I spent more than 40 years in aviation and 38 years of that was in Air Traffic Control (ATC). For more than 13 years I evaluated the Air Traffic Control system for the FAA.

To the wonderful citizens of Fayette County, I am writing once again this year to remind you of the waiting children of deployed parents.

I noticed there was a team recently named as an “All Citizen” team. Why not have the same for all major sports (boys and girls) continuing with football, basketball, baseball, softball, and track and field?

From my family to yours, best wishes of the Thanksgiving season.

I wish happy holidays to our City Council members, decent people who take a lot of flack from those who disagree with them. I will surely take my own flack should I be honored to serve as your Post 2 councilman.

Every day in the news, I hear merchants complaining that sales are down. Today I think I found out why that may be the case here in Fayetteville. Come along with my wife and me as we do some shopping on this Sunday afternoon at the Pavilion.

As Margaret Mead once said, “Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Mr. Mayor and Peachtree City Council members, I am asking that before you approve Segways on our pathway system, please do your homework regarding their safety.

Much has been said about Cobb County cracking down on illegal aliens. Please notice I did not call them immigrants. If you are in this country illegally, you are not an immigrant; you are, however, an illegal alien.

Rick Williams, Lt. Col. (ret) USAF/ANG, supports Kevin Madden for the District 72 House seat, explaining that Mr. Madden “will not forget our veterans, their service or their problems.”

The west side: Let us call a spade a spade. Fayette County’s proposed Option A rezoning of elementary schools is discrimination.

I have read much about neighborhoods’ efforts to be zoned for elementary schools in a practical matter, which takes into consideration geographic location and community spirit. I wish them well.

I would like to address the criticisms made by the anonymous Free Speech writer regarding the Southern Crescent Aquatic Team (SCAT). I have a 16-year-old daughter who is a very dedicated swimmer (one of the athletes attending 2-a-day practices) on the SCAT swim team.

My three girls have been with SCAT (Southern Crescent Aquatic Team) since 1999, so I believe I can speak to the complaints that were made in last week’s Free Speech regarding the team and its practices.

We are writing to make a plea to the men and women who make up the Fayette County Board of Education. Please allow the children of Georgian Park to continue their education at Kedron Elementary. We are very concerned and oppose the school redistricting plan that would unnecessarily force hundreds of Peachtree City children to change schools.

Thank you, Peachtree City! I am honored to be your next Post 1 councilman.

Five of the candidates for council, with their wives, met at Mike and C’s on Nov. 6 to eat, chat and share the election results throughout the evening. It was a pleasant and enjoyable event.

Re: PTC Update, From the Mayor, Big boxes and other big issues, 11/2007.

“I personally think we should abandon the streets no matter what is built.”

Fellow citizens, thank you for you vote in this week’s election, whether you voted for me or one of my opponents: all are decent and honorable men who offered their services to you.

We knew the Kohl’s issue would come up again. This does not come as a surprise to me and others since the pulling of the motion last month, considering the way it was done.

Sunday, Nov. 11 [was] Veterans Day. It is our national day to remember our veterans and the sacrifices they endured in service to our nation. They should never be forgotten.

Your Free Speech section gives the people of our community a chance to sound off on events and news. Last week one of our parents decided to hide behind their computer and make it personal with an attack against Coach Earwood in his decision to not have a JV program this year.

If you are a resident of Peachtree City without elementary-aged children, you may be unaware of a potential change presently affecting our city.

While [Assistant Superintendent] Sam Sweat is right in saying you’re not going to make everybody happy with regards to redrawing the elementary school attendance lines, keeping communities together is not an unreasonable thing to ask for.

To Assistant Superintendent Sam Sweat: My name is Wade Gaddy and I live in Sutton’s Cove in Peachtree City.

I have a 4-year-old daughter, Alli, who has been living for the day she can “go to school” at Kedron.

Often this past summer, I have remembered the story Daddy told me about the drought which gripped Fayette County when I was a little girl.

Our state officials are contradicting common sense, public information and their earlier statements at the speed of sound.

Although we have decided not to continue our plans to open a retail store in the Peachtree Crossings Shopping Center, there are a few things I would like to share about our organization.

I’m so proud of Coach Tommy Webb and the entire coaching staff of Fayette County High School. I met Coach Webb three years ago when my son was a ninth grader at FCHS and playing football.

As one who has had the daunting task of wrestling with government officials over the past year in order to make sure our local environment was safe to live in once again, I must say the words I kept hearing from our community have rung so true: “You cannot trust our government.”

On Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at approximately 9 a.m. I was involved in an accident at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 South and Paschall Road.

From the family of Dan Lakly:

On Oct. 29, 2007, very suddenly, I lost my best friend, husband, father of my children, and grandfather of our grandchildren when he suffered a totally unexpected massive coronary after breaking his arm while working the yard. The response from the EMTs was phenomenal. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to us, Dan had a weak heart.