Politics & Government

'The Mayor Is Jeopardizing Our City's Future': Snellville City Council Recap

Resident Marilyn Swinney expressed her opinion of Mayor Kelly Kautz during the public comment portion of Monday's meeting.

While the failed board nominations were the center of conversation at Monday's (Jan. 27) city council meeting in Snellville, other parts of the meeting are worth noting, too. 

Marilyn Swinney, the Snellville resident who filed a lawsuit against the city in 2012 and also challenged a city council candidate's eligibility last election, spoke about the recent actions by Mayor Kelly Kautz during the public comment portion of the meeting.

"I reached my limit Friday when I heard about the latest lawsuit by the mayor, which includes asking the city to pay for attorney's fees and court costs," she said. "I have decided enough is enough." 

Swinney explained that she was requesting an open records request for the legal fees associated with the mayor's lawsuits, beginning with her own lawsuit in 2012. 

"The mayor is jeopardizing our city's future," Swinney continued. "What business will want to remain here, or what new business will want to open in Snellville or relocate? ... They do not want to be involved in a city that is in turmoil."

She thinks future businesses, young adults and young families will not want to move to Snellville, therefore making it a "pass-through city."

"The citizens will have Kelly Kautz to thank for that because she does not know how to work with people," she added. "If she can't decide who plays, what they play and how they play, she files another lawsuit. You know, I can't help wondering: If the mayor has all the power as she believes, why were there five other councilmembers elected?"

Here's what else happened at the meeting:

  • Referencing to the complaint that the mayor filed Friday (Jan. 24), paper nameplates with the words "Defendent (sic) [name]" were placed over the regular nameplates for the council, city clerk and city manager on the dais. It's unclear who was responsible for the act. 
  • Certificates of Commendation were presented to Snellville Police officers Scott Hermel and Dennis Peters for their recent work that helped nab a suspect in a Snellville murder case from 2007.
  • The mayor's three nominations for the Urban Redevelopment Agency and the Snellville Public Arts Commission failed. Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts removed his nomination to reappoint Tod Warner to the URA.
  • Witts said that the city will break ground on the Snellville Veterans Memorial on Feb. 10.
  • The Snellville Public Works Department was recognized for the Keep Georgia Beautiful Distinguished Service Award.
  • The Snellville Police Department's K-9 Fund was presented with a donation by the Keenagers.
  • Consideration for both the Home-Brew Special Events Ordinance and the resolution to officially add the Greater Eastside Chamber of Commerce to the city were postponed to the next city council meeting. 
  • The council and mayor unanimously approved to move forward with looking at designs for improvements to the Snellville Town Green. Designs should be ready by the second regular meeting in February.
  • They also approved 6-0 a $153,000 contract for Design Services to fulfill Briscoe Park Phase II B and the Briscoe Park Master Plan update. 


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