Wednesday, April 11, 2001

A neighbor of mine has become very disheartened about our local governmental system after being rejected for an appointment on the Peachtree City Development Authority. This man was extremely qualified and has an excellent grasp of the inner workings of Peachtree City. He has spoken out on some development issues like annexation, land use planning, etc., so he does not meet the criteria for the special interests.

Another local gentleman desired a position on the same Development Authority and had some excellent thoughts on attracting quality development to Peachtree City. He was discouraged from sending in an application after speaking to a longtime authority member who told him that the overwhelming majority of their time was spent running the amphitheater and the tennis center and not working on development issues. The befuddled gentleman sent an e-mail asking me for some type of explanation as to why things operate this way.

All I can say is, Do not give up. The potential for improvement is there and we have to work towards that end.

Plans for positive change do exist and they stress including and protecting every citizen. These ideas and the issues and circumstances that have brought them to the forefront will be the topic of rigorous debate for our next election.

Be aware that there will be many attempts to sidetrack the debate through means such as character assassination. You will recall Mayor Lenox's recent statement on not letting the "lunatics run the asylum." Mr. Frank Hyde recently wrote a letter to the editor (The Citizen, April 4) regarding a political candidate (I am the only one to have announced a candidacy and Mr. Hyde has expressed his disdain for me in the past so we can assume it is I) that he compared to Adolf Hitler. Yes, Adolf Hitler.

You will find it fascinating that they never address an issue or an opinion that I have expressed on a particular subject. I can assure you that our mayor's race will not be won based on charisma or charm but rather a serious debate of the issues that impact us both short- and long-term.

The patented political phrase, "whatever is in the best interest of the city," is hollow and should no longer be accepted by the voting public. It is my hope that you will elect your next mayor based on research of the issues, management style, an interest in higher standards, openness, accountability, love of community and a willingness to protect the things that we hold dear in our community.

As for those who would prefer to circumvent the issues and go after our character, I suggest we engage Matthew 5:44 because it allows us to go on with our business and not harbor anger and strife in our hearts.

Steve Brown

Peachtree City

Steve_ptc@juno.com

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