Focus Statement
My focus for the next four years is to begin implementation of the redevelopment of the Snellville Town Center. A project of this size and scope will require steadfast vision, strong leadership and the capability to implement seemingly impossible tasks. Suwanee, Duluth and Norcross provide proof that this can be done. Snellville’s success will depend on a united City Council, City Staff and private community working together to make it happen.
Friends and neighbors often ask —“Why can’t Snellville excel like Suwanee?” The answer is – we can. We have the assets to make it happen. We have a designated Town Center, a City Manager who has “been there, done that” and citizens who support the positive vision.
What is missing ? The will of the Snellville City Council. The Snellville City Council must affirm the positive future vision of the Town Center as approved by our citizens in the recently passed 2030 Comprehensive Plan and the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Study done in 2003. Council must commit to the plan that the citizens supported and agree to work to that end.
The Snellville City Council must repair its reputation with the development community to encourage reputable developers to take part in the revitalization effort. This must be accomplished through open discussion and negotiation; not through backroom, “good ol` boy” behavior.
The Snellville City Council must encourage quality developers, through incentives, to invest and open businesses in Snellville.
The Snellville City Council must create a climate that encourages the types of businesses that will thrive in our community—professional service businesses, medical services, retail and restaurants. Business owners and principals no longer need to be located in downtown Atlanta; they can be here — closer to their homes, families and recreational pursuits.
The Snellville City Council must encourage a modern, community atmosphere that holds on to that “small-town feeling of belonging” while providing the amenities that citizens desire.
This will not happen if the City remains mired in the muck of visionless indecision.
A successful, vibrant Snellville can only be achieved by a Council that believes that the course dictated by the citizens will keep Snellville from becoming merely a series of red lights between Stone Mountain and Loganville.
This can only take place with a Council of elected representatives who believe that it is not too late.
This can only take place with a Council of elected representatives who believe in the vision and will have the resolve to implement it.
I believe in a successful, vibrant and prosperous Snellville. Do you?
If so, please join in support of my campaign and vote Barbara Bender for City Council.
Vote November 3, 2009.