Wednesday, May 16, 2001

I do not think it appropriate for elected officials to write letters to the editor about those with whom they serve. However, last week Councilman Dan Tennant wrote such a letter about me which demands a response in the same venue. Since being sworn into office 16 months ago, Mr. Tennant has publicly denigrated, grossly insulted or loudly accused of some impropriety every member of council except our new member, Steve Rapson.

He now maintains in his letter last week that I exceeded my authority and violated your trust by personally approving an inappropriate and overly generous termination agreement with our former city clerk, Ms. Nancy Faulkner. Let me reprint here, verbatim, a memo from me to council members Tennant, McMenamin and Fritz dated Feb. 28, 2001, titled, "Agreement Between Nancy Faulkner and the City":

"The attached agreement drafted by the City Attorney between Nancy Faulkner and the city is forwarded for your information and consideration. I personally feel it is a fair settlement. Please note that Nancy has signed the agreement and her final day of employment will be March 9, 2001. Please contact me if you have concerns about the agreement. Depending on feedback from you, my tentative plan is to sign the agreement Monday, March 5, 2001, with no further action on this matter required by council."

At my request, the city attorney also called all three council members to discuss the agreement and answer any questions. Mr. Tennant then called me to say he did not like the agreement. He offered no alternative ideas or suggestions. Ms. Fritz and Ms. McMenamin found it acceptable as they did not call me. Since three members of council, a majority, found the agreement acceptable, I signed it at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2001.

Mr. Tennant knows all this and has known it since early March. For him to now maintain that I acted "on my own" without council input or approval is patently absurd. Having acted carefully and appropriately in a difficult and delicate matter, I particularly resent the name-calling and personal slurs in Mr. Tennant's fabricated indictment of my actions.

Those people completely familiar with the circumstances of Ms. Faulkner's departure also know that the city's ability to negotiate was somewhat hampered by the fact that Ms. Faulkner had sufficient basis for filing a sexual harassment action against Mr. Tennant. That she chose not to do so is a testament to her maturity and forbearance.

I can tell you that in my nearly 10 years as your mayor, I and all the council members I have served with except Mr. Tennant have worked diligently, honestly and with mutual respect, even when we sharply disagreed, to reach many very difficult and contentious decisions. None of us deserve to be lied about, insulted and denigrated like this.

Bob Lenox
Mayor, Peachtree City

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