Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Why is Mayor Brown pushing annexation?

Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown’s letter to the editor discussing our traffic problem and the possible annexation of the “West Village” raised a number of questions.

First, let me state that I am not opposed to annexation if it is done correctly and is in the best interest of Peachtree City. However, it must be done correctly. And therein lies the concern.

Mayor Brown stated in an earlier edition of The Citizen that he has only been talking to developer John Wieland as a “concerned citizen” and not in his capacity as “mayor.” However in his letter to the editor, which he signed “Steve Brown, mayor,” he states, “I am begging John Wieland to work with us on creating a connection between McDuff [Parkway] and Ga. Highway 74.”

So my first question, is Steve Brown “mayor” or Steve Brown “concerned citizen” “begging John Wieland?” And, does John Wieland know the difference? Will John Wieland work in an extended capacity with any “concerned citizen” regarding this potential project, or only a “concerned citizen” who happens to be mayor? If it comes to a vote to suspend the annexation moratorium and to annex this land will Steve Brown “concerned citizen” address the issue, or will it be Steve Brown “mayor”?

Mayor Brown’s letter (it was “mayor” Brown not “concerned citizen” Brown who signed the letter) stated that the road he is “begging John Wieland” for “would allow the ‘big box’ traffic” and the “thousands of residents that live in the area” to avoid the Ga. highways 54-74 intersection.

The question is, does Mayor Brown have a traffic study that would back up this claim? Is the major problem at the intersection the “big box” traffic or from other sources? Does the “thousands of residents” include those who will be moving in to the new Wieland development? Will the McDuff connection he is “begging” for really relieve the problem at 54/74 or will it only help all the new people moving in to the new development? And what about the impact of this new development on the existing traffic problem?

I am not suggesting that this wouldn’t be a good solution, only wondering, has a reasonable traffic study been done and does it back up Mayor Brown’s suggestion? In fact can a study legally be done given the annexation moratorium?

Finally I have to ask why Steve Brown, “mayor” or “concerned citizen,” has suddenly become such and advocate for annexation and development? During his mayoral campaign he stated on his website:

“The bottom line on annexation: Council members can be swayed by special interests. I want to give the power of annexation to the citizens. I want to change the charter so that all annexation requests must be voted on by referendum at the next scheduled general election. If the people want the annexation, they will vote for it.”

One must ask, two years into his administration, where is the “charter change ... so that all annexation requests must be voted on”?

Since he stated, “Council members can be swayed by special interests,” are we to believe that only Steve Brown is immune, or should we ask, “What’s in it for him?”

Since we have an annexation moratorium in effect, should this even be discussed? Why hasn’t the city council been asked to suspend the moratorium before any negotiation is begun?

As I stated, I am not opposed to annexation. In fact, I don’t necessarily feel annexation should only be done by referendum as proposed by “candidate” Steve Brown. That is why we have elected representatives.

However, I am completely uncomfortable with any individual, either Steve Brown “mayor” or Steve Brown “concerned citizen” (or anyone else), negotiating unilaterally with a major developer about a major annexation, leaving our city staff and city council (our elected representatives) out of the process.

And even if it is technically “legal” for Steve Brown (either one) to do this unilateral negotiation while an annexation moratorium is in effect, is it ethical?

And, again, one must wonder why he has suddenly become such a champion of annexation? Perhaps he has been “swayed by special interests.”

Just a few questions and concerns from a “concerned citizen.”

Jim Stinson

Peachtree City, Ga.