We have a lot to be thankful for in Peachtree City. Our award-winning city has one of lowest crime rates per capita in the United States. We also have some of the best median home resale prices in metro Atlanta.

We feature some of the finest recreation and leisure opportunities in Georgia. Our schools are the best in the state. We are making great strides to take care of our green spaces. Everyone receives equal representation and is treated fairly. We have some citizens that volunteer their time to help others.

Incoming council members Steve Boone and Cyndi Plunkett are admirable people and I am sure that they will strive to retain the open form of government that we have implemented over the last four years.

I am thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve our city. My aim has always been to be a public servant and an advocate for the average family. I listen to what you have to say and I avoid being the harsh-style leader that simply barks instructions without regard to your thoughts. Compassion, listening and attention have been paramount.

When a homeowner‘s new house was sinking and uninhabitable, they came to me for help and I fought for them. Their house is now repaired.

When the homeowners in Wynnmeade and Glenloch were beset with rundown parks and drug dealing, they came to me. The parks are now revitalized and we chased the drug dealers out.

When neighbors worried about speeding traffic through their neighborhoods, they came to me. With the help of the homeowners associations the cars were slowed down and their children are safe.

In 2002, when my council inherited the worst budget shortfall in the city’s history, I made the tough decisions and cut more than $1 million from the budget and removed over $10 million of city projects in the public improvement program.

When the State Court dismantled our golf cart ordinances, I immediately began working with the Governor‘s Office and our state legislature and got our ordinances back.

When our teenagers said no one was listening, I gave them my full attention. Our youth now have a voice and an elected official that cares.

When the homes in our senior citizen neighborhoods were being vandalized, I worked with the city staff to catch those responsible.

When my critics said that I would never be able to bring in the road funding, we obtained a record $77 million.

When the critics said that I would ruin the city, we won recognition as the eighth-best place to live in the United States, our bond rating was elevated to the best ever by the national ratings firms, our business growth has been extraordinary and we have the most open government in Georgia.

When our students, teachers or principals needed assistance, I came running to help out because I appreciate what they mean to our city.

We have more funds, personnel and equipment dedicated to cart path improvements than any other time in our city‘s history. I will stand firmly by the record of my City Council and I ask you to look for yourself (www.MayorSteve.com).

In contrast, Candidate Logsdon has not devised a single position on how to resolve any of the issues facing our city.

In avoiding a public debate, Logsdon stated that he had made all his public statements in The Citizen essays and his Web site (www.haroldlogsdon.com).

I strongly urge everyone to look up his essays on The Citizen Web site and his campaign Web site.

His writings are full of overly broad statements that in no way address how to resolve our concerns. Your choice is open-ended broad statements or a proven track record of listening to constituents with proven results.

Let‘s not return to the days of the unresponsive, special interest-centered government of the past. I have worked countless hours and produced quality results. I implore you and your families to vote in the runoff election Dec. 6 (early voting at the County Annex in Fayetteville: Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Every registered voter can vote in the runoff even if you did not vote in the general election.

Do not let the special interest groups such as the Direct PAC, the large developers and the former mayors with their developer connections go back to closed door meetings and citizen neglect.

Our open, honest and productive form of local government depends solely upon your willingness to vote. We need more than 30 percent of the registered voters at the polls. It only takes 15 minutes to vote and the reward is four years of government that cares about your family. Declare war on voter apathy and encourage you friends to please vote.

God bless your families and have an especially happy Thanksgiving Day.

Steve Brown, mayor
Peachtree City, Ga.
www.MayorSteve.com

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