All individuals submitting this letter are former Fayette County commissioners. All of us took the same oath of office as Commissioner [Robert] Horgan. All of us were subject to the county’s ethics ordinance. All of us were subject to the pressure and public scrutiny which comes with the job.

We all understood the additional responsibilities inherent in elected leadership as well as the obvious requirement that we be role models, especially for young citizens.

By associating with the criminal element in the illegal drug trafficking business and his personal possession and use of illegal drugs to include his admitted driving while smoking marijuana, Mr. Horgan has shown little or no regard for his oath of office, the county ethics ordinance, and federal and state laws.

Further, his public refusal to resign his position indicates that he is not aware of the increasing degree of disapproval, disappointment and disgust that his behavior has caused our citizens.

The episode has also been an embarrassment for our community. Since Mr. Horgan’s arrest each County Commission meeting has been a parade of citizens asking for his resignation, each newspaper has headlines and letters which reinforce the negative stereotype of all elected officials.

If he continues to refuse to resign, we are facing public hearings concerning his violations, as well as a recall action which will continue this theater for some time and cause increased work for the Elections Office staff and further expense to be borne by Fayette taxpayers.

With this letter we respectfully ask Commissioner Horgan to put an end to this most difficult situation. We believe that his behavior has rendered him incapable of governing effectively and he has lost the confidence and respect of the vast majority of the electorate.

In his first official act as a commissioner he took the Official oath of county commissioners. He swore to act in such a manner which would “...be most conducive to the welfare and best interest of the entire county.” We believe his last official action should be one in which he adheres to that oath.

Only by his resignation from office can the County Commission return to the business of working to ensure that Fayette County remains the best community in Georgia to live, work, and raise a family.

Harold Bost

Bill Bonner

Grace Caldwell

Greg Dunn

Peter Pfeifer

Rick Price

Linda Wells