Two newcomers appointed to Development Authority in PTC; Godfrey reappointed also

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The Peachtree City Development Authority will have two new members, partly so they can learn the ropes before two long-term members are likely step down in two years.

Tate Godfrey was reappointed to the authority, along with newcomers Brian Palmitessa and former city councilman Robert Brooks. The motion to appoint that trio was approved 3-1, with Mayor Bob Lenox against and new councilman Steve Rapson abstaining since his wife is employed by the authority as director of the amphitheater.

The original plan was to reappoint Godfrey and longtime authority member Bob Truitt along with newcomer Palmitessa. But councilman Dan Tennant, who served on the selection committee with Lenox, city manager Jim Basinger and authority chairman Tom Farr, said he felt Truitt had served for quite some time.

"Twenty years is a long time," Tennant said. "Twenty-six years is too long."

The development authority appointments are for six-year terms.

Tennant said the selection committee had agreed to "compromise" and reappoint Truitt while appointing Palmitessa as the new member to get experience. But Tennant had second thoughts about the compromise and convinced council members Annie McMenamin and Carol Fritz to vote for Brooks instead.

Lenox, however, said he thought Truitt deserved to be reappointed since he helped guide the development of the industrial park.

"I just wanted to give the edge to the person with 20 years experience to take us through the home stretch," Lenox said, referring to the importance of the industrial park's growth as residential buildout nears in Peachtree City.

Tennant said the move was not done to discredit Truitt, who had served the city well on the authority.

"In no way is this an attack on Mr. Truitt," Tennant said. "I appreciate him, but it's just time for someone else."

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