Wednesday, August 1, 2001

Dear Fellow Citizens,

My guess is that most of the people reading this letter work. How's that for a pretty safe bet?

You may work at a full-time job from 8-5 Monday to Friday. You may fly airplanes, which carries with it a very erratic schedule. You may work as a full-time Mom (the most important job in the world, in my opinion). You may work part-time; you might even work two jobs just to make ends meet.

But you probably work, and work a lot. And there sure doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done, no matter where you work or what you do. Right?

Well, I work, too. Just like you. I work "part-time" as a Peachtree City councilman. I work at being the best Dad I can be to two young boys. I work as a trustee to a charitable foundation I founded to help others in need.

I also own my own part-time business called Peachtree Specialties, which I run out of my home. And yes, I work in the real world too, as the Southeast Regional Manager for a major manufacturer, Matthews International Corporation, which is based in Pittsburgh, PA.

I have worked for my company for over seventeen years in various capacities. I feel tremendously grateful to be employed by a company that treats its employees with great respect, and I am very thankful for the opportunities that I have been afforded, which have allowed me to provide for my family.

My relationship with my firm and my coworkers is not unlike that of a close-knit kinship with family.

They have been there for me many times in the past, and I have been a significant contributor to the company's bottom line.

When I decided to run for city council in 1999, my mployer was very supportive, even though it meant I would have to sacrifice some business activities at the expense of council commitments. I was and still am very grateful for the support and flexibility I am given, as the nature of my work requires a substantial amount of travel.

A few weeks ago, my employer announced the largest acquisition in the 151-year history of the company.

The only thing I will tell you is that this is a VERY big deal in a relatively small industry, and it means a lot of extra hard work, dedication and commitment will be required of me. Of course, I am up for the challenge and look forward to exciting growth opportunities.

Needless to say, I could not possibly have foreseen this acquisition, but once it occurred, I was "asked" to be at various functions in various cities throughout the country in July and August, as we figure out the best way to incorporate our new business partners into my firm's strategic growth plans.

The bottom line is that I needed to commit to being at certain meetings and conventions that prevented me from attending the second city council meeting in July and will preclude my attendance at both meetings in August.

To be honest with you, if I had refused to attend these corporate functions and planned my schedule around council meetings in July and August, I would not have been fired. Oh, it would not have gone unnoticed, of course, but I would very likely not have been in jeopardy of losing my job.

Only one problem...that;s not my style.

When my son, Joe, died at the age of 14 in 1997, I got a call from my company's president. He said, "Dan, if there is anything we can do...anything at all...just say the word. If you need to take a few months off, do it. We are here for you and we love you."

I am not exaggerating a single word in what the man said to me on the worst day of my life.

That is just a tiny example of what kind of company I am fortunate enough to work for. And I won't turn my back on them when they need me the most. Not after seventeen years of blood, sweat and tears.

Does that mean I am turning my back on the citizens of Peachtree City for three straight meetings? Of course not.

When my kids are out of town, I'm still their Dad. When my folks live 1,000 miles away, I'm still their son. When I am out of town, I'm still your councilman. This is just one of those deals where I have to miss a few meetings. Of course, I regret it, but this is life and this is the hand I was dealt.

Thank goodness we live in a world of instant communications. Phones, pagers, cell phones, faxes, personal computers...it's indeed hard not be in instant touch with anyone anywhere.

So just because you may not see my smiling face up there for a few meetings, don't think I'm not very much involved in what is going on. And if you have any concern about any matter, feel free to contact me at home at 770-631-7712, on my cell phone at 404-375-2115 or via computer at DanTennantPTC@aol.com. I promise you I will be as responsive as ever.

Remember, absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, and my love for this city and the people in it grows more every day. Even if I am in Orlando or Denver or Dallas...

Thanks for taking the time to hear one guy's saga. I consider it a very distinct honor and privilege to serve you.

Respectfully,

Dan Tennant

Peachtree City Councilman

DanTennantPTC@aol.com

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