Why is Church Bad?

You have got to ask, why would a former Mayor want to now serve on the council?

What would motivate someone to do that?

Is it a need to be elected?

Is it the pension and healthcare?

Is it to keep his name out there so he can run for Mayor AGAIN in two years?

Is it completely altruistic, because he loves the city?

Is it because the 5th time is the charm?

What is it???

People have a really short memory… here is a refresher

Leonard Church served as Mayor from 2000 to 2008.

In 2009 the city settled a $1.8 Million Dollar racial discrimination lawsuit. The majority of the complaints in that lawsuit happened under Mr. Church’s tenure as Mayor.  His biggest supporter on the council, John Dowdy, however was asked to resign because of his involvement in the racial discrimination.  (rumor has it he collects a pension from the city still). 

Although Mr Church was at the helm, the only reason he was not named in the suit was because he had already lost his mayorship to Mark Mathews.

The bonds to build the museum were committed to under Mr Church’s tenure. Those bonds were never voted on by the people.

Speaking of elections… Mr Church was so sore about losing to Mayor Mathews that he called for a “redo” that ended up costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars AND he lost by an even bigger margin the second time around. Then in 2010 he ran against Commissioner Goreham and lost miserably and then in 2011 he ran against Mayor Mathews again and lost again. So maybe Mr Church thinks the fifth time is the right time.

During his time as Mayor Mr Church effectively destroyed the relationship between the city and the county. It has only been the last few years that Mayor Mathews has been able to fix some of those relationships.  The Kennesaw Due West property was championed by Mayor Church for a TAD. That means he had it taken off the tax rolls without talking to either the school board or the county. Not the best way to build relationships.

Mr Church touts he wants to selflessly serve…but is drawing on his already 8 years of pension accrued and looking to add 4 more or 6 more. Will he serve as a councilman or will he step down in two years to take on the Mayor for a third time... Only time will tell.