Flogging nonvoters: Back off, Mayor Bob

Flogging

nonvoters: Back off, Mayor Bob

Editorial

Peachtree

City Mayor Bob Lenox - a well-off entrepreneur

- has a few good ideas. And a lot of bad ones.

One of his

worst recently has to do with the mayor's frustration

with the low voter turnout in the defeated SPLOST

balloting. His Honor pledged to obtain a list of people

who voted in recent elections, keep it in front of him

during city council meetings, and confront any speaker

with his or her voting record or lack thereof.

"If

you didn't vote, you don't count," Lenox is reported

to have said in open session. As for what any nonvoting

citizen speaker has to say, the mayor asserts,

"We'll listen, but not very carefully."

Hizzoner's

frustration is understandable, but his solution -

make that, his retribution - is outrageous.

One who

doesn't vote doesn't count? We'll listen, but with a yawn

and a snicker?

What's the

next royal decree from His Regalness: Public caning for

voters missing three elections in a row?

We guess

kids and infants are flat outta luck in the Lenox Domain.

And the infirm, and the sick, and the hospital-bound.

Maybe the

mayor will accept doctor's excuses.

Maybe the

mayor ought to get a grip.

As we have

reminded Hizzoner on other outrageous occasions in the

past, we elected him mayor, not king.

As the

Georgia Constitution reminds those who would read it,

"All government, of right, originates with the

people, is founded upon their will only, and is

instituted solely for the good of the whole. Public

officers are the trustees and servants of the people and

are at all times amenable to them." Paragraph I,

Section II, Origin and Structure of Government.

Hizzoner,

despite his royal leanings, is just a servant of the

people - and not just the people who voted. And he

is amenable - answerable - to them, whether

they voted for him or not, whether they voted at all or

not.

Back off,

Bob. You are not authorized to be the public poll

monitor, and that's not what you were elected for. Be an

humble public servant, grateful to be afforded the honor

of serving ALL the people of Peachtree City. Take care of

city business, and leave the people's business -

including their voting records - up to them.

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