Wednesday, January 29, 2003

For the record, for those of you who might have missed it 14 months ago, Peachtree City elected a new mayor and there seems to be some confusion over who his opponent actually was. Folks continue to state incorrectly that Steve Brown defeated Bob Lenox for mayor of Peachtree City. Wrong.

For the record, Lenox was first elected mayor in 1991. He was overwhelmingly reelected in 1993 and 1997. He did not run for reelection in 2001 due to term limits. Let me repeat that, Bob Lenox did not run for reelection in 2001 due to term limits.

The Honorable Robert Lenox served the citizens of Peachtree City for 10 very successful years. During his tenure, the city grew and prospered. Corporations and families flocked to Peachtree City. Property values grew and taxes were some of the lowest in metro Atlanta. Facilities were built and expanded, giving us the quality of life that has made Peachtree City so desirable. Lenox would be the first to tell you that this was not solely his work. It was the combined efforts of the councils, staff and hundreds of citizen volunteers.

Steve Brown never defeated Robert Lenox in any election. Steve Brown never attempted to run against Robert Lenox for any of Lenox's three terms. Steve Brown merely chose to make false allegations about Mayor Lenox in an effort to make a name for himself, allegations that were printed as letters to the editor. It worked. Brown made a name for himself. Brown continues to make a name for himself although probably not the one he would choose.

For those of you who didn't vote in 2001, and those of you who didn't read the ballot, especially in the runoff in which there were only two names, the name opposing Steve Brown for mayor of Peachtree City was not Bob Lenox. It was mine.

Gary Rower

Former mayoral candidate

Peachtree City