So, the developers requested a delay for the outrageous industrial to residential zoning change for Callula Hills at the end of the airport runway.

I’m sure they saw the overwhelming roar of public outcry against this request and figured at least three of the Peachtree City Council persons would vote No.

Even our mayor said, “I don’t know what they were thinking. But they know there was a lot of public opposition to this.”

OK, how will the mayor vote if this comes back to City Council and there is a 2-2 tie vote? Knowing an overwhelming majority of the citizens are against this, knowing he has a duty to protect our city village concept, knowing all the problems it will create in the future, how will he vote?

I’m convinced the real reason for the delay is to do some repackaging of the proposal to make it somehow politically OK to vote in favor.

Perhaps removing the 10 homes [from where] the FAA recommends no homes be built because they are in the runway protection zones. Bells ringing, alarms sounding, flashing lights, etc.

Doesn’t that give anyone thinking of voting for this a clue that perhaps other homes in this area, not immediately in the runway protection zone might, just might, have a small issue with noise? Perhaps the concept of industrial zone doesn’t ring a bell either.

We need to put a silver bullet into the heart of this proposal now while we have the chance. The developer knows they have until the next City Council gets elected to get their plan approved. I for one will be watching for any twitching of life in this issue.

When the developer took possession of this and other property in the industrial zoned area of Peachtree City a long time ago they knew this was zoned as such. But being impatient about their delayed income from the property use just doesn’t sit well.

We’ve all had investments that have not gone as planned. We all have had to mark time until the right pieces are in place for the investment to turn favorable. What’s the rush?

Don’t try to convince me that the city will be better off “earning” income from residential rather than industrial, earlier rather than later. That’s not the point.

The point is we, the citizens, want a city where the zoning is enforced and not to mess up our city plan. The city is going to be here 20 years from now. So will the property they are trying to rezone.

When we get our finances in place, perhaps the city will indeed purchase the land if some industrial use hasn’t been put in place by then. Purchasing land won’t happen next year or even five years from now. But we need to be patient.

Sacrificing our principles for a few bucks and essentially making a whole lot of potential homeowners miserable is not the way to go. Give it time and the city will eventually have the resources to do a lot of things folks now can’t even imagine. This includes things like a teen center, expansion of the baseball/soccer field complex, enlarging the Gathering Place and lots more. Patience, folks, patience.

I want to know when anyone from the developers or one of their representatives contacted any of the city council persons. And if so, what did they say? I’m sure the rest of us would like to know. I’d think our city council persons would have a moral obligation to let us, the citizens, know if they were contacted and what was talked about.

As you know, one of my campaign platform principles is to not accept any contributions from anyone unless the contribution is for simply doing what’s right for our city. As I have said before, if anyone contacts me about any public request to vote for something, they are to consider it public information and I will publish the context of that meeting.

I doubt I’ll ever hear from a developer. I doubt I’ll ever get a campaign contribution from one, either. You know what? I don’t need it. I cannot and will not be influenced because there is nothing more in this life I need other than my family in good health and a wonderful place to live. I already have both.

Please come out and support me this November. I am running for City Council Post 1 as a new candidate into the political arena. I will bring common sense and fiscal responsibility to Peachtree City. Look for me in the July 4th parade and let me know you support my philosophy for our wonderful city.

Don’t forget to checkout my website, ReturnToTheVision.com. It has information about me, downloadable campaign signs, my campaign email address and other interesting information.

Eric Imker

Candidate for City Council Post 1

ReturnToTheVision.com

Peachtree City, Ga.