Manuel Maloof
Encyclopedia
Manuel Joseph Maloof was the Chief Executive Officer and Commission Chairman of DeKalb County, Georgia
, prominent Atlanta politician and owner of Manuel's Tavern, a popular Atlanta bar.
in 1907; his mother was born in Savannah to Lebanese parents. After graduating from Tech High School he served in World War II
as an Army Air Forces mechanic and mess sergeant. While stationed in England he met his wife, Dolly Green.
In 1956 Maloof purchased Harry's Delicatessen on Highland Avenue, just outside of DeKalb County, later transforming it to Manuel's Tavern.
describes Maloof's colorful tenure as owner of Manuel's Tavern:
In the 1980s, the sideroom of the tavern served as the home for the theatre company of the Shakespeare Tavern
before they moved to their own building in 1990.
In 1984 Maloof defeated Liane Levetan in the first DeKalb election for CEO. He was re-elected in 1988.
In May 1989, DeKalb County named its six-storey county administration building and its annex the Manuel J. Maloof Center for DeKalb County Governmental Administration. Maloof served as CEO until December 1992.
Among other achievements, he is credited with pushing through the construction of the interstate cloverleaf known as Spaghetti Junction
at I-85 and I-285 and for expanding the number of minorities and women in top government positions. He is equally remembered for his colorful and often caustic observations and actions.
Maloof, a Melkite Catholic
, died in 2004.
DeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...
, prominent Atlanta politician and owner of Manuel's Tavern, a popular Atlanta bar.
Early life
Manuel Maloof was born in Atlanta, the second of seven children of Gibran "Brownie" Maloof and Lillian Shikany Maloof. His father had emigrated from LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
in 1907; his mother was born in Savannah to Lebanese parents. After graduating from Tech High School he served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as an Army Air Forces mechanic and mess sergeant. While stationed in England he met his wife, Dolly Green.
In 1956 Maloof purchased Harry's Delicatessen on Highland Avenue, just outside of DeKalb County, later transforming it to Manuel's Tavern.
Tavern Proprietor
The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the only major daily newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, and its suburbs. The AJC, as it is called, is the flagship publication of Cox Enterprises. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the result of the merger between The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta...
describes Maloof's colorful tenure as owner of Manuel's Tavern:
In 1968-69, Paul HemphillPaul HemphillPaul James Hemphill was an American journalist and author who wrote extensively about often-overlooked topics in the Southern United States such as country music, evangelism, football, stock car racing and the blue collar people he met on his journeys around the South.-Early life and...
, a popular columnist for The Atlanta Journal, drank at Manuel's Tavern and wrote columns that made the proprietor into a local folk hero. Mr. Maloof was portrayed as a bartender-philosopher and a talented organizer of political protests. In December 1965, Mr. Maloof had organized 16 other tavern operators to successfully protest a move by the Atlanta Board of Aldermen to raise the Atlanta beer license fee from $144 to $750.
In the 1980s, the sideroom of the tavern served as the home for the theatre company of the Shakespeare Tavern
Shakespeare Tavern
The Shakespeare Tavern is an Authentic Elizabethan Playhouse located in the SoNo district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The Tavern is home to the Atlanta Shakespeare Company and Chef for a Night catering, which offers food and beverages before each performance...
before they moved to their own building in 1990.
Political career
Maloof first won a seat on the DeKalb County Commission as a Democrat in 1974 after losing a previous attempt in 1972. He served on the commission until 1978. He then defeated incumbent commission chairman Walt Russell in 1980. During his first term as chairman, the county changed its form of government to one headed by a chief executive officer.In 1984 Maloof defeated Liane Levetan in the first DeKalb election for CEO. He was re-elected in 1988.
In May 1989, DeKalb County named its six-storey county administration building and its annex the Manuel J. Maloof Center for DeKalb County Governmental Administration. Maloof served as CEO until December 1992.
Among other achievements, he is credited with pushing through the construction of the interstate cloverleaf known as Spaghetti Junction
Tom Moreland Interchange
Tom Moreland Interchange, colloquially known as Spaghetti Junction, is the intersection of Interstate 85 and Interstate 285, along with several access roads, in northern DeKalb County, Georgia, just northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, USA...
at I-85 and I-285 and for expanding the number of minorities and women in top government positions. He is equally remembered for his colorful and often caustic observations and actions.
Maloof, a Melkite Catholic
Melkite Greek Catholic Church
The Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See as part of the worldwide Catholic Church. The Melkites, Byzantine Rite Catholics of mixed Eastern Mediterranean and Greek origin, trace their history to the early Christians of Antioch, Syria, of...
, died in 2004.