FANNIN COUNTY, Ga – While attending a Patriot Tea Party Meeting in Mineral Bluff, Post Two Glenn Patterson found himself in a “contentious situation” with certain members of the crowd over the new library proposal. One of whom spoke at the March 10, 2020 Board of Commissioners meeting to ask for Patterson’s resignation.

The Patriot Tea Party invited to all three commissioners to a question and answer session. The topic concerned the new library proposal.

During public commentary, Larry Henderson told the room, “[Patterson’s] conduct during a public meeting the other day was totally out of line, unprofessional, and his verbal attack of a woman in that meeting was beyond comprehension.”

Patterson prepared a statement concerning the Patriot Tea Party meeting and calls for his resignation.

He also relayed that he had known many public officials over the years and believed that if any of them had behaved in that manner, they would tender a resignation.

Patterson described the series of events concerning his comment, “My comment it was to someone who I went to school with, in high school. I knew her. We were talking about the library. I tried to lighten the mood a little bit; it was in sarcasm. I said, ‘you might want to give us a donation.’ At that time, Mr. Henderson charged me, and I just ignored it, but that was the situation. Now looking back, it might have been taken the wrong way or in bad taste.”

Also, he clarified he met with the woman after the meeting and apologized to her. They left on good standing, according to Patterson.

Lane Bishop provided more detail about the situation, “He attended with honor, and he behaved himself, I think, well. As a matter of fact, I tried to save him a time or two, but people get emotional about things like this.”

Patterson agreed that Bishop tried to step in as a moderator to calm the situation.

“I was quickly met with several people in attack mode, yelling insulting comments about public officials, and even my wife was later drawn into a disturbance outside. Things got way out of hand as several people after the meeting apologized for the outrageous behavior,” explained Patterson.

He further went on to say that this wasn’t the entire crowd, but a few people set a “rowdy” tone for the meeting.

In a statement, Patterson said, “I believe in even a contentious situation people should be able to demonstrate a measure of grace and respect for one person’s opinion. This doesn’t mean that one can’t have a spirited debate over an issue, and on the contrary, debates over concerns are beneficial. One should remember to use the golden rule in stating their case. I believe the good people of Fannin County hold their elected officials and our political organizations to a high standard and want them to deal with issues in a civil and respectable manner, and I try to do that. We should not resort to critical accusations and the like, but simply agree sometimes to agree to disagree.”

Bishop stood up after Patterson finished speaking and vouched for the Post Two’s version of events.

However, Bishop did state that the meeting resulted in more questions about the library proposal and sale of Whitepath.

“I think we, and you primarily, have bought a white elephant, on your hands, and something needs to be done about it. It needs to be revealed to all the citizens and taxpayers of Fannin County, exactly what went on with the sale of Whitepath,” declared Bishop.

He asked for a copy of the closing statement and why can’t the county sell the building, and then use the money to build a stand-alone library on another piece of land.

Chairman Stan Helton told Bishop that he could have the closing statement.