Response from Councilmember Brian Brodrick
I consider Watkinsville City Council member Brian Brodrick to be a friend of mine. He devours these blogs quicker than just about anybody, and in his business of working for Jackson-Spalding PR agency he is more sensitive to it. We live in a very small town. Sometimes emotions get carried away on contentious issues such as beer and wine in grocery stores and restaurant, and he wanted to reply to an article I wrote.
By most considerations what happend last night was over in a minute and Brodrick basically called out Jim Shearron for berating Kate McDaniel. The entire three-way verbal spat did not last 15 seconds. And so I feel it is appropriate to publish his response to my article written last night:
The following was written by Brodrick.
1) The only reason I raised my voice towards Jim is because I felt like he
got personal with Kate. I always want debate to be civil at council, and
felt like he crossed a line in attacking her. Both made valid points. I
have the utmost respect for what Dave, Jim, and Mario have done at Ashford
Manor, and that they pride themselves on being a force for change in our
town. But I wasn't willing to watch one citizen yell at another at a
council meeting. I was hoping the Mayor would step in, but when he didn't,
I did.
2) Jim replied to me by asking me some direct questions. I think I answered
his questions fairly. But I'm not sure I'd call it heated or imply that
Mayor Luken "restored order." I think by the time I'd made my comments and
answered Jim's questions, we were all pretty calm and order was pretty much
restored.
I understand that you're free to write about the meeting however you wish,
but I would love it if you could review the story and just make sure people
don't get the impression I was in a shouting match with multiple citizens at
any point in the meeting; I don't think that would be accurate.
By most considerations what happend last night was over in a minute and Brodrick basically called out Jim Shearron for berating Kate McDaniel. The entire three-way verbal spat did not last 15 seconds. And so I feel it is appropriate to publish his response to my article written last night:
The following was written by Brodrick.
1) The only reason I raised my voice towards Jim is because I felt like he
got personal with Kate. I always want debate to be civil at council, and
felt like he crossed a line in attacking her. Both made valid points. I
have the utmost respect for what Dave, Jim, and Mario have done at Ashford
Manor, and that they pride themselves on being a force for change in our
town. But I wasn't willing to watch one citizen yell at another at a
council meeting. I was hoping the Mayor would step in, but when he didn't,
I did.
2) Jim replied to me by asking me some direct questions. I think I answered
his questions fairly. But I'm not sure I'd call it heated or imply that
Mayor Luken "restored order." I think by the time I'd made my comments and
answered Jim's questions, we were all pretty calm and order was pretty much
restored.
I understand that you're free to write about the meeting however you wish,
but I would love it if you could review the story and just make sure people
don't get the impression I was in a shouting match with multiple citizens at
any point in the meeting; I don't think that would be accurate.
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