My relationship

with my firm and my coworkers is not unlike that of a close-knit kinship

with family.

They have been

there for me many times in the past, and I have been a significant contributor

to the company's bottom line.

When I decided

to run for city council in 1999, my mployer was very supportive, even

though it meant I would have to sacrifice some business activities at

the expense of council commitments. I was and still am very grateful for

the support and flexibility I am given, as the nature of my work requires

a substantial amount of travel.

A few weeks

ago, my employer announced the largest acquisition in the 151-year history

of the company.

The only thing

I will tell you is that this is a VERY big deal in a relatively small

industry, and it means a lot of extra hard work, dedication and commitment

will be required of me. Of course, I am up for the challenge and look

forward to exciting growth opportunities.

Needless to

say, I could not possibly have foreseen this acquisition, but once it

occurred, I was "asked" to be at various functions in various

cities throughout the country in July and August, as we figure out the

best way to incorporate our new business partners into my firm's strategic

growth plans.

The bottom

line is that I needed to commit to being at certain meetings and conventions

that prevented me from attending the second city council meeting in July

and will preclude my attendance at both meetings in August.

To be honest

with you, if I had refused to attend these corporate functions and planned

my schedule around council meetings in July and August, I would not have

been fired. Oh, it would not have gone unnoticed, of course, but I would

very likely not have been in jeopardy of losing my job.

Only one problem...that;s

not my style.

When my son,

Joe, died at the age of 14 in 1997, I got a call from my company's president.

He said, "Dan, if there is anything we can do...anything at all...just

say the word. If you need to take a few months off, do it. We are here

for you and we love you."

I am not exaggerating

a single word in what the man said to me on the worst day of my life.

That is just

a tiny example of what kind of company I am fortunate enough to work for.

And I won't turn my back on them when they need me the most. Not after

seventeen years of blood, sweat and tears.

Does that mean

I am turning my back on the citizens of Peachtree City for three straight

meetings? Of course not.

When my kids

are out of town, I'm still their Dad. When my folks live 1,000 miles away,

I'm still their son. When I am out of town, I'm still your councilman.

This is just one of those deals where I have to miss a few meetings. Of

course, I regret it, but this is life and this is the hand I was dealt.

Thank goodness

we live in a world of instant communications. Phones, pagers, cell phones,

faxes, personal computers...it's indeed hard not be in instant touch with

anyone anywhere.

So just because

you may not see my smiling face up there for a few meetings, don't think

I'm not very much involved in what is going on. And if you have any concern

about any matter, feel free to contact me at home at 770-631-7712, on

my cell phone at 404-375-2115 or via computer at [email protected] .

I promise you I will be as responsive as ever.

Remember, absence

does indeed make the heart grow fonder, and my love for this city and

the people in it grows more every day. Even if I am in Orlando or Denver

or Dallas...

Thanks for

taking the time to hear one guy's saga. I consider it a very distinct

honor and privilege to serve you.

Respectfully,

Dan Tennant

Peachtree

City Councilman

[email protected]