ISSUES

James leads the fight against data centers in Fayette County. In his bid for Fayette County Board of Commissioners, James Clifton strongly opposes the proliferation of data centers, aiming to protect residential areas from environmental, aesthetic, and financial harm, as evidenced by recent community victories. Clifton recently uncovered Peachtree City’s plan to build a data center on Lake Macintosh through the annexation of 1,100 additional acres into the city. Additionally, James has raised community awareness regarding a second planned data center in Fayetteville. Thanks to his efforts, the Fayetteville Planning Commission denied a proposed data center in January 2026 amid opposition from over 100 residents, who voiced concerns about public safety, noise, deforestation, and potential property value drops of 5-15% near existing facilities like QTS. Activists have urged state lawmakers to address these community issues, emphasizing how massive poles and clear-cutting disrupt scenic neighborhoods. This aligns with Clifton's call for a moratorium to prioritize citizens over industrial interests that strain local resources while offering minimal benefits, including the impact on property taxes.

 James is actively opposing the Crosstown/TDK extension by uncovering and publicizing evidence of the city's annexation plans tied to the extension, emailing council members to demand transparency on road expansions, and circulating educational primers on annexation laws to rally community opposition and pressure officials to halt the project before it advances.   

The proposed Crosstown/TDK extension in Peachtree City, Georgia, aimed at connecting to Coweta County and potentially facilitating large-scale developments like a data center, would exacerbate traffic congestion at the already hazardous intersection of Highway 74 and TDK/Crosstown, funneling heavy commercial vehicles past Oak Grove Elementary School and increasing risks to children, pedestrians, and local drivers through higher accident rates, noise pollution, and air quality degradation. This influx of traffic would ripple through Peachtree City's residential subdivisions, disrupting the community's golf cart-friendly, low-density lifestyle by straining infrastructure, diminishing property values in quiet neighborhoods, and overburdening local resources without commensurate benefits, as the extension would primarily serve external industrial interests rather than local needs.

 Spearheading efforts to enhance government transparency in local governance by exposing hidden government retreats and advocating for unrestricted public participation in council meetings, James firmly believes all government meetings should be open and transparent. He also maintains a public Facebook page to welcome comments, contrasting with opponents, and has publicly responded to criticisms by outlining commitments to transparency alongside issues like housing, traffic, taxes, and zoning, positioning himself as a champion for fair representation and reducing special interest influence in City Hall.

As a dedicated advocate for preserving Fayette County's suburban charm, James Clifton pledges to oppose new apartment developments and high-density housing proposals during the local elections for the Board of Commissioners. He aims to build on the county's history of prioritizing single-family homes to maintain community character and prevent infrastructure overload, which are key community issues. The construction of hundreds of apartments in the area has raised alarms about straining top-ranked schools, overburdening class sizes, and increasing property taxes. James leads the fight against Fayetteville's apartment expansion and stands in solidarity with residents packed in city council meetings to oppose these development projects. Clifton's vision of reinstating strict land use plans to curb multifamily housing is a crucial step toward preserving Fayette County’s suburban character while ensuring public safety.

James Clifton emphatically rejects MARTA expansion into Fayette County to prevent crime intrusion and safeguard local autonomy, while also addressing community issues and avoiding the push for urbanization. This stance echoes the county's longstanding resistance since the 1970s. Allowing public transportation in Fayette County imports urban problems and significantly increases property taxes for local taxpayers. Clifton’s fight against MARTA and public transportation aligns with suburban voters' desires during local elections for solutions that prioritize public safety and community preservation over regional entanglements that increase density and conflict with essential priorities like fiscal responsibility.

James Clifton's campaign for Commissioner addresses key community issues by focusing on halting urbanization to preserve Fayette County's rural and suburban essence. He supports low-density zoning, limiting new residential development to one unit per two to five acres for the conservation of greenspace. Clifton aims to combat sprawl and redundant commercial strip malls while ensuring separation between municipalities. These strategies are part of his commitment to enhancing public safety and maintaining the non-urban appeal that attracts families to Fayette County, especially during local elections, where property taxes and community well-being are significant concerns.

Championing fiscal conservatism, James Clifton is committed to addressing community issues in Fayette County by reducing budgets and cutting property taxes as a County Commissioner. As municipal budgets continue to expand while services delivered to citizens falter, Clifton advocates for the elimination of property taxes on homeowners, utilizing the additional tax dollars generated by the already existing QTS data centers. Furthermore, James Clifton supports reduced budgets to curtail reckless spending.

As a proponent of strong public safety, James Clifton pledges unwavering support for law enforcement, Sheriff Barry Babb, and our municipal police departments in Fayette County. From 2021 to 2023, Peachtree City’s violent crime rate increased by 50%. Those victims and their families now feel unsafe in our community, highlighting significant community issues. Criminals from surrounding counties continue to target our businesses and citizens. James commits to steadfast support of law enforcement and proactive policing to reduce the crime rate, stop criminals in their tracks, and ensure that property taxes are used effectively to enhance public safety.

James Clifton's vision for Fayette County focuses on addressing community issues by sustaining top-ranked schools. He aims to limit density to prevent overburdening our educational system and to ensure that teachers and administrators have the necessary resources to positively impact students. Although all five high schools in Fayette County currently rank in the top 17% nationally, James has raised awareness about the concerning low reading and math proficiency rates in some of these schools. In the past, Fayette County’s schools ranked among the top 5%, and Clifton is committed to restoring that esteemed position. He also advocates for supporting families seeking resources for children with IEPs and special needs, emphasizing the importance of public safety and quality education in local elections, along with the need for responsible property taxes.

Addressing community issues and voter frustrations with congestion in Fayette County, James Clifton promises to fix traffic problems as Commissioner. He aims to achieve this through cooperation between our cities and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to implement real, tangible, and long-lasting solutions. A primary concern for traffic improvement is the 54/74 intersection. GDOT is currently engaged in a $20 million project for this intersection, yet the lead engineer indicates it will not significantly reduce traffic on Highway 54. James Clifton will focus on effective solutions that truly make a difference rather than relying on costly band-aids, ensuring that property taxes are utilized wisely and public safety is prioritized during local elections.

James Clifton's campaign focuses on addressing community issues by enhancing recreation responsibly in Fayette County. It is crucial to prioritize green spaces and nature areas over urban sprawl and industrial data centers. Providing residents with access to athletic and leisure opportunities is vital for healthy living and aligns with James's mission to reverse unhealthy lifestyles. The recreation budget for Fayette County should concentrate on maintaining existing amenities that attract high participation rates and ensuring bathroom access at all facilities. These initiatives are part of Clifton's commitment to boost quality of life without increasing property taxes. James Clifton's campaign is dedicated to enhancing recreation responsibly while also considering fiscal responsibility.

Fayette County faces pressing community issues that require the enforcement of strict immigration policies. James Clifton will collaborate with ICE to ensure the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants. He is committed to preventing Fayette County from adopting sanctuary status, prioritizing public safety to safeguard residents and reduce the risk of future tragedies during the local elections. Additionally, addressing property taxes will be essential to support these initiatives.