PTC Council Member Dismayed By

Mayor and City Attorney Actions

Just so there is no confusion, I have titled this letter myself.

Considerably before my election to the Peachtree City Council in November 1999 and certainly subsequent to having won the election, I have read with great interest the news that affects our daily lives, particularly in the local arena. Almost without fail, I read the letters to the editor in local newspapers because I am intrigued with the opinion, insight and concerns of Peachtree City residents.

Several months ago, I took note that one particular citizen, Mr. Steve Brown of 148 Terrane Ridge in Peachtree City, was published on a relatively regular basis in The Citizen. I had found Mr. Brown's letters to be entertaining, informative, well thought out, and routinely well documented, so I decided to give Mr. Brown a call because I was interested in gaining his support in the upcoming municipal election.

Since that time, I have come to know Steve Brown reasonably well. I have found his high regard for the truth, his energy and enthusiasm, his moral principles and ethical conduct, and his overall character to be refreshingly genuine. I have also found that he has a great passion for what is good for the development of Peachtree City, and I believe he has an enormous desire to raise his family in the environment that currently exists in Peachtree City.

Based on these reasons, I asked Steve to be one of two representatives I was entitled to select on the newly created Peachtree City Board of Ethics, and he heartily and humbly accepted the challenge.

One of the items on the agenda at the City Council meeting on Thursday, March 3, was the appointment of City Attorney, which has been filled by Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey of Peachtree City for most of the past decade.

It is clear from his letters to the editor that Mr. Brown, through significant and time consuming research, believes there is a genuine possibility of a conflict of interest in having Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey represent the city of Peachtree City in its legal matters.

This is neither the time nor the place to discuss in specifics what Mr. Browns's research led him to conclude, but it is quite clear he does not believe the city's best interests will be served by having Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey reappointed city attorney.

At the March 2 council meeting, just after the appointment of city attorney agenda item had been raised, Mr. Rick Lindsey proceeded to make a very lengthy and impassioned speech which, among other things, labeled Mr. Brown's statements in his letters to the editor as libelous and outrageous. I am uncertain as to the precise length of Mr. Lindsey's remarks, but I would guess his speech to have lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, and he essentially concluded his remarks by stating that his law firm had filed a lawsuit for libel against Mr. Brown, The Citizen, and its publisher, Mr. Cal Beverly.

You are now essentially up to speed. But wait 'til you hear the rest of the story....

When Mr. Lindsey concluded his remarks, Mr. Brown raised his hand and asked Mayor Lenox for the opportunity to respond to Mr. Lindsey's comments, since Mr. Brown was in fact named in the suit, and was the primary target of Mr. Lindsey's remarks.

Mayor Lenox crassly and assertively answered “No,” adding shortly thereafter, “This is my meeting.” At that point, in the interest of fairness, I asked the mayor to allow Mr. Brown to be heard, and I proceeded to make a motion to that effect, which the mayor (disingenuously as it turns out) seconded.

However, when the vote was immediately taken as to whether or not Mr. Brown should be heard, not one council member other than myself voted to allow Mr. Brown to speak.

My friends, what we witnessed was not only a gross and sickening travesty of justice, but it was downright frightening. On the one hand, we have the city attorney filing a lawsuit against a citizen of our community for libel, even though the so-called libel took form in letters to the editor of a local newspaper, based upon what I believe were well thought out and well documented opinions.

Then we have the mayor refusing to allow this same citizen, Steve Brown, to be heard in his own defense immediately after Mr. Brown was verbally reprimanded by the city attorney.

I am not sure which issue is more outrageous or more scary, but allow me to address the two points briefly.

As to the city attorney's lawsuit, I have read virtually all of Mr. Brown's letters to the editor since last summer. Not one time did I read a letter which I felt was libelous in any manner, yet there is no question in my mind that Mr. Brown's comments had to have inflicted some embarrassment and uneasiness on Webb and Lindsey.

So what do they do? Rather than contact Mr. Brown or counter each and every letter Mr. Brown wrote to the newspaper with a letter of their own, which they had every right to do, they choose to file a lawsuit against Mr. Brown, The Citizen, and its publisher.

What we are seeing here is Don Coryell football... the best defense is a good offense. What we are seeing here is a deliberate attempt to intimidate Mr. Brown, and others like him, who, when they feel compelled to express their views on news matters publicly, write letters to the editor.

It is a sobering and chilling thought to think one can be subjected to a lawsuit for expressing opinions and concerns [about] public officials in the newspaper. At least, that is what some might want you to fear.

But the last time I checked, this is still America, home of the brave. And the same America that thankfully has a Bill of Rights guaranteeing free speech and freedom of the press. Free, unless you happen to step on the wrong toes, in which case it isn't so free.

Mr. Brown, a great patriot, thinker and communicator, is now faced with a potentially enormous debt just to defend his honor and right to express his views, let alone keep a roof over his children's head.

And I am amazed, perplexed, disappointed and ashamed that Webb and Lindsey have chosen this course of action. I, for one, will be happy to make a contribution to Mr. Brown's legal defense fund, should one be established.

Then there is the matter of Mayor Lenox, the same mayor who told us last fall that if you don't vote, you don't count. Now it seems that if he doesn't want to hear what you have to say, whether you voted or not, you still don't count.

I believe this is disgraceful and unfair, and I told the mayor that in no uncertain terms. Understand, I have to work with Mayor Lenox to insure that all citizens' rights are protected and that we do everything we can to keep Peachtree City the special place it is. So, believe me, I get no satisfaction or glory in having to make these remarks. In fact, making these comments will only make it harder on me.

But I cannot and will not stand by idly when I believe fundamental injustices occur. I simply will not allow these matters to go forward unchallenged.

There has been plenty of hard-fought American blood spilled over the past couple of centuries to insure that each of us retains our precious rights that are granted in the first ten amendments of the Constitution. If you think I am going to let that blood be spilled in vain, you are very sadly mistaken.

This office I hold and political ambition I might have is wholly inconsequential when compared to what is at stake here. And I will gladly defend the honor of anyone whose rights are abused than to go along for the sake of getting along.

If you love Peachtree City, and more importantly if you love America, I implore you to stay as actively involved with your community as you can. Make a difference, get involved, and let your voice be heard. And when you see injustices and unfairness abound, don't just shrug and say “Oh well....”

Because then we will be living in an America that has lost something very central to her long-term viability, and that is the freedom of expression without intimidation, or in the case of Mayor Lenox, freedom of speech, period.

Daniel R. Tennant

Council member

City of Peachtree City

Back to Opinion Home Page | Back to the top of the page