Dacula city officials and residents gave out hugs, took photos and shed tears as they honored longtime Councilmember Wendell Holcombe for his decades of service to the city and wished him a happy retirement.
Serving on the City Council for 40 years, Holcombe resigned from his post to focus on his health. The city celebrated his retirement Thursday night, swearing in Denis Haynes on the same night to fill the open seat.
Turning 84 later this year, Holcombe has spent most of his life in Dacula. “It’s a good place to live,” he said. “It’s not crowded as much as other towns. (My family and I) just love it here.”
The Gwinnett city only had about 1,500 residents in 1980 around the time he took office. More than 6,000 people now call Dacula home.
Holcombe watched the city’s population growth lead to more restaurants, stores and traffic improvements, casting a vote on many of the decisions that shaped Dacula into what it is today.
“It really means a lot to me, the support that you’ve shown me and other councilmembers, (as well as) your wisdom,” said Mayor Trey King, choking back tears before handing Holcombe a plaque. “Even if we didn’t agree, no one went home mad.”
Holcombe said he didn’t want to retire but felt it was necessary because he can’t “get around like he used to.” He said he plans to enjoy retirement by watching TV and the deer that roam outside his home.
“I‘m not sure I’d be sitting here if it weren’t for some of your great advice and a couple of phone calls and (your) happy countenance,” Councilmember Ann Mitchell said to Holcombe. “I appreciate that very much. I’m going to miss you sitting next to me.”
Haynes will finish out the rest of Holcombe’s four-year term that expires this year, and said he plans to run to keep the seat in November’s city elections. While Haynes will physically take Holcombe’s chair in the council chambers, he said it’d be impossible to replace him.
“I don’t think anyone could take Wendell’s place,” Haynes said. “He is Dacula. I haven’t gotten nervous about the position, but I’m nervous about fulfilling that legacy.”
Haynes previously ran for City Council two years ago, exiting the race to handle family matters, he said. He and his wife, Shiela, moved to Dacula almost four years ago but have lived in Gwinnett County for more than 20 years.
Haynes works as the vice president of operations for a telecom construction company. Up until Thursday, he also served on the Dacula Planning Commission. He said he plans to prioritize growth that enhances rather than harms the lifestyle of current residents.
“I wanted to be a servant of the community and see how I could help out,” said Haynes, asked why he decided to seek appointment to the seat. “I’m not one to just idly stand by. It’s my nature to be a part of it.
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