| Mayor, where are
the advocates for annexation?
Mayor Lenox, I’d like to weigh
in my point of view as a citizen of Peachtree City regarding the annexing
of West Village. No! No! No!
I believe one of your conditions for having one’s voice heard is
based upon whether that citizen has voted. I’m a 10-year Peachtree
City resident and voter.
School overcrowding is a problem of immense proportion. We are at the
maximum mill rate now and face funding needs for the new county jail.
Two consecutive SPLOST initiatives have been defeated and our school administrators
face the conundrum of meeting legislated educational mandates without
any source to fund them.
You may disregard the educational realities of increased density which
serves only to the benefit of enriching out of county interests. If you
listen to the voice of the populace, you’ll see many of us challenge
the justification and rationalization supporting increased density.
Traffic, negative environmental impact and diminished lifestyle are all
strong reasons to not support annexation. But the greatest issue to annexation,
in my view, is the impact of added density on our local schools.
When my first child began school as a second grader at brand new and beautiful
new Braelinn elementary, out in the lot were trailers!
Two grades in the building, two grades in the parking lot. Off then to
sixth grade and brand new Whitewater Middle: trailers. Next child the
same: trailers at Braelinn, then off to brand new Rising Starr Middle
— yep, trailers.
Oh, not just at the schools nearest our home in Braelinn Village, but
at virtually every elementary school. Booth and McIntosh: trailers there,
too. Trailers for classrooms all over the place.
In some instances, trailers would sound good to those with converted closets
for class rooms. Trailers also serve as locker rooms (without shower and
toilet facilities, however).
On second thought, the trailer supplier probably shares annexation fever
along with your developers.
While you as mayor of a city operating within a county school system may
not view educational issues as your responsibility, I wonder — why
is it that everyone else seems to grasp so clearly what increased density
portends for our educational system except for a limited group of advocates
with much financial windfall from development to gain? Where are all your
advocates for annexation?
Blinders and special interests removed this situation screams for recognition.
Recognition that annexation is not in the best interests for the majority
of the citizens of Peachtree City. Meeting the educational needs of our
children needs to be of paramount consideration.
I have heard you describe your job as mayor to a group of history students
visiting the city government as being a person in a position who must
strive to make decisions that are best for the majority of the residents
of Peachtree City. Good! Just reminding you of your own stated commitment.
Cary Rogers
Peachtree City
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