Jody Reichel, Matthew Tyser Elected to City Councils
Two Jewish newcomers were elected to seats on city councils in Fulton County on Nov. 7.
Election Night proved successful for two Jewish newcomers running for seats on city councils in Fulton County.
Jody Reichel, a residential real estate investor and former Davis Academy parent, received almost 65 percent of the votes Tuesday, Nov. 7, to win Gabe Sterling’s former seat on the Sandy Springs City Council against Le’Dor Milteer (927 votes to 505). It was the only contested election in Sandy Springs after Sterling resigned in an unsuccessful campaign for Fulton County chairman.
Reichel joins Temple Sinai member Andy Bauman, who was unopposed for a second term, on the council.
In Roswell, Congregation Gesher L’Torah member Matthew Tyser won more than 55 percent of the votes against Keith Goeke for an open City Council seat (6,310 to 5,082). Tyser, a certified public accountant, made the argument that Roswell needs his financial expertise amid rising property taxes. He also made traffic a priority issue.
In Johns Creek, Mike Bodker remains the only mayor in the city’s 11-year history. His lone challenger, Alex Marchetti, dropped out of the race in mid-October just before a debate at the Standard Club. (The AJT failed to note Marchetti’s exit in an article Nov. 3.)
The news was not as good for several other Jewish candidates in contested municipal races.
In Dunwoody, Joe Hirsch and Bobby Zuckman failed to unseat City Council incumbents. Zuckman won 585 votes (33.9 percent) in a losing run against Jim Riticher, who got 1,119 (64.8 percent). Hirsch got 544 votes (35.8 percent) against Pamela Talmadge, who received 971 (63.8 percent).
In the headline election of the night, former Fulton County Chairman John Eaves, who attends The Temple, was unsuccessful in his bid to become Atlanta’s second Jewish mayor, after Sam Massell (1970-74).
In a bad night for all the men on a crowded ballot, Atlanta City Council members Keisha Lance Bottoms (25,347 votes, 26 percent) and Mary Norwood (20,144, 21 percent) advanced to a Dec. 5 runoff, and Cathy Woolard finished third (16,134, 17 percent).
Peter Aman, who has a Jewish wife and children, was the top male vote-getter with 10,924, or 11 percent, while Eaves was eighth with 1,202 votes, or 1 percent.
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