I found the title to the article regarding the Peachtree City council's decision to lift the annexation moratorium quite fitting, especially the part that the “mayor pushes” that the moratorium be lifted.

During the council session to discuss the moratorium, our own Mayor Bob Lenox put on quite a show. Using Powerpoint slides he spelled out all of the reasons why annexation would be good for the city. This was not a measure of the pros and cons, it was instead all “pros” for annexation, and all “cons” against. With a business of his own to run, I was surprised to see the amount of time and effort the mayor put into this slide show.

I was shocked to find that he did utilize city staff, presumably staff being paid by our tax dollars, to assist him with the presentation preparation. Maybe it was just an hour or two, but isn't even that an hour too much? Doesn't our city staff have more pressing issues to deal with?

Obviously his efforts paid off, as two council members (McMenamin and Fritz) were swayed to vote as the mayor voted. Just a few short months ago right before the November election, Ms. McMenamin pushed to get this ordinance in place, but suddenly the situation changed and she voted against her own ordinance. Ms. Fritz also had a change of heart. The mayor really did one heck of a job in selling annexation.

Now, let me make it clear that all that has happened so far is that the moratorium has been lifted and the city staff can now discuss possible annexation with property owners and developers. I hate to be a skeptic, but I would bet that as soon as those talks begin the plan to get the actual annexation vote on the council agenda will begin. I doubt the heat of summer will fade before annexation is voted on, and more than likely approved.

The mayor's show indicated that we could collect over $2 million in impact fees on the property in the “to be annexed” area. He further indicated that these fees could pay for a needed fire station, “extensive recreation,” and even help the rest of the city in “completing our infrastructure needs without increased taxes.” He further noted that a “community center” would also be built in this new area.

Now I am not a math wizard, but this just doesn't add up. The cost of the new fire station and equipment alone would run close to the total impact fees to be collected. I can assume that the recreation costs, the community center costs, and the infrastructure costs would then have to come from another source. Does anyone want to guess what that source would be?

I won't debate the need for a fire station for the west side, especially with the new apartments and homes that are already being developed, plus the big box (or big boxes). Since it is needed, let's move forward with that process; let's not make it hinge on whether or not annexation moves forward. Will this need for our current west side citizens only be addressed if annexation is allowed? Is their safety just a pawn in this “game”?

There was talk about the “dangerous” at-grade railroad crossings that might be built if we don't annex. Unfortunately, the equally dangerous thought of running the soon-to-be busy Line Creek Parkway just outside the entrance to the Belvedere and Sagamore subdivisions didn't seem to be of concern. A resident of that area spoke out, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Council member Fritz mentioned that we would have a “moral” obligation to provide fire and EMS services to this area even if it was not annexed and the county developed it. It is important to note that Peachtree City is not required to respond to calls outside of our borders, and we rarely do so. If the county wants us to cover this area, we could do so under a contract to reimburse us for the costs; after all, the county collects a 3.5 mill fire tax on homeowners there while Peachtree City residents don't have to pay this tax.

Yes, the mayor's slide show was impressive and entertaining. Unfortunately, it was long on flash, and short on facts. If our city council members are going to make their vote on annexation based on the “facts” the mayor presented, we may have a problem.

Why not put together a citizen's committee to do a full, unbiased analysis of annexation? Let them review all the pros and cons, for and against, and then report back to council. Better yet, let this issue appear on a ballot for majority vote. That way the citizens and taxpayers will have a voice. To me, this is an easy answer that would make us all feel more comfortable with any decisions that are made.

To annex or not to annex will be a huge decision with a tremendous impact on our city and the county. Let's be sure the facts are truly the facts, and that they all are taken into consideration.

Steve Fodor
Peachtree City

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