This column will expand upon The Citizen, Sept. 13 article. As well it will cover a proposal for dealing with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).

I will also be working on a more extended informational report to place on my web space on the Peachtree City website.

Sept. 24 I attended the Transportation Investment Act (HB277) Seminar at Lake Lanier with Tyrone Mayor Don Rehwaldt. It reaffirmed my first column, what I heard at the GDOT meeting earlier and our shared opposition to this bill. There is nothing positive for us in this plan. Read More»

The following is a brief update on the current status of the TSPLOST per information coming from the Transit Day meeting I attended at GDOT headquarters in Atlanta. A poll of 400 voters was taken in the District giving the following results:

• Fulton and DeKalb supported the bill 63 to 32 percent.

• Clayton, Cobb and Gwinnett were almost 50/50.

• Fayette, Douglas, Henry, Cherokee and Rockdale opposed 55 to 40 percent.

• The combined vote was 53 percent in favor.

• No county supported building more roads. Read More»

As stated in The Citizen, the budget workshops have been challenging.

At the July 8 budget workshop one big question was the millage rate. We are looking at a 1.25 or 0.5 increase. I do not know where everyone stands except for a solid two [votes] for a 0.5 mill increase and one [vote] for 1.25.

I do know the staff proposal has five consecutive years of tax increases and that a council member who opposed any tax increase proposed the 1.25. Read More»

After reading the articles on Council’s recent meeting and workshop, you can see we have been busy but not without controversy.

Council agreed 5-0 to increasing grass cutting on secondary roads from every 10 weeks to every month. We also added 73 previously uncut areas.

Councilman Imker’s proposals for a 1 percent pay cut, reducing retirement benefits and mandatory furloughs were rejected 4-1.

After two of us voting to eliminate 27 jobs, cut benefits, increase contribution requirements and freezing wages last year, the lack of stomach comment by Councilman Imker was unjustified. Read More»

The Big Debate, the budget, began June 1 with our first Budget Workshop. I cannot comment on the workshop itself due to the deadline for submitting this column being earlier. I can say while no one on City Council wants to use a penny of reserve, do a property tax increase or cut services, none of these items can be removed as possible necessities to balancing the budget.

This being my third set of budget workshops and having seen two surveys and heard three years of public input via emails, conversations and two election cycles, for me the public sentiment has been consistent and clear. Read More»

To say the least, last week was eventful.

There was the Sany development meeting with DAPC. I voiced some expectations to be addressed before coming before the City Council, which seemed well received by the Sany officials in attendance.

I expect the areas still needing work or just clarification will be handled in additional meetings between DAPC and Sany. Read More»

I would like to thank The Citizen for giving me both Columnist and Blogger space and Betsy Tyler space as well. Read More»

An update on the Update. Regarding my “From the Mayor,” it is always over a month old by the time it reaches Peachtree City homes. That is not timely and often more information or changes have occurred since it was submitted. Therefore as long as The Citizen allows me a column I will be using this communications avenue instead.

Concerning a new SPLOST, last week the Association of Fayette County Governments (AFCG) met. The issue was discussed and the majority present did not want to move forward on another at this time. Read More»

The City Council is moving forward on a number of fronts to resolve a variety of needs and concerns facing Peachtree City. A lot of issues have been ignored and postponed that can no longer be neglected.

Until Councilman Doug Sturbaum and I began addressing the issues of funding in recreation about a million dollars of taxpayer funds were being spent each year that should not have been spent. The tennis center operations have been moved from the red to the black and The Fred should progress to about break-even this year. Read More»