In Peachtree City only 35.88 percent of those registered to vote bothered to. Out of 20,810 [registered], only 7,466 cared enough.

It wasn’t surprising or unique to any one community. Those willing to put themselves on the firing line we call an election ballot gave us at least four public opportunities to get to meet them and learn what they saw as important issues facing our city.

There were some tough choices so we tried and made three of them. We saw the same faces in different meetings. Many were familiar from various city council meetings over the years. Too many of those who complain don’t bother getting involved.

Peachtree City and our surrounding communities are going through important changes that will determine the future quality of life for our areas. We need competent, open, informed elected officials and citizens.

Your home is probably your largest single investment. Our school system, safety and where our government officials chose to draw the line determines what kind of families want to live here and what caliber of neighbors you may have.

The development of Ga. Highway 74 means we no longer drive through open rural farms with cows and horses. Now it is increasingly traffic lights, semis and strip malls.

The traffic increase will mean we are further from Atlanta (drivetime-wise) and with ever-increasing traffic aggravation. That affects the resale value of our homes and who chooses to live here. We need to be involved and work with others.

Peachtree City is nearing build-out. Older homes and facilities will either get run down or need to be maintained and sometimes updated. Zoning will either protect us or allow the destruction of our quality of life for someone else’s profit. Overcrowded and poorly maintained rentals can destroy neighborhoods.

We’ve lost too many trees already. Our greenways and buffers have gotten smaller with each new development. “One man’s park is another man’s pork.” We need businesses that offer jobs that utilize the caliber of our citizens.

The Southern Crescent is a gem that will either get polished or lost. It is up to us and the work doesn’t end with an election.

Kathie Cheney
Peachtree City, Ga.

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