By Jon Gillooly
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
MARIETTA - Developer Wes Godwin has resigned from the Downtown Marietta Development Authority, which means he must also step off the city's Historic Board of Review.
In a Friday e-mail to DMDA Chairman Tom Browning, Godwin states: "Although I would like to continue my work with the Authority, I realize that I have been the object of too much attention, which only serves to distract from the workings of the DMDA ... Although the other property owners have continued supporting me in electing me to serve on the DMDA, I feel it is in their best interest to tender my resignation effective this day July 22, 2008."
Godwin didn't have much of a choice.
Friday the city summoned him to appear in municipal court on Aug. 9 for a code violation for subdividing his property without city permission. Without city approval, Godwin retained a sliver of land, 0.03 acres, when he and his wife, Eva Godwin sold the historic 1844 Bostwick-Fraser House off Atlanta Street on April 14 for $292,515 to Douglasville-based attorney Rob Coats. In response, the city gave Godwin until July 17 to submit an application detailing how he would come back into compliance.
City zoning chief Rusty Roth could only think of two ways Godwin could come into compliance: either request a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals or convince the new owner of the Bostwick-Fraser House to give him back enough property so that he has the required 9,000 square feet as required by city code. Since Godwin didn't take action on either of these positions by the deadline, he was cited for a code violation.
Godwin said he kept the sliver of land in order to remain eligible to serve on the eight-member DMDA and 11-member Historic Board of Review. To serve on the DMDA in Godwin's seat, it is required that the member be a downtown property owner. The DMDA is also allowed to appoint four members on the 11-member Historic Board of Review, which is how Godwin also serves on that board.
To come back into compliance with the code violation, Godwin told the Journal Wednesday that he had deeded his .03 acre on Tuesday to Coats. Mayor Bill Dunaway has told the Journal when a member of the DMDA in Godwin's seat ceases being a downtown property owner that member instantly has to come off the DMDA board.
"I'm going to miss him like my right hand," said Browning, who also serves on the Historic Board of Review.
Dunaway had asked DMDA attorney Tom Cauthorn to investigate Godwin's eligibility to serve on the DMDA after a tip from a resident. Cauthorn refused the request, arguing that he took orders from the board majority, not a single member. Dunaway said Wednesday he hoped the DMDA would find a good replacement for Godwin on both boards.
"I was not after Wes Godwin any more than anyone else. I was checking to make sure he was qualified to serve on the Historic Board of Review," Dunaway said.
Browning said if the DMDA chooses, it can appoint a replacement to fill out the rest of Godwin's term on the DMDA, which expires Dec. 31, until the election for that spot in January. Dunaway added that the DMDA could also choose to call a special election to fill the spot.
As for filling Godwin's term on the Historic Board of Review, Browning said the Authority can either wait until the January election, or appoint DMDA member Carey Cox to the seat, since Cox is the only other property owner now on the Authority, besides Browning himself.
"I think (Cox) would be the likely person to do that," Browning said.
As for Godwin's code violation, city attorney Doug Haynie said he would consult with city staff, but it would likely be dropped since Godwin has deeded over the property in violation of city code.
"I continue my wholehearted support of my fellow downtown business colleagues and the economic well-being of the Square. I hope in the future I may be afforded the opportunity to be of service to my fellow citizens," Godwin wrote in his e-mail to Browning.
jgillooly@mdjonline.com
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Posted Comments
Thank you MDJ for helping to expose these people. Keep it up. Who knows what other scams these good 'ol boys are trying to run. I don't hear Browning "chuckling" now. It's all so funny when they think they are pulling one over on the public they are supposed to serve. I hope they can now work on finding an attorney to replace Cauthorn. One that will work for the best interests of the city taxpayers and does not try to cover up the misdeeds of the DMDA members. Where did they get that guy and whose friend/relative is his on the DMDA. Can the MDJ look into that?
Mr Godwin, Thank you for your service. Clearly, some people think very highly of you. However, I also thank you for your resignation as it is past time for Marietta and the square to rid itself of old and tired political alliances and cronyism. The mere fact you thought it would be acceptable to parse out a sliver of land so you could meet a membership requirement shows that you had clearly lost sight of was was right and what was wrong. If you would really like to help your fellow citizens, buy a piece of Goldstein property and spend a few dollars fixing it up. Better yet, buy the building from your Smyrna dentist friend and help solve the rusty railcar problem.
Is Mayor Dunaway senile?
Don't worry Wes, the Square will be fine without you. It is unbeleivable to me to read the words of these self absorbed, arrogant, do nothings. The DMDA does nothing to enhance the City of Marietta and the Historic Review Board does even less. Browning acts like they won't be able to function without Wes Godwin. What a joke!
Well said about Cauthorn and the smugness of Browning. I hope the city is on a roll in a positive direction instead of stagnating under the handicap of the good ol' boy network. Kudos to the Mayor for pressing the point. And to the MDJ: see you next year at the "Green Eyeshade Awards"!
My comment is to the DMDA and the 11 member Historic Board of Review . Have you all had your heads in the sand ? Why did it take a " tip from a resident " , to investigate Wes Godwin and his eligibility to serve on these boards. Maybe now the city of Marietta is finally getting it together.
I think the credit should go to Mr. Roth for quickly enforcing the law. It couldn't have been easy for him to go after Godwin with all of the friends in high places he has.
One good thing that came from exposing Wes Godwin for the type of person he is, it opened a can of worms and let out some of the corruption that has been going on in Marietta under most of our noses. Thank you MDJ for not backing down, and letting the public aware of how our city has been run by," you rub my palm, and I will rub your palm." And YOU, Wes Godwin," what goes around comes around."
Thanks to the MDJ, Wes Godwin got his,"Just Deserts."
Thank God. He was becoming an emparesment not only to the City but family as well. He was raised to be a better person and hopefully to give back not take. Minipulation can only bring grief in one form or another to all who partisipate.