Wednesday, August 14, 2002
|
Wednesday, August 14, 2002 |
|
Cannon wrong to attack county commissioners [Tyrone Councilman Ronnie] Cannon starts his attempt to shame the members of the county commission in the July 31 article in The Citizen by trying to steer the innocent citizens into believing the commissioners broke the law when they entered into closed session to discuss or vote on issues of possible legal action against Tyrone. Mr. Cannon should know better, considering he is an elected official, but his lack of qualifications to be serving in his position of town councilman may be why he doesn't understand what the law says in this matter. According to the Attorney General's office, the Georgia Open Meeting Act indeed require all meetings to be held publicly except for some very special cases. As the Attorney General's office pointed out to Mr. Cannon, no law was broken since the Open Meeting Act specifically allows for meeting in which the governing body consults with legal counsel pertaining to pending or potential litigation. This provision was provided because of the state legislature's adamant belief the Open Meeting act should not be construed so as to repeal in any way the attorney-client privilege. You would think Mr. Cannon would know this, considering the number of times he and the Tyrone Council have done exactly the same. Maybe he does know this and Mr. Cannon is just willing to go to any lengths to mislead the public and to influence the upcoming county commissioner race and his reelection in November. Mr. Steven Harris, Fayette County Solicitor General, stated in his response letter to Mr. Cannon, "I am sorry that you felt it necessary to air this complaint to the media on the same day you requested my assistance and before I had an opportunity to investigate and research the matter. I feel as if my office is being used for political purposes, which I resent." I hope the county commissioners accept my sincere apology to them for the action of Mr. Cannon and understand most of the citizens of our fine town are not represented by his poor conduct, lack of qualifications, and failure to build a positive working relationship with all the officials in the county and the state. Just as Mr. Harris resents his actions, so do I. Mr. Cannon again has shamed Tyrone with his backward ways and methods. Eric Allen ericalle@bellsouth.net Tyrone Watch Community Action Group
|
||