If I remember my history correctly, the Mexican-American War ended in 1848 and the United States won. As a consequence, most of the territory comprising the modern-day states of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming were ceded to the United States by Mexico by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The remaining parts of Arizona and New Mexico were later ceded to us via the 1853 Gadsden Purchase.

I just wanted to let you know something that happened today that I thought newsworthy. I work with the Army Reserve here in Peachtree City as a contractor. Today is the birthday of our Chief Warrant Officer Edward Gardner. We planned a luncheon at Longhorn Steakhouse in PTC.

I guess some people reading complaints about Tinseltown are surprised, but for many of us, these revelations are just another “duh” moment.

In hopes of getting some response and explanation for the vote to annex the West Village May 3, 2007, I wrote the following letter to Peachtree City Council on May 8, 2007.

[Editor’s note: This letter was inadvertently omitted from last week’s edition. It is being run today with the content updated.]

I am not sure how to go about telling this story or whether or not the public cares but here goes.

My family and I recently had dinner at a restaurant in Peachtree City. It was our daughter’s fifth birthday and she wanted to eat there because they give the kids dough to play with while you wait for your dinner.

On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I would like to commend the late Judge Andrew Whalen Jr., who dedicated his life to serving the people of Georgia. We also extend our condolences to his family and friends.

In light of the recent news and Michael Vick’s possible involvement with dog-fighting on his property in Virginia, and the recent comment from Washington Redskins player, Clinton Portis, who defended Vick, I ask you to please read more about this barbaric “sport.” Most of this information comes from the Humane Society of the United Sates.

If I were an 18-year-old graduating student at a high school and were asked to give a speech at a graduation ceremony, this would be my speech:

As an attendee at the first Fayetteville Citizens Police Academy I thought it would be more than appropriate to share the class’s experience with the citizens of Fayette County.

I am a resident of south Fayette County and have been for numerous years. I took my wife out to dinner for our anniversary in Fayetteville on May 18.

This week, the U.S. Senate demonstrated their juvenile-like behavior and presented an illegal immigration bill.

If you are a parent like myself, your child has come to you a hundred times, promising that they will clean their room every day for the rest of their life if you will buy such and such for them. Of course they have never cleaned their room three days in a row since they were born and you know it. It is an empty promise that will go unfulfilled before the week ends.

Three things that need to be done.

Here are three things that I feel should be done:

1. Stop the TDK Extension. We don’t need it and we don’t want it.

To all,

I think it is obvious that the composition of the town hall panel appears to be pro-TDK extension. Although the press release does not mention TDK specifically, the inclusion of Coweta County and the Chamber of Commerce (they sent a letter to PTC in favor of TDK in 2006) would lead me to believe that is where all of this is going. Bob Lenox and Fred Brown have been outspoken advocates of TDK too.

[To the Fayette County Commission]: I do NOT want to hunt in a park. I do NOT want to target-shoot in a park. I do NOT even want to legally be able to carry a firearm into the ball parks.

[Editor’s note: There were several responses to last week’s plea from a reader for information on where to properly dispose of used cell phones and old computers.

This Thursday, May 17, the Tyrone Council is being asked to vote on accepting a comprehensive plan that will guide future changes to Tyrone for the next 20 years.

The accident involving an automobile which crashed through the storefront at Freedom Medical Solutions was well covered by The Citizen. Your photographer was one of the first people at the scene.

It has been proposed to crisscross east- and west-bound traffic on Ga. Highway 54 through downtown Fayetteville. My understanding is that the biggest concern was for traffic heading east on Hwy. 54 wanting to turn north on Ga. Highway 85.

I am tired of all the trash talk about the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every talk show host, every “expert” retired military officer paid to offer an opposing view, any elected official or Hollywood star that can find a microphone and camera will find a way to trash the President, the Administration and the basic principles of the United States.

Many have written in about the illegal immigration issue, warning of the dangers of ignoring this important issue. And, while our Congress wrestles with how to handle the issue without upsetting potential voters, our nation becomes ever so vulnerable to terrorist attacks from within our own borders.

I have just spent the last five hours at the Peachtree City Council’s version of “Let’s Make a Deal.”

The council voted 3 to 2 in favor of annexation of the West Village. Many citizens spoke in opposition of annexation because the approved plan does not meet the density and standards that currently exist in Peachtree City. There were also several environmental concerns raised.

When I read many months ago that the City Council of Peachtree City was asked to annex a new Group VI development on Ga. Highway 74 South and Redwine Road, I assumed the proposal would be voted down. Instead, the City Council, much to everyone’s dismay, voted 4-1 to approve the annexation even though the data showed it to be a net loss to the city with municipal service costs significantly more than the tax revenue generated.

An open letter to County Commission Chairman Jack Smith: Commissioner Smith, you may recall my support for you during your campaign last year in this forum. Being a proponent of getting our runaway taxes under control, you earned my vote and that of many of my fellow Fayette County citizens.

With all due respect, I found Pastor Parker’s letter from a weeks ago to be a little unsound theologically as well as guilty of the same critical attitude which he himself was criticizing.

Our son was allowed to play in the homes of family and friends who owned guns. However, only in those who showed respect for the danger of the damage a gun (like a car) can do to others by having and using not just gun safes and locks, but, most important, showing responsible common sense. Setting reasonable limits is the obligation of all parents.

Please don’t tell me if I just read this. The building of golf cart bridges across Ga. Highway 54 is being delayed due to the need for an air quality study?

Do you have any suggestions for computer and cell phone disposal in or near the Fayetteville area?

Neil Witherspoon

I write to respond to an article entitled “General Assembly Passes Annexation Bill” contained in the Monday, April 30, 2007 issue of TheCitizen.com. In the article George Nicholson was quoted stating "The new annexation completion date of April 2, 2007 was openly stated as being what (Atlanta Mayor) Shirley Franklin wanted or she would file a suit to stop the citizens from voting." This alleged quote is completely false. I never made any such statement at any time. I met with the leadership of the South Fulton Concerned Citizens ("SFCC") at the request of Mr. Holmond Edmond as I have on multiple occasions throughout this process. Significantly, Mr. Benny Crane, the President of SFCC released a statement on Monday, April 30, 2007 stating the following:

I can hardly keep up with everything that is being shoved down our throats these days with shopping centers we don’t want, road extensions we don’t want, and now the West Village annexation and its potential impact on our city.