Wednesday, September 12, 2001
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Wednesday, September 12, 2001 |
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Wellman: Not engaging in negative campaigning The period to qualify for our Peachtree City elections has begun. By close of business Friday, Sept. 14, we will know who the candidates will be. We will then have eight weeks to decide which one will earn your vote. I have spoken to many citizens since announcing my candidacy for mayor in June. Consistently they have told me how sick they are of the lies, innuendo and constant negative tone of the discussions in the letters to the paper. In response, I have made my number one platform issue a focus on changing the tone of the debate in our town and a commitment not to participate in the constant pessimistic arguments you read. Since I began my life in service to the nation, I have served at many locations across the United States as well as Korea, Panama, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Egypt. During these years I experienced the loss of soldiers in combat and personal family tragedy. I was a member of the military team that helped to restore order after Hurricane Hugo worked its destructive path across South Carolina and have aided disabled orphans in Chunchon, South Korea. The decision to leave the Army and keep my family in Peachtree City was difficult and I knew I would have to continue to serve my community in some manner. First I volunteered; at the air show, with the Humane Society, in my children's elementary school, and my son's Cub Scout Pack. Then I saw the opportunity to make a difference in my city in a larger sense. I knew just writing letters about our problems wasn't the answer. I am running for mayor because sitting at home in my comfort zone complaining is not my idea of contributing to my community. It is my nature and professional training to go out and find solutions. That's what real leaders do. Therefore, I challenge my opponents to as many debates as we can fit in between now and the election. I believe that it is time for our civic organizations, political groups, churches, veterans organizations, newspapers and anyone else who cares about our city to stand up and host a true discussion of the issues we face. Meet all the candidates face to face and ask them the hard questions you want answered. I welcome the opportunity to meet our citizens and let them decide who is the right person to lead our city through the challenging transitions we face. Don't sit at home and let someone tell you what to think. Come out and meet all of us and decide for yourself. Meet me this Saturday night, Sept. 15, at the Rockspray Log Cabin at my campaign kickoff rally at 7 p.m and find out more about my campaign at my website, http://www.WellmanForMayor.com. I look forward to the chance to serve the citizens of our city. Fred Wellman Peachtree City WellmanForMayor@aol.com [Wellman is an announced candidate for mayor of Peachtree City. The Citizen welcomes letters from candidates for all local offices and from citizens commenting on the candidates and issues raised. We will print the letters from candidates and a representative sampling of others subject to standard editing practices for length and conformity to libel laws, until the week before the election.]
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