Wednesday, January 22, 2003

Mayor and council members, I am contacting you personally concerning the proposed creation of the new Sports and Entertainment Authority. I am respectfully asking one special favor for all Peachtree City citizens.

Please do not "whitewash the old barn" and present it to PTC citizens as our "new barn."

What was done before is known and now understood by all, so no need to reiterate. One time was a mistake, intentional or otherwise. Let's not compound it by repeating the mistakes of the Development Authority.

Before voting on the structure of this new authority and from where its new members be drawn, think it over carefully. As you make the decisions, ask yourself continually, Is this action in the best interests of ALL the PTC citizens, not just a few select special interest groups?

Ultimately, it is you, our elected officials, who are answerable for how this new authority works and if the errors of the past are repeated or not.

I personally have the strong belief that you all try to execute your authorities with the best interest of PTC in mind. However, please understand many PTC citizens are less confident and less trusting in the light of the past activities and transgressions. You need to be especially mindful of this and continually show how this new authority will be better, more efficient, and focus on ending the now endless dependency on taxes.

I understand the current Development Authority will need to be involved for a transitional phase for a short time, but please avoid prolonging the conflict of interests.

Why a three-year transition? I assume the new Sports and Entertainment members will be selected from our diverse and bright PTC citizens. A six-month presence of the Development Authority should be more than enough.

Please do not allow the old guard to transfer its fiscal poor performance and poor management skills to this new authority. This kind of help the new authority does not need.

A rapid and complete transfer of power to the new authority should be a clear priority. I would also suggest for the long term, no one should ever serve on more than one authority due to possible conflict of interests.

Ask for and demand a new budget from the new authority for both short-term outlook and a long-term plan to reduce and eventually remove the current financial losses and tax dependency. Otherwise, there is no end to how much money will be lost. I respectfully suggest that the Airport Authority also be required to do the same. Especially under the current economic pressures, fiscal responsibility for any business must be the top priority. Thank you all for your hard work and desire to make PTC a wonderful community. [I am] anxiously waiting to see our "new barn."

Rick L. Gauthier

Peachtree City