Wednesday, February 28, 2001

Time for a rookie?

What a unique turn of events we face today in Peachtree City. One of our longest serving public servants has left his position on the City Council to seek other opportunities. Thus, our remaining members must select a replacement to serve out the remainder of Dr. Brooks' term.

More than likely they will take all of the applications and select someone they are familiar with. Perhaps they will select someone who has had the courage in the past to serve our city. Perhaps they will choose someone who has stood up for election previously or to whom they feel indebted to for supporting them. To be honest, there is nothing wrong with that at all, except it may reopen old wounds or miss an unusual opportunity.

That opportunity is to select someone different. Select a person who cares about our city but has no political or business ties in it. Someone who wants to find new ideas and help end the bitter disputes rippling through the community as we approach what will likely be a tense and turbulent election.

Two weeks ago I wrote to this paper and said I was one of the "crazies" that are unhappy with the status quo. I went on at great length to try and tell the city leadership what many of the average citizens I have met have on their minds today. I simply wanted to voice the frustrations of so many of our citizens who feel like the city may not be working for them anymore. The positive response I have received has been encouraging and in a further effort to prove that I am indeed crazy, I am submitting my name for consideration for the open seat.

Why am I probably throwing away $180 that could be put to good use for my four children? I do it because I love this city. I do it because I graduated from West Point, spent 13 years serving my nation and the words Duty, Honor and Country carry a nearly religious meaning to me. I do it because I am a father and want to see my children grow up in a town that propels them to all they can achieve.

Three years ago we moved to Peachtree City from Hawaii. We expected to serve two years at Ft. McPherson and move onto another assignment. We were astonished by all of the golf carts and Delta Air Lines license plates we saw. A year later we had both and I found myself dreading that pending departure. One day as I tended my year-old grape vines I realized I would never see them bear fruit and I began the journey that would find me out of the Army and finally putting down roots after wandering for 17 years.

I have found a home here. Now I want to help make sure it stays the island of sanity in an ocean of insanity that it is today. The hard work of all of our city leaders, including Mr. Lenox and our entire current council, has created one of the most unusual towns around today. I want to see that continue without giving into the temptations of change for the sake of change.

There are issues here in PTC that should be addressed as soon as possible. We must find new ways to nurture and support our network of small businesses as they come under increased pressure from new large business ventures in the town. We must find the funds to support the All Children's Playground being built right behind our own City Hall with donations only meeting one-third of the projected cost. We must solve the seething cauldron of big-box shopping and traffic woes. We must have the leadership that will stop the fighting within City Hall and with Fayette County instead of joining one of the many opposing sides.

I don't want to join anyone's "side." I want to see an end to the disputes and help our city and region go forward as a team. I don't have time to fight with anyone and neither do our citizens. If you want those things as well, then I would be honored if you would contact the City Council and ask them to give a rookie a chance. Thank you, and for the record I am not crazy a little overweight and hardheaded, but not crazy.

Fred Wellman

Peachtree City

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