06-07-06

Tue, 06/06/2006 - 4:51pm
By: The Citizen

Something stinks. When the Peachtree City manager is arrested for DUI while driving his golf cart after a concert at the city-owned amphitheater and the number two- and number three-ranking officers are both on duty on a weekend night, someone is on a witch hunt. My instinct says that after a couple of years on the job, the city manager was finally ready to make some much needed changes at the Peachtree City Police Department. The police probably wanted to make sure the city manager lost his job (hang in there, Bernie) before the top brass were to lose their jobs.

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Coincidence? On Oct. 18, 2005, a scathing letter to the editor in this newspaper outlined events at the air show involving Major DuPree and Commander Pye. Commander Pye reportedly left his service revolver unattended in his golf cart. When the witness contacted Major DuPree she was scorned by him for bringing this to his attention. Remarkably, they still have their jobs with the Peachtree City Police Department. Their mistakes apparently were overlooked by the city manager and the mayor and council members. They were both involved with the arrest of the city manager. I hope the mayor and council members remember complaints brought against these two Police Department employees when considering the fate of the city manager.

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Peachtree City Council scorecard: D-minus. One-hundred-twenty railroad car access constructed, TDK is still not built or any further along, Wal-Mart bridge is still not operational, approving higher zoning density. Pro annexation, pro developer, 4.7 percent property tax increase.

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The Peachtree City Council is asleep at the wheel. How can someone construct a 125-car railroad parking lot and the mayor not be aware of it? What types of chemicals will be on those cars once they’re parked there? This would not have happened under Steve Brown’s watch. Heck, Steve would have had them convert it to an access road for the Centennial homeowners. Now CSX plans to eliminate the railroad crossing at the old Comcast site, effectively closing that opportunity for a road access. Yes, asleep at the wheel. The latest brainchild is a 5 percent tax increase. Yep, not a decrease as promised, but a tax increase. Higher density, approved annexations, not adhering to the land use plan, broken promises and asleep at the wheel with the cruise control on – good grief. I never wondered who the last council was fighting for, but this bunch – just asleep and out of touch.

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Peachtree City intends to raise taxes again. Both ways this time: the mill rate will increase and so will the home values. Sounds like about a 6 percent increase over last year’s spending to me. Where are these local conservatives who say no tax increases; no adding to the government; no more going into debt; no more crooks; no more illegal immigration? But wait ‘til the crops are in (2040 maybe?). These family oriented people who have three divorces and three sets of kids, where are they now that we need them? Never in my nearly 80 years have I seen so many positive speaking jockeys who feel anything goes if one doesn’t get caught.

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Wait just a minute. We in Peachtree City spend millions of dollars purchasing and repairing a dying sewer system and the housing developers in Senoia are going to get a cut rate? Dar Thompson would have made a much better mayor than Harold Logsdon. Mayor Logsdon’s claims of leadership ability and financial prowess were pure folly. He belongs in the circus.

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Did the developers in Coweta County buy Harold Logsdon or are they just leasing him?

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Tyrone: The whining noise I keep hearing reminds me of Barbara Boxer, Ted Kennedy and moveon.org in the way that they take a lie, add a big dose of negative spin, and keep throwing it against the wall hoping that it will get some traction. Sort of reminds me of the Wieland/Lee supposed fiasco. The John Wieland Company is hugely successful because it is a good neighbor, sells a competitively priced product and is not stupid. Wieland is smart enough to only pick fights that they know can be won in the courts. If they feel they can win they will go toe to toe with any sized city. As to our situation Wieland felt that they had negotiated with the city in good faith to no avail and then indicated that litigation was a possibility. Due to Wieland’s resources, patience and their lawyers, they excel in the court of law. If litigation continues it can put a terrible burden on the budget of a town of our size. Because of Mayor Lee’s experience she did not feel that she should waste lawyers fees on a lose-lose situation. In the end she saved the city a ton of money and looked out for the citizens of Tyrone. Do you not find it very curious that at about the time our two newest council members showed up on the radar that the negative rhetoric and the confrontational air in town greatly increased? Do you not also find it even more curious that the nameless, faceless organization called The Neighborhood Alliance showed on radar at about the same time? This all gives rise to the thought that maybe all these negative blogs and articles are being placed by someone trying to build political capital to feed a self-serving desire to attain power in our town’s government. This could be pointing towards our next mayoral election and we could be saddled with an egotistical grandstanding new mayor who would not have the best interest of the citizens in mind. Stay alert and don’t be mislead by all the negativity.

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“Record Budget Nears Approval” reads The Citizen headline for Tyrone. Unbelievable. Tyrone is having budget problems so what do they do? Cut wasteful spending? No. They (1) raise taxes and (2) spend savings. The reserve fund is for a contingent, unanticipated problem and not to pay your monthly bills. That would be like you and me using our savings to pay our bills. Except we would just buy a smaller house or cut expenses. Tyrone should do the same with a City Hall staff with assistants this and that all over the place. Come on people, this is a small town, not Atlanta.

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In the 5/31/06 edition of The Citizen, the police blotter lists 10 people with Hispanic surnames. Of these, seven were arrested for driving without a license. The previous week six out of seven were arrested for driving without a license. And we want to give these people American citizenship?

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I have kept my opinions to myself up until now. After reading several comments concerning athletics (specifically baseball) over at McIntosh High School, I felt that it was time for me to put in my 2 cents. I truly wonder, what is going on over there? Let’s step back and see what has transpired over this past school year: First, they fire the head football coach, a man of extreme integrity and class. Now here is a coach that had turned the football program completely around (anyone who has kept up with McIntosh football over the years knows this fact). In addition, unlike what has occurred on the baseball diamond, he kept his players in check. I know, I saw with my own eyes. The last game of the season, he kept a potentially ugly situation from happening. Frustrations were running high, especially with our seniors, but he kept our boys and the situation from getting out of hand. I even hear that the way they fired him was dirty. I mean, they call him in two days after the football banquet, right before Christmas holidays, and without any warning to tell him he was no longer wanted. The coach didn’t even know they had a problem with him or his program (sounded totally unprofessional from a leadership/management point of view; not to mention sounded like someone had an agenda and wanted their people in key positions). We in the business world know that strategy. Then, they don’t even give the job to the number 2 guy. Another man of integrity who had been there for years, through thick and thin, working hard to help turn the program around. Heard they did him dirty, too. He wasn’t even in the top running, just got a courtesy interview. Yet, the baseball team is allowed to act in such a classless way? The players and coach go unchecked? What gives with the administration over there? Leadership does start at the top. They got a new AD this past year. Supposedly, he used to be a baseball coach (I mean, his former school did retire his jersey). You would think that he would know what is/is not appropriate behavior. I guess he doesn’t, he was one of the ones that fired the head football coach. I am just glad we are out of there. Don’t think my graduate will be attending any future homecomings.

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Mail is what the U.S. Postal Service puts in your mail box that you pay postage on. Citizens opening your mail box and putting advertisements in it without paying postage is not mail. It is a federal offense for them to open your mail box. When they do this and linger like they are looking at your mail, this is very suspicious. That is what the 911 call was about. We have good dispatchers and law enforcement. So “Windy City” Retired Cop, you don’t have to be a cop to own and listen to a scanner. If you listened to yours a little more frequently as I do mine, you would know crooks do steal mail out of mail boxes. Please take a refresher course on your 10-signals; maybe then your can get your facts straight next time.

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Above the law? Wednesday morning I saw a Fayette County Sheriff Jeep (L.P. #155473) going about 55 mph on Ga. Highway 54 East heading out of PTC, but still in city limits. The speed limit is clearly posted at 45 mph along that stretch. The vehicle did not have any sirens or lights on. Thanks for leading by example.

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Thumbs down to gas-buyers who are rude to the cashier/clerk because you are frustrated with the price of gas. Calm down and take a look at that clerk. Does he or she look like the CEO of a gas company? Or do they look like a working stiff, who is probably getting paid way too little to put up with your abuse?

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Submitted by lifelongfayette... on Fri, 06/09/2006 - 5:33pm.

I just have to ask...how did you know the jeep was going about 55 miles per hour? Were you an on duty officer that didn't do your job and stop this person speeding? Or, could it be that you knew how fast this person was driving because you referenced your own speedometer? Were you following closely behind this jeep? Did you catch up with this speeding jeep, thus speeding yourself, and then follow closely behind, yourself still speeding, so that you could then try to get the driver in trouble or cast a black shadow over the Sheriff's department?.....just valid questions.

Submitted by cleo on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 4:40am.

You must be the bandit behind the wheel of the jeep speeding.
I also observed you speed - who do you think you are?
Slow down!

PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 8:50am.

As posted on another issue per a Council meeting, the police are bound by a law that says they cannot issue a speeding ticket until the speed is 11 MPH over the speed limit unless a designated residential area.

So, there is your answer why no tickets.

But, on that same stretch of road, and a lot of others, I wish they would issue tickets to those violating the left lane laws. As in only be there to pass and do not impede traffic flow (No, it does not say if not exceeding the speed limit. The law is don't impede, period. And just about the same law found in every state).

You see way too many left lane buggies doing the speed limit or less and being past on the right. That is a traffic hazard.

Not your job to enforce the speed limit in either lane. Just your job for YOU to obey the law in YOUR vehicle. Let the cops worry about the speeders.

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Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.


Submitted by Sailon on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 9:09am.

You really have trouble thinking most anything through and considering all variations of things that could happen. It is perfectly legal to drive in the left lane at the speed limit if you intend to turn left soon. Also if the traffic is heavy, both lanes are often used by everyone. Have you never driven on I-75? You can pass on the right if you wish, it is legal, or is there someone there also that bothers you. You don't own the road.

Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 9:16am.

That's a fact. It also helps traffic flow MUCH better. Now I see your point about roads like 54 and 74, when you need to turn soon.

PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 9:34am.

Since when? Post me a link to that law.

I just did a Google search and every site I found said nothing has change. Slower traffic keep RIGHT on Interstates.

If your logic were true they would want semis over there as well. They don't.

Traffic flow is best served with the fastest traffic on the left. That leaves slower traffic on the right, making it much easier to get off and on.

Why do you think the short ramps are on the left side?

As for left turns, one is suppose to speed up to the lanes speed and not impede traffic (the do not impede law in action). Not get over there miles ahead and poke along.

Georgia laws most assuredly says stay right except to pass. And do not impede traffic (no speed limit qualifier).

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Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.


PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 9:45am.

HERE is a full list of the state laws. EVERY state tells you to get out of the left lane if you are impeding traffic. Regardless of how heavy traffic is.

So you are turning left? Stay OUT until time to turn or speed up and MATCH the left lane speed.

There is no justification for impeding the left lane. Those who do so are the law breakers.

You see the turkeys on 75/85 in heavy traffic trying to maintain hugbe spaces between them and the car in front, tapping their brakes at people behind them, driving slower than traffic flow and so on getting livid mad when someone passes them on the left or passes and comes back in front of them.

They are the problem. They are a traffic hazard. Not those they are forcing out of lane to pass them.

Or going to Fayetteville. Sunday drive in the left lane.

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Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.


Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 9:53am.

Just a mistake on my part.

PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Sun, 06/11/2006 - 10:04am.

OK. Sure can live with that! Thanks for the correction.

While I have this post window open here is what the Georgia Law says concerning those who put out the argument that doing the speed limit in the left lane makes them legal regardless of what speed others are doing.

(b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the
normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the
conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then
available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand
curb or edge of the roadway,

Not the speed limit. But the normal speed of the traffic in the left lanes lane. And not just the left lane. But to the right to clear all lanes to left moving faster. Note the curb/edge of road statement.

That allows for multiple speeds to move smoothly and get somewhere. Get in the lane moving your speed and stay there! Not get in a lane moving faster than you and force all others to go around.

If not universal across the US, this is almost a universal traffic law. And there are states that will ticket you for violating it.

I wish Georgia would start. I am forced to drive too much to have any tolerance left for those who think they set the pace others are limited to.

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Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.


Submitted by RT Tugger on Fri, 06/09/2006 - 10:21am.

Who's whining in Tyrone? People are just packing up and moving away, if you haven't noticed. They are tired of the inept town government/management that is taking the town on a path of poorly planned development. Your ardent defense of Wieland Homes is touching. Of course Wieland Homes will attempt to develop their land tracts in the most profitable manner. They wouldn't be successful if they didn't. However, they surely knew it wouldn't take more than the hint of litigation to get their requests approved by the Tyrone Town Council. The Tyrone tract currently under development has been described as "a difficult piece of property," because it contains a large amount of wetlands, and Wieland knew that at the time of purchase. The land-use map was changed at Wieland's request in July 2004 to accommodate residential development, and Wieland could have developed the land under that revised land-use map. But Wieland wanted more homes than that land-use map would permit for that "difficult" property, so they requested yet another change to the land-use map. After Wieland "indicated that litigation was a possibility" (why don't you just say "Wieland threatened to sue"?), the town changed the land-use map for a second time in 10 months. This against the recommendation of the Tyrone Planning Commission and in the presence of a packed town hall full of citizens asking them not to grant the approval. Not only that, but after changing the land-use map for this tract, the council went on to approve a rezoning that seems to violate their own town ordinance requiring residential lots to contain a minimum of one buildable acre. The council rezoned the Wieland tract for duplexes, which would normally place two adjoining units on one acre in Tyrone. By zoning the property for duplexes, the town circumvented its own ordinance and is allowing Wieland Homes to build single-family homes on half-acre lots. Confusing? Yes. Legal? Good question. Wieland Homes didn't have a case this time, but the town council was easily intimidated. It wasn't a "supposed" fiasco. It was indeed a fiasco, and it continues to be a fiasco at the Tyrone Town Hall, as recent posts and letters to the editor attest. A number of these are not even from Tyrone citizens, but from astute outsiders who have observed the laughable state of affairs in Tyrone. And while you're praising Mayor Lee for saving the town a ton of money, let's remember that the Tyrone continues to shell out taxpayer money to fix the damage caused by botched town-approved building projects such as Handley Park, which has been not only a huge expense but an environmental disaster as well. And what about the $6,000 wasted for the unnecessary and since-trashed architectural drawing to build a new library, town hall, and police station in Shamrock Park? No wonder Tyrone is trying to buy up all the sewer capacity Fairburn can spare. We can only hope that the next election brings us more of what the last election brought us, i.e. public servants willing to (a) listen to citizens, (b) research and understand the issues placed before them, and (c) stop wasting taxpayer money. The "confrontational air" in town hall has resulted from the new council members having the backbone to stand up and question where the money is going. People HAVE been more alert, and that's what got the newest town council members elected!! It's not the blogs that have been misleading people, it's some of the people in charge at town hall. Let's hope more and more citizens become vigilant enough to make a big change come election time.

Submitted by did not know on Wed, 06/07/2006 - 12:03pm.

"Tyrone: The whining noise"... All the whinning noise is comming from you! Your bunch just can't take it that there are two new honest kids on the block and you can't get away with ruling the roost anymore. May I remind you these two won by a LANDSLIDE? The person throwing something against the wall hopeing it will stick seems to be you! Please stop, your getting it all over you and it DOES STINK! No one has to wonder too hard who you are either. If you want to keep believing that the Mayor saved us all, you can do so, but remeber, the MAJORITY of Tyrone wanted a recall. That is a fact, even the Mayor knows it or she wouldn't have run off and got a very high priced lawyer to stop it. She knew how the people would vote...and it wasn't the way she wanted. And I am so sorry you don't like the Home owners alliance and had to go out an anoint your own, hoping to keep the power from the voters... You would make me sick, but you are too pathetically funny.

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