Peachtree City resident Don Haddix has formally announced that he will run for a seat on the Peachtree City Council in November.

Haddix, a 20-year resident, lives in the Dover Square subdivision and is “quasi-retired” after running his own business selling carbide tools.

Haddix said he had wanted to run for office in the past but declined because he didn’t have time to devote to the effort. Things are different now, he said.

Haddix said the city council needs to be less developer friendly and instead make developers convince them their projects fit within the city’s vision. He said Mayor Harold Logsdon’s support of the Seasons annexation on the city’s west side and the big box retail proposal across from the Wilshire Pavilion shopping center — which was ultimately withdrawn by the developer — were not in the best interest of the city.

“It could be the greatest thing in the world, but just don’t encourage them,” Haddix said.

Haddix was one of nine citizens who sought to be appointed to the remaining term of the post 1 seat, but council instead selected Mike Harman, the chairman of the city’s Water and Sewer Authority.

Haddix said he would also like to see a representative of the city get involved with citizens in Coweta County who oppose the 3,100 home McIntosh Village subdivision instead of trying to work with the Coweta County government, which has already approved the development. Haddix said he thought the City Council waited too late to kill the TDK Boulevard extension project, which he said should have been done at the outset of the announcement of the McIntosh Village, which will be located just across Line Creek from Peachtree City.

Likewise, Haddix said he doesn’t believe that the city should use an excuse that they can’t control Coweta County or decisions of the Fayette County Board of Education because it’s not in Peachtree City’s jurisdiction.

“You can be an advocate,” Haddix said. “... You can say, ‘I represent Peachtree City.’ That’s power.”

Haddix said the city also should have opposed the destruction of trees for the widening of Ga. Highway 74. He also would like to see the city add an online forum to its website to give a way to share information with residents “without getting into an argument.”

At the same time, Haddix said while he hates conflict, some issues are worth arguing over.

“I hate conflict, but I will fight,” Haddix said.

While an online forum would need to be moderated, but it would be worthwhile at least to try as an experiment, Haddix said.

“It would show that you care enough to do it,” Haddix said.

Haddix has already rolled out a detailed web site outlining his campaign issues at www.donhaddix.com.

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