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Letters to the Editor

DA: Law officers rose to occasion in siege

Much has been printed recently that highlights disagreements within our local law enforcement agencies or disputes surrounding them.

Some may have inferred from those reports that our police and deputies are unable to handle a crisis. The Tinseltown robbery proves just the opposite.

Fayetteville, Fayette County, Fulton County, Henry County, Clayton County, Pike County and Georgia State Patrol sent approximately 150 officers who worked as a team for about 24 hours to arrest the offenders and protect us.

Good work, officers. And thank you.

Scott Ballard
District Attorney
Fayetteville, Ga.

Boswell should get his facts straight

P. Boswell vented a little frustration in the June 15 issue of The Citizen and veered off the straight path a few times.

He had stated that “... only a few days ago he (Steve Brown) was going to run for Fayette County Commission Chairman.”

The truth of the matter (the local reporters will attest to this) is that many of the reporters had been calling me since January of this year asking when I would announce for reelection.

I told them each time that I was in the process of working on several big projects for the city including Community Action Day, which was a huge success.

I also told a couple of the reporters through conversation that a contingent from the county had approached me about running for the county Board of Commissioners and that I told them that I would give the matter my consideration.

I never announced that I was running for a countywide post as the gentleman acknowledged.

P. Boswell is unfortunately unaware that the voters do not vote for the post of County Commission chairman. It is the Board of Commissioners themselves that vote for the post of chairman.

No one enjoys a robust debate more than I but let us keep the debate truthful.

When my council took office in 2002, we inherited the worst budget shortfall in the city’s history at the very same time that we were experiencing the worst economy in the city’s history.

We had to deal with government corruption and take a stand for a law-abiding system. Fortunately, God saw us through the hard times.

The old Development Authority has nearly $3.8 million of funds unaccounted for over the past decade.

I admit that it was disappointing when P. Boswell earlier stated that he wants to reward the authority’s past actions with city funds, and the City Council respectfully disagrees with that position in every way. We are all subject to the law and expected to obey.

It is a joy to work with my fellow City Council members and though we might not agree on an issue from time to time, the process is fair and respects the citizens.

The year 2004 was one of the most productive years in the city’s history. I truly love all the citizens of Peachtree City and Fayette County and I am proud that our municipal government is the most open and interactive government in Georgia.

All of our citizens from the youngest toddlers to the oldest seniors are what make Peachtree City great.

It has been and always will be an honor to serve on your behalf. Thanks especially to my beautiful wife for her constant encouragement.

Steve Brown, mayor
Peachtree City, Ga.

Hold on to Thompson

After reading the subtle yet cutting piece, “Conservative? Bush? Think again,” I looked up to the byline and was shocked to Mike Thompson was still a student and wrote the insightful view as an intern at The Citizen.

While I agree with just a fraction of Mike’s views and have a “W” on one of my five cars, Mike’s pointed humor convicted me of some hypocrisy: I did not attend the Memorial Day celebrations.

Hold on to Mike as long as you can. I am convinced he will soon find a national stage.

Stalker Reed
Peachtree City, Ga.

Melanie’s first coaches: PTC 8-year-old learns confidence, teamwork

Peachtree City has earned my gratitude. Even though local politics makes me feel the need for a shower now and then, or wonder where the adult supervision is hiding, the city deserves an “attaboy” for the girls softball league.

My daughter Melanie, 8 years old this year, had never held a softball before tryout day. Melanie started the season not knowing how to hold or swing the bat, how to throw the ball by stepping out on the opposite foot, and knew none of the rules of the game. You can blame me.

Melanie joined the Slammers, an 8-and-under team managed by head Coach Mike Pullias and his sidekick Coach Bill Wade. The team was composed of a few girls who knew how to play, and a bunch of others like Melanie who did not, newbies who made the same mistakes over and over again.

I wondered as I watched the first few practices how many years it would take newcomers like Melanie to function as part of a team — they were still picking daisies in right field, watching the ball roll through their legs, crying for mommy when the ball bounced into their face and had no clue where to throw the ball once they chased it down. I marveled at the patience of Mike and Bill.

Melanie and others were a cinch to strike out at first. Slowly, little by little, they improved, and I began to see the wisdom in how Mike and Bill waited for each girl to catch on, for the fire to ignite in their eyes.

After spring break, about halfway through the season, the magic happened. Something clicked in the girls’ little heads. They started thinking like a team. They lit a little fire in their belly.

They not only heard, ”Keep your eye on the ball,” but they did it. They started to understand where the ball needed to be thrown. They started to hit and throw their opponents out at first and they forced outs and chased down runners and savored the surprising and sweet taste of victory.

Melanie started hitting, and Coach Mike told the team Melanie was now the team’s best contact hitter. She strutted around our house like a peacock. I told her, “Be careful, it comes and goes.” And it did.

Another player had been not only a reliable strikeout, but had what seemed an apathetic swing. When she finally connected with the ball, her eyes sparkled with pride and before long she was the most reliable batter.

This gaggle of girls started trusting each other, and yelled for one another, and chanted from the dugout for their own batters while they kicked the fence to make noise, “SHE’S A HOME RUN HITTER, AND YOU’RE NEVER GONNA GET-HER, SO GIVE UP — BAM-BAM — SO GIVE UP — BAM-BAM!” They turned into a team.

As they began winning games, the satisfaction of accomplishment lit up their flushed faces. They walked taller, they took to their assigned positions with confidence and they knew the adventure of competing against a tough opponent.

The Slammers made it to the playoffs, but something else is far more important. Under the leadership of Mike Pullias and Bill Wade, Melanie and her teammates learned more than how to hit and throw and play softball.

They learned the commitment of trying difficult things and failing again and again, and the thrill of finally getting it right.

They learned the game is more about the team than themselves.

They learned to encourage teammates when they failed and scream for them when they succeeded, and to have fun whether they won or lost.

They learned how to play the game with honor and never questioned the umpire even when they were sure he was wrong.

They learned the thrill of strangers in the stands yelling their name when they made a good play.

The girls learned pride in themselves, and in the process had a sweaty blast struggling to win.

So thanks to Peachtree City for sponsoring this league.

And a very special thanks to Mike Pullias and Bill Wade for a tireless, patient, skilled and steady hand at herding cats — er, I mean coaching — 8-and-under girls, and doing it so very well.

Like dedicated youth coaches everywhere, you helped these girls learn to do things that are not easy, things they did not think they could do.

At least one of them, my daughter Melanie, will always remember Coach Mike and Coach Bill. Well done.

Terry L. Garlock
Peachtree City, Ga.

Garlock is a certified financial planner and investments advisor in Peachtree City (tgarlock@mindspring.com).