Altman tells Fitts, Panter citizens deserve better representation from their elected officials
Senior Magistrate Judge James Altman was clear in his displeasure of interaction between two Blue Ridge City Council members when he denied an application for a Good Behavior Bond.
Councilman Nathan Fitts had applied for the bond, alleging criminal threats were made against him by Councilman Mike Panter.
In the February 9 City Council meeting, Fitts accused Panter of threatening to “drag me out of the council meeting by the hair and beat me up.” He said Panter made the comment to Councilwoman Rhonda Haight.
Fitts promised then that "there will be action,” regarding the threat. That resulted in the Good Behavior Bond application, which would have resulted in conditions including an order that would have kept the two apart.
Had the bond been granted, it would have applied equally to both parties and a violation by either would have resulted in an arrest.
Altman denied the bond application during a hearing in Fannin County Magistrate Court Thursday, March 4.
Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones had recused himself because he formerly worked for the City of Blue Ridge.
Altman is a retired judge, having served more than 20 years in Superior, State and Magistrate courts.
Lecturing councilmen Fitts and Panter before announcing his ruling, Altman told the councilmen, “Your people deserve your best at all times.
“I understand the rough and tumble nature of politics,” Altman said.
He also said, “The most heated, the less there is at stake,” comparing political exchanges in Washington, D.C., the state capitol and Blue Ridge.
He criticized Fitts and Panter for “the rhetoric and the language and the disregard of taking care of the people’s business” they have displayed.
He warned the councilmen, “The one test you never want to fail is the newspaper test. How does it look to the people for what you’ve done?”
By their actions, Altman said, “You encourage what happened to the last” Fannin County commission chairman. Noting his landslide defeat in his re-election bid, he told Fitts and Panter, “You want to retire, not get retired by the people.
“The people are always watching you.
“We deserve civil discourse from our public officials,” Altman said.
“You never want to fail the newspaper test. That’s where the rubber hits the road,” Altman reminded both councilmen.
The judge challenged Fitts and Panter to control their emotions, control their reactions and “give the people your best.”
He then asked the councilmen, as a warning, “Which part of the Fannin County Jail don’t you want to sleep in?” He assured them no part.
By completing the Good Behavior Bond hearing, Altman said a further instance of terroristic threats by either party would be grounds for a warrant to be issued immediately and an arrest made.