McIntosh Theorem: The intellectual mass occupying MySpace.com is inversely proportional to the intellectual mass in my space between my ears.

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All parents of teens and preteens: Do what I did and use the MySpace and Facebook to your advantage. I log onto my child’s MySpace and track down every friend and look at their pics also. You will be amazed at the pics from recent parties you may have let your child attend, thinking there was a parent there. All parents are not like you or me; some do allow drinking and do not check on their kids. Talk to the parent on the phone, not the child, and set guidelines, curfews and such. Parenting teens is hard work. I have four of them. They are not adults yet and they need us to catch them doing stupid stuff before they are killed or kill someone else. Have a really sneaky teen? Do what I did and purchase “Family Cyber Alert,” $20 at Staples. It stays hidden, they can’t remove it and amazingly you can read every keystroke, every site visited and the most difficult to track Instant Messaging. And lastly, make real consequences for teens who break the rules, curfew, drinking, driving other teens before their six months is up. I love my children and I am going to make sure they live to adulthood. By the way I am a 20-year firefighter/EMT. I have seen dead teenagers. It really can happen to all of us.

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Tyrone’s rejection of Michael Smola’s mayoral bid by the voters last week marked the beginning of the end of a decade of bad government [as he was] soundly beaten 651-318. The citizens revived democracy in the largest turnout in the history of Tyrone, as over 1,000 voters spoke loud and clear. No more government for the benefit of government. Smola was never the people’s choice. Appointed to the Planning Commission seven years ago, Smola sneaked into office to fill the last year of a councilman who was transferred on his job. In his first real bid for a full term, he ran unopposed. Allied with Town Manager Barry Amos, the weak Mayor Sheryl Lee and the enigmatic Councilman Paul Letourneau, this power structure formed a majority that began a reign of terror on the populace. They appointed unqualified people to the Planning Commission and other committees, passed restrictive ordinance, that trashed property rights, ran untold numbers of businesses out of town, ignored existing laws, and created a rash of lawsuits. By 2007, the citizens had had enough and began to unite in a well-organized campaign to restore representative government. Sensing the mood, Lee and Letourneau opted not to run for re-election, but threw their support behind Smola to keep the old guard in power. Led by the town management, their campaign strategy was to trash opponent Don Rehwaldt, proclaiming him an atheist, who was buying votes. It didn’t work as Rehwaldt received 68 percent of the vote and a people’s majority was swept into office. All that remains of the old power structure is employees Barry Amos, Assistant Manager Valerie Fowler and Attorney Brad Sears. Look for another confrontation in 2008 as this group struggles to remain in control. Amos knows that in two years he can back two pro-government candidates which, along with Eric Dial, would form a new majority. Citizens, beware!

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Let’s not forget the runoff election on Dec. 4 for Peachtree City Council Post 2. I was totally surprised to see that only 3,000 people cared to take the the time to vote, especially during such a critical time in Peachtree City’s history. We still will have to put up with the mayor’s antics if we do not elect Doug Sturbaum. His vote will be the key to the success of yours and my vision of what PTC should be, instead of what the mayor and his pals are directing this city to be. I honestly don’t know what it’s going to take to wake up the voters of this city. If anyone can answer this question, please share it with all of us.

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To Harold Logsdon and Steve Boone: The voters gave you your marching orders with this last election of cutting out the excessive spending, listen to the people instead of the developers and stick with the planned community instead of big boxes. Start doing a better job!

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The defeat of Mike Harman and the others will hopefully put an end to the tyranny of Mayor Logsdon. I really hope former Mayor Brown decides to run against Mayor Logsdon again. We need to get rid of irresponsible development and force accountability back into the system.

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Mayor Logsdon, it is clear you feel compelled by ego to think we, the citizens of Peachtree City, want you to push for change by trying to compete for tax revenue for the city. For some reason, you want the tax revenue coming into our city. Why? I ask. The per capita income of this city is high enough to sustain the tax basis of our city as it is. We need to focus on maintaining what we have, not what you feel we need in order to justify your existence as mayor. We do not need Big Box stores or expansion of roads in order to live better. What we have now is what we need to protect. Let the other cities/counties make the mistake of letting developers build for the sake of building. We all have seen other parts of Atlanta become commercialized, concrete, all in the name of consumption. They have sold their souls to become what? A place to go and spend money. No one wants to live in these towns. When out of town visitors come to PTC, they are in awe of what we have. Our city still has its soul. It should be clear to you now the citizens of Peachtree City have had enough of your arrogance. We have proudly voted for change by removing Harman from the council. Soon, your time will come to an end as mayor for we will speak again by the power of our vote. This vote is our voice and conscience. A good mayor who represents its citizens would have heard this long ago.

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I totally agree with Steve Brown’s column about the lack of accountability in Peachtree City. The people can’t cry out any louder about wanting to keep the village development, but the mayor has his ears plugged. The whole police station thing is a nightmare. If the property is bad, don’t build on it.

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Mayor Logsdon’s propaganda in the Update reflects some kind of physiological disorder that occurs when someone associated with distress or disability sinks well below what society perceives as normal behavior. His overwhelming desire to achieve his own delusional desires over the will of the people exhibits some sort of bipolar disorder where he feels he always has to prove himself right or he lashes out. The man needs some relief or he will ruin everything for us over a damaging disorder that should be treated.

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It looks like the voters were exactly right about not electing Mike Harman. Most everyone knew he was faking when he said he wouldn’t vote for selling city property and approving the Kohl’s store. When are we going to smarten up and stop electing phonies to represent us? Look at the BoE and Harold Logsdon. We are getting what we deserve because we’re too stupid to pay attention.

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Notice to the public: “To whom it may concern” is how the notice in the legal section read. Seems that the Presiding Superior Court Judge of Fayette County will have a hearing to confirm and validate a bond issue in the amount of $30 million between the Fayette County Development Authority and Sany America Inc. This money to be issued to Sany so that can be used by Sany to finance the cost of design, acquisition, construction, installation and equipping of an assembly plant. Now, let’s see: PTC gave Sany the land for the assembly plant, also another parcel for their corporate headquarters and a private condo complex on the same site. Now the citizens of Fayette County, and that includes PTC, are asked to finance the rest of the project to the tune of $30 million. What does Sany have to lose? The hearing on this issue is on Nov. 15, 2007, at 10 a.m. at Courtroom A. Hope to see you all there.

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I was going to ask that the Stormwater Authority give us a refund on the money we all paid into the city this year. After all,, we are in a drought situation, which means no money being spent on stormwater. But I came up with a better plan with the money ($1.3 million) that is just an estimate; it is probably much more than that. So here is my plan for the money. We take some of this money and buy out the contracts of the following city employees: the city engineer, who proves daily he knows nothing about engineering; the city manager, who lets all of the non-performing employees in this city continue collecting a salary for a job ”not well done”; and lastly our city planning commissioner, whose only goal in life is to be all things to any developer that he comes in contact with, instead of having PTC’s betterment in the forefront. Also with some of the money that will be left over, we should give the mayor an early parting gift if he would resign. This money would be well spent, and then maybe we could get this city back on track before it’s too late.

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I could not agree more with the article about no JV football team at Starr’s Mill High School. I enjoy high school sports, have a child entering the program and would only hope that as high school kid he’ll have the opportunity to play sports as many of us have. For a coach to cancel a program, whether for a year or however long, shows weak administration at the school as well as in the district. My comments are not based on this season’s record. It is in agreement that it was an unacceptable decision. I also agree that there were many good enough to play JV and now have lost a year of valuable experience. Practice does not equal playing experience and to believe differently is foolish. If coaches have that much power and administrators can not make the right decisions for the kids, I suggest that all JV and non-varsity programs be cancelled. That may sound unacceptable as was the decision not to have a JV team. However, at a minimum, if programs were canceled it would save the schools money, since we also hear about how broke they are or how much programs costs. In the future, if a program is to be canceled, let the players and parents make the choice since we are the ones paying for it. We all know that the head football coaches in Fayette County are paid very well so it’s not as if it’s a volunteered position. High school programs are about the kids; don’t forget that if you want parental support!

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It was cool, fall Friday night, a great football rivalry, a hard-fought game and sportsmanship with the surroundings of a movie. As I sat in the parking lot, I watched a player in a red t-shirt limp across the lot to his car, wiping away a tear or two (which are justified as he is a passionate player), reflecting on what just ended and knowing that he left everything between the lines and lights for four years. I reflected back to my high school years and what sports were are all about. I felt those same feelings 30 years later. However, with time, they’ll all realize what it’s all about. What I can tell you kids: Don’t ever forget your teammates, the coaches — even though they yell once in awhile — the practices, the games, the bumps and bruises, the ouches when hit again, the fans that have followed you, the locker room laughs and most of all the tears from disappointment of knowing the time has ended. All that has ended is the time on the field and the teams you were on. One player told me, “I didn’t think it would go so fast.” Another said, “I hope to go and play somewhere else.” And the best one was from one senior to another, “It was great playing with you and thanks for the leadership.” Your experiences will take you through life’s tougher moments and you will always be a part of the program. What will go on forever are the memories, memories that you’ll laugh about at class reunions even as most of you will be out of shape and much bigger (in the belly) and be saying, “just think if we played at this size, we would be undefeated.” As I end this, remember what we the fans have to say: To the seniors on the Starr’s Mill football team, thanks for the show.

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Hats off to the FCHS football team that came in to Starr’s Mill and won a tough game with class. It was nice to see after watching a certain other southside school continually make a spectacle of and embarrass themselves after a victory. Their program seems to be all about no-class banners, low-class half-time presentations and constant investigations into their coaches and players. Also, kudos to the SMHS football players, coaches, band, boosters and parents. It was a tough year, but an outstanding job by all and you continued to show why you are the class of the county.

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I want to thank the Fayette County Board of Education for hiring an expert and redrawing school lines and for bringing in an objective committee to do this very hard work. This is long overdue and the county schools will be better for it. These maps will make the schools equal in enrollment. I really hope East Fayette closes and those kids can go to much newer schools and enjoy a facility designed for elementary children. I hope the board finds a map they can vote for. It won’t be a happy day for some people in the county, but it will be a happy day for those at uncrowded schools. Again, thank you, FCBOE, for doing something about the school overcrowding.

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Growing up I was never involved in band, or more to the point, marching band. Come to think of it, I wasn’t involved in much of anything. This year, my oldest son, a freshman at a certain high school, decided to march in the band. I had no idea. Really, none. I had absolutely no earthly idea on what it takes to get a marching band ready to go on the field. The ignorant might think that all there is to marching is to step in time to John Phillips Sousa. They are so wrong. There are actually hundreds of hours of preparation that go into the production, hundreds. These routines are not so simple as to be changed week to week. There is a tremendous amount of sweat and discipline that goes in to these shows, as well. For example, I never would have thought band kids were made to do push-ups or run laps in triple degree heat on blistering hot asphalt. Believe me, they are. The dedication these young people (and instructors) put into these shows is equal to any amount given by, say, a football team. This dedication should be applauded by members of the community. And what better way to judge one’s progress in such endeavors than by competing? Really, are some people so naive as to think that the only purpose of a band is to mindlessly play music while the athletes get some much-deserved rest? As for falling to sleep during the half-time show, here is a thought: a person needs take a walk up to the concession stand and lend a hand. Not only will they be forced to wake up to what we’re really discussing here, but also their right to criticize will have been earned.

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To follow up on a recent Free Speech, marching bands compete for the same reasons as any other sport. Yes, marching band is a sport. These students move at 180 beats per minute (faster than the average person’s running pace), executing 75-100 complex drill moves that change every 4-8 seconds, perfecting an extremely detailed marching technique, while performing on a musical instrument or spinning a flag, all of which is tremendously demanding on a person’s cognitive abilities (for the typical concussion-impaired jock, that means brains). The value of competition is universal. Band students gain all of the same benefits of competing as any other athlete and should not have to apologize for wanting to be the best. I do not know any self-respecting athlete that goes into the arena of competition just for fun. The observant attendee at a high school football game easily recognizes that the band DOES NOT perform the same show week after week. Almost every week, a marching band adds new musical selections to the show, performs new drill moves, parts of the show are changed, new choreography is added, all while focused on a never ending pursuit of excellence. By the way, not even John Philip Sousa MARCHED to his own music and, except for some Big Ten teams in the 1950s, NO ONE marches to that music during a half-time show. There is more to life than football, which I know is sacrosanct to many who are from the shallow gene pool backwaters of Georgia.

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Southern Crescent Aquatic Team (SCAT) coaches and managers would do well to remember they are in a partnership with the athletes’ parents. Despite almost weekly communications that continuously demean and belittle parents, many devoted families continue to faithfully deliver their swimmers (year-round) to anywhere from five to 11 practice sessions a week. Older athletes train twice a day. This week marks the seventh weekend in a row of meets held from Auburn to Columbus to Marietta. Most meets run from Friday evening to Sunday evening. Additionally, this weekend the team is hosting its own three-day invitational meet. Parents are required to work three-, approximately five, hour shifts over the course of the weekend. In years past, parents were required to work one such meet a season. This year, without any notice, communication or explanation, parents are responsible for working three five-hour shifts at three meets during the season. (This is in addition to team dues, equipment costs, entry and travel fees that start at well over $1,200 per year.) As a bonus, expect to be brow-beaten by the team manager over any paperwork or volunteer transgressions, even as a new parent, trying hard, to find your way. Offer constructive criticism, and the next weekly newsletter contains an article advising that parents complain about conditions, “until they grow tired of it.” While some eventually do adapt to the grueling schedule and sacrifice, the condescending, belittling and disrespectful tone that characterizes coach/manager-to-parent communications is, and should be, unacceptable. SCAT has very dedicated, hard-working and talented athletes, devoted parents who commit time, energy and money well beyond that required of most other sports, and talented and generally caring coaches. Every ingredient for a truly outstanding program. Lacking some introspection and thoughtful change, I see one possible future for this team: A much smaller one that exists only because no reasonable alternative exists in the area. Sad. Let’s give cooperation and mutual respect a try. Especially mutual respect ...

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I have been reading the recent Free Speech entries concerning the Peachtree City Packers with quite a bit of interest and find myself torn on several fronts. My son has played for the Packers for five years now and we’ve had winning seasons, mediocre seasons, and then finally this year, a losing season. I’m sorry, but a losing season, in all honesty, is not that much fun. Anyone who says differently is just not being honest or has no sense of competitiveness or any iota of the spirit of football. If you don’t like your son being yelled at by the coaches, getting banged up on the field, or standing on the sidelines because they aren’t as talented as the other players, try another sport. Football is about winning. Period. Now I’ll grant you that football is also about pride, integrity, commitment, etc. And it is. But the bottom line is winning. All that being said, I have noticed that this year the teams seem to be “stacked.” There were really good, undefeated teams, and then everyone else. Hand-picked teams are for the Division I or Division 2 leagues. Select coaches in the rec division were allowed to hand-pick their teams. Everyone knew and everyone allowed it to happen. Shameful. I feel for the parent who was distressed that he felt his son was nothing more than a tackle dummy. I felt the same way about our team, game after game. If our team was going up against one of the elite “rec” teams, I would pray and pray that none of our kids would get hurt. Stacking teams, then playing them against teams that are not is dangerous, not to mention unfair and totally unethical. I don’t mind losing (well, you know what I mean) if the playing field is level. But this year’s losing season left nothing but a bitter taste in my mouth and quite frankly, I’m glad that my son won’t be playing for the Packers next year.

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If you know the smoker that drives a silver Escape, Georgia license APG5670, be sure to thank them for throwing their nasty cigarette butts out their car window onto Ga. Highway 74. Another reason to dislike all smokers and to wish lung cancer on them all.