Gwinnett Daily Post

LILBURN - Voters on Tuesday elected Diana Preston as the first woman to serve as the city's mayor.

Preston said she was pleased with the results, but she doesn't think her gender played a role in the election.

"I think people were voting for the person," she said, adding that she was "quite surprised and quite validated" when she heard she won.

"It was a real vote of confidence," she said.

Preston received 673 votes, while Ken Swaim received 299, according to unofficial election results.

Preston said her first tasks as mayor will be to figure out a way to get more input on the city from its residents and create more opportunities for residents to become involved. She said she also wants to continue the progress made by Mayor Jack Bolton, who decided against running for re-election.

Swaim declined comment Tuesday evening.

The race for City Council's Post 4 was close, with Tim Dunn beating Helen Bryson 286 to 405.

Dunn said he was surprised but gratified when he heard he won. The political newcomer said he'll be working hard to learn how to do his new job.

"This is all new to me," he said. "I plan to be learning at a very rapid pace. I hope to hit the ground running."

Although Dunn gave his supporters credit in his election, he said he'll be "paying attention to the folks that supported Helen."

Voters also approved a tax allocation district referendum, which passed 694 to 241.

Dunn said he was in favor of the referendum, which he said could be a good tool for the city. As some people mistakenly identified the referendum with eminent domain, Dunn said it will be important to continue to clarify its meaning with residents.