Chuck Lehman hopes that for this campaign season, a sign of the times will be “no signs.”

Lehman threw down the gauntlet Monday morning during a press conference at his home, challenging his opponents to agree not to put up political yard signs, which he said are “tacky” and lead to “clutter.”

“I am asking that my opponents pledge not to put up yard signs and I won't either,” he said. “However, if I don't hear from them by Sept. 21, I will have no other choice but to put up signs as well.”

While claiming that no single candidate really benefits from the usual proliferation of yard signs, if one candidate agreed not to use them and another used them anyway, there would be an unlevel playing field.

“Peachtree City is a unique community, the beauty of which we all enjoy,” he said.

According to Lehman, the city permits the use of political yard signs for three weeks during election season.

Lehman laid out his positions on other issues during his presentation Monday, with a continued emphasis on his contention that he would be a “full-time councilman.”

He promised to continually monitor development in the city, saying that he would be on-site at the start of many projects to ensure that developers follow city directives relating to their approved plans.

Saying that the traffic on Ga. Highway 54 west “has become close to gridlock at specific time periods,” he offered that the best solution is to slow down development in the area.

“Since we are not able to improve the road network in the area until 2008, we have to be proactive and make hard decisions,” he said, referring to the delay caused by federal air regulations and lawsuit halting road improvements. “These decisions include carefully quantifying traffic congestion impact prior to approving site development.”

He said that the new Avenue shopping center now under develompent at City Circle will increase the traffic problem, and he brought up the recent application for a Wal-Mart superstore and Home Depot on Hwy. 54 across from Planterra Way (see story on Page 1A).

Lehman said he believes annexation should be considered only “if it is favorable to all residents and contributes to the vision of what Peachtree City is all about and not for the convenience and sole economic benefit of those requesting annexation.”

He added that he is not in favor of extending the sewer system outside the city, saying that the infrastructure should be improved for the benefit of the residents who are already using it.

Lehman wants to “formalize” communication between the city and the school system, as well as with other cities and the county government.

“I will be resident- and environment-friendly,” he said. “I will be in contact with residents that may be affected by a council decision.”

In addition to the issues of the campaign, Lehman commented on the voting situation, specifically the at-large system and projected voter turnout.

He said that the city has outgrown the at-large system, where all residents will vote for all candidates in all posts. He said that the time has come for each seat on the council to represent a specific area.

He lamented the poor turnout of 1997, when only 3,300 out of 18,000 registered voters came to the poll despite the mayor's seat being at stake and many important issues on the burner. He said that only 1,900 voted in the runoff for the seat eventually won by Carol Fritz.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page