Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Wednesday, August 21, 2002 |
| Don't expect
cooperation from Development Auth.
As I have said on these pages on one earlier occasion that before there was a Steve Brown, there was a James Melvin Ewing. To date, I still hold the record for controversial political news headlines, Mr. Mayor. That being said, I'd like to express one man's (mine) lowly opinion, "you're my hero, Charlie Brown" Oops, I mean, Steve Brown. This is the best PTC City Council that I've seen since I've lived here all these many years, and I'm so proud. I have nothing but respect for [council member] Annie [McMenamin]. I'm so glad we have "Our Man, Dan." I'm happy that (as the young folks say) we could, "Win with Weed." And Steve Rapson is still OK in my book. I was so proud of my City Council at the Aug. 15 City Council meeting for not commenting on what I would consider a legal issue at the public hearing. You all were so brilliant in doing that! What that meant was that the establishment crowd could speak their piece (up to three minutes) until they where blue in the face, but you all where not going to say nothin,' ha, ha. Don't expect to get anywhere in your future negotiations with the Development Authority of PTC (DAPC). They're not team players and never have been. They are the establishment, the Movers and Shakers of PTC. In the first place what City Council in their right mind would give away their ability to make decisions on where to spend its tax money? And how dumb is that? He who has the gold makes the rules. For those of you that are newcomers here, once upon a time back in the day, this cowboy engineer went before the Development Authority board to try and save the taxpayers of PTC some tax money. This happened to be the July 21, 1992, 7 a.m. meeting (this can be checked out by a review of those meeting minutes). Also check who was sitting on that board; it will surprise you. Well, on with the story. Through our legal attorney this cowpoke got word that the DAPC had the legal right to request financials and other documents from the private sewer ownership because the DAPC held 900 shares of capitol stock of the then-private sewer company [Georgia Utilities, owner by the city's major developer]. This was before the PTC developer-friendly leadership had decided to spend moocho bucks on the valuation study on the private sewer company with a paid consultant (Hartman). I figured that if we could get the info for free, then why pay for it? I said to myself, Hey, with all of these authorities and commissions here in PTC, we're all supposed to be on the same team. Do you know what the DAPC told me at the board meeting? No, boss, we're not gonna do all that (paraphrased with apologies). So much for teamwork. That resulted in The Citizen's page-long news article by that award-winning and ace reporter Lana Middleton entitled, "The Million Dollar No." Thanks for the memories, DAPC. Most of you PTC citizens don't know (in my lowly opinion) that taxpayers probably paid for the sewer [system] twice. There's one man who takes the credit for all of it and he's known as the Big Man of PTC. One day I went to the Big Man and once wondered, why all the back-door politics? The sewer meetings did not let the sunshine in. Mr. Big Stuff, please give the [Water and Sewer Authority] some money, please don't stall these deals (they're moving at a snail's pace). That resulted in about three or four major news articles for me. It also resulted in me falling off the saddle, thanks to the Big Man. I thought I would be a hero, but actually I became a bum (a poor no-account bum). Other issues later came up where the Big Man announced that you could not legally put up on referendum the issue of annexation. Not correct. I said just ask the city of Tifton or Tift County how where they able to hold their referendum on same. Another issue was raised by the Great Man (a.k.a., the Big Man). The Fayette County government is holding hostage about $2 million in PTC tax money in undelivered services. Anybody can see that for themselves if you look at the Fayette County financials. This was also confirmed by Government Solutions, Ltd. I jumped on that bandwagon. Now I'm asking this PTC Council to save the day on that one because the Great Man did not have time to finish the job. Lastly, don't worry about any personal lawsuits. You won't have to spend a dime (though I may have to after today). You (current City Council) have my personal permission to bankrupt the city's indemnification insurance fund if any S.L.A.P. suit is filed against you (as if you need my permission). If I could give a bit of advice to my City Council, always look to the one who can make a way out of no way. Kindest regards. James Melvin Ewing Peachtree City [Ewing served as chairman of the Peachtree City Water and Sewer Authority before, during and after the city's acquisition of Georgia Utilities in the mid-1990s.]
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