We are living in times when many people in many places are rising up and fighting back against special interests and for their homes and neighbors. In Peachtree City the fight began with the current election of two council post seats and now should extend to the state representative seat.

As a former homeowners association president, I first met Mayor Steve Brown when seeking help for some homes in my community. Steve came and viewed the issues and took the information back to City Hall to begin working on a solution.

Since then I have had some random contacts with Steve as mayor and when we both showed up for meetings on issues of shared concern.

Steve has never been for development for development’s sake. He opposed the illegal activities behind much of the building of the Tennis Center and the assumption of its illegal debt.

He was a force behind the Big Box ordinance, a start in the creation of much needed ordinances to protect Peachtree City.

When I presented my agenda for a moratorium and additional ordinances, to make the Comprehensive Plan law, he supported me.

In the 2005 election, it was obvious developer money was heavily at work. Some of us saw that and worked for Steve’s election.

In this council election, I ran for council because it was obvious two candidates had been asked to run, one for each post, to extend the gains made in 2005.

The voters saw the effort and I was elected to Post 1 and hopefully similar results will occur on Dec. 4 in the runoff election for Post 2.

Now we have the scenario of the Peachtree City election of 2005 repeating itself at the state level in District 72.

The monetary backing is back, bunches of new posters appeared on The Citizen [online] blog in a very short time, against Steve Brown, and we are again hearing promises on local issues that I do not believe will be kept because they fly in the face of known facts.

Further, on Matt Ramsey’s website I see nothing addressing runaway development. Surely that is a major issue in these times of severe drought and economic downturn. Just talking more roads does not say if the reason is for the commuter or further enabling developers.

So, I endorse Steve Brown and ask the voters to take history into serious consideration. We do not need to repeat the errors of the past by seeing only the money spent, signs on the roads and promises that do not add up with reality.

We need his voice at state. A voice that is for the average citizen, not the big money interests. Steve is not afraid to speak up or fight for what is right. You call him, he will answer.

He will be a voice at state that I, as a councilman, know I can call and will be answered. I know Steve will call when he wants to get a local opinion on issues before him, from the citizen’s point of view, not the special interest agenda.

The backlash against special interests has begun. Let us continue it now in the Peachtree City Council Post 2 and District 72 elections.

And remember, this is for more than Peachtree City; this is for much of Fayette County, where the voices of Tyrone, Fayetteville and all the rest count every bit as much to Steve.

Please vote, and vote wisely.

Don Haddix

Peachtree City Council-Elect, Post 1

Peachtree City, Ga.

[Haddix was elected without a runoff for the council post. He takes office in January.]