Longtime residents and local officials reflected on the effort to form the city of Sandy Springs and the changes that followed from incorporation.

Tibby DeGiulio, who said she has lived in Sandy Springs since 1981, described working with Eva Galambos and the Committee for Sandy Springs beginning in 1987. "For 18 years, she and I worked together to try to get the city incorporated," DeGiulio said, recounting regular visits to legislators and a sustained campaign to win the right to a public vote.

Oliver Porter, who identified himself as chairman of a charter commission, described the charter as "the basis for how the city is structured and what sort of services it will have and how long people will serve." Porter said his commission formed a selection committee and hired a company that completed the work to begin the new city.

Bill Gannon, a resident who said he moved to the area in 1961, recalled the election to determine whether to form the city and the turnout among residents. "Over 90% of the people that voted in the city limits decided, yes, they would like to form the city of Sandy Springs," Gannon said, calling the night an "exciting time."

Speakers credited the creation of new civic institutions and public amenities with improving community life. Hardy Dorsey, who said he has lived in Sandy Springs for 39 years, said the establishment of a mayor and council helped the community "bloom," citing City Springs (now City Hall) as a visible outcome of cityhood.

The interviews included personal recollections rather than new policy decisions. Participants emphasized volunteer work, sustained campaigning by community groups and the role of early leaders, including Eva Galambos, who became the city’s first mayor according to interviewees.

No formal votes or policy actions were recorded in these interviews; the statements are recollections and reflections from residents and officials about the period surrounding incorporation.