I have frequently written letters to the editor of this newspaper, and I have always tried to base those letters on the facts. They say opinions are like, er, noses — everyone has one, and I have chosen to put mine into print on many occasions.

As Americans we have the hard-earned freedom of free speech, the freedom to speak out against our elected and appointed government officials, supposedly without fear of retribution. Unless it can be shown that your words were libelous or slanderous, there are no legal grounds for stopping you from speaking your mind.

Many of you may have read in this newspaper that longtime city attorney James Webb has filed suit against this newspaper, its editor, and one contributor to the “letters to the editor” section, Steve Brown. I will not get into the details of this suit; you can find that out by looking at recent editions of this newspaper. In my opinion, this suit will not prevail in court, but that is for a judge to decide.

Though I was not named as a party in this suit, I have now been dragged into the fray. I am most certain other citizens who have made their opinions known in the newspaper may also be dragged in as well.

On Saturday morning a process server was at my door, delivering to me a package of legal documents from Mr. Webb's law firm. Included in these documents was a notice that I will be required to give a deposition regarding the suit. I am not sure what Mr. Webb believes I know, but I will be forced to miss time on my job to be interrogated by a member of Mr. Webb's law firm.

The one document delivered by the process server that really infuriates me is one demanding that I produce copies of a laundry list of “documents” pertaining to a long list of issues and individuals. The document list includes over 40 items including my personal e-mails, correspondence, diaries, notes and even transcripts of my telephone conversations — anything at all to do with the issues or persons named in the document.

Sadly, I don't have a diary. My life is not very exciting, and it seems foolish to have a book full of blank pages. I have never kept a “scrap book” either, but if I did, I was ordered to surrender a copy of it. I have no videotapes or audiotapes, no motion pictures or charts. It seems I really don't have much of anything named in the legal demands. If I would have known that these things were so important, I surely would have gone out of my way to better document everything I do each day.

I was asked for copies of the “Brown Letters,” presumably the very letters that have appeared in this newspaper in the past. I never kept copies of any of Steve Brown's letters, but I do have an old copy of the “Scarlet Letter,” but I guess that won't suffice. Perhaps, Mr. Webb, you can purchase back issues of The Citizen which contain those letters, for a small fee.

As a citizen of Peachtree City, I have made many requests of Betsy Tyler, our public information specialist, and Nancy Faulkner, our city clerk. I have asked for all sorts of public information in the past, information which I am entitled to receive. Mr. Webb has included in his demands on me that I surrender copies of any correspondence I have had with Ms. Tyler or Ms. Faulkner.

Let me make this perfectly clear: I have the right to request information from these two city employees, I have the right to review the information I receive, and I have the right to tell anyone who asks about those requests to take a hike. It is my business, Mr. Webb, and will remain as such.

I see this all as an attempt to silence people like myself, people who have vocally criticized our city officials in the press. Bury us under a mountain of legal demands, attempt to force us to give up our private correspondence, make us believe that if we continue to remain vocal our lives will be made difficult. I won't be intimidated, and in fact will work even harder to learn the truth and to share those facts with other citizens of Peachtree City.

I put this question to you, Mr. Webb, do you question the accuracy of anything I have written in the past? If you do, please tell me where I was in error. I believe everything I have written was based in fact.

Several things were named in the legal paperwork that puzzled me. Fantasy Fitness, a topic that I have heard vaguely about, and a topic which dates back to the 1980s (before my time in Peachtree City) is mentioned. Fayette County Superior Court Judge Johnny Caldwell is named as well.

I have heard of the judge, but don't know why he would be mentioned in this request. I would kindly ask that you shed some light on this, Mr. Webb, and explain why a topic from the 1980s and Judge Caldwell are mentioned in the legal demand. How do they relate to the suit you have filed?

Georgia Utilities is mentioned as well. For those of you who don't know, this is the former name of the occasionally leaky, taxpayer-owned, multimillion dollar sewer system in Peachtree City. I was a vocal opponent when we spent millions of taxpayer dollars to buy this system several years ago, but don't see how it is part of the suit Mr. Webb has filed.

Ladies and gentlemen, don't live under the assumption that you have the right to speak your mind or the right to privacy when it comes to your personal correspondence. I am learning that those rights may not exist.

Before you dare to be vocal and have an opinion, before you dare to stand up and ask why, before you dare to believe you have the right to free speech, think twice. You may be forced to answer for it. I wonder, do we live in Peachtree City or are we residents of “Animal Farm”?

I sincerely hope that the court action regarding this law suit will clear the air, and that the facts about all the issues are made public knowledge. Aren't we all just after the truth?

Steve Fodor

Peachtree City

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