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HONORING EVA
Eva’s way: Sandy Springs mayor never took ‘no’ for an answer
MUZELCHEN
Mayor Eva Galambos fought for the city for
“many, many years” and “never gave in.”
BY DAN WHISENHUNT
ihunt@reporternewspapers.net
Sandy Springs Mayor Eva
Galambos, who leaves office
Jan. 7, was not only the
founding mayor of the city in
2005 but also an inspirational
figure for the startup of other
new cities in Atlanta’s northern
suburbs—including Dunwoody
and, most recently, Brookhaven.
In this special section, we
review her remarkable career
and public life.
she won the mother of all her arguments when 94 percent of Sandy Springs residents voted to incorporate. She
was also elected the city’s first mayor.
The mayor remains a popular figure, winning re-election in 2009 with 84 percent of the vote. Her office gives
her power and her reputation gives her influence. Galambos is not shy about using either; defying her means chal
lenging one of the toughest, smartest Georgia politicians.
Galambos said the politician she most admires is former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a leader so
uncompromising her critics dubbed her “The Iron Lady.”
“She had determination and she fought for what she believed,” Galambos said. “She was able to change how
things were going in Great Britain, so I think she was a wonderful role model.”
While she will forever be known as Sandy Springs’ first mayor, it is one of the least remarkable things about her.
She’s a Jewish-German immigrant. Her first memories are walking down a street with her mother in Berlin. Her
father was a judge in Germany who lost his job when the Nazis rose to power. He escaped with his family to Ita
ly, and from there fled to the U.S. in 1939. She spoke only a “spattering” of English when she arrived in Georgia,
but in five years she would graduate as valedictorian of her class at Athens High School.
She obtained a master’s degree and a Ph.D. at a time when few women were expected to have careers out-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
City Councilman Tibby Dejulio pulled his friend Mayor Eva Galam
bos to his side as they stood before a larger-than-usual crowd in the
council chambers. It was Dec. 17, the night of Galambos’ last council
meeting as mayor of Sandy Springs.
Dejulio and the mayor have been friends for years. They worked to
gether and turned the community of Sandy Springs into a city. Deju
lio, like many of Galambos’ friends, was also her loyal foot soldier in the
march toward cityhood.
“When you work with Eva, there is no compromise with quality. Ev
erything has to be done right. Of course, it has to be done right this min
ute,” Dejulio said with a smirk. “There’s a wrong way, there’s a right way,
and there’s Eva’s way.”
At the December council meeting, Dejulio told the mayor that the
road leading up to City Hall will be named “Galambos Way.” It’s fitting
tribute for a leader who wins more arguments that she loses. In 2005,
f AL L
' BEST
The physicians, staff and volunteers of Northside Hospital wish to congratulate you
on all your many accomplishments with the City of Sandy Springs.
Your dedication and extraordinary efforts are to be commended.
Wishing you all the best in your retirement.
Northside Hospital
www.ReporterNewspapers.netl DEC. 27, 2013 — JAN. 9,2014 | 7
