So Brown reserved the room. What did LOgsdon do for the community?

Well, he's running for office. He's putting his reputation, one that you will surely enjoy skewering, up for public discussion. He could've been like us, the anonymous masses who whine and don't do anything about it. He's willing to try, to stand up to someone he believes isn't doing right for the citizens of Peachtree City. Hang on a sec...I do "do" something. I vote.

Or maybe he's just in it for the $9000 a year and the power trip. Oh wait, that's the current guy (sorry, guys, couldn't resist - please forgive me!)

Let's set the record straight. I am no "kid" in the age sense. I have lived in Peachtree City for over 18 years and I am now retired from Delta. I attended the "debate" to learn more about how each candidate would respond to the questions on the issues, and to each other in a debate format. Mr. Logsdon chose not to appear. That was a shame. He kind of let down the the high school kids who fully expected this to be a showcase for the American political process. I was let down, because I could not witness a candidate perform under the expectations of a real live debate. I assure you that I am old enough to vote, and how I vote is based on my expectations of how a candidate leads, governs, and connects with the entire community.

Juan Matute

I wanted to ask if you attended any of the live candidate forums (the one at the Gathering Place, the one at the Wyndham, and the other forum, sorry - don't know the location) prior to the general election.

If you did, did you not listen to Mr. Logsdon then? I guess I'm a bit confused as to why there are several who appear to completely ignore the campaign prior to the general election. Were all the issues out there then?

Did you make a list of the candidates and rank them in the order you think you would vote for them? If you did not, perhaps your research methodology is flawed. I don't believe an extra debate would really help you.

Glad you went to the debate - was your son or daughter a member of any of the participating clubs there? Just a question....

For the record, I attended the public forums at both the Gathering and the Wyndham. None of the presentation offered a chance to debate the issues. They were more like TV infomercials and filtered questions, with no chance for cross-discussion between the candidates. The event at McIntosh was the only chance where a debate could take place. I had rated all of the candidates through the Gathering and the Wyndham. I wanted to see real discussion and real countering between the candidates. I think I did more than the average voter in PTC to understand the candidates and the issues.

I have no friends or family involved with McIntosh. My son graduated from Starr's Mill in 2000. I just hope more people get involved in the political events in Peachtree City and participate to the maximum in all processes of voter education and the understanding of the issues that affect us all. Informed voters make choices on what is relevant to them. You vote your way, and I will vote my way. Whatever the outcome or the algnment of intentions, it is imperative that all participate in the process; voter education forums, debates, and discussions. See you at the polls.

Great response, and spot on. May the better candidate win.

It is obvious that idontknow has a preconceived agenda and is not interested in real debate. For you to insult Mr. Matute (as Mr. Morgan did) is uncalled for. Yes, I listened to Mr. Logsdon and he truly only spoke in platitudes. Even when interviewed by the AJC before the debate he hid from, he said that he would "Get with the city attorneys and get their take" on the DAPC issue. Golly, Harold, they only put in writing a year ago. Forgive Mr. Matute for wanting to ask more questions of his elected officials.

I asked questions that I believe have merit in understanding the basis of his comments. I guess I want to ensure that everyone doesn't necessarily get "half of the story", as has been a certain politician's MO.

Can you specifically reference the quote you made regarding Mr. Logsdon's DAPC comments in the AJC? I went looking and had a little trouble finding them.

Thanks so much - I'll be waiting for your followup with that reference.

BTW, everyone is fair game on these blogs to be challenged, and there was no personal insult directed at anyone, regardless of your interpretation.

November 18; AJC; Metro Section: direct quote from Harold Logsdon. Now please, tell your mommy you will quit using the computer.

Hey, what's Propanda? Isn't that a hair gel? Spellcheck, please - it makes you look better. Man, I love a good "debate" (PTC Guy, I found a new playmate!)

Is this the article you're referring to?
-------------------------
Peachtree City mayor holds one-man debate
Challenger stays away as promised

By KEVIN DUFFY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/18/05

A debate organized by Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown and some high school students turned into a question-and-answer session Thursday night when Brown's opponent, Harold Logsdon, kept his promise to stay away.

Brown stood alone on the stage in the McIntosh High School auditorium, made a brief presentation and fielded questions. About 60 people were in the audience.

"We're just going to have to work with what we were given," said Alex Larson, president of McIntosh's Young Republicans Club, which helped organize the debate. "I was disappointed."

The Peachtree City mayor's race attracted six candidates, the most in recent history, in part because of Brown's controversial comments about previous political and business leaders.

Logsdon got 41 percent of the vote and Brown 21 percent in the general election. The two are in a runoff Dec. 6.

Two McIntosh students showed up at Logsdon's home late Monday afternoon when he was on the roof cleaning gutters and presented him with an invitation to debate Brown. He called the debate an act of desperation by Brown, who finished 1,501 votes behind Logsdon.

Logsdon sent out an automated phone message Thursday telling city residents the debate was Brown's attempt to "deflect your attention from his failure to provide positive leadership."

He left his home and cellphone numbers on the message and urged voters to call him if they had questions.

Brown said he'd debate even if his opponent arranged it. "I've never run from anything," he said.

Bill Flynn, Logsdon's finance manager, was at the auditorium taking notes. "I think it's a sham," he said of the event.

The City Council meeting scheduled for Thursday night was canceled because there wasn't a quorum after Brown said he would be at the debate. Brown, who reserved the auditorium, said the debate couldn't be rescheduled.
-------------------------
Looking...looking, nope. No DAPC reference. Is the article online somewhere where you could cut and paste it for me, or give me the link?

WAIT! I found it! November 17, well AJC.com can't date things right.

This is what you were referring to...
-------------------------

PEACHTREE CITY: Logsdon: 'Issue of leadership'
Kevin Duffy - Staff
Thursday, November 17, 2005

Financial planner Harold Logsdon and Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown will meet in a runoff Dec. 6.

Logsdon finished about 1,500 votes ahead of Brown in the general election for mayor last week, which featured six candidates, the most in at least 25 years.

Afterward, Brown and Logsdon met separately with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a question-and-answer session.

A financial planner, Logsdon, 60, is retired from BellSouth and the Army National Guard, where he achieved the rank of colonel. He said most voters are uneasy about Brown.

Q: Why do you think you finished so far ahead of Steve Brown?

A: The people of Peachtree City really want leadership, and they want to know that their quality of life is not going to be put at risk. I don't think they're comfortable with Steve Brown because 78 percent of them said no to him [in the general election].

Q: Why would you be a better mayor than Brown?

A: I'd bring a better leadership skill set to the table. My 36 years of management in business and my 38 years' military experience --- all that combined makes me fully qualfied for this job. I believe this came down to an issue of leadership. The citizens of Peachtree City like Peachtree City. They want their government to provide good leadership and protect their quality of life and insure financial accountability.

Q: What are Peachtree City's greatest needs and how would you address them?

A: Quality leadership, right now. And knowing that the quality of life that people moved here for is going to be protected. Most of the issues are going to focus on money. It's looking at that budget, making sure that government is run efficient and effective. And that our taxpayers' dollars are not wasted. The people of Peachtree City will pay a fair tax if they're getting a fair product.

Q: If you're elected, what will you do about the delinquent Peachtree National Bank loan? (Peachtree National sued the city to recover a $1 million-plus loan made to the development authority.)

A: We've just got to look at it. We've got to talk to the city lawyers and get their take on it. It is a fair and just debt of the city. Some people say that there's a legal interpretation, that the city can't pay that. I have never known the law and ethics to really conflict. Let's look at the ethics and the moral obligation of this loan. I just don't believe the law will keep you from doing the right thing. There may have been some bad management and bad judgments made. But there was nothing illegal done.

Q: Is the tennis center living up to its potential? If not, how would you try to improve it?

A: Its potential is where it was at one time. It was a world-class operation. How do you get it back to that? You've just got to focus on what they were doing right at that time. Quit focusing on the negative. We may have to get some new players in there, some players that have the same mind-set as the people who were running it when it was such a world-class organization.

Q: Should Peachtree City annex land west of Highway 74?

A: The time for the west village is here. Is that going to involve annexation? Probably, to some degree. I would support some annexation over there. The master plan calls for the fifth village. When you bought land in Peachtree City, you bought into that master plan. I have not made a firm decision that we need to annex that whole corridor over there (about 900 acres). I think it's worthy of looking at.

Q: What do you think of John Wieland's former plan to build a west side village with different densities and a mix of commercial and residential development?

A: As long as we're looking at following the master plan . . . we need to consider it. This is not totally about density; it is about our quality of life. And if Wieland is presenting something that the density is going to have a negative impact on our quality of life --- specifically, the traffic patterns --- then it may be too dense. The first thing he presented was too dense, in my opinion. You've got to look at the whole picture: Is the 360 acres the end of it, or are we talking about the whole 900 acres? You've got to have the whole picture in mind whenever you start discussing this.

Q: Would you debate Brown?

A: I don't know that we need to have a debate. The issues are on the table. Doggone, we've had four or five forums, submitted essays to everybody that wanted one. I don't know what's to be gained by a debate.
---------------
I stand corrected (or, as the kids like to say, "I got served!") Yeah, we already went over the DAPC stuff last week, though...I'd get you up to speed, but can't get the comments to go back that far. Let's just sum it up by saying that a judge is going to decide this one. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there is a lawsuit already going on, so I'm guessing there's got to be a group of lawyers all looking at this.

(PTC Guy, I found a new playmate!)

I am just so shocked!

...I'll be there

"I attended the "debate" to learn more about how each candidate would respond to the questions on the issues..."

Frankly, if you waited until a runoff was declared before learn where the candidates stand on the issues, you missed the boat. And honestly, the comments about Logsdon "letting down the high school kids," while charming isn't really believable in 2005.

And the fact that Logsdon refused to participate in Brown's attention-getting grandstanding was hardly a secret. You sound surprised that Logsdon wasn't there in spite of the fact that he stated as much well in advance of the event.

If the "kids" from McIntosh feel deprived, imagine how the kids who wanted to see the City Council meeting felt after Brown cancelled it.

The fact remains that Logdon opted not to attend a public forum to identify and explain himself. His political agenda does not seem to include participation with the public needs.

I could not agree more with jmatute:

"His political agenda does not seem to include participation with the public needs."

You are so right.

With all of his abrasiveness, Brown was at least an Open Government mayor. Robert W. Morgan-Lenox, for example, flaunted his disregard for open government with closed meetings, closed decisions and disregard for the oath of office. At least Brown meetings were open. None of the Morgan-Lenox "I own this town"; "This is my meeting"; "I'll buy that property" (and then back out); "If you don't vote you dont count". Again, the "hey kid" comment is a reminder of his past.

It appears that Logsdon will be a fervent return to the closed government of the Lenox legacy of lawlessness.

I didn't think I'd come back, but I read this crap and I just have to speak up.

OK, I have done this before, so now I will throw the challenge out to you for the inflammatory nature of your comments.

Please provide specific proof (websites, newspaper articles, council minutes) that can be researched that would prove that the City of Peachtree City ever held an "illegal" City Council meeting or made "closed" decisions? Please be specific.

Can you please state in writing how exactly any previous mayors violated the oath of office, as you assert.

Otherwise, you are attempting to sway the public opinion without substantiation. You are a blatant propagandist and not to be counted on for a reliable opinion for anyone undecided as for whom they wish to cast their ballots on RUNOFF day. You should please stop writing.

Idontknow may hit me on this (because I don't have references to quote in APA format), but my memory may help investq in his research . . . I seem to recall this newspaper filing a complaint against the Lenox administration for the sewer negotiations, and no evidence of wrongdoing was found. I also seem to recall the current administration going into Executive Session, and I believe a Citizen reporter protested, and they came back out . . . I'll try to do some searching myself over the next couple of days. First one to find references wins!

OH NO MR. BILL! I'll wait with baited breath for the proof!

Secret, when you make dismissive and snyde comments like:
"Frankly, if you waited until a runoff was declared before learn where the candidates stand on the issues, you missed the boat."

You do a great disservice to many voters that may have voted for the three other candidates, such as myself.

On my initial decision, Brown had many negatives and quite frankly other than military experience, I got little from Logsdon's web site or other appearances.

If either candidate wants my vote, they need to begin campaigning for that 30% that neither candidate got the first time.

I am still undecided and neither has done anything to convince me otherwise. A debate before 12/6 would be a good idea.