Regarding AJC Article, "OUR OPINIONS: Curtains Closed Too Long", August 31, 2004

Norma Herd

2687 Briarlake Woods Way

Atlanta, GA 30345

Dear Ms.Downey

I read with great interest the AJC piece, “OUR OPINIONS: Curtains Closed Too Long,” published on August 31, 2004 regarding the administration of DeKalb County under Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones. I am concerned that the AJC editorial board may not be aware of a very important Open Records lawsuit filed against DeKalb County and Vernon Jones in his official capacity in the DeKalb Superior Court on May 14,2004, Feltus v. DeKalb County, Vernon Jones, DeKalb-Peachtree Airport and Lee Remmel, Airport Director, Case No. 04CV5630-1.  Although the case seeks records under the Georgia Open Records Act and accuses DeKalb and CEO Jones of intentionally concealing government records, it was missing from the AJC’s discussion of administrative and legal issues now facing DeKalb County and CEO Vernon Jones.  The Feltus complaint under the Georgia Open Records Act "involves the public's repeated attempts to obtain access to government records which are expected to show that DeKalb County and its employees are engaged in ongoing misconduct designed to conceal the unlawful introduction of oversized aircraft into [ PDK], circumvent federal environmental laws,and evade ad valorum taxation of aircraft based at [PDK]." Complaint, page 1.

Mr. Brandon Hornsby the lead attorney for DeKalb citizens  provided a copy of the complaint and it is available on line at www.PDK Watch.org.

If you think the administrative and legal issues cited in your article are of grave concern, I think you will be truly alarmed by the Feltus litigation.  Recently the judge in the case refused to grant a motion by CEO Jones’ lawyers seeking to have him dismissed from the case and protected from having to give testimony or answer any written questions. Previously, Jones’ office had refused service of the complaint; Jones refused to verify an answer in the case and then failed to show up for a duly-noticed deposition.  The judge gave him 10 days to verify an answer or put him in default.  In short, Jones and the County have gone to great lengths to keep Jones from having to answer the complaint under oath and to keep him off the witness stand, but the Court has now put an end to those efforts and Jones has to come to grips with the Feltus allegations. 

I have lived in DeKalb County for 25 years. I care deeply about the neighborhoods and  people who live here. We voted for CEO Jones the first time because he promised an honest, open and responsive government with full public discussions before major decisions are made. Now the citizens have been forced to file a law suit because it is not an open, honest and responsive government.

If you wish to explore this issue, please look at ww.pdkwatch.org or contact me for more information.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Norma Herd      tel# 404-633-5824 cell # 404-290-5120