Mayor's

credibility eroded by insults

"Self-righteous."

"Pompously indignant." "Woefully

inept."

You might

think these critical remarks were expressed during the

John Rocker controversy, or perhaps the Clinton

impeachment proceedings. If so, you're wrong. Would you

believe that Peachtree City Mayor Bob Lenox wrote these

words about City Councilman Dan Tennant? And in a column

in this newspaper, no less.

If I were

Councilman Tennant, I might take offense to my mayor

expressing such harsh criticism of me after only a few

months on the job. But, after more consideration, I

believe that not only is Dan Tennant doing his job

effectively, he is also, through no fault of his own,

exposing fatal character flaws in his political

colleagues.

In the

mayor's defense, he did apologize for some of his

behavior in recent council meetings. I can also

understand his desire to express his feelings, however

critical they are. However, one's actions always have

consequences, and the mayor's calculated act of

self-indulgence should require an apology.

Whatever

differences Mayor Lenox has with Councilman Tennant

should be aired in private and between the two men.

Airing one's political laundry for all to read simply

undermines the mayor's credibility and erodes the

patience of his constituents, myself included. These

deliberate comments about a political colleague are

indefensible, inexcusable, and entirely unprofessional.

The onus is on the mayor to be respectful, courteous, and

diplomatic; three tests he failed miserably in his recent

column.

The more I

pay attention to the actions and words of Mayor Lenox and

certain others on the City Council, the more I'm

dissatisfied with what I see. I don't begrudge the mayor

his frustrations, as I'm sure he has a difficult job,

even without critics nipping at his heels. But we need

people like Dan Tennant to bring credibility back to the

political process, and others like Steve Brown to keep

our elected officials honest. I hope that recent

developments won't deter them in their efforts.

Jeff

Martindale

Peachtree

City