Wednesday, November 8, 2000

Tennant, Brown call truce . . .

Subject: Joint communique from Dan Tennant and Susan Brown.

On Wednesday, Oct. 25, a letter and a news article appeared in The Citizen newspaper primarily regarding Dan Tennant, Peachtree City councilman, and Susan Brown, an attorney for Webb, Stuckey and Lindsey. Since that publication, doors of communication have been opened, and explanations have been presented.

At the time of writing the letter to the editor, Mr. Tennant quite understandably reasoned that an effort to damage him existed, based on sworn testimony, and he honestly believed that Susan Brown played a significant role in these efforts. After several conversations between these two individuals, it has been accepted that there may have been some plausible explanation for some comments and activities that occurred.

Throughout this ordeal, I, Susan Brown, was never made to believe that Nancy Faulkner had felt harassed by Dan Tennant. I will not deny that I repeated to Leslie Wade (Mr. Tennant's ex-wife's attorney) some things told to me by Nancy Faulkner, but neither the statement nor I suggested that Dan Tennant was guilty of sexual harassment.

It is not important what was said; the divorce is now over and both parties are getting on with their lives. Suffice it to say I was not determined to damage Mr. Tennant and never intended the statement to go beyond his divorce proceedings.

Upon reflection of how events unfolded, I can certainly understand why Mr. Tennant was upset with my involvement in this matter. I realize divorce is difficult and personal, especially for a public official, and I apologize to Mr. Tennant for my involvement in his.

In the same light, I, Dan Tennant, have come to understand that Susan Brown was likely not involved in a deliberate attempt to damage me personally, professionally, or politically. The statement Ms. Brown purports to have repeated was apparently not told to her in confidence and was evidently told to several individuals by Ms. Faulkner. It is a disgrace that I felt compelled to have to defend myself, but I had little reason to believe any different from what appeared quite clear on its face. I now accept that I may have been incorrect in my beliefs.

Because I wish no personal or professional harm to come to Ms. Brown, her family, or Nancy Faulkner, and in order to promote a more harmonious spirit in Peachtree City politics, I have therefore decided not to pursue any complaint with the State Bar of Georgia against Ms. Brown or [Peachtree City Attorney Rick] Lindsey regarding this matter.

After having discussed the matter in detail, both of us can see where the other side was coming from and how we came to the conclusions that were made.

We have decided to put this matter behind us and move forward in a positive light, and hope everyone else involved will follow suit. As of today, we both consider this matter over.

Daniel R. Tennant

Susan M. Brown


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