During the week of April 23 - 29, 2000, cities throughout Georgia will recognize City Government Week.

This is an especially appropriate time to focus on the responsibilities of city governments and to educate the public on what services these agencies provide. Although recent controversy among elected officials on political issues may have taken the headlines and provoked numerous letters to the editor, City Government Week allows us to look at the day-to-day operations of our municipality and to see exactly what we are getting in return for our local tax dollars.

Peachtree City is home to over 33,000 people who feel this is a good place to live, for a variety of reasons. Some enjoy the natural beauty of the area, others like the range of recreational opportunities, and still others take comfort in the level of security we have been fortunate to maintain.

And many, myself included, appreciate all these things.

Our city government plays a valuable role in these amenities, and does so for an extremely reasonable price. If you own a $200,000 home in Peachtree City, your property taxes are $2,732 per year. Of that amount, $324.80 comes to the city of Peachtree City to provide city services. Basically, for $27.07 per month, which is less than the cost of cable television service, residents receive world-class police, fire and EMS services, unparalleled recreation opportunities, and the ongoing maintenance of our public streets, cart paths and landscaped areas.

We are blessed with an abundance of talented people in our community, and are fortunate that many of them are willing to devote their time and energy to making our city a better place to live. They serve on our commissions and authorities, run many of our recreational programs, challenge and propose ideas, and thereby contribute to our general welfare in countless ways.

We will always have decisions to make that impact our quality of life, both now and over the next 100 years. Currently, for example, we have a citizen committee evaluating the possible annexation of the “West Village.” We must decide how best to fund and complete our master recreation and library plans. We must also determine how to work with the Atlanta region as a whole to address our growing transportation and congestion problems.

One way individuals can help to ensure Peachtree City's future is to find out more about the current state of the city. The city of Peachtree City is sponsoring several events during the week to provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about their government, including an open house and information fair at City Hall on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event should be interesting and educational for citizens of all ages.

We will have numerous displays and handouts on the various departments, as well as displays of equipment from the Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works. The most current maps and plans being evaluated by the Annexation Task Force will also be available for review. Additionally, submissions to the City Government Art Contest will be displayed, and our young civic artists will be recognized at 11 a.m.

I would like to personally invite the public to stop by on Saturday to visit with some of your elected officials and city staff members, ask questions, offer opinions and see what services the city of Peachtree City offers. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Mayor Bob Lenox
Peachtree City

Back to Opinion Home Page | Back to the top of the page