Click to enlarge photos.

MARIETTA - Claiming "dirty politics," Southwest Commissioner Annette Kesting said recent personal attacks on her are part of "a deliberate attempt to force (her) from office," and "destroy (her) reputation."

Kesting said she knows who is behind the "cowardly efforts" to stop her from serving as commissioner, but never during her 10-minute tirade on the Marietta Square Friday afternoon did she give any names or specifics. Kesting read a prepared, four-page speech, before apologizing to those who were offended by her remarks made at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church - during which she claimed co-workers in the county government were "non-Christians." After reading her speech, she abruptly walked toward the Cobb County Government building off the Square, refusing to answer questions from the newspaper and TV media gathering. A crowd of about 30 Cobb County residents and employees attended the press conference.

Kesting's remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Commission Chairman Sam Olens, who was in St. Louis on business but apparently learned of Ms. Kesting's claims from county employees who attended the press conference.

Olens called Kesting's remarks toward county employees "embarrassing."

"I find it frustrating that we have a commissioner who continues to criticize the government she was elected to serve," Olens said.

Olens said no government is perfect, but said publicly criticizing county employees doesn't assist the process or help the county residents.

He said it's clear to him that a private discussion and reconciliation with county employees is needed.

"We're here to serve our residents; we're not here to get in petty disagreements," Olens said. "I'm frustrated by this mentality that everyone is causing these comments but her …Let's represent our constituents and not spend all this negative energy."

Since being accused of making racist remarks after her recent church speech, Kesting said she "misspoke" and likened herself to President Bush.

"I have never been and am not now a racist," she said. "I am a simple woman. I am dyslexic and not particularly articulate to suit some people."

Gerald Rose, founder of New Order, which claims it is a human rights organization, said Kesting has "been frustrated for a while" with how she was being treated. He said he had a meeting about six months ago with Olens to discuss the situation.

"This is not new," Rose said. "A friendship has to be made. This young lady is strong … It's time to make a change in Cobb County."

Rose did not elaborate on what changes need to be made.

Olens said he met with Rose to explain his opposition to an August rezoning decision Kesting had supported. Olens voted against allowing hundreds of new apartments to be built near Six Flags. Kesting and Southeast Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson were the only two who voted in favor of the rezoning.

"I reminded him that I'm elected countywide," Olens said. "I have opposed motions made by all of the commissioners. There will be disagreements from time to time … It was not a personal issue; it was a professional issue."

The only Democrat on the Board of Commissioners, Kesting is up for reelection in November. She has not confirmed whether she's seeking reelection, and Rose said he didn't know if she was running.

Kesting also said she has been "bombarded with bad press," starting with reports she and her husband didn't pay their property taxes on duplexes they own in Powder Springs.

"We failed to pay our taxes on time, but we did pay them," Kesting said. "In fact, the truth is that we overpaid our taxes."

She said they have hired an attorney to look into claims her properties were double-taxed.

Kesting also claimed the news stories have distorted the facts and reporters made up information.

Foreclosure notices of three separate properties owned by the Kestings have appeared repeatedly in the legal ad section of the Marietta Daily Journal.

McCurdy and Chandler, the law firm handling the foreclosure proceedings, said the most recent foreclosure sale was stalled due to Kesting filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. U.S. Bankruptcy Court records show Kesting filed for bankruptcy on March 3 and previously in October.

But Kesting has said the bankruptcy is "worked out."

"My mortgage company worked something out with me and put my payments on the back burner," she previously told the Journal. "I'm not in bankruptcy. I don't have to go through that."

Through everything, Kesting said she's remained focused on her constituents.

During her first term in office, she said she worked to give the school crossing guards a pay raise, push the Macland Road study to completion and had a phone recalled by President Bush regarding how to expeditiously send the bodies of the three Kuria women who were murdered in Powder Springs in August to their home in Kenya for burial.

Kesting said she intends to hire a personal public relations officer, funded with her own money, and launch a Web site to keep her constituents better informed.

"My first years in public office have taught me that no matter how well intentioned a person may be, there will always be someone, some group, who wants you 'gone' and out of their way - often because they can't manipulate or use you to their advantage," she said.

ahungerford@mdjonline.com

Comment on this Story

Type your comment here...comments are reviewed before they are posted, and therefore they do not post immediately.

Please enter the validation words. If you cannot read them, you may obtain a fresh set of words by hitting the button.