New Appointments Stir Controversy

Making appointments can be done in several ways.

In many cases, boards can nominate citizens, submit their names to the person in charge -- in this case, the mayor -- and, then those very same folks are approved. Case closed, happy faces and sunshine.

Other times, the person in charge chooses whomever they want -- based on a number of reasons, regardless of suggestions from the board. (Really? Yes, really.)

Can you guess as to what's happening?

The Rub

In December, Snellville Tourism and Trade submitted three names of current members -- Gretchen Schulz, and Kelly McAloon -- for reappointment by the city to the board. (The terms for the board of directors is expiring, and the city gets to appoint three of the nine members.)

Instead of going with the board's choices, Mayor Kelly Kautz is choosing three other people -- Claudette Forbes, Gloria Hallen and Glen Williams -- to serve.

Her decision sparked controversy and confusion, which you can read more about here.

We contacted Gretchen Schulz -- a long-time city volunteer having helped start the and now the -- for her thoughts.

"Volunteers who bring a wealth of experience and abilities are one of the most valuable resources a city can have," she said. "I find it unbelievable that Mayor Kautz chooses to slap these people in the face and fire them, especially when it is the community that really suffers from the loss."

The Reason

Well, Mayor Kautz said she's not firing anyone, she's just not going with the board on their choices for her appointments. Besides, the STAT board can vote to keep those three members on the board if they want, she said.

"It is circulating that I am attempting to remove three board members," she said in an email. "That is not accurate."

She continued: "Over the past few years, Snellville has had a small group of people serve regularly on our boards and committees.

"I am very grateful for all of these volunteers without their service our city could not have accomplished all that we have.

"However, since my election there has been an outpouring of a diverse group of people who want to serve in the city.

"In my nominations on Monday for all of the board appointments, not just STAT, I am trying to embrace that diversity, to give new people an opportunity to become involved in our city and to hopefully bring fresh faces and new ideas forward."

The Rest

So, on Monday, Mayor Kautz will make her three appointments, and in the following days, Snellville Patch will look to talk to those newbies and see what they want to accomplish on one of the city's most influential groups.

Click here to see what STAT is up to.

Meanwhile, the mayor is expected to appoint a number of other people to several other boards -- 10 people to seven boards.

One of those new appointments is that of former to the Planning Commission. (Huh, didn't they butt heads?)

In a statement from the mayor, she had this to say:

"It is no secret that Mayor Oberholtzer and myself do not always see eye to eye on matters, but over the last few months, in an effort to make peace in the often contentious politics of Snellville, we have been trying to mend our working relationship.

"With his previous service and commitment to our community I believe that Mayor Oberholtzer will bring a wealth of knowledge to the Planning Commission.

"I hope that this nomination will be a first step in creating a bridge between the division in our city and help with the transition of administrations that I mentioned in my campaign."

That's all for now, folks. We'll be at the council meeting on Monday to see how it all goes.