So [Peachtree City] Council is on its soap box for good governance, recently showcased by their vote to reduce the terms of authority members (and therefore increase council’s power). Let’s take a look at the “good governance” practices in place at the Tourism Authority.

A member of city council, Murray Weed, and of city staff, Bernie McMullen, are on the board of the authority. With the departure of the authority’s executive director, Mr. Weed is now acting as de facto director of the authority. Can anyone see a potential problem here?

Let me make it clear that I am not saying that anything bad has happened, or that it will. My point is that well-run organizations go to great lengths to prevent even the appearance of a conflict of interest to protect both the organization and those who serve in leadership roles.

Council needs to focus on setting policy and direction; city staff, under the leadership of the city manager, needs to focus on execution and support. Authorities are established by legislation to focus on making decisions in the best interests of these entities, and are deliberately designed to be resistant to the latest political “wind.”

Mayor Brown, how about introducing a law that prohibits council members and city staff from being appointed to authority boards? Will you support this formal step towards lasting improved governance practices in our authorities, one that will actually make a difference?

Steve Bradley
ptcbradley@yahoo.com

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