An open letter to Peachtree City Mayor Robert Lenox:

You have been quoted as saying that the decision whether or not to annex the land known as the “West Village” will have an impact on our city for “100 years.” Why is it that you will only allow the task force about 90 days to decide on this matter? What's your hurry?

I can assume from your actions in the past that you are pro-annexation, and it is probably true that even today you have the three council votes necessary to get your way. I am puzzled why our mayor, a supposed servant of the people, is so intent on an annexation that very few would support if they had the chance to speak out about it.

Now it's true as you have said in the past that you only have a “seven minute” drive to your place of business, but what about all of us who must commute outside our city? With the thousands of additional people that annexation will bring, our commutes will be made even longer, and we will spend less times with our families and have less time to enjoy our great city. Don't you care about the majority of our citizens?

You live on the far eastern side of our city, and the area you want annexed is quite a ways from your backyard, but what about those that aren't so lucky? What about the gentleman who spoke out at the March council meeting when you worked so hard to lift the annexation moratorium?

This man, a voter and taxpayer, voiced concern that the new McDuff Parkway would run very close to his backyard in the Belvedere subdivision. He was quickly silenced by yourself and Councilman Brooks, and told that this parkway had been in the planning for over 15 years.

Too bad for him. Is this the way you think a taxpayer's concerns should be handled — just brush him aside? Maybe if the parkway ran close to your backyard, you would see things differently.

One of the “benefits” you mentioned in your pro-annexation slide show was that the west side would get a badly-needed fire station. I won't argue that a fire station is needed there, especially with the development of the big boxes, but we don't need annexation to get the fire station. The fire station is needed; let's move quickly to get it budgeted and built. Mr. Mayor, I am sure you wouldn't want to use the safety of the people on the west side as a pawn to sell your annexation proposal, would you?

What about the “lost” impact fees you mention in your proposal? According to your figures we could “lose” about $2 million in impact fees if we don't annex. You then go on to show all the wonderful things that could be done with those fees (new fire station, recreational facilities, landscaping, even a community center). Funny thing is, the items you mention would cost far more than the impact fees would raise — where would we find the funds to make up the difference?

Mr. Mayor, don't crawl into your “it's my meeting” shell. Understand the impact that annexation will have. Understand that “100 years” is a long time. Understand that it will take many more months, or possibly even years, to fully research the impact of annexation and to decide whether it is right or wrong.

Don't worry about the profits of a select few, worry about the future of the thousands that already call Peachtree City home. Listen to what the people of this city, your “bosses,” are saying. The majority don't want annexation — clear and simple.

Now I believe you think you know more about our city than any of the rest of us, that as you once told me, you “know how things get done,” but for once listen to the citizens and stop this rapid pursuit of your annexation dream. For the majority of us and for our city, annexation would be a nightmare.

Steve Fodor

Peachtree City

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