Editor's note: The following is a message from State Sen. David Shafer written to Peachtree Corners Patch requesting that his email be published. It includes his response to Jeanne Aulbach, a Peachtree Corners citizen who wrote to the Senator expressing her strong opposition to the current legislation introduced by State Rep. Tom Rice that would change the boundaries of Berkeley Lake and Peachtree Corners. Aulbach is a candidate running for one of the Peachtree Corners city council seats.
An "open letter" to Representative Tom Rice and me was this morning posted on your [the Peachtree Corners-Berkley Lake Patch] website by two Peachtree Corners city council candidates. The letter concerns legislation Tom has introduced to stop Berkeley Lake from annexing property that will become part of the Peachtree Corners on July 1 when the new charter takes effect. It is substantially the same as an email message sent to Tom and me yesterday by one of the candidates.
On receiving the email message yesterday, I immediately called the sender, hoping to correct her obvious misunderstanding of the bill. I left a voice mail message with both my home and mobile telephone numbers, but unfortunately, never received a return call. Here is the text of the email message I sent to her in response:
Jeanne, thank you for your email message, but I do not think you fully understand Tom's bill.
You are correct that it does annex commercial property to Berkeley Lake. However, it does two important things that benefit Peachtree Corners:
1. It protects Peachtree Corners from further annexations which theoretically could have continued through July 1.
2. It deannexes parcels from Berkeley Lake which then become part of Peachtree Corners, including businesses, undeveloped commercial property and two large parks.
The bill also spares both cities, and the property owners involved, uncertainty and potential litigation expense.
There were no negotiations, secret or otherwise, because as you point out in your email, the City of Peachtree Corners has not yet come into existence and has no official representatives. Tom and I both consulted with Mike Mason, the Mayor-Designate of Peachtree Corners, and Lois Salter, the Mayor of Berkelely Lake.
I do appreciate your taking the time to share with me your thoughts on the bill. Be assured that I will take them into account.
I also want to thank you for your interest in public service. Campaigns are tough, and serving in public office is even tougher. We need good people who are willing to sacrifice time from their families and jobs and subject their every decision to public criticism.
All my best to you.
David Shafer
I'm curious how many was insistant on this park being part of Peachtree Corners. Based on our limited city, there is no substantial benefit to us (vs BL) controlling that park. Further, this bill was voted on with no word from the opposition; in fact, you were specifically asked to "hold off" until we had a mayor and / or council to take care of this matter. Further, nothing in this bill prevents further annexation attempts; and if anything, this bill passing will result in MORE legal battles (businesses suing for being forced into cities). This bill is a disaster, and your steps towards passing it with little notification have been very shady. Please reconsider your approach, this is NOT the first thing a new city needs to deal with. You've caused rifts in our populace and completely denounced our city charter. Thanks -David Leader
Tom Rice sought opinions from many Peachtree Corners citizens. He did everything in the open and completely above board. He advertised his bill in the Gwinnett Daily Post before introducing it. The bill was posted on the Internet. It was read three times in the House before it was voted on by the full House. The Senate has not yet taken up the bill, but I hope that it will do so soon. The bill will undo Berkeley Lake's annexation of the parks and stop any further annexations. It also resolves any potential or threatened litigation, sparing our new city unnecessary expense.
Bob Martell, I am sorry that my writing is hard for your to understand. The Peachtree Corners charter describes the boundaries of the city not by reference to roads, rivers or other fixed landmarks but to the boundaries of other political subdivisions. As the charter does not become fully effective until July 1, 2012, surrounding cities have been able to annex properties that otherwise would be part of Peachtree Corners when the city comes into existence. Tom's bill fixes the boundaries of Berkeley Lake in a way that effectively prevents further annexations by the city before July 1. David Leader, I have received two dozen or so comments concerning the Berkeley Lake annexations, and that includes the open letter, the email that spawned the open letter and the comments on this blog. A half dozen of those comments were complaints about the park. The bill has not come to a vote in the Senate, and I will take all comments into account before voting. I do believe that the bill is in the best interest of all concerned, and that if it were properly understood, would be widely supported. Chris, I agree with you about Tom Rice. It is not necessary for you to apologize for anyone else's comments. To all, feel free to write me directly anytime at david@votedavid.com. David Shafer
Please do not use the UPCCA logo any longer. It is a registrated service mark with the Georgia Sec of State's office. Registration number S-23074. The registration expires on Oct. 18, 2016. The logo is the official use by UPCCA only. Pat Bruschini, UPCCA President
David Shafer
paper in the county seat