Neighborhood Leaders Say Residents Feel Shut Out, Disheartened by City Gov’t

You might conclude a few things by the nearly empty, public comment meeting of the Sandy Springs Charter Commission, on Tuesday evening.

Possibly, residents didn’t know about the meeting. Maybe they are satisfied with the operation of city government and chose not to attend. Or, as a longtime resident suggested, folks stayed home because they think their opinions carry little weight. 

“We feel like we’ve been disenfranchised from our city,” said Patty Berkovitz to Commission members.

The Commission held the meeting to specifically hear the public’s take on how power is delegated in the City of Sandy Springs. 

The City Charter is currently under review by the Commission. The nine-member body will recommend changes to the legislative delegation from Sandy Springs in the General Assembly.

Only two residents, Berkovitz and Barbara Malone, both from the Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods, offered comment.

Berkovitz, who has lived in Sandy Springs for 52 years, said that when the city was first incorporated, City Council meetings were filled with people who believed their voices would be heard.

“I would say that almost everyone who has attempted to participate in the process in Sandy Springs is now walking away sad and disgusted." she added. “My hope is that you can fix a few things with the charter and they will be enough to get us back on track; and get the citizens of Sandy Springs – not just business owners and others - back involved and participating in the city.”

Berkovitz commented that a lot of residents hesitate to speak out because they fear repercussions.

City Council member Dianne Fries told Sandy Springs Patch, “That is a small group that feels that way. That is not the bulk of the city.”

Fries said City Council meetings initially drew large crowds because of the novelty of the new city.

“After the first couple of months that dropped. [People thought,] ‘Okay here’s how it goes; this is what they’re doing.’ " Fries said.

She continued, "I hear from my constituents that the city is doing a fantastic job. I can only speak for the folks I talk to, that we are responsive; always available and they love it.”

Berkovitz called for eight-year term limits for the Mayor and City Council, and an at-large Council member, saying that the office of Mayor has too much power.

She also complained about meeting agendas not being available online in an adequate amount of time.

Her policy concerns may not go far with the Commission. Rusty Paul, the Commission chairman, noted, “The charter’s primary function is to delegate powers and responsibilities…This is more about who is responsible for certain activities, not how they manage those activities.”

Even so, Barbara Malone told Paul that people are frustrated after taking issues to the City Council and nothing happens.

“We appreciate the fact that you have no power to do this, but, at least, you may have the opportunity to broach the subject with the departments,” she said.

The Charter Commission will hold another public meeting at 2 p.m., on May 17, in Council chambers at City Hall.