Wednesday, May 14, 2003

I am always saddened when I see Wynnmeade subdivision as a headline in the newspaper when it concerns incidents like what occurred recently with young people, guns and violence.

This is actually the third occurrence in which young people have come from other communities to initiate a fight with young people who live in Wynnmeade subdivision.

Once again we are very aware of issues that should be and will be addressed by this community, and we are just as aware that there are other communities that have similar issues. The difference is that their subdivision's name isn't splashed all over the front page of The Citizen newspaper.

We have requested many times that The Citizen would do a feature story on Wynnmeade in order to help us in changing what has always been a "negative" image. We want it recognized that our goals to revive a quality standard of life to the oldest subdivision in Peachtree City are within our reach. Here are some of our accomplishments to date that The Citizen hasn't written about for those of you that are interested.

In June of this year we will celebrate two years in the restructure of our homeowners association. We became incorporated with the state of Georgia in December of 2001. We have worked and communicated diligently with all departments of the city in the rehabilitation, renovation and restoration of our community. We have organized a monthly cleanup for the entire community from top to bottom and we have encouraged and enforced the abiding of city ordinances and our subdivision bylaws and protective covenants.

Our community park (Beaver Dam Park) is being renovated and we have had very much input into the process. A few of our residents have adopted a mile, and that mile is the golf cart path at MacDuff.

In the past we have been considered a transient community. Because of this we have had to inform those that own rental properties in Wynnmeade that they will be responsible for the maintenance of their properties and the screening of their present and future tenants. This will assure and assist in the safety and well-being of all our residents.

These are just a few of the many long-term goals for Wynnmeade and it proves that we have a story, a good and positive story to tell. We have and will continue to strive for what is in the best interest of Wynnmeade and our neighbors in the other developments in this area of Peachtree City. The fruits of our labor are obvious.

We were once a complacent community, but now we are low tolerant and we will continue to be when it comes to those that want to forever stigmatize us. We have grown from the "stepchild" into the "comeback kids" and we are ready to fly our own flag of progress if that is what it takes.

What's right and good will remain a part of Wynnmeade. Everything else in time will slowly fade away. Hopefully, during summer vacation, parents will know where their young people are and what they are doing and hopefully it won't involve going into any neighborhoods, carrying weapons and endangering innocent people just to show how tough they are. Remember, I said hopefully.

Merrilyn Arnold

Merrilynda@aol.com