Sandy Springs closes year with menorah lighting and farewells

Tuesday was a poignant day for Sandy Springs. The city held its final city council meeting of the year, which also marked the last meeting for three departing council members, including one being honored with a park in his name.

Officials also gathered with the community for a menorah lighting to honor the third night of Hanukkah and to stand in solidarity and sympathy with Australia. The mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration last weekend has shaken communities worldwide.

Temple Sinai Rabbi Natan Trief said that while Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights, it comes during a time of year when there is less sunlight and more darkness. The holiday teaches that even amid darkness in the world, a small amount of light can dispel it, he said.

“It may have happened 8,000 miles away, but it still has reverberations here,” Mayor Rusty Paul said of the Australia tragedy. “We wanted to embrace our Jewish community here, knowing how much they are hurting, and the fear that exists in the world today because of the enormous rise of antisemitism. We thought it was very important to do this.”

Councilwoman Jody Reichel said that as a Jewish woman, she has been “shaken to my core” by the mass shooting.

“Hanukkah teaches us that we are a resilient people,” she said. “I don’t hide my Judaism. I’m proud of it, even though it could be scary to say it. I don’t hide.”

Honoring the victims of the shooting and Australia was a meaningful way to precede her last council meeting, she said.

Both Reichel and Councilman Andy Bauman are leaving council after unsuccessful runs against Mayor Rusty Paul in the November election and December runoff. Bauman has served 12 years on council, and Reichel has served eight.

During the meeting that followed, Councilwoman Melody Kelley praised the two for their work and accomplishments.

“I hope you both attach yourself to the legacy of City Springs — what it is now and what it becomes — because this is a project that you each helped advance and one that will long outlive all of our individual terms,” Kelley said.

Kelley said that through the city’s Juneteenth events, Reichel and Bauman “ensured that this campus is a place where the entire community is welcome, and where the city can quite literally see itself.”

Retiring Councilman Tibby DeJulio was also honored by colleagues, as well as residents who praised him during public comment.

Council approved a resolution to rename Windsor Meadows Park on Windsor Parkway to Tibby DeJulio Park.

DeJulio has been a leader in Sandy Springs since before its incorporation. Decades ago, he stood alongside the late Eva Galambos in the movement toward cityhood. He served as vice chair of the Committee for Sandy Springs and president of Citizens for Sandy Springs.

DeJulio and Paul were original council members when Sandy Springs incorporated in December 2005.

Paul said, DeJulio’s name belongs among the pioneers of the city.

“…You were a pioneer in the formation of this city,” Paul said. “Eva [often] gets most of the credit, but standing right behind her in that line of credit is you.”

DeJulio said the city turned out better than anyone had hoped.

“It’s the people in Sandy Springs who have fully supported the city and the effort of this city to be second to none,” DeJulio said.