Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Tennant friend chastises paper for publishing letter

Let me begin by acknowledging that I am a friend of Dan Tennant. I have known him for 11 years. He is an honorable and ethical man. He does not lie, steal, cheat, or engage in gossip and innuendo. He loves and provides for his family. He cares about Peachtree City and has a public record that his opponents can engage him on.

I am saddened to see that the editor of The Citizen determined that some personal issue that occurred in Mr. Tennant's life 10 years ago is somehow relevant to his qualifications as a city councilman.

I know the good people of Fayette County do not like mean-spirited "gotcha" politics. The tone and evil-spirited nature of this slash and burn attack should make the Fayette citizens furious. You have a nice community and deserve better than this drivel. Mr. Schwanitz should be ashamed of himself. Would you stand up and identify yourself next week at church?

I suppose the answer is to contact the companies that advertise in The Citizen and let them know that it has to stop. These types of articles may sell newspapers, but they are not good for anyone. Try and be a positive force in the lives of your community.

This "gotcha drive-by shooting style" plays to the worst part of our human nature. I think most people understand that people make mistakes in their lives. If you used the same logic that Mr. Schwanitz uses then a pilot could never make a mistake when flying, or a minister couldn't have a lapse in judgment, or people in general could not learn from their mistakes and become better people because of the adversity they faced.

Elect or defeat Dan Tennant as a city councilman based on substantive matters. Do not let someone smear him and pretend that it has anything to do with his elected office. Mr. Schwanitz, look into your own conscience and try and answer, "What good comes out of your behavior?"

John A. Allen

Atlanta, Ga.

[The editor replies: Whatever the motives of the letter writer, the personal bankruptcy of an incumbent politician seeking reelection on a campaign of fiscal conservatism is relevant and should be published. How one handles one's own money is relevant to how one handles taxpayers' money.]