Decision to Run Again Was Difficult

Diana Preston said it was a difficult decision to seek re-election as Lilburn’s mayor.

She and husband Larry are retired. They have a new grandson. They enjoy the time they spend together and with their family.

Though a “part-time” position, being mayor is a full-time commitment.

“Being mayor requires choices to be made regarding how I spend my time and sometimes those choices are difficult,” she said.

But with the numerous initiatives in front of the city’s leadership, she feels an obligation to see things through. She will be on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election.

It may be one of the most important times in the city’s history to be its mayor. Expansion, revitalization and development are buzzwords around town with a variety of projects in the works.

The Main Street realignment and city hall/library projects — both city/county efforts — are expected to create a “gateway” to the downtown area and attract visitors and businesses. Those projects could be completed by 2014.

The Lilburn Community Improvement District (CID), created during Preston’s first term, has a blueprint for big changes along the Highway 29 corridor through town.

The CID’s Highway 29 Study, which recommends mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly access along the thoroughfare, has been approved as an Atlanta Regional Commission Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) study and has already attracted more than $1 million in grant money.

A new park (Bryson Park) currently under construction in the heart of the city limits, and another project to bring a sports complex (Big League Dreams), which is still in the exploration stage by city leaders, could bring the area recreation amenities it’s never seen before.

“I am running because with all the initiatives we have started in the past three and half years, I would like to provide some stability and see them through,” Preston said. “We are in some tough economic times and it is up to us as a city to create our destiny. … We have some ambitious plans and I want to continue as mayor to solicit support for these critical redevelopment projects.”

Another consideration for Preston is staff continuity. She said City Manager Bill Johnsa, appointed in 2008, has reorganized and hired key staff people, bringing in-house plan review and permitting services, an economic redevelopment director, a finance director and a human resources director. The city also has a new police chief in Bruce Hedley.

“We have a number of new staff members, and I believe they are comfortable with me as mayor and the current council,” Preston said. “So often when the elected leadership changes, there are staff changes as well. Staff has worked really hard on delivering services, customer service, and promoting Lilburn while keeping expenses low. Thanks to staff recommendations regarding expenses, our operating budget for the coming year is actually close to $700,000 less than the adopted budget for 2007-08. It's important to keep the elected leaders in place to give staff a sense of stability.”

Preston said, if elected, she thinks it will be her final term as mayor.

“We have opportunities that may not come again,” she said. “I don't plan to seek a third term, but I do believe it is critical that I continue into a second term.”