Wednesday, March 17, 2004

West Village annexation not mayor’s prerogative

The Citizen recently reported on Mayor Brown’s invitation-only meeting with John Wieland Homes and Pathway Communities where a site plan was presented for the area dubbed the “West Village” of Peachtree City.

This area cannot truly be called a “village” because the land lies in Fayette County, not Peachtree City. The only way this land can become part of Peachtree City is to annex it. However, city law forbids annexation. Furthermore, city law forbids city staff from even discussing plans for annexation.

So, what is the mayor of Peachtree City doing presenting plans for annexing and developing land in Fayette County? Arguably, the mayor is not city staff so he can do this without violating the law. On the other hand, it’s likely he understands he balances on the knife-edge of illegality since he reportedly describes his involvement only as that of a “concerned citizen.”

We at DIRECT PAC are truly concerned citizens. We believe annexing the so-called West Village will be favorable for the future of Peachtree City. However, we also believe that the mayor and city council need to vote upon changing the law that forbids annexation and discussion of annexation.

Peachtree City is not some banana republic where law is discretionary and the machinery of government runs for the satisfaction of a special few. Once it’s legal to discuss annexation, the right people can become involved to ensure that the entire effort is managed properly.

We ask all our elected representatives to step up, decide what the law should be, and act accordingly. If, indeed, the mayor and council decide the West Village annexation is a priority for the city, then let’s pursue it. But let’s apply the appropriate resources to ensure satisfactory results for the landowners, developers, present, and future citizens of Peachtree City.

Interested readers can read DIRECT PAC’s detailed position paper at www.directpac.org.

Rex Green

DIRECT PAC

Peachtree City, Ga.