The Citizen regrets that Peachtree City's City Attorney Jim Webb and his law firm of Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey have chosen to file a lawsuit alleging libel against this newspaper, against its publisher and — most deplorably — against a private citizen who cares about his community and wrote letters to the editor.

The action arises from a private individual writing letters to his local newspaper questioning public officials' public actions. The story is on Page 1A. The law firm's charges are contained in a statement by Webb's law partner on Page 10A.

We believe the lawsuit by Jim Webb and his law firm is baseless and without merit. Further, we believe their action is an attack on not only this newspaper's fundamental First Amendment rights, but on the very right of private individuals to comment on matters involving their government.

We believe that this powerful and well-connected law firm is trying to shut off the voice of dissent and debate in this community. The letter writer being sued — by a law firm, no less — has no powerful connections nor the deep pockets of a corporation of lawyers. His access to public debate is through the pages of his local newspaper.

His other access — at a public meeting last Thursday of the city council — was gavelled down by Mayor Bob Lenox and three of the other four council members — Bob Brooks, Annie McMenamin and Carol Fritz. Councilman Dan Tennant objected (See his letter following.)

The letter writer had just been verbally attacked in a public forum by City Attorney Rick Lindsey, but the council by a 4-1 vote denied the private individual the right to respond to the very public attack by a public official.

Mayor Lenox said of the ruling, “This is my meeting, and I'll run it the way I want to.”

This is a grievous wrong done by the Peachtree City Council: To throw the power of government behind a powerful law firm in order to shut somebody up.

Legitimate public scrutiny and legitimate public criticism concerning public officials is important to the citizens of Peachtree City and is a hallmark of a free people. We passionately believe that a free press is a necessity to a free community.

You may be assured that we will continue to offer a forum for all sides to present comment and opinion in our letters to the editor section.

Therefore, we will take the appropriate legal action to vigorously defend — not just our rights — but most especially the rights of private citizens to speak out in our letters to the editor forum on matters of public interest without fear of retribution or retaliation by powerful, monied interests.

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