Monday night I attended the Douglasville city council meeting. Two agenda items, a house party resolution and a report on the tasing of Rev. Kenneth Freeman by Douglasville Police, brought out the media. At least 4 TV news stations with reporters were there to record the event.
Mayor Mickey Thompson moved through the agenda in a fast pace with no controversy. At the end of the agenda city manager Bill Osborne stood at the lectern to deliver the city’s internal report on the tasing incident that occurred on August 25 of Rev. Freeman. The city found that the police officer acted properly and was moved to active duty. A representative of the NAACP spoke later claiming the report had omitted certain facts.
Last but not least on the agenda were citizen’s comments. I went to the lectern to address two issues, the house party resolution and the proposed transportation SPLOST (TSPLOST).
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I had read media reports concerning a proposed resolution to be voted on by the council. According to the reports the resolution was in response to the beating death of a teenager Bobby Tillman last November at a house party where 60-80 people showed up at what was to be a small party. A fight broke out with females prior to the beating death of Tillman. The issue of response time by police was apparently raised in the incident.
My concern with the resolution was that it was asking the Douglas County legislative delegation to support a bill that would make police aware of house parties so they could keep them under surveillance. According to the city resolution, it was encouraging homeowners associations and organizations to cooperate with police by notifying them of house parties in an effort to decrease the possibility of youth violence.
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The part of the resolution that concerned me most was the request for legislation that would provide law enforcement agencies with “enhanced capability” to reduce youth violence.
Based on the resolution and media reports, it appeared that the city was asking for a state law that would require homeowners to notify local law enforcement prior to a house party or gathering.
I told the mayor and council that while I appreciated their efforts to address the issue I was concerned they were seeking “nanny state” legislations that would violate citizens rights. I said if we enact legislation requiring police to be notified of house parties it would pull resources away from things likes patrolling business districts that are being hit by armed robbers.
What I do in my home is my business, if I want to have a BBQ in my back yard I shouldn’t have to notify the police to do so.
After I spoke, State representative Roger Bruce took to the lectern to clarify the issue. He made it clear that the resolution he was sponsoring would only establish a study committee to see what can be done about youth violence and not a bill requiring homeowners to report house parties.
This is far removed from what was being portrayed by the city and media prior to the meeting. I have a hunch the resolution was being pushed for public relations purposes.
After the meeting I asked Tillman’s mother Monique Rivard if police response time by Douglasville was at issue. She told me “no” contrary to reported statements by her and Police Chief Chris Womack. Tillman’s grandmother told me response time was an issue.
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The other issued I addressed was comments made by Mayor Thompson two weeks ago at the Atlanta Regional Commission’s public meeting on the proposed 10 county regional $7 billion transportation special purpose local option sales tax referendum slated for a vote July 2012.
The mayor made it known publicly that he and the city were not happy with the project list and pointed out that one of the projects (Hwy. 92 widening) was being stripped of the funding previously approved by GDOT and would be funded by the TSPLOST if approved. According to one city worker GDOT was going to take back the money and use it for “roads to nowhere”.
I encouraged the public and council to oppose the TSPLOST. I called it a skunk. “It’s warm and fuzzy but it really stinks.”
