Lee Swaney, a former two-term mayor for Clarkston, died Thursday due to complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia.
He served as mayor of the DeKalb County city from 2002 to 2009 and touted himself as “a champion for Old Clarkston” during his first mayoral campaign, according to a news release from a city. Swaney, 81, lived and worked in Clarkston for nearly 30 years.
While in office, he made national news for proposing to ban soccer in a city park, leading to the formation of the Fugees Family, a nonprofit that assists refugee children. The city, which had grown to nearly 13,000 residents, experienced an increase in refugees during Swaney’s tenure, making the proposal all the more controversial at the time. The city now touts itself as the “Ellis Island of the South,” the release said.
Emmanuel Ransom, who succeeded Swaney as mayor, said he built a relationship with Swaney over the years.
“Lee will be remembered as someone who was very kind to me; and as the person that inspired me to get involved with the City of Clarkston government by way of appointment, resident input and election,” Ransom said in the release. “Without him, I would have never taken the opportunities to put my two-cents in on matters that impacted Clarkston.”
The city will fly its flag at half-staff Friday in honor of Swaney, the release said. Funeral services will be announced at a later date.
“Former Mayor Swaney was truly dedicated to Clarkston,” Beverly Burks, the city’s current mayor, said in the release. “He took his civic responsibility to heart.”
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