On Tuesday March 6, the voters of Peachtree Corners will go to the polls to elect their first city council. The field is diverse. A couple candidates seem to view a position on the council as a first step on their checklist to higher office. One or two seem more focused on resolving their own personal issues with zoning or code violations. Many are connected to the UPCCA and achieving what they were not able to achieve with volunteers through government dictate instead. Some talk a lot and we are not sure what they mean. But many seem genuine, un-political folks who really want what is best for the new city.
Where does the Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee stand in all this? We are committed to being a watchdog group. We want to make certain that the mayor and city council follow through on all the promises made during the campaign for cityhood. We want to see the promise of the Charter fulfilled – 3 services, limited government, minimal taxes, open and transparent. And above all, we want the city protected from special interest and “I know what’s best for you” politicians that usually run away with our various other governments.
You see, the Peachtree Corners Charter is protected from change, expansion, added taxes by the need to go to the voters in a city wide referendum. We saw last week that quiet action by a politician or two and the Georgia State House can circumvent the Charter, dismissing our right to a vote. The PCBC is committed to drawing attention to those that threaten the integrity of the Charter. We will use all our tools – our writing, emailing, cartooning, blogging, Facebooking, calling, etc. to get voters and political leaders to take notice. We are not afraid to employ a little snark and sarcasm as well if it helps get voters and council persons to pay attention to the implications of their actions.
So far, we have gotten most candidates to answer a slate of questions on the issues and posted those, unedited to our website. We have engaged the candidates in a Facebook debate focused on several topics including:
- Should Peachtree Corners build a multi-million dollar city hall?
- As a city councilperson, will you commit to only put referenda that expand city services or increase taxes on major election ballots: i.e. presidential and mid-term November election dates only?
- Would you support a mandate that all actions relative to the formation of rules, regulations and other be reviewed by the citizens of Peachtree Corners for a period of no less than 30 days for comments before a definitive vote is taken by the council?
- What are your comments on the secretive land swap that just occurred between Berkley Lake and Peachtree Corners?
Many candidates engaged and provided thoughtful answers. Some we agreed with and some we challenged further. Some candidates have decided not to participate. They have ignored emails inviting them to engage and dismissed personal invitations to join in. Visit our website and our Facebook page. Read what those who want to reach the 43% who are skeptical about what this new city will bring and discern who thinks that group is not worth their time.
The Peachtree Corners Ballot Committee will not endorse specific candidates due to our status as a ballot committee. We have challenged the candidates on the issues important to our small government, fiscally conservative, skeptical of the new city constituency. Based on who participated in that dialogue and how they answered the questions presented, we believe voters can get a good feel for who will be focused on preserving the right to referendum and the small government, low tax promises the Charter attempts to ensure.
Vote on March 6!
Visit us at www.peachtreecornersfacts.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peachtree-Corners-Ballot-Committee/228248203913501
