Standing Up When You're Expected To Sit

Have you sat back recently and wondered what the heck is going on in City Hall? I sure have and it sure isn't pretty. But sometimes if you want things to be pretty, you have to go through that awkward stage where things are just a tad ugly. Harris Teeter was an eyesore a couple of months ago, but now I can hardly wait to use my VIP card.

Welcome to my world. As Peachtree City's newest council member, it would have been real easy to take the first year or two of my term and just sit and watch. But that's not my style. I won 100 percent of the precincts on Nov. 2, 1999, by making bold assertions and promises. And sitting back and doing whatever the power structure demands for the sake of getting along is absurd. I am a man of my word, and I will do exactly what I said I will do. Now, not later.

Sadly, there are many things going on around here that demand at least one council member represents the best interests of our citizens. So far that has meant being the only council member to support privately sponsored child care at no cost to taxpayers so that young parents can come to council meetings.

It has meant being the only council member to vote against the lifting of the annexation moratorium, which now opens the door for higher density, worse traffic, more pressure on police and fire services, and overcrowded schools, just to name a few.

It has meant being the only council member to protect taxpayers by voting for a more experienced city judge who was willing to work for half what the current judge proposed. And it has meant being the only council member to vote to protect a citizen's right to respond to council after he had been verbally abused by a city official.

Well, it hasn't been easy, but there has not been a single vote or remark I have made that I regret. You see, I don't work for the mayor or any member of council. My bosses are the citizens of this community, and that is who I am accountable to. Unlike Mayor Lenox, I do believe the meetings are for the people, not the council. I believe that even at the local level, this is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

But as Steve Brown learned, if you rattle the wrong cage in this town, you are going to incur fear and intimidation.

But wait, Steve, you have company! I too have rattled the wrong cages in town and find myself in the position of defending myself against a frivolous politically motivated ethics complaint. Isn't it just great how the power structure in this town handles dissent? Sue them, scare them, intimidate them, or accuse them of a crime. But like Mr. Brown, I sort of doubt if there will be much success in silencing this critic of injustices and poor policy decisions. Just a hunch.

If you want a council where every vote is 5-0 rubber stamp, you have elected the wrong man to the job.

To be sure, some votes rationally pass 5-0. The recent Lexington Commons vote is a good example. It was a great representation of the good things that can happen when government and private enterprise work closely together for the benefit of all citizens.

But if I lose every vote for the next three years and nine months by a 4-1 margin where my vote is to protect civil liberties, provide fiscal conservatism, guard against overdevelopment or protect our families, I will have done so with honor, integrity and a commitment to do what is right. My friends, with God's help, we have only just begun.

Dan Tennant
Council Member
Peachtree City
DanTennant@aol.com

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