Friday, October 3, 2003
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Friday, October 3, 2003 |
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Tunnell calls it quits By JOHN THOMPSON
In the first "October surprise" of this election season, Senoia City Councilman Pat Tunnell abruptly withdrew from the race for City Council Wednesday. Tunnell made the stunning announcement at a political forum at the Senoia Senior Center. "This past year has been difficult for me. I will not allow (Senoia mayor) Dianne Cleveland to bring my personal life into this," he said. After his brief statement, Tunnell left the center and the rest of the candidates looked at each other with puzzled looks on their faces. Tunnell's withdrawal from the race means that no City Council election will be held this year, since his vacancy leaves only two candidates for the two open positions. The two winning candidates are Larry Owens and Anthony "Tony" Miller. Owens is retired from General Motors and lives in the Willowdell subdivision. "We were drawn by the small-town atmosphere and I want to keep it that way," he said. Owens pledged to do the best for the city and respect the wishes of the people. Miller, a retired Atlanta firefighter, said he's very familiar with city governments. During his tenure in Atlanta, Miller worked with budgets for the department up to $1.2 million. Miller has lived in Senoia for 12 years and plans to stay in the city for the rest of his life. With the council race now eliminated, the only race left on Senoia's ballot in November will be the mayoral race between Cleveland and City Councilman Robert Hannah. Cleveland pledged to keep the city on the same track its been on since she took office in 2001. "All I ask of you is: Is Senoia better off today?" she said. Cleveland cited the accomplishments of getting the sewer system underway and hiring a new city manager to help run the daily operations of the city. Hannah said he pledged to continue on the same track that's kept him on the council for six years, but questioned whether impact fees would really help the city. "This is going to cost the city $20,000. I'm not totally sold on the project," he added. The mayoral candidates will square off again next Tuesday at the Freeman Sasser Building in Senoia's park at 7 p.m.
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