Open Letter to Mayor, Council from Ethics Watchdog George Anderson

(Editor's note: the following is a letter to the editor sent by George Anderson, a citizen who filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts last year. The statements made are the opinion of the author, and they do not represent the views of Snellville Patch.

For background information on this letter, scroll to the bottom of the story. Since the items in question are part of a lawsuit, Mayor and council will likely not comment.

Anderson originally planned to say this during tonight's council meeting, but determined that his statements would exceed the five-minute time limit. One more thing: his style of writing is based [on purpose] off various plays by William Shakespeare, including Julius Caesar. For comparison, click here.)

Citizens, countrymen, and supporters! Hear about the angry and vexatious attacks delivered by a majority of a 4-2 vote in August 2012 against me, for their cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for my honour, and have respect to my honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may be the better judge.

If there be any in this assembly, any objective citizen of Snellville, to him I say, that City Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts was angry toward myself.

If then any citizen of Snellville, GA. demand why Councilman Witts & former City Attorney Anthony Powell rose against George Anderson, this is my answer:

--Not that they wanted retaliation more, but that they loved Snellville less.  

Had you rather, that I, George Anderson, be chilled from free speech and of filing legal complaints, and that I were taken to Gwinnett County Superior Court, to be tried and found a political assassin? Even though the truth is opposite the actions of former City Attorney Powell.

As I have filed Complaints against dishonorable men, I do not weep for them; since I was a thorn in their side, They have attempted to pluck the thorn out; as they  believe me to be a “hired gun”, they have used taxpayer funds to destroy me:  but,  I was recently dismissed from payment of any legal fees to Governor Nathan Deal. However,  Anthony Powell lied in a legal filing in Gwinnett County Superior Court by stating that I had to pay legal fees to the Governor of Georgia.

They shed no tears for me; no joy for his fortune; no joy for my honour, no joy for my valour; but, only taxpayer paid attacks upon my “civil rights”. Who is here so base that would use a SLAPP action against me?!

Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Legal Action Against Public Participation), O.C.G.A. 9-11-11.1: Exercise of rights of freedom of speech and right to petition government for redress of grievances; legislative findings; verification of claims; definitions; procedure on motions; exception; attorney's fees and expenses.

If any, speak; for him have I offended.

Who is here so rude that would not be a party to this civil action? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that does not love his country, and the rights provided to us all in this country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I do not pause for a reply.

Then none have I offended. I have done no more to myself than you shall do to the Mayor of Snellville.

The question of my destruction is enrolled in this chamber; any glory not extenuated, wherein I was worthy, nor my offences enforced, for which I have suffered legal action, in the past…paid for by a candidate/elected official’s campaign funds, but, never, in 17 years, has any legal action attack upon me, been paid by the taxpayers of a municipality…NEVER!

Friends, citizens, countrymen.

Friends, citizens, and enemies, lend me your ears;

I come to bury George Anderson, not to praise him.

The evil that men do lives after them;

The good is oft interred with their bones;

So let it be with me. The noble Councilman Witts and former City Attorney Powell

Hath told you I was ambitious and a hired gun:

If it were so, it was a grievous fault,

And grievously hath I answer'd for it. However, I hath not come upon you paid by anyone except myself.

Here, under leave of Tony Powell and the portion of this Council: Dave Emanuel, Bobby Howard, Tom Witts, and Diane Krause -

For they are all honourable City Officials of City of Snellville;

So are they all, all honourable men & women -

Come I to speak regarding “abuse litigation” filed against me.

I was an ethics activist, faithful and just to my belief in the public’s welfare:

But Former City Attorney of Snellville, Tony Powell, says I was ambitious & politically motivated;

And Mr. Powell is an honourable man.

He hath brought many elected officials home to Snellville

Whose counsel did the former City Attorney coffers fill:

Did thus he, Attorney Powell, in pursuit of Ethics Watchdog Anderson, because, I exerted my constitutional  given rights to speak & petition the government for a redress of grievances?

When that the poor citizens have cried for assistance, throughout the State of Georgia, I,  George Anderson,  hath wept and was stressed out with their plight:

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:

Yet Tony Powell assumes I was ambitious and not an honorable man;

And Tony Powell is an honourable man.

You all did see that at the August 2012 Meeting

Mr. Powell thrice presented me as a political manipulator,

Which I have thrice refused/denied: was this ambition?

Yet Tony Powell says I have been ambitious & politically motivated;

And, thus, Mr. Powell is an honourable man.

I speak not to disprove what Mr. Powell spoke,

But here I am to speak what I do know.

You all have heard or read about me, not without cause:

What cause withholds you then, to attack or distrust my intentions?

O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,

And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;

My heart is in the abyss here with me, with health issues and retirement

And I must pause till it come back to me.

I must leave this place never to come back. The evil or good I have done leaves with me.

City Councilman Witts, Emanuel, Krause, and Howard are all honorable elected officials

All honorable men & women that would not violate the public’s trust or would they or have they?

The evil that these so-called “public servants” have committed lives after them.

So should it be with me if I have lied, malign, or committed wrongs in the name of integrity.

Declaratory Judgment lawsuit filed against George Anderson, Marilyn Anderson and EIGG: Why?!!!

• To silence Anderson 
• To intimidate/retaliate against Anderson
• To harm an innocent party…namely, my school-teacher wife.
• City Attorney Tony Powell has been fired.
• I call upon the City of Snellville to request dismissal of lawsuit against me, my wife, and dissolved Ethics in Government Group. I formally request my Complaints against members of the City Council of the City of Snellville be dismissed.

I submit to this elected body that taxpayer dollars have been wasted in a very depressed down economy.

Health of Guest Speaker George Anderson:

• Health issues plague Anderson
• Health issues have stopped Anderson’s ethics activist activities.
• Medical bills eat away at any income received through part-time jobs. I request an end to the stress concentrated by illegal lawsuit filed in the wrong County. Former City Attorney Powell knowingly filed in home county for “home court” advantage.

You are to demean (lower oneself) yourself to serve the public/taxpayers and citizens.

• This City Council has a duty/oath of office to be good stewards of the public funds.
• You all hold a fiduciary trust of the public’s money.

Is the City Council of City of Snellville the problem or the solution?! As dysfunctional as this body’s actions demonstrate…the majority of this Council is the problem. Last Wednesday’s display of a City of Snellville “circus” should embarrass all of you.

This elected body has betrayed the people of ‘We the people”.

For further reading:

• Resolution Passes to Take Legal Action Against George Anderson
• Gov. Nathan Deal Files Against Ethics Watchdog George Anderson
• Government Watchdog George Anderson Sued by City of Snellville
• Contentious Watchdog Head Announces Complaints Against Witts