Yard sale season is upon us. Everyone loves the opportunity to make some money if they’re holding a sale, or finding a treasure if they are the buyer. But, as a frequent yard sale attendee, I have noticed increasingly people being inconsiderate in the way they park, often times making it difficult for through traffic or for homeowners to exit their own driveways. Many times, I have witnessed a lot of careless driving including speeding, pulling out of a space without looking, not signaling, etc. Have fun at yard sales this summer, but please remember common courtesy and safety.

- - - - - - - - - - -

It’s the little and not so little things that add up: trash on the paths, graffiti on the paths, folks who don’t take down their yard sale signs, cyclists that think they own the roads and paths, teens (and some adults) driving golf carts recklessly, and so on. Come on folks, do your part and let’s keep our city clean and safe.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Whatever happened to “It’s time to make the doughnuts”? It seems that the doughnuts in the Fayetteville chain doughnut shop are being shipped in daily, which for the most part gives the good citizens of this city stale, old cake products. It is a good thing they have their coffee to fall back on. How long before they start to ship that in? If you are going to have doughnuts shipped in, why not get them from that other chain in Riverdale and perhaps you will be lucky enough to catch them in their “Hot to Go” mode? Give us a break and give us fresh doughnuts or let someone else come in who will.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I would like to give a tremendous “thank you” to the woman with a golf cart full of kids last Thursday afternoon. I was walking three miles home from the PTC library and hadn’t realized just how brutally hot it was, even in the shade of the golf cart paths. This angel on a golf cart saw how bad off I was, stopped immediately and offered me a cold bottle of water. Thank you for helping out a severely dehydrated senior and reaffirming my faith in the goodness of my fellow man.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Commissioner Horgan, whether you like it or not, as an elected official, you are a role model to the community, especially the young. You are setting a very bad example, and need to resign before being recalled, which would be an even more embarrassing event for you. Please step down ... now!

- - - - - - - - - - -

Commissioner Horgan has stated that he has not resigned as no “constituents” have asked him to. I am a constituent, and today I asked him to resign. If you are a constituent and have an opinion, email him at [email protected].

- - - - - - - - - - -

Regarding the new traffic light at Jimmie Mayfield and South Jeff Davis: people, you do not stop at the flashing yellow light. It is a caution light and you proceed with caution. You aren’t being courteous by stopping; you’re showing your ignorance of the law and impeding the flow of traffic.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Could someone please explain to me why the speed limit on the “newly-widened-to-four-lanes” Jimmie Mayfield Boulevard is 35 mph and it’s 55 on two-lane South Jeff Davis? Revenue generator, maybe?

- - - - - - - - - - -

Ever since Jimmy Mayfield Boulevard was widened, there are police with radars posted there. Was the reason for this project to ease traffic congestion or to generate more revenue through speeding tickets?

- - - - - - - - - - -

On Saturday night I arrived at Hartsfield International Airport from a foreign country and had to kill time waiting for a ride home. I am a very frequent flyer and usually have things arranged better, but this time I did not, so I stepped into a restaurant and had a glass of beer while waiting. The charge for a small glass of draft beer was $6.23. Even with several thousands of dollars in my pocket, this was a gross insult. I left no tip and I will never step foot inside another retail establishment at Hartsfield International Airport again.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Having just come from PTC City Hall, I cannot believe the flower pots right outside the door at the main entrance are left in the condition they were in. Dead flowers, dry as a bone. Now, tell me, which city employees are in charge of this huge project? Certainly not public works, as we don’t have enough of them to go around already. Certainly not the women who sit in air-conditioned luxury at the front desk waiting for the phone to ring. Of course not the city manager, Bernie McMullen, who probably comes in the back way and hasn’t even been out to that front door. And, finally, alas, I’m sure the mayor, Harold Logsdon, has too much on his plate running for insurance czar, to even notice this eyesore. Such a wonderful first impression anyone gets about this city when they come here on business. I say we delegate: leave the watering can out in the parking lot. Whichever guest visits first each morning will be responsible for watering the flower pots. Or, better yet, let’s just let these pots be put away in some city storage area to be auctioned off to help balance the budget. Such a little thing, such a lasting negative impression. Another fine legacy for Harold and Bernie.

- - - - - - - - - - -

After living in Peachtree City for the last seven years, we are moving out of state. For at least four of the seven years we have lived here I honestly can’t think of a single week when the Peachtree City Post Office didn’t deliver someone else’s mail to our address. I can only hope the mail service is better where we’re going. My biggest regret, however, is that we won’t be able to vote against Boone and Plunkett in the next election.

- - - - - - - - - - -

It seems our road crew has been spending too much time with our pot smoking commissioner. Travel south bound on Jimmie Mayfield and cross over the Hwy. 92-Helen Sams intersection and you will see the first sign on the right says, “Left lane ends.” But then the next sign says, “Lane ends merge left.” Okay, how do I merge left into a lane that ends? And then the next sign shows the right lane merging into the non-existing left lane, because, remember, the left lane ends. Note to all citizens: when your wreck happens due to misleading traffic signs, sue the city and road crew for the entire bill.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Thank you, Debbie Pitts, for your intelligent and well-researched letter supporting President Obama, published in the June 24 issue of The Citizen. I was in the process of composing a similar letter, but Ms. Pitts has said it all better than I could do it myself. Another thank you to Kevin King, for his sharp response to another Obama detractor. I believe we must support this President in his effort to put the country back on track after eight disastrous years that led us to the brink of disaster.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Why does the mulch pile on Log House Road keep growing? We all love Peachtree City and our community and its beauty. It is appalling that the city would be allowed to use a busy road, in front of a public park that is well used to drop huge piles of mulch. Is there not a more discreet area, like the dirt pile, close by to hide it? I drive out of my subdivision (Rockspray) and see this eyesore and know that I follow code and permit rules to keep my neighborhood looking nice, and this pile is allowed. Everyone is complaining about the new landscapers but the city is allowed to do this. A tractor-trailer dumped the last load a couple days before a weekend-long baseball tournament was held at the fields that are hidden behind the pile. Guess it is OK because they have placed a “Greenbelt — No dumping” sign.

- - - - - - - - - - -

At the corner of Hwy. 314 and Longview Road there is a used car lot. They seem never to sell a car but they sure have a lot of visitors. Is there something else for sale here? They park dangerously in the street, which one day is going to cause a serious accident. At least something needs to be done about the dangerous parking and all of the unsightly cars in this location. Is it in fact an used car lot or a junk yard? Now to the city. Mr Jordan, I know the old saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” However, I do not believe it is always true. Sometimes junk is just that, junk, and needs to be disposed of. Your service is much appreciated, but things are literally beginning to pile up. I know you have been ill and away from your business for awhile but it is time to clean up. At 1510 Hwy. 85, several businesses are located, however, it is difficult to determine what some of the businesses are. Are they selling cars and campers, storing them or is it just a junk yard for the same? It looks like the latter. Clean it up so that people will know at least what you are doing. The city and county officials need to take action on cleaning up these areas before they get really out of hand.

- - - - - - - - - - -

From TDK to Callula Hills the past few years have shown us the taxpayers and citizens the true colors of the current administration governing Peachtree City. Their actions remind me of a quote. “Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.” Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary,” 1911.

- - - - - - - - - - -

You just don’t get it. When someone who deals with the public replies with a “no problem” to a customer “thank you,” it tells the customer that it’s not about them but it is all about you. While this may an appropriate, but insensitive, response to a multi-tasking, questionable priorities boss, it is not an appropriate response when dealing with the public. Get it? When I am spending my money in a store or restaurant, I want to hear “thank you” instead of “no problem.” You see, I hope I am not a problem to you, since it is my money that pays your rent, buys your gas, feeds you and keeps your employer in business. A “thank you, please come back to see us” or a simple “you are welcome” would suffice. But, then again, that would not be about you, and it’s all about you. One won’t hear “no problem” from a Publix, Chick-fil-A or In and Out Burger employee. They have been trained. Don’t you get it? It’s not about you.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I’ve noticed lately a number of comments on tipping, which has commonly come to mean leaving a monetary gift for a waitress or waiter at a food establishment or restaurant. So, I got out my trusty dictionary, an old Thorndike-Barnhart Comprehensive Desk Dictionary from the 1950s and 1960s for a definition of “tip.” Tip: a small amount of money, a piece of secret information and a useful suggestion. But, to be fair, I consulted Wikipedia for the under 30 crowd. Tip: “A tip (also called a gratuity) is a payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction. The amount of a tip is typically calculated as a percentage of the transaction value before applicable taxes. Such payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Though by definition a tip is never legally required, and its amount is at the discretion of the patron being served, in some circumstances failing to give an adequate tip when one is expected may be considered very miserly, a violation of etiquette, or unethical. In some other cultures or situations, giving a tip is not expected and offering one would be considered condescending or demeaning.” Quite a difference in scope, huh? Payment to certain service sector workers, a small amount of money, matter of social custom, a tip is never legally required, violation of etiquette, or unethical. Just words. But some wait staff workers only think tipping should be for their services. Can you say stimulus? Service sector workers serve the public in a vast realm of areas. I got to thinking, who doesn’t get tips or gratuities for serving the public. Not to be gender specific here, but the garbage man, paper carriers, lawn service workers, postman, mechanics, fireman, policemen, and doctors. I’m sure most of them are well-compensated for their services. Well, maybe doctors is stretching it a little bit. Anyway, when was the last time you tipped the person taking your order for a Big Mac? The list could go on indefinitely because this is their profession, if only for a short time. But, they serve the public sector in some capacity and maybe some do receive an occasional tip. However, some people just like to tip. Makes them feel good. Some even tip their hairdressers even though they pay big bucks for their “do.” My point is restaurant wait staff should lighten up and do the best job they can. Most of you are not going to be professional waiters and waitresses for your entire life. Those that are professionals do make the big bucks but they have paid their dues. Maybe the owners or managers of restaurants and eating establishments should pay decent wages to their employees based on experience and job performance, etc., rather than hire some budding adolescent a step up from fast food. All in all, they shouldn’t expect their wait staff to depend solely on tips to live on.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Here we go with the “not tipping enough” issue again, but this time, the “little snot-nosed” waiter/waitress is telling us to stay home if we can’t tip “properly.” I’m sorry, but I guess I missed the news report where the tip rate went from 15 to 20 percent. Maybe the reason you didn’t get enough was because 1) I didn’t see you again after you took my order until I asked for my check. Someone else brought out the food. Or 2) I received one too many “no problems” instead of “you’re welcome.” If everyone took your advice and stayed home, you wouldn’t even receive that measly 15 percent you’re whining about. You knew what the job paid when you took it and the risks involved concerning tips, so you need to take the consequences as well.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I think the person complaining about the “no problem” issue is taking things much too seriously. I don’t think true Southerners have an issue with this phrase. It simply means that it was no problem for them to grant your request or that they didn’t have a problem doing it for you. It is not a bad thing, y’all!

- - - - - - - - - - -

In response to the “Unappreciated Server” who so kindly informed us that this is 2009, not 1970, and the “going rate” for tipping is 20 percent, please be advised that MY going rate for tipping is commensurate with the quality of service I receive. Excellent service receives 20 percent; lower quality service results in lower tips. This is what is known as “appropriate tipping.” I would suggest to the frustrated server that he/she concentrate on providing excellent service and the tips will take care of themselves. And you really don’t want us to dine at home if we don’t adhere to your “guidelines.” The restaurant would close, you would be out of a job and you would receive ZERO tips. You need a good reality check. In these hard times, thank your lucky stars for having a job at all. Quit griping and grow up.

- - - - - - - - - - -

To the person who wrote American’s favorite pastime telling people to dine at home if they are not going to tip appropriately: I tip according to the performance of the server. Keep my glass filled, bring extra napkins and DON’T bring the check to the table before I am finished with my meal, try being friendly, tell them they have cute kids, then you will get your 20 percent-plus. As with most jobs, you get rewarded with performance. Maybe you are not doing your part.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I sat at the stop sign on Beauregard and Hwy. 85 just before the square when I heard the crunching of metal. I turned to see that there was an accident involving two cars in the northbound lanes. There were several cars in the line of traffic ahead of it and behind it. As smoke rose out of the second vehicle, the cars behind the accident moved around it in the turning lane and sped off. I could not believe it. Not one car stopped. As I pulled into turning lane, a young teenage girl climbed out of the driver’s seat, tears streaming down her face and what appeared to be blood on her neck. Both airbags had exploded. The driver of the other vehicle was standing on the sidewalk on her cell phone, showing no concern for this young girl. I stopped and put the girl in my car. She was visibly shaken, obviously hurt and not sure what she should do. I called 911. I took her cell phone, called her mother to tell her of the accident and to reassure her that her daughter was OK. I told her I would stay with her until she got to the scene. After being checked out by the paramedics, the young girl was okay. She had minor injuries from the airbag and seat belt. All I could think of was what if this had been one of my daughters? My 16-year-old will get her license in July. God forbid she gets in an accident; will no one stop to help her? Will no one call me to reassure me she’s okay? So I say to all of you that drove past this accident and did not stop, shame on you! I want to reassure you that I will stop for you, for your kids, for your grandchildren, and for anyone else who is need of assistance. To those of you who do stop, I say thank you. I believe in the saying, “What goes around comes around.”

- - - - - - - - - - -

Taxes rising, government increasing — subjects even our local bloggers are concerned about. I think we are done; it is too late. We are inundated by pork even here in Georgia. Senator Saxby Chambliss is a huge porker bringing in millions for mega agribusinesses in South Georgia. We Americans love the pork cycle. We in Fayette County send huge amounts of money to Washington and then Washington gives us money back so the city of Fayetteville can buy flowers, bricks and benches. Oh, and the benches will pave the way for MARTA. Why the heck else would you have park benches facing Ga. Highway 54? Look at the pork we throw at Amtrak. Most of Amtrak has NEVER broken even. Chicago and the Northeast are the exception. Why not just close the rest? Take for example the route between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Roundtrip by amtrak is $225 with 18 hours of time and Delta is $179 roundtrip with about five hours of time. Why are we subsidizing it? Proponents of Amtrak say its because (1) it’s green and (2) because of the demands for holidays like Thanksgiving so people can visit families because airlines fill up. Well, why not let those riders pay the real cost of train travel (if they did not think ahead and get plane tickets) rather than force me to subsidize it? Instead even us “Republican” Fayette Countians play the pork game just like every other community in America.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I can’t understand why illegal immigration is most important to some people. What is wrong with legal immigration? Instead talking about legalizing all the illegal people in this country, why does the Immigration and Naturalization Department not expedite all the petitions for relatives of legal citizens? This is one of the benefits granted to people that obey all the laws of this country. When a legal citizen files a petition for a family member, he or she has to pay a fee of $355 and wait for a long time to know if it is approved or not.