Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Cannon: Compare my record with opponent's

Tyrone citizens, on Nov. 5, you will be deciding on the future of Tyrone by casting your vote for the person you want to serve on the Tyrone Town Council. For the past six years, I have had that honor and I want to thank you for giving me your support.

During this time, there has been an amazing transformation that has taken place. Tyrone has grown into a community that has made great improvements and taken great strides in the way the town has developed.

The council that took office in January 1997 began immediately to plan for the future development that was going to be coming our way. We rewrote our development standards, revised our zoning ordinances, and revised our future land use plan.

We took great care to put standards in place that would protect Ga. Highway 74 and at the same time create a tax base that would provide some relief to our bedroom community. The limitation of commercial development was a key issue that we considered.

I still firmly believe in that vision of what the 74 Corridor should be. My opponent has a different idea.

In the Sept. 26 issue of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he stated he felt Hwy. 74 should be developed with some "tasteful" commercial uses. I wonder if this is the same attitude that was taken when Ga. Highway 34 (Bullsboro Avenue) in Newnan was developed. That is exactly what our highway could turn into.

The entire face of our town and county could be terribly destroyed with this kind of development. We must stick to our plans and keep control of the corridor or we could be faced with the same traffic problems we witness in Newnan everyday.

Since I've been in office, we have seen tremendous development in the form of recreational opportunities for all the citizens of Tyrone. We have completed over 17,000 feet of multiuse paths, 1.5 miles of sidewalks, two superb softball fields for the girls and adults, regained ownership of Shamrock Park, purchased 41 acres for the development of a new park with two baseball fields completed and an additional two ready for spring play in 2003, another 15 acres to be planned for use, and purchased the triangle tract across from Shamrock Kitchen for a senior's park.

We have implemented an impact fee program and revised our development standards to some of the highest in the county. When a developer comes to Tyrone, he knows that he will have to meet the town's wants and needs to be successful. This was proven when the town took a superior court's ruling against Tyrone in favor of a developer and appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court and came away with a victorious ruling in favor of the town.

With me in office, you know what you can count on, a representative that is responsive and accessible to you when you have a concern. I'm available and have prided myself in the fact that you do have someone that cares about your problem. I have shown that I believe in open and honest government and conduct myself with high ethical standards.

I am someone that will represent all the citizens of Tyrone, and not base decisions on pressure from "special interests" groups or which part of Tyrone you live.

With my opponent, you don't know what you have. He has not made a platform statement. He has only addressed the council five times in the last six years, and all times were under public comment, which limits him to less than three minutes. He has not been involved with any community service organizations or programs that benefit the youth of our community. So what, or who is driving this person to run for office?

Don't take a chance on Nov. 5. I have proven my commitment to the town of Tyrone for the past six years and also by my involvement in this community for the 19 years prior to that. Tyrone has come a long way in the last six years. We have finally gotten the respect the town has deserved for a long time.

Don't take a chance on Tyrone's future or yours. Please get out and vote on Nov. 5, and vote to continue improving the quality of life in Tyrone by re-electing me. You can contact me at 770-487-4090 or at cannon30290@numail.org.

Ronnie Cannon

Tyrone Town Council, Post 1