A city attorney is paid to represent the interests of our city. Whether it is to do battle to defend our ordinances, or to provide legal opinions to our city council that will affect how they vote on an issue, the city attorney is often our front line of defense against those who may be more interested in their profits than in what is best for the citizens.

Currently, the law firm of Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey represents Peachtree City. They have been in this role for a number of years, and it appears that the city council is set to reappoint them to this role in their meeting Jan. 20. Considering the importance of the role of the city attorney, and considering the high cost of fees that the city must pay, I believe that council may be acting a bit hastily.

Bids for the city attorney were put out late last year, but due to an error on the part of city staff the bid process was flawed. Councilman Bob Brooks moved to reopen the process and this new bid period just closed on Jan. 14.

Oddly, even though Councilman Brooks wanted the bid process redone because of his fears of possible problems, he has now acted to push to have this item on the agenda just six days after the bidding process closed. How can the city staff be expected to have time to review all of the bids to determine their choices for this important position in just six short days? One also must wonder how much time that leaves our city council members to review the data and make an informed decision as well?

It appears that the council will act to reappoint the Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey firm. I am troubled by several questions regarding Mr. James Webb's ties to the new Bank of Georgia which is set to open on Ga. Highway 54 just outside of the city limits.

I received a copy of this bank's state application and found that Mr. Webb is on the board of the bank along with two prominent figures in development, Mr. Steve Black of PCDC (now Pathways Communities) and Mr. Michael Rossetti of Ravin Homes.

Pathways Communities has filed suit against the city's traffic ordinance, and now we will need Mr. Webb to defend the city against this action while sitting on the board of the bank with a principal of Pathways.

Doesn't this seem to beg the question, how can you be a partner with an individual on one hand, and the attorney who will fight him on another?

I strongly urge council to take the time necessary to make the right choice. There is no need to rush forward to a decision (such as that done with the Home Depot development). Make sure all of the questions are answered before making a decision in this matter.

Steve Fodor
Peachtree City

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