Rainwater extends 'olive branch' to Puckette

FLOWERY BRANCH - Flowery Branch City Manager Chris Rainwater has dismissed the legal action he filed Wednesday against Mayor Bryan Puckette.

Rainwater said late Friday night he would "like nothing better" than to see the city "move foward" and end the bickering. Rainwater, in a letter to the Mayor and City Council, says he is also removing a $10,000-a-year pay raise for himself from the budget - something that has been a bone of contention for some council members as well as members of the public.

Because of the conflict between Rainwater and Puckette, the city council Thursday night posptoned a meeting at which it was to have considered approval of a new budget.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF RAINWATER'S LETTER


Mayor Puckette and members of the City Council:

In recent days I have been criticized on a variety of matters by certain members of the community. It is important that we all remember that just because an allegation is made does not make it true - especially in politics. I would like nothing better than to see the city move forward and put the bickerting behind it. Therefore, in a sincere effort of reconciliation, I have moved forward as follows:

In light of Councilman Lezaj's comment that the city needs "a cooling off" period, (referring primarilty to the dispute between Mayor Puckette and I), and in the interest of holding out an "olive branch" to Mr. Puckette to enable the city business to go forward and our citizens served, I have today taken the following steps:

*The complaint against Mr. Puckette in the Magistrate Court has been dismissed
*Mr. Puckette will immediately receive keys to the new locks at City Hall
*The police presence in City Hall has (been) removed immediately
*I invite Mr. Puckette to sit down with me to discuss our issues, come up with appropriate solutions, and work together in a sincere spirit of cooperation to benefit of Flowery Branch's citizens.

These are the first...steps towards an honest effort at reconciliation. In addition to these steps, I have taken note of the public's outcry over my salary increase as included in the budget. Accordingly, I have taken the following step:

*I have removed my salary increase from the budget, and will not accept an increase should it be offered, until and unless it is determined that I deserve such an increase.

It is my hope that these steps will enable us to all move forward in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

Chris Rainwater

Chris Rainwater, M.P.A
City Manager