There are interesting things

said that are not reported in the paper. For example, at the August special

meeting with the Airport Authority, the paper reported that Mr. Rapson

was against obligating future city councils making payments to the Airport

Authority.

What the paper didn't report,

but I have on tape, is Mr. Rapson suggesting that the city take on bond

debt to make the airport's capital improvements because the city could

get a better interest rate. The city could also reduce the amount of hotel/motel

tax money given to the Authority by over $20,000 per year.

So Mr. Rapson wants to obligate

future city councils to a bond debt payment (likely made from general

revenue funds) that can't be broken until the debt is retired, plus make

a $100,000 payment. And he thinks that's better than entering into a 10-year

contractual agreement to give $120,000 per year of hotel/motel tax revenues

which can be renegotiated by future councils. Mr. Brown was silent on

the subject so he either concurred or didn't understand.

Another example occurred during

the special meeting with the Development Authority. As reported by the

paper, Mr. Brown wants the tennis center and amphitheater to become self-sufficient

and the Authority suggested cutting non-revenue-producing activities.

What was not reported was Mr.

Brown's suggestion to put money into the Recreation Department's budget

to pay for those activities. He wants to use what would likely be general

revenue funds to pay for activities that are now provided for with the

hotel/motel tax revenues.

John Dufresne

Peachtree City

(Member, government in exile)

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