The following is a summary of responses from mayoral candidates at the Oct. 14 forum sponsored by the Peachtree City Civic Association.

Q: Why did you decide to run for mayor instead of running for a council seat?

Don Haddix: Wants citizens to have a chance to say what direction the city wants to go for future. Also wants to restore “the historical village concept, not the new definition.” Also want to stop big box development, unneeded annexations and work to restore village centers instead of new Class A buildings such as Costco.

Cyndi Plunkett: In four years on council, I have made many contacts on federal, state, county and city levels. Carrying them the message of how wonderful PTC is is probably the most important thing the mayor does. Also think its important to have non-divisive people in top leadership positions. Bickering and personal attacks are divisive for community. Growth must be considerate and well-planned.

Scott Rowland: The Hwy. 54 West development brought me into the race. I didn’t feel that was handled in an appropriate manner. Mayor has a deciding vote and the voice of mayor needs to be for the city. Listening is important to help guide city’s future. Doesn’t see need for further annexations. Growth needs to be contained; redevelop what we have instead of seeking new development. Need to keep professional tone among council members in speech and written word.

Q: As mayor what do you perceive to be your responsibilities and how do you think you can be effective in accomplishing these goals?

Cyndi Plunkett: The number one responsibility is to be the voice and the persona of Peachtree City ... as we look to bring businesses and families to Peachtree City. Important to represent the values of Peachtree City. Team building is also important; council needs to work in positive manner, make a decision and then “put that aside” and move forward. Hopes to continue to apply her skills as a mediator to council.

Scott Rowland: My goal to be mayor is to represent the city through appropriate votes. Feels he represents Peachtree City values well through his participation as a youth and adult in the Boy Scout program.

Don Haddix: Mayor’s chief duties are as supervisor and chief executive officer of the city. Day to day operations are duty of city manager. Mayor’s primary duty is to make sure city is run in a way that serves the citizens. Another reason I ran for mayor is the division the past two years has been extreme. The communication just hasn’t been there and that needs to change.

Q What are your feelings regarding extending the sewer outside PTC limits into unincorporated Fayette County.

Don Haddix: It’s an “absolutely disastrous idea.” Once outside the city, the city loses control of potential development. We don’t control the land planning, the zoning, the permissions for what is developed.

Cyndi Plunkett: A proposal several years ago to sell sewer service to the city of Senoia was voted down. Would have added revenue for the sewer system but it was a bad idea. It’s not easy to say a blanket no to many issues facing the city. There is a request to allow sewer outside the city to serve a big box shopping center zoned by the county just south of the Meade Field complex. It might make sense to sewer it if the city can control the development and if the city could keep out the big box. But that is not being proposed right now, so she is not willing to consider allowing sewer outside the city limits.

Scott Rowland: Does not favor extending sewer service into the county. If city lets other jurisdictions have city sewer, it might hurt city residents. City needs to make sure it has capacity for sewer to fill commercial and residential areas.

At the conclusion of the forum, all candidates were given the option of choosing to answer an earlier question to other candidates. Below are their responses.

Scott Rowland on leadership: “Though I’m young at 32 years old, its important to learn about leadership but putting them into practice is what matters the most.” Eagle Scout experience is important and currently am helping train scout leaders in the county. Also owned a business in four different states as far away as Alaska, in large part due to knowing how to address people’s needs.

Cyndi Plunkett on redevelopment and how to fill the city’s storefronts: Next to the budget this will be the biggest challenge to the city over the next 50 years. City needs to work with Fayette County and state developers, senators and congressman “to make sure that we remain first on the list when they bring a company to Georgia.” The city is trying to recruit a Fresh Market here, for example, as well.

Don Haddix on communication: Citizens have a right to know what’s going on. Was unable to fulfill a promise to put city information on the Internet via a forum format. The proposal was voted down 3-2, he noted. “Sunshine is letting the citizens know what the city is up to. I am a firm believer in that.” As mayor hopes to increase sunshine and communications with citizens.

PTC Council hopefuls answer forum queries

Post 1

Q: As a city councilperson, what do you see your role with the city’s land use planning?

Shelby Barker: Goal as city council member is to promote the land use plan. Developments that don’t match land use plan “will take a lot more convincing to get my support.”

David Craig: Council responsibility is to give guidance to the planning commission. Council must vote according to the land use plan. Council needs to “stay true” to plan.

Eric Imker: Changes to the land use plan over the past several years need to be rescinded, including allowing big box stores. Doesn’t understand why change was made and specifically why the stores on Ga. Highway 54 West were approved. The land use plan has to be obeyed.

Beth Pullias: As a councilperson our role is to enforce the plan. City is updating the plan currently and council must insure that is done properly. Would like to see land use plan have futuristic qualities so it’s still valid 25 years from now.

Q: What yardstick would you like citizens of Peachtree City to use when judging your performance at the end of your term?

Beth Pullias: Hope citizens would like to see dramatic change in trend so decisions made past couple of years with our land use, tax and budget decisions, they’d see a new phase had begun. Want to see a great update to the comprehensive plan and an updating of ordinances to support the plan.

Eric Imker: Want to be remembered for handling the budget. “When we come to a fiscal year $3.5 million out of control, we’ve got a problem.” Five steps to reduce budgets: you cut or reduce services, cut personnel, delay or cut projects, find inefficiencies and find waste. Thinks budget can be turned around and under control in two years.

David Craig: No annexation needed. Extremely limited rezoning and definitely no residential in current industrial use areas and building no more large retail stores. Budget must be balanced and was every step taken to reduce waste and create efficiencies prior to putting tax burden on citizens. “There is waste everywhere.” Council should not go to citizens with a tax increase unless they have done everything possible to eliminate expenses and “tighten the belt.”

Shelby Barker: Want to be remembered for being fiscally responsible. Stand firmly against raising taxes. Need to make budget cuts and develop efficiencies in every department, which could result in a loss of services. Want to stand for things that make PTC unique such as golf cart paths and village concept.

Q: What is the definition of a Big Box and what do you think about how they

Shelby Barker: I stand against unnecessary further big box development. When big box leaves you have a vacant lot that leaves a space very tough to fill. We need to make sure any big box development that comes through it the right kind for us. Would like to see a Whole Foods.

David Craig: Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot are examples. But they need traffic to support them “and that takes away from our village concept.” Affects small businesses. Resulted in deterioration in village retail centers. “I’m guilty I’ve gone to those stores too. But it’s about getting away from what made PTC great: ... small areas where we could live and drive our golf carts to the stores.”

Eric Imker: Not sure on definition but point is we draw traffic into PTC that we really don’t want. New traffic light for Ga. Highway 54 is “the most ridiculous thing.” Will give the city six traffic lights within a half a mile. With a Kohl’s for example, there will be 12 empty storefronts in the village centers. We bring in these big boxes ... and it pulls away customers from these small stores.

Beth Pullias: Technical definition is any single building over 30,000 square feet and an entire development over 132,000. I could be off a couple of thousand. Big boxes bring several problems, chief of which they are a regional draw. We are not designed to be a regional community. Bringing in big boxes goes against our comprehensive plan. Also over time they decrease the value in a community.

Candidate’s Choice:

Beth Pullias on leadership: Peachtree City needs people on council to stand up and say “this is what citizens want and you need to give it to us.” They need to be people who are not going to succumb to the pressure of developers or other outside influences. I feel I have proven myself to be one of those people. I have attended and participated in more council and planning commission meetings than anyone else. I have already proven my commitment to the city.

Eric Imker on SPLOST: I’m in favor of some parts and not in favor of others. Will generate $120 million over six years and potentially $20 million of that for Peachtree City to pay for cart paths. “But they’re using scare tactics on you” and if it doesn’t pass, it can be reworked and brought forth next November. Doing so would allow most undesirable features to be eliminated, chiefly the Fayetteville bypass. “Don’t get involved with saying, oh, we’re going to lose that money.”

David Craig on the city budget process: As an employee of Delta Air Lines, we unfortunately had to go through some very hard times and troubling issues as we got through bankruptcy. I was part of a management team that took some very bold decisions to change the fundamentals of our business. I know you can create efficiencies within any organization and not raise taxes. That may not be enough to avoid a tax increase but leaders must ask the tough questions.

Shelby Barker on new ways of bringing businesses to the community: Falcon Field is a strong business recruitment tool as it allows CEOs to come visit local companies. Want to make sure CEOs get to spend more time in town to appreciate the city’s uniqueness. Wants to direct more tax revenue to the airport because if we bring in light industries and corporate headquarters, it can help fill vacant storefronts and address other community ills.

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Post 3

Q: What specific actions would you take to reduce empty storefronts and office space throughout the city?

Steve Boone: Work with city and Fayette County development authorities along with businesses and owners of empty store fronts. Braelinn shopping center, where some businesses went out of business, was a “prime example” because those businesses that left were paying astronomical leases. But the new shopping center owner is working with the businesses. City also needs to promote professional type businesses and small retailers.

Kim Learnard: We need to renew our emphasis on the village areas and the mom-and-pop stores. City is collaborating with Georgia Tech to make conceptual plans for four of our villages. As our realtors bring in more people to buy homes we’ll revitalize the storefronts and our villages will get a renewed sense of Peachtree City pride.

Bob Walsh: The storefronts that are vacant right now are unattractive, and that’s a big part of the problem. City has outsourced much of the maintenance for city property and hasn’t met the city’s standards for upkeep of common areas and medians. “We need to do our part as a city to keep this place attractive around these areas to help the businesses relocate.” The city needs more corporate headquarters type development and one ideal spot for that is in the industrial park where the Callula Hill residential subdivision has been proposed. The subdivision “is just the wrong place for residences, it’s industrial.” A light industrial or corporate headquarters there would be ideal. City needs to work with state and get grants for relocating and training budgets.

Candidate’s Choice:

Bob Walsh, on bringing the right business partners into Peachtree City: Peachtree City has good infrastructure and schools. But financial inducement is necessary to attract new businesses, and that’s a burden the state will have to bear as the city cannot afford to do so. “We’re talking multimillion dollars” to attract a business such as Kia.

Kim Learnard, on the proposed SPLOST: Groups have opposed it based on the transportation projects proposed for funding and also on the basis of using sales tax revenues to fund projects such as multi-use paths. If the SPLOST doesn’t pass, the city will not have any funding for transportation and debt reduction projects.

Steve Boone, on the land use plan: The last four years the land use plan by our staff has developed into one of the finest land use plans in the entire state. In the last two years, staff has prepared numerous ordinances that have been approved by council to support the comprehensive plan. Does not want to see MARTA to come to Peachtree City because it would not be environmentally sound and also it would “probably drive a lot of crime down from downtown into Peachtree City.”

Post 4:

Q: What is the role of City Council for redevelopment and what powers does the City Council have over property owners?

Les Dyer: Council has taxation powers. PTC will be “dead in the water” if SPLOST is not passed. The city needs $1.5 million a year to fund street and cart path upkeep and maintenance, money that is included in the SPLOST. If that fails the city may have to revert to some other type of tax. Council needs to shepherd redevelopment using the land use plan, which must be adhered to.

Vanessa Fleisch: There are older neighborhoods that could benefit from redevelopment. City can waive fees to get developers to have private reinvestment instead of government reinvestment.

Q: On regional issues such as water and transportation, what would you do to enhance the level of collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions and which of those jurisdictions holds the greatest promise for collaboration?

Vanessa Fleisch: There are a number of road projects and even light rail as a regional issue for transportation. Transportation to and from our area and Atlanta is a major issue. The whole county is undergoing a comprehensive land use revision, making it important to work out transportation issues. Not a fan of light rail as it doesn’t make money and can’t see funding for it.

Les Dyer: Coweta County is our most important partner in collaboration. If we don’t get together as council and mayor with those folks in close meetings face to face and talk about the problems we both experience ... we’re going to be in big trouble down the road.

Q: What are the pros and cons of the SPLOST and what is the strategy if it does not pass?

Les Dyer: What’s wrong with the SPLOST is it’s a tax. But it gives citizens a choice to pay it unlike property tax increases.

Vanessa Fleisch: This choice is a struggle, because the projects are listed so voters know what they’re getting. But she can’t vote for the SPLOST because of what happened with the county’s educational SPLOST and some of the road projects “I don’t feel good about it.” Will probably result in raising the millage rate, which is not a good option either but “I think that at least then the money that comes from Peachtree City residents will stay in Peachtree City.”

Candidate’s Choice:

Vanessa Fleisch, about sewer in the county: If allowed, could allow Fayette to become developed like Gwinnett or Cobb County. If the city’s border “explodes with growth” reaching to the hospital, “it doesn’t matter what we think about the growth of Peachtree City.”

Les Dyer, about what he would like residents to think of him following his four year term if elected: I’d like them to say he wasn’t always right, I disagreed with him at times but he always did what he thought was best for the citizens of Peachtree City. He is not worried about getting like-minded citizens elected to council, but when there are disagreements, he will work to convince them to join him on a given matter.

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