A personal request

Someone asked me to recreate my comments to the Flowery Branch council.

I'm Mike Parker and I live at _____, Flowery Branch, Ga.

I thank you for allowing me the exercise my right of free speech in your spacious City Hall. (Laughter)

I'm here to represent all the people not seated in a leather swivel chair, sipping on Coca-Colas from Chick-fil-a. (Laughter)

(Looking at the city planner, James Riker) Now, you can draw all the lines you want on all the maps you've 'got,' but these are the people (gesturing), sitting here and standing outside in the cold and rain, (facing the Council and emphasizing the point by tapping the podium) but these are the people who built up the intangible wealth you call a community.

It is not (taping the podium) the job of the government to roll over for businesses or prepare the next bailout for Bank of America. (Pause) I say that (tapping podium) it is the only job of government to protect the people who made this a place where you want to live, work, and raise children. The people who came before you.

(Leaning onto podium which moved and rolled away from me) Now there was a guy outside ... Well, I promised this guy outside that I would tell you what he told me. I ain't a goin' to do that. (laughter)

(Pause) Thank you. Have a good evening.

(Turning as to walk away then turning to face the Council) And I hope to see you all in the community, some time. (A reminder that 4 of the 5 Council members live in the same unfinished subdivision and not anywhere near the newly zoned manufacturing district. )

Council Member Fetterman tries to blog. I can only hope to be as "eligant" and "gracful" as him some day.

He is here reminded that I am not a public figure and legally protected from slander and libel. So are all other anonymous bloggers. So I now ask, are you blogging as an official of the council? Which makes the city liable for your 'comments?'