Earnestine D. Pittman, who became mayor of East Point a year and a half ago, is not your go-along-to-get-along politician. “Oh, no. No. No. No,” she says.
Her feuds — with the city manager, a majority of the City Council, a few members of the gay and lesbian community— frequently make headlines.
Just last month, she made news after filing a complaint with the state attorney general about possible violations by the City Council of the Open Meetings Act. In a letter dated July 5, the state attorney general’s office acknowledged “apparent violations” of the law that “may constitute criminal violations” and forwarded a copy of its file to the Fulton County solicitor.
Pittman, a 65-year-old retired high school math teacher and former city councilwoman, is disarmingly candid. She is quick to tell you that she has more ethics violations against her than any politician in East Point — all of them politically motivated, she says, filed by her detractors.
We caught up with Pittman at home putting together her newsletter, the source of many of the sparks coming from East Point.
Q: How would you describe East Point?
A: It is a very welcoming place. The majority of the population is female, single head of households. We have a large gay and lesbian population. We are very diverse.
Q: Why do you think you make so much news?
A: I have a newsletter that I give out to the residents that has caused such a stir ever since I started it 10 years ago. I don't pull any punches when it comes to fiscal accountability and mismanagement of the city's funds and resources.
Q: Weren't you accused of violating the city's handbill ordinance for distributing that newsletter?
A: I've gotten two citations.
The first time I went to court and the judge said “not guilty.” This time, the judge is taking until Aug. 1 to rule. The people of East Point, except for my detractors, rely on that newsletter.
Q: East Point's form of government places the power with the City Council. Do you have any power?
A: I am the official signatory of the city and ceremonial head and chairperson of the council. The real power comes in being able to communicate with the council and providing information to the residents. As a teacher, I know that information and knowledge is power.
Q: How many times have you exercised your veto power?
A: Every chance I get. I don't take my veto power lightly. I will use the power of veto whenever council does not fully discuss an item.
Q: How many times has your veto been overturned?
A: All but once I believe. My veto is my "no" vote. It should be a wake-up call to the City Council.
Q: What about the ethics violations?
A: Despite all the ethics charges, the residents still elected me mayor. The residents did not believe [the charges] to be credible.
Q: Haven't you also had run-ins with the gay and lesbian community?
A: I have a great many gay and lesbian supporters. I did get in hot water when the issue of building a dog park was raised — an issue supported by mostly gays and lesbians. I told them that we will have a dog park when we have a children's park.
Q: You went to the attorney general because you say five council members were communicating as a quorum outside the council meeting. Why?
A: Government is supposed to be transparent. I went to see the U.S. attorney, too. I am very concerned about the way our capital-improvement project is being handled.
Q: What happened?
A: On the federal level, I don't have a smoking gun, but I'm on record with my concerns.
Q: Isn't that going to worsen your relationship with your detractors on the City Council and the city manager?
A: We are light years apart in the way we see things. They really don't frighten me or intimidate me. I don't want anything for East Point other than good governance and accountability.
The Sunday conversation is edited for length and clarity. Writer Ann Hardie can be reached by e-mail at ann.hardie@ymail.com.
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