Wednesday, October 3, 2001

Like many people, I keep interesting quotations and clippings from newspapers and articles that I have read taped to the back of my office door. A few years ago, I found a quotation from Thomas Jefferson which has become a motto for my life as a public servant. Jefferson wrote that, "when a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself public property."

My philosophy toward the campaign, and my attitude toward the services I will provide if I am elected, reflect Jefferson's comment. I shall consider myself a servant to the people of Peachtree City. As part of my service to the people of Peachtree City, I am committed to uphold and protect the quality of life that we have come to value.

When the citizens of Peachtree City go to the ballot box in November, it is my hope that voters will select a candidate for City Council in much the same way that they would select an employee. When a hiring decision is made, it is the applicant's qualifications, more than anything else that guides the selection. During the interview process, an employer must weigh an applicant's education, training, experience, background and point-of-view. In the context of the election for City Council Post 4, a voter, like a prospective employer, should ask three important questions: (1) Who is Murray Weed? (2) What does Murray Weed stand for? (3) What will Murray Weed do if elected?

Who is Murray Weed? I am the candidate who has both the education and experience which are applicable to the position of city council person. I have a masters degree in Public Administration and eight years' practical experience in the workings of both city and county governments, particularly in the areas of ordinance drafting and neighborhood deterioration prevention. I have served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve. I have also graduated with honors from a certified Georgia Police Academy.

I am the candidate who has actively fought crime in the streets of a major metropolitan area in our state. Through my service as an assistant district attorney in the city of Columbus, Ga., where I was the chief drug condemnation prosecutor and the chief juvenile court prosecutor, I helped protect homes and families from the destruction crime brings. As a result of my very real experience, I am particularly sensitive to the safety of our citizens, our families, and our children.

My record of community service activities began long before I ever decided to seek elected office. I have been a long time Rotarian. As part of the Rotary Club, I have sponsored the McIntosh High School Interact Club to promote a spirit of community service in our young people. As vice-chairman of the All Children's Playground Committee I have worked with volunteers, solicited funds, and helped coordinate the construction and opening of the All Children's Playground. I am a graduate of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fayette Program and a member of the Chamber. I care about small business because I am a small businessman. I am also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church located here in Peachtree City.

I am the candidate whose experience in the armed service, in government service and in community service makes me uniquely qualified to serve as the people's representative on the City Council of Peachtree City, Post 4.

What does Murray Weed stand for? My campaign revolved around maintaining our quality of life by establishing and maintaining the highest possible standards in our government, our city, our neighborhoods and in our homes. I stand for relief of current traffic congestion and planning for future traffic needs. I stand for responsible growth and controlled development. I stand for the promotion of locally owned businesses to enhance responsible economic development. I stand for long-term solutions to our water and sewer needs through a focus on local and regional solutions. I stand for allotting the appropriate attention and planning to the city's infrastructure. I believe that we can accomplish these goals without rampant annexation.

I am not just a candidate who can put forth ideas for the betterment of our city. I am also the candidate with the practical know-how to get these things done.

What will Murray Weed do if elected? I am promoting a 10-point program. I will provide long-term and short-term plans to relieve traffic congestion. First, I will seek the most qualified professionals to carefully design and construct intersections, turning lanes, and roads to improve traffic flow. Second, I will encourage the administration to focus on potential redirection of traffic flow throughout the city without solely relying on Georgia highways 74 and 54. Third, I will refocus attention to the resequencing of traffic lights.

I believe in the goal of providing safety and security of our families and our property. I propose three specific means to accomplish this goal.

First, I will initiate the establishment of a police substation in the new Wal-Mart/Home Depot commercial area. Regardless of a person's position on whether or not this development should even exist in Peachtree City, the development is coming. Now is the time to anticipate potential issues and begin working on solutions. A police substation will promote safety and security for our families and visiting shoppers to the area.

Second, even in Peachtree City, which is one of the safest cities in the entire state of Georgia, there are areas in which there has been increased criminal activity and neighborhood deterioration. I, more than any other candidate for Post 4, have the practical experience to address public nuisances and to adopt initiatives to prevent crime and restore neighborhoods.

Third, I would support an increase in regular neighborhood patrols and encourage contact and cooperation between our officers and citizens.

Additionally, I will propose an easy-access government which provides a one-stop process for licenses, permits and certificates. I will support public input and awareness by sponsoring quarterly council meetings to be held in individual neighborhoods. I also support utilizing public access channels to provide replays of City Council meetings.

We can capitalize on the attractiveness of Peachtree City in a variety of ways. First, by participating in the Georgia Better Home Town program, we can gain access to design services and aid from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Participation in the program will also provide the opportunity to improve building facades and town planning.

Second, our Scottish-themed villages can serve as the inspiration for a locally hosted Scottish festival. The history of our community, as reflected in the place names from McIntosh High School to Glenloch and Aberdeen, can be promoted as a focus for community spirit and a source of civic pride.

Third, I will support continuing education programs and the arts as Peachtree City's needed contribution to nonphysical recreation opportunities.

Fourth, I will review services to see where cooperative efforts with other cities and Fayette County can be utilized to enhance and benefit Peachtree City.

My position and plan of action are consistent with what I believe in and who I am. However, these positions, as well as my mind, are open to suggestion and critique. The Committee to Elect Murray Weed invites comments, suggestions, and feedback from as many sources as possible. It is our hope that such information will reflect the will of the citizens of Peachtree City, and will shape the debate and issues for this campaign. Please contact me at 678-364-0044 or at electmurrayweed@hotmail.com.

Murray J. Weed

Candidate for Peachtree City

Council Post 4

[Weed is an announced candidate for City Council 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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