About Dunwoody reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 20??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 2013)
HONORING EVA PHIL MOSIER City Councilman Tibby DeJulio, left, presents Mayor Eva Galambos with a flying pig statue during a Dec. 8 going away party in Sandy Springs. This pig has flown, but was its origin an ‘urban myth’? BY DAN WHISEMIWT danwhisenhunt@reporternewspapers.net The story is told every time a new city forms in Georgia. According to Sandy Springs May or Eva Galambos’ autobiography, “A Dream Come True: My Very Good Life,” state Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlan- ta) once said “Pigs will fly when Sandy Springs is a city!” Since then, the flying pig has become a symbol of Georgia’s new city move ment. Sandy Springs regularly holds meetings in the Flying Pig Boardroom. Galambos, retiring as mayor, received a statue of a flying pig as a parting gift. When residents in Brookhaven voted to incorporate in 2012, state Rep. Tom Taylor brought a toy flying pig to the victory party. But Fort says the story is just not true. Fort said recently he never said any thing about flying pigs. ITe said to his knowledge, no one in the Democratic Party said it. Fort said the quote is most likely an “urban myth.” “Whoever is saying that is misre- membering ... ,” Fort said. Galambos referred questions about the flying pig to state Rep. Joe Wilkin son (R-Sandy Springs), who said he was present 13 years ago and heard Fort say it. Wilkinson said Fort made the com ment with a chuckle, in a jovial way, when Wilkinson brought up the subject of Sandy Springs during a gathering of the Fulton County delegation. “We were discussing many things, but of course, I was pushing Sandy Springs, and we started talking about stuff and the comment was made,” Wilkinson said. On behalf of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, thank you, Mayor Galambos, for your service, leadership and dedication to the City of Sandy Springs. Your legacy of collaboration is truly appreciated by Perimeter. Experience life @ the Center PERIMETER COMMUNITY Improvement Districts WWW.PERIMETERCID.ORG ities, and I hope she respects my dedi cation to the mission she set out,” Fox said. Even Galambos’ biggest political foes have a grudging respect for her abilities. State Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, was one of the most high-profile oppo nents of Sandy Springs incorporating. He said he’s still not convinced that the city, with its unique model of outsourc ing public services to private companies, is the success Galambos and her sup porters claim. There’s no doubt in his mind about the caliber of his opponent, however. “You know, she is a worthy adversary. I’ll say that,” Fort said. “I respected her energy and focus and determination.” Galambos’ focus and determination has won her respect, but also led to accu sations that she retaliates against people that disagree with her. In 2011, for ex ample, she convinced the council to de lay buying right of way for a streetscape project because some property owners along the road wanted to rent space to billboard companies. DeJulio said many people have the wrong impression of his friend. “She has fought for the city for many, many years, and she never gave in, and she has given that appearance of being tough,” DeJulio said. “But she’s also a very giving and a very caring person. She cares more for the people of Sandy Springs than you can imagine.” She showed rare emotion during the Dec. 17 city council meeting. Galambos read a poem she’d written about her fellow council members. It was a tender moment from someone not known for being sentimental. She’s less poetic when it comes to dis cussing her own legacy. When asked what she’d like people to remember her for, Galambos didn’t flat ter herself. “I don’t prescribe what they should remember about me,” Galambos said. “That’s up to them.” www.ReporterNewspapers.netl DEC. 27,2013 — JAN. 9, 2014 | 11
