I am surprised, but admittedly amused, at the way the mayor has manipulated The Citizen newspaper about his relationship with the Development Authority and his level of responsibility in regards to the tennis center and its debt. You have let him throw verbal bombs that are arguably slanderous and distance himself from controversy that he himself helps create, without ever holding him responsible for the duties of his office.

As a relative newcomer, I have spent a great deal of time on the city’s Web site. Let us look at some facts (from public meeting minutes) and see what he knew and when.

June 7, 2001 City Council meeting

• Mayor Lenox and council decide to build phase 3 of the tennis center. It was not a Development Authority decision. The $2.5 million city-owned facility was financed by a Georgia Municipal Association lease/purchase agreement.

• This represents a huge increase in commitment. Phase one and two (both city-owned) are financed by development authority debt of about $900,000.

• Mayoral candidate Brown was at the meeting. He spoke with cautious support for the project. He stated “the tennis center needs to be sold differently to the public.”

• The motion to build phase 3 and not to take it before the voters was made by current council [member] Steve Rapson.

• The council passed a contract between the city and the Development Authority for management of the tennis center and the amphitheater. Important to note: If the mayor and the council were unhappy with the management of the authority, the agreement could be ended with 30 days notice.

• A team was put together to build the city facility. The mayor, city manager, director of developmental services, and city finance director from the city were to work with the tennis center director who served as project manager. Three volunteers from the authority (a volunteer organization) supported him.

December 2001

• Mayor-elect Brown meets with the Development Authority at their monthly meeting. Construction of phase 3 is getting ready to start and is discussed.

• Three-fourths of the tennis center’s total cost is going to be spent on Mayor Brown’s watch, NOT Bob Lenox’s.

January 23, 2002

• Mayor Brown participated in a hotel/motel tax workshop with the Development Authority. Their budget was reviewed at great length especially in regards to needed revenue from hotel/motel tax revenue.

• The mayor has announced on more than one occasion that he is going to be a full-time mayor.

March 15, 2002 city retreat

• During the city retreat the mayor receives a PowerPoint financial analysis presentation on the Development Authority from the city finance officer.

• Mayor Brown in now intimately familiar with Development Authority finances (or should be).

March 16, 2002 city retreat

• Informal discussions of the tennis center project. Director Virgil Christian and Chris Clark from the Fayette County Development Authority present a possible plan for finishing out the space of the lower level to allow room for Clayton State to open a university center. This was not part of the original construction plan. Money would need to be borrowed (the original motivation of the Regions Bank loan). The council was supportive and agreed to consider a donation of funds for furniture.

• The city finance department was paying incremental payments during construction. The city controlled the cash flow, as it should have.

• The year 2002 is not good for the continuity of the construction team. During construction, volunteer Tom Farr dies, and volunteer Jim Fulton moves out of Peachtree City. (The third volunteer will also pass away later.) Jim Williams, the director of developmental services, leaves the city for another job. The new mayor and council are working on firing the city manager, Jim Basinger, undermining his effectiveness. (He was fired in October.) Who was in charge? “Full-time Mayor Brown.”

March 21, 2002 Council Meeting

• Mayor Brown expressed excitement over the potential university center. Mayor and council vote to spend $15,000 for furniture to support the university center in the previously unscheduled to be finished space.

• Fact — The mayor, project manager Christian, Development Authority chairman Godfrey, and the city manager met multiple times during the summer.

• Fact — The project came in $300,000 over budget because of change orders during construction. Surprisingly, a significant portion was actually dictated by the city.

August 22, 2002 special authority/council meeting

• Mayor Brown assured authority members he and council were committed to the debt. Authority member Bradshaw noted the amount of the loans. Mayor Brown reiterated the debt was not a problem.

• Mayor Brown also mentioned that he was hearing a recurrent theme from council that Virgil Christian should be fired because of needed changes in programs and staff.

• Authority member Doug Warner expressed concern over the vagueness of guidance from mayor and council and asked for more specific guidance. None were forthcoming.

• The construction project was finished.

The facts show that “full-time” Mayor Brown had plenty of opportunities for oversight and control. He had plenty of opportunities for positive leadership. The mayor was very aware of the Development Authority finances. And, most importantly, if he and council were unhappy with authority management, the city could have taken back control at any time.

Instead we have witnessed a truly bizarre, circus-like performance, as the mayor has moved to put his appointees in control. It has been embarrassing. Leadership New Orleans style: never blame the mayor.

Mayor Brown wants to be viewed as a distant, uninvolved observer. Clearly the record shows he was a prime mover in the process he now claims is a debacle.

John Hartnett
Peachtree City, Ga.