Wednesday, July 9, 2003

It is with great interest and dismay I write to you regarding the state's ruling requiring drivers' licenses for golf cart operation.

While I am fairly new to the area, the unique qualities which define Peachtree City were immediately evident to me. It's a wonderful place in which it is easy to become comfortable.

Approximately one year ago, I joined the staff of Phoenix Star Taxi & Limousine Services, the area's only 24-hour taxi and transportation service with a homebase in Peachtree City. While small, this company is working to promote two of its missions, which include helping keep intoxicated drivers off the road and trying to decrease the contributions of our area to metro Atlanta's air pollution problems.

When I first arrived in Peachtree City, seeing the golf carts about everywhere was a new experience, but I'm sure you realize how quickly one becomes accustomed to this. And begins to appreciate it.

Because I have always cared about trying to preserve our environment in whatever way possible, I quickly began to appreciate the impact the use of golf carts must have on Peachtree City's air quality, and in turn, is not contributing to air quality issues in surrounding areas. I recognize that Peachtree City is experiencing traffic problems through growth, but the golf carts everywhere seem to make a dramatic contrast to automotive emissions.

It also is sad to note that just last year, Fayette County was named one of America's 23 Most Ozone Polluted Counties by the American Lung Association.

Through my association with Phoenix Star Taxi, I have come to discover that Fayette County has no chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The owner of this company has made a conscious, community-oriented commitment to offer service, very affordably, and at all hours, to facilitate the residents that want to engage in possibly irresponsible behavior, and not have to impact neighbors in a potentially fatal manner.

With this in mind, I am looking at the W. Coker case, which has apparently very dramatically impacted a community which was almost designed for an environmentally low-impact form of transportation such as golf carts provide. I understand the convicted is a habitual offender almost 40 years old.

I also understand the court had tired of his blatant disregard for the law, human life, or the community. However, the court's decision to summarily require driver's licenses across the board for all golf cart usage seems almost reactionary. I know many other residents agree that Peachtree City deserves special consideration.

I further would like to frame my concerns in light of the irony that this decision was handed down during a week that Atlanta was having one of its first Code Red Smog Alert Days of the season. I understand that irresponsible motor vehicle operators are a danger to everybody. But, there is almost a vicious irony in the concept here. The state court has deemed all golf cart operators be licensed, yet, it was indeed a licensed driver, well into maturity, who flaunted the law as he selfishly saw fit.

There is also irony that this decision comes shortly after the federal court is planning to enhance restrictions intended to decrease emissions into metro Atlanta air.

There are so many ways our residents are using golf carts, rather than autos, which unquestionably maintains the quality of life here:

· Parents are not having to drive youth to school or extracurricular activities.

· Local workers are neither contributing to pollution, nor adding to roadway wear and tear.

· Families with incredibly busy schedules are able to facilitate everyone's needs, with less automotive use.

· Everybody on golf carts enjoys the added bonus of unparalleled scenery and peaceful nature, rather than the bustle along the highways.

I would like to encourage everybody, especially those teens off for the summer, to write our government and express their concerns and wishes. July 4th celebrates our independence and freedom to speak. I think it would be timely to use this freedom of expression to encourage the court to rethink its decision.

M. Maxiane Moody

Peachtree City, Ga.