Del211

your probably just another one of them. a drug user or underage drinker. The kids may not be bad people, but they sure are now. One is in jail and surely deserves that.

dell211, I don't mean to be cruel, but grow up.

The person you describe as

" Kevin is loved he may have made a mistake but he is not a bad person! He is a kind caring and loving person"

He acted like a thug wannabe that night, carrying a loaded gun into a party. Acted irresponsibly by pointing it at someone.

The host of the party showed a lack of character by having a party while his parents were away.

You say, "kids have a way of hiding things from there parents and sneaking around...", well not all kids and not GOOD KIDS.

"and I am positive that they dont want to get ont he computer", Maybe if they had monitored his computer and seen his page they could have known what was going on.

"theses families are going through hell right now...and they dont need people who dont know them saying all this crap....so do me a favor and just SHUT UP!!!"

Sorry for their loss, but they live in OUR COMMUNITY and OUR KIDS are liable to interact with their friends. It is our business, so do me a favor and GROW UP.

I hate how everyone disses him, I mean, he was a pretty likeable guy. Had lots of friends, people who loved him.

How dare you call him an idiot mass murderer.

"I blame the parents of these young kids not them"

Do we know enough to make this assessment? There is a widespread assumption in our society that the parents are always directly responsible for misbehavior in children. Of course, this is often the case. But always?

My kids are all grown, and I am now a grandpa 5x.

When my wife and I started out, we not only had good *intentions* regarding our children, but we also had early exposure to much practical wisdom and advice on parenting. (Good intentions alone are not enough; there are also parenting skills to be acquired.)

But we were dealt quite a hand. All four of ours are very intelligent and very strong-willed. When they hit their teens, they really gave us a run for the money. No. They broke our hearts in many ways. Our perseverence in loving them and trying to model for them what a marriage and family are supposed to be like eventually paid off: they've all "come home" (literally in one case!) and, as adults, have embraced our basic values.

If someone had said to me during those rebellious years that I was to blame I would have been devastated. I tried *everything* that seemed reasonable to keep them on the straight and narrow.

The default setting of blaming the parents fails to take three things into account: (1) We have free will. Behaviorism is false. There are probabilities and tendencies regarding which sort of upbringing will yield which sort of character and behavior, but there are no strict guarantees. (2) We are a fallen race. Sin comes naturally to us all. (3) The influence of peers and of the media in our society is *enormous*. Teen culture can take on a life of its own and it competes directly with family values.

I just spent a week in the Ohio Amish country and actually spent some time in the home of a wonderful Amish family. They understand (1) and (2) above, which is why they go to such extremes to reduce the effects of (3).

Good points, muddle.

I grew up relatively close to the second largest Amish commumnity in the US.

Even with their ways they still have problem kids that get arrested by the police. Big difference is how the parents deal with the issues.

Kids have freewill and their own natures. Some terrible parents have good kids, good parents have terrible kids and so on.

But, unfortunately, PTC does have too many kids where too many parents who prioritize their careers over their kids.

I have seen High Schoolers in expensive sports cars laughing about an accident they were in and giving the cops grief.

So, while parenting makes a huge difference and absentee parenting is inexusable where the family has plenty of money, it cannot be boiled dowsn to simplistic, all incompassing statemes, as some would try to do.

We don't know these parents. We don't know the kids involved. So we don't know the facts of how and why.

Really, though, at 17 and 18, these are not kids to be under parents sight every second of the day. They are about ready to move out of the house a lot more on their own.

The facts for all the blame may come out over time. And hopefully others will observe and learn from them.

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

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The Section 8 comment comes from the densely packed houses in Centennial that are offered at low rates to first time homebuyers or buyers with substandard credit. While I agree there are some nice areas of Centennial, the density is what caused me to make my comment.

You are a typical peachtree city women. All about the money. You are racist. Even if a parent is their 24 hours a day 7 day a week their kids still hide things. You are so quick to judge these parents. You don't know them and how they parent. I know your not a Perfect Parent. No one is. Until you meet the families and the kids, don't be so quick to judge.

Don't be so quick to judge ? Lol, take your own advice. Calling someone a racist is a bold statement.

"Behind closed doors" I love this stuff. We are having a party tomorrow you would not believe and wish I knew you better to invite you and your young single wife, ((sigh))

Anyway, the real estate agent in me wants to respond and the serious answer to your question is - Nowhere here. Peachtree City won't work for you. If it were me, Atlantic Station is the place. What a deal and what a lifestyle!!!
meow

oops

Well, I've lived my whole life in the area behind the library. I believe our subdivision is called Lake Peachtree even though we don't have a sign. The area is the oldest in peachtree city. We have original familie who live all around us. This area is also the only are that has Lake rights. So if you want a boat that can go over 5 mph, you should live over here. Now, it might not be the best looking neighbor hood, because not all the houses are the same. They are all individual, unique houses.So don't let apperances decieve you. The area is great, we've never had any problems. And for if you start a family it is less than two minutes (if even that) from Huddleston Elementary. For raising kids, it's a great enviorment. We have a nice playground, pool, and tennis courts. And everyone has front yards and backyards. Im sure you could find anything you wanted in a house here. Well just thought I'd put my two cents in.

Hard to nail that one down that easy.

A great community can exist right next to one messed up.

Check out the covenanta and by-laws. Talk to some owners, especially long term ones.

Do you want younger, older or a mix of people around you?

My point is get a solid list of good and bad points and then go look.

In our development it is as peaceful, well kept and so on as you are going to find. But while being open to all, it has a ton of elderly in it.

Most homes go up for sale and don't last a week since so many are keeping an eye on it. Or current owners help get friends in.

Do some leg work. That will get you the best feel for what will make you happy.

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

As you can see, it really doesn't matter where you live, there is no immunity to tradgedy and crime. It can happen anywhere and we feel bad, at least the reasonable people do, for the families involved. Where you live is up to you. Where you can afford to live is up to you. what you can contribute in a positive manner to any community as a resident, is up to you.

In the Wynnmeade subdivision, we have gained respect for cleaning up and facing our problems in our community. We continue to strive in restoring a quality of life that was virtually distroyed by greedy slumlords and the section 8 programs over 6 years ago. Many of the people that have recently moved here are young and starting out small and affordable. Many of us have lived here for as many as 30 years and have never been shot, burglarized, raped,or kidnapped. The "boogey man" doesn't live here and you could live as safely as you would anywhere else in Peachtree City. No matter what the situation, the West Village will always get slammed, but check your newspaper archives (The Citizen) and see for yourself. All of Peachtree City has had it's share but less press time then we get on this side of town. By the way, Sharpsburg is Coweta County.

My parents live in a subdivision on the south side, in Braelinn Green, which is in Braelinn Village. Walking distance to Braelinn Shopping Center. I feel like my kids are very safe when they are at Nana and Pop's house, playing with their friends in that neighborhood. I would guess their house is about 1200 sq. feet. Houses in there still go for under 150k. Want a little bigger, and check out some subdivisions off of Crosstown, Cameron Trail, Loghouse. Several subs with houses from the upper 100's-mid 200's. Keep in mind that people like to rant about the ugly on here, and little of the positive is written about (and there's a lot of good here).
Mom to 3, plus a few strays

First off, your comments are cold and callous. Not two families, but three will suffer with this for a very long time. The parents that own the house will likely be sued despite the fact that their son was not involved in the actual shooting and the fact that they were not at home.

That leaves the other two families, the one that lost a son and the one that will lose a son to the penal system. Chief Murray is indeed correct in his comments regarding the recipe for disaster, but we were all teens once and we always knew better than our parents what was best for us. The good news is that we didn't resort to violence and the vast majority of us survived so that we could pass life's lessons on to our children (if they would just listen).

The difference between yesteryear and today, is that guns and knives were not carried carelessly by teens then. Today, many either have them or know where to get them. Violence is something they are exposed to everyday, be it on the news, video games, movies, tv, or in the home. This is the cycle that we need to break.

Parents that are concerned for their children really must take care in what their children are watching and listening to so that they don't become desensitized to violence.

As for the Section 8 comment, you are so far off base there that I will not even address it further.

Have a heart and feel for the families that have lost already and for those that will lose in the future. Two possibly very productive lives are forever ruined and their families don't need your cold hearted approach at this time in their lives.

Dana Kinser

I'm sorry, but imitating the "thug" lifestyle by having an all night party with guns seems "ghetto" to me. Not teaching your children any values or responsibility seems "ghetto" to me. As does throwing trash all over MacDuff parkway and the cart paths, overgrown vegetation, three years of perpetual construction dust and debris, and "boom cars" driving through at all hours. I've already addressed how I don't feel any sympathy in another comment on the story.

Thank you Dana. You are totally right. I wish all these people would stop judging. Both families are greiving.

Dana, while I agree with many of your comments, don't go too far the other direction until all the facts are out.

Unless you know these families personally you don't know if they do not have some points of responsibility.

We all need to let the facts come out. Do not assume either direction as fact.

Just because they live in Centennial does not make the premium people. Nor does it not make them so.

I hate it when people rush to judgement on these things from either end of the spectrum.

A question I have on this is the neighbors. Parents away, teens partying at this time of the night and they did not come over or call the police?

Another issue that needs to be in the mix to be determined.

I agree with the guns and knives comment. Where I grew up there were guns in every home and all but small children had access to them.

I also was a certificed NRA trainer and coach. NONE of the kids I trained would think of doing this.

Many issues. Let the facts come out, people, please.

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

Ok let me see if I understand this correctly: Now the neighbors are at fault....if those people had called the police on these little um "angels" is it yeah they would have been subjected to vandalism for as long as they owned that home.
I know maybe it is the police dept. fault for the loosey goosey way they handle teen crime in this city.
Here is a good one: even though school has been out for at least 3 weeks maybe it is the teachers fault; yeah thats it, thats the ticket.. they should have seen the warning signs.
Actually I think I have it; maybe if the paper delivery people had started their rounds earlier this crisis could have been averted.
Somehow Dick Cheny should be held accountable because he likes guns.
How about the family dog from next door what was he doing? sleeping? while a major crisis is going on.

You people are over the top! Parents if you want to really catch who is at fault grab your spouse and your thug kid (oooppps sorry I got carried away again) I mean "angel" and go find the largest mirror in your home and stand in front of it and meditate.

A strength of a community is neighbors watching out for each other. Especially their elderly and kids.

Think about it.

I am not defending the boys. I am just reflecting on what it says about the sense of community there.

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

I'm surprised someone didn't notice the ruckus at this time of the night. I certainly would have called the Police. I'm sure my neighbors in Spyglass would have done the same. Not trying to place blame, but we all can be vigilant about things like this.

The problem is I have been that neighbor who tells the parents what their kids are up too. I have also called the police with the same complaints when warranted. (the police here enjoy the chase and seem to be completely unable to stop teen crime or it wouldn't be that prevalent)

All I have gotten for that is alot of property damage and dirty looks.

The people with kids in this city are not worth my time. They are repeatedly abusive and unworthly neighbors. If they make an effort to be good neighbors in return; maybe I would help. Now all I do is call the police. For the little good it does.

I have as well called the police. And the health dept and the code department on a neighbor's issues. And gave a former neighbor some interesting materials her daughter dropped.

I got solutions to the problems and a thanks from the neighbor because it helped with a problem she was struggling with.

I can live with the dirty looks if it ends a problem from a neighbor. I don't need the love and kisses if they are not good neighbors.

Yep. I got a little vandalism, but it still ended the problems, especially when I arranged things so the next time they tried to vandalise all the got was one big suprise!

Doing right can be tough. But not doing it can be far worse.

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

I am glad that has worked out for you. I have not had the same luck.

Great point - "strength of a community is neighbors watching out for each other"

Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and make a call to the local authorities to have a situation in the neighborhood checked out.

Better to make the call and ensure a controlled and safe environment than have other results.

The police and sheriff departments handle these situations very well. It's usually a big surprise to the homeowners when confronted.

That kid had invited a bunch of kids over for a hugh drug party while his parents were gone. He was extremely involved.

I don't think Section 8 means what you think it means. I think it's a government program to pay rent for poor people. I seriously doubt you could get a $600,000+ house with that. This was a tragedy caused by a teen making a stupid decision to bring a gun to a party, nothing more. Don't make it political. Two families had their lives ruined and forever changed by that decision, I just feel sorry for everyone involved.

Your terminology is incorrect but perhaps you are correct on the concept.

In 1932 the genesis of the preeminent real estate appraisal text originated the term "Colonization". The phenomenon referred to was the influx of a substantial number of common peoples different from the residents of the existing community. Some groups such as the Scandinavians, Northern Europeans and (to some lesser extent) the eastern Europeans were deemed to enhance a community. To this day, the midwest and plain states thrive as a consequence. Other groups (at the time) were deemed to degrade a community. I will allow you to use your own imagination.

Chief Murray is correct. When you have teenagers congregating at 4:00 in morning with drugs, alcohol and firearms you do indeed have a recipe for disaster. But you probably also have an accleration of social Darwinism.

If you had kids you wouldn't live here? Assume you do live here now. 2 questions - where else would you live with kids? Detroit?

And why do you live here now?
meow

Yes I live here. I moved here for the abundant cart path system so I would have a safe place to exercise. I also chose to live here so I would not have to buy a gun to feel safe in my own home. Things change and not for the better. Its too bad this could be a safe place.
I do have a gun in my home now for self defence and I always carry pepper spray and my cell phone when out a the paths.

If I had kids I would not live here. Yes kids drugs and guns are everywhere, but it seems like we have more than our fair share of careless absentee parents. When their kids are caught, the parents usually try to escape responsiblity by saying things like"not my kid he is a christian" or my favorite "if the police were just tougher on the kids in this city this would never happen" Because of the path system here it is easier for the kids to get around and get in trouble and they know that the paths are completely unsupervised and unpatrolled. This is a problem everywhere again it just seems like we have more that our fair share of it here. For a city that prances around as much as this one does for 1 hour on Sun. we have a long way to go.

It was just updated on TV the boy died from the injuries.

Truly a sad situation and my sympathies to the families involved. A lot of questions, second guessing and hurt to work through.

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

Terrible news

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers

A terrible, terrible tragedy that could have happened pretty much anywhere anytime. I feel sorry for the parents of all teenagers involved, especially those of the young man who lost his life.

Reminds me of what my Dad used to say when I asked him to stay out late: "Nothing good happens after 10:00pm!"

My wife used to say similar things to our kids when they were in their teens. But I think she was more liberal and made "midnight" the cut-off point.

Even on the least sympathetic of interpretations of what he was doing out, it is still a horrible tragedy. Tell me that he didn't heed the advice of his own parents. You can even tell me that this young man was involved in things that he should have avoided. Doesn't matter. He *should* have made it to a more reponsible age when he might have seen the light.

Just bad news all around, isn't it?

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"Every time I'm in Georgia I eat a peach for peace."
--Duane Allma