We believe the lawsuit by

Jim Webb and his law firm is baseless and without merit.

Further, we believe their action is an attack on not only

this newspaper's fundamental First Amendment rights, but

on the very right of private individuals to comment on

matters involving their government.

We believe that this

powerful and well-connected law firm is trying to shut

off the voice of dissent and debate in this community.

The letter writer being sued - by a law firm, no

less - has no powerful connections nor the deep

pockets of a corporation of lawyers. His access to public

debate is through the pages of his local newspaper.

His other access - at

a public meeting last Thursday of the city council -

was gavelled down by Mayor Bob Lenox and three of the

other four council members - Bob Brooks, Annie

McMenamin and Carol Fritz. Councilman Dan Tennant

objected (See his letter following.)

The letter writer had just

been verbally attacked in a public forum by City Attorney

Rick Lindsey, but the council by a 4-1 vote denied the

private individual the right to respond to the very

public attack by a public official.

Mayor Lenox said of the

ruling, "This is my meeting, and I'll run it the way

I want to."

This is a grievous wrong

done by the Peachtree City Council: To throw the power of

government behind a powerful law firm in order to shut

somebody up.

Legitimate public scrutiny

and legitimate public criticism concerning public

officials is important to the citizens of Peachtree City

and is a hallmark of a free people. We passionately

believe that a free press is a necessity to a free

community.

You may be assured that we

will continue to offer a forum for all sides to present

comment and opinion in our letters to the editor section.

Therefore, we will take the

appropriate legal action to vigorously defend - not

just our rights - but most especially the rights of

private citizens to speak out in our letters to the

editor forum on matters of public interest without fear

of retribution or retaliation by powerful, monied

interests.