DCTC has learned that Douglas County Commission Chairman Tom Worthan and board members attempted to quash any negative coverage of the 2007 SPLOST referendum by sending letters to newspaper publishers and editors complaining about the SPLOST news coverage and asked them to “deal with this accordingly”. DCTC has acquired a copy of the letter under the open records act. The letter was sent to Ottis Brumby, publisher of the Marietta Daily Journal and Neighbor Newspapers. DCTC is attempting to determine what “deal with” means. We are very concerned by any attempt to shut down any dissention from the public or media. We feel Chairman Tom Worthan’s actions are un-American and very disturbing. The letter never mentioned what specifically was “unfair”, “bias”, “inaccurate” or “anti-government”. The Neighbor Newspaper never retracted any statements or corrected any reported facts. We can only conclude that the information being reported was in fact accurate.

Read the letter for yourself!

Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 4:01 pm

Sent to: Mark Magire, Otis Brumby 770-428-9411 x234

From: Jamie Cohran on Behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners

Subject: SPLOST STORY IN DOUGLAS NEIGHBOR 

Good afternoon Mark and Otis:

I am writing you both in reference to today’s front page story written by Stephanie Siegel in regards to a SPLOST lawsuit. I had hoped to be able to avoid this message but have been left with no other option. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners have more than catered to Ms. Siegel’s needs, only to once again watch her report inaccuracies and show a disregard for getting the true story.

I am a former newspaper reporter and must admit I am appalled by this story. She has quoted a county news release as her source, yet her information is anything but accurate. I do hope she can produce this mysterious release she refers to not once but twice. Ms. Siegel did not contact anyone on the board nor me after we agreed to help any time she needed it.

Furthermore, her story shows anything but fair and accurate reporting, simply refer to paragraph three and it is obvious the reasons behind Mr. Quarterman’s lawsuit. Also, note she calls Cobb County for a direct comment yet has nothing from the county in which she is writing about.

This is only the latest in a string of unfair and bias reports by Ms. Siegel. She does not attend any of our meetings yet somehow is able to report on what took place at them. To have a reporter who has shown repeatedly she is anti-government is not in the best interest of our local community or your company.

I respect your position and hope you will deal with this issue accordingly. On behalf of the board, we are requesting Ms. Siegel retract her previous story and report the facts. We will be more than glad as we always have to provide her the information she needs.

Sincerely,

Jamie Cohran

Assistant to the County Administrator

770-920-7585

770-920-7357-fax

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