Jenkins re-elected in Doraville
by Andy Phelan
andy@dekalbchamp.com
Doraville Mayor Ray Jenkins maintained his post after he defeated challenger and former city councilwoman Marlene Hadden in a runoff on Dec. 4.
Of the 765 votes cast, Jenkins received 413 or 54 percent and Hadden received 352 or 46 percent. These figures represent an overall voter turnout of 36.42 percent of the 2,106 registered voters in Doraville.
Pam Fleming, sales manager for a ladder manufacturing company, defeated electrician John Noonan for the District 1 council seat.
The mayoral election, which at times both candidates complained was contentious and filled with negative campaigning, revolved around whether residents wanted change or were happy with the way things are.
Jenkins, who celebrated his victory at Holiday Inn along with more than 60 supporters, was relieved at the result.
“I ran a good campaign,” he said. “I’ve kept the city in good financial shape. I have a new council now, and I hope to do some things I couldn’t do last term.”
Through her campaign chairman, former councilman Jason Anavitarte, Hadden wished Jenkins “good luck.” Anavitarte said he and many others were “stunned.”
“We are very disappointed the voters of Doraville did not want to move forward–they just wanted the status quo,” he said.
While the two candidates might have been allies in the fight to save Police Chief John King’s job just three months ago, there were clear divisions between the two Democrats.
Hadden, 62, a retired Realtor and former councilwoman, ran on the platform of changing the form of government to make the mayor’s job part-time and use the salary savings to bring in a city manager.
Incumbent Mayor Jenkins, 77, a retired postal employee, is a lifelong resident who served in the Navy during the Korean War. He’s been in city politics for more than 33 years and was a councilman for nearly 30 years before he ran for mayor in 2003.
For his part, Jenkins said he’s fine with a city administrator as long as the people of Doraville vote on it, not city council. Any change would have to be approved by the General Assembly.
Bonnie Butler, a 36-year resident, cast her vote Tuesday morning along with a steady stream of other voters. “I think it’s a good thing that we have had a lot of different opinions expressed during this pre-election period because it seems to have stirred up an interest in our city and city government that I haven’t seen before,” said Butler.
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