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July 5, 2008

Thomas: ‘I’d do the same thing’

By Mark Millican

Having defended himself last year when questions were raised about his vote in favor of the proposed high school site near Prater’s Mill, John Thomas has no regrets.

Thomas voted along with Gary Brock for purchasing the property near Varnell. When the vote ended 2-2 (vice chairman Chuck Oliver and Jerry Nealey voted against), chairman Tim Trew voted “for” and broke the stalemate.

The conflict of interest allegation was that Thomas was associated with the firm, Kinard Realty, that sold the 160 acres and should have recused himself from the vote.

“My business partners, Mike Maret and Bill Blackwood, and myself, purchased Coldwell Banker Kinard Realty from Bob Kinard in late 2006,” said Thomas. “The business became effective in January of 2007.”

He pointed out that was approximately a year before the board purchased the property from Kinard Realty, a separate entity.

“I did not gain anything financially,” Thomas maintained, “and our company did not gain anything financially. The companies are distinct entities. If anybody thinks I did anything improper, I should be investigated.”

Thomas said he did nothing wrong in voting for the property, which he saw as a necessity when two other land options were deemed unsuitable, one that failed soil percolation tests and the other being too near gas lines and a shooting range.

“I think we’re elected to make hard decisions,” he said of his vote. “I’d do the same thing today.”

Thomas is the son of state Sen. Don Thomas, who also served on the Whitfield County Board of Education. He was elected in 1972 and served as chairman from 1974-1984.



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