Business Owner Says 'Retaliation' Reason City is Moving Holiday Party

Every Christmas the City of Johns Creek holds a party for its employees. And for the past eight years the holiday festivities have been held held at Rivermont Golf and Country Club.

But this year the tradition is changing, the city is looking for a new venue. And Chris Cupit, one of the owners of the golf club says the reason is retribution.

On Wednesday, two days after his public comments at Monday night's city council meeting in which he criticized city manager John Kachmar, Cupit was notified by the city that it had decided to hold its annual party elsewhere and requested its $5,000 deposit returned.

"Forty-eight hours after I spoke, today (Wednesday), the city holiday party which my business has hosted for eight consecutive years ... was cancelled in retaliation for my speaking out.....," said Cupit in a written statement he passed out at Wednesday night's candidate forum held at the Johns Creek High School auditorium.

But plans to change the party location was already in the works nearly a week prior to Monday night's city council meeting said Rosemary Taylor, Sr. Communications Manger for the city.

"The decision to switch venues was made at a director level, below the City Manager," said Taylor in an email. "The decision was made due to employee feedback that they wanted a different venue."

Taylor said City Manager was not involved in the decision.