold? Can’t take the heat or any criticism when you’re an “insider,” but now everything’s wrong and has been for years?

“King Steele loses it over a tiny tape recorder”: Is this an editorial or a news story? Whichever the designation, it represents how little respect this reporter has not only for public office holders but for the art of journalism. I don’t know Mr. Steele, nor do I know Mr. Nelms, but I am a citizen of Fayette County who reads, watches and listens to the news for the news, not the whining. I’m embarassed to see this article in my hometown paper and request that you spend your ink on reporting newsworthy events in an unbiased and respectful manner (ala NPR). The readers will form their own opinions.

Steve Rapson, please stay away from any unnecessary political harm to Peachtree City. Your past “ethics violations” is clear and evident of your past. The city does not need more of your illegitimacies. Stay working in Fulton County and leave the governing of PTC in clean, ethical, and “legitimate” hands.

Tyrone citizens, beware: budget and tax increase is not the only cover-up in Tyrone. Check out the town officials’ dump located behind the cemetery at Town Hall and adjacent to the Roger Spencer Community Center. Mr. Amos, did the kudzu not do the job well enough? So now the new tennis courts will surely cover it up. Check it out, “garish lady.” Shame on all the officials putting a dump next to our beloved ancestors. Some are veterans. Don’t they deserve better? Shame, shame, shame.

Note to the Tyrone Town Council, Mayor Lee, and the town manager: While it’s admirable that you enforce Tyrone’s sign ordinances, you’re missing the big picture. Smaller signs may be aesthetically pleasing, but they really aren’t going to change life around here. The large subdivision you recently approved will affect us all. How about upholding the town’s land use map like you do the sign ordinances?

People of Tyrone, awaken. The vote to approve a long-held opposition to homes being built on half-acre lots was approved on May 19 thanks to a tie-breaking vote by the mayor of Tyrone, Sheryl Lee. That vote effectively cleared the way for any other developer to request the same because precedent has been set. This, despite a land use plan less than a year old previously voted for and campaign promises that state, “It is more critical now than ever before to continue to protect the rural character of our town.” Then comes the budget vote: outsized pay increases for the town manager and his “assistant” and $160,000 for the construction of new soccer fields at Handley Park. Handley Park is recognized as an integral contributor to the excessive silt and sludge flowing into Lake Pendleton. The proposal, and the budget, is to clear-cut an additional 14 acres of wooded land. In addition, another $87,000 is proposed to be spent to pave 134,000 square feet for a parking lot and further contribute to the erosion taking place already. Note: No grass is growing under their feet. A Request for Proposal has already been posted twice in the paper with a deadline of July 28. You may ask, why the rush to destroy wetlands and woodlands for a park that is unnecessary? What is wrong with Shamrock Park? Why can’t that park be improved to satisfy the town’s recreational needs? Because there are plans for Shamrock Park! A new library (unneeded), a new administrative building to house the town manager and his assistant; and, are you ready, an amphitheater. Please note the problems Peachtree City has with their amphitheater and its management and I’m sure you’ll agree, Tyrone needs one, too. Right. To satisfy the county, a suitable replacement park needs to be available to replace Shamrock Park. Did you know that Shamrock Park belongs to Fayette County and it reverts back to Fayette County if not being used for recreational purposes? Well, now you do. Substituting Handley Park wetlands is hardly a substitute for Shamrock Park.

Something very interesting came out at the last Tyrone town meeting about giving its residents another tax increase. The people of John Wieland’s Southhampton stated that their sewer bill for each house there was $100 a month. Why so high? The rumor is that Tyrone contracted with Fairburn for too much sewer and that they were making the Wieland folks pay for Tyrone’s mistake. Another rumor that is floating is that the mysterious reason that two council members and mayor voted in the new Wieland subdivsion on half-acre lots is that the boo-boo of too much sewer was not a boo-boo at all. That they contracted for too much sewer with the intention all along to put in the second Wieland subdivision. It’s just that they made the Southhampton people soak up the extra fee while waiting for the second subdivision to be built. To add insult to injury, when the people of Southhampton flush their toilets, that is not the last time they will see that same water.

The Tyrone Web page issued three versions of the Town Council meeting to be held on July 21. The last version, published on July 19, included this one-liner, item #6,“Public Hearing on setting millage rate.” It may be an afterthought to the town management but the citizens of the town deserve better than this. The next slap was the 7 a.m. (that’s right: A.M.) first public meeting on the millage rate. Now, a year ago, a mayoral candidate implored the town to roll back the millage rate due to the increase in the assessed value of Tyrone homes. This fell on deaf ears, except for Lyn Redwood, who agreed with the citizens. Interestingly, Mr. Amos stated and Mr. Smola supported the position that “the town could figure in a rollback of the millage rate in next year’s budget.” Right! A 5.19 percent [increase] was on the agenda. This on top of last year’s increase. Folks, it would behoove you to pay attention to what is happening to your “existing vision for Tyrone.”

Yo, Mayor Amos of Tyrone, you are a sly devil. The reason you do nothing to help us on our silt at Lake Pendleton is on your new (revised weekly) land use map for Tyrone. Lake Pendleton, or mud island Pendleton, can now be rezoned for condos. More revenue for Tyrone. How ingenious of you. That alone should justify your 6 percent raise and the new car that your assistant has. Tell us all about your plans for the new library that we will all hear about too late to make an informed choice on. Tell everyone how much it will cost [in] our tax dollars. Tell us, Mayor Amos, do we get any choice at all, except to just pay and be walked on?

J.C. Penney is off to a bad start. There has been a lot of controversy the past few years on how good or bad Fayetteville has handled commercial development. One of the positive accomplishments has been the landscaping on Ga. Highway 85 between Banks Road and the Fayette Pavilion. The area I have been most impressed with was the beautiful line of trees screening the Kroger/K-mart parking lot from the highway adjacent to KFC. I’ve always remarked that if Fayetteville continued this ”Peachtree City” type landscape plan up and down Hwy. 85 it would really enhance the look of the Fayetteville portion of this very commercial roadway. Recently J.C. Penney started its renovations of the former, long-time-empty K-mart at Banks Crossing, an obvious positive event except for what just happened. Apparently the folks at Penney decided that the line of beautiful shade trees along Hwy. 85 would obstruct the view of their new store from people driving by, so all those beautiful trees have been murdered. Peachtree City has always impressed me in the way they stick to their guns when it comes to landscape requirements for retail developments. Their recent ranking of Money/CNN magazines 8th “Best Places To Live” proves that they’re doing something right. They stated, “Peachtree City bursts with green, thanks to a rule that limits development and commercial signage.” The cutting down of the trees at Banks Crossing is one small step forward for corporate America greed and a giant leap backwards for the beautification of commercial Fayetteville.

It is time for driving lesson #2: how to maneuver through a 4-way stop with right-turn-yield lanes. As you are driving up to the intersection, ready to make your right turn, you must look ahead to check out the traffic. Look for cars coming the opposite way that are turning left and look to see if there is any traffic coming from the left. If there is neither, motor right on through the right turn lane and continue your trip. But don’t be THIS guy. As he is approaching the Crosstown/Peachtree Parkway intersection, even Stevie Wonder could see that there are no cars coming from the left or from straight on. Yet as he gets halfway through the right turn lane, he stops, whips his pointed little head around to look and, guess what, STILL no cars. What a surprise. Those lanes are there to expedite traffic. If you are too clueless to pay attention, get off my road.

Say what you want about Mayor Brown, but he is the only public official around who seems to be trying to do anything about the growing traffic catastrophe at the Hwy. 74/I-85 interchange. Last I heard, the former PTC city planner was the planner for Fairburn. Is overdeveloping the only interstate exit serving his old town some sort of revenge?

It’s very pathetic when one of the most affluent counties in all of Georgia has nearly 100 needy children who can’t find sponsors to help them buy school supplies. For a county that values education and community, it’s unacceptable. Surely we can afford some pencils, pens, and paper for these kids. Call DFACS at 770-460-2569 and support our county’s future.

Who are these people in Peachtree City who think running up to the front at an exit and crowding in is OK; going to a parade late and simply standing in the road in front of others, making it a dangerous parade, or going the day before and laying down blankets or chairs like it was a gold strike? These same jacks tailgate you at the speed limit and then toot their horn at the next stop sign. No wonder their children are obnoxious; they aren’t stupid enough to not see what their parents do. I think also maybe some of these people are the ones who strike an airline who is in or near Chapter 11. They are as bad as the greedy execs who take off with millions.

A few weeks ago a parent wrote in and said she had just been told about a Web site that our Fayette County teens are going to. The site is called My Space.com. Parents, if you think this is the only one out there, ask your kids. If they have nothing to hide, they will gladly show you. If they don’t, do your own research and find out what your kids, and your kids’ friends, are putting out there on the Internet for the Whole Wide World to see. I checked out this site, and was stunned to see my children’s friends’ sites, with pictures downloaded and the language they used. I bet their parents don’t have a clue. If you see it, let the parents know. But don’t be so clueless to think it stops on the Internet. The things that are being said on AOL IM, chat rooms, etc., would make you think twice about letting your kids get on these sites. Parents, do the right thing and block these sites on your computer. You have the right to do this. If your kids have a cell phone, check their calls. Do you really know who your kids are calling? If your kids get these “Teen” magazines, look through them. Check some of the ads in them. One, for example, is called “Lemon Kiss.” There are hot-chat lines they can call. Did you tell your kids when they were younger not to talk to strangers? This should apply as well. Parents, do your job to protect our children. Kids are so easily influenced; it only takes one e-mail or one phone call to damage them. I applaud what our local law enforcement agencies are doing to stop predators that are seeking our kids out. We as parents may not be on their payroll, but we can do our part.

Can we please do something about the old f[olk]s who have twice tried to kill me and my children whilst they were leaving the Fayette Community Hospital? They have (both times) entered oncoming traffic either without looking or without seeing the plethora of cars going 50 mph. Both times I have had to slam on my brakes (yes, I need new ones, thanks, “people-who-are-too-old-to-drive-but-still-insist-on-doing-so”) to avoid slamming into them at a high (not excessive) rate of speed. I’d hate to advocate yet another light on Hwy. 54, but something has got to be done.

Sorry, I couldn’t agree less with your arguments that PTC needs more cops to do the job. If DUI arrests are down 17 percent maybe it’s because people are being a lot more careful knowing that any excuse to entrap them is the goal. They still won’t get out of their cars unless they are generating revenue. Wednesday at around 6:40 p.m. I left Planterra for an appointment in Newnan. Surprise, the Wal-Mart light was being replaced, three trucks in the middle of Hwy. 54, all traffic forced to turn east out of Planterra. Not a hero in sight except the one writing some poor schlep a ticket on Huddleston. I canceled my appointment rather than try to fight my way into that line heading west. Great planning once again, and great backup from the heroes. Way to help keep that traffic moving.

I am writing this letter in total disgust with the city of Peachtree City. My less than two-mile drive home from the office last night took me almost an hour and a half. I had to drive through three other cities to get to my own home. On average, this drive that lasted 10 minutes last summer is now a 30-to-60 minute drive at best. I am spending close to 10 hours a week in the car to make a two-mile commute. Does this make any sense? No, it does not. The city has an abundance of police officers, but chooses not to place one at the 74/54 intersection at rush hour. Dozens of people illegally block the intersection there, keeping hundreds of people from passing through. There are nearly fistfights there on a daily basis now. This is obviously the results of poor planning and the results of not even making an attempt to correct this poor planning. To add insult to injury, our phone lines (to 100 houses) were cut for a third time this year by the clowns the city has hired to widen Hwy. 54. So, today, my wife had to stay home all day to wait for the BellSouth service department again to repair a line what was cut. This is the third time I was without my business computer because of damage to the phone lines. These are the same morons who hit the gas line three times and kept us from our homes for hours. I am sick and tired of leaving the office after a day of work, only to sit in the car for an hour when I live two miles away. I am sick of driving through a construction site to get to my house. I get tired of nails in my tires and mud all over our new cars. I get tired of having to wait for a bulldozer to cross the road to get to work. I am tired of filling up my car after only 100 miles of driving, because I spend two hours a day in traffic. Enough is enough.

Our company has put the brakes on building a new building in this city. We have also moved all of our meetings to other cities to avoid the headaches and embarrassment. I am sure to speak up in board meetings with my views, along with many others. This is downright uncalled-for. It is a total infringement on our right to free travel when we cannot get access to our homes or places of work. The city of Peachtree City needs to manage this nightmare a little better. The PTC police can roll up and down Hwy. 54 20 times per hour bullying frustrated drivers, but can’t get their lazy butts out of the car to remove part of an orange barrel in the road that has been there for two days? I am truly embarrassed to live in this city and will be placing our home up for sale now. In a matter of one year, PTC has ruined everything that made it attractive a few years back. It is now just another overcrowded mess. We have become prisoners in our homes, because it is too much of a hassle to go anywhere.

As a former profiler for an unnamed organization, the hostile rebuttal letter from the “progressive Democrat” caught my attention. It’s obvious that this Navy man from the Vietnam era is well educated and a member of the liberal elite. He was possibly involved in higher education at some point and time. What’s not so apparent to the untrained eye is that this “progressive Democrat” is likely a prime candidate for both Jenny Craig and Alcoholics Anonymous. His bitter diatribes and name-calling reeked with the truest essence of pure venom towards one who happens not to agree with him. When threats of extortion and disruptions fail, his angry letter serves as a quintessential example of what Democrats do best when challenged. And are they ever challenged.

What’s a progressive? Obviously, progressives believe in progress; not in standing still or going backwards. We believe in economic opportunity and social justice for all Americans. We believe that quality health care and quality education are a right, not a privilege to be enjoyed only by the wealthy. We believe that it is an essential function of government, at all levels, to ensure the rights and freedoms of each and every American. And, while progressives would certainly agree that the U.S. should defend itself against all legitimate threats and respond to attacks against us, we believe that America should lead the world by example, not by “pre-emptive” attacks on sovereign countries who pose no serious threat to our country. BTW, the lame crack about Sen. Clinton clearly demonstrates the writer’s insecurities about his manhood, since he is so obviously scared of an intelligent, strong female leader like her.

Some in Fayette County enjoy a wonderful freedom. Be it dawn, dusk or rush hour, they are out there, of their own accord, in public view. Their unavoidable presence and close encounters force others to compromise integrity and make difficult decisions. They cause those who wish to pass them to cross over into oncoming traffic. Long lines form behind them as they challenge steep uphill battles slowing everyone to their limited speed. They make a lot of people angry. Even as such, they never expect to get clobbered. In the event somebody does happen to nail one of them, they, along with their family and friends, begin howling, whining and calling names. Wait a minute. Do you think I’m referring to bicyclists? I’m talking about Democrats.

To “Peeples Elementary, watch out!” writer of July 27: School has not really started yet so let’s hope the personnel and parents at the school will try to give “Clayton County’s finest teacher” a chance to prove themselves. Not everyone in the ranks of Fayette County schools is perfect either as one Clayton County school has learned in the past year. They received one of Fayette County’s “finest” administrators and [this administrator] is doing one’s best to drive away as many people as one can with one’s “fine” administrative skills. Maybe some more of Clayton’s finest will be heading your way due to personnel like [this one].

I saw an article in the AJC about a lawsuit from a former amphitheater employee against the current Peachtree City Tourism Association. The headline read, “Sex claim filed at amphitheater. Woman alleges hostile state.” Why hasn’t The Citizen published anything?

Last week I was at Home Depot in Fayetteville making a sizable purchase of 20 40-pound bags of topsoil. After paying the cashier I asked if there was someone who could help me load the bags to which I was told there was no one available, “They’re all at lunch.” So with much trepidation in the 95-degree heat and perspiration dripping from my brow, I began the difficult task of loading all those heavy bags of topsoil myself. I had just begun when this strapping gentleman approached and ask, “Can I help you, boss?” I thanked him for his generous offer but said I had very little cash on hand and couldn’t pay him. The kind gentleman said, “I don’t expect no pay, boss, just want to help you out.” With that said he proceeded to load most of the bags on my truck. After finishing I asked if I could buy him a sandwich and a cold glass of lemonade. Again he said, “No thanks, boss, just glad I could help.” Before he walked away, I called to him to wait a minute. I approached him offering my sincere thanks once again adding, “I just want to tell you something, my good man, I am not your ‘boss’I am your ‘brother.’” As he walked away he called back to me, “You’re welcome, brother.” Now extremely hot and weary I climbed into my pickup, switched on the key and nothing happened. Frustration began to set in when I heard the familiar voice once again. “Need some more help, brother”? I responded, “Don’t know what in this world is wrong with this darn truck, it won’t start.” “Did you press in the clutch?” he asked You guessed it! I had overlooked that minor detail. So, this message is to you, “brother.” I hope you’ll read it and that in some way you will know of my heartfelt gratitude for your kindness in coming to my rescue.

I have really enjoyed reading Mr. Hatcher’s series of articles attempting to help us understand the many different ways that we worship and how we have come to accept them both as individuals and institutions. The historical approach that he uses can and should inspire all of us to be more invitational in the way we accept the new kinds of music being introduced in most of today’s houses of worship. We should welcome discussions such as this because the problems associated with changing or modifying anything that we have been doing for many, many years, can and has become distracting for many of us. I think we sometimes forget why we go to church in the first place. If we as believers really feel that the Holy Spirit guides us in our worship services, then we should realize that He is present in all the things that we do. I only have to spend just a little time reading in the book of Psalms to realize that God is pleased with all kinds of joyful noises as long as we remain centered on the reason we worship Him to begin with. The Spirit can be found in almost any kind of praise and worship if we but listen. After all, it shouldn’t be only about music. With that said, I am reminded many times by my brothers and sisters that music can be one of the most rewarding forms of prayerful worship available to us and can help us deepen our faith and our relationship with Him if we just remember that He is the One who created everything, including the many different kinds of music.

Reading Free Speech reminds me of the time as a kid when I was trapped in a barn between two families of feuding skunks.

If a person cries “Wolf!” or “Racism!” without cause often enough, most people will just stop listening.

Georgia state Senator Mitch Seabaugh is sponsoring a bill that would require a waiting period before getting a divorce. It’s obvious Mr. Seabaugh has been fortunate enough to avoid the trials and tribulations of trying to stay with a bad marriage. The majority of us haven’t been so lucky. We already have a waiting period before purchasing firearms. Inexperienced folks contemplating matrimony for the first time need to pay close attention. If Sen. Seabaugh’s bill passes, it might be a good idea to you buy your guns before you get married.

On Tuesday about 6 p.m., my family took my parents (visiting from out-of-town)to try out [a PTC restaurant]. When we arrived, we were told we had about a 10-15 minute wait. Twenty minutes passed, and we were told another 10 minutes, and so on. What originally started as a 10-15 minute wait ended up being 50 minutes, so we left. What really made us angry is they knew from the beginning it would be longer than 15 minutes, which is fine, but just don’t lie about it. I think they know that if they say it will be much longer, people won’t wait. It’s mighty hard to keep two small (hungry) children happy while waiting to be seated for that long. Yes, I had snacks to give them, but you don’t want to ruin their meal. On the up side to this, we ended up going to The Famous Fish Company, were seated within five minutes, and we had wonderful service and fine food.

Cock-a-doodle-doo! Wake up, folks. The days of life, liberty and the persuit of happiness are over. The house and property that you worked hard to pay for and keep up now belongs to the sorry mess that rents the house next door who want to shoot guns, play the stereo loud, and let their loud-mouthed dog bark and howl. Drug dealers and drunk drivers in the neighborhood can cause as many problems as they want. Kids are not allowed outside because of the perverts that live close by. Call the police, you say. They “can’t do anything unless they catch them.” Get the decent neighbors involved in getting the neighborhood cleaned up, you say. They’re scared and don’t want to get involved. Move to another neighborhood, you say. Right. Just because it’s a nice place to live today doesn’t mean it’ll be that way tomorrow.

Let’s tally it up: 1,800 Americans and 25,000 Iraqis, give or take a few thousand, are dead in our campaign to plant peace and freedom in the Middle East. Iraq’s new leaders are busily injecting Islamic law into the constitution. Iran, happy as a clam that we got rid of the secularist Saddam, is so impressed by U.S. power that it elected a fundamentalist leader. Our close friends Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are still exporting terrorists and repressing their people. Gas is $2.25 a gallon and we still are doing next to nothing to end our reliance on Arab oil. All you folks driving SUVs with W stickers on the back must be so proud.

As soon as Congress adjourned for their break, and just before the President left for his in Texas, he named a man to the UN to spite the UN. Was this the only qualified man in the U.S. who could hold this office and still satisfy our Congress? I’m afraid he is the only man who will go and try to destroy the UN, though.