Peachtree City Council Post 1

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Don Haddix

Positions and comparisons, Part 2:

Sewer tie-ins:

1. Harman supported tie-ins outside PTC for eight years, including Tyrone. The council had to legally threaten WASA, under Harman, to stop one connection. Now, running for council, he is suddenly opposed and trying to escape his own history.

2. O’Toole is against except for when there is negative impact, i.e, environmental, in refusing.

3. I have been consistently opposed for 20 years.

Development:

1. Harman said he likes what cou
ncil has done and wants it to continue.

2. O’Toole wants development per the comprehensive plan, but without clear statements on what the plan means to him or how or how he would go about it. His website states he will work to reduce carbon footprint, fossil fuel and pesticide usage. He says he needs no moratorium because he is ready to proceed now and he will get the job done. But last I knew it took three votes to do anything.

3. I am for a moratorium to allow properly formulating legally tested impact study ordinances and other tools that force controls and standards on what does and does not get built. It forces commissions, authorities and councils to be consistent and legal, regardless of who is on any of them. Currently too much personal interpretation and discretion is allowed in the process. It gives developers the bullets they need to win in court. We have too much empty retail space and too many homes for sale currently to be adding more.

Redevelopment:

1. Harman talks of proactive redevelopment with an already targeted 30-acre development cited. His goals and definition of redevelopment are not defined.

2. O’Toole would create a redevelopment plan and incorporate into comprehensive plan. While not defined it would be “Green.”

3. Redevelopment means change to something else, even if only to achieve greater density. Renovation or replacement with like kind is not redevelopment. The comprehensive plan, zoning, codes, current use and ordinances already cover these issues. I reject trying to redevelop older parts of PTC into higher density zoning for the sake of enabling more building or remaking PTC to conform to a “Green” model. Trees, buffer zones, grass and such, yes. A better home that is more efficient, fine. But a carbon counting anti-sprawl density goal? No.

More information at donhaddix.com and The Citizen Letters and website.

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Mike Harman

Citizens of Peachtree City, I want to be your city councilman for the next four years. I have proven my commitment to the city for the last seven years through my work as a volunteer on the Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors.

In addition, as a member of the council I have already demonstrated my ability to review each issue on its individual merits, to research each issue on my own and determine the best decision for the long-term interest of the city and its people.

You have my commitment that I will not simply accept the word of any applicant or interested party. I will continue to do my own research to ensure that what is being presented is accurate and to determine the overall impact to the city.

When it comes to my position on city council, I have no friends or enemies. Everyone is equal on any issue presented. I owe no favors to anyone and I will weigh each issue on its own merits and benefit to the city and citizens.

Take the issue of Kohl’s, for example. Although nothing has yet been formally presented to the council, there has been a council workshop, a planning commission meeting and several community meetings.

As a result of these meetings, I talked with the police and the fire chief about safety. I have talked separately with city staff about traffic, revenue and requirements for city services. I have talked with elected officials from other areas about pros and cons of such a plan.

At this time I am still collecting the necessary information that will allow me to make the best decision for long-term interest of the city. Each citizen should seek this level of commitment and research from each of their elected officials, which is why I am going through the steps.

My family and I moved here by choice. We have no intention of ever leaving. As a result, you can count on me to make decisions that will help preserve the quality of life, integrity and character of Peachtree City.

I would appreciate your vote in the Nov. 6 election.

Mike Harman

City Council Post 1

mharman@peachtree-city.org

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Thomas O’Toole

We need to change our direction as we head towards the future. I believe that the current council has not listened effectively to the people and their desire for quality of life issues to trump development issues. Citizens want more attention paid to the loss of the natural beauty of Peachtree City, traffic and public safety than bringing in new retail development.

I will reemphasize the village planning concept especially as the West Village matures and redevelopment issues come before the council. We need to focus on restoring the natural look and feel of Peachtree City by improving the protection of the natural aesthetics of our city. We need to develop policies to protect the character of our existing neighborhoods as they go through redevelopment. As a community we need to assist our city in being a model of environmental protection.

Traffic is an issue that we are all concerned about. I was involved in the citizen movement to force the successful abandonment of the TDK Extension. There was and remains no benefit to our city.

We must remain vigilant as the project is only abandoned “until such time as Coweta County builds a primary route to I-85.” This is quoted from the motion passed in June of this year.

I will be your advocate against this road being built unless there is a clear benefit to Peachtree City.

Secondly, many have advocated Crosstown Road as a second East-West Connector for the city. I believe that this proposal is unsafe for our children as well as dividing our city with increased traffic. I pledge to fight the current proposal to four-lane Crosstown Road as I believe we should seek to divert traffic around our city rather than through it.

Finally we need to encourage multi-use path trips (golf carts, walking, biking) instead of car trips. I suggest that increased path safety, better maintenance, and increased connections among our villages can accomplish this goal. Increased path safety features police patrols but also includes safer crossings at busy intersections and a more courteous approach among path users.

The City Council is the elected representative of the people and needs to listen carefully to the citizens and protect what they believe to be important. As your councilman I pledge to protect the promise of Peachtree City. I will stand up and protect your values. I hope that I have earned your vote.

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Peachtree City Council Post 2

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Mark Hollums

I have lived in Peachtree City for 15 years. Prior to that, I lived in East Point near the Airport for over 30 years. Up to the late 1970s, East Point was a wonderful place to raise kids, just like Peachtree City is today. I know first-hand how things can change.

For the past 20 years, I ran a petroleum marketing company called Otter while remaining involved with my family’s commercial property management business. Working under both entities was very time demanding. About three years ago, I leased out all the Otter retail operations. Until then, I did not have an opportunity to give back to this community that we call home. This is the only reason that I am running.

Neither of the companies that I am affiliated with have any business interests in Peachtree City so there are no financial conflicts of interest. I am just a citizen.

Peachtree City is rapidly approaching its planned build-out phase of development. If we continue to expend all of our energies bickering solely over the remaining 10 percent of undeveloped vacant land, how can we effectively deal with all the other issues that could ruin one of this nation’s top 10 places to live? This does not mean that we abandon our village concept and allow developers to run willy-nilly through our community.

We cannot lose focus on the primary purpose of government, which is to serve the citizenry and protect our quality of life. One of my top priorities will be public safety and whether public servants charged with that duty are appropriately compensated. In comparing the current budget allocation to other Class B cities, I think that we are getting a real bargain, perhaps too good a bargain.

We must remain proactive against crime and improve our EMS services as more seniors locate here. As terrorists have shown, the perception of safety can be more powerful than statistics.

Traffic is going to get worse due to developments outside of our borders. We must reach out to our neighbors and find ways to strengthen our regional influence. The corridors to our city will always appeal to businesses attracted by our demographics.

Last, I am very impressed with the quality of people serving on our various commissions as well as the city’s staff. Good planning and good people are what make this town such a great place to live!

Mark Hollums

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Mike King

No essay submitted by deadline.

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Doug Sturbaum

No essay submitted by deadline.

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Dar Thompson

Town hall meetings

I think that one of my greatest assets is the ability to listen. I have always made the comment that I am smart enough to know there are people who are smarter than me. As councilman, I would schedule monthly “Town Hall Meetings” for the citizens to come ask questions, voice their concerns, and most importantly, offer solutions.

It has been said that the so-called experts get the answers right about 70 percent of the time, while a collective group as a whole get the answers right about 90 percent of the time.

The format would be simple. I have broken Peachtree City down into five quadrants; these would be the same quadrants which are found on the Peachtree City Golf Cart map.

Once every 30 days a specific quadrant will meet with the mayor and/or council, and possibly staff, to ask questions and voice concerns about their specific neighborhood(s). “Town Hall Meetings” would afford the citizens that opportunity to discuss concerns that most affect them where they live.

What also makes this unique is that this will be an open forum, unlike city council meetings where the agenda is strictly the business of the city. “Town Hall Meetings” will give us a chance to get a closer look at what is needed in each and every neighborhood.

I know that I can learn a lot more by listening, as I’m sure there will be many great ideas that come from a wide variety of citizens.

I would also incorporate a “Town Hall Meeting” for our senior citizens every 60 days, so that we can understand the concerns and the ideas of our senior population.

Once every 90 days I would like to offer a Town Hall Meeting specifically to all kids between the ages of 14 and 18. It is important that their ideas and concerns are discussed and addressed, too. It is important that that these young adults feel that they have a place in our community.

When you have the title of “councilman” it’s easy to forget you are representing other people. It’s easy to start thinking that you have all the answers because you were elected. I will never think that way. As councilman, I will want to hear as many opinions and ideas as are offered because that way the city government will best represent the city’s citizens.

Dar Thompson

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