The Issues
The biggest issues facing Peachtree City are Traffic, jobs, failure to plan, and complacency.
Traffic We all see the traffic that clogs our main roads not only during “rush hour” but now all parts of the day including weekends. Part of that is our fault, but the rest is due to growth all around us. We need to stop blaming GDOT and start work on not only fixing today’s traffic but planning for tomorrow’s traffic. We need a plan that deals with traffic congestion that is based upon engineering, not speculation. Once we have a plan in place that traffic professionals can justify and that is beneficial to Peachtree City, we can then go to GDOT and ask for assistance in making the improvements. I would work with GDOT to make improvements that are in the City’s transportation plan and within the constraints of the State’s funding. But I will expect a timetable for measurable results not a promise of a plan on another corridor study. Jobs A good job is any job a person wants. Since there are so many stages in a person’s life, we need a variety of jobs. There are low paying jobs offer training and opportunity for advancement, which would make it a good job for a young, unskilled worker or a person choosing between career paths (i.e., an intern at a veterinary clinic or an apprentice to an electrician.) Alternatively, there are high paying jobs that deprive someone of their quality of life. As Mayor, I would want to attract companies that offer opportunities to our citizens that attract people with a high work ethic and desire to prosper. Failure to Plan We don’t have a plan to deal with our own failure to manage our own growth, but also, we failed to foresee and then have failed to address the growth of our neighbors. We need to stop thinking of our plan as a document and start seeing it as a living breathing part of our existence. The prism by which I make decisions will be simple and transparent. What is the plan? How does it fit within our city’s plan? What is the benefit/ impact to Peachtree City? My biggest issue with the current City leadership is that we are a planned community with an expired plan. As Mayor, I would work with City staff, professional traffic consultants, GDOT, and the ARC to develop a plan that will account for the rapid growth surrounding our City. We will need to look at the County’s long term plan and zoning, as well as that of Coweta, Tyrone and Fayetteville to assist in creating our plan. We must deal with the traffic congestion and development on the west side of Lake McIntosh, and we need a plan for that. We all enjoy and love our bubble, it is an amazing place to live. However, what has made us special in the past may not be the path to an awesome future. We need to think big again. I am a person of conviction who has often posted on public forums. I am known to have my opinions. However, it is important to remember that the members of the council were elected to represent the citizens of the City as well. Therefore, I believe that the proper role of the Mayor will be to be a leader in identifying issues within the City and being helpful in bringing the Council to a consensus as to the best solution for the issue. There will be times that I may not agree with the decision of the majority of the Council. But sometimes, disagreement can yield a better solution. I just want to see the City address problems in a thoughtful and productive way no matter where the answer came from. But the time for talk is short and the need for action is immediate. I am a business person and I expect to people in those positions to act like professionals and be civil to each other. That shouldn’t be an accomplishment, that is a minimal expectation which is not a high hurdle. What is most important to me is that we together make progress on the issues facing our city. To me, however, progress means less talking and more doing. Tax Incentives The granting of tax incentives would have to be on a case by case basis. If the long term benefits outweigh the short term tax incentives, I could support granting tax incentives. However, tax incentives could only be granted to those entities with a proven track record and longevity. Before making decisions on incentives and re-zonings, I believe it is imperative we get feedback from all stakeholders including the County Commission and the Fayette County Board of Education to make sure any decision does not have unintended or undisclosed consequences. Complacency I would ask that these bodies do the same for us. We need to stop point fingers of blame and start linking arms to gaining progress for all. To attract jobs, we need to make sure that the City’s traffic problems are addressed and that the amenities and recreation activities are desirable to the businesses we are trying to attract. By making our City more desirable on these basic levels, we will not only attract new businesses, but we will also be better serving our citizens and existing businesses. We must also ensure that our City staff is professional and properly trained. We do this through proper compensation and providing continuing education. The current City staff has been fair with me and professional. I want to ensure that we maintain this level of service. In certain instances, a bird in the hand is the most prudent course. A city must have a long term plan that is well conceived and designed. When Peachtree City was formed, our founders did an excellent job of planning the City and building the villages. However, Fayette County and Coweta County have seen growth that would have been hard to envision so many years ago. We must create a current plan that addresses today’s and tomorrow’s traffic patterns, growth around the City. My family and I call Peachtree City home. My wife is a school teacher in Peachtree City Elementary, my children are growing up here and calling this home, my land investments are here and my business is here. Peachtree City is not only my home, but my family’s future. I want to see Peachtree City stand out and continue to be a wonderful place to raise a family and call home. My interests are the same as countless others in our City. I am fortunate enough to have a wife supporting me and a successful business that allows me to devote the time necessary to make the City a better place to live. |