Are you concerned with the development of big box stores in Peachtree City? Do you fear that the added traffic will pose a threat to the safety and welfare of our citizens? Do you wonder what will become of our city's quality of life if these big boxes are thrust upon us? If you are concerned about these issues then you need to be present at the Peachtree City Council meeting Dec. 16 to make your concerns heard.

Though RAM Development, the developer who is trying to force the Home Depot and another big box on our city whether we like it or not, was turned away by the city's Planning Commission Nov. 22, they are now going to appeal directly to our city council at the Dec. 16 meeting. While RAM's attorney threatened to take us to court if we don't give in, our Planning Commission members had the backbone to just say no. Now it is our city council's turn to take a stand.

Both our police and fire chiefs have spoken before council and made it clear that the traffic congestion at Ga. highways 54 and 74 negatively impacts their ability to respond to emergency calls. Clearly the addition of thousands of more cars to the equation will make a bad situation even worse. What we are talking about is a life and death matter; in an emergency seconds count and people could lose their lives just so that we can have a big orange Home Depot in our community.

Our city council members take an oath to protect the safety and welfare of our citizens. They enacted a traffic impact ordinance to deal with situations just like this one. It is clear that the widening of Hwy. 54 will occur no earlier than 2005, and even then it will take several years to complete. No matter what smoke and mirrors are used, nothing can be done to mitigate the impact of the traffic that the big boxes would generate so the only answer is to vote no.

RAM and their attorneys will have us in court in no time flat, and will say that their constitutional rights have been violated. Clearly, the matter will be decided in the courts, and it will cost our city money to defend its position. The safety and welfare of our citizens is worth the expense. The ability to preserve or city's quality of life is worth the expense. The city council is obligated to honor their pledge to our citizens and vote no.

Don't let a profit-hungry developer force the big boxes on our city. This is your chance to stand up and be heard. The safety and welfare of your family and your neighbors' families, and the very future of our city hangs in the balance. Please be sure to attend the city council meeting on Dec. 16 and help us stand up for our rights. Call Mayor Lenox and the city council members and let them know how you feel. Sign one of the petitions that are being circulated against this development. Together, we can keep our city's residents safe and our quality of life intact.

Steve Fodor
Peachtree City

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