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Letters to the Editor

County passing up desirable complex

In my opinion the county commission must be out of their collective minds not to consider a large, over-55 development as desirable for our county.

Consider these facts:

1. Seniors who are retired or near retirement will bring in much needed sales tax and property tax revenue without putting one kid in the schools.

2. Retired people don’t lose their jobs or get laid off. They will bring in Social Security, 401k, and other guaranteed income to the area.

3. Retired people don’t commute to and from work. Thus they don’t cause rush-hour traffic problems. In fact they drive a lot less and a lot more safely than the rest of us.

4. Retired people commit very few crimes. So they don’t over-burden the police.

5. Retired people need much professional support. Because of this, many jobs for doctors, lawyers, investment and insurance advisors, lawn-care workers, etc., will be created in our community.

In an area where the biggest employer (Delta) may soon be in bankruptcy and has already cut jobs and pay, we should be looking at this kind of development as a godsend. As long as they are truly going to build a high-quality, over-55 development, I can’t see the downside.

Bill Gilmer
Fayetteville, Ga.

County gets thumbs down for Sun City no

Fayette County needs more senior housing. They want to spend millions on a senior center but do not want to support a senior complex.

These folks do not inflate our school population and in many cases cost less in crime prevention and do not tend to roam when they spend their dollars.

My mother would like to move to Fayette County but low-cost 55-plus housing is scarce.

Robyn M. O’Connell
Hayes Management Consulting
Newton Center, Mass.

Booth acting wisely in kids’ sex behavior

Thank you for your [article] in the March 30 edition of The Citizen. I strongly commend Mr. Lombard on his stand and his addressing the problem of “inappropriate behavior” amongst eighth graders at Booth Middle School.

It is hard to believe that there are parents who do not or have not instructed their children on proper behavior in any kind of public situation. Mr. Lombard is right in his actions. Good job!

Let’s just hope that this is not looked upon lightly by the parents or the kids. It is important for them to realize that their wrong decisions and actions can and will affect the rest of their lives and even the lives of their future families, should they have families.

Whatever happened to respect for one another?

We do not need a class in “sex education” as much as we need some teaching about respecting others and their physical and emotional well-being. The “Golden Rule” still applies, as well as sowing and reaping.

This is the sowing time for these young kids. What in the world do they think they will reap in their future?

I had two children graduate from Booth Middle School in the late 1980s and I respected it as a good school then. I now have two grandchildren attending Booth, and even though it makes me fearful with what I hear is going on, I feel better knowing folks like Mr. Lombard [are] doing [their] best to restore and maintain the quality of education at Booth.

R. Mitchell
Newnan, Ga.

Pet rescuer: Take some responsibility

I recently rescued a very hungry, brown brindled dog at the corner of Ga. Highway 74 and Tyrone Road in Tyrone. According to the workers at the mini-mart/Subway, she had been living there for some time, ever since “someone in a blue car dropped her off.”

To the lowlife who did this, I’d like to let you know the ramifications of dumping your dog. Did you realize that she stayed right where you left her, waiting for you to come back? Did you care if she got hit by a car? Were you at all concerned that she could have caused an accident by someone trying to avoid her? Oh, and did you dump her before or after she had puppies?

I was able to lure her with food after which I took her immediately to a vet where she was examined, given all shots, de-wormed, spayed, and treated for heartworms.

Fortunately, the latter was a mild case so she’ll have a normal life-span.

“Brownie” is a 35-pound Australian cattle dog-shepherd mix, about a year old. She has a good disposition and is getting along well with my dogs. She’s learned to sit and in spite of her previous unfortunate circumstances, she still has a joyful spirit and affectionately licks my face.

After almost two weeks of boarding her, I am now fostering her at my house and hoping to find her a good home. If anyone is interested, she appears on the Georgia Heartland Humane Society Web site (www.gaheartland.com) or you can call 770-830-2820.

For those of you thinking of getting a dog, please consider the following before you do. Most dogs have a 10-15 year life-span. Are you ready to commit yourself for that period of time?

Dogs are costly, needing yearly shots, spaying or neutering, food, heartworm medication, fencing, and other items such as a dog crate often used temporarily for house-training.

When you go away and need to board your dog that bill can quickly mount, too. Remember that it’s quite normal for puppies and young dogs to chew shoes, furniture, window sills, you name it. Be prepared to handle this.

And for heaven’s sake, when you encounter any difficulty training your dog, please seek advice from a vet or good dog training book. Don’t just just tie it to a tree or pen it 24/7 for the rest of its life.

One more thing: Fayette County Animal Control doesn’t accept “owner turn-ins” which means that when you’re ready to go on vacation, moving, getting married, having a baby, getting divorced, etc., and you’ve decided that that once-adorable puppy is now inconvenient to your life, you’ll need to take personal responsibility for finding it a new home.

But please, have a heart and don’t just dump your dog. It’s cruel to the dog as well as a public safety issue.

Linda Conley
Tyrone, Ga.

Gov., don’t veto this bill

Now that we understand the real danger of inhaling second-hand smoke, we need to stop treating it as if it was just an unpleasant odor. We know better now.

Governor Perdue has until May 10 to sign or veto the Smoke-free Air Act 2005. This bill will not stop smoking. It just stops SOME of the trapped indoor smoke that harms others needlessly.

It sets minimum limits that exempt bars, small businesses and businesses with separate ventilation. It has lots of holes that let the smoke billow through but it is at least one step in the right direction.

Gov. Perdue does not have to support this bill; he just has to not veto it.

Please contact Gov. Perdue and let him know that you want this legislation now to protect your family. There is so much in life we cannot protect ourselves from; this one is so simple.

Kathie Cheney
Peachtree City, Ga.

Lutheran church location would be good site for new Gathering Place

Regarding the request from the Lutheran Church to rezone property for sale to Walgreens, thank you to all of the members of the Peachtree City Planning Commission for voting no to the rezoning request by Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Thank you all for withstanding the exterior pressures by Mayor Brown.

You were all unbiased, objective, unemotional, and professional as you reviewed this issue, heard all the sides, yet continued to look at the big picture with regard to this beautiful city.

You heard the church but yet you held to your role as the zoning compliance group for Peachtree City.

And to David Rast, our city planner, hip hip hooray for your research and your “less than popular” opinion regarding this issue.

You all truly understand what makes Peachtree City a city to be proud of and the importance of a terrific quality of life for all citizens.

In my opinion, the church, a spiritual body, was really resting its case on legal constructs rather than community-centered service.

Having outside representatives from cities such as Griffin and Macon representing them here in Peachtree City was interesting. I don’t think Peachtree City wishes to emulate Griffin nor Macon.

Our parkway and golf cart paths are noteworthy. Driving north to south on the parkway is one of Peachtree City’s greatest assets.

I urge our City Council when they review this rezoning request to consider the following: our elementary, middle, and high school children now wait for school buses directly on the parkway (new change put into place two school years ago).

Please remember this as you continue to look at how your decisions impact traffic on our parkway. Don’t endanger our children by increasing the traffic any more so.

In conclusion, I once again wish to ask why the city doesn’t offer the church dollars for their building/land, renovate the beautiful church building into a larger Gathering Place for our city seniors and redesign (if necessary) the current Gathering Place into a community center, since you already have a BMX track, roller blading area, picnic tables, amphitheater in the same vicinity.

From reading an earlier newspaper article which appeared several weeks ago, the Recreation Department has stated the need for a larger Gathering Place for seniors and a possible community center.

Why not avoid building two more costly buildings (renovating has got to be cheaper), divert saved tax dollars for other critical priorities, keep the church building from being bulldozed and have one of Peachtree City’s first church’s remain standing, avoid yet another commercial rezoning and another drug store in Peachtree City, and pay the church for a new facility/home for the Lutherans?

Sounds economical and like a win-win to me for all parties.

Fran Plunkett
Peachtree City, Ga.

Rezoning story was balanced

I think John Munford’s article extended a fair and just perspective of the controversial opinions enveloping Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church’s rezoning request.

I personally side with the nay-sayers who oppose rezoning the property. We should not invite additional safety risks and traffic congestion at the Ga. Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway intersection.

Doug Tucker
Peachtree City, Ga.

Other Gulf victim also has a story

Julian Lee and his family are indeed wonderful people, and he has definitely left a mark on our community. How wonderful to know that he is in heaven with the Lord. I pray for comfort for his family as they adjust to their loss.

I would like people to know, however, that while not as well-known, Dennis Herring was also an amazing man.

His wife, Denise, is a close friend of mine. His daughters, Megan and Mallory, are two of my daughter’s best friends. He is actually from Fayetteville, not Riverdale.

He was a loving father who endured numerous dance recitals, dance competitions, and lots of giggly girls, with a sense of humor and an amazing attitude.

He sometimes got his “male bonding” fix by talking baseball or football (usually Georgia football) with my 9-year-old son.

He was a great husband to Denise; they were often laughing about the crazy things Dennis did and said. He loved the outdoors and would hunt in sub-zero temperatures with a smile on his face. On the worst day, Dennis could make you laugh. Many of us are lucky to call him a friend.

Julian Lee was indeed a great man. I just wanted people to know that his friend, Dennis Herring, was also a pretty terrific man who left behind a loving wife and two daughters. I hope that everyone will remember both families in their prayers.

Andrea Floyd
Fayetteville, Ga.

Voter example of getting involved

Now that the legislative session is over for this year, I can comment on the effort we observed to replace Fayette County’s method of electing our local bodies: County Commission, county school board and city councils.

I attended all three of [Rep.] Virgil Fludd’s public hearings about district voting. District voting means that commissioners, school board members and city council members would live in, and be elected by only the people of a particular district. Now, the voters of the entire county or city get to vote on everyone.

I listened attentively to the comments of those in favor of, and against, this change. After listening, I remain a supporter of the current system. I would like to address some comments I heard at the meetings and read in the press.

I address Alice Jones by name because I know her, she has made her comments at these public meetings and she has written in to the newspapers.

Mrs. Jones recounted her experience helping to locate the new park that is being built in the north end of the county. She talks about the fact that she had to get involved, she had to talk to elected officials (local and state) to get a park located in her area and she got involved in the planning of the facilities.

She believes that she would not have had to expend this effort if she had a county commissioner who only represented the district where she lives. This commissioner would have obtained a park.

I have been active in community affairs for about 15 years. I keep saying that I was amazed and surprised at the level of involvement by everyday people in all these activities.

I saw the countywide land use plan developed. I saw the involvement when I started Adopt A Mile. When I participated in my daughter’s sports and organizations, I saw it. All these efforts, and many more, have been the product of a true partnership between government and the people.

What does this do for our community and for the people who get involved? Better schools, recreation, and better community service organizations. The person benefits from their service and the community benefits. The community gets a better quality of service from volunteers who are more enthusiastic and committed. That is the real source of our superior schools and superior community.

So, Mrs. Jones is one of the “secret weapons” in our efforts to create and preserve a better place to live.

Let’s use recreation as an example. Adult volunteers show our kids that the adults in their community think they are important enough to receive the adults’ time and attention. Even if the kids’ own parents are too busy, those kids see other adults who are involved.

What a great example to set. And the benefit that the adults gets from helping children is immensely satisfying to them.

In his latest book, Newt Gingrich talks about communities. He notes that de Tocqueville commented that one of the greatest differences he saw in the United States was between the European reliance on government and the American tradition of self-reliance and community-reliance.

I think this remains one of the major differences between Europe and the United States, between Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives and socialists and those who believe in freedom.

So, Alice, I understand that you are not of the same political persuasion that I am. I also understand that people who are willing, and able, to get involved are the key to this community’s ability to get things done in an efficient and effective way.

I thank you and I salute you. You may not have wanted to spend your time and effort, but you did it. And I think that’s the better way to get it done.

Getting a politician to do all of this for you would not have produced the kind of outcome I think we will have and would not produce the kind of community commitment that will make sure this park is maintained and well-operated now and in the future. People like you are “the wind beneath the wings” of Fayette County.

Peter Pfeifer
County Commission, Post 3
Peachtree City, Ga.

The Fred’s caterers tell what happened

In response to your article about cooler drinks coming to The Fred:

Deli Delicious, which unfortunately closed its restaurant recently, would like to thank all of our wonderful customers of the last four years.

We couldn’t supply the same quality foods at increased yearly costs. We wouldn’t settle for less, and sadly we decided to close our doors.

We were more than willing to provide our same consistent services at The Fred this year. Our original agreement was to promote good food providing our city residents with another place to dine before each concert.

Serving hard liquor and encouraging smoking was something important to consider. We reluctantly proceeded through the proper Peachtree City Council channels.

Our past experience during the past two years maintaining the concession booths brought us to the decision not to renew our contract. Our expectations did not meet with the new amphitheater officials when we were advised of the $4,500 liquor license fee for the concert season.

The Tourism Board anxiously offered to cover initial expenses but regretfully started the negotiations too late (February 2005). We were fearful that there was not proper time to acquire the liquor license, leaving us with no selling options.

Under the new contract agreement our prices would have to increase. Still under consideration, the Tourism Association hopes to stop patrons from bringing in their own alcoholic beverages.

We wish the new drink vendors and the amphitheater great success. We will miss many fine customers and laughs during this concert season and hope that the city folks receive the prompt, courteous and fast service that we tried to employ.

Andy, Lorraine and Adam Stasko
Deli Delicious Past
Peachtree City, Ga.

Rising from the ashes: 2005 FCHS Lady Tigers exceed expectations

On Feb. 18, 2005, I was sure that my four-year tenure as a Fayette County High School (FCHS) Lady Tigers soccer dad had reached a defining low for my association with what was a very lackluster program.

On this date, the game against the division AAAA state number one ranked McIntosh was ended before the end of the second half under a “kill rule,” when the score reached 15-0 in favor of our Peachtree City rivals. I’ll refer to this hereafter as the “McIntosh Massacre.”

At that point, I was resigned to enduring yet another frustrating year of marginal soccer.

Not to let the season go without meaning, however, I decided to take the opportunity to observe the season from the perspective of solving one of the great mysteries of south metro Atlanta high school sports: Why are many of the high school soccer programs of the city and county to our west so far superior to that of FCHS when we are so geographically, demographically, and economically similar?

Since moving here four years ago, it appeared to be well-understood that cronyism in the youth football program was responsible for the poor FCHS football program, but no one seemed to have a ready explanation for the enigma called the FCHS girls soccer program.

So for me at least, the season had renewed meaning. My goal was to examine the program and provide some means of a professional, but critically constructive evaluation to improve the program in the future.

Exactly two weeks after the McIntosh Massacre, the division AAAAA number one ranked Starr’s Mill soccer ladies played their PTC foe to a 3-3 tie. This event then established the date of April 15, 2005, as what ensured to be an exclamation mark on yet another disappointing season, as this was the date of the regional season-ending Lady Tigers game against Starr’s Mill.

The Citizen newspaper was one of the only resources to support my research. One article that I read with great interest was an interview with the Lady Tigers coach, Ben Thacker, wherein he stated that he had a strong defensive team and that their objective was to place in the region and make the state playoffs.

Already, the unwitting coach had provided my first piece of empirical data. Granted, Coach Thacker was the fourth coach in so many years and may not have fully evaluated his team, but to state that he had a strong defensive team in the wake of a 15-point trouncing clearly demonstrated that he was not grounded by reality.

And at a time when a coach should be using face-saving phrases such as “work in progress,” “underclassmen potential,” or “rebuilding year,” he was still espousing the illusion of a successful season with a playoff birth.

There was much drama in the meantime and I am not sure exactly when it happened, but at some point in the season my research project was stymied by conflicting data.

While studying the team to understand why they would keep losing, a funny thing happened: they kept winning.

During this span of successes there were a number of games that were won ugly, but they were wins nonetheless.

Regardless of their successes, the spectacle of the McIntosh Massacre left me so predisposed to ultimate failure that I found myself at the point of anticipating their self-destruction when they played state ranked Newnan on April 13.

That game marked an epiphany for me, as the Lady Tigers decisively defeated a top-caliber Newnan team 2-0.

At that point, the Lady Tigers had clinched at least a second place finish in the region and were assured a home field first-round state playoff game. The only formality remaining was the Starr’s Mill game that I had previously viewed as a final, crowning disappointment.

On April 15, in stark contrast to the McIntosh Massacre, the FCHS Lady Tigers played a tightly contested game that was 0-2 at the 25-minute mark into the second half.

The game ultimately ended as a 5-0 loss to the state’s number one AAAAA team, but the Lady Tigers made a most respectable showing.

The roster may have had the same names, but this was not the same team that was victimized by a team that was proven to be Starr’s Mill’s equal in a game two weeks following the Massacre.

All right, so I sold my daughter’s team short, and regardless of what happens in the playoffs, it will have been the best Lady Tigers season in my time.

Given all of this background, there is still the commitment that I made to myself and the betterment of the FCHS girls soccer program. So to that end, here is my effort to provide a professional and constructively critical assessment of the team.

Although I correctly pegged the McIntosh Massacre as a day that would live in infamy for the FCHS Lady Tigers soccer program, I think I may have got it backwards.

Since the FCHS Lady Tigers lacked heart and did not play or act as a team against McIntosh, I logically assumed that a team that did not play like a team before such a traumatic defeat would surely become even less so afterwards.

In retrospect, there are two possible team dynamics that might result from a crushing defeat, and I assumed the worst: I misjudged their character.

What I failed to properly account for was that when groups with true character endure a tragedy, whether it be the loss of a team-mate or even a devastating loss like this one, it can be a very galvanizing event.

I’ll also add that when a team is in a position where they could go either way, a coach who risks his professional reputation by demonstrating public confidence in the face of such difficult circumstances may just be a leader that great programs are made of.

Which now leads to the answer to the question regarding lack of equity among the FCHS ladies program and those to the west in PTC and Coweta County that had haunted me for over three years.

I would have liked to provide some enlightening analysis, but the answer is not anything that is new to this season, or even the previous three. Perhaps there are many among us who intuitively knew this and I had just not really thought too hard about it until this year.

I know it sounds a lot like the Wizard of Oz talking to Dorothy and the Scarecrow, but the answer is pretty simple: Winning tradition.

As in any sport, if a soccer program has the tradition of a winner, the players feel like winners and play like winners. They are motivated by the winners before them who went on to play in major college programs and even as professionals at an international level.

This tradition pervades the recreational and developmental leagues that are filled with young girls who aspire to someday be a part of that elite program. The players in programs with winning traditions are not only playing for themselves in a given year, but they are also playing for those who came before them and those who will follow.

Now I am sure that there are some other factors such as consistency in coaching and developmental programs that come into play, but I am confident that I have found the critical path to solving the mystery.

However, developing a winning tradition is a lengthy process that requires support from the school administration, the student body, the parents, and the community. Perhaps placing second in the region to the state’s top ranked team and making the playoffs is a good first step.

In this regard, I find it most ironic that the McIntosh Massacre could potentially prove to be the catalyst that began the development of a winning tradition for the FCHS Lady Tigers.

My Lady Tiger graduates next month and I will probably move on. I will, however, feel compelled to check in from time to time, because if a winning tradition were to in fact develop at FCHS that rivals the dynasties to the west — one that could be traced back to the Lady Tigers’ gutsy reaction to the McIntosh Massacre — then that would truly be the thing that sports legend is made of.

Aden C. Magee
Fayetteville, Ga.

Too many drunk drivers are getting sweet deals

As a resident of Fayette County for the past 20 years, I feel it is a duty of all citizens to stay informed of habitual drunk drivers within our county. Recently it has been brought to my attention if a family has enough money, power or prestige in this county the chances [are] a habitual drunk driver will not spend any time in jail for multiple offenses.

As parents and taxpayers, can we allow this to happen in our neighborhoods? Are we electing officials of the judicial system to look out for our best interest as well as the interest of the future adults?

A Fayette County resident has recently been cited for violation of parole; for the third time he has been arrested for drunk driving within the city limits of Fayette County.

One question that we need to investigate is why has this habitual offender not spent any time in jail, why is he still being allowed to drive on our streets and put our children as well as ourselves at risk?

Should money and bargains be allowed? What will it take to override the deals made among the lawyers and judges to keep drunk drivers off the road?

Are you asking yourself how could this happen? As a community we need to be aware of the laws as well as the loop holes that can allow repeat offenders to get off so easily.

What can we do as taxpayers and concerned residents of Fayette County to ensure our elected officials are acting in our best interest and safety?

There will be a court date approaching for [the offender] regarding violation of parole, and a third offense for DUI. As a citizen of Fayette County, make it a point to contact your local elected officials, as well as the Fayette County Courts and jurisdiction. Together we can take the risk out of Fayette County and make this a safe place to raise our families.

Trisha Stewart
Peachtree City, Ga.

Teen murderers should get death sentences

I think this is absurd. These two girls admitted murdering [Holly] Harvey’s grandparents. There is absolutely no doubt of their guilt.

They are 16 years old with a life expectancy of 70 or 80 years and our tax dollars are going to support them with food, clothing, shelter, cable TV and a lifetime gym membership as they have the option to work out. How ridiculous is that?

Capital punishment should be implemented. Guilty. Beyond the shadow of a doubt. You have confessions. I don’t care if they are minors or juveniles. They are murderers. Period.

Georgia Law needs to be changed and believe me, I’ve sent letters to our congressmen.

These two murderers should have done to them exactly what they did to the grandparents. If that is too harsh for most of you out there, then why not put them through the process that the animal control facility does with vicious animals? Gas them and incinerate them.

It will save the county, the state and us an enormous amount of tax dollars which could be allocated wiser and more efficiently, to better causes, such as, prevention of child abuse, feeding or housing non-murderous juveniles, or we could allow our teens to benefit by having the Driver’s Education program reinstated back into the high school curriculum.

If you feel that capital punishment is warranted for committing a capital offense, without any age restrictions, then, please, write to our congressmen. You can make a difference.

Vanessa Maxson
Fayetteville, Ga.

Maybe PTC cops need to examine priorities

Thank you for your article calling attention to the recent problems on our cart paths. Chief Murray’s comments on limited resources are on target, but rather than “write off” the cart paths, there should be a debate on what should be the top priorities for our police department’s focus.

Responding to accidents is a high priority, and until some long overdue improvements are completed, traffic control at key bottlenecks will require attention.

However, I am personally aware of at least two recent cases where drivers were pulled over and ticketed while still in the parking lot for not having their seat belts fastened.

Each must have taken an officer away from accidents, traffic control and, yes, cart path observation, for at least 15 minutes. Is this where our officers should be spending their time?

City Council, with citizen input, should review the priorities of our police department.

Also, what other city priorities are taking funding that the police department could better use? Cart paths are too much a part of this city’s unique character to merit anything less.

The day when perceptions of a lack of safety make parents hesitate to let their children ride their bikes on the paths, or when senior citizens choose to stay home in the evenings rather than drive their golf carts, is the day when Peachtree City has lost something truly special that will be hard to regain.

Steve Bradley
Peachtree City, Ga.

Why can’t PTC cops police Rockaway Road?

In the recent article about [the Ga. Highway 74-Rockaway Road] intersection a three-way stop was suggested, and our mayor was quoted stating this is not going to resolve the problem.

This might not be the final solution, but it might save someone’s life while politicians twiddle their thumbs for a couple of years before fixing it.

I also would like to say that though it is a daily problem for Senoia residents many Peachtree City citizens use that area for the softball fields, and if any city employee (police or public service people) would come down there on a Saturday to see the number of people that clog that area going to the recycling center they would know it.

I can’t believe that our police department ignores the traffic problems and will not send an officer down there on Saturdays, especially after storms when everyone in town is down there at some point during the day.

Do something, Mr. Mayor.

H. Dwight Wilson
Peachtree City, Ga.