Council members, “We the people” elected you to represent us. To this date I have seen no inquiries from you as to what “we the people” desire.

Three of you seem to feel free to navigate through the city (mentally and/or physically) seeking to build out every square inch with no regard for the empty buildings nor enforcement of the so-called 50-foot tree buffer that has been a standard from the beginning.

And now, after a “free trip” to China, you have given a variance to Sany to fill in a wetland area. This is ludicrous regardless of how many “wetland credits” (whatever that is) are purchased. How does such a “purchase” replace the actual wetland that is to be destroyed? From whom do they make this “purchase” and what is the money used for?

Now, I am not a tree hugger nor environmentalist, but when you grant a huge variance such as this, but have previously forced a homeowner to go to great expense to move his fence (6-12) inches because it is too close to the “green belt,” this sends a message of political preferences based on receipt of gratuities (free trip) without regard to common sense. It also raises the question of honesty, ethics and true representation to the populace.

It is time to have a true council representation for “we the people” rather than the current 3-2 vote on issues that obviously are politically motivated with no regard for the citizenry or even common sense.

Unless being elected to our City Council removes you from reality, it is time for you to work together with the citizens to bring some control to the developers who have no interest in our city whatsoever, except what it can do for their financial bottom line.

Speaking of common sense, let’s look at the new apartment complex being built at Crosstown and Peachtree Parkway. The entrance onto Crosstown will be a nightmare for all of us that travel through there, especially those living there. Did the developer design that, and if so, why did the city approve it?

Allowing this entry/exit to the complex that close to this busy intersection is a prime example of poor planning, again, with no common sense involved.

When elected to a public office, there should be a mentality of representation of the constituency and a putting away of decision-making based on the golfing, drinking and socializing set of previous acquaintances.

This may result in losing some of those previous so-called “friends” but it will gain you a new set of citizen “friends” who will value your leadership and will respect not only your elected office, but also respect you as an individual leader.

It is time for the three of you (out of the 3-2 voting group) to have the fortitude to stand up to the developers and say NO to more building until what we have sitting empty is filled.

If an entrepreneur wants a skating rink, let him refurbish the old Photocircuits building at his own expense. It is not the city’s responsibility to fund a private enterprise. Stop the building madness now before traffic and crime completely engulf us.

And, last but not least, let’s maintain a system of free enterprise and competition. We went over this single garbage collection issue a few years ago, and most all of us citizens in that council meeting agreed at that time that we want a choice.

If there is a problem with an individual’s waste pickup service, then let each citizen deal with it and have the option to switch vendors. We do not need a referee in City Hall to solve this problem.

Ron Black

blac622@bellsouth.net