Key points:
• Tucker residents witness city’s second mayor and council members installations.
• Council appoints new mayor pro tem.
• The council approved a resolution to become a “City of Civility.”
Tucker residents and local dignitaries packed city hall Jan. 12 to witness the city’s installation of its second mayor and three returning city council members.
The room overflowed into the building’s foyer during the swearing-in ceremony, conducted by Municipal Court Judge Steve Nicholas, with more than 150 witnessing the ceremony and the passing of the gavel from inaugural mayor Frank Auman to Mayor Anne Lerner, the city’s first female mayor and second-ever mayor.
“Our work is always bigger than one person,” Lerner said during the ceremony. “We stand on the efforts of those who came before us, and we are responsible for leaving Tucker stronger for those who come next…We won’t always agree, but we work together. We listen to one another, and we stay focused on the greater good. When we do all of those things, there is so much that we can accomplish, because we’ve seen it already — all that’s been done.”
‘Anne has a lot of reach’
Lerner had the support of several local officials, with Stone Mountain Mayor Jelani Linder, Chamblee Councilman Paul Stovall, and DeKalb County Commissioner District 1’s Robert Patrick, all of whom attended the ceremony. One of Lerner’s former colleagues on the council, Matt Robbins, said it was exciting to witness Lerner and newly sworn-in council members, District 1’s Roger Orlando, District 2’s Cara Schroeder, and District 3’s Alexis Weaver.
“Anne has a lot of reach,” Robbins said after the ceremony. “She’s been involved with a number of things, Tucker-wise, and DeKalb-wise, so this will be really good… It won’t be smooth all the time, but it’ll be good.”
Related story:
• Mayor-elect Anne Lerner sets priorities for Tucker’s milestone year
Yolanda King, a Tucker resident of 10 years, said she was inspired by Lerner taking the reins as mayor. She’s hopeful that the next phase for Tucker will mean more infrastructure and development, so she “doesn’t have to leave the city” as much.
“This is a monumental experience to have only the second mayor,” she said. “Obviously, the city is growing, and this all really makes me proud to be a resident of Tucker.”
Matthew Lee, executive director of Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District, shared comments on the significance of the night and Tucker’s trajectory from its beginnings as a railroad town in 1892 to the bustling city of more than 37,000 residents today.
“I hope that we will all make a promise that we will help carry the weight of this town, because no elected body – not of seven or 7,000 – can carry the weight of all that needs to be done in this town,” Lee said to the beaming faces of Tucker residents in the room.
In other Tucker City Council news:
• District 2’s Schroeder, who had served as mayor pro tem, made a motion to appoint District 2, Post 2’s Virginia Rece as mayor pro tem. It was approved unanimously.
• The council unanimously approved a resolution that will begin the process of Tucker becoming a certified “City of Civility” as recognized by the Georgia Municipal Association.
•The council accepted the withdrawal of a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) for an automobile repair & maintenance shop at 3893 Lavista Road, which some residents had complained would contribute to the proliferation of such businesses in the area.
• The council approved on the second read a Special Land Use Permit to allow for a massage establishment at 3983 Lavista Road, for applicant Yini Massage & Wellness Center. Conditions, suggested by the city’s planning commission, include securing an occupational tax certificate within 60 days and the building’s storefront remaining the same, with no changes to windows and doors for the therapy rooms.
