MDJ Article regarding spending.

Effective governance is all about building relationships. We need to engage with people and understand their concerns and priorities so we can set goals and develop policies. We’re all part of the larger community and when we work together, we all benefit.

Relationships, though, take work. They grow and thrive through communication in both the formal, business environment as well as the social one. Attending training, meetings, and conferences is an essential part of understanding and take advantage of opportunities. And in the normal flow of these activities, there are invariably social occasions where ideas are exchanged in a more relaxed atmosphere. 

Yes, leaders in every arena need to be fiscally responsible and those that abuse the trust of their constituency by acting frivolously should be called on it. That’s not the case with Kennesaw, in spite of any inference. Credit card expenditures by city officials were and are in every case, made to support and promote the best interest of the city. Travel and entertainment, training, and technology expenses are necessary in government just as they would be in business. Our relationships with the Georgia Municipal Association, Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Leadership, and Atlanta Regional Commission are important to our city and deserve our involvement. Whether other cities value and invest in those relationships is not our call.

My relationship with the media has always been open and honest. I have always understood the necessity of communicating with members of the press. I have responded to questions without strict filters because I trusted that my answers would be reported accurately and in the context of the conversation. It is a sad statement on journalism that comments I made are twisted and manipulated to satisfy some unknown hidden agenda. If the press is looking for corruption in Kennesaw, they won’t find it.