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Mayor’s accusations
mostly distortions, lies
Peachtree City Mayor Steve
Brown, in a letter to the editor in last week’s Citizen newspaper,
told readers that he is not endorsing my bid for a second term on city
council.
Brown listed several reasons why he is not supporting me in Tuesday’s
election. Most of his points are exaggerations, half-truths, distortions,
or flat-out lies. I do not care if Mr. Brown votes for me, but I do care
that the average citizen gets the facts straight, so here is a response
as brief as I can make it.
1. Brown states that I consistently have fought with elected officials,
making it difficult for anyone to work with me. The truth is that I have
an excellent working relationship with council members McMenamin, Rapson,
and Weed, the city manager, our city attorney, city staff, and all members
of authorities and commissions. I also work closely with Congressman Mac
Collins, Senator Mitch Seabaugh, Representative Lynn Westmoreland, and
the Fayette County Commissioners.
The truth is that it is Steve Brown that has a problem working with other
elected officials, and it is Mr. Brown that has a difficult time tolerating
dissent. If you are looking for a Steve Brown yes man, I am not your guy.
If you want an elected representative who can think independently, will
critically debate the issues and render good judgment, I am your guy.
I don’t know how much clearer I can be.
2 Brown accused me of adding over a dozen new employees three years ago
to the city’s payroll. What he conveniently fails to state, however
is that a) most of the new positions were needed police officers and firefighters
to ensure public safety during a growth period, b) the vote was unanimous,
and c) the positions were created pre-Sept. 11 and fully funded when the
economy was roaring and revenues were far exceeding projections.
3. Brown accused me of offering half the city’s employees a cost
of living raise in order to have no new taxes. My goodness, what spin,
even for Mr. Brown. The truth is that I offered three separate plans which
would have given us a balanced budget without a tax increase. Part of
one plan was to eliminate the cost of living raise for city employees
except for public safety employees, whose jobs are vital to our safety
and security. While I voted against raising your taxes and offered many
solutions to solve our budget problems without including a tax hike, Brown
voted for an 18 percent tax increase and offered no solutions.
4. Brown faults me for my record on variances. Indeed, if a family needs
an extra 18 inches to build a deck or extend a playground, and no neighbors
object, and the plan looks workable, I am likely to grant the variance.
We should exert reasonableness on council, not exert our power to deny
when common sense says to give a citizen a break.
5. Brown states that I am out of town on business nearly every weekday.
This one I actually laughed at. Steve Brown does not have a copy of my
Daytimer, and he has no idea what he is talking about. About three weeks
out of four, I travel for a couple of days on business. I have a cell
phone and a laptop, and have never been out of touch with the city or
its citizens. The truth is that Steve Brown is unemployed, and he simply
cannot identify with being a part-time council member (as our Charter
specifies) and having a real job.
6. Brown states I am the champion of the Development Authority. Wrong.
I am the champion at making sure we don’t overreact to a situation
and take over the management of facilities without understanding the repercussions
and consequences of doing so. There are many options available to us,
and I have simply called for an adequate amount of time to be allotted
so that we don’t regret hastily made decisions on our crown jewels
in PTC, the tennis center and amphitheater.
7. Brown criticizes me for listing Doug Warner, a highly respected attorney,
community servant, and good friend, as a campaign contributor. I make
zero apologies, and thank Doug publicly for his support.
8. Brown also criticizes the fact that former Fayette County Chamber of
Commerce President Mike Hofrichter had some positive things to say about
me, which I have used in my campaign material. Mike is another good friend
and voice of reason who, by the way, was never given permission by Mayor
Brown to speak at a council meeting. In fact, Brown has consistently labeled
the Chamber a “special interest group” and has had a very embattled
relationship with the Chamber, a fabulous organization of over 800 small
businesses, including my own home-based business. So again, no apologies
here.
9. The next one is really ironic. Former city attorney Rick Lindsey gave
me a $100 campaign contribution, and I acknowledged that at a recent council
meeting because Rick was the attorney for a client coming before council.
The irony is that only contributions of OVER $100 are required to be reported,
but I reported it without having to do so just to be as ethical as I can
be. For being honest and forthcoming, Brown condemns me again.
10. Finally, Brown blames me for recent deadlocked Development Authority
appointments. Indeed, recent votes have been tied 2-2 with Mr. Rapson
abstaining, but is it not fascinating that Brown sees me as the reason
the vote is deadlocked? If I go along with Brown’s candidate, we
have harmony and agreement. Just think, there would have been no deadlock
if Brown had gone along with my choice, yet I am the reason for the deadlock.
Go figure.
If you think I am tired of responding to Mr. Brown’s distortions,
lies, and innuendo, you are correct. What would you do? Just let it slide?
I guess I could, but it’s just not my style to walk away when I’m
sucker-punched.
I’d like to think I have earned your trust and respect for another
four-year term, but no matter what happens, I am content knowing that
God has a plan for me, and it’s to serve others in some way. Maybe
it’s another four-year term on council. Maybe not. But one thing
you can take to the bank is that I will always be my own man, I will always
stick up for what I think is right, and I will always respond to false
charges.
I hope I can count on your vote this Tuesday.
Dan Tennant
PTC City Councilman
DanTennant@aol.com
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