Mayor Matthews and Mr. Kennedy should be voted out of office and when the next election comes up I will do everything I can to see that both these snakes get voted out of office. This is the kind of example our children have to look up to.Both of these men only care about lining their wallets with money. This is clearly a conflict of interest and no one wants to stand up for what right. Shame on the City of Kennesaw!! Politics as usual and this is why people don't get involved such corruption.

I attend the meeting and the ethics board was a disgrace. Most of the members of that board came into that meeting totally unprepared. They clearly didn't understand the ethics charges that had been filed, the city and state code that was represented to them, as well as in the procedures of how their meeting should run. The fact that the "peanut gallery" had to remind the board members that public comments were not allowed, the general ignorance of both the charges and the city code, as well as the seriousness of role entrusted to them representing the public was disgusting. It was obvious to everyone present that Mr Cochran, the attorney working with the ethics commission, was not versed in our city code and spent most of his time telling the commission what they cannot do rather what they can do and what they were expected to do. He, in a sense, was guiding and forcing them towards dismissing the complaints. Clearly there is a flaw where the Mayor and Council can appoint people who are unqualified to such a board. I applaud Mr Ermetlu as well as anyone who is willing to step up and fight for what they believe is right.

I too was at the meeting and the ruling of the Ethics Committee is now on record. My comment is not about the ruling, but about the method in which it was reached. I have served in the past as Chair of committees simular to this and I was disappointed at the way the meeting was conducted. 1. The committee and its Chair seemed ill prepared to make a ruling of any kind on this situation. 2. They could have had a work session and have their attorney adivse them in advance of what the implications of the Kennesaw Code is and how it is affected by the State Code. 3. It appeared that none of the members had done any homework or familiarized themselves with the applicable code sections. 4.The Chair abdicated her role to the committee attorney who ran the meeting for the most part. 5. The committee attorney appeared from the onset to have a preconceived idea of where he wanted to steer the committee. 6. The committee attorney spent the majority of his effort telling the committee what they could NOT do instead of what they could do. 7. All in all, it was the poorest run meeting I have seen in a long time. It was pretty obvious that from the onset, the committee was going to be wishy washy and render their 'not justified' report. I for one am going to be a citizen who is like a little hawk sitting on a fencepost keeping an eye on what is going on. I only hope that other citizens will join me in this vigil.

The Board of Ethics was created as an impartial body to review complaints raised by citizens. They serve without compensation as volunteers. It is entirely inappropriate to attack the integrity of the board, the members or the process. There is an appeal process in the ordinance and everyone must respect the authority of the ordinance and the process. To do otherwise will render the Board of Ethics meaningless. 

It is with regret that I am resigning from The City of Kennesaw, Board of Ethics effective immediately. I feel that during the Ethics Board Meeting that took place on Tues, I was pretty much blindsided me as a board member as were the entire board. This was for City Employees and not Elected Officials. The outburst of Council for Mayor Mathews was uncalled for. If he would have paid attention, he would have heard how it was going. If his council would have been able to speak, he would of had to have been paid from the City of Kennesaw. I felt uncomfortable from the moment I walked in the door until I got in my car after the meeting. I do not feel very ethical about my City anymore nor do I like the back stabbing going on and while games are being played with lives. It makes me sick, I came from a family where my father was a highly respected surgeon and he would be rolling in his grave to hear that lives are being played with by certain people in this city where I chose to live and be on the Ethics Board and just do not give a flip about lives, rather its all about control. Ethics? Some higher ups in this City need to really look up the word and abide by it. This all makes me sick. I do not hold Terri Copeland or any other Ethics Board member accountable for this action. The entire board was blindsided. They have been a great board to work with and after seven years, I feel it would be unethical for me to stay and yes I do leave in tears.
Best Regards
Eileen Alberstadt

The sitting Attorney did carry this meeting. We were set for a meeting on City Ethics Codes and then we were told that we had to follow State Ethics Codes which supercede. Debra, there has not been a formal ethics complaint in this city in many years and from what I understand at least not in the last 20 years. Our Chairman was blindsided just as I was. And no, we can not deny a hearing and dealing with the complaints. I for one think the appointed attorney should have come from another county and not within Cobb. "COBB IS COBB" My appointment was to address City Ethics Codes not State. PS: I don't think any of the board ever verified if the Mayors paycheck came on a W-2 or a 1099. At this point, I am out and I do hope this matter does get taken care of. All I see is a City falling apart.

Its over Debra. We can not question State Codes. We are a City. The Mayor and Council from what I understand chose the Atty. As to whether he was a W-2 or a 1099, I do not know if she knew. As for expenses, I have no clue about the cost nor do I really care at this point. I am off the Board. I just feel that Ethics in the City of Kennesaw does need some revamping and rewriting to be in accordance with the other cities equal to Kennesaw. By God I will stand by this City to see that these changes get done if needed.

"I just feel that Ethics in the City of Kennesaw does need some revamping and rewriting to be in accordance with the other cities equal to Kennesaw."

OK, I have to ask, how do you even know where "the other cities equal to Kennesaw" stand on this issue?? The fact that the Ethics committee was clueless is the fault of the committee for being unprepared.

I thought my comment posted yesterday. Apparently, I am not as tech-savvy as I thought.
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I do want to remind everyone that this was a 'work session' of the Ethics Board. Sunshine Law requires that the work sessions are open to the public, but not for public comment. If a Hearing is scheduled, then there may be comments allowed. (I served previously on that board, but no longer after my term expired in 2011.) Though some folks may think the members were unprepared, they did know this issue was coming before them. The purpose of this meeting was to look at the Codes in light of the filing that had been submitted. Again, this was the _work session_ for this incident. This is the first time the Board had the charges in from of them to compare with the existing Code. The Code does require that Counsel (an attorney) be appointed to assist with the 'legal-ese'. Members are appointed by various elected officials of the Mayor and Council from a ~wide variety of people~; no one elected official appoints all the members. These committee members volunteer their time and energy. Please do not attack them personally for adhering to the current Code. If the Ethics Code needs to be changed, that is another issue and can/should be done through the appropriate channels. Two or three years ago, the Board did examine Kennesaw's current code in light of neighboring municipalities and the state. Some changes were made, but it could be time for another review.

RE: ETHICS COMMITTEE
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If you own the cards, you can stack the deck......
-WILDMAN

Dent needs to create a shirt that lets people know our city Government is not very ethical and needs to step down. Mark do us all a favor step down as Mayor so WE THE PEOPLE do not have to ask you to.

John,
Thanks for the words of support. It's amazing to me how quickly you and others are to judge on an issue that you have no clue about other than the rumor mill that you choose to listen to. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and address any questions or concerns you might have regarding any issue. As for stepping down, the only people that need to step down are the ones that have launched this inappropriate character attack on me over an issue that they are emotionally attached to and looking for someone to blame. It seems that some people don't want to hear the truth. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting this Thursday at the Ben Robertson Community Center and would welcome your attendance and input.

Mark your post has proven how much of a loser you realy are. Next go around many to include myself will make sure you do not get re-elected to any post in the city. You know what you did and now your a lashing back like a child . Never forget you are a PUBLIC SERVENT and we are not here to serve you. Unfortunately I will be out of town at the time of the Town Hall meeting. I would love to be there but duty calls at present . Look deep into yourself Mark I am sure you will not like what you see, I know many of us in the city surely do not. Good Luck on your town hall meeting I just hope the right people are there to ask the right questions of their Public Servent. . I guess with your post that means you will not step down as our Mayor? Sad you do not truly care for our fair city as much I would have hoped you would.

John, or whatever your real name is.

Your post has proven how much of a loser you really are. I find it quite odd that you (at least under the name you use) have not voted in a city of Kennesaw election even once in the last 10 years. You seem to imply that you are a long time resident and voter. You are like most that post on this and other sites, posting baseless inaccurate allegations that are under the cover of an alias or "stage name" incomplete and without any facts to back them up and when confronted or asked to meet in person always seem to be conveniently unavailable. I have looked "deep into" myself and am quite satisfied with what I see. I, unlike you apparently, will never be perfect and have always learned from my challenges and mistakes. I do serve at the pleasure of the voters in Kennesaw and will continue to serve until they decide with their votes that I am no longer meeting their needs. I have a deep passion and care for this city and will not sit back and let people like you attempt to tear down the many great things we have done and will continue to do. Your childish statements will not change my care and passion for this city. The invitation will remain open for you to meet with me in person to address any specific claims you may have against me. I'm sure you are also one that enjoys having the last word, so it's all yours! See you around town "John".

The voter registration list is public record and can be purchased by individuals running for office. Not the information as to whom you voted for or any items you voted on, simply the area and the names of registered voters. This is how you receive the MANY mailers from those running for political office that list your name on it. They also know which party affiliation you are registered under, so you see, there was no 'secret back room meeting' to find this information. Let me state for clarity, I'm not on a side, I'm simply clearing up a misunderstanding as to how one can find that information. Assume - to take for granted or without proof. Let's not make our arguments based on these. Please review this policy on purchasing the voter registration list. http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_lists.htm

Hoping most can make it to the meeting tomorrow night. I am trying to make a change in my plans so I can also be there as well. I hope many are there to ask the questions that need to be asked , I hoping some of you can help Cris E. with getting our ethics rules in order with other city's the size of Kennesaw. Ethics in Government should not have to be written because those who serve at our leisure should know right from wrong written or not. It comes down to just this. DO THE RIGHT THING and know one can call you on ethics violations. Hoping to see many of you tomorrow night. Together we can keep Kennesaw a great place to live and brag about how our leaders try and do the right thing even if they are not written in black and white.

Hey John Himot, do you have contact info or can you contact me directly? I agree with Debra 100%. She is smart and she and I have been friends for a number of years now and I highly respect that woman and her opinion. My direct email is ealberstadt@comcast.net Thank you.