I am writing this and sending it into the newspaper before Tuesday, Nov. 8, so I don’t know at this point how the municipal elections are going to turn out. I’d like to say some things to the candidates and their supporters, mainly addressed to those who have done this for the first time.

I have been a candidate three times, and I’ve been a “staff” or volunteer numerous times.

I think that a campaign is one of the greatest things that an American can do and one of the most rewarding. I have said many times that everybody ought to do it at least once, just to see what it’s like and what politics and our system of government is based on.

The opportunities to meet people and to hear their opinions are almost unduplicatable in any other activity.

So, if you win or lose, don’t quit the process and do encourage others to share in the process.

Since I’ve been engaged with many groups and many issues over the 18 years I have been here, I have had the opportunity to listen to, talk with and work with a very large variety of people (what a great thing for me!).

There are people I’ve opposed and people I’ve supported, people I’ve agreed with and people I’ve disagreed with. We’ve argued, discussed, worked and planned. Some I have personally gotten along with and others I have not. These would be the typical personality clashes we all have.

With everyone I’ve personally worked with, I’ve been honest and given them my opinion. This applies to those who have been my opponents in elections. I’ve had some opponents who did not take this approach but we don’t have to “go down to meet them,” do we?

Sometimes my opinion is expressed forcefully. I do not, however, personalize the discussion with them and say something like, “I like or don’t like you so I like or don’t like your ideas.” It also goes the other way; it is not because I like or dislike their ideas that I like or dislike people.

And, often, an opponent in the past becomes an ally on a present or future issue. This is one big reason why responsible people do not burn their bridges, tear them down and then burn them some more; you know what I mean?

So, if you think that I have written or said something about one or more of the candidates because I hate them, you are wrong. I don’t hate any of the candidates or elected officials past or present.

It may be a disappointment to some but I don’t hate Steve Brown. I hardly know him as a person. It’s possible that he may be a terrific husband and father and he may be a good friend to someone. I don’t know. I do know this: he has not been a good mayor for the past four years.

He may have done some good things. The “Community Fix Up Day” comes to mind. But he could have just as well done the same thing as a private citizen. He did not need to be mayor to do it. I think we need to have a mayor who is going to be the mayor of Peachtree City.

My personal beliefs tell me not to hate anyone. I am a human, however, and have to fight the impulse. But I do know it’s wrong.

There is, at least, one person out there who finds my religious beliefs amusing. I don’t remember the guy’s name but he said that I said that, “I was on a mission from God,” and that I should not be allowed near any sharp objects, or something like that.

Well, my beliefs tell me that we are all on missions from God. That includes those who know they are and those who don’t. God will ask us each to explain how we did on our individual missions. I want to be able to say that I did my best.

I hope all of you who participated in the election gave it your best and feel that you gave it your best and I hope that you enjoyed the process.

Peter Pfeifer
Fayette County Commissioner, Post 3
Peachtree City, Ga.

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