By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | Lillian Webb was a major force for good in Gwinnett as an elected official. She was a Norcross councilperson (four years, 1971-74) to 11 terms as mayor (1975-84 and 1996-2007) and chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission for eight years (1985-1992).
“Miss Lillian” Webb, 87, died last week. She was a pioneering office-holder, leading the way for women in state Republican political activities, and in city and county government in Gwinnett. She was the first female mayor of Norcross, and first female county commission chair. And she did all this with such a happy, welcoming demeanor that charmed everyone she met.
Yet when she first observed the working of the county commission meetings before she took office, she was appalled. Meetings were combative, visitors (with work before the commission) were kept waiting for hours, and she was “wondering what I had gotten myself in.”
But once in office as chairman, she brought efficiency to the county a “consent agenda.” She told me: “You talked about items in your work session, and if there was agreement on housekeeping matters, you put them on the consent agenda. This way you could dispose of many of the items on the table with one motion,” and the meeting would not be stalemated with trivial matters. Consent agendas are standard in most local cities now.
Miss Lillian saw the big picture. She also recognized the importance of infrastructure, pushing for improved water, sewer, roads and buildings. She led the way in the county approving the first SPLOST in the state of Georgia. This added penny per sale paid for the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center with $65 million from the 1986 SPLOST program. That may be her key legacy, a modern courthouse that relieved the county from having to rent facilities for county operations.
Perhaps one of Miss Lillian’s most memorable events came in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush was running for re-election. No doubt at Miss Lillian’s bidding, his campaign train stopped in Norcross, and as mayor, Lillian went aboard his coach and greeted him before presenting him to the throng crowded around Jones Street at the rail crossing.
Miss Lillian had a great talent for conversing with people of any age. The Rev. Brenda Westmoreland remembers visiting with her recently in the hospital, when accompanied by her nine year old grandson. Lillian and her grandson were soon talking baseball, and they got along well.” Brenda adds when visiting with her: “Lillian never asked for prayers for herself, but always was asking me to pray for others out there in need.”
Mike Berg served with her on the county commission. “She was a consensus builder. She came in to office when the county became Republican dominated, yet worked with the old-line Democrats well. I admired her, and we talked often on the phone after I left office.” Berg is now the chairman of the Dawson County Commission.
Also on the Commission with her was Don Loggins, now living in Monroe. “She knew everyone, and kept the interest of people at heart. One of her favorite items was the restoration of the old Courthouse, which she saw to in the first SPLOST.”
Johnny Lawler worked with her for years in Norcross, saying how positive she was. “She had a great outlook on life. She was special.” He also remembers her saying: “Some of my best times were when playing Santa Claus.” She would put on a suit and fake beard, and have “the best time ever.”
Lillian Webb: 1928-2016: May you rest in peace.
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