Having read and been flabbergasted by “Angry Sallie” Satterthwaite's opinion piece about one unnamed candidate for Peachtree City Council [The Citizen, Oct. 13], I just had to respond. Please forward this letter to her.

Dear Ms. Satterthwaite:

Wow! You are angry and your “planned” attack certainly communicates your growing hysteria. Fortunately, your publisher did the right thing and put your comments in the proper perspective for his reader's and advertiser's benefit. But I've just been scratching my head to figure out what could spur such a vicious attack.

I find it a bit presumptuous for you to speak on behalf of the individuals you've labeled and so conveniently segmented into a catch-all “minority” group. Why do you assume they share your liberal mindset? Were you urged to act on their behalf? Did you even discuss it with them first? In your diatribe, I feel you've broken your own so-called “gentlemen's agreement” on non-partisan politics by injecting hate and racism into a simple city council election. If this was your intention, congratulations!

And yes, for the record, I happen to know Dan Tennant and that is one the primary reasons I felt compelled to respond to your comments. As Dan states (and you apparently find so abhorrent), he is just a hardworking, average income, Christian family man (the same as probably nine-tenths of the local adult male population) who just wants to give something back to his community in the form of public service. No more, no less. Is that so evil and insidious as you'd have us believe? I'd even bet that the people you proclaim to speak for would agree with the basic “Tennants” of his campaign (that's supposed to be a pun, not a “code” word) — such as improving the quality of education, maintaining well-funded and trained police and fire departments, closely monitoring commercial development, etc. — all for the purpose of preserving the wonderful quality of life we are all so fortunate to enjoy.

If that's so bad then count me in on Dan's evil “middle-aged, average-income, family-based” plot to undermine Peachtree City with these types of goals and values. And perhaps most importantly of all, you should know that Dan is one of the most friendly, outgoing people I know and a confirmed, card carrying, cart path “waver” from way back.

So Sallie, if nothing else, you've given Dan a great boost in awareness leading up to the election. And to that I say (paraphrasing Garth from “Wayne's World”) - “Republican” Party On, Dan!

David Rissier
Peachtree City

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