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Mayoral ElectionWhile everyone is busy taking what amounts to the typical cheap shot of both candidates, one major fact keeps being overlooked. While Mayor Brown may have created controversy by inflamatory comments and Mayoral Candidate Harold Logsdon may not have presented his "plan" in a form that everyone understands, one must keep in mind that either of them, if elected; represents only 20% of any City Council vote. Ok, in the case where another Council Member is absent, the Mayor To Be represents as much as 25% of the vote. While several have pontificated over Logsdon's stance on the Development Authority and Brown's stance against the "Big Evil Developer", which happens to spell BED; they alone do not control the outcome of any vote. If, as we have heard from many here; you are against the re-payment of the Peachtree City National Bank loan, then I suggest you contact Judi-Ann Rutherford, Stuart Kourajian, Council-Elect Cyndi Plunkett, and Council-Elect Stephen Boone to inquire about their stance. Their collective stance will certainly outway that of Mr. Logsdon's and the State Court will outway that of the City Council. But to make an informed decision, you need to ask their opinions. Again, as we have heard, and sometimes not so eloquently; that some of you absolutely despise the BED, and choose to support Mayor Brown as a result; you still need to take into consideration the other 4 votes. As I recall from the election of 2 years ago, DirectPAC supported both Rutherford and Kourajian. If as many have alluded, DirectPAC is indeed commercial developer friendly, then the Mayor's vote won't matter unless Boone and Plunkett vote against the developers too. My point that I am trying to make is that while everyone is wrapped up in who will be the next Mayor and which direction will he take us, the real voting power has already been decided and either candidate for Mayor may already be a lame duck. Query your existing Council members to see how they feel about issues that you hold dear, then make an informed decision on whom you will vote for on December 6th. Now, with regards to the sudden debate. We have ample time till December 6th and this debate could have been held at a later date, which does make one wonder why the sudden urgency to it. Mr. Logsdon, sitting on ones laurel's and stating that it is a last minute attempt to divert ones attention from the election may be true, but should you ever aspire to hold a much higher office, i.e.; County Commission, State Representative, State Senate, Governor, etc.; then you need to be able to handle this and respond. Simply taking the stance of, I had more votes than he so I don't have to debate; doesn't shore up the undecided vote. Throughout this campaign, I have been waiting for an answer to one question from you. How can you achieve a reduction in taxes while increasing spending and why, after 10 months of campaigning have you not reviewed the current years budget to find some fat to point to as an example of how you can trim 5% of the budget without lowering our quality of life? OK, maybe that was 2 questions. As for the issue of the Assistant City Manager, I personally asked that question of nearly every candidate when the Advisory Committee of the Centennial Home Owners Association interviewed them. Mayor Brown, with all of the negativity and the loss of your support on the Council, how do you feel that you can lead this City forward and not sideways or backwards? I agree with some, and I repeat, some; of your detractors in that your responses have been at the very least, inflammatory. In hind sight, do you really think it was such a good idea to oppose the SPLOST and lose whatever portion of the tax revenue that the County may have decided to give to us over the 6th year versus nothing at all? $6,000,000.00 would have built MacDuff Parkway and the at-grade crossing. While I admire some of the things that you have accomplished over the past 4 years, such as the overlay zones and the creation of a Senior Council and Teen Court; there have been issues that I am not sure that I can agree with. In a time where the budget has been constrained, you and the Council chose to spend money to buy land for a bridge to nowhere. Yes, I understand in your grand scheme that the land on the South side of Hwy 54 will be developed and that that bridge would provide access to that development, isn't it a bit premature? To me, it seems like good money spent on a non-necessity. Eventually I am faced with a huge decision, and that is this; Which Candidate Should I Vote For? So, to close, I ask this of both of you. Please don't take cheap pot shots at each other and the supporters that have already aligned themselves behind the two of you. Simply provide us with your plans. The citizens of Peachtree City are an educated group and when presented with something, they can form their own opinions. Simply provide them with your plan and GOOD examples on how you can or will achieve it. Personally, I don't think that is asking too much of you and to get my vote, I feel that you owe it to us. Dana Kinser dkinser's blog | login to post comments
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