What If.....

You support the City of Peachtree Corners. You believe voting YES is the way to go. But you are really busy and as far as you can tell, it is a “done deal.” You believe “everyone else” will turn out and make up for your absence. Guess again. How will you feel when you wake up on November 9th and learn from the news that the NO folks prevailed. Where will our community go?

Ronald Reagan’s old foes, those “nattering nabobs of negativity” are going to turn out in force. Why? Because they do not want to live in a city. We have heard their statements. “Don’t want to live in a city, doesn’t matter if it is called Norcross or Peachtree Corners.” “I moved here specifically because I wanted to live in a neighborhood without an HOA and outside city limits.” That is why they are fighting so hard. Where is their vision for the future of Peachtree Corners? “I like things just as they are.” Is this what you really want? Do you really believe that nothing will change?

In order to get their way, they are making outrageous claims. “The city is going to issue $1 million in 30 year bonds to build a city hall.” “Once the yes folks get into office, they will add every service possible and raise our taxes. Government always grows exponentially.” “Nobody wants to annex Peachtree Corners.” “Your property values will not increase.” “The YES people are not business friendly. They chased Walmart away.” 

These folks are not bad people, but their vision is not ours. They have no desire to make Peachtree Corners a better place to live, work and play. They do not share Paul Duke’s vision for our community. They just want to be left alone. So they follow the old rule, if you say something loud enough and often people will believe it is true. We know better. And we are better than that!

So what will you see next Wednesday if the city vote fails? Well, the sun will still rise and everything will still look OK. But the changes will be subtle and will occur over time. Annexations will continue. 

Norcross has annexed four properties already. Berkeley Lake will annex the area between North Berkeley Lake, South Old Peachtree and Peachtree Industrial. They have agreements from about 60 percent of the property owners. Based on the 60 percent method, the rest of the properties will be annexed without their agreement. Duluth already has Blue Ridge Industrial Park.

Some may say, so what! This is on the edge of Peachtree Corners. The county will lose the West Georgia Water Park. That park pays storm waters fees to the county. That revenue will be lost. Berkeley Lake is also approaching residential properties along Bush Road. So annexation is real and it is happening now. Annexation will continue until there are just residential islands left. Imagine what this will do to the value of your home. Will the NO proponents step up to stop these annexations?

What will happen to the Peachtree Corners Festival? It was organized completely by volunteers this year. Volunteers who believed in the city and organized it in the hope that the city would take over the Festival in the future. What happens when there is no Peachtree Corners to celebrate? Will the NO proponents take this on?

What about the Peachtree Parkway Improvement Project, affectionately known as PPIP. The state only mows that area twice a year and does not make any improvements, like adding landscaping. This project has been handled by a United Peachtree Corners Civic Association volunteer who goes out and knocks on business doors asking for donations to pay a landscaper who gives us a discounted rate to maintain the area. Will the NO proponents take care of this in the future?

What about the vigilance UPCCA has shown in working with communities and developers to ensure developers can build profitably while at the same time the surrounding community is not negatively impacted. This is almost a full time job, particularly during good economic times. One person has shouldered the majority of this burden. Who will step up to the plate to ensure that smart development continues that benefits Peachtree Corners economically without negatively impacting home values? Will the NO proponents ensure that this occurs?

At one town hall meeting, a young woman stood up and stated that she was “touched” by the volunteers and felt that volunteers should continue doing the jobs that rightfully a city should be handling. Seems she expects others to step up to the job. This individual has never volunteered. Over time, there are fewer and fewer people stepping up to actually do the heavy lifting as volunteers. Will the NO proponents step up to the plate and fill the volunteer gaps?

So when you get up on November 8th and look at your schedule for the day, make an appointment to go to the polls and vote YES! Do you really want to wake up on Wednesday and find that because you did not take the time, you lost the city? Or do want to wake up to a new morning in the City of Peachtree Corners?

Vote YES November 8th.