You missed something. That is the County, not PTC, SPLOST.

You do realize the County and muncipal SPLOSTs are all separate programs? Each of us get a fixed percentage of the whole take? The County has no say in the PTC portion?

As for the rest, I have laid out my position more than once.

Don Haddix
Candidate for Mayor
DonHaddix.com

Mr. Haddix,

The Peachtree City Civic Association printed a very informative booklet on all of the candidates prior to the Forum on October 14th.

I notice that Scott Rowland received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University and was House Manager for the Sigma Chi Fraternity! GO SCOTT! Hoo-Hoo!

And Cyndi Plunkett received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rollins College and then earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida.

Your educational background must have been inadvertently left out. Will you please tell us where you matriculated?

It is SO unfair when publications leave out IMPORTANT details and only give the readers the partial truth!

Thank you for setting the record straight as always, Mr. Haddix!

for Mayor based on the fact that Scott Rowland was House Manager for Sigma Chi Fraternity!! Please explain to me how this makes him the right choice to lead our city. Did he buy and count the kegs before a toga party? Did he make sure they did not run out of snacks--or was he in charge of the porcelain throne committee? Inquiring minds want to know--I will keep asking til I get this information. Why hasn't Scott come out with this information to date? Something to hide?? If this sounds ridiculous to you, just think how ridiculous your posts have sounded to the rest of us.

or should I say RD Idiot!

I'm tired of these highly educated out of touch pompous blow-hards trying to blow smoke up the citizens of PTC's collective BUTT!!!!!
Are you kidding....this is all you have in your arsenal?
Listen, Don is a good guy! He listens to his constituents and tries to protect this city from the so called intellectuals that have sold us out!!!

Amazing, for Cindy to have an education and be so stupid!!!

I pray the people of PTC wake-up and smell the traffic problems, catering to developers, and being out of touch with what we want cesspool that Cindy has helped create and vote her sorry butt outta office!!!!!!

There is nothing wrong with asking questions, totellthetruth.

I originally assumed that the information was left out of the pamphlet.

Could it be that there was nothing to add? I don't know. That's why I asked!

miserably. If you have not lived long enough or are not intelligent enough to yet know that college degrees do not necessarily equate intelligence, you have a lot to learn. I spent most of my adult life working in colleges and universities in administration and one of the most important things I learned was that some of the most educated (by that I mean those with a string of degrees behind their names)were the dumbest. There were a few that literally did not have enough sense to come in out of the rain. I have no idea what degrees Mr. Haddix or any other candidate have earned and to be perfectly honest I do not care. Give me someone with good common sense, a good work ethic and life experience every time. One other thing, many people who earn degrees in one field later find themselves working in a field that has nothing whatsoever to do with the degree earned.
If you are a constant visitor to this site and not just a johnny-come-lately, on here because of the election you will be familiar with two frequent contributors I consider to be quite educated--Muddle and Dawn--I know Muddle has a degree(s) as he taught at the college level. I do not know if Dawn has a degree. Both of these people are articulate, wise, and show an intelligence that is not earned by sitting in a classroom. I would opt for that type of 'intelligence' any day.

Why would questioning Don's educational background warrant such anger from YOU and NO ANSWER from him?

Please try to avoid name-calling.

Or maybe he went to Yale and is hiding it because that would make him a liberal snob.

Perhaps Mr Haddix is out of town, perhaps he has the flu, but just maybe he has something else ongoing that requires his attention. I admire the fact that he takes the time to answer questions on this blog, but being realistic, I don't see any of us having the right of an immediate response.

Perhaps RD Clark is somewhat self centered and believes we all should drop what we're doing and respond to his assertions. If this be the case, I certainly would leave him wanting.

Care to say where you stand on SPLOST?

Tennis Center debt and responsibility (why city couldn't run it)

TDK road

West re-zoning

Airport Management

The "Wall"

Section 8s

Police presence 24 hours (paths, etc.)

What average salary is for Cops and Firemen (include every member and average) Pension and health plan at retirement?

Teacher salaries for nine months including fringes---OK with you?

Should school and city and county budgets stay the same or more with 15% unemployment and property values down 20-30%?

How much of federal budget is for retired pensions and health care?
Is it OK?

You may ask Haddix his opinion, also.

Well good day to you my learned friend. Could it be that your lurking under the same pseudonym for too long has caused a memory lapse? As I am not a candidate for public office, why would my opinion be of significance to you?
I apologize in advance if you are a bit overdue for your meds. We understand.

It certainly is your privilege to not respond to my query but since you have written enough for a book to push your man I thought maybe you had some opinions! Maybe it is not prudent as old George used to say?

Since you asked:

SPLOST-Hell No! Bloated governments must go on a forced diet.

Tennis Center debt was ill conceived and should be city owned and privately run. Governments have a horrid track recoed when it comes to business.

TDK-Still against it-Only benefit is to Coweta County developers with an ultimate four lane from the Coweta-Fayette line to where Ebenezer runs into 54.

When the west 54 retail outlets meet PTC standards, they should be annexed and then tie in the sewer.

Airport management has been in a need for new and effective blood for some time.

Name the Wall the Harold Logsdon Monument

Thank Bob Lenox and the explosion of multi family housing

You currently have 24 hour police presence, do you need a guard at your driveway? Hire one!

25% above the state average for each plus fringes.

They should be smaller so as to incentivize economic growth, not strangle it.

Far too much entitlements, with the military being but a mere drop in the federal bucket.

That help?

Where Bonkers lives they don't have 24 hour police presence. I think they're called "attendents"

Taxpayer.

Good one. I laughed at that.

When is crime committed--except for closed banks--- Nightime.

When do the brass work? Daytime.

Very good answers as to your position except for three.

You want teacher's salaries smaller?

Military cost tiny in budget--I assume you mean for government pensions only.

What about how budgets of PTC compare to the reduction in income?

Actually I have been working on some projects to help the city that have been ongoing for over a year now. They don't stop for elections and I need to keep up with them to be able to complete them next year if elected Mayor.

As far as the education thing goes, what I did in college 35 years ago in engineering and business courses, government intelligence training and so forth seems a bit irrelevant now.

After 20 years of business ownership, field work for the government, 2 years experience and record on Council and such I believe that should be the basis for evaluation now. As well as now being a Georgia State Annexation Dispute Arbitrator with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA),

Just having a degree has not proven Plunkett, Logsdon or Boone to be effective or popular elected official.

Experience, record, knowledge, ability and solutions for governing PTC count. I have a record on those. With all due respect, Scott Rowland does not. Plunkett does. Up to the voters for whose they prefer.

I also note RD Clark joined yesterday and I believe has shown a backing for Rowland.

Don Haddix
Candidate for Mayor
DonHaddix.com

I think any question that does not include anything "nasty"
if fair game during an election. It was a very fair question and deserved a fair answer. I too am a Scott Rowland supporter but that would not stop me from asking questions to any other canidate.

"I think any question that does not include anything "nasty"
if fair game during an election."

That you believe that an education is important is fine.

Please just remember that Bill Gates - Microsoft, Larry Ellison - Oracle, Paul Allen – Microsoft, Michael Dell – Dell Computers, Steve Jobs – Apple, Richard Branson - Virgin were all dropouts.

Thomas Edison only had three months of formal education before he dropped out. Benjamin Franklin dropped out of school at the age of ten.

So I would ask you Darkmadam, is having a sheepskin really all that important?

Darkmadam, if you want to ‘ask questions’ why not start by asking Mr. Rowland where 'Lexington Park' is?

As the premier eyesore on the east side of PTC and a prime example of why city the ordinances needed to be updated, one would think that someone who 'grew-up here in PTC' would at least know where it is.

As for what I’ve witnessed these last few years here in PTC, the supposedly educated elected officials have used their combined brain power to stick it to the citizens and small business owners while lining the pockets of out of town, out of state mega-developers.

As for my thoughts about Mr. Rowland, I’ve only spoken with him twice, I found him to be honest and sincere but also somewhat naive as to what he’s getting himself into.

If the PTC Mayor’s race was between just Mr. Rowland and Mrs. Plunkett, I would suggest to someone in city maintenance they start asking Mr. Rowland what color he wants his new office painted.

Politics like poker is hard to win if you don’t know the rules, and the players, before you get into the game.

"When the evidence is on your side, argue the evidence.
When the facts are are your side, argue the facts.
When you've got neither the evidence or the facts, pound the table and yell like hell."

PTC version:
"If you don't want the voters to look at your pro-developer voting record that has damaged the city (Plunkett) or your inexperience and lack of previous involvement (Rowland), start a smoke screen about Haddix' education."

Tacky. Very tacky. And totally irrelevant.

What's the big deal? Is it your sole intent to besmeerch or belittle? Does the fact that someone regards their accomplishments higher than their education? Or, are you simply of the mind that to be successful one is required to have earned a degree?
By the way, my other learned friend, could you explain "canidate"?

I did not besmeerch or belittle anyone. I simply stated a fact. I did not state an opinion one way or the other regarding education. I just feel that a valid question is a valid question no matter how long someone has been signed on to blog with the paper. Please forgive my mis-spelling -- Candidate. I hope that I can be forgiven for my error. Sarcasm duly noted.

Perhaps it came from one having a tough day, or perhaps it came because I was bored and had time, or just maybe that you sided with immaturity to expose something of which has no significance regarding the mayoral election.

In either regard, I do pose one serious question-could it be that DarkMadam is yet another moniker for our beloved Bonker$?

Have a nice day!

I am my own person here. No subterfuge. That was your serious question? I am a Scott Rowland supporter for many reasons. Two of witch are, I know him personally and admire him. I do not know either of the others personally, only by reputation and have drawn my own conclusions regarding them and their abilities to be mayor. But no matter who I support it would never stop me from asking a question to anyone running for office. All I was trying to do is stick up for the "newbie" who I felt asked a reasonable question and was "belittled" by a candidate for length of time blogging. It is just that simple!

sometimes don't match. I was 44 yrs old when I graduated from College and by then I had completed a successful Military career and was on the way to another career as a Civil Servant. The degree did nothing for me professionally, it was simply a personal goal. Don Haddix has a track record in real life and to me, that's of utmost importance.

Just a degree from Podunk U., or in basket weaving means only one thing: you were able to buy it, have tutors, build a library for the school, spend years at it until they kicked you out, or in the best case actually took subjects needed to be an engineer, doctor, lawyer, or and Indian Chief!

No skyscraper designers or biology researchers or brain surgeons with a BA from Phoenix. La Salle, or NC School of Urban Teachers--by Internet!

Recommendations from others with accomplishments are usually required when a certain degree may be necessary.

Most of our founding fathers were self taught and had intelligent parents and family.

Most corporations will give a graduate from any state or well known private school priority in hiring over most of those who haven't finished a degree. That is only because it is the political thing to do or the fact that a higher percentage of graduates succeed than those who are not.
If the competency level isn't surpassed by promotion in a corporation, most of the time it isn't important. (someone can be an accountant, senior, but usually not a corporate finance vice-president. Some have even done that however.

It is an individual thing. Being Mayor certainly doesn't call that into attention except for those who choose to be that are against old people, women, and those without "some" kind of "degree."

Some of the most successful CEOs I ever knew worked their way up from 18 years of age. Yes, some of us don't need to go to college to be born intelligent, although I do recommend it if you are able to do so for maturity reasons.

I agree with what everyone has said about formal education.

But.... Mr. Haddix has STILL not answered the question! And if there is nothing to be ashamed of.... why the hesitation?

I will continue to ask this question until it is addressed.

sometimes don't match. I was 44 yrs old when I graduated from College and by then I had completed a successful Military career and was on the way to another career as a Civil Servant. The degree did nothing for me professionally, it was simply a personal goal. Don Haddix has a track record in real life and to me, that's of utmost importance.

Real life track record trumps 'formal education' everytime!! Learning is a lifetime job - and goes far beyond the 'classroom'. I can't vote for the Mayor of PTC - but this attack regarding 'formal education' - stinks of Dirty Politics. We've had enough of that - right?

What happened to that whole thing? I guess that the forums are over and now we have to go duke it out with things like this. BTW, RD- I know about the whisper campaign.....you and your friends have been wagering during the campaign. I heard it right from one of the candidates mouths about "education" I am most disappointed....most disappointed indeed!

"As far as the education thing goes, what I did in college 35 years ago .... seems a bit irrelevant now"

Oh my gosh! Mr. Haddix, you just insulted the 61% of Peachtree City citizens who DO NOT think that education is irrelevant!

• Bachelor's degree or higher: 46.2%
• Graduate or professional degree: 15.1%

http://www.city-data.com/city/Peachtree-City-Georgia.html#ixzz0Um5ntLGZ

become an adult, you will understand Mr. Haddix's response. Now, you and Scott go out and play like good little boys.

He is not stating that education is irrelevant. He is stating that it was 35 years ago and he has moved on, i guess. Hasn't he lived a successful life? Hasn't he held public office, in my opinion, successfully? There are many pedigreed and well educated fools and tradesmen that are wise. So what is the point. I am well educated, from a school that you most likely would not have gotten into. Yet, I am not silly enough to wrap myself in my diplomas and state that I am superior. I think that I will look at the voting records of the candidates and vote accordingly. Why don't you vote for the most degreed. That being said, I do not know Haddix's education status. I know that Bill Gates was not a college graduate and did remarkably well.
btw-I personally value an engineering degree more so than a humanities degree. I have taken both tracks and know empirically which is considerably harder.

I asked a simple, direct question. I would like to know Mr. Haddix's educational background, both High School and College, please. I also would like the names and dates of the institutions from which he graduated and/or received degrees.

For a man who wants "Sunshine" on local politics, I am getting concerned with the runaround I am receiving. It is not his level of education that is bothering me, but his efforts at avoiding a simple and direct question.

I was not making judgements, I just asked a question.

This line of questioning seems out of line to me. Just my humble opinion. If nothing else, Mr. Haddix has been as upfront with folks on these blogs as he possibly could be.

Guess there is just so much tax money floating around you can't keep track of it all.

Thanks for your reply, which I suppose means you are for the extension of the SPLOST tax.

Your phrase "the whole take" says it all.

also realize all the Mayoral candidates support the SPLOST?

So, really, this is a non differentiating issue for the election.

Don Haddix
Candidate for Mayor
DonHaddix.com

we should be happy with this?

How about a little creativity about how we run the city?

Are there no candidates that believe the citizens have been taxed enough through a collectivist philosophy?

Lowering taxes will help the local economy - but you have already brushed this aside haven't you?

Why don't you differentiate yourself instead of running with the pack.

These people would vote for 400 million just to keep more money for tax paid jobs. They wouldn't care how the rest was spent! Isn't that obvious?

They built a Taj Mahal jail for a small county for a nice place to work. Now they would like to hide the enormous debt.

We're taxed more than enough and much more is coming. VOTE NO!!! If all politics are local then lets start this revolution right here. SAY NO! Fayette must wait (like the rest of us) for the economy to turn and revenue to rise (like the rest of us) before it spends. VOTE NO!!!

I'm Not voting for a SPLOST again, they could save hundreds of thousands of dollars just by paving all the gravel roads they spend countless hours maintaining. And don't get me started on the ESPLOST...

If you are not the leader of the pack, the view is always the same....

It's time to leave more cash in the hands of the private sector. Not failed and wasteful institutions. Send the message: There is no money to further expand our goverment and it's so-called services.

Obama.... The Bernie Madoff Of Washington

Many of these projects are going to be done anyway, so its either pay the same penny that you are already paying (and have Clayton, Fulton, Coweta...residents pay as well) or have your property tax increased.
You choose

No renewal, no way.

I understand the concept behind SPLOST's and it all sounds so great in THEORY. In practice, it is administered by spineless politicians who don't want to have to tell their constituents the blunt truth about taxation and how services cost MONEY. Or that property taxes might have to go up if the constituents don't want any services cut.

SPLOST in Fayette and elsewhere has simply become a dodge for politicians to slide projects that should be accounted and funded for in their municipalities' budgets and passed-off as "someone else is paying for this....no tax for you!" BS.