As County Mayor I want to respond to an issue that has developed over the past few days regarding Michael Schwab of My Macon TV and myself. On December 8, 2009, I received a letter from Mr. Schwab requesting information under the Tennessee Public Records Act. Mr. Schwab was advised that it was the intention of the county to fully comply with his request to the extent it complies with the Tennessee Code Annotated. However many of his request or demands were not a proper request under the Public Records Act and completely outrageous such as: all telephone conversations between myself and any County Commissioner for the past 18 months. Requests such as “how you found out”, “when you found out”, “how you communicated the information”, and on and on, including insinuations about the $739,127.00 in spite of this being explained by CTAS representatives at the November 2, 2009 Commissioners meeting.
On December 14 our county attorney responded to Mr. Schwab’s requests. Then on December 15 I received three separate letters from Mr. Schwab requesting additional records and other information as well. On December 17 I asked Mr. Schwab to meet with me in my office. I told him that he would receive any public records which he was entitled to but it was not my job to be at his beck and call every minute of every day just to furnish him information to help him get his website off the ground. Mr. Schwab didn’t like the fact that the media doesn’t get the same information packet as the Commissioners get for the Commissioners meetings and that he would get this information one way or the other. I told him that he was not going to come up here and tell me how to conduct our meetings. Needless to say Mr. Schwab wasn’t happy with my response to him and the next day started slamming me on his website which doesn’t surprise me at all. I think however his actions and comments against me certainly speak volumes about the caliber of person this man truly is.
He stated on his website that the County Mayor goes off on the media. He also said I was ranting and raving about the Macon County Chronicle and My Macon TV. Well, Mr. Schwab’s definition of ranting and raving surely differs from mine. Furthermore, I don’t consider Mr. Schwab’s little website as the media, and the name Macon County Chronicle was never mentioned. That is simply false. He also states that time after time the mayor would tell him how he was such a powerful man. Again a totally false statement by Mr. Schwab and people who know me knows better. It’s sad to know that someone who seems as “mean spirited” as Mr. Schwab has moved into our community. It appears that character assassination is his specialty.
Normally this would not be my style but when someone viciously attacks your integrity, honesty, and character then it is natural to fight back and set the record straight. As County Mayor I believe it is my duty to warn the citizens about this guy. It’s almost like the circus has come to town but please be aware of BOZO the clown, he may be disguised as Michael Schwab of My Macon TV.
P.S.: I have no intentions of continuing to respond to Mr. Schwab’s outrageous accusations. I refuse to stoop to this man’s level and I will not be viewing his website. I have more important things to do.
Shelvy Linville,
County Mayor
As to the posters here...lets be fair and try to walk in both parties shoes
G McClanahan
After reading this article I have no doubt that I am a bad judge of character. I made the mistake of not listening to others when they said not to vote for you, that I had no idea who the man was I wanted to see as Mayor. My friends were right, I cannot change the fact that you received my vote but I can guarantee you this, I will be a lot smarter in the next elections. This article & you remind me of a childhood bully on the playground & I just pray that you are out of office as soon as possible. You are a disgrace to the office in which you hold.