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Tue. Feb 08, 2005

Councilman For Life Kurey

We’ve seen the ugliness on a national scale, but here in an Atlanta suburb, city-level political discourse has reached that precious moment when one of those involved moves to the high moral ground of … “Shut up. No, really, shut up or I’ll sue you and take your house.”

R.J. Kurey, Alpharetta’s maverick city councilman, has sent letters to his critics threatening that they could lose their homes in a lawsuit unless they keep their mouths shut.

In the certified letters — sent to City Council members, the mayor and others leading efforts to remove him from office — Kurey wrote: “You are put on notice, by receipt of this certified letter, that any further comments that you or a family member makes to neighbors, press, public or anyone will be taken as a deliberate attempt on your part to cause harm, damage to my reputation and/or a willful attempt to injure.”

“This will be met with legal action against you, personally, which could put your home at risk (financially). . . .” Kurey wrote. “Govern yourself accordingly.”

AJC: “Councilman to critics: Zip it or I’ll sue”

This is from a man who e-mailed a fellow councilman, “Kiss my [expletive], you pompous SOB!!!!!!!!”

I’ve watched this local brouhaha from afar, since I am in town, and this is happening in the suburb of Alpharetta. Thankfully, I’m not ruled by this little tin pot dictator who apparently not only thinks he’s above criticism, he thinks his critics have no right to free speech, and will attempt to legally intimidate them with his bogus threats.

At least, that’s the way it looks to me, in my legally allowed opinion. And though I don’t live in Alpharetta, I have several relatives who do, and you can be sure when I see them I’ll be spreading the joy of Councilman Kurey: “Hey, have you checked your deed for liens lately? Councilman Kurey might be mad at you, and you don’t even know it.”

Because he’s threatening the homes of those who publicly speak against him. Yet he somehow voluntarily entered a field, politics, in which people pull open your panties to look down them, say nasty things about your ancestry, and do it as a part of a process we call an “election.”

Once elected, you can’t decide you don’t like the rules anymore. You can only take your little ball and go home, like the child you appear to be.

Oh, and Councilman? If you need my mailing address for one of those certified letters, just e-mail me. Once I receive it, I’ll be happy to scan it and put in online so everyone can see how you’re spending your time and the fine job you are doing as councilman for the city of Alpharetta. And I’ll be sure to remind all my relatives in Alpharetta … regularly … to say hello to you the next time they stop by the voting booth.