Home > Snellville.Talk > Archives > 2008 > February > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOh, the embarrassment of it all!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How do you feel about your town?
Proud?
Some Snellville citizens would say “embarrassed.”
In fact, several took the podium at Monday’s city council meeting to tell leaders just that.
“Don’t you hear the snickers and laughter?” Wayne Blackburn asked them. “… Ya’ll embarrass us.”
Blackburn implored council members to forget about the divisions among them and focus on “what’s best for the city of Snellville.”
Patricia Port, a member of the Snellville Planning Commission, expressed similar sentiments.
“Each one of you up there needs to grow up,” Port told them, reminding them that as a voter she expects better city leadership. “I hope you all clean up your act.”
What preceded these remarks was a council meeting that left many an observer shaking his head.
You may have read the particulars in an earlier news story (If not, click here to catch up.).
It wasn’t pretty.
Of course, there are two sides to the story.
One says those who criticized the mayor and raised questions about a budget expense and the mayor’s self-appointment as interim city manager were doing what they were elected to do — watching out for the public interest.
The other says the criticisms were part of a political witch hunt and that the mayor acted to keep the meeting on track and protect city employees.
What is clear is that some citizens are tired of it all.
Dennis Lawton, who has lived in Snellville for 15 years and served on the Snellville Planning Commission, said he has long been embarrassed by the general demeanor of the city’s elected leadership. He worries about the effect it has on work that needs to be done to keep Snellville a thriving hub of south Gwinnett in the face of competition from neighboring growth areas.
Lawton’s main concern Monday was how the city had allowed the issue of finding a new city manager to become a state of “emergency,” which permitted the mayor to authorize himself as a temporary replacement. The city has known for months that its interim city manager would leave Feb.13. So why was more emphasis not placed on the search for a new manager, Lawton asked.
Suzanne Krieger shared that concern, telling the council and mayor “this is not an emergency; this is politics.” She encouraged a look at other options, saying “a dictatorship should not be allowed.”
The frustrations over Snellville’s political climate are understandable.
People are tired of games. They are weary of elected officials who poke at each other publicly or who are snide, sarcastic, unprofessional or hateful. Politics should not impede progress.
To be fair, not all of Snellville’s council members jumped into the fray Monday. To be fair, there are good people and good ideas on both sides of the legendary divide. But the intense and continued controversy overshadows all that is good.
Another point made Monday also should be remembered.
Despite Krieger’s concerns, she told the council she appreciates hearing the different opinions of members - that she doesn’t expect or want all disagreements to be hidden behind the scenes.
It’s an important statement.
Government proceedings can reflect differences and still be professional. A balance is possible.
If Snellville’s elected officials should ever embark on a quest for harmony, openness does not have to be sacrificed.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment | Categories: Susan Gast
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By Bud
February 14, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this
I’ve lived in Lawrenceville for 25 years and thought our inpenetrable good ol’ boy network was bad, but the Snellville Mayor and Council takes the cake. You guys can’t stay out of the news the last few years. I agree with one of the planning commissioners comments, “Each one of you up there needs to grow up.” Your definately building a reputation.
By Bud
February 14, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
One, more thought…..I know there was a recent election, but if this continues, maybe next you should “Throw the bums out!”.
By woz
February 14, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
Don’t think that all of this hasn’t been Jerry’s plan all along.
Timler was his lapdog, he resisted all interviews when Brooks was hired, he stomped out of a meeting when called on his actions.
He knew from the beginning that Brooks’ contract expired on Feb. 15.
Did he take any steps to find a replacement?
What a jerk. What a baby.
By Post 2
February 14, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
First of all, The Mayor did not appoint himself anything. Under the Charter of Snellville and the State Code of Georgia the position of Mayor is the Chief Executive of the City. That means that in the absence of a city manager the operational responsibility of the city goes one step up the chain of command and that is the Mayor. The Mayor does not get any additional pay for his increase in responsibility and his powers are limited to some extent to protect the citizens and employees from politically motivated actions. Secondly, the “Interim City Manager” was brought in to stabilize city operations and find a permanent City Manager. The search for a city manager was rightfully put on hold until after the November election. That being said, the day after the election the “Interim” should have handed the elected officials a list of qualified search firms and a timeline that would have allowed for the highest probability for finding a permanent replacement before the termination of his contract. The Mayor and City attorney met with the “Interim” after the election and informed him that he would not be a candidate for the position and his contract which had a defined termination would not be extended. There were and are some members of the Snellville City Council that would prefer that our former interim city manager was still at the helm of our city. Under our current City Charter some interpreted the law as REQUIREING someone fill the position of City Manager or Snellville would be in violation of its’ own Charter. If you were making over $100K a year salary and had the support of half the City Council how hard would you work to put yourself out of a job? The current City Attorney has the opinion that we may operate with out a City Manager without violating the Charter. The current situation, although not optimal, motivates everyone involved to step-up and move forward with the process of finding a permanent City Manager. If anyone was appointed “Interim” at this point it might reduce the sense of urgency that seems to have been lacking up to this point. The following is an excerpt from an E-mail from our search firm, “Attached is a draft of the Suggested Timeline for the City Manager search. It lays out a schedule that is typical for our search processes. Considerable time was taken during the review and approval process for the Recruitment Brochure. Typically, this entire process takes about a week to 10 days from beginning to approval. You can see from the Timeline that the process with the City of Snellville took quite a bit longer than that.” The recruitment brochure was submitted on January 6th with final approval given on February 8th. I can tell you for a certainty that neither the Mayor nor I have done anything to slow this process. Could the same be said for all those involved?
By Post 2
February 14, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Oh, I forgot!! I only meant to type “no comment”.
By Bob
February 14, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Hilarious that Ms Kautz has her dander up about this. Where was she when credible proof was presented that Jenkins has a conflict of interest, yet voted on rezonings?
By Not Jerry
February 14, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Did Jerry have his Boy Scout uniform on when he appointed himself?
Or was it some other kind of “brown shirt”?
“Oberholtzer uber alles”
By BobG
February 14, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Post 2, thank you for your informed comments. Calling Oberholtzer a Nazi contributes nothing to the conversation; at least you provided facts.
There is an organized effort to destroy the progress that Snellville has made and return the city to the days of Emmett Clower. If the people of Snellville really knew what Clower did as Mayor, they would be terrified by the likes of Council member Robert Jenkins, interim City Manager Jim Brooks and their allies.
By HaHa
February 14, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Wow, Bob Griggs defending Barbara Bender defending Jerry Oberholtzer…what a shock!
By Bob
February 14, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
No, the real funny is Bruce desparately trying to find some shred of relevance in the city that rejected him.
Or maybe Bruce is going to apply for the city manager position? One problem though is he would have to fill out employee review forms on time.
By GoodChristian
February 14, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
But Bob, doesn’t the City Manager position MINIMUM requirements list a degree from an accredited college or university?
I guess that eliminates Bruce!
By Rat
February 15, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Why is this such a surprise to some? They knew back in November (3 months ago) that the Mayor wouldn’t appoint Brooks. So the three blind mice (Auld, Kautz, Jenkins), purposely delayed the hiring process to where we are now. Yeah, the mice wanted Brooks, but it doesn’t matter because they have to have the Mayor’s support. But the Charter doesn’t matter to the mice.
Did Brooks do his job…get the city ready for a new City Manager and assit with the hiring process? Heck no, all he did is finish a few projects that started years ago, ran several great employees off(who are now enjoying higher incomes and better working environments), and wasted thousands of dollars on toys for his boys in the police department. Of course, Brooks didn’t have the support to start the hiring process because nobody trusted him anyway. I have to give the mice credit…they don’t trust ANYONE even their own hand selected boy to do his job.
By Bubba
February 15, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Want to thank all of you who posted comments for REALLY making Snellville look sooooo cosmopolitan. Maybe we could arrange to move Snellville to Loundes county.
By Professor
February 15, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Habs inside/out says Hotlanta needs a new government, as well as a new hockey team. Beating up innocent dogs is so American.
By C
February 15, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
As a long time resident of Snellville, it is embarrassing to constantly see in the news the childish bickering of the Mayor and council. We watched one of the meetings on TV, and thought it was a skit. The Wisteria thing looks horrible. While it is true, Snellville has dramatically changed and South Gwinnett H.S. looks like it is fastly becoming the new “alternative school for crappy kids”, some of us still have to live here. Clean up your act council, and look outside your windows. Snellville is going down fast, and you are too busy fussing like 5th graders, when you should be addressing the real problems. Use to be that everybody was somebody in Snellville, but now we’re turning into Belvedere off Memorial Drive, where everybodys a criminal.
By modestd
February 15, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Snellville is a terrible place to live. We have been trying to get my parents to leave that place for the past 5 years. Hope all you snellville folks have fun getting home on 78 today. Why would you ever want to live there?
By Rudy
February 15, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Gosh, I was thinking of running for Snellville City Council in the next election. Now I think I’ll run for a spot on the Clayton County School Board instead. What’s the difference?
By Patty
February 15, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
The people of Snellville, not politics, has already ruined that town. We had to move out after hearing gunshots in our back yard (Briscoe Park area). The politicians can’t do anymore to run Snellville down. It’s already there.
By Ya'ain'tseennothingyet!
February 15, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
What it took years and years to build … a respectful and wonderful place to live … has only taken a little over a decade to spiral out of control. Changing demographics that has brought in crime and a lack of strong city leadership are both to blame. It will get worse long before it will EVER get better IF it ever gets better. My ancestors who help make this place what it is who lie in the Historical Cemetery probably are turning over in their graves … it is so sad and it is hard, so hard to think of moving and leaving them behind but Snellville has died; what exists today is not Snellville by any stretch of the imagination. The egotistical leaders and a large number of the city’s population who could care less about the city’s image will continue to drag this place to its death.
By David Brown
February 15, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Quote 1.”South Gwinnett H.S. looks like it is fastly becoming the new “alternative school for crappy kids.”
Quote 2. “Changing demographics that has brought in crime…”
Sounds to me like there are folks in Snellville who have a bigotry problem.
The reasons behind any increase in crime are more byzantine than simply blaming it on too many Black people moving into “our” town.
By GoodChristian
February 15, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Ya’ain’tseennothingyet,
Your ancestors and/or their friends sold their farms to sleezy developers to build cheap (and now run down) neighborhoods and strip malls.
Mr. Williams on Tree Lane (a loooong time resident) just sold his property to become senior housing (duplexes) and he thinks that was the best thing he could do for Snellville. Now he’s taking his money and getting out of town.
Way to “lay the bedrock” for our community and then build a cheap strip mall on top of it.
By Sean
February 15, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Who cares. Snellville, just like the rest of Gwinnett county, Cobb, and a few others, are lead by a bunch of dumb good ol boy rednecks, many of whom do not have the education or intelligence to run a county or city.
By Real Snellvillian
February 15, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Everyone FROM Snellville, wishes the rest of you, would Just GO Back to where ever you came from!!!!!!!
Really!!!
And YES, I do speak for the rest of real Snellville!!!!!!
By Norman
February 15, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Mayor “Boss” runs Hazzard…I mean Snellville.
http://www.dukesounds.com/
By Annmarie
February 15, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I am continually amazed at how often a blog that could generate great ideas and community sprit always seem to end in a racially charged conflict. Each race has both positive and negative members. We all know that, but we never seem to look inward. If this is truly the Bible belt, why don’t you consider the fact that people of all races were created by the same God who does not favor one over the other? Don’t you get it???
Look at each action as the act of one, not the actions of many. I don’t understand the hate and the need to keep hating or blaming a race for society’s ills. The tragedies at NIU and VTEC last year, look at the shooter’s faces…..
I had an epiphany the other day. It’s interesting how the ones that fly away, need the dollars from minorities to make that flight. You sell your homes to minorities so that you can run away. Nothing wrong with their money, huh? They enable you to leave, how ironic is that? And, some of you can’t leave because the minorities have also gotten smarter. They are moving to the same places you are flying to. They don’t want your overpriced old houses or your problem schools. Now, you are stuck, wanting to leave a house that you can’t sell. Don’t lie to yourselves, crime is everywhere. Look at the boys in Alpharetta. It’s about building strong communities, not about running and spewing hate at the very people who enabled you to make that move.
By Norman
February 15, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Let’s be clear - the issue is NOT race! It is local government corruption.
By Ya'ain'tseennothingyet!
February 16, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
Oh, publeeeez!! If I want to move out of this crime infested city/county … call it whatever you want …white flight … bigotry … WHATEVER!!… I could care less. It is what it is! I’ve lived in for over 60 years and I’ve never seen so much crime. All anyone has to do is read the paper or look at the news to see who is breaking through store fronts, stealing jewelry, jeans, ATM machines and whatever else they think they are entitled to . . not to mention the robbers caught on camera robbing, beating up,shooting and killing store clerks to have a hint as to who are primarily committing the crimes. And, as long as there are folks like some who post here giving them an excuse to do the crimes by calling people like me bigots it will only get worse. And, if some of those folks who sold their property had not sold their property … . many of you who have moved here wouldn’t have a place to live. At least they made their money honestly and they didn’t have to rob, steal or kill somebody to make their money.
By Annmarie
February 16, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Norman, you are absolutely correct. This particular blog is about govt corruption. My concern is that each and every one of Susan’s blog topics always has racially attacking comments. Read the one about South’s 50th anniversary.
Yaintseenothingyet, your age speaks volumes. You have childhood memories of the good old South and of Gwinnett county. And, I see that you want to keep it just as you remember it. Whatever I say will never change the content of your heart. You work that out with your maker.
My last 2 cents… I just think it is unfair that blame is one sided, not one group of people is more criminal than the next. I also read the paper’s daily.
By Annmarie
February 16, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Norman, you are absolutely correct. This particular blog is about govt corruption. My concern is that each and every one of Susan’s blog topics always has racially attacking comments. Read the one about South’s 50th anniversary.
Yaintseenothingyet, your age speaks volumes. You have childhood memories of the good old South and of Gwinnett county. And, I see that you want to keep it just as you remember it. Whatever I say will never change the content of your heart. You work that out with your maker. And by the way, I dont understand how ” many of you wouldn’t have a place to live”.. Most black folks work, hold good jobs and can afford to live where ever they choose. You dont make that determination. Obviously, since you are still here, they are just not choosing yours.
My last 2 cents… I just think it is unfair that blame is one sided, not one group of people is more criminal than the next. I also read the paper’s daily.
By Born and Raised in S'ville
February 17, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Why must every conversation about current Snellville politics circle back to Emmett Clower? He was the backbone of this community - but uninformed, easily conned people changed that. Why doesn’t anyone give Mr. Clower the credit he deserves for caring more about Snellville and its citizens than anyone else in the city? I have never met anyone more willing to help others for no reason other than being a truly nice person than him. In the past, people moved to Snellville because of the community feel. That doesn’t exist any more. Why? Because the two mayors and many council members since Mr. Clower’s tenure care more about themselves and their own interests than the city or its citizens. You get what you elect. For decades, Snellville was a wonderful community and people loved living here. Now? Not so much.
By Yaintseenothingyet,
February 17, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
My age does speak volumes (it makes me far wiser than most of you newcomers to Snellville). I’ve seen Snellville grow and progress and never had a problem with it until the last 10-15 years. Up until then the growth and progress was good and I welcomed it! One only has to look at pictures of Snellvile in the 80’s and early 90’s to see that it was good. However, the downtown area looks like Memorial Drive in Atlanta and Stone Mountain. I do have fond childhood memories of a time that was much different than now, but I have not let those memories become the focus of my opinion now. What I base my opinions on are my personal experiences and facts. In the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and eary 90’s the growth and progress was good. We had people who moved here who participated in sports, Jaycees, government, etc. and made Snellville a wonderful place in which to live. But, let’s face it it stinks now! I also agree with Born and Raised in S’ville … Clower did much for Snellville; can’t say much about the leaders since. Snellvile is on a downward spiral.
By Norman
February 18, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
I agree! “Boss” is willing to do whatever it takes for an increased tax base. An increase that is needed for legacy building projects.
By Sully
February 20, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
This just in… the world is changing and so too is Snellville. The sleepy little town you want to believe can still be a snapshot of some perfect quiet Georgia town has grown up. It now has road and traffic issues- big ones at that, not everybody living in the town where “everybody’s somebody” is from it. And the reality is that the rose-colored glasses that you see Snellville through will soon have to come off. COMING SOON: Sunday liquor by the drink in Snellville. Our voices will be heard and the Jager shots will be flowing at the Applebee’s on Sundays soon!
By Norman
February 20, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Let me add to the previous post. COMING SOON: Local politician joins ex Atlanta mayor Cambell in prison for corruption?
By Mark
February 20, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
78 already looks like Memorial drive with all the chech cashing places, hubcap stores, pawn shops, etc. “Welcome to Snellfrica, where everybody is a potential victim”
By GoodChristian
February 20, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
REMINDER:
Robert Jenkins is on record saying he does NOT think pawn shops and title loan stores are “Blight”.
By Mark
February 20, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
GoodChristian
Them Mr. Jenkins is a blind fool.
By GoodChristian
February 20, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
…and yet the same people who complain that Jerry, Tod and Barbara are responsible for “blight”, voted for a man who thinks pawn shops are good business for Snellville!
Do yall not make the connections?
If it wasn’t for Jenkins and the other two idiots on council, progress could be made.
Jerry Tod Barbara = Downtown Revitalization
Auld Jenkins Kautz = Pawn Shops
By Yaintseenothingyet
February 21, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this
Yes things change … they can change for the good or they can change for the bad. Sometimes one can’t see the good for all the bad and sometimes there just ain’t no good and that is what has happened to Snellville. I’ve never had a problem with the change in Snellville until recent years and let’s face it … the change is less than desirable … it is downright BAD!!! And as for Sunday liquor . . the folks who have liquor six days a week are absolutley pitiful if they can’s live without it for one day (just buy up a supply and have it at home on Sunday … ) you are PITIFUL!!! That is the last thing that Snellville needs is a bunch of sorrow people sitting around in restuarants boozing it up … I’d think you could refrain for just one day!!! I realize though sooner than later there will be liquor sales on Sunday because some folks just can’t stand it without their liquor 24/7!! Sad, really sad. Personally, I have more self-control than that and respect the people who don’t want liquor sales on Sunday. They should be entitled to “ONE” day without liquor sales … when those who enjoy liquor sales have six days in which to enjoy themselves (and seven if they want at home).
By Mark
February 21, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Yaintseenothingyet
Hey moron, your personal convictions mean nothing to anyone but you. You are probably an ignorant xtian lemming. You don’t approve of 7 day sales, then don’t burden the rest of us with your self rightousness…Fool!
By GoodChristian
February 21, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Yaintseenothingyet,
Being a good Christian, I don’t drink at all. BUT just because I have personal and religious convictions that keep me from tipping back a bubbly doesn’t mean I need to impose those beliefs on anyone else!!
If people would like to have a beer with dinner on Sunday, then go right ahead. Remember… we are NOT talking about Package Stores or Shady Bars in Snellville, just the right to have a drink in a restaurant.
But before you respond, can you please cite some sources that show conclusively that being Dry on Sunday has a profoundly positive effect on a community?
…didn’t think so!