Wednesday, September 5, 2001

Some people vote for the candidate with the most money, the most signs, and the best publicity. I am asking for you to elect me to City Council on Nov. 6 because my knowledge, experience and motivation can be beneficial to us.

City Council determines the amount of taxes you pay and how those tax dollars are spent. And, in doing so, they determine the community's priorities. It is important that we elect individuals who are willing to listen to their constituents, communicate with one another to work toward setting common goals and give the administration clear direction.

The budget must be balanced, but it is a working document. It is a best-guess estimate of expenditures and expenses. I believe it should be discussed, reviewed and amended throughout the year to ensure our objectives are being met and to keep the Council informed.

If Council had been better informed of the city's financial situation, I seriously doubt they would have rolled back taxes last year. I do not mean to imply we need someone on Council to prepare or micromanage the budget by dictating every line item, but we do need someone like myself who can understand the fiscal process, set reasonable limits and prioritize goals and objectives.

One role of City Council is to regulate the development in our community. There are stringent guidelines and laws to follow and arbitrarily making decisions could be devastating to our community, both financially and environmentally. I am familiar with the process and I understand the ramifications of decisions I would make.

I also remember what Peachtree City looked like in 1972, and I understand that if you cannot stop development, it is important to ensure quality development. As Peachtree City reaches build out, I would like to see the city continue to raise the standard for development and place more emphasis on protecting our environment and our lifestyle.

Members of City Council are our ambassadors. They are the official voice of our community and represent us in regional forums. It is important for us to elect someone who would encourage an open dialogue and accurately represent us.

I would like to see more informal workshops and time set aside at each meeting for citizens to address Council with their comments and concerns.

It's been a common practice for your letters to the mayor and City Council to be opened and answered by staff with little input from the Council, if any. I would take a more active role in understanding and addressing your concerns.

There are other aspects of the job, such as setting policy and adopting local ordinances to protect our health, safety and welfare. There are also limitations and budget restraints. There are federal and state laws to consider and other governmental entities to work with. I understand the impediments of our bureaucracy and I will exhaust every avenue possible to overcome limitations that stand in the way of achieving our goals and protecting our community.

Nancy Faillo Faulkner

Peachtree City

nfau@bellsouth.net

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