November 20, 2003
The Tourism Association of
Peachtree City is a state-approved Domestic Non-Profit Corporation and
can function with or without tax-exempt status. The only limitation placed
on the Tourism Association is that it cannot receive or expend hotel/motel
tax until the tax-exempt status is granted.
City Council created this Tourism
Board and it's operating within its charter. The Tourism Association
was created due to the Development Authority terminating its contract
to run these venues effective Dec. 1.
Two council members have refused
to attend any public meetings where the Tourism Association is an agenda
item. This appears to us to be political blackmail, pure and simple by
Annie McMenamin and Dan Tennant, two council members who are going out
of office.
The ramifications of their
decision are that all of the Tourism Association's city employees'
and venue employees' diligent work to make this a smooth transition
Dec. 1 is lost.
The Tourism Association's
bylaws require a contract with the city to run these venues. Without this
contract, these venues become city facilities and the existing 16 Development
Authority employees may very well lose their jobs effective Dec. 1, 24
days before Christmas.
This political posturing may
cause the end of the Ashland Grill and the presence of Clayton State University
on the tennis center campus.
In our opinion, the refusal
of these two council members to attend any public meeting action leaves
the City Manager with three options:
1. Shut the amphitheater and
the Tennis Center down;
2. Attempt to run the venues
with existing city employees the best he can;
3. Call for a city council
special called meeting to conduct other necessary city business.
The Tourism Association implores
these council members to uphold their oath of office and attend any special
called meetings to facilitate these contracts and ensure the continuation
of these outstanding venues.
The Tourism Association is
willing to accept the obligation to the Amphitheater and Tennis Center
employees, the Amphitheater patrons, the Tennis Center membership and
sponsors to ensure a smooth transition of operations.
We implore the residents of
the city to urge these council members to uphold their elected office
and attend a future any special called meeting to address the City's
business.
Respectfully, Steve Rapson
for the Peachtree City Tourism Association
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