ATLANTA (March 17, 2009) — The Senate voted unanimously today to eliminate tie votes of the six-member Snellville City Council that have created a gridlock for issues important to the city. Authored by Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), Senate Bill 258 will change the council’s charter this year after the election by allowing the mayor to vote only in the case of a tie.
“The citizens of Snellville overwhelmingly believe that the city is in gridlock,” said Balfour. “Issues critical to the progress of this city are being left in a stalemate with no resolution. City government should be solving problems, not creating them.”
A professional poll of Snellville’s registered voters who voted in the last two Snellville City Council elections yielded results showing that 79 percent believe the city has a problem with gridlocked votes. Balfour also sent a mailer to every Snellville resident inside Snellville city limits inviting them to a town hall meeting, in which the 200 attendees agreed that the city has a problem.
The bill now sits in the House to be taken up for a vote. Everyone who is interested in the bill is encouraged to contact Rep. Melvin Everson (R-Snellville), the city’s representative in the Georgia House. Anyone wishing to voice their concerns or opinions may contact Rep. Everson at his Capitol office at 404.656.0188 or by email at melvin.everson@house.ga.gov.
For more information on the Georgia State Senate or to view SB 258, please visit www.senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Don Balfour serves as Chairman of the Rules Committee. He represents the 9th Senate District which includes a portion of Gwinnett County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by e-mail at don.balfour@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 17, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028