Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Cobb News Network: Marietta Daily Journal
Councilman has history of financial
difficulties
by Jon Gillooly October 30, 2013 12:06 AM
This past June, Kennesaw City Council Matthew Riedemann saw a
breach of contract with a company that had loaned him money go against
him.
Staff/Jeff Stanton
KENNESAW — City Councilman Matthew
Riedemann has a record of financial troubles, from bankruptcy to breach
of contract.
Yet Riedemann, who faces small business owner Debra Williams in the Nov. 5 election, says he’s learned from his
past and believes the taxpayers of Kennesaw can trust him to act responsibly
when it comes to the city’s finances.
Riedemann found himself on the losing end of a civil suit in
Cobb Superior Court on June 26 when Judge Robert Flournoy found him in breach of
contract with a company that had loaned him money.
Riedemann was ordered to pay the company the principal of
$295,000, accrued interest of $65,426 and attorney’s fees of $54,063, according
to the court order.
“Riedemann and ACP Inc. have been stubbornly litigious, acted
in bad faith and have caused plaintiff unnecessary trouble and expense,”
according to the complaint.
In its lawsuit against Riedemann and his various companies,
such as Ashford Capital Partners Inc., Buywake charged that it loaned Riedemann
$400,000 on Jan. 31, 2011.
On Dec. 5, 2012, Buywake notified Riedemann that he was in
default and demanded payment, resulting in the lawsuit and subsequent judge’s
order.
Riedemann acknowledged the judgment when contacted by the
MDJ.
Riedemann said the loan was “to bridge a gap between buying a
property and an investor coming in to remove that loan because my business is
all investors.”
The investor was impacted by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in
Japan and didn’t come through, he said.
“At that point in March 2011, he couldn’t go forward due to
the tsunami, and I completely understood, told my buddy over there at Buywake,
‘Hey, we’re working on this.’”
Even so, the company filed suit.
Riedemann said he paid back more than $100,000 of the $400,000
loan over the last year or two.
“But with all the interest and attorney’s fees, it’s just over
$400,000. He is secured now. We have assets of more than $3 million, but they’re
in real estate, so that is basically — he is about to be paid off within the
next few months actually because we’re about to sell some
property.”
Credit card
default
Riedemann ran into trouble with his credit card company in
another matter.
A court order shows how Riedemann defaulted on his payments to
American Express Bank, FSB.
American Express filed suit in Jan. 2012, charging him with
defaulting on his payment. Cobb Superior Court ordered him to pay $52,236,
according to court records.
“I took the loss myself rather than my investors on a
different deal,” he said. “That was monies that I had to put out on another deal
rather than pay my American Express card.”
Bankruptcy
filing
Riedemann said he agreed to sell his home in 2011 at on
Palisades Main in a bank short sale caused, he said, when the housing bubble
collapsed.
He has also filed for bankruptcy before.
In 1998 he filed for protection from creditors under Chapter
13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, saying his student loans and building a new
family got the best of him.
“We fought, cried and tried as long as we could to avoid the
bankruptcy; but ultimately, we had to make what would be one of the most
difficult decisions we’d ever have to make,” he said.
He and his wife did pay back the amount set out by the court
trustee, he said.
Despite such financial challenges, Riedemann said taxpayers
should trust him in helping to manage the city’s budget.
“My answer would be I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs
and have learned a lot of things in the process and learned about a lot of
things that you wouldn’t do and what you would do in certain scenarios,” he
said. “It might sound a little corny, but I kind of feel that this is my
doctorate program. I have more hard knocks or more experience that many, many,
many people.”
Riedemann said there are controls in place to manage the
city’s money, such as the city manager and city’s finance director, although as
a council member Riedemann does have input, and a vote, on the city’s budget.
“I know budgets now better than ever before,” he
said.
Riedemann said he is the council’s administrative liaison.
“I meet with the city manager and any issues that are needed
to be covered through there,” he said. “I’m basically the city hall kind of
liaison.”
Riedemann said he is also the liaison to the Kennesaw
Development Authority, which he chaired before the council elected him to fill
the unexpired term of the late Councilman Bill Thrash earlier this year.
Past dictates future, challenger says Debra Williams, who owns
her own public relations and marketing business in the city and serves on the
Kennesaw Planning and Zoning Board, said Riedemann’s financial problems were
brought to her attention.
“It does bring concern to me as a citizen that someone with a
financial background even allows himself to get in that situation,” Williams
said. “I don’t know the details of how it took place -- if he actually got the
money -- but if they gave him the money and then an investor didn’t come
through, is he not supposed to have that money to give back to them? So where
did the money go? It is quite a concern to me. My mom and dad always said your
past dictates your future. You can learn from it, but it’s a predicator to your
future and the decisions that you make at certain times.”
Williams said she wants every voter to be aware of both her
and Riedemann’s backgrounds before they go into the voting booth.
“I don’t want anyone to vote for me who doesn’t know my
background,” Williams said.
“I want them to go into that voting booth and,
without a shadow of a doubt, have no hesitation when they punch my name. I want
them to know both of us before they go into that booth.”
Councilwoman Chris Welsh, who has endorsed Williams in the
race, is also concerned about Riedemann’s background.
“It makes me uncomfortable,” said Welsh. “I was not aware of
those things when his name was put in the hat, but it does make me
uncomfortable. I think people are allowed to make mistakes and have difficult
times. I’ve had my own difficult times, but I think when you end up in a
courtroom situation, there’s probably more to it, and it does make me
uncomfortable.”
Welsh said while it is considered “bad form” to weigh in on a
political race “on your level or lower,” she believes the future of the city is
too important for her to remain silent.
“At this point I think the city needs some independent
thinkers,” said Welsh, who plans to retire when her term is over in two years to
devote more time to her children.
Endorsing Williams was not easy, Welsh said, “because Matt’s
daughter and my children are the same age and they go to school together. Matt’s
wife I adore. We live in the same neighborhood. It’s a hard thing. I think he’s
a good man, I think he’s a good person. I just don’t think he’s the person to
lead the city right now.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accusations
fly and tears flow at Kennesaw Council meeting
In
this photo from the MDJ files, Suzanne Thrash was emotional when she was
presented the Patriot Guard’s Condolence Book and challenge coin at a memorial
service for her late husband, former Kennesaw City Councilman Bill Thrash.
MDJ File Photo/Todd Hull
KENNESAW
— Despite the dying wish of the late Kennesaw City Councilman Bill Thrash,
Mayor Mark Mathews cast the deciding vote to have a Kennesaw Development
Authority member serve out the remainder of Thrash’s term, not Thrash’s widow.
Before he died of cancer in May, Thrash said he wanted his wife, Suzanne
Thrash, to serve out the end of his term this year, a request she had agreed to
do to continue her husband’s vision for the city.
But during a highly emotional Tuesday night meeting filled with tears and
bitter accusations, Mathews and council members Tim Killingsworth and Jeff
Duckett voted for Matthew Riedemann to serve in the seat until the Nov. 5
election.
Suzanne Thrash left the meeting early, apparently well aware that Mathews,
Killingsworth and Duckett had no intention of fulfilling her late husband’s
wish. She returned only to ask for her late husband’s nameplate and photograph.
Neither Mathews, Killingsworth nor Duckett gave reasons as to why they did not
want Suzanne Thrash, an active volunteer with the city’s teen center named for
her late husband, to serve out the year’s term.
“I am disgusted,” Suzanne Thrash said to the council as she walked out of the
meeting.
Outside, the Kennesaw Mountain High School teacher said she believes the vote
was a conspiracy.
“It’s ridiculous,” Suzanne Thrash said as she left with her daughter, Mandi.
“My husband at least was honorable. He did not lie … My husband died less than
a month ago. This is what Bill wanted. It’s such a circus. That was a kangaroo
court in there. ”
She and Riedemann put their names in the hat for the open seat, along with
eight others, prior to the June 7 deadline for consideration. Per the city’s
charter, the council is allowed to vote to fill the seat of a vacated council
member if he/she dies within six months prior to the seat being up for election
again.
After two other candidates addressed the council, Suzanne Thrash made clear she
already knew the vote wouldn’t swing in her favor.
“I guess my feeling is I’m very disappointed,” she told the council. “I’ve
already talked to the mayor. This is not the way it’s supposed to be. We were
supposed to be able to talk things out and discuss and see what my thoughts
were, my plans were. And you (addressing Killingsworth, Duckett and Mathews)
never talked to me to see how I was going to vote or how I’m going to react to
something. I wasn’t even given a fair shot. Is it because I’m just a woman, is
that it? Is it because I have my own brain and I think? Is that why? I’m very
disappointed in this council. You didn’t even give me a fair shot — the people
who claim Bill was a very dear friend. Very disappointed.”
Councilman Bruce Jenkins began the discussion with a nomination for Suzanne
Thrash, which was seconded by Councilwoman Cris Welsh.
Welsh explained to the council that she had a conversation with Bill Thrash
prior to his death, where he told her he preferred to have his wife serve out
the remainder of the year to avoid creating “a three-ring circus in our
community.”
“I don’t feel like putting (Suzanne Thrash) in there is filling a warm seat,”
Welsh said. “I feel like it’s just the closest thing we can get to Bill’s voice.”
Welsh also believed it would be a disservice to the community to have nothing
less than a unanimous vote to fill the open seat.
“Bill was a consensus-builder,” Welsh said. “To have us not be unanimous is
absolutely wrong.”
The vote for Thrash was 2-3, with Killingsworth, Duckett and Mathews opposed.
Killingsworth, an ally of the mayor, then nominated Riedemann, saying he “has a
desire to serve and an ability to address issues.”
“Certainly, I think Mrs. Thrash has those abilities and I certainly don’t
discount her because she is a woman,” Killingsworth said, adding he took issue
with Suzanne Thrash’s accusation. “I have three of them at my house. And I
certainly wouldn’t discount her because she has a brain, because my daughter is
really smart and so is my wife.”
Welsh said she had a problem with Riedemann living in Legacy Park, giving that
neighborhood overrepresentation with Mathews, Duckett and — as she alleged —
Killingsworth, to which he grew visibly irritated, saying he does not live
there.
“Based on what you just said, you’re acting as if there is some sort of
conspiracy going on,” Killingsworth said.
Welsh said she did believe the vote was a conspiracy, based on her
observations.
“I’m looking you in the eye, taking my glasses off,” he said, as he stared at
her from across the table. “Telling you there is no conspiracy, Mrs. Welsh.”
“It’s doctor,” she responded.
Jenkins brought the discussion back to Riedemann’s residence, saying there was
truth to her argument and the move would amount to “stacking the deck” toward
having too many elected officials from Legacy Park.
“I think we owe (residents) a reflection of the community,” Jenkins said. “Matt
has served on the KDA well but I also look at the collection of the
neighborhoods and it’s nice to have different points of view.”
Killingsworth disagreed, noting council members run at-large in Kennesaw.
Prior to Riedemann’s approval, Mathews responded to all the dissent with a
creaky, weak voice, unlike his usual strong tone.
“It’s been a very difficult time for our friend, our colleague, our families,
our city and our employees,” Mathews said slowly, taking a long pause to choke
back tears. “And unfortunately... it has brought out a very, very ugly side of
people in politics and a tremendous amount of irreparable damage (has been)
done in the past two, three months. This (vote) has brought it to its lowest
possible point.”
Mathews went on to say that Kennesaw is an incredible city.
“We have done some incredible work,” he said. “And we have some incredible
things going on that are all at risk because of personalities, emotions. I am
so proud to be able to confidently get up and say over and over again for the
last five-and-a-half years that I have never served with a better group of people.
But a few of you have really changed that. And a couple of you have
single-handedly gone out and spread vicious rumors, vicious accusations and
convinced people that things have been said that are so far-fetched, but yet
because of your positions of perceived power and influence you’ve been able to
convince them and change their feelings and change their attitudes over others.
People that some considered friends. And I considered some of you friends for
many years. But I have never been stabbed in the back as many times as I have
been over the last two months. Ever. Flat-out, blatant, two-faced lies.”
Mathews then went into a topic with Jenkins that occurred over the weekend at
the annual Georgia Municipal Association meeting in Savannah, calling Jenkins’
actions a “perfect example” of the alleged lies.
Jenkins stood by his actions, saying the mayor convinced one of the leaders of
the organization to go against the candidate recommended by the Cobb Municipal
Association.
The city attorney had to redirect the conversation back to the vote, with Welsh
making a substitute motion to approve Jim Sebastian, a member of the Kennesaw
Citizens Advisory Committee, to fill the council seat. The motion was seconded
by Jenkins, but lost in the same 3-2 breakdown.
The original motion to approve Riedemann was approved, in the same breakdown,
3-2. He will serve in the role until the seat is up for re-election.
Riedemann, who did not address the council Wednesday night, said he hopes to
sit down with Suzanne Thrash in the future and try to mend wounds.
“I would like to call her and listen to her thoughts and her visions for the
city, as well as Bill’s,” he said. “And see if I can incorporate that in any
way I can.”
Riedemann said he doesn’t expect to fill the late councilman’s shoes, but wants
to do his best to help the city.
“It’s a difficult time in the city right now,” he said. “I’m just going to do
the best I can.”
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Accusations fly and tears flow
at Kennesaw Council meeting
MINUTES OF MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CALL MEETING
CITY OF KENNESAW
Council Chambers
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
6:00 p.m.
B. Consideration of Mayor and City Council election of Councilmember to fulfill the vacancy for Post 4, with a term ending December 31, 2013, as required in the City Charter, Section 2.08. Twelve candidates qualified for the Council vacancy (with a term ending December 31, 2013): Christopher Bishop, Leonard Church, Jimmy Dickens, Pat Ferris, Robert Kozora, Francis O’Brien, Sam Paglioni, Matthew Riedemann, Jim Sebastian, Suzanne Thrash, Kevin Tidwell and June Wick.
Mathews: The next item is the consideration of the election of the person to fulfill thevacancy on Council. Thank you. Again, Charter Section 2.08 requires the Mayor andCouncil to elect a replacement if the vacancy is created within 12 months of the expiration of the term of office which has been created, and there is no required time frame only a requirement for us to elect someone and we have all been through the names that were submitted and by no means are we required to pick from the names
CITY OF KENNESAW 10
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
that were submitted, that was just an opportunity for anyone who was interested to submit their names in a format so that we can all review and consider, so… At this point I will open up for any discussion, any comments, or just open up for any nominations if there are nominations.
Killingsworth: First of all Mr. Mayor I would to thank…I don’t know how many of them are here, but I want to thank each and every one of them for stepping up and showing that they do love the City and they want to be a part of the City. I personally have talked to each and every one of them and I feel very comfortable with the people I have in mind that would represent the City well. I don’t look at…and even though some of you said "I just want to do this for six months" I didn’t look at it as a six month obligation, I looked at it as a long term obligation. I looked at it as someone that…would want to continue to stay with the City and if you so elect not to run, that’s incumbent upon you.
But to be re-elected is all on you. It certainly doesn’t give you any carte blanche from anybody here because we elect you here at this stage. So, I just want to thank you for stepping up and, I truly have made no bones about it – every one of you have been prayed over by me, every single one of you and I feel very comfortable on my decision with my heart and mind.
Mathews: And while it’s not required and was not without…unless there are any objections here I would like to offer any of the candidates the opportunity to come up and speak, ask questions, whatever you’d like to do unless, like I said, unless there are any objections from the Council. Anyone that is interested that has submitted their name or is interested in being considered. Yes sir, come on up.
O’Brien: Mr. Mayor, Council. I’ve submitted my name and I have some further observations that may help Council.
Mayor: We know who you are, but for the audio, if you will just give us your name please.
O’Brien: I’m Francis O’Brien, one of the candidates who put his name forward. I have watched Council working at some Work Sessions and some Council meetings and I think the present composition of the Council is working very effectively. I don’t see any real requirement that Council proceed and put a temporary person in position for just the next six months – I think that would be very disruptive to put someone in who only wanted to stay for six months and then to go through another transition with a different person with a different agenda. So I think you should only consider people who have an intent to…for long term service on the Council and I think there is, based on this discussion, Council seems to reach consensus very easily on most issues. There are several issues that in my mind really could use some further attention by Council or Council committees and I put them forward in an email to you. I know we’ve got a proposal to spend a chunk of money on the jail, but we desperately need a decent library, one with space and parking in Kennesaw and that’s a much more attractive addition to the City of Kennesaw than an expanded jail. I don’t know what the allocation of funds is, but I certainly think that in terms of what the City plans for downtown, a better library rather than housing prisoners, is certainly something I want to see in Kennesaw. I’d like to see some progress on transportation, traffic moving through Kennesaw. If you’ve had the opportunity to travel on Main Street in the evening it is an
CITY OF KENNESAW 11
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
unpleasant experience generally and we need to get moving rapidly to make something happen and if I were appointed to Council, I would make that a personal task that I would like to be appointed to, to do something about, and to spearhead a change in that
area. I think we’ve done a lot on our parks, but travel is a key subject on everybody’s agenda in Kennesaw and if we want downtown to be what we dream it can be, we’ve got to make it easier and more accessible and not something that people shun away from; someplace where they’d like to stop on their way home and have a beer because traffic is comfortable, feel in a safe environment where there’s things going on, and we can make that happen, and if I were appointed to Council, I would be a very active member of this Council. I’d welcome any questions from Council members.
Mathews: Questions? Thank you sir. Anybody else?
Paglioni: Sam Paglioni, also known as Saverio but it’s easier to go by Sam. I had the opportunity to be interviewed for my views on serving. I think with respect to the Councilman’s widow, I think anybody who would run certainly can either say they’re
going to continue in the position and try to go for a permanent or simply try to fill in. My interest was simply from filling in, learning a little bit more about what Council does.
Based on my background, I have experience in a number of Boards, number of Committees, so I understand the workings. I don’t think necessarily that it should be handed to the widow from the perspective that an elected official, with respect, is
elected by the people in the jurisdictions. So that would be, God forbid something would happen to one of our Georgia Governor, government officials or any one of you, that’s not how it works in the United States, your spouse doesn’t take it over. It has to be followed by the rule of law, whether it’s myself or one of the other candidates, that doesn’t necessarily matter. I just stepped forward to try and do a civic duty, to give something back to the City and in the meantime learn a little bit about the inner workings of the City government. So, thank you very much.
Mathews: Questions for Sam? Thank you Sam.
Thrash: In respect to Sam there is prescience where the spouse…
Mathews: You need to address up here.
Suzie Thrash: Okay, I’m just saying that there is prescience, there is law in the Federal government when a seated candidate dies or whatever, the spouse is given the opportunity to take that seat and then they have the opportunity to run again. That is the way it is in the Federal government. Okay? I have not been interviewed, personally, through this whole process and Mr. Killingsworth, you said that you had talked to everyone… I didn’t…
Killingsworth: Shall I interject? I’ve talked to you on numerous occasions.
Thrash: Not after I put in my name, sir. Okay. Well, so sorry. But obviously…I guess my feeling is I’m very disappointed. I’ve already talked to the Mayor and this is not the way it was supposed to be. And Jeff, we’re supposed to be able to talk things out and
discuss, and see what my feelings were, what my plans were. And you never talked to me. Never. So how do you know how I am going to vote or how I’m going to react to
CITY OF KENNESAW 12
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
something; I wasn’t even given a fair shot. Is it just because I’m just a woman? Is that it? Is it because I have my own brain and I think? Is that why? Is that why, Mark? I’m very disappointed in this Council; didn’t even give me a fair shot. Very disappointed for
the people who claim that Bill was a very dear friend. Very disappointed.
Mathews: Any questions for Suzie? Anybody else?
Jenkins: Service, submission, sacrifice. This is three things that I look at when you are thinking about running for political office. I think if you bring some other attributes like you’re an accountant, you happen to be a civil engineer, perhaps even a…some type of
construction, I think you have a plus or a slight advantage on being about to address issues as they would come to a dais. But I think a servant’s heart is paramount having someone in this position. We have all learned sitting here, week in and week out, knowing this isn’t about us. It’s not about what we really want it’s about what our constituents want, but what they need. Hopefully we’re able to capture that – some type of vote or rendering. It’s probably one of the hardest tasks that I’ve ever had - coming up with some way to find someone to suceed Bill. God knows we never can replace him. I look at his life and what he meant for the City, and it was an attitude of sacrifice, even up until the end we all saw him come in. Every evening that I would call him "are you able to come to the meeting tonight?", "yeah, I’ll be there, I’ll be there, I’ll try to make it." There toward the end, sometimes I’d have to pick him up physically and help him in. So I saw that essence of sacrifice and service, but I also saw a submissive heart. He coined the phrase a lot around here "there’s a pecking order" and I know Mr. Kennedy heard it more than once. It was a phrase that he said basically that people were at the top of that pecking order. He put the people first, always. When I think of those attributes I think of someone that demonstrates them on a day in, day out basis. I think of someone that works in a situation, or tries to find a situation that they find them in that they have to have those attributes day in and day out. I’ve searched my heart, I’ve tried to reason a way…if there was a reason to why I shouldn’t make a motion or suggest a motion to nominate a certain person. In my heart of hearts I know that Bill started sort of a contract with the City and unfortunately this damned disease, cancer, he was not able to fulfill that contract. He made that agreement he was going to stand by it, stand in the saddle until it was absolutely the possible last moment. That Tuesday before he felt so ill and couldn’t even get off the sofa again, I took him to KBA. One of the things he asked me last was what’s on the agenda Wednesday night? I looked at him and said, Bill, we’re not meeting Wednesday night, we’ve already met. But he wanted to know and it was that type of sacrifice, that type of constant vigil, and that’s
why at this point when I feel like someone to fulfill his contract, to fulfill his need of finishing what he started that I want to nominate Suzie Thrash to fulfill his duty, to fulfill his contract, fulfill his agreement with this City and fulfill what he started so he can stop and rest in peace.
Welsh: I think that before we do that I think I want to say one more thing. And…I think it would be an absolute disservice to our community, to Bill’s name for this decision to be anything but unanimous and I’ve been very clear about that. I’ve been…I know
where the three of you guys stand, I know where Bruce and I stand, and that’s a problem for me because this should be a unanimous decision.
Killingsworth: Nobody in this room knows where I stand.
CITY OF KENNESAW 13
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
Welsh: Okay, good. I hope I’m wrong. Because this room right now is filled with the men and women who are going to create this community in the next ten years. You guys all stepped up and I appreciate it. But…I had to write this down because I’m going
to get upset. I sent a letter to each of you and explained to you why. It wasn’t because I didn’t think you were amazing it was because I spoke to Bill a lot in the last year he was alive and that [inaudible] year last October he and I drove down to the GMA
conference together because he was on pain edication and he couldn’t drive anymore, and Suzie let me drive him down there, and we had separate hotel rooms,
but… We drove down there, we talked a lot. He would go back and forth on "I’m going to whip this thing, I’m gonna run another term" to you know what, maybe there was a realization that "I’m not going to be here." When he did that he was very clear with me
on his wishes and he told me that last October when he was very lucid and some of the comments that are made around town are "he must have been hallucinating when he said he wanted Suzie to fill his term" – some very nasty things have been said in our
community and I don’t appreciate it because that is not what this is for. Bill was a consensus builder and to have this not be the end decision is absolutely a problem.
When I spoke to Bill he said he was concerned that given the current turmoil and dissention among our Mayor and Council, that having anyone in a position who intended to run for that seat was actually going to create a political three-ring circus in our community. And I agree with that. I’ve been sitting here, I’ve seen the three-ring circus. Yeah, a lot of our votes are unanimous but not on a lot of things that can really matter. So…he and Suzie sat down and deliberately discussed it. Suzie didn’t want to do it at first and as he talked to her and said I really want you to finish what I started.
I’ve started this contract with our community and Suzie doesn’t want to run again. I don’t feel like putting her in there is filling a warm seat. I feel like it’s the closest thing we can get to a voice. I totally appreciate what you’re saying but the prescient is
absolutely there. I can list you off probably 30 women who have filled their husband’s seats in multiple offices, Board of Education, State Senate, Congress, Federal – I mean Mary _____ for God’s sake. I mean, they’re there, the prescient is there it’s not like we’re on the cutting edge doing something different.
[inaudible from Randall] This is one of the reasons I love you. But this is an amazing community and you guys are all amazing for being here and wanting to serve and I hope not one of you will hold it against me that I feel like the right thing for our community is Suzie but I also know that if it’s not a unanimous decision and then we have to look at something separate and I talked to Suzie about that, and we’re both broken hearted about it. We’ll do what’s best
for our community in the unanimous decision. I’m done.
Mathews: Was that a second to his motion or…?
Welsh: Absolutely, I’ll second that motion.
Mathews: So we have a motion and a second to nominate Suzie Thrash. Any other discussion?
Killingsworth: The only other discussion I have Mr. Mayor is that this person that I had, actually had one person in mind. The person I’m looking at has a heart to serve, to my knowledge. This person is easily to get along with everyone in this Council. He has a
desire to serve, has the ability to understand issues; not that anybody in this room
CITY OF KENNESAW 14
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
doesn’t have those abilities and certainly I think Mrs. Thrash has those abilities; I certainly wouldn’t discount her because she is a woman. I have three of them in my house. Certainly wouldn’t discount her because she has a brain because my daughters are pretty smart and so’s my wife, so… I almost take exception to those statements.
With that said, I stand by how I’m going to vote, and I feel very comfortable about it.
Most of the people in this room understand it.
Welsh: If I could add one more thing. When I saw, kind of, what I assume to be where the rest of the Council is going. I sat down and I made a list of, basically I made my own Rubric and it was ten questions - what were the ten things that I thought were most important for a Councilmember. And then I took my conversations and what I know of each of you in the community and I ranked you based on those and I think I did it very objectively. I’ll actually read those ten questions off to you so you can know what my criteria was because I did go ahead and rank everybody in this order. We can have those discussions, but… My first question was how long has this person lived in the City. Are they currently involved with Boards and Committees? Are they involved in communities and outside community efforts? Do they have any governmental experience? Do they have any military or public service experience? Education level?
A unique skill set that fills a void that may currently be on our Council? Do they reside in an area of Kennesaw that may currently be underrepresented? Do they have the time to dedicate and do they intend to run in November? And for me, intending to run in
November was [inaudible] and for all the reasons I said before. However this is going to go and whatever we’re going to do, I think the most important thing for our community is that closure.
Mathews: Any other discussion? Motion and a second to nominate Suzie Thrash. All in favor of the motion raise your right hand (Jenkins, Welsh). That’s two.
All opposed (Mathews, Duckett, Killingsworth). That’s three. The motion fails 2-3. I’ll open the floor
for another nomination.
Killingsworth: Mr. Mayor I’d like to nominate Matt Riedemann.
Welsh: Of course you would.
Killingsworth: Get a second please, Mr. Mayor.
Mathews: We have a motion to nominate Matt Riedemann. Do we have a second?
Duckett: Second.
Mathews: Motion and second to nominate Matt Riedemann. Any discussion?
Welsh: Actually I do have a huge issue. I love Matt. Matt, I think you’re an amazing man. I do not think that our Council needs four people who live in Legacy Park sitting on it. That is an absolute travesty. I love Matt’s commitment to the KDA. I love that he
comes to the Chamber meetings. I love that he’s involved. Four members of our Council sitting in Legacy Park absolutely over-represents.
CITY OF KENNESAW 15
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
Killingsworth: So the comment to me Mr. Mayor was "of course you do." I don’t live in Legacy Park.
Welsh: I know you don’t.
Killingsworth: I live as far from Legacy Park as you can so why did you make that statement?
Welsh: Why did I make that statement?
Killingsworth: Yes.
Welsh: Because it’s been very clear for the last couple of months that’s exactly where you guys were going.
Killingsworth: Based on what?
Welsh: Based on…
Killingsworth: Out of my mouth.
Welsh: Out of your mouth?
Killingsworth: Yes. Talk to me. Don’t talk to anybody else. Talk to me. I know you
[inaudible]
Welsh: I hope so.
Killingsworth: I do too. I’m not going to put up with some of the backstabbing, talking back and forth.
Welsh: Yes, I’ll say it straight to your face, ask Jeff. I’ll say it straight to your face.
Killingsworth: Look at me and talk to me. I don’t need to talk to Jeff.
Welsh: I’m not going to stoop to your level.
Killingsworth: My level is wide open. If you want to say something to me, say it to me.
Based on the…on what you just said you’re acting as if there’s some sort of conspiracy going on.
Welsh: That’s exactly what I’m saying.
Killingsworth: Okay. Based on what?
Welsh: Observation.
Killingsworth: Is there anybody in this room I could have nominated that you wouldn’t have said some smart-aleck comment about?
CITY OF KENNESAW 16
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
Welsh: Absolutely. My next person on the list was Jim Sebastian. My following person was Kevin Tidwell. Then it was Frank O’Brien, Bob Korzoa, Pat Ferris, Leonard Church, June Wick, Chris Bishop, Sam Paglioni, Matt Riedemann and then Jimmy
Dickens.
Killingsworth: And would’ve you said anything if I said anybody else but Matt Riedemann? Even Mr. Dickens who’s on that list? So you think there’s some big monster conspiracy about Matt Riedemann? I’m looking you in the eye, taking my glasses off, and I’m telling you there is no conspiracy Ms. Welsh.
Welsh: It’s Doctor Welsh.
Killingsworth: No, you’re Ms. Welsh to me.
Welsh: This is exactly what Bill did not want.
Killingsworth: I talked to Bill every week. I talked to Bill all the time. He and I talked about a lot of different things. So don’t think you have the corner of the market just talking to Bill.
Thrash: Sorry, I can’t take the lying anymore. I can’t.
Killingsworth: To sit here and say you’ve got a corner on this market about talking to Bill or implying…
Welsh: I never said that.
Killingsworth: You implied it. He wouldn’t even talk to you two years ago. So, I didn’t want it to come to this, but you brought it to this.
Jenkins: I think in this situation when a lot of emotions run high because not only our compassion for Bill but also our obvious passions for the City, but I think like I said, some type of protocol. But I think here you look at, what Cris said, there’s a lot of truth and merit when you look at it.
Killingsworth: To what?
Jenkins: To what the fact is if you separate out, I think there’s other neighborhoods, other streets in the City and the folks here across the Chamber that are representing those neighborhoods and streets; and I think we do need – we owe them a reflection.
Killingsworth: Are you making a case for Wards?
Jenkins: No. I’m making a reflection that someone should have some representation from other areas in the City. I’m not for Wards, but I don’t [inaudible] look at other options. Not just put everybody from one neighborhood.
CITY OF KENNESAW 17
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
Killingsworth: When the election date comes around we can focus on that and those people can come out then to be elected.
Jenkins: I have no doubt Tim, they will in droves, and I hope they do. I hope they do. I will tell you that Matt has served the KDA, has been there. I appreciate him on that, but I also look at reflection of the neighborhoods and it’s nice to have neighborhoods
separated up here where we can get different people, different points of view, different streets, different neighborhoods, looking at different points of view. That’s what I think I really appreciate if we could look at that. Stacking the deck up here with the majority being from Legacy Park, I think is wrong.
Killingsworth: Don’t you think other people would see a problem with that [inaudible] Legacy Park.
Jenkins: I would hope that obviously you don’t.
Killingsworth: No, I don’t because I’ve never seen anybody on this Council focus towards just Legacy Park. Doctor Welsh…
Welsh: You can call me Ms., that’s fine.
Killingsworth: No…
Jenkins: [inaudible] education. I think there’s some merit in that.
Killingsworth: Let me go on the record as saying she has earned that title of Doctor.
Welsh: That’s fine, alright. No. No.
Killingsworth: I don’t respond very well to gang style and mob type tactics. I’ve had several phone calls this week, both positive and both negative. Many people in this room have influenced my decision. A lot of the people aren’t being nominated…I’m sorry, aren’t being interviewed have made my decision. And I have a pecking order too, but I don’t… I stand by Matt Riedemann because of his background on the KDA, because of his background on what he’s been following, what he’s been doing, his heart to serve. I base that all on criteria that I asked him. [inaudible]
Mathews: It’s been a very difficult time for…for our friend, our colleague, our families, our City, our employees. Unfortunately it has brought out a very, very ugly side of people and politics. But a tremendous amount of irrefutable damage has gone on the past two to three months. This has brought it to its lowest possible point. We have an incredible City; we have done some incredible work; we have some incredible things going on right now that are all at risk because of personalities, emotions. I’ve been so
proud to be able to confidently get up and say over and over again, the last five and a half years that I had never served with a better group of people. A few of you have really changed that. A couple of you have single-handedly gone out and spread vicious rumors, vicious accusations, and convinced people that things have been said that are so far-fetched that yet, because of your positions, and perceived power and influence, you’ve been able to convince them, and change their feelings, and change their
CITY OF KENNESAW 18
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
attitudes over others. People that some considered friends. And I’ve considered some of you friends for many, many years. But I have never been stabbed in the back as many times as I have been over the last two months. Ever. Flat out blatant, two-faced lies. This weekend, this whole past week is a perfect example of that Bruce, perfect example.
Jenkins: Deeds, not words.
Mathews: Perfect example.
Jenkins: Deeds, not words Mayor. Are you capable of that? Did you or did you not hear the wording of the CMA? Did you not hear the wording of the CMA meeting.
Bentley: Bruce, Bruce. Let’s…
Jenkins: Did you not hear what the CMA, at that meeting, said who was going to be their nomination? Did you not talk with any of those committee members? Were you not at that meeting?
Mathews: I was at the meeting, absolutely. And what does that have to do with…
Jenkins: In fact we had four people that expressed an interest…
Bentley: Everybody…take your time.
Mathews: It’s totally irrelevant. I’d be more than happy to get back into it.
Jenkins: I have no problem with it Mayor. The point is I will do…I will stand by my actions…
Mathews: I’m sure you will because you believe in whatever reason that looking somebody in the eye and shaking their hand and congratulating them…
Jenkins: Condolences for you; yes.
Mathews: To congratulate them and then to turn around and spend the next day fighting and spreading rumors about that person and saying why they are not the right person for a position.
Jenkins: I talked to one person that morning and that person was Harvey Parsons who you convinced to go against the CMA because that was their direction - someone else.
Ron Fennel [inaudible]
Duckett: Point of order. We have a motion and a second on the floor.
Bentley: Mayor. Bruce.
Mathews: We had a point of order called.
CITY OF KENNESAW 19
Special Call Meeting Minutes 06/26/2013
Jenkins: Question, Mr. Mayor.
Mathews: We got a question called. We will now…we have a motion and a second.
And again – very, very sad that we’re in the position we’re in.
Jenkins: You drove it there sir. Leadership prevails.
Welsh: May I make a substitute motion for Jim?
Mathews: There’s a motion and a second. All in favor raise your right hand.
Bentley: Mayor, there was a substitute…there was a request for a substitute motion.
Mathews: I’m sorry?
Bentley: There was a request for a substitute motion.
Mathews: I hadn’t heard, but all right. Entertain…let’s hear your substitute.
Welsh: I’d like to put a substitute motion for Jim Sebastian.
Mathews: We have a substitute motion; is there a second?
Jenkins: Second.
Mathews: We have a substitute motion and a second for Jim Sebastian. Discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor of the substitute raise your right hand. That’s two (Welsh, Jenkins). Opposed? That’s three opposed (Duckett, Mathews, Killingsworth). Back to the main motion. Motion to approve Matt Riedemann as the elected replacement.
All in favor of the main motion raise your right hand. That’s three (Killingsworth, Duckett, Mathews). Opposed? That’s two (Welsh, Jenkins). Mr. Riedemann has been elected by the majority of the Mayor and Council to fill the unexpired term of the seat vacated by Councilmember Thrash through December 31, 2013. Any other items on this special
call meeting?
Jenkins: I would like to have and request the minutes reflect verbatim comments.
Mathews: I would request the same.
