Dear Editor:

At Sept. 24 Fairburn city council meeting, the $23 million-plus budget for 2008 was open for public discussion. Questions were asked each of the six council members. No one seemed to know what they were about to vote on. One council member got rather irate. Step on the toes of a big man that’s always been in authority- and that’s what happens- guilty of no knowledge. Yes, they approved the budget. “Yes” is always the easiest way. Somehow, Jody Weller (fire chief) knew the budget would be approved. He asked for four new hires and a $29,000 Dodge Charger for one of them to drive home and to work. Naturally, the council approved his request. Can’t wait to see who drives the new Charger. I asked Jody why a Charger. He said he wanted to get away from Ford Crown Vics- that is not a good enough answer.

I was contacted by a television station this date concerning a possible campaign ethics violation associated with my campaign for mayor of Tyrone.

In an article appearing in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on April 21, 2002, Don Rehwaldt (candidate for mayor in Tyrone) states that he believes that the central doctrine of faith and organized religion (any faith or religion) is based on folklore and bunk.

When I graduated from college in 2004 with a degree in political science, I knew that I wanted to work in politics. However, I wanted to work with a politician of great integrity.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Dan Lakly’s death. He will be missed. My prayers are with his family.

His commitment to Fayette County was unparalleled. He consulted me quite often during my run for county commissioner and i never forgot that.

If Sam Sweat and C.W. Campbell of the Fayette County School System have their way, there will be even fewer Kedron children attending their village school next fall.

The Fayetteville Police Department is now organizing its third annual Shop WIth A Cop holiday fund-raiser.

It is a program designed to help under-privileged families enjoy Christmas dinner and purchase gifts for their family. The families are selected with the help of our local school system and other agencies.

In the state of Georgia there are several thousand citizens living in Georgia’s seven regional mental health and retardation hospitals. Many of these patients have lived in these hospitals most of their lives and have little, if any, contact with or support from friends or family.

Mr. Harman, I attended both the most recent meetings held at the Gathering Place and McIntosh High School for the candidates for the incoming council.

To All Peachtree City Citizens: If someone has only been in Peachtree City a year and noticed that something is not right with our council, I think they are very observant.

On Oct. 25, I had a situation that was resolved with an act of kindness by our wonderful Peachtree City Fire Department.

To open my last letter before Nov. 6, I would like to thank the citizens of Peachtree City for understanding how important this election is and taking the time to learn the issues and candidates.

I want to thank all of the citizens who have engaged in discussions on the relevant issues to the future of Peachtree City. My family and I know we made the correct decision to make our home here and the pride I have witnessed first hand through the last two months of campaigning in our community is outstanding.

Fellow citizens of Peachtree City, the debates and forums are now complete and having the opportunity to speak to those in attendance and the many citizens with whom I’ve met during this campaign, I am convinced that we share a common goal of maintaining our city’s quality of life that has placed it among the finest in America.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

Next Tuesday, Nov. 6, the citizens of Peachtree City will go to the polls and vote for two new council members to represent Peachtree City for the next four years.

Hello, and thanks for reading my last campaign essay.

I’ve written to you about the issues facing our town in this election, density, sewer, property rights, accountability in government and so forth.

In 1974-75, our family experienced a major drought while living in the San Francisco Bay area. Salt water incursion from the bay was so serious that it reached into the central valley river delta. Many had to resort to bottled water because their drinking water was salt-tainted.

The elected officials of Peachtree City should declare a moratorium on any building, discussion of building, or any changes in zoning to increase development and density while the state of Georgia and Fayette County are affected by conditions of Level 4 drought.

Since the Southeast has been faced with a severe water shortage and residents in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and other Southern states have been forced to drastically reduce their water use, people have become more mindful of the ways in which we waste water.

The Gathering Place Community Center: A facility for all Peachtree City citizens

Over the past several weeks, I have read several opinions regarding the total dollar amount requested via general obligation bonds to be used to finance The Gathering Place Community Center expansion. In order to attain an accurate understanding of what is included this figure, one must go beyond simply calculating a square footage cost.

I want to thank the Rotary Club, the Senior Council, and the Peachtree City Civic Association for sponsoring the three candidate forums. It has allowed many citizens the opportunity to gather information, ask questions and interact with the candidates for City Council. As a candidate it has allowed me additional opportunities to talk to concerned citizens about their issues and listen to their vision of Peachtree City.

Last week the developer for the Kohl’s proposal withdrew his request for abandonment of city property, which in essence stopped another big box in our city that was neither needed nor wanted. Hopefully, our Planning Commission can get something that we can live with and that meets the standards currently in place.

Voice of the customer: What is it and why is it important?

In business circles, the VOC is the program where people formulate a business strategy around the wants and needs of its strategic customers. Usually, the program has an customer advocate, an internal person who champions the customer’s position.

This week my opponent addresses Shamrock Industrial Park. He complains that there is one way in and out, a potential safety hazard.

I wish to correct the statements made by Mike Smola appearing in the Oct. 17, 2007 edition of The Citizen.

Mr. Smola’s misstatement is the discussion of the big box ordinance which he states took place at a planning retreat earlier this year.

Over the past few weeks I have grown exceedingly concerned about the upcoming election in Tyrone and the campaign issues or lack of.

In light of the FCBOE elementary school redistricting process that is currently underway, the following information from the national Center for Neighborhood Technology seems especially pertinent(http://www.cnt.org/):

I am a very concerned citizen of Peachtree City on the unchecked development and deterioration of our city and way of life.

Long ago while I was trying to become a responsible adult male, I learned that when you are wrong you admit your short-comings and try to change that wrong behavior. In that vein ...