Snellville outcome to ‘end divisiveness'

By Shane Blatt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Snellville voters on Tuesday elected three city leaders who will alter the dynamics of a city council known for political backbiting and dysfunction.

In what appears to be a backlash against two years of infighting and deadlocked votes, voters elected businessman Tom Witts, accountant Barbara Bender and electronics engineer Mike Sabbagh.

Incumbent Robert Jenkins, on the council since 2003 and the political nemesis of Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer, was ousted from Post 3 by Witts in the most lopsided of the three races.

"I'm very pleased," Oberholtzer said by phone after results were announced after 8 p.m. at Snellville City Hall. "It's a relief. I can now breathe."

Witts said the results signal "an end to the divisiveness."

Bender, who defeated attorney Niria Baggett by six votes to retain her Post 4 seat, said she was "ecstatic" upon learning the outcome. However, Baggett told Bender she planned to challenge the results.

The election comes after two years of council division, political skirmishes leading to police escorts to the restroom and tie votes on issues ranging from a controversial crematory to Sunday alcohol sales.

Pressing issues for the new six-member council include tackling the city's $1.1 million budget shortfall, aging infrastructure and sign ordinances that some legal experts say are unenforceable.

The continued development of a Snellville town center -- a revitalization effort to bring the city up to par with other Gwinnett municipalities such as Suwanee and Duluth -- also will weigh heavily on city leaders. For years, a number of residents and city officials have clamored for a downtown district.

The newly elected council members will be sworn in at the next council meeting Nov. 9.