Wednesday, August 22, 2001

The Peachtree City Council has made a tremendous positive step by allocating the $2.6 million for purchase of the Braelinn Baptist Church for a community center.

This multipurpose facility for the community will be a primary focus of the vote Nov. 6 which will benefit everyone. People behind the scenes over the last several years have shown the proof of what a community center can do in providing recreational options for children, teens and seniors to better our community. Numerous performing arts groups have written in support of this first step in obtaining this property for immediate impact and then future development room on the land accompanying the facility will assure expansion capabilities for future needs.

For years I have tried to speak for the youth of our community by emphasizing the need for structured areas for beneficial youth entertainment. We are now at the point left off when Jitterbuggers closed in December. The young people have an opportunity to now rally behind this cause by making sure all 18-year-olds vote in the coming election and by those younger talking to their parents about this great opportunity and making sure they get out and vote a resounding yes for this facility. Randy Gaddo, Recreation Department of Peachtree City, Jim Basinger, city manager and council members McMenamin, Fritz, Tennant and Rapson and Lenox, outgoing mayor, have recognized the crucial need and have now helped lay this exceptional and valuable opportunity in front of the citizens of Peachtree City and Fayette County.

Many adults say it is not my responsibility to worry about the younger generation, but I firmly believe it is all our responsibility. Teens throughout Fayette County have asked me what can they do in helping get a center for them and my response is get out and vote and support the current plan. The sounds of a newly emerging rock band, kids taking dance and art lessons all are a great deterrent to the alternative of the expense and disaster of skyrocketing arrests from alcohol and drug abuse by bored youth or the risk of driving 30 to 50 miles for "18 to party, 21 to drink" mentality entertainment.

Please be assured I will focus my energy during the next two and a half months in encouraging our voters to support this vital segment of the ballot. Get out and vote and help provide an element to round out an exceptional community to help it be even better for all of us. Ten thousand young people between the ages of 11 and 20 will benefit immediately from a yes vote!

Richard Thompson

Peachtree City

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