Here's to Four More Happy and Successful Years -- CEO Vernon Jones

On 9-01-04 Cynthia Tucker's column was entitled "Jones must save himself from himself." When I read the column, I thought to myself. Ms. Tucker, you are getting in line to be the heir apparent to the Dean. It was a powerful column.

I didn't think about doing a post on her column until I watched The Georgia Gang today, and the name of someone I know, admire and respect was the subject of conversation -- DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones.

In her column Ms. Tucker predicts that CEO Jones risks being "overwhelmed by his disastrous missteps in matters of public image. And, as any decent politician knows, image matters."

"As bright as Jones is, he seems quite incapable of reining in his worst traits," and "is tone-deaf in certain matters of public perception. He has the worst combination of traits for a public official -- prickly, thin-skinned and combative."

Continuing, Ms. Tucker says Jones would make a "perfect character" for one of Shakespeare's plays where he is the main character doomed because of "self-destructive personality flaws."

Ms. Tucker opines that "succumbing to a petty vindictiveness, [CEO Jones] has dismissed a popular police chief, Eddie Moody, apparently because Moody refused to lie to a grand jury to protect Jones from minor political embarrassment."

While the chief's wife told the press that her husband did not leave voluntarily -- just as we all assume to be the case -- Mr. Jones denies firing him, but claims that if he did, just assuming if he did, just if, as CEO he had right to fire him.

Today on The Georgia Gang a couple of the panelists joining in the discussion of this topic agreed with Mr. Jones on the "what if I did part." A CEO can be expected to bring along his own, those who will be loyal and whose allegiance to no. 1 will never be in question. Next topic please Mr. Moderator.

So who is right?

I think CEO Jones needs to listen to Ms. Tucker and listen good.

Ms. Tucker and Mr. Jones were very close and dear friends of the Godfather.

But just because Mr. Jones succeeded the Godfather in his position as CEO, does not make him the Godfather.

Although one of these years Jones himself may become the Godfather, it will be because of what others think it and not his vision of himself.

CEO Jones, listen to Ms. Tucker when she counsels that perception is more important than facts.

Listen to her when she counsels to pick your battles.

Listen to her when she counsels that timing is everything, and that when the right thing is done at the wrong time or in the wrong manner, it becomes the wrong thing to do.

Vernon, I might live in the Other Georgia that is 200 miles away, but I recognize that it is the Vernon Jones' and Shirley Franklin's in this state who keep Georgia's economic and other engines that runs Georgia fired up.
Here's to pulling for you to prove Ms. Tucker wrong when she concludes:

"A few years ago, Jones looked like a man destined for greater things -- a seat in Congress, maybe. Now, he looks more like just another pol burdened by self-destructive tendencies that could eventually bring him down."

If you prove her wrong, I feel certain the one who will be most pleased is Ms. Tucker, and in such case maybe she will treat all three of us to a draft at Manuel's.

But the main beneficiary of such proving will be Georgia. We need you Sir.