I find it appalling that citizens of Peachtree City would point out actual patrol cars for possibly performing traffic violations. First off, saying a police officer was speeding without lights is a laughable accusation. You do know that they have different ways to respond to different calls. Certain calls include lights and sirens while others may not. In any instance, the officer is to respond as quickly as he or she may. Also, to complain about officers taking their cars home is an added expense to the citizens is ridiculous. It is a major crime deterrent. So driving 5-10 miles back to their houses is going to cause major wear and tear on the cars, but responding to petty calls isn’t? Do you understand that while most people would run from danger, these fine women and men are trained to run toward it? It’s ridiculous to attack these individuals, and it makes me sick to think that although you complain and pick on these individuals, they would be there to help you with just one phone call. So if you are a citizen that respects the work these officers do, I ask you to thank them the next time you see them. Could you imagine being hated or disrespected by people for simply doing your job? Yes, they chose their profession, but I thank them for making that choice. Without them, our streets and neighborhoods would be a lot less safe.

- - - - - - - - - -

I am proud of our law enforcement officials in Fayette County, although I have read, with distress, reports of their abuses in Free Speech over the past several weeks. As a teacher in this county, a public servant just as the police and sheriffs are, I am accountable to the taxpayers for my performance and financial stewardship. My colleagues are adhering to money- and energy-saving measures, such as switching off lights when classrooms are vacant, using only one of the two sets of lights in those classrooms, shutting down computers and monitors at day’s end, etc. It is a small price to pay and does not impair our abilities to do our jobs. I respectfully request that law enforcement do the same, the need of which is illustrated by an incident my husband observed last Tuesday. When he entered a local barber shop, he noted a Fayette County sheriff deputy’s car parked in front of the shop, idling. Inside he saw the driver of that car getting a haircut. All the while that my husband waited, the deputy got his hair cut, the deputy’s car idled in front of the shop. It certainly seems a waste to me to leave that car running while the fellow got a haircut (seems he was pretty fussy, too, as he was still getting his hair groomed when hubby left, though that’s not necessarily a taxpayer’s concern). So, dear Fayette County Sheriff, please ask your employees to turn off the ignitions on their taxpayer-funded transportation while stopping for their personal grooming needs. I sure would feel better about taking my own cost-saving measures if I thought my fellow public servants were doing the same.

- - - - - - - - - -

There always seems to be some goody-goody who has been fortunate enough to have avoided a run-in with the police who likes to accuse everyone who has such an unfortunate incident of being a law-breaker. I have to agree with most of the negative comments writers have been making, because they are valid complaints. Except for a few dedicated public servants wearing uniforms, the rest are a threat to the law-abiding citizen. Not so 50 years ago when I began a career in law enforcement. In those days we were trained to enforce the law but to recognize that citizens inadvertently make mistakes and, if no one is injured or endangered, we could use discretion in dealing with the situation. Such people are not criminals. I’m a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, and I have had run-ins with local police several times since retiring, and no professional courtesy was displayed. Just an attitude of, “I’m the man,” and you are nothing. We need better training for people before they are entrusted with the task of protecting the public.

- - - - - - - - - -

Let me offer a quick driving lesson for some clueless drivers. 1. If you are driving in the left lane and cars are passing on the right: You are in the wrong lane. 2. If you are driving in the left lane, have a car traveling at the same speed in the right lane, open road to your front, and a pack of cars in your rearview mirror, you are in the wrong lane. Hang up the phone and move to the right lane.

- - - - - - - - - -

Questions: Can our local government fathers and mothers get us a couple of more cable TV providers so we can have some competition? And until that’s possible, can we get a citizens board to regulate the monopoly company we currently have that’s using the public right-of-way to run their cable? And why can’t we have one cable box on the outside of our home that connects all TVs instead of one box for each TV? And why can’t we buy our own TV cable or satellite box instead of renting them? The phone company use to rent phones until they were forced to let the public purchase them and save money.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyrone’s auditor is recommending that the town hire a full-time finance director. What happened to Grace Caldwell’s hand-picked finance director, Mary Sturm? We all know she could not cut it as a planning commission member, but since she knew how to file a tax return using the computer, Grace claimed she was qualified to handle the town’s finances. Now it looks like they are adding an additional employee to do her work while claiming to be broke. Not a group of mental giants.

- - - - - - - - - -

The garden is quiet this time of year, but it’s a great time to start planning for the spring and ordering seeds. If you’re not on the seed catalog mailing lists, go online and do a simple search for organic seeds. The catalogs will stir your desires for a beautiful garden and generally include planting specifications. The county extension agent also has planting guides and lists of varieties that do well in this area. Another good reference for new gardeners is the book “Square Foot Gardening.” You’ll be amazed by how much can be grown in a small urban garden. With your catalogs in hand, sit back with a cup of herbal tea and imagine the healthy bountiful harvest to come.

- - - - - - - - - -

Another voice trying to compel Americans to deny their Christian heritage: Nice try, Jeff Gevertz, but no cigar. America was founded as a Christian nation and Christmas is Christmas, so like it or lump it. Most people, regardless of their beliefs, are glad to celebrate by saying “Merry Christmas” because it is the happiest season of the year. If a few scrooges don’t like it, that is their hard luck. As for the Jewish people who own many of the business around town, it has been my experience that Jewish people are the most tolerant of Christians of all people. I always get nice Christmas cards from my many Jewish friends. Go back to your mountaintop, Mr. Grinch.

- - - - - - - - - -

The oil industry has learned how easy it is to manipulate our minds and make us think we are getting a good deal. I keep hearing on the news that gasoline prices are at a five-year low. Everyone is so happy with this “cheap” gasoline. I have receipts from the Pit Stop gas station in PTC less than four years old and I paid 83 cents per gallon. We are still paying more than double what we paid then.