Snellville election could end council's gridlock

By Shane Blatt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday's election could tip the balance of power on Snellville's City Council, an often dysfunctional body described by one member as "a cul-de-sac of inaction."

For almost two years, the six-member council hasn't gotten along. In council chambers, they hurl insults like arrows. In work sessions, they employ political ambushes with last-minute agenda changes.

But the governing body's penchant for tie votes on issues ranging from a controversial crematory to Sunday alcohol sales has raised even more eyebrows among residents, political observers, even a state senator.

"This election is going to have impact on the future and in what direction we go forward," Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer said. "People are tired of the bickering. They're tired of the arguing."

Voters on Election Day will choose among six candidates vying for three seats. In Post 3, incumbent Robert Jenkins, an emergency services consultant, is being challenged by businessman Tom Witts. In Post 4, incumbent Barbara Bender, an accountant, faces attorney Niria Dominguez Baggett. In Post 5, Jackie O. Ginn, vice president of membership with the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, goes up against Mike Sabbagh, an electronics engineer and college instructor.

Councilman Warren Auld, who's not running for a third term, said this election has the potential to break the gridlock "that has driven this council into a cul-de-sac of inaction."

Earlier this year, 3-3 votes were so common that state Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) pushed legislation that would have stripped the mayor of his voting power to achieve an odd-number vote. That effort failed in the last legislative session.

Cathryn Creasy, a 37-year Snellville resident and a regular fixture at City Hall, said she's hoping Tuesday's outcome will end the divisiveness she believes hampers the council's decision-making.

"We really need to move ahead and get people that are not so negative," Creasy said.

Early this year Mayor Oberholtzer took photos of an old toilet and rundown car on property owned by Councilman Jenkins and then e-mailed the pictures to city code enforcers, who warned Jenkins to clean up the property or face penalties.

Even before that, Oberholtzer had asked city police to provide him an escort to the City Hall bathroom because Oberholtzer and Jenkins had once argued there after a council work session and he feared another such encounter. The councilman dismissed the mayor's concern, saying, "Jerry has a problem with anyone who disagrees with him on anything."

Councilwoman Kelly Kautz said the election will come down to whether voters want independent thinkers or a group pushing its own political agenda.

"Whoever wins, I'll work with them," Kautz said. "I'm confident when push comes to shove, people remember why they're elected."