Wednesday, June 19, 2002
|
Wednesday, June 19, 2002 |
|
Mayor: Current problems show accountability need After grinding through former Mayor Lenox's "I'm gonna sue you guys" letter of June 12 and the contrast of hearing Bishop Holloway speak at a Christian men's breakfast the following Saturday, I will conclude that I am weak. I think that it is constructive to admit that I am susceptible to doing the wrong thing. I could not be completely honest without saying that the easy way out looks good at times. If any elected official tells you that he/she is immune from wrongdoing, vote for the next person. We all know that power corrupts. How to stay on the right track has always been a concern for me. Shirley Franklin is a wonderful woman and I have enjoyed meeting her. She has her share of problems, with the latest one being that the former motor pool chief embezzled $400,000. Franklin was quoted as saying, "There is no doubt. We have to make it clear that we have to set a high standard. That is honesty 24 hours a day, seven days a week" (AJC, June 14). In all honesty, left on my own accord, I could not achieve Mayor Franklin's high standard. The Apostle Paul described himself as "the worst of sinners" in 1st Timothy, but he also goes on to say in Philippians, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (NIV). At the National Day of Prayer Breakfast this past May, I was assigned to sit at a table with a local pastor and some others. We discussed a lot of issues both nationally and locally. The pastor asked how the others at the table could pray for me. At one point I blurted out to this pastor that I had no accountability. I needed someone to pray with and someone that would ask the tough questions. Questions like, "Are you being faithful to your wife and children?" and "Are you serving your 33,000 constituents to the glory of God?" This same pastor is going to have lunch with me in July and I hope that he asks the tough questions and I hope that I can provide the right answers. I am very grateful for your children! The old "government in exile" is doing their best to tip things over and God uses your kids to give me strength. One little blonde-headed boy ran up to me in the parking lot and gave me a prized Barry Bonds baseball card. He told me that he had two of them and he wanted me to have one since his dad told him that I was "doin' good." Last Sunday afternoon I was behind the United Methodist Church and a group of Cub Scouts were on the playground. They yelled, "Mr. Mayor, you're doing a good job!" I thank God for those kids. Steve Brown Mayor, Peachtree City sbrown@peachtree-city.org
|
||