In Peachtree City, we have heard over and over again that we need to “tighten our belts” on spending because the poor national economy has made money scarce. The City Council even voted to charge every person using the recreation facility, the Gathering Place, $10 per year to help make ends meet. The seniors attending a meeting with the mayor and several City Council members agreed to the charge, all in the spirit of doing our part. Well, it seems that not everyone is willing to make that sacrifice. No other recreation building in Peachtree City is going to be similarly charged. To make it worse, our mayor and city manager have billed taxpayers $5,688 for two round-trip tickets to China — money that would have allowed over 500 local seniors on fixed incomes to use the Gathering Place for a year. Finally, in an age when both major candidates in the upcoming Presidential election are trying to get their party members to stop taking money from big business, why would anyone consider it morally right to accept entertainment and food from a company trying to establish itself in our town? Do we really want those people, the mayor and city manager, making decisions for us concerning that company and land use, construction, etc. I don’t; do you?

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Hey, white Chevy Lumina, I saw you Saturday dumping your three cats at the YMCA park. Just so you know, I got your tag number and will be reporting you to the proper authorities. By the way, I tried rescuing the cats, but they were so scared that nothing could get them out of the woods. So if any one sees a cute black cat; a black, brown and white “patches” type cat; or a white and gray “patches” cat, you might want to try and rescue them. I’m sure they are cold, scared, lonely and wondering why their owners dumped them.

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After talking with a few other moms this a.m. at the bus stop, I started to wonder about the future of the proposed playground at Inman Road Elementary. The school says different things, and the latest is they need $50,000 and it’s not going to be even started until they raise the money. I called the FCBOE and the receptionist immediately passed me on to Construction and Facilities Services. And you know the rest of the story: they passed me onto Purchasing’s Terri Gerhadt (she isn’t returning my call). Facilities told me that it’s out of their hands and Mr. Robinson (principal) is talking with Purchasing. This “talk” just started one week before school. Ask a young child what their favorite part of the day is: it’s when they get to go outside and play, get some fresh air and take a well-deserved break. It’s nice to have a new school, but not nice at all to have no outlet for our youngest children. They have a beautiful area, but nowhere to run or even get fresh air. Sometimes my child’s class goes outside, but it isn’t everyday. And then they are in a parking lot or sidewalk area. It’s not looking promising for the entire school year. How fair is that to our children?

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I want to know which schools Mr. Jensen has been to where there are only 12 to 13 students in kindergarten and 1st grade. In his dreams. He puts that out there like it is a common occurrence.

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The front page article about the FCBOE spending is justified by having more students taking tests than other counties is very misleading. The reason more students took the tests is because the family demographics in our county are better than the counties mentioned, except for Cherokee, [which] has a very similar quality of lifestyles. There is no correlation between good test scores equals money well-spent. Money spent on educator training, parapros, teacher salaries, etc., is acceptable. But the reasons that the FCBOE stated, as well as vacant seats in schools and unnecessary expenditures, are the main reason to vote “NO” for a SPLOST for schools. The district does not have a good history of spending wisely and the accountability is not being enforced. The best way to enforce accountability on a budget that is tax-based is to vote down tax increases. That causes ownership and accountability to improve. Otherwise, the FCBOE will always request tax increases for their self-induced debts. We all want the schools to be the best and for our students to succeed, but a lot of this starts at home. Since the FCBOE does not have a good history of cash management or a legit future detailed plan, why approve more money through taxes?

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In reply to the writer who criticized parapros in the high school: I think you are confusing special ed collaborative partners with a parapro position. On the outside looking in, you might think certain special ed teachers do nothing in a regular classroom. Just like a regular teacher, there are always bad ones, although in Fayette County, most of them are above average. If you were around completely and all the time, you would see that special ed teachers do work no one sees. They are teachers, counselors, planners, caregivers, mothers and fathers. And you’re a “substitute teacher.” Want me to mince words?

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Kathy Cox: “She won $1 million for charity.” At least that is what the local publication says. Wonder if even 10 percent goes to charity.

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If FCBOE is not fair to their employees, then you should know that they are not going to release all information to the public (taxpayers). One example: if they promise an increase to certain employees when it is time to give them that step up, it is a slap in the face because you do not receive the increase. This is why people are leaving FCBOE.

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Ms. Schmid, I know you and I know your amazing kids. A lot of swimmers are not as driven or talented as your children. The ones who are not are shunned and neglected by the SCAT coaches. I am speaking from first-hand knowledge. I, too, have sat for hours at SCAT swim meets, hoping my children were noticed by the coaches. However, my kids, being only above average swimmers, never received any acknowledgment or encouragement from the top-notch SCAT coaches who focus only on the top-notch swimmers. I have even gone so far as to ask the coach to speak to my child in order to encourage him, and the coach never would. Please understand, I do not begrudge the top swimmers who are working hard the recognition they deserve, but the other kids should have a place at SCAT, too, as they used to under the former coaches. However, I certainly didn’t intend to offend SCAT parents; my message was for the SCAT coaches. Surely you are aware that many swimmers are going over to Coweta and to Clayton to get the attention that they can’t get from SCAT. I stand by my original statement but will modify it for clarification: if the SCAT coaches want the support of the community, they need to stop trying to be so elite and exclusive.

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Thanks to a good Samaritan. On Sept. 12, my mentally handicapped sister went for a walk, and she got lost. A good Samaritan brought her home. I do not know who you are nor where you live, but I thank you for taking the time to bring her home. I know that it was a challenge because she cannot remember the name of the street where we live. We would like to thank you personally if you can stop by. May God bless you.

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“Innocent until proven guilty” are the words of the judge of the Peachtree City Municipal Court. These words would actually mean something if they were true. Unfortunately, any teen that receives a traffic violation in PTC and appears in court for their equipment violation is given a different sentence. They are presumed guilty as soon as they walk through the doors of the courthouse. No, I take that back. They are guilty from the moment the officer writes the citation. I am sure the officer only needed to justify why he was pulling over a teenager, who was not violating any other traffic rule, but just happened to be driving a sports car. Sounds like a stereotype to me. However the stereotype continues in court. Many individuals preceded my teen and were given an opportunity to explain themselves with the same type of plea, and please keep in mind, these were all individuals over a certain age that were permitted to speak. Now my teen approaches the microphone, tries to present his documentation and receipt of the new exhaust system and speak, but is not given the opportunity, fine announced and dismissed to the clerk. Definitely a double standard in my opinion. Every teen who presented themselves to the judge on this particular day were all treated in the same manner: quick to be fined and dismissed. However, all those individuals whose teen years have long passed were given the judge’s full attention and two even had their fines dismissed. Must be a perk of being a mature individual. We are taught or told we need to respect our law enforcers. Why, when they have no respect for the citizen? Even the judge waited for a teen to exit the courtroom to go pay his fine and remarked just loud enough for the entire audience in the courtroom to hear, “I should have sent him to jail, he was already dressed for it,” and laughs. Terrific way to act in court with many teens still left to present themselves. He is supposed to be a leader of our community. But of course he is not the one being judged; he is doing the judging. Beware as you pass through PTC; the law is special in the so-called “planned community.” If you are a teen, you are “guilty until proven innocent.”

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The amphitheater situation: First off, it’s good to see the mayor support his own town by not attending local events and taking his money elsewhere. Second, if it’s losing money, why not do more shows. The amphitheater is only open 10 weeks a year. This is Georgia, and there are probably only 15 weeks out of the year that are too cold. I personally like the current lineup. I recently saw 38 Special. They were great. The ultimate fighting thing might have been a little over the top, but it did sell out. Kids don’t have to go every time. Get a babysitter. Third, why is Logsdon the mayor? He obviously hates our town. I think he should move to China. The big corporations would give him way better payoffs there.

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The Chris Isaak concerts at The Fred on Friday and Saturday were awesome. This is the one of the best talents The Fred has had. Way to go. Keep ‘em comin’.

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The Fred should stop bringing in the same old acts year after year. Why would I want to pay a higher price this year for a act I saw last year at a cheaper price? They should start the season earlier because college football starts the end of August.

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Does anybody in Peachtree City or Fayette County know how many illegal immigrants there are, and how many of their children are attending our schools? I think the BOE should look at this before asking the taxpayers for more money to pay for their education, and for the construction of new schools.

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Once again Fayette Congressman Lynn Westmoreland has made the Colbert Report, this time for his “uppity” comment. Colbert replayed his entire earlier “Know a District” interview with Westmoreland in which the congressman comes off as a complete idiot. In the interview Westmoreland demonstrates his ignorance of the Ten Commandments despite his advocacy for placing them in judicial buildings. He also admits to being a do-nothing congressman. Making a nationally syndicated show is news. I certainly hope The Citizen reports on it.

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On Westmoreland and his remarks on the Obamas being “uppity”: I referenced no less than 20 dictionary sources, including slang dictionaries, and found uppity to continuously be defined as: “affecting an attitude of inflated self-esteem; haughty; snobbish, rebelliously self-assertive, presumptuously arrogant, condescending, putting on or marked by airs of superiority.” All of which describes Obama. The point is that nowhere did I find a reference to “uppity” as a racial remark. I have heard the word my entire life, and, yes, I am born and bred in the South, and NEVER has it had some racially charged hidden meaning to it. I’m sick and tired of anyone that has any criticism of Obama being called a racist. It is indignant and insulting and, just as REAL racism does, its reach goes much further than hurt feelings. To the idiots that keep perpetuating this “boy-who-cried-wolf” propaganda: You are hurting this nation. You are dividing us in ways that we haven’t seen in decades. You are doing the exact wrong thing to help eliminate racism; you are propagating it. You are using slander, intimidation and scare tactics to hush free speech. But mostly, you are hurting yourselves; limiting your narrow views to conform to a preconceived perception in your own little mind, never questioning, never investigating, blindly following, and obeying. Wow, that almost seems like self-induced slavery, but whatever it is, it is NOT freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of choice. Just what type of America are you trying to achieve? One in which our leaders are unquestionable, untouchable, apart from the masses, where the media are agents of the ruler and all citizens are expected to shut up and be good mules? Think people, use your minds.

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Okay, New Hope, now that Sunday alcohol sales will be up for a vote on the November ballot, it’s time to start your anti-alcohol and boycotting establishments propaganda blitz.

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I believe the reason the churches don’t want Sunday alcohol sales is because they are afraid their attendances will drop considerably.

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Shame on the owner of the PTC convenience store, the one with the beautiful, extremely large U.S. flag. I was proud of your establishment for your patriotism until the 9/11 anniversary, when I noticed that you did not fly this beautiful emblem at half staff as a show of respect for lives lost on the most devastating day in our history. When I asked one of your employees why the flag was not half-staffed, I was told that the owner said he was not required to do so. I am also, thankfully, not required to give your station my patronage and I shall recommend the same to my family and friends. I am thankful that we live in a country where your right not to honor our country is upheld. Apparently, you do not feel the same. Why, then, do you even bother to fly this symbol of freedom at your establishment?

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Tuesday, 8:30 p.m., coming down the new Downtown Connector (formerly known as Ga. Highway 74 in Peachtree City) and it’s nothing but darkness until you get to Paschall Road, then in the pitch black is one guy with a hand-wand with a 50-watt bulb in it, waving frantically, hoping all southbound traffic will go into the industrial park. No warnings, no signage and no one on Huddleston Road directing traffic or telling you when you can get back on Hwy. 74, or cross over it to get home. So, I turn on to Huddleston and try to go left onto Kelly Drive and that is cut off with those Gawd-awful orange barrels at the Hwy. 74 crossing. No signs, no directions, no personnel directing traffic. Are you kidding me? C. W. Matthews (the contractor) is in the AJC as the largest recipient of our state tax dollars last week and they can’t coordinate a paving job with PTC so that it is advertised with the paving schedule, signage in advance tells us there will be detours, DOT can’t get people out there to direct traffic and be at intersections along the detour to tell us when we can get back on Hwy. 74 or at least cross over it? And a sidewalk to nowhere to boot? Wait till Sany America gets their concrete pumper trucks going 50 miles an hour up Hwy. 74. But, that’s another issue, isn’t it? Sigh.

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We don’t have control over everything in our lives, but we have control over our choices. Everyone wants the independent restaurants but you must patronize them. I have been involved in the restaurant business for 12 years and it is always a struggle for the independents. I may be out of a job because people choose the large chain restaurants over the independent restaurants. Help the local people. Eat independent.

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I just wanted to say thank you to all who work at the Town Center Kroger in Fayetteville. I have been shopping there since it opened and I have to say almost everyone there is friendly, nice and helpful. The have taken the time to notice my two boys and mention them when they are not with me. Anytime I have had issue with a price at the register, or need to return something, it is met with friendliness at the service desk. The deli women, especially Ms. Betty, are always about customer service. Even though they may have gone up in prices to compare to Publix, I will continue to shop there because I feel it is more welcoming.

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With so many 4-way stop signs in Peachtree City, it would be great if drivers knew how to behave when two opposing vehicles both want to turn left. Numerous websites state: “If you notice on controlled left-turn intersections where the lanes are marked, they are marked so that two opposing vehicles turning left are directed to turn in front of each other so that they pass right side to right side.” This is the proper (and logical) method when turning left at ANY intersection. I’ve encountered very few drivers who can properly execute this simple maneuver and I’ve been “waved at” many times by drivers who think the two cars should pass each other and then turn left. On the rare occasion where someone actually knows what to do, I’d really like to stop and applaud. So, please, don’t get upset with me when you think I’ve cut you off. I’m just turning left using the proper method.

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Football players need “goody bags” as incentive? My daughter is a cheerleader for a PTC youth football league. We have just been informed that in addition to the hundreds of dollars in dues, shoes, game uniforms, practice uniforms, hair ribbons, bake sales, etc., the girls are now required to provide “goody bags” for the football players. Goody bags? Do you think Vince Lombardi gave out goody bags to his Packers? What happened to the spirit of the game? Competition? Sportsmanship? Players will now have little girls providing them with plastic ponies, pencils, chewing gum and SpongeBob SquarePants stickers every game. Needless to say, I am less than enthused about this new requirement of rec league football. If this stands, we intend to seek other opportunities for our daughter next year.

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How can the 16-year-old who pointed a gun at a police officer and pulled the trigger not be charged with attempted murder? Just because the gun didn’t work doesn’t change the fact he was still trying to kill the officer

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Hi. I’m a Republican. I’m secretly racist so I don’t like Obama without even considering his experience. I love Palin because she has a gun, is under ethical investigation and doesn’t believe in women’s rights – all despite her glaring inexperience. I thought inexperience was an issue in regard to Obama, but it no longer matters in regard to Palin. See how that works? I vote with my bank account instead of my head, and my heart has nothing to do with it either. Actually, compassion isn’t something I’m familiar with at all. Taxes are really my hot button issue. I shouldn’t have to pay more just because I make more. Let those Democrats work harder and earn what I earn every year. I don’t understand that higher taxes make for a better community and ultimately will only impact me positively, socially and financially. I’m incapable of free-thinking, obviously — I’ve been blindly supporting Bush for the last eight years. I don’t believe in stem cell research. Why would I? I don’t need any life-saving treatments at this time. Who cares about the rest of the people who might? Oh, yeah, and I’m a Christian. I can’t wait until my pastor tells me who to vote for. Jesus would be so proud of me.

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What bothers me the most about this election is that a lot of blacks are voting for Obama because he’s black. Now McCain has picked Sarah Palin and a number of white women that were voting for Obama are now going to vote for McCain because he picked Sarah Palin for his running mate. Look, I don’t care who you vote for, but really, people, this is not a beauty contest or a personally contest; this is for the next President of the United States and whoever gets in there in one way or another is going to affect our lives for the next four to eight years. People need to start looking at the issues and voting for the one they think will be best for the American people and for American. Not vote for someone because he’s black or because he has a woman running mate. We just saw what happens in the county next to us when people are voted in just because of the color of their skin instead of people that were more qualified. Is this what you want to see happen in the Presidential election?

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Regardless of which party wins the election in November, we will have one person in the White House who is unqualified for the job.

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Why am I, a Republican (the party of Abraham Lincoln who emancipated the slaves), being accused by the Democrats (the party of fire hoses, attack dogs, and axe handles) of being a racist if I don’t vote for Senator Obama for president? Would I be accused of being a sexist if I didn’t vote for Senator Clinton if she had won the Democratic nomination? Let’s show a little intelligence. Why can’t the Democrats understand that we can disagree with someone without hating that person?

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People who think the government taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will relieve the economic problems of this country simply are not living in the real world. Until energy prices come down to a reasonable level, people will continue to lose their homes and go bankrupt at an accelerating rate. The cost of gasoline and home utilities are draining the America consumers of their ability to survive. A safe bet would be that 95 percent of the homes foreclosed on have excessive past due utility bills and the owners have tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debts. Credit is all that has kept the ordinary working America going since this insanity began and that credit is running out. The only thing that will turn this economy around would be gasoline under $1 per gallon and utility bills reduced by 75 percent. If it doesn’t happen before the November election, we can forget it. No matter which way the election goes, we are destined to have even less competent leadership than we have had for the past eight years, which brought us to this dismal state.

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Well, after the nomination of and acceptance speech by the Republican vice presidential candidate, what have we learned so far? Sarah Palin is extremely anti-choice, she believes God sent us into Iraq and she’s a proud card-carrying member of the NRA. Listening to her speak, I learned how she met her husband, a lot about her family and that she feels Barack Obama is totally unqualified to lead the country, not to mention her derogatory remarks about his community activism. What we didn’t hear was how she might help out with economic issues, foreign policy, education, just to name a few.

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Do you really want Michelle Obama as First Lady??

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Let Ralph debate. Candidates like Ralph Nader who campaign on jailing corporate crooks never stand a chance; after all, they wouldn’t want to upset their sponsors.

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Hey, does anybody else notice the hypocrisy in the Republican philosophy about Roe v. Wade and pro-life discussions? John McCain, in his acceptance speech, said the Republican Party favors less government, with the individual citizens able to make their own choices about things. Well, I guess that they only mean the choices that meet their own moral standards, because they favor taking away a woman’s right to choose and no gay marriage. I am not gay nor have I or will I ever have an abortion, but give me a break. You cannot say less government and individual choice about some things but not others. It makes you a hypocrite. So, when a girl makes a big mistake and gets pregnant, let’s make her keep her baby no matter what and then we can all pay more taxes (which the Republican Party prides itself on not wanting to do) in order to have more children’s homes for kids who nobody wants to adopt. Better yet, why don’t all of you with such high moral codes raise one of the kids yourself when the mom can’t take care of it and the dad is nowhere to be found. Oh, and then, once you love that kid and live with them their entire lives, and one day they come to you and tell you that they are gay, then you can give them up and disown them just like their biological parents did at birth when they were forced to birth them in the first place. I guess I forgot one important thing. The Republicans just want to tell these young people just to not have sex. They don’t want to teach them in schools that if they do have sex that there are ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It should be up to the parents at home to tell their children these things. So if they never get the information or free condoms from mom and dad, then they may get pregnant. Again, whose problem is that? Everybody’s. I would just like to have someone explain to me how this makes sense. In a perfect world, nobody would ever be pregnant with an unwanted or unexpected child, but we don’t live in a perfect world. If we did, I guess we would all be on the same moral high road as the party that nominated George W. for president eight years ago.