tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9340410741787179252024-03-13T01:16:32.981-07:00The City of Tucker InitiativeThis site is dedicated to the examination of and eventual formation of a new City of Tucker in north east DeKalb County, Ga. Our main purpose is to serve as a clearinghouse for any and all information, data, maps and arguments, both pro and con, regarding forming a City.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-82023916278930375912014-12-19T08:13:00.000-08:002014-12-19T08:13:49.807-08:00The Future of DeKalb County<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
How the Proposed New Cities Will Transform DeKalb County</h4>
<br />
This map incorporates the decision of the House Governmental Affairs Committee regarding the final boundaries for the proposed City of Tucker and the proposed City of LaVista Hills. Also shown are the current annexation plans for Decatur, Avondale Estates and Stone Mountain.<br />
<br />
The talked about annexation of Druid Hills by the City of Atlanta is also included, although it has little change of ever happening. That proposal will have to be approved by the DeKalb Delegation of the General Assembly as a Local Bill, a remote possibility given how this proposal will devastate the DeKalb County School District.<br />
<br />
Both the proposed City of Stonecrest and the City of South DeKalb are also indicated, although neither proposal is likely to be considered in the next legislative session. The city limits for South DeKalb have been adjusted from their current proposed map, in deference to the future annexatioin interests of Stone Mountain, Pinelake and Clarkston.<br />
<br />
The recently approved annexations for Doraville and Brookhaven are fully incorporated. Note the islands now found between Doraville and LaVista Hills, as those voters recently rejected the Doraville annexation. Will they be forced into LaVista Hills? That seems to be Sen. Millar's intention.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm0ZkP8uTNzefDMT_vGdkddZdG4kPciVJdXhWPzfTzU-HVOeKxVLt__7swegTHt3bxgU9FCKpv0VjYUc7DrN7Yx3xqorijS1Lj6AHMjZu_jw50mOMC-TKXYAfAtuPM_h9fStdfWuukd6r/s1600/The+Future+of+DeKalb+County+December+2014+v1.0s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm0ZkP8uTNzefDMT_vGdkddZdG4kPciVJdXhWPzfTzU-HVOeKxVLt__7swegTHt3bxgU9FCKpv0VjYUc7DrN7Yx3xqorijS1Lj6AHMjZu_jw50mOMC-TKXYAfAtuPM_h9fStdfWuukd6r/s1600/The+Future+of+DeKalb+County+December+2014+v1.0s.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-39175738606612208542014-10-21T11:18:00.001-07:002014-10-22T09:53:13.975-07:00And the Saga Continues . . .<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoy8wI1XIfNveYdNdezE6K44TdoFfjv5DISLrDkuRGTvUeHgTryqahDCntctpI_BTz4pJGEqIFqUV9iFRPu1V2i6zITsBMmjiZEcssKH6DMsqffVQdsOnWYwoRWrerTz07axsJFWf_lKe/s1600/TheBrookhavenPost_Logo_Square_1024.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoy8wI1XIfNveYdNdezE6K44TdoFfjv5DISLrDkuRGTvUeHgTryqahDCntctpI_BTz4pJGEqIFqUV9iFRPu1V2i6zITsBMmjiZEcssKH6DMsqffVQdsOnWYwoRWrerTz07axsJFWf_lKe/s1600/TheBrookhavenPost_Logo_Square_1024.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>The Brookhaven Post</i> has been diligent in its pursuit of the truth behind the Executive Park and CHOA request to be annexed into Brookhaven. On October 17, Tom Doolittle, a contributor to the <i>Brookhaven Post</i>, published an account of the DeKalb Delegation public hearing, held on October 13th in the Brookhaven City Hall. The article includes several videos of the meeting, the viewing of which is its own reward. His article can be found <a href="http://www.brookhavenpost.co/senator-millar-to-mayor-davis-put-aside-annexing-executive-park-give-lakeside-a-chance/23143/#comments" target="_blank">HERE.</a><br />
<br />
<i>The Post</i> provided a follow up article today, found <a href="http://www.brookhavenpost.co/executive-park-choa-annexation-maps-emerge-brookhaven-transmits-letter-of-intent-to-county/23229/#comments" target="_blank">HERE</a>, which includes maps provided by the property owners of the proposed annexation, as well as a composite map assembled by <i>The Post. </i><br />
<br />
Smaller versions of those maps are reproduced here. (After the break.)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Executive Park:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMw9tztsq5i38ENAOz0DwlXR0oc8oxHuB2yrw0GxHl5Z_Xleu5aI0o8c8WuluoHuZXOG5by00aAxhNo8Ffad94X8sphJGDXGobehAItCHQmcK_dZpFkfWwx89SV66brU1_TJcRrQDCvTi/s1600/Exeutive-Park-Annexation_Boundary-Map+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMw9tztsq5i38ENAOz0DwlXR0oc8oxHuB2yrw0GxHl5Z_Xleu5aI0o8c8WuluoHuZXOG5by00aAxhNo8Ffad94X8sphJGDXGobehAItCHQmcK_dZpFkfWwx89SV66brU1_TJcRrQDCvTi/s1600/Exeutive-Park-Annexation_Boundary-Map+s.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHVd6JNg31OZrZ0FZa5yknsKpPyHlHE_iUT0Nwfm_V03i9reeD-sT_ufGLN-uUX3hVSoOnSh_w_XxrhyphenhyphenbS44cJjKLsjRLfJA24N7mFestxWsscVsJKHLLk5n8rK-bP9sHVu43jr5C40Dc/s1600/CHOA-60+s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHVd6JNg31OZrZ0FZa5yknsKpPyHlHE_iUT0Nwfm_V03i9reeD-sT_ufGLN-uUX3hVSoOnSh_w_XxrhyphenhyphenbS44cJjKLsjRLfJA24N7mFestxWsscVsJKHLLk5n8rK-bP9sHVu43jr5C40Dc/s1600/CHOA-60+s.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
A composite version overlaid on Google Maps, by The Post<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKgHBkvfEkJwStcR-zvq9Zm4pR6y7Ubfgjcvm3g-ZRcfEg3rYAc-5noTdvnaSvgDJaAAwUB9If2TkFPPP8VC_j4EFeTYT5xx1Vrb8-XN1jGxmLC5KCKmRr5ZJUG9r1NStvwSeIVVj1Xat/s1600/Executive-Park_CHOA-Annexation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKgHBkvfEkJwStcR-zvq9Zm4pR6y7Ubfgjcvm3g-ZRcfEg3rYAc-5noTdvnaSvgDJaAAwUB9If2TkFPPP8VC_j4EFeTYT5xx1Vrb8-XN1jGxmLC5KCKmRr5ZJUG9r1NStvwSeIVVj1Xat/s1600/Executive-Park_CHOA-Annexation.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey! My earlier map guessing as to the extent of the annexation wasn't too far off! And who knows? Adjacent commercial properties may still choose to be included.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-22565319590440875532014-10-09T11:15:00.001-07:002014-10-21T11:20:51.317-07:00Brookhaven Meddling . . . Again?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQTJ32lne6Io1UTZxj4bQic6yLY3uOaOl2h1K1HwxHq3XMDq4vd961eiISwOroJaM07KgkuN1-BmdB83kjC04a8LJOTpZvVcST-24smacWAr_9rpNfhQGbanXOqI1y2U-NHEREDnUeLkZ/s1600/Brookhaven+Logo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQTJ32lne6Io1UTZxj4bQic6yLY3uOaOl2h1K1HwxHq3XMDq4vd961eiISwOroJaM07KgkuN1-BmdB83kjC04a8LJOTpZvVcST-24smacWAr_9rpNfhQGbanXOqI1y2U-NHEREDnUeLkZ/s1600/Brookhaven+Logo+2.jpg" height="86" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Brookhaven Considers Annexation South of I-85 to Include Executive Park & Children's Hospital of Atlanta</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
The City of Brookhaven is considering applications from Executive Park and the nearby Children's Hospital of Atlanta for annexation into the City. As those properties under consideration are exclusively commercial, they can be annexed by Brookhaven using either the 100% method or the 60% method, both procedures allowing annexation solely by a vote of the Brookhaven City Council. The state legislature is not involved, and a referendum by residents (there are none) would NOT be required.<br />
<br />
The annexations, if they proceed, will have a potentially serious impact on the proposed City of Lakeside/Briarcliff. I say potentially due to the fact that this area was NOT included in the proposed City of Lakeside until the very last map, engineered by Rep. Mike Jacobs (R), Brookhaven, which would be version 7 for Lakeside. It was NOT included in the feasibility study for Lakeside. This area has always been included in the proposed City of Briarcliff proposed boundaries and feasibility study.<br />
<br />
This is an interesting twist for Brookhaven for three reasons. First, when Dunwoody first formed, they had initially sought to include major commercial properties south of I-285, but backed off when complaints were noted that they would be depriving any future city south of I-285 from potential revenue. Dunwoody deferred to the then non-existent possiblity of a City of Brookhaven, at that point merely a twinkle in the eye of Rep. Jacobs. Second, Brookhaven found itself in a serious kerfluffle when it tried the same play with Century Century, after Chamblee had already been allowed to pursue annexation of the area by the state legislature. Brookhaven eventually backed away from that battle. And third, when the City of Lakeside's first map was issued, both Brookhaven and Chamblee pundits objected to Lakeside jumping I-85 to include revenue-rich commercial properties. Lakeside immediately deferred to those concerns.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
One would hope that, just to be magnanimous, Brookhaven would allow the current incorporation discussions surrounding this area to be resolved by the state legislature before going all greedy on their ass. But hey, that's just me.<br />
<br />
Here are two maps illustrating the extent of the possible annexations, as no map has yet been provided. The information was drawn from DeKalb County property records.<br />
<br />
Context within DeKalb County<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB6_SxE6qsnTzTBKcmAZIXrlg24BYG17X5CE_AczM5TpP3q8UFPOclWNfjGPF_PRinSiKUCoR1j8pQk0rkF3WCa6hdBnbYGfOPUT6BsIsrdwKd-ZATiWOjd5_lvwh10l8nmJDHNYdrWmN/s1600/Broohaven+Annex+South+v1.0s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB6_SxE6qsnTzTBKcmAZIXrlg24BYG17X5CE_AczM5TpP3q8UFPOclWNfjGPF_PRinSiKUCoR1j8pQk0rkF3WCa6hdBnbYGfOPUT6BsIsrdwKd-ZATiWOjd5_lvwh10l8nmJDHNYdrWmN/s1600/Broohaven+Annex+South+v1.0s.jpg" height="640" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This map identifies all commercial properties in the immediate area of North Druid Hills between I-85 and Briarcliff Road, that either are or might be included in the possible annexations. As noted above, a 100% method annexation does not require state legislative approval, County approval or a vote by affected residents.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbP_viCLlhY0gyH9aOPCJieAlj-oP0GGKRmedJ0DyHO-VniHLT9sa7Tjg324La3xQItdfD0xF_lZ64VctifNVNZgPf3NH6z9g7Yi3Bl7xYW0gcv7U8Cn1_hOx56AGs0zwlMkSEVrchg-y/s1600/Brook+Exec+Pk+Annex+v1.0s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbP_viCLlhY0gyH9aOPCJieAlj-oP0GGKRmedJ0DyHO-VniHLT9sa7Tjg324La3xQItdfD0xF_lZ64VctifNVNZgPf3NH6z9g7Yi3Bl7xYW0gcv7U8Cn1_hOx56AGs0zwlMkSEVrchg-y/s1600/Brook+Exec+Pk+Annex+v1.0s.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-2540236101306918222014-10-06T14:31:00.001-07:002014-10-06T14:32:55.970-07:00DeKalb County Organizational Act<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsZpv_3NLIMxz6l1jBNp3iJajfe_QBAtbgyoUpXHhIiC8OvKGStJ2s93OfL3AKwRtP7WiB6ylpOMxaiRbNJEEoFbniZm40BpSHqXqJ3FFbfclVfPmwMlv1Ue4ePsnXfS5VOlET2GhHqP/s1600/DeKalb+County+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsZpv_3NLIMxz6l1jBNp3iJajfe_QBAtbgyoUpXHhIiC8OvKGStJ2s93OfL3AKwRtP7WiB6ylpOMxaiRbNJEEoFbniZm40BpSHqXqJ3FFbfclVfPmwMlv1Ue4ePsnXfS5VOlET2GhHqP/s1600/DeKalb+County+Logo.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The DeKalb County Organizational Act</h4>
<br />
During the discussions of the DeKalb County Operations Task Force (OTF), the Organizational Act for the County has been a regular focus of their discussions. Unfortunately, there has been some confusion over the exact requirements and language of the Organizational Act, combined with the fact that only a select few members of the Task Force have any familiarity with the Act.<br />
<br />
Confusing the matter even more, a pdf version of the Organizational Act, scanned from an original document found somewhere in the dusty files of the county's legal department and made available to the OTF and the public, differs from the version found on Municode, the official repository of all current laws for DeKalb County.<br />
<br />
Both versions of the Organizational Act are available here and are downloadable. The version from Municode, the official version available <b><i><a href="https://www.municode.com/library/ga/dekalb_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=ORAC" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></b>, was downloaded and combined into a single Word file, reformatted for spacing and outlining, and turned into a pdf document. This is an accurate copy of the Organizational Act as of September, 2014, but should always be regarded as UNOFFICIAL, due the circumstances of its creation, and that it is NOT being distributed by the county.<br />
<br />
Both versions, after the break:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The Organizational Act, as distributed by DeKalb County (<a href="http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/OperationsTaskForce2014/pdf/organizational_act.pdf" target="_blank">from their website</a>)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/242105472/Organizational-Act" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Organizational Act on Scribd">Organizational Act</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_74925" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/242105472/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
___________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
The Organizational Act as found on Municode, September, 2014<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/242104074/Organizational-Act-Municode-9-2014" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="View Organizational Act Municode 9-2014 on Scribd">Organizational Act Municode 9-2014</a><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> by </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/Tucker%20Initiative" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="View Tucker Initiative's profile on Scribd">Tucker Initiative</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_15627" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/242104074/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-l3GyJDOILCIqe1CWv138&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-1298008968824617012014-09-10T13:31:00.001-07:002014-09-25T15:39:00.039-07:00DeKalb County Sunday Voting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29M8zkNTEceDYUjdbK_6zkkqAOtncBn2gRiX5gS8Rx69PbgN19-RNnfyumgvohwlx7RjoJbAe9exCZtummWBNFChlnv2_Uo5z4VsRLxaHIZ21aKck5htvv8tlvIs0at4GmRoW37Gml3Ab/s1600/foot+mouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29M8zkNTEceDYUjdbK_6zkkqAOtncBn2gRiX5gS8Rx69PbgN19-RNnfyumgvohwlx7RjoJbAe9exCZtummWBNFChlnv2_Uo5z4VsRLxaHIZ21aKck5htvv8tlvIs0at4GmRoW37Gml3Ab/s1600/foot+mouth.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Sen Fran Millar - Racist?</h4>
<br />
Sen. Fran Miller certainly created a firestorm with his sharp criticism of interim CEO Lee May's announcement of the opening of a Sunday voting site to be opened just prior to the general election in November, to be located at South DeKalb Mall. He was concerned that this was UNFAIR because the new location is located in a predominantly African-American (meaning Democrat and uneducated) part of the county, whereas his Republican constituency (meaning white and wealthy) in the north end of the county were being denied an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY to vote.<br />
<br />
All told, this is very consistent with the national Republican Party's remarkable efforts to deny the vote to poor and Democratic voters at every opportunity.<br />
<br />
Perhaps if he had looked at a map he would have realized he just should have kept his mouth shut.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Looks pretty fair to me.<br />
_______________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<i>ETA: After the initial brouhaha over Sen. Millar's comments, where the initial description of the 3 official Sunday polling locations included the Tucker Recreation Center, the official notice issued by the DeKalb County Office of Voter Registration & Elections on September 15 replaced Tucker with the Chamblee Civic Center. County officials stated that they had always intended to use Chamblee for the Sunday vote, but the timing doesn't really support that, such that it seems pretty clear that Sen. Millar questionable comments did actually influence the switch from Tucker to Chamblee.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In-person early voting for the November 4th general election shall be as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">Central DeKalb: Voter Registration & Elections Office</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">(includes an area exclusively for senior and disabled voters)</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">Monday through Friday, Oct. 13-31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><b><span style="color: blue;">*Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: red;">**Sunday, Oct. 26, noon to 5 p.m.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">Tucker Recreation Center</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">4898 LaVista Road, Tucker</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">Monday through Friday, Oct. 13-31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: blue;"><b>*Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">2801 Candler Road, Decatur</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">Monday through Friday, Oct. 13-31, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><b><span style="color: blue;">*Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: red;">**Sunday, Oct. 26, noon to 5 P.M.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;">Chamblee Civic Center</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">3540 Broad Street, Chamblee,</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: red;">**Sunday, Oct. 26, noon to 5 p.m.</span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">Monday through Friday, Oct. 27-31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Brookhaven City Hall <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />4362 Peachtree Road, NE, Brookhaven<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Monday through Friday, Oct. 27-31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Clark Harrison Building<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Monday through Friday, Oct. 27-31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Berean Community Center <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />2440 Young Road, Stone Mountain<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Monday through Friday, Oct. 27-31, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Voters who do not take advantage of early voting must go to their polling places on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to cast their ballots. All early and absentee voting will end on Friday, Oct. 31. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 6. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To find a polling place and see a sample ballot, go to the “My Voter Page” at www.sos.state.ga.us. Applications and other information may be obtained at the website www.dekalbvotes.com or by calling the Voter Registration & Elections office at (404) 298-4020.</span></div>
<br />
<i>The updated map illustrating how the three Sunday voting locations relate to the county as a whole. Seems like the north DeKalb voters are getting FAR better access than in south DeKalb.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj5rH4fEceOlInMH0Ls0Vc0Rr3bBIKxNILKR_OPJUNRX31biwyU1C26GK4IPpoQFC5sn3v9JTUuiZ7WqLCQxRIdIdVkZ5cS2213PBdSutppIAxb2p8fxqlRP5KEC0i3zkqISLSBwVb_C3/s1600/Dekalb+sunday+vote+1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj5rH4fEceOlInMH0Ls0Vc0Rr3bBIKxNILKR_OPJUNRX31biwyU1C26GK4IPpoQFC5sn3v9JTUuiZ7WqLCQxRIdIdVkZ5cS2213PBdSutppIAxb2p8fxqlRP5KEC0i3zkqISLSBwVb_C3/s1600/Dekalb+sunday+vote+1.1.jpg" height="640" width="493" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>This map, posted September 10, no longer applies to Sunday voting, but does apply to Saturday voting. The Tucker and Chamblee locations are apparently taking turns. Interestingly, the Saturday locations have received absolutely no news interest, and are apparently not so upsetting to the Republican leadership and their chief spokesman, Sen. Millar. As far as I know, Sen. Millar, there's nothing stopping the mega-churches buses from running on Saturday as well as, if not more easily, than Sunday.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrlrzOVreEBBgYgTFVp8l22D-391u6d4Mj2e29-9Rw05VTSRjTuS4jIMyjlMsQEIyzvfcjKveOjbwRL6z37RfyY0aeKJvWNN0H5GwtfzHZITlonilNtCUHCJHfYwd5FNlVI3_AXIkZUUq/s1600/Dekalb+sunday+vote+1.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrlrzOVreEBBgYgTFVp8l22D-391u6d4Mj2e29-9Rw05VTSRjTuS4jIMyjlMsQEIyzvfcjKveOjbwRL6z37RfyY0aeKJvWNN0H5GwtfzHZITlonilNtCUHCJHfYwd5FNlVI3_AXIkZUUq/s1600/Dekalb+sunday+vote+1.0.jpg" height="640" width="489" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-922410703398043412014-07-30T10:54:00.001-07:002014-07-30T11:01:24.221-07:00But You Left Out the Franchise Fees!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4YRNIWh6YlE2d2j94qVXC7pDiMsmEWL9Nz6zWCpSIcqOYEDYZ4z9QwmeBrCf7JJhO82LUD9h7-IFam0H8cK_YsY5kj8btdIteIC4TrwN7kY7A2VfXxiBghNZ9GvUYAzE5KxjURrNWSrs/s1600/Brookhaven+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4YRNIWh6YlE2d2j94qVXC7pDiMsmEWL9Nz6zWCpSIcqOYEDYZ4z9QwmeBrCf7JJhO82LUD9h7-IFam0H8cK_YsY5kj8btdIteIC4TrwN7kY7A2VfXxiBghNZ9GvUYAzE5KxjURrNWSrs/s1600/Brookhaven+logo.jpg" height="76" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Brookhaven Explains It All</h4>
<br />
Brookhaven recently mailed out a flier, titled <i>The <b>Facts </b>About Property Tax In Brookhaven,</i> to every property owner within the City limits. In an attempt to justify their position that property taxes are lower in Brookhaven when compared to adjacent areas of unincorporated DeKalb County, Brookhaven has provided a point-by-point analysis of the tax advantages supposedly enjoyed by City residents.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The Truth-O-Meter In Action!</h4>
<br />
In an article titled <i>Claim Exaggerates Tax Savings</i>, PolitiFact Georgia, a joint site managed by PolitiFact.com and ajc.com, took a hard look at the numbers provided in the flier and attempted to determine just how accurate Brookhaven's claims actually were. Their analysis can be found <b><a href="http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2014/jul/28/city-brookhaven/claim-exaggerates-tax-savings/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.<br />
<br />
In essense, where Brookhaven claims that tax savings for a home valued at $200,00 would be $260.84 per year. PolitiFact, in its analysis, determined that the true savings for that same home would be less than $50.00 per year. Ultimately, PolitiFact rated Brookhaven's claim as Half True.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
But Where Are the Franchise Fees?</h4>
<br />
In reading the both the flyer and the PolitiFact article, we note that both groups omitted the impact of franchise fees on their city revenues, exactly how much is paid by City residents and how those fees vary between the new cities and the County. In researching franchise fees, I've found it is problematic to determine exactly how they work, who pays what, who ultimately receives that revenue, and just how it is accounted for. In general, cities may collect franchise fees that the County cannot, but franchise fees are assessed on both city and county residents, often unknowingly. Some franchise fees paid by unincorporated residents are distributed to cities statewide, but not to the County which generates them. A tricky slope indeed, franchise fees.<br />
<br />
So what impact do franchise fees have on Brookhaven's budget? And how does that compare to the County? They're not saying, and its quite possible that nobody really knows for sure.<br />
<br />
The flier itself, after the break.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The Brookhaven Flier</h4>
<div>
<a href="http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/news/documents/2014/07/25/BookhavenFlier.pdf" target="_blank">(Download the pdf)</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
It would have been extremely helpful if Brookhaven had also provided a pie chart illustrating<b> Revenue Sources</b>, but I guess that would have been too hard. But all in all, a useful document for those debating incorporation in Tucker and Lakeside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufjVSVNLjl_YUB8j0eBIrlvfdmWsBy3a_8cBJVcpdL08GU9abc0Dmeu9kg9vHqgGH6ggPaF7EBGRDSftS4zeHOI3CEoArJ7sWGpEs8U1ih7I5eRIPjowa8SOW9u88IBCeksuat47CGgST/s1600/BookhavenFlier_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufjVSVNLjl_YUB8j0eBIrlvfdmWsBy3a_8cBJVcpdL08GU9abc0Dmeu9kg9vHqgGH6ggPaF7EBGRDSftS4zeHOI3CEoArJ7sWGpEs8U1ih7I5eRIPjowa8SOW9u88IBCeksuat47CGgST/s1600/BookhavenFlier_Page_1.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvqeEPLNa5ROW_Pb20tBM6ZSJAkqoT28mD2l98BgmSasGQfSnZwcdA1xThD7RVZvcTyCnABfosTyR3WeU4O8eMjJEdQgQreBd0LXOkfruUX9ht9lQYKRKrPni6DYo2ya0Q2HCyle6LshW/s1600/BookhavenFlier_Page_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvqeEPLNa5ROW_Pb20tBM6ZSJAkqoT28mD2l98BgmSasGQfSnZwcdA1xThD7RVZvcTyCnABfosTyR3WeU4O8eMjJEdQgQreBd0LXOkfruUX9ht9lQYKRKrPni6DYo2ya0Q2HCyle6LshW/s1600/BookhavenFlier_Page_2.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-25179507001512976602014-07-29T15:24:00.001-07:002014-07-29T16:01:34.094-07:00What Do You Do When The Hired Expert . . . Isn't So Expert?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOkcv0fjW-UJJ4Wfzvh3IQqzGeiLfE9609nQn7jsAPGCpY8tyVWKC_nZaSZQsY_-HX-SLgvnG4l3g5U4SGlSiNyzNBtlr-K7BrMzV9KQvXlQZtXLPjnZgEcaiBKLpRrgVG17WxWIkoN4e/s1600/OTF_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOkcv0fjW-UJJ4Wfzvh3IQqzGeiLfE9609nQn7jsAPGCpY8tyVWKC_nZaSZQsY_-HX-SLgvnG4l3g5U4SGlSiNyzNBtlr-K7BrMzV9KQvXlQZtXLPjnZgEcaiBKLpRrgVG17WxWIkoN4e/s1600/OTF_2014.jpg" height="101" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<b>YOU SPEAK UP!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>GSU Presentation to the DeKalb Operations Task Force</b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">At the recent DeKalb County Operations Task Force meeting, held on July 16, 2014, a </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/OperationsTaskForce2014/pdf/2014_07_18_incorporation_and_annexation_presentation.pdf" target="_blank">presentation</a></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"> to the Committee On Municipalization / Annexation was made by <a href="http://gsu%20presentation%20to%20the%20dekalb%20operations%20task%20force/" target="_blank">Dr. Laura Wheeler</a>, a Senior Research Associate with the Fiscal Research Center of the GSU Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">During her presentation, which was marred by a computer failure which kept her PowerPoint presentation from being displayed, Dr. Wheeler made several statements that some in the audience knew to be incorrect or misleading. This was disappointing to hear, considering the supposed expertise that Dr. Wheeler, and by extension, the Andrew Young School, was expected to bring to the proceedings. What is worse is that the committee members, believing her to be an expert in these matters, were highly inclined to believe that everything she referenced was true and correct. Given the minimal level of their understanding of the issues before them, and my impression that these committee members are not inclined to do their own homework, this does not bode well for the entire process.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">A audio recording of the meeting can be found </span><a href="http://www.fileswap.com/dl/bAf0aPw2uA/DTF_City_Subcommitee_7-16-14.mp3.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">. This is the only accurate documentation of what was said in the meeting as it was not televised or recorded by the County.</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">Herman Lorenz, of the City of Briarcliff Initiative, was in the audience and was equally troubled by what he heard. As Herman is one of the most knowledgeable and well-read individuals in the entire incorporation debate, his words should be heard and appreciated. His understanding and expertise on many of the issues before the Task Force would seem to go well beyond that of their hired 'expert'.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTgjRvnwxvOqcketu-o30o_6VmSSPKnlkyJOFwlbwz2mv2PFHIxcKLAoR-YtKhbzPsH4M294H6tF0ZsrtvNdK1dPzXsZSzv77xHfUDan5TCzqfbkV8iGJGaxAhSRtGQvww0itOlZrlCqp/s1600/Task+Force+7-16-14+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTgjRvnwxvOqcketu-o30o_6VmSSPKnlkyJOFwlbwz2mv2PFHIxcKLAoR-YtKhbzPsH4M294H6tF0ZsrtvNdK1dPzXsZSzv77xHfUDan5TCzqfbkV8iGJGaxAhSRtGQvww0itOlZrlCqp/s1600/Task+Force+7-16-14+2.jpg" height="230" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Operations Task Force - Meeting of the Committee On Municipalization/Annexation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
Please note that only 5 of the 8 appointed committee members bothered to show up. (The list of committee appointments can be found <a href="http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/OperationsTaskForce2014/pdf/2014_07_18_OTF_committee_assignment.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>.) Commissioner Stan Watson, Rep. Mike Jacobs and BoE member Jim McMahan were absent. I would further note that Commissioner Watson has not shown up to ANY of the Task Force meetings.<br />
<br />
Herman's comments, after the break.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">____________________________________________________________________________</span></h4>
<h4 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Email</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In an Email sent to Ms. Phyllis Mitchell, Director of External Affairs (the county appointed Task Force facilitator), from Herman Lorenz, of the City of Briarcliff Initiative:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> At the Task Force subcommittee meeting last week, I told you that I had some comments</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> about the Task Force and subcommittee meetings. I’ve attached those comments. <u></u><u></u></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> My comments relate to statements made by presenters and by members. Some relate to </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> what appears to be errors or incomplete statements; some to interpretations by presenters </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and members.<u></u><u></u></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I would appreciate your passing these comments on to people you feel might be appropriate, </span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to perhaps clarify and/or correct the information in later documents prepared for the </span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Committee and Subcommittee. I don’t pretend to be an expert, and it’s possible my impressions </span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> are incorrect.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Herman's Comments to the Committee</span></span></div>
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/235395845/Task-Force-Comments-Lorenz" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Task Force Comments - Lorenz on Scribd">Task Force Comments - Lorenz</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_33227" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/235395845/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-42140477872172021202014-07-29T12:37:00.003-07:002014-07-29T16:11:17.966-07:00Second Verse, Same as the First!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85AcMJd5fen0UuTWYZwsFYawmlYnOUnrc5rLYV1cBHYsJeXPt1SJFfpojG1timRsiYmW_0tRmbwWweXzQkMlMH-02vpEnIVl91P7w96DnkFljqqwEguBUZmhHdY-8iFRVGOOm1oZTY8OD/s1600/Clarkston+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85AcMJd5fen0UuTWYZwsFYawmlYnOUnrc5rLYV1cBHYsJeXPt1SJFfpojG1timRsiYmW_0tRmbwWweXzQkMlMH-02vpEnIVl91P7w96DnkFljqqwEguBUZmhHdY-8iFRVGOOm1oZTY8OD/s1600/Clarkston+logo.JPG" height="77" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Clarkston Gets Its Re-vote on Annexation</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The annexation in Area 1 is now scheduled for a "re-run" election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, Election Day in the United States.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
We've been closely following the proposed Clarkston annexations for a while now and earlier this week noted how the annexation question had inexplicably disappeared, given the tie vote in Area 1, and Clarkston's intent for a second vote. Having asked the question earlier this week, we now have the answers.<br />
<br />
Clarkston had filed a petition against the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections, after their refusal to allow a re-vote on the annexation of Area 1, as they maintained that the tie vote, under Georgia law, constituted a rejection of the referendum, normally requiring 50% + 1 Yes vote to pass. But as seen Clarkston's petition (which can be found <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/235393095/Clarkston-Petition-to-Contest-Referendum-Vote" target="_blank">HERE</a>) they cited two reasons which justified a "Re-Run" of the vote.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
1) The Bill Was Poorly Written</h4>
<br />
The local bill for annexation, HB 1128, allowed for separate votes for annexation in both Area 1 (Part 2-B) and Area 2 (Part 1-A). Area 2 failed to pass; Area 1 was tied 35-35. In HB 1128, you will find the following language:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
"If more than one-half of the votes cast on such question are for approval of the annexation,<br />
then this part shall become effective on January 1, 2015. If more than one-half of the votes cast<br />
on such question are for rejection of the annexation, this part shall not become effective and shall be<br />
automatically repealed on the first day of January immediately following such election date."<br />
<br />
Note that there is no provision for a tie vote. None. A serious oversight on the part of the Bill's sponsors, and of the House of Representative's legal staff. As the language found within the actual Bill apparently trumps standards in Georgia voting procedures, a "re-run" of the vote will be allowed.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
2) People Are Stupid</h4>
<br />
The second claim in the petition cites that "qualified voters had their legal votes rejected" or that a voter "was not allowed to cast a ballot in favor of annexation". Strong language that - "Rejected", "Not Allowed". Brings back memories of the days of segregation and the Poll Tax. Even worse, it sounds like a dastardly Republican scheme to disallow legal voters from their God given right to vote.<br />
<br />
Nothing could be further from the truth.<br />
<br />
Nothing in the petition describes HOW voters had been "rejected" or "not allowed to vote." What it does explain, although not explicitly, is how poorly (or unconstitutionally?) the vote was handled by the County. As we learned in our research, qualified voters for the annexation (registered voters resident in the proposed Area 1) were first sent letters from DeKalb County explaining the annexation vote. At their precincts, qualified voters had to go to a <b>second </b>registration table and a <b>second </b>voting machine which were exclusively used just for the annexation vote. The question did not appear on the main ballot. Voters were expected to vote twice, once for the primary elections, and again for the annexation vote. You basically had to already know the procedure to begin with, recognize what was expected once you got to the poll, or ask the precinct officials once you saw that annexation wasn't on the primary ballot. This, of course, was too much to expect of the typical voter.<br />
<br />
As we all know, most registered voters do not vote at all in primary or run-off elections. (DeKalb had 13.8% participation in the recent run-off for Sheriff.) Also, many who do take the time to vote are often uninformed of the issues or candidates on the ballot. And lastly, in the Clarkston annexation areas, many voters simply didn't care. (There were only 70 voters in Area 1! And 14 voters in Area 2.). As most of the registered voters lived in apartments, their concern with city or county issues is minimal or non-existent. It can be concluded then that in this vote, only the activists, both pro- and con-, were aware of the vote and how to go about it. The oblivious voter was left out altogether. (Not necessarily a bad thing!) It should be noted, however, that in America, even the ignorant are expected to vote, if they can make it to the poll.<br />
<br />
It's obvious that no one PREVENTED the complainant from voting. She simply did not have the wherewithal to figure out how to vote, or was just unaware of the vote altogether, and her name was used for convenience as, I suppose, an actual "Victim" had to be cited in the complaint.<br />
<br />
Hopefully, the Judge did not use "Voter Ignorance" as a reason for allowing the "re-run" vote. But maybe, just maybe, the Judge DID recognize the unconstitutional manner in which the vote was conducted. We can only hope. And let's hope the County Elections Board has learned its lesson.<br />
<br />
Following is the original Petition filed by the City of Clarkston against DeKalb County.<br />
(Note that the Area 2 referred to in the Petition is the same as Area 1 as referenced in this blog. There is some serious discrepancy in how the annexations areas are described.)</div>
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/235393095/Clarkston-Petition-to-Contest-Referendum-Vote" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Clarkston Petition to Contest Referendum Vote on Scribd">Clarkston Petition to Contest Referendum Vote</a><br />
<br /></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_37437" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/235393095/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
A map of the proposed Clarkston annexations proposed in the primary election, May 20, 2014.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrm-0EgpuKO7NfititvEo9-kb30Zawf_6veaYrap6er6Q6rSqRdPs0qakydvzSs-vcW_2s5jXZ6_OHRfDOjlkGN-VzN39OjFfvQnYCxZuCv9NScw30vAi48Xuw3v0B6IX3fh_yzzuitl9/s1600/Clarkston+annex+precinct+vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrm-0EgpuKO7NfititvEo9-kb30Zawf_6veaYrap6er6Q6rSqRdPs0qakydvzSs-vcW_2s5jXZ6_OHRfDOjlkGN-VzN39OjFfvQnYCxZuCv9NScw30vAi48Xuw3v0B6IX3fh_yzzuitl9/s1600/Clarkston+annex+precinct+vote.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Fuck Ups In This Annexation Vote Can Probably Go All Around</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Going through all this, I soon realized that the descriptions of the two annexation areas were so variable, that the legal language used in the petition, and most likely in the final Consent Order, may leave the entire question unresolved. You may have picked up on this if you've been following this process, if you've been confused by just what is Area 1 and Area 2. Following is the text of an email I sent to the city attorney. Maybe it makes a difference, maybe it doesn't, but still. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My email comments:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i><i>I would like to note a state of confusion with some of the language used in the original bill, the map issued by the City, and with the City's petition. The problem is that none of the references to the two areas considered for annexation are consistent.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i><i>First, the area to the <b>WEST </b>was first referred to as <b>Part 1-A</b> in the original Clarkston feasibility study. In the map issued by Clarkston, attached, the same area was called <b>Area 2</b>. In HB 1128, it was not named at all, but was the first area described, under <b>Part One, Section 1-1</b>. In the DeKalb County Election Summary Report, it was also referred to as <b>Part 1-A</b>. Your petition does not refer to this area.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i><i>Second, the area to the <b>EAST</b> and <b>NORTHEAST </b>was first referred to as<b> Part 2-B</b> in the original feasibility study. In the map issued by Clarkston, the same area was called <b>Area 1</b>. In HB 1128, it was not named at all, but was the second area described, under <b>Part Two,</b> <b>Section 2-1</b>. The DeKalb County Election Summary Report also referred to as <b>Part 2-B</b>. Your petition is the <b><u>ONLY</u></b> document I am aware of that actually refers to it as <b>Area 2</b>.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i><i>I can only presume that the phrases Area 1 and Area 2 were commonly used by city authorities such that everyone knew which was which, but still.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i><i>As near as I can tell, there is no legal document that describes "Area 1" and "Area 2". (The one document that does exist, that may or may not have been submitted with HB 1128, is the map issued by the city, which uses the opposite designations.) Your petition does not actually describe Area 2. So, your petition is the only document referencing Area 2, which in my reading remains legally undefined.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i><i>When I first saw all this, I had assumed that the references had been corrected in an addendum. However, your email above does refer to the annexation area as "Area 2." Although the overall intent is clear, I'm thinking you may not have the correct legal description of the area, and could be vulnerable to a legal challenge. Hopefully, this doesn't matter one whit and you can just ignore me or tell me to mind my own business. But maybe, just maybe, it is important enough to correct in the final Consent Order. I'm not a lawyer, so I wouldn't know. But I do believe that this kind of nitpicking legalese usually does make a difference. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i><i>Just a word to the wise.</i><br />
<i>_________________________________________________________________________</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, if you're interested in a legal challenge, there you go. </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-49173148920670447122014-07-23T14:57:00.003-07:002014-07-23T15:40:19.016-07:00Whatever Happened With the . . . <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85AcMJd5fen0UuTWYZwsFYawmlYnOUnrc5rLYV1cBHYsJeXPt1SJFfpojG1timRsiYmW_0tRmbwWweXzQkMlMH-02vpEnIVl91P7w96DnkFljqqwEguBUZmhHdY-8iFRVGOOm1oZTY8OD/s1600/Clarkston+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85AcMJd5fen0UuTWYZwsFYawmlYnOUnrc5rLYV1cBHYsJeXPt1SJFfpojG1timRsiYmW_0tRmbwWweXzQkMlMH-02vpEnIVl91P7w96DnkFljqqwEguBUZmhHdY-8iFRVGOOm1oZTY8OD/s1600/Clarkston+logo.JPG" height="77" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Clarkston Annexation?</h4>
<br />
Clarkston had considered annexing several areas surrounding the City, and ultimately chose to formally pursue annexation of two specific districts, one to the west, crossing over to the far side of I-285, and a larger one to the northeast. The grand annexation plans were covered in this article, <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-optimistic-cartographer.html" target="_blank"><b><i>The Optimistic Cartographer</i></b></a>. The vote for annexation was held in the May 20 primary, and ultimately failed, as explained in <b><i><a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2014/05/voters-say-no-to-clarkston.html" target="_blank">The Voters Say No to Clarkston</a></i></b>.<br />
<br />
Or did it?<br />
<br />
Each area voted in separately considered votes, meaning either area could be approved by the voters without the other. In the vote, the area to the west was voted down by the overwhelming vote of 9 No to 5 Yes. The vote in the area to the northeast, around Brockett Road, was tied at 35-35. Under Georgia election laws, for the referendum to be approved, a 50% plus 1 vote is required. A tie represents a No decision, and the referendum fails.<br />
<br />
Or does it?<br />
<br />
After the election, Clarkston announced that there would be a runoff election to reconsider the vote on annexation in the Brockett Road area, in approximately 4 weeks. But no second vote was held in that time frame. Although surprised a runoff was even being considered, I thought it odd that they wouldn't wait for the already scheduled July 22 runoff date, particularly since the annexation was not scheduled to actually take place until the end of the year.The first supposed date for the runoff came and went without a sound. Presumably, the re-vote WAS scheduled for the July 22 runoff date.<br />
<br />
Or was it?<br />
<br />
There was no other notice or other activity in Clarkston, on its webpage or on the local FaceBook pages regarding a re-vote on annexation. No campaigning, no yard signs, no rallies. A quick check on election day at the Jolly Elementary precinct confirmed that no vote on annexation was scheduled that day. It's a mystery.<br />
<br />
Or is it?<br />
<br />
Inquiries at the Clarkston City Hall revealed some, if not all, of the truth. Although the exact sequence of events remains unknown, apparently the DeKalb County Elections Board <b>refused </b>to schedule the runoff vote for annexation as was requested by Clarkston. We can only presume this was due to the 50% plus 1 requirement for voter approval. As far as the Election Board was concerned, the referendum lost, and did not qualify for a revote. A recount maybe (with only 70 votes, we already know they tried that), but not a revote. Case closed.<br />
<br />
But wait. There's more.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
That wasn't good enough for Clarkston. On May 30, 2014, in case 14CV5638, the City of Clarkston brought suit against Maxine Daniels, Director, and the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections, in a petition titled <i>TO CONTEST REFERENDUM ELECTION AND COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGEMENT</i>. The civil action is being handled by their City Attorney, who is in private practice under contract to the City. The first hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, July 24th, in the Rockdale County Superior Court, to be heard by Judge David Irwin. (A suit against a county government agency cannot be held in that same county's Superior Court.)<br />
<br />
Your government at work.<br />
<br />
Both the City, an its city attorney, were unable or unwilling to provide a copy of the formal petition, but promised that one would be provided in response to a Freedom of Information Request, which was duly submitted. A response was promised within a week, so stay tuned. We shall see.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-57535072401338978662014-07-23T10:13:00.002-07:002014-07-23T15:37:01.407-07:00The DeKalb County Sheriff Runoff Vote<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEOMqGqxl92iGafE4aojuYCojwKfnXNtRPNPwSfHRfoaZTGQfhjNIfwSQmbQX-wtDEH_Eqn2oCF8O0OrnqWPIYRKNLDxKTcSD8Y3mTFGjwdngDQdzvMizPtym59WDLw_h905PQgl5LKX7/s1600/logoapp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEOMqGqxl92iGafE4aojuYCojwKfnXNtRPNPwSfHRfoaZTGQfhjNIfwSQmbQX-wtDEH_Eqn2oCF8O0OrnqWPIYRKNLDxKTcSD8Y3mTFGjwdngDQdzvMizPtym59WDLw_h905PQgl5LKX7/s1600/logoapp.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Maps detailing how the runoff vote for Sheriff played out in DeKalb County.</h4>
<br />
The incumbent Sheriff Jeff Mann was running against the ex-CEO of DeKalb County Vernon Jones. The runoff was held July 22, 2014.<br />
<br />
In the runoff vote, Sheriff Jeff Mann defeated Vernon Jones - 40,537 to 12,553 (76.36% to 23.64%). The 53,090 voters represented 13.61% of the 389,998 registered voters in DeKalb County.<br />
<br />
A map of DeKalb County illustrating how each precinct voted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UQtfBJG-vTJUQZFmgY88n1m5j44L04si4ns683zutpzd2io5xm6z4JhHzFuxAzhucxs7OTKDZ_G8PrIvO6q5BbA-oWtaBreIX4i3r_KzS_mf-NokuCmW7J3x7_rjdKocWwrjhnTeckJO/s1600/Dekalb+2014+Sheriff+Final+Vote+7-22-14+v1.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UQtfBJG-vTJUQZFmgY88n1m5j44L04si4ns683zutpzd2io5xm6z4JhHzFuxAzhucxs7OTKDZ_G8PrIvO6q5BbA-oWtaBreIX4i3r_KzS_mf-NokuCmW7J3x7_rjdKocWwrjhnTeckJO/s1600/Dekalb+2014+Sheriff+Final+Vote+7-22-14+v1.0.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A map of DeKalb County illustrating the percentage of registered voters who participated in the runoff election. Kudos go out to Smoke Rise and Avondale Estates!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjgZZ6LNfk9_xnXHyDF_K054KTcx9AIyYYaU9koxFuvKMlBZjvJECW5F_yqBHGiDocenPv-Jyxfhaogqo0w_hFdcGoiuGT_lMOnyBgnZxuJCiPxiXXXkXoR52smxvdj7ujCHT1xao5a_b/s1600/DeKalb+2014+Runoff+Turnout+7-22-14+v1.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjgZZ6LNfk9_xnXHyDF_K054KTcx9AIyYYaU9koxFuvKMlBZjvJECW5F_yqBHGiDocenPv-Jyxfhaogqo0w_hFdcGoiuGT_lMOnyBgnZxuJCiPxiXXXkXoR52smxvdj7ujCHT1xao5a_b/s1600/DeKalb+2014+Runoff+Turnout+7-22-14+v1.0.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A spreadsheet of the vote totals by precinct can be found after the break.</div>
<a name='more'></a>A jpg image of the spreadsheet of the voting results of the runoff vote for DeKalb Sheriff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2HMNvma0zV8Q0WPzs4FO5QUnGRNLR5ec3a_7cX3xZQBhGaFTnh7IJCWhxkNwJTNmkDPOAyr9FmjlfvyujqsQ6Uba1nuxGUwFk-TsyLFNhRRxcxp2mLpzlzHUhdHaD-4wit9QzA_ELrQV/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2HMNvma0zV8Q0WPzs4FO5QUnGRNLR5ec3a_7cX3xZQBhGaFTnh7IJCWhxkNwJTNmkDPOAyr9FmjlfvyujqsQ6Uba1nuxGUwFk-TsyLFNhRRxcxp2mLpzlzHUhdHaD-4wit9QzA_ELrQV/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDJBFV2fPvCq8Dv01wExEJk7zaXNsk6qUmtOnkKz3fTbV7OFoPJRhRl1J6Y-EbnEDR60F0CA8nr4J2VKQBl7gvgR513wksk2Nj46_3tjMN1lJEctHW8m7EKfGFUCvPyTPsKExmL8fd4xo/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDJBFV2fPvCq8Dv01wExEJk7zaXNsk6qUmtOnkKz3fTbV7OFoPJRhRl1J6Y-EbnEDR60F0CA8nr4J2VKQBl7gvgR513wksk2Nj46_3tjMN1lJEctHW8m7EKfGFUCvPyTPsKExmL8fd4xo/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaCM6fkXQOYv2qTAITSf0KdlKxyz0W_4OPw7vTcE4hyvJmJSflTA0A3JWzQcMSnvICMHux32qiyRcFNEEom0WCzHpoLtyEHYLmiLA3aVJIx9yd_jF3k_bD5h1IHyFIrSxj4kyRs_cM0p7/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaCM6fkXQOYv2qTAITSf0KdlKxyz0W_4OPw7vTcE4hyvJmJSflTA0A3JWzQcMSnvICMHux32qiyRcFNEEom0WCzHpoLtyEHYLmiLA3aVJIx9yd_jF3k_bD5h1IHyFIrSxj4kyRs_cM0p7/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X_DPXH5YW6_BC8cx1CdfeJcV0J6n0N96oxPij6b6TkcbjTUlnEAdTmexf4ob-dI3-IhNgf3EyBSEgdaWkQcQevThP8U0iXUlTHlmnIXAWUzc7trF85IFt8UvnZJHtPo9EiuEsEQwz15W/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X_DPXH5YW6_BC8cx1CdfeJcV0J6n0N96oxPij6b6TkcbjTUlnEAdTmexf4ob-dI3-IhNgf3EyBSEgdaWkQcQevThP8U0iXUlTHlmnIXAWUzc7trF85IFt8UvnZJHtPo9EiuEsEQwz15W/s1600/Dekalb+Sheriff+Runoff+Vote+Totals+7-22-14+v1.0_Page_4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-65005287162135278292014-05-30T21:01:00.001-07:002014-06-04T15:03:43.601-07:00IT'S ALIVE!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsZpv_3NLIMxz6l1jBNp3iJajfe_QBAtbgyoUpXHhIiC8OvKGStJ2s93OfL3AKwRtP7WiB6ylpOMxaiRbNJEEoFbniZm40BpSHqXqJ3FFbfclVfPmwMlv1Ue4ePsnXfS5VOlET2GhHqP/s1600/DeKalb+County+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsZpv_3NLIMxz6l1jBNp3iJajfe_QBAtbgyoUpXHhIiC8OvKGStJ2s93OfL3AKwRtP7WiB6ylpOMxaiRbNJEEoFbniZm40BpSHqXqJ3FFbfclVfPmwMlv1Ue4ePsnXfS5VOlET2GhHqP/s1600/DeKalb+County+Logo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The DeKalb Government Operations Task Force lives! For REAL!</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday, May 29, 2014, DeKalb Interim CEO finally issued details of the <b><i>DeKalb Government Operations Task Force</i></b>, tasked with EXPLORING and STUDYING various issues related to county government, city annexations and new city incorporation, and HOST distribution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Its first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 6 to 8PM, in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, in downtown Decatur.</span><br />
<br />
Lee May's original Executive Order for the Task Force can be found <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-dekalb-executive-order.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Following is the complete news release from DeKalb County with photos and links for the Task Force members, followed by a quick commentary from the City of Briarcliff Initiative's esteemed Herman Lorenz.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">ETA: Changes to the Task Force membership on June 2, 2014.</span></h4>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><h4 style="text-align: left;">
Announcement issued June 2, 2014, Additional Membership, Increased to 17 Members to Include Sen. Fran Millar and Rep. Mike Jacobs</h4>
______________________________________________________________________<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
June 2, 2014<br />
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DeKalb Government Operations Task Force Expanded </span></b></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<b>DECATUR </b>– DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May has increased the
membership of The Task Force on DeKalb County Operations (the Operations Task
Force). The committee will be increased from 15 members to 17, and all task
force members will have voting privileges. </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
“It is important that we leverage all of our partnerships as
much as possible on the front end, to ensure a successful outcome,” said
Interim CEO May. “Additional representation from the General Assembly, as well
extending voting to the Georgia Municipal Association and Association of County
Commissioners of Georgia gives us the balance we need.” </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
The Operations Task Force has scheduled its first meeting on<b>
June 5, 2014 from 6 – 8 p.m</b>. at the Maloof Auditorium<b>, 1300 Commerce Drive,
Decatur, GA 30030</b>. The Operations Task Force was created by DeKalb Interim CEO
Lee May with the support of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners through an
Executive Order in March 2014. </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
The Operations Task Force will explore and study (1) the
financial, business, zoning and quality of life impact on residents and
government operations caused by the creation of new cities and annexations; (2)
the effectiveness of the current governance structure of DeKalb County and ethics
and transparency in County operations; (3) the equitable distribution of
Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST) proceeds and legacy pension costs between the
DeKalb County and it’s cities; and (4) other related matters. </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
The Operations Task Force is comprised of: </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Commissioner Jeff Rader, District 2 </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Commissioner Sharon Barnes-Sutton, District 4 </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Commissioner Stan Watson, District 7 </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• State Senator Gloria Butler </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• State Senator Fran Millar
</div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• State Representative Karla Drenner </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• State Representative Billy Mitchell </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• State Representative Mike Jacobs </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Former State Representative Elena Parent </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• John Shelton, CEO of DeKalb Medical Center </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Jim McMahan, Vice Chair, DeKalb County Board of Education </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Vaughn Irons, Chairman of the Development Authority of
DeKalb County </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Patrick Ejike, Director Community Development Department,
Clayton County </div>
<div class="Default">
Government </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• April Atkins, AICP; Community Affairs Specialist </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Bill Floyd, Former Mayor of Decatur </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• Jim Grubiak, General Counsel, Association of County
Commissioners </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
• David L. Sjoquist, Professor of Economics and Director of
Domestic Programs at the </div>
<div class="Default">
Andrew Young School
of Policy Studies, Georgia State University </div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
“It is my sincere hope this task force can come to a consensus
on how we can fix DeKalb in one fell swoop, and make the most of the one year
cooling off period that we asked the Georgia General Assembly to afford us,” said
Interim CEO May.</div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzGIG6yX5V5HGoXjrWkW9D3CuRAsbvpLwsbdT-ElMRe9qcE2owfPcCtBOeocVClY9lvj0z6GAy3sKQZSXLLB4zLjZj5d46G4_zfssL6eIXLzA9dR0gyFtXCDH3WuUCswK_sKqpc9TzDGD/s1600/Lee+May+Interim+CEO+Signing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzGIG6yX5V5HGoXjrWkW9D3CuRAsbvpLwsbdT-ElMRe9qcE2owfPcCtBOeocVClY9lvj0z6GAy3sKQZSXLLB4zLjZj5d46G4_zfssL6eIXLzA9dR0gyFtXCDH3WuUCswK_sKqpc9TzDGD/s1600/Lee+May+Interim+CEO+Signing.jpg" height="347" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">March 11, 2014: DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May signs the executive order creating the Task Force on DeKalb County Operations and other Related Matters</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Default">
DeKalb County is Georgia’s third largest county with more than
700,000 residents calling it </div>
<br />
<div class="Default">
home. Known for its business and education hub, growing
international community and natural wonders, DeKalb County Government is
administered by Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May and legislative policy
is set by a seven-member Board of Commissioners.</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
______________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">May 29, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Updated: DeKalb Government Operations Task Force
Schedules Inaugural Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">DECATUR</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> – </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Task Force
on DeKalb County Operations (the Operations Task Force) has scheduled its first
meeting <b>on June 5, 2014 from 6 – 8 p.m. </b>at
the Maloof Auditorium, <b>1300 Commerce
Drive, Decatur, GA 30030</b>. The Operations
Task Force was created by DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">with the support of
the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> through an
Executive Order in March 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The 15-member committee is empowered to explore and
study (1)the financial, business, zoning and quality of life impact on
residents and government operations caused by the creation of new cities and
annexations; (2) the effectiveness of the current governance structure of
DeKalb County and ethics and transparency in County operations; (3) the
equitable distribution of Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST) proceeds and legacy
pension costs between the DeKalb County and it’s cities; and (4) other related
matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Kcq43KKit3ttc1lX4Cy3IzSafsWUPdoVIxv7UUlNySyCMmf0g4t-NEpVcodM43jhJtBR5cLPG7qT6Al6kN0ZNQpicsOSDMfCu2DdzgqH3lpXy-2xn341duvb8V5KyUakqegIOw0Y5_Ll/s1600/Lee+May+Interim+CEO+Signing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Kcq43KKit3ttc1lX4Cy3IzSafsWUPdoVIxv7UUlNySyCMmf0g4t-NEpVcodM43jhJtBR5cLPG7qT6Al6kN0ZNQpicsOSDMfCu2DdzgqH3lpXy-2xn341duvb8V5KyUakqegIOw0Y5_Ll/s1600/Lee+May+Interim+CEO+Signing.jpg" height="345" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">March 11, 2014: DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May signs the executive order creating the Task Force on DeKalb County Operations and other Related Matters</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We
need some fresh eyes on these issues, and we need representatives from a myriad
of government agencies to participate, as these are complex issues,” said
Interim CEO May. “For instance, under
the current law, the distribution o</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">f capital
funding from HOST between unincorporated and incorporated portions of the
County is extremely unequal. Nearly seventy-five percent of the revenue goes to the
cities with less than twenty percent of the population.”</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Operations Task Force is comprised of 15 members, as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commissioner
Jeff Radar <b><span style="color: red;">(sic)</span></b>, District 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commissioner
Sharon Barnes-Sutton, District 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commissioner
Stan Watson, District 7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">State
Senator Gloria Butler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">State
Senator </span><b style="font-size: 16px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: red;">(sic) </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Elena Parent</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">State
Representative Karla Drenner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">State
Representative Billy Mitchell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">David L. Sjoquist, Professor of Economics and Director of
Domestic Programs at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Georgia State
University<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bill
Floyd, Former Mayor of Decatur<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jim
Grubiak, General Counsel, Association of County Commissioners<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">John
Shelton, CEO of DeKalb Medical Center<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jim McMahan,
Vice Chair, DeKalb County Board of Education<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vaughn
Irons, Chairman of the Development Authority of DeKalb County<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Patrick
Ejike, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;">Director Community Development Department, Clayton County Board of
Commissioners<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;">April Atkins, AICP; Community Affairs
Specialist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It
is my sincere hope this task force can come to a consensus on how we can fix
DeKalb in one fell swoop, and make the most of the one year cooling off period
that we asked the Georgia General Assembly to afford us,” said Interim CEO May.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">DeKalb County is Georgia’s third largest county
with more than 700,000 residents calling it home. Known for its business and
education hub, growing international community and natural wonders, DeKalb
County Government is administered by </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://dekalbcountyga.gov/portals/ceo/index.html">Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> and legislative policy is set by a seven-member </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/boc">Board of Commissioners</a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
______________________________________________________________________<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Task Force's 15 Members, revealed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvowXkwJE0ilm9yj2mIE7BxlAhSJjqDpN-V6wMbHsmRl78JUHr6UtTj5qlb6342L3x6Youa2X5PtXpR1_9UTfasd2gE7W6rBFGhOpc5ZlrI3thNhTgcXR7jyyBqltIbgSzdpZsPb-bs9fp/s1600/Jeff+Rader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvowXkwJE0ilm9yj2mIE7BxlAhSJjqDpN-V6wMbHsmRl78JUHr6UtTj5qlb6342L3x6Youa2X5PtXpR1_9UTfasd2gE7W6rBFGhOpc5ZlrI3thNhTgcXR7jyyBqltIbgSzdpZsPb-bs9fp/s1600/Jeff+Rader.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Commissioner Jeffrey A. Rader</div>
<div>
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, District 2</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Commissioner Rader's <a href="http://www.commissionerrader.com/" target="_blank">official web site</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU9x13ZRa9wks7hr_bX6sVEk3UwtIuumbJPko9DXewjRLi4ZdM-UbzPGRTRuvyD-jQrRHSHI4-gjEWK6h06O0ksT-yOxqhsv780E8tUPnKQZx7LbEISzkpGPAB16YnaMMkNJv7-GtZhvx/s1600/Sharon+Barnes+Sutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU9x13ZRa9wks7hr_bX6sVEk3UwtIuumbJPko9DXewjRLi4ZdM-UbzPGRTRuvyD-jQrRHSHI4-gjEWK6h06O0ksT-yOxqhsv780E8tUPnKQZx7LbEISzkpGPAB16YnaMMkNJv7-GtZhvx/s1600/Sharon+Barnes+Sutton.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton</div>
<div>
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, District 4</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Commissioner Barnes Sutton's <a href="http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/barnes_sutton/index.asp" target="_blank">official web site</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyNV9zqVqS1Z5KdRrWF51HTD4LjnoQc_7ASyQsHBBoOiZ-2odYge9Jxub4pxuRZ4BnULc6qqNsU1UbJcRKNJXmeF28xzVN6OwWH446MR2EloD45Ntxb1SaslkocjSREr8v_K8Ux85gWyR/s1600/Stan+Watson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyNV9zqVqS1Z5KdRrWF51HTD4LjnoQc_7ASyQsHBBoOiZ-2odYge9Jxub4pxuRZ4BnULc6qqNsU1UbJcRKNJXmeF28xzVN6OwWH446MR2EloD45Ntxb1SaslkocjSREr8v_K8Ux85gWyR/s1600/Stan+Watson.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Commissioner Stan Watson</div>
<div>
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, Super District 7</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Commissioner Watson's <a href="http://stanwatson.us/" target="_blank">official web site</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtbFrdXM1OTAIOnsIEYS6zQ3UlHjhb_Gp8nBBa2yfQKBD3l1qbYa2hNnnIRDpt4bnrnJvV-XAoc-3tWq954zQ-CDDgmaxQ32rWCGvtIVbrzAFWoIKaevHTG4sFv3E-XeixjCXtgj9mY3Y/s1600/Gloria+Butler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtbFrdXM1OTAIOnsIEYS6zQ3UlHjhb_Gp8nBBa2yfQKBD3l1qbYa2hNnnIRDpt4bnrnJvV-XAoc-3tWq954zQ-CDDgmaxQ32rWCGvtIVbrzAFWoIKaevHTG4sFv3E-XeixjCXtgj9mY3Y/s1600/Gloria+Butler.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
State Senator Gloria Butler</div>
<div>
Senate District 55, (D) - Stone Mountain</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Senator Butler's <a href="http://www.senate.ga.gov/senators/en-US/Member.aspx?Member=5&Session=23" target="_blank">Senate web site</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_S._Butler" target="_blank">Wikipedia entry</a><br />
<a href="http://ballotpedia.org/Gloria_Butler" target="_blank">Ballotpedia entry</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEVlszEYD6jraQttqsm-VZvuUc3HlIcz1xptSayK5kOD1kDi54jeyFOv4TRvhVZjq2CDfy9Ex4wMPPy3TKNBP2L5kJH7WUagYygdHYYUMFEpJUUZx_fndmw13FOxpRqh7WPF2zw6fFaVP/s1600/Elena+Parent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEVlszEYD6jraQttqsm-VZvuUc3HlIcz1xptSayK5kOD1kDi54jeyFOv4TRvhVZjq2CDfy9Ex4wMPPy3TKNBP2L5kJH7WUagYygdHYYUMFEpJUUZx_fndmw13FOxpRqh7WPF2zw6fFaVP/s1600/Elena+Parent.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Elena Parent</div>
<div>
Current Democratic nominee for State Senator, Senate District 42</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Elena Parent's <a href="http://www.elenaparent.com/home/" target="_blank">Senate campaign web site</a><br />
<a href="http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=768&Session=21" target="_blank">House web site (archived)</a><br />
<br />
Former State Representative, House District 81, (D) - Chamblee, 2011-2012</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz71huX_XdeQdCPpV2K7GYWWpYwcIZra2SQOkAJqDCDPaAycdekcxKvp-OafReB1dCjtioQR5qppA-bvQQcS3n9BWQ25VPj_G6cZu_73nhd5aRJFRa5C3wpPR5kbYjo5-_i9pAbzelGCM/s1600/Karla+Drenner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz71huX_XdeQdCPpV2K7GYWWpYwcIZra2SQOkAJqDCDPaAycdekcxKvp-OafReB1dCjtioQR5qppA-bvQQcS3n9BWQ25VPj_G6cZu_73nhd5aRJFRa5C3wpPR5kbYjo5-_i9pAbzelGCM/s1600/Karla+Drenner.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
State Representative Karla Drenner</div>
<div>
House District 85, (D) - Avondale Estates</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rep. Drenner's <a href="http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=95&Session=23" target="_blank">House web site</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karla_Drenner" target="_blank">Wikipedia entry</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN466keV-cwN28Ij9_KObd7GvmcJ-GsA5yklZf7TUWCFrURAa6zmVz-PvyW23hx9HhKLvEj5t5uucDpVFGIFjCCCto8avbHeXdxVG3FW456iCYCozlFQFi9vdXu1RCrdCSBXDGpQ_JQkt/s1600/Billy+Mitchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN466keV-cwN28Ij9_KObd7GvmcJ-GsA5yklZf7TUWCFrURAa6zmVz-PvyW23hx9HhKLvEj5t5uucDpVFGIFjCCCto8avbHeXdxVG3FW456iCYCozlFQFi9vdXu1RCrdCSBXDGpQ_JQkt/s1600/Billy+Mitchell.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
State Representative Billy Mitchell</div>
<div>
House District 88, (D) - Stone Mountain</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rep. Mitchell's <a href="http://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=172&Session=23" target="_blank">House web site</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://ballotpedia.org/Billy_Mitchell" target="_blank">Ballotpedia entry</a><br />
<br />
Legislative sponsor, City of Tucker incorporation</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu3KFvgyxqER9ZDayp2Ug0__C6MBNzIacSdsh1myJL3V1p453GzR-a53yvyNzZsjLVgF0wvmduYatKcO7IJhlUq6lvwkvBfb4EGepiCkusURBDUSDwWyM5um9r7Nl0-7yWZF43686MQsi/s1600/Dave+Sjoquist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu3KFvgyxqER9ZDayp2Ug0__C6MBNzIacSdsh1myJL3V1p453GzR-a53yvyNzZsjLVgF0wvmduYatKcO7IJhlUq6lvwkvBfb4EGepiCkusURBDUSDwWyM5um9r7Nl0-7yWZF43686MQsi/s1600/Dave+Sjoquist.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
David L. Sjoquist<br />
Professor of Economics<br />
Andrew Young School of Public Policy, GSU<br />
<br />
Prof. Sjoquist's <a href="http://sjoquist.gsu.edu/" target="_blank">GSU web site</a><br />
<br />
He collects ducks!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFuk02VI46j6hIVjdU2dZPesTu8qw8npN8UTJaNcpNLsHcxZux370AlE2kOF8dxgu9-D6cfEfaqvZavCdkqC97zWNAqtI3OcWICrn-iJehP6iM2cDfJ1KKvrgRAO1lQmZhHibo4B4GQer/s1600/Bill+Floyd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFuk02VI46j6hIVjdU2dZPesTu8qw8npN8UTJaNcpNLsHcxZux370AlE2kOF8dxgu9-D6cfEfaqvZavCdkqC97zWNAqtI3OcWICrn-iJehP6iM2cDfJ1KKvrgRAO1lQmZhHibo4B4GQer/s1600/Bill+Floyd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
William F. Floyd<br />
Former Mayor of Decatur<br />
<br />
Pendleton Group <a href="http://www.pendletonatlanta.com/pg/our-team/bill-floyd/" target="_blank">web page</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XplQMBqKzoI" target="_blank">A Tribute to Bill Floyd</a> (YouTube video)<br />
<br />
Mayor of Decatur 1999-2013</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUUMoDe4M5dEysugkCrZhVbnrR1u2VbT5fy-n78zXmS5THJvDpN5rXwfbSxhD2crZIJhtYGYd8jxgivnwb2d3wOe6YOg_bxk4Jw-7mkvaBNBnrGYIELTWMoOwusrOx9J2ll3kaJ-7xsL2/s1600/Jim+Grubiak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUUMoDe4M5dEysugkCrZhVbnrR1u2VbT5fy-n78zXmS5THJvDpN5rXwfbSxhD2crZIJhtYGYd8jxgivnwb2d3wOe6YOg_bxk4Jw-7mkvaBNBnrGYIELTWMoOwusrOx9J2ll3kaJ-7xsL2/s1600/Jim+Grubiak.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
James F. Grubiak<br />
General Counsel<br />
The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG)<br />
<br />
ACCG <a href="http://www.accg.org/content.asp?CatId=334&ContentType=General_Content" target="_blank">web page</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhf71DqQjoM9gbdgwkGfcbLyRJ0Tbac62KBzUVZiztZtp7BIB16l8_z5WZED9k9VjVfmOy9vTuqsbY6OWapxp_dmvAMGqiV8bmWJdDOOY6n_3SWMdMnMhlYpUilWYZn2O1XsW_L1AzcvS/s1600/John+Shelton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhf71DqQjoM9gbdgwkGfcbLyRJ0Tbac62KBzUVZiztZtp7BIB16l8_z5WZED9k9VjVfmOy9vTuqsbY6OWapxp_dmvAMGqiV8bmWJdDOOY6n_3SWMdMnMhlYpUilWYZn2O1XsW_L1AzcvS/s1600/John+Shelton.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
John A. Shelton, Jr.<br />
President and Chief Executive Officer<br />
DeKalb Medical Center<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dekalbmedical.org/news/2011/10/dekalb-medical-names-new-ceo-former-coo-john-shelton-named-to-lead-health-system" target="_blank">DeKalb Medical Announcement</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2011/10/14/dekalb-regional-positions-in-the-market.html?page=all" target="_blank">Atlanta Business Chronicle article</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d5yMj-Xne38E0BuvZMp0-gMVHRe-7Ed3ANSmztx6KHpk_pgu6cyE7JS7jWWC62fMQ53KBBHfTZ-4lzZMIfOFaKd5DC9kFpr2eS687q1Sd7MEnyvm0hyphenhyphencKf2ovSJbsU0z5pLFT1IbkGCF/s1600/Jim+McMahan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d5yMj-Xne38E0BuvZMp0-gMVHRe-7Ed3ANSmztx6KHpk_pgu6cyE7JS7jWWC62fMQ53KBBHfTZ-4lzZMIfOFaKd5DC9kFpr2eS687q1Sd7MEnyvm0hyphenhyphencKf2ovSJbsU0z5pLFT1IbkGCF/s1600/Jim+McMahan.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Jim McMahan<br />
Vice-Chairman<br />
DeKalb County Board of Education</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
BOE Campaign <a href="http://www.votejimmymac.com/" target="_blank">web site</a><br />
<a href="http://ballotpedia.org/Jim_McMahan" target="_blank">Ballotpedia entry</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLAU77Q60kcTIbfwhaIQ0FPHzvbxBdt9ueMDr1f0o-ul3QzVx2WS5pkzrtR2wgcHUMyrO24AhgUlKF-SccL7dg5HCEqb_273krFJuhIiust7dclJ_mjVjymTSp5SqdNMLdYWjKQdql4V6/s1600/Vaught+Irons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLAU77Q60kcTIbfwhaIQ0FPHzvbxBdt9ueMDr1f0o-ul3QzVx2WS5pkzrtR2wgcHUMyrO24AhgUlKF-SccL7dg5HCEqb_273krFJuhIiust7dclJ_mjVjymTSp5SqdNMLdYWjKQdql4V6/s1600/Vaught+Irons.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Vaughn Irons<br />
Chairman<br />
Development Authority of DeKalb County<br />
<br />
<a href="http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/decidedekalb/ed-dev-authority.html" target="_blank">Development Authority of DeKalb County</a><br />
DeKalb Chamber DADC <a href="http://www.dekalbchamber.org/dadc-board-members/" target="_blank">web page</a><br />
<a href="http://www.apdsolutions.com/files/2113/2639/0903/APDS_Launch_Release_6-15.pdf" target="_blank">APD Solutions</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFjwLuuPUKQAQysA9fAvgl8OJfrnJbB4pcE2fi-vClfzHlimj33qzrTg0zr23p-F8zr9o6HhkZPTogRfdi-IqJYIvqh8l-g2vSuP75pmKLT9PhSslD5lmOUz7dzevm_Uc5JXboXZ8rLgo/s1600/Patrick+Ejike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFjwLuuPUKQAQysA9fAvgl8OJfrnJbB4pcE2fi-vClfzHlimj33qzrTg0zr23p-F8zr9o6HhkZPTogRfdi-IqJYIvqh8l-g2vSuP75pmKLT9PhSslD5lmOUz7dzevm_Uc5JXboXZ8rLgo/s1600/Patrick+Ejike.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
Patrick O. Ejike<br />
Director - Community Development Authority<br />
Clayton County Board of Commissioners<br />
<br />
ZoomInfo <a href="http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Patrick-Ejike/422916491" target="_blank">web page</a><br />
Clayton News Daily <a href="http://www.news-daily.com/news/2011/nov/01/boc-hires-new-community-development-chief/" target="_blank">article</a><br />
<br />
Naturalized citizen, originally from Nigeria<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ5I0bKbd-CiQtezn6WgHlk_5awsSI9hPI98lHwM30-P0WjKAYs_DdgP6Tvx4Oetb4S7erxJVgZjHbA444SjoB0l_mvOgJgFgBFlybUMnKXLTqRj6IB2K33ev-aujP0M92LqAc3E2i_EW/s1600/April+Atkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ5I0bKbd-CiQtezn6WgHlk_5awsSI9hPI98lHwM30-P0WjKAYs_DdgP6Tvx4Oetb4S7erxJVgZjHbA444SjoB0l_mvOgJgFgBFlybUMnKXLTqRj6IB2K33ev-aujP0M92LqAc3E2i_EW/s1600/April+Atkins.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
April Atkins, AICP<br />
Community Affairs Specialist at FDIC<br />
<br />
Former Administrative Project Manager, CEO's Office<br />
DeKalb County<br />
<br />
ZoomInfo <a href="http://www.zoominfo.com/p/April-Atkins/1469647516" target="_blank">web page</a><br />
<br />
(AICP - American Institute of Certified Planners)</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
ETA: Additional members on the Task Force, appointed June 2, 2014</h4>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoyfIm-dH2FZMiCWUVpikLr0IIa5GhTzOMxlq7cJU6u9vs3SY4lX_lLNByy21BXkCmZJMHhuIfRBEvLBdrpW3VRLj_9PH070Wj_igyPgzQUxfWZUQIVfuss1h2JTEgyNRbAuMuA3KhuIA/s1600/Fran+Millar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoyfIm-dH2FZMiCWUVpikLr0IIa5GhTzOMxlq7cJU6u9vs3SY4lX_lLNByy21BXkCmZJMHhuIfRBEvLBdrpW3VRLj_9PH070Wj_igyPgzQUxfWZUQIVfuss1h2JTEgyNRbAuMuA3KhuIA/s1600/Fran+Millar.jpg" /></a></div>
State Senator Fran Millar<br />
Senate District 40, (R) - Dunwoody<br />
<br />
Sen. Millar's Senate <a href="http://www.senate.ga.gov/senators/en-US/member.aspx?Member=170" target="_blank">web site</a><br />
<a href="http://ballotpedia.org/Fran_Millar" target="_blank">Ballotpedia</a><br />
<br />
Sen. Millar sponsored the failed bill for Lakeside incorporation in<br />
2013-14. He was a State Representative before election as a Senator.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dNTf3xeHO_5hqOgRb750-T7_SA2RkVS-o2_bnU2anaF6YBdBNLty-VuJEiunRJPzCQwJssNJFzRTlGAnI1QcFavVdbQgZrwBAv4zApq8kvh4lrd7c9GmlRJ1XwJPrCnNbzhTmE7SbyK6/s1600/Mike+Jacobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dNTf3xeHO_5hqOgRb750-T7_SA2RkVS-o2_bnU2anaF6YBdBNLty-VuJEiunRJPzCQwJssNJFzRTlGAnI1QcFavVdbQgZrwBAv4zApq8kvh4lrd7c9GmlRJ1XwJPrCnNbzhTmE7SbyK6/s1600/Mike+Jacobs.jpg" /></a></div>
State Representative Mike Jacobs<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
House District 80, (R) - Brookhaven<br />
<br />
Rep. Jacob's <a href="http://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=135&Session=23" target="_blank">House web site</a><br />
Re-election campaign <a href="http://repjacobs.com/" target="_blank">web site</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Jacobs_(Georgia_politician)" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a><br />
<a href="http://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Jacobs,_Georgia_Representative" target="_blank">Ballotpedia</a><br />
<br />
Rep. Jacobs changed parties, from Democrat to Republican,<br />
in 2007. Sponsored <a href="http://www.brookhavenga.gov/" target="_blank">Brookhaven</a> incorporation in 2011-12<br />
______________________________________________________________________</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZglf2wCmpdrmJLb3JHhhEnI29XrmJI5Lm1Nk7c0F3LXb_xROIQjsgY4yMszym30Qf0Ps5qTWjv6m6etk_WKK8Oke4icRQayyw8-B_iJ8fGFhAYSuYSWoqPXg82yVOAfev-bC-33JSUUXD/s1600/Patch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZglf2wCmpdrmJLb3JHhhEnI29XrmJI5Lm1Nk7c0F3LXb_xROIQjsgY4yMszym30Qf0Ps5qTWjv6m6etk_WKK8Oke4icRQayyw8-B_iJ8fGFhAYSuYSWoqPXg82yVOAfev-bC-33JSUUXD/s1600/Patch.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
From the North Druid Hills / Briarcliff Patch</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 24.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "MuseoSans_500","serif"; font-size: 21.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">I know how to solve our problems!
Appoint a Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Posted by</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="http://northdruidhills.patch.com/users/herman-lorenz"><span style="color: #207bb8; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Herman Lorenz</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #a8a8a8; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, May 30, 2014 at
08:59 AM</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/format/jpg/quality/82/resize/393x295/http:/hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/57020e37fcf432e08b296edacb5e8545"
style='width:294.75pt;height:221.25pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Roy\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="57020e37fcf432e08b296edacb5e8545"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sorry, I’m doing this quickly, and may not be as careful as I
usually am. I just read the PR release about the task force.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What do you know! A “task force” has been established to look at
the governance of DeKalb County, perhaps with the</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">intent
of appearing to fix something</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. The committee was announced
with the following discussion topics: (Note that it’s “empowered to explore and
study”, not to recommend legislation and implement.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;">The 15-member committee is empowered to explore and study</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(1)the financial, business, zoning and quality of life impact on
residents and government operations<b><i>caused by the creation of new cities
and annexations</i></b>;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(2) the effectiveness of the current governance structure of
DeKalb County and</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ethics
and transparency in County operations</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (3) the</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">equitable
distribution of Homestead Option Sales Tax</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(HOST) proceeds and</span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">legacy
pension costs</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">between
the DeKalb County and it's cities; and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(4) other related matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;">And after all of the public fiascos involving our County
government, what did our CEO highlight as things to look at?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The evil cities in the County who want to annex parts of
unincorporated DeKalb (watch out Decatur, Chamblee and Avondale!); and
the evil people who want to create new cities. That’s certainly the most
important thing for the county to address --</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NOT</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The effectiveness of structure and the ethics and transparency
of County Operations. If this had been the</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">sole
purpose</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of the
task force, they would have had a real mission. And if the results had been
serious, it might make all of our lives better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How do we get more money into the County slush funds – we all
still have some friends who we haven’t paid off yet. I know, we can go after
more of the HOST funds –</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">80%
isn’t enough</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">; let’s go for 90% more free money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How do we fix the problem that</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">we don’t
want to fund our pensions</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">– maybe
we can force someone else to do that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Can we get serious here? A few basic principles:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 16.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
existence of Cities in the County is</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">not in
any way the source of problems with either the governance or corruption in the County
government</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. In fact, stronger cities will make it harder for the money to
be diverted, and will provide a stronger voice for the citizens against
corruption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 16.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transparency
and ethics in any organization</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">starts
at the top and feeds down</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. In any organization the
CEO can demand ethical performance from the employees. Of course that only
works if the CEO is clearly ethical himself. A Board of Directors both defines
the ethical performance of an organization and enforces those ethics. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You do not need to go beyond that level to
identify the problem</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. We have a governmental attitude both
nationally and locally that bad performance and bad actions have no
consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 16.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
still waiting for the one situation in which the County government would say
“let’s put all this money into solving the most important and pressing issues”.
What actually happens is “Oh boy! We’ve got more money to pass around this
year”. <b><i>Lack of money is NOT DeKalb County’s problem</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: 16.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
blaming someone else for the Commission’s failure to fund pensions is the worst
kind of passing the buck. They had an extra $20 million to spend this
year because of increases in tax receipts. How much of that went into
solving the unfunded pension problem? It’s a lot easier to play games so
that you can</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">blame
someone else</span></i></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">than to
solve a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-75105425593902602142014-05-22T14:42:00.002-07:002014-05-23T12:44:24.383-07:00Voters Say NO to Clarkston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85AcMJd5fen0UuTWYZwsFYawmlYnOUnrc5rLYV1cBHYsJeXPt1SJFfpojG1timRsiYmW_0tRmbwWweXzQkMlMH-02vpEnIVl91P7w96DnkFljqqwEguBUZmhHdY-8iFRVGOOm1oZTY8OD/s1600/Clarkston+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85AcMJd5fen0UuTWYZwsFYawmlYnOUnrc5rLYV1cBHYsJeXPt1SJFfpojG1timRsiYmW_0tRmbwWweXzQkMlMH-02vpEnIVl91P7w96DnkFljqqwEguBUZmhHdY-8iFRVGOOm1oZTY8OD/s1600/Clarkston+logo.JPG" height="77" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Only 84 Voters Participated in the Clarkston Annexation Referendum</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
The City of Clarkston, largely in response to the possibility of new cities close to or adjacent to Clarkston, had developed an <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2014/03/clarkston-files-bill.html" target="_blank">annexation plan</a> for two separate areas adjacent to the City. Their interest in annexation prompted both city movements for Briarcliff and Tucker to adjust their proposed borders in deference to Clarkston's interest in those areas.<br />
<br />
The referendum vote on the annexation was held this past primary day, May 20th. The two proposed areas were considered separately, which allowed for an up or down vote for each unique area, the two were not tied together. For whatever reason, finding the results initially proved to be something of a challenge, but they are easily found today.<br />
<br />
Both areas were voted down in the referendum. A total of 84 voters participated in the referendum, 14 in Part 1-A (6% of a registered 231 voters) and 70 in Part 2-B (from a total of 2,122 registered voters - a paltry 3% participation). The labels assigned to each area can be confusing as the map drawn by Clarkston conflicted with the published study, and none of the references were used in the bill approved by the General Assembly. Part 1-A (Area 2 on their map) is the area to the west of the City, crossing I-285, and Part 2-B (Area 1 on their map) spans Brockett Road, to the City's northeast. Part 1-A was voted down in a 9 No to 5 Yes landslide, while the vote for Part 2-B was TIED, remarkably enough, at 35-35. In a tie vote, the No vote should prevail, as Georgia requires a 50% + 1 clear majority to be approved. I suspect Clarkston may be preparing a case to challenge the results.<br />
<br />
Map and formal results, after the break.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The results are reported by precinct, where only 4 precincts were involved. To confuse things even more, only a small portion of each precinct was included in the annexation areas, such that voters had to be separated by their personal address. The low voting totals can be attributed to the relatively few voters living in the proposed annexation areas, the generally low voter turnout being the norm for mid-term primary elections, and the general lack of interest in city issues we might presume for apartment dwellers. (My assumption. YMMV.) What I don't know is just how much effort the Clarkston city administration put into selling the annexation to the area's residents, or if those residents of the area familiar with the recent incorporation effort by Tucker chose to vote against annexation by Clarkston in order to leave the area open to be included in Tucker.<br />
<br />
Another factor that may have suppressed voter participation was the procedure the City used for the vote. Letters were issued prior to the vote to those residents in the annexation areas confirming their residence and qualifying them for the referendum. Voters were asked to present this letter to voting officials at the various polling stations, only after which they would be allowed to participate in the referendum. Obviously, just from human nature, many voters would have ignored the letter or forgotten to bring it to the poll thereby having no proof they could participate. (Maybe they were allowed to vote using their ID and a determined attitude, but probably not.) Regardless, the main problem was the apparent inability to program the voting computers to automatically allow their participation, based on their street address alone, no letter or discussion required. If I recall correctly, this same problem compromised the first Chamblee DECA annexation vote, which was ultimately disallowed, allowing a second, positive, vote a year later.<br />
<br />
<i><b>ETA</b>: On further reflection, if this qualification letter WAS required to be presented before someone was allowed to vote on the referendum, I'm beginning to think that this highly irregular procedure might be <b>grounds for a lawsuit</b> to invalidate the entire election process for the referendum. One would hope that this process was fully vetted by legal scholars before it was used here, but my limited experience with election officials would lead me to think the procedure was established without being completely thought out. There are simply too many ways for the voting process to be compromised by requiring this letter. Some voters will not have received the letter, many voters would have ignored the letter upon receipt, more voters would have lost it, others will have forgotten they needed it. And then one could argue, advocates for a Yes vote (City officials?) could easily have concentrated on making sure only their supporters were fully aware of the process and knew to bring the letter, while dissenters and less knowledgeable voters were left to their own devices. Even as a laymen unfamiliar with the particulars of election laws, this one just doesn't pass the smell test.</i><br />
<br />
Of course, and this is just for our Village Idiot, we should note that all American CITIZENS were allowed to vote in the referendum, whether they be native born, immigrants or refugees, as long they were registered voters. And more power to our new American citizens exercising their right to vote. I suspect they are more knowledgeable of most of these issues than you are. (And you know who you are, Idiot.)<br />
<br />
So, after Clarkston's failure to annex the area to the northeast, it remains to be seen if Tucker2015 will now add that area back into their map.<br />
<br />
<i><b>ETA:</b> Per Gary M.'s comment following, it seems there will be a special election to have a re-vote on the annexation of Part 2-B (Area 1) where the vote was tied 35-35. Initially, the City is stating that the special election will be held in 4 weeks. I find this relatively surprising for several reasons:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>1. I didn't realize that Georgia election policies allowed a revote in the case of a tie (losing) vote in a</i><br />
<i> referendum. But, I suppose, when considering a vote for candidates running for a public office, a tie</i><br />
<i> leaves everyone in limbo such that a re-vote would be required, and this would be no different.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2. I'm surprised that Clarkston would still want to annex Part 2-B (Area 1) without also annexing Part 1-A</i><br />
<i> (Area 2) as the anticipated revenue from the commercial area would be needed to help offset the</i><br />
<i> additional costs for city services to the residential (read apartments) areas. Especially considering that</i><br />
<i> Part 1-A was the higher priority for Clarkston.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>3. Why hold a special election just for Clarkston in late June when the already scheduled state-wide runoff</i><br />
<i> vote is set for July 22nd? The formal annexation date, once approved, is January 1, 2015, so pushing</i><br />
<i> a quick re-vote would seem an unnecessary waste of time and money as it will make no difference what-</i><br />
<i> soever. Could it be the additional cost would be worth it to Clarkston as it would the most available</i><br />
<i> means to manipulate the vote, as only the most highly motivated voters would make the effort to show</i><br />
<i> up at the polls? Do they think they can get their supporters to the polls, while their opponents are left</i><br />
<i> sleeping at the wheel through the re-vote? We shall see.</i><br />
<br />
Following is a map of Clarkston illustrating the voting results, and the voting totals, by precinct, as published by the <a href="http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/voter/CurrentElectionInfo.html" target="_blank">DeKalb County Office for Voter Registration and Elections</a>.<br />
<br />
This map of Clarkston is modified from the version first prepared by the City to also show the 4 precincts involved in the annexation referendum, the overall results, and the voting by precinct.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrm-0EgpuKO7NfititvEo9-kb30Zawf_6veaYrap6er6Q6rSqRdPs0qakydvzSs-vcW_2s5jXZ6_OHRfDOjlkGN-VzN39OjFfvQnYCxZuCv9NScw30vAi48Xuw3v0B6IX3fh_yzzuitl9/s1600/Clarkston+annex+precinct+vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrm-0EgpuKO7NfititvEo9-kb30Zawf_6veaYrap6er6Q6rSqRdPs0qakydvzSs-vcW_2s5jXZ6_OHRfDOjlkGN-VzN39OjFfvQnYCxZuCv9NScw30vAi48Xuw3v0B6IX3fh_yzzuitl9/s1600/Clarkston+annex+precinct+vote.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/voter/pdf/ClarkstonSUMMARY_05262014.pdf" target="_blank">Clarkston Special Referendum Unofficial Results</a><br />
Legend:<br />
ABM - Absentee By Mail<br />
AIP1 - Advance In Person 1<br />
AIP2 - Advance In Person 2<br />
PRO - Provisional Ballot<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdfZsbN74bHki_kckHK1hDL337rbP1ZkbWenmR0EKfzRvBvskEEdO_EwLNSi0n3jom9Pd2J77PQXEoK4C9PVSmbbnIlG1HN4xLq5x5KsTp94f_PM1DuBi3wYwImPZZvhyi3noraVlOdVb/s1600/Clarkston+SUMMARY+05-26-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdfZsbN74bHki_kckHK1hDL337rbP1ZkbWenmR0EKfzRvBvskEEdO_EwLNSi0n3jom9Pd2J77PQXEoK4C9PVSmbbnIlG1HN4xLq5x5KsTp94f_PM1DuBi3wYwImPZZvhyi3noraVlOdVb/s1600/Clarkston+SUMMARY+05-26-14.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/voter/pdf/ClarkstonSOVC_05202014.pdf" target="_blank">Clarkston Special Referendum Unofficial Statement of Vote</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9Mym0-I2KxBIUcJh2ZBgatZoyoYzebFcKopxSxRGqaH-QEa3hoazYr_BlMz4opnNBxQvrnFOrhEgaDW5kLPnfjjj4oZW_YMcHE0QW3oqwF766LfVTJZzWlhvL9i9XF-c7Wr3VxEddVbw/s1600/Clarkston+SOVC+05-20-2014_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9Mym0-I2KxBIUcJh2ZBgatZoyoYzebFcKopxSxRGqaH-QEa3hoazYr_BlMz4opnNBxQvrnFOrhEgaDW5kLPnfjjj4oZW_YMcHE0QW3oqwF766LfVTJZzWlhvL9i9XF-c7Wr3VxEddVbw/s1600/Clarkston+SOVC+05-20-2014_Page_1.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbA9MeU5udJ2n7Lxpk0AMgRZK_s-kozEEhCyKGRBG7x38nudmV1P_Cq5ff84U-lg6P9d6boIeXAnO0fEXCivPpB29-JsFN4XtSIvTcEass0KsmAHmorMCXjVtVRhNJnAwk5zLcoYOTUhnK/s1600/Clarkston+SOVC+05-20-2014_Page_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbA9MeU5udJ2n7Lxpk0AMgRZK_s-kozEEhCyKGRBG7x38nudmV1P_Cq5ff84U-lg6P9d6boIeXAnO0fEXCivPpB29-JsFN4XtSIvTcEass0KsmAHmorMCXjVtVRhNJnAwk5zLcoYOTUhnK/s1600/Clarkston+SOVC+05-20-2014_Page_2.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-27863238489823126812014-05-20T13:29:00.002-07:002014-05-23T10:19:49.534-07:00Kevin Levitas Tries To Keep It Up - Even MORE Sophomoric Ranting! (Sigh . . .)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzCKOhnJespEAS1H5_BhomreJ3rzkhW1LbVkwBuzDmhFfbUrAAk3ApdR_kVQPSc5wBpr-BfL13UgVndud_LRFDPuUMvGcvxRGOJ45oH-9PdMVsWhiN4MkJgLiuEofn417ONs4GMFjPLUf/s1600/Digging-Hole001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzCKOhnJespEAS1H5_BhomreJ3rzkhW1LbVkwBuzDmhFfbUrAAk3ApdR_kVQPSc5wBpr-BfL13UgVndud_LRFDPuUMvGcvxRGOJ45oH-9PdMVsWhiN4MkJgLiuEofn417ONs4GMFjPLUf/s1600/Digging-Hole001.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Kevin Levitas Just Can't Stop Digging That Hole of His</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On his personal blog, ex-Representative, ex-Democrat, and ex-LCA-co-chair Kevin Levitas continues to expound upon his epic failure to pass the LCA sponsored Lakeside incorporation bill in this past legislative session, and persists in blaming everyone but himself. In this particular article he is focusing on Tucker's proposed map, and what he seems to think was the motivation behind its proposed border. He couldn't be more wrong. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am reposting his article here, in its entirety, as a service to the Tucker community. My personal response follows.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Perusing his blog, I have three suggestions for Mr. Levitas:</div>
<div>
1. Man up and grow a pair!</div>
<div>
2. Get some help on your graphics. (All images below are from his blog article. Don't blame me.)</div>
<div>
3. Keep trying! As we all know 'Practice Makes Perfect!'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Enjoy the repartee, after the break!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>_______________________________________</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Kevin Levitas</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Wednesday, May 7,
2014<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Ever-Shifting Sands of
Tucker2014...2015...</i></span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The tortuous path that has led the Tucker
"cityhood" groups on its quixotic quest to occupy Northlake has been
remarkable.<br />
</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br />
Initially, the Tucker groups put forth the argument that Tucker was defined by
something called a Census Designated Place (CDP), which is defined as "a
concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for
statistical purposes." Yep, that's what a CDP is: a statistic. Not a city,
not a town, just a statistic. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZgEXr5ywyfNxzavltxlRfiXk8-hWVAAFIYvn127wZ9vDNSKRxlNIJvV99KxNfXIMNX5YuCJ84DnBpu9UDhd3DaaDJEEzRfk7fqL9QoXaeq-jXOssBszHC2I3Vn_WXGuAITP-6gezw_Sj/s1600/CDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZgEXr5ywyfNxzavltxlRfiXk8-hWVAAFIYvn127wZ9vDNSKRxlNIJvV99KxNfXIMNX5YuCJ84DnBpu9UDhd3DaaDJEEzRfk7fqL9QoXaeq-jXOssBszHC2I3Vn_WXGuAITP-6gezw_Sj/s1600/CDP.jpg" height="118" width="200" /></i></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Then
came the problems. First, one of chief spokespeople for the Tucker group as
well as all the people in the Smokerise Community (including a DeKalb
County commissioner) were outside of the CDP and, according to the groups'
territorial claim, outside of the Tucker community.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
Second problem: the CDP does not include any territory inside I-285, dispelling
the already specious claim of the group that Northlake is somehow part of
Tucker.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
So then came the zip code argument, my personal favorite. Tucker is entitled to
Northlake, the rationale goes, because there are "Tucker" zip codes
in the area.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
By this logic, Northlake Mall, with its "Atlanta" zip code, should
belong to Mayor Reed & Co., and the city of Decatur might be surprised to
learn that the Oak Grove United Methodist Church, located 5 miles from its
northernmost city border is nonetheless part of that city. And the
aforementioned commissioner and Tucker spokesperson? They reside in a Stone
Mountain zip code and, thus, the city of Stone Mountain.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
</span></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRhpR_omxxmmWd3121hk7KEslBv_Sz_6tUEZuGqnrQcMUYFDUjQyB32P-NHDfhPhLNcCiyxTLoJslBcF5MwuIDYNT_ll5xmKL-wSnVhSytR9iO6R8P2zl3Vu70WtaMUrhEF7EwCXR0IGR/s1600/TuckerZipCodeMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRhpR_omxxmmWd3121hk7KEslBv_Sz_6tUEZuGqnrQcMUYFDUjQyB32P-NHDfhPhLNcCiyxTLoJslBcF5MwuIDYNT_ll5xmKL-wSnVhSytR9iO6R8P2zl3Vu70WtaMUrhEF7EwCXR0IGR/s1600/TuckerZipCodeMap.jpg" height="87" width="200" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Take a look below at how much the proposed city of Tucker falls in zip codes
with names of other cities. [Note: the map on the right is an older version of
the Tucker map, but almost all of the areas depicted remain part of its
proposed boundaries]:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span>
Using the Tucker zip code as a boundary-defining line, Tucker's latest map
includes the road that runs right along the Briarlake Baptist Church, the site
of tomorrow's Northlake Community Alliance meeting. I wonder if area residents
will be surprised at the meeting tomorrow to learn that if they look out a
window, at the adjacent side street, they will--in Tucker's eyes anyway--be
looking at Tucker property. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oops! </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hfArpRqBV10qeqA08s-3V6OFuka6Tpqise2Snj_J4m6Ppp3Zq7_6s_dkm2bOweejXi-3nMRHRDYQTfTx3_nCtl0km9_qSltJ4dur1dzeH9o11Adf7NSeWiH-Ls00OMKOlH6l3Y45o8Xq/s1600/Tucker+Map+May+2014V2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hfArpRqBV10qeqA08s-3V6OFuka6Tpqise2Snj_J4m6Ppp3Zq7_6s_dkm2bOweejXi-3nMRHRDYQTfTx3_nCtl0km9_qSltJ4dur1dzeH9o11Adf7NSeWiH-Ls00OMKOlH6l3Y45o8Xq/s1600/Tucker+Map+May+2014V2.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></i></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Using
the Tucker zip code as a boundary-defining line, Tucker's latest map includes
the road that runs right along the Briarlake Baptist Church, the site of
tomorrow's Northlake Community Alliance meeting. I wonder if area residents
will be surprised at the meeting tomorrow to learn that if they look out a
window, at the adjacent side street, they will--in Tucker's eyes anyway--be
looking at Tucker property. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">(End.)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>______________________________________________</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Response</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> from The City of Tucker Initiative</span></span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr. Levitas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Given your role in the incorporation movement this past
year, and your previous life as the area’s representative, it’s remarkable just
how little you understand Tucker, its motivation as a community, and its
reaction as a community to your efforts on behalf of Lakeside. This missive alone is particularly revealing
of that ignorance as it is remarkably deficient in demonstrable facts while filled
with outright disinformation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You suggest that several Tucker groups argued that Tucker
was defined by its CDP. This is a total fabrication as no formal Tucker group
EVER made use of the CDP as the primary geographical narrative of the
community. In fact numerous Tucker supporters routinely derided the use of the
CDP as the sole device to be used in creating a Tucker map, and where numerous
residents in the area expressed their long held belief that they, too, were a
part of Tucker despite their being outside of the CDP limits. In fact, it would
be more accurate to state that almost all of Tucker would agree with you that
the CDP is simply a Census Bureau fabrication defined for its use in
statistical analysis. (FYI - A CDP is a delineated geographical area, NOT a
statistic.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A simple glance at the Tucker map posted in your article is
sufficient to demonstrate the consistency of the Tucker case as it is the FIRST
map produced by a recognized Tucker group, and was the ONLY map used by the
Tucker groups until close to the end of the legislative session. Compare that
to the seven iterations of the Lakeside map. Consistency and communication are
not the LCA’s strong suit. I suppose you would also like us to discount the
simple fact that the Census Bureau was so dismissive of the concept of a
‘Lakeside’ community that they never bothered to create a CDP in your area.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, both of the problems you reference simply never came to
pass. Another example of the LCA penchant for fallacious arguments. The TCA is
a Tucker BASED community and business organization, welcoming all who care
about Tucker and Tucker’s future. And you should know as well as anyone that
Smoke Rise was, is and always will be an integral part of the Tucker Community
as its residents are regular and active participants in and supporters of all
Tucker events and organizations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Zip Code argument is equally specious. As with the CDP,
no formally recognized Tucker organization has ever used <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2013/04/zip-codes-in-city-of-tucker.html" target="_blank">Zip Codes</a> to define
the community, no Tucker organization has produced a City of Tucker map based
on <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2013/04/zip-codes-in-city-of-tucker.html" target="_blank">Zip Codes</a>, and all in Tucker agree that <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2013/04/zip-codes-in-city-of-tucker.html" target="_blank">Zip Codes</a> are irrelevant in its case
for incorporation. While there may be valid arguments with regard to whom
Northlake ‘belongs’ to, Tucker organizations do not base their arguments on the
30084 ZIP Code but more in the fact that the Northlake business community has
joined with the Tucker business community in the Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement
District, in its firm commitment to the future success of Northlake and the CID
and in its belief that the commercial district should not be split in two.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, it seems you have forgotten the support you gave
the Tucker community back in 2006-7 as it took its first hard look at the pros
and cons of incorporation, where the maps used for discussion routinely
included the Pleasantdale and Evansdale School districts, the Smoke Rise Community
and the Northlake business district, all areas well beyond the CDP. Very much
the same map being offered today. No complaints from you then and undeserving
of your specious argument now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
And before you get all hot-and-bothered to defend your intellectually-dishonest
arguments, I will concede that, Yes, there have been voices from Tucker that
have cited both the CDP and Zip Codes as justification for the ‘proper’ Tucker
border. These arguments, largely if not solely from our renowned Village Idiot,
are no justification for the legitimacy of your argument, as her positions were
isolated, often contradictory and were valid only in the vast vacuum of her own
vapid intellect. Even then, her comments
were typically targeted AGAINST the official Tucker incorporation groups and
were only echoed by a few mindless minions. She does not speak for Tucker
and has little if any real support in the Tucker community. But it would seem
that by the example posted here you certainly seem eager to join her on her
Ship of Fools. Have <span style="font-family: inherit;">fun with that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oops,
indeed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-90932009739700094982014-05-20T12:54:00.000-07:002014-05-20T12:54:12.365-07:00Slate's David Weigel Visits Georgia. This Is What He Saw.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zLntdiC1temAUdkiaIMZCor2KQ35_NauhEFhQLxPsUhbr1nDjCMzgtnwgcmgoO71NvwonSWdV0_B4VGplPVdq5o1YmYe4uIlcKoLestgCSsO7JuOtmO38k0_6-CNOfvqBOMGkaWeYsg7/s1600/slate-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zLntdiC1temAUdkiaIMZCor2KQ35_NauhEFhQLxPsUhbr1nDjCMzgtnwgcmgoO71NvwonSWdV0_B4VGplPVdq5o1YmYe4uIlcKoLestgCSsO7JuOtmO38k0_6-CNOfvqBOMGkaWeYsg7/s1600/slate-logo.jpg" height="78" width="200" /></a></div>
David Weigel, a political journalist for the on-line Slate Magazine, while generally focusing on conservative political issues in his blog articles for Slate, seems to be all over the map in his political inclinations. (You can find his Wikipedia article <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Weigel" target="_blank">HERE</a>.) I have found his articles to be required reading.<br />
<br />
Mr. Weigel recently visited Georgia and subsequently wrote several articles for Slate focusing on Georgia politics. For a conservative, he is remarkably positive about the future prospects of the Democratic Party in Georgia, while offering some brilliantly scathing commentary about a few of our Republican candidates.<br />
<br />
There's still hope for us yet!<br />
<br />
Following are links to his recent articles:<br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/05/stacey_abrams_michelle_nunn_and_georgia_can_georgia_democrats_mount_a_comeback.html" target="_blank">Can Georgia Democrats Make the State Turn Blue Ahead of Schedule?</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/05/georgia_s_republican_party_senate_primary_karen_handel_jack_kingston_and.html" target="_blank">How Red Can You Get?</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/05/bob_barr_running_for_congress_the_bizarre_return_of_georgia_s_unpredictable.html" target="_blank"><b><i>The Third Coming of Bob Barr?</i></b></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/05/19/watch_the_homophobic_ad_that_a_losing_candidate_is_running_in_georgia.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Watch the Homophobic Ad That a Losing Candidate is Running in Georgia</i></b></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/05/19/read_what_georgia_s_michelle_nunn_actually_said_about_obamacare.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Read What Georgia's Michelle Nunn Actually Said About Obamacare</i></b></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-40560795111750370602014-04-22T12:53:00.004-07:002014-04-22T13:52:40.603-07:00Kevin Levitas: 'F*** Y**, Briarcliff!'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh5b4ka4a0nqjSnArKHKrNKGLjQ_7v7ZUvssu7n8CQYCtU4Av7kEAZDMMufoSN0aRuWV9r4rxRu8J10fjL8iykyCfNWNCDsw-IWhEvhWw0D87374eLHVy9rUuZ8w1a3o36pDDQrxTEIK5/s1600/Kevin+Levitas+finger.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh5b4ka4a0nqjSnArKHKrNKGLjQ_7v7ZUvssu7n8CQYCtU4Av7kEAZDMMufoSN0aRuWV9r4rxRu8J10fjL8iykyCfNWNCDsw-IWhEvhWw0D87374eLHVy9rUuZ8w1a3o36pDDQrxTEIK5/s1600/Kevin+Levitas+finger.gif" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Levitas<br />Former LCA co-chair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kevin Levitas is STILL upset, and STILL refuses to take responsibility for LCA's failure.</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
In the comment section of a COBI Facebook article, Kevin Levitas, former co-chair of the Lakeside City Alliance (and former state representative and former Democrat) makes no bones about his feelings regarding the City of Briarcliff Initiative's role in the recent cityhood hearings in the House of Representatives. In his comment, Mr. Levitas belittles COBI's efforts over the past year, and insults every DeKalb citizen who supported COBI's proposal. We can only shake our head at this shameful fingerpointing and blame game that the LCA has presented to its adoring public.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Mr. Levitas's comment, and a response from COBI board member Keith Hanks, after the break. In this reposting, I have edited the comments into a cleaner outline version, for readibility's sake. These comments can be a challenge to find in the Facebook system.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Kevin Levitas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Former co-chair of the Lakeside City Alliance</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Comment posted to COBI Facebook page article advertising April 22
meeting</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
April 21, 2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>I comment here only because I do not want to see our community divided
once again by a needlessly competing cityhood group. The existence of the Briarcliff group this
session played into the hands of anti-city forces and helped prevent our
community from getting the opportunity to vote for self-rule. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>If you decide to attend this meeting, the facts to know and the
questions to ask the Briarcliff group are these:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><br />
1. No Seat at the Table.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>a. Facts: </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>i. The simple truth is that negotiations at
the Legislature regarding cityhood did not and would not next year involve the
Briarcliff group—period. (If you would like information about what—or more
precisely, who—doomed the bill to allow a vote on cityhood this year, please
read this article: <a href="http://zpolitics.com/a-snake-in-the-meadows/" target="_blank">http://zpolitics.com/a-snake-in-the-meadows/</a>).</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>ii. Those of us who were present at the
Legislature this session can attest that the Briarcliff group was given a
one-hour hearing as a courtesy by a new chairman, and that is it—no vote and no
serious consideration. Lakeside and a third cityhood group were part of
end-of-session negotiations with House leadership to move forward the plans of
these two groups, but Briarcliff was DOA at the Legislature and not any part of
those discussions. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>b.
Questions for Briarcliff: </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>i. Did the Briarcliff group have a
legislative champion in the Legislature this session? If so, who was it, and
what steps did he or she take towards passage of the Briarcliff proposal? </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>ii. Who was/were the sponsor(s) of the
Briarcliff bill?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>2. Lack of
Community Support.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>a. Facts: </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>i. Druid Hills. The Briarcliff’s group’s main
source of funding and “support,” the Druid Hills Neighborhood Association, is
now engaged in serious annexation discussions with the city of Atlanta. Druid
Hills was involved with Briarcliff because it appeared to be the only cityhood
option for that area at the time (Druid Hills was not part of the Lakeside
map). </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>ii. The Northlake Area. The focus of the
Briarcliff plan is the Emory/CDC area, made evident by the group’s own advocacy
documents and statements as well as the lack of any Briarcliff board
representation in the entire Northlake area. The inclusion of Northlake was
nothing more than a source of revenue for the group’s plan to create its own
“Cambridge” (Briarcliff’s term) with non-taxable Emory University as its base.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>iii. Emory. A major obstacle for the Briarcliff group was
and is that Emory wants nothing to do with any city, other than possibly the
city of Atlanta. Emory relies heavily on its Atlanta branding for marketing
purposes, and Lakeside experienced firsthand how Emory acts to protect its own
interests, including leveraging its strong lobbyist ties at the Capitol to
remove from cityhood maps any commercial areas and adjacent neighborhoods
(including Victoria Estates) that Emory considers within its own sphere.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>b.
Questions:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>i. Druid Hills.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>1. How much of the funding for the Briarcliff
feasibility study came from the Druid Hills neighborhood, including the Druid
Hills Civic Association?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>2. Does the Druid Hills neighborhood support
“Briarcliff 2.0?” If so, on what do you base this conclusion?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>ii. Emory</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>1. Why do you think that Emory wants to be
included in Briarcliff?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>2.
What has Emory told you about being
included in the proposed Briarcliff boundaries?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>3. No Path
Forward.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>a.
Facts: </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>i. Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, Briarcliff’s
purported bill sponsor this session, sits on the House committee with
jurisdiction over cityhood bills, but even she abandoned Briarcliff during this
year’s session. Instead of moving to
pass Briarcliff’s bill, she instead attempted to move a different group’s
cityhood plan located outside the Perimeter—miles from her own district—simply
to stop Lakeside. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>ii. Of course, Rep. Oliver was never really a
supporter of the Briarcliff plan. She was instead using her sponsorship to try
to defeat all cityhood plans by muddying the waters. At a neighborhood gathering in February of
this year, made the following statement, as reported by a Victoria Estates
neighborhood group:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>iii. Mary Margaret Oliver stated that she is
prepared to put a substitute Briarcliff charter/map into the Lakeside bill if
Senate Bill 270 [the Lakeside bill] comes across into the House, but only
talked about doing so to block Lakeside, not to promote Briarcliff</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>iv. Although she played only a bit part in the
cityhood discussions at the Capitol, her plan was clear. Other evidence of the lack of true support for
the Briarcliff proposal includes Rep. Oliver’s previous votes and speeches
against passage of both the Dunwoody and Brookhaven bills as well as the
introduction of House Bill 22, her strong anti-city legislation</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>v. By contrast, Rep. Mike Jacobs, author of the
Brookhaven legislation, has committed to the Lakeside group that he will
introduce a bill next year to allow a vote on cityhood. According to Rep. Jacobs, that bill will
include only the Lakeside map with no boundaries changes.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>b.
Questions:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>i. Does the Briarcliff group have a
commitment from a legislator to sponsor a bill on its behalf next session?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>ii. What specific plans does the
Briarcliff group have to be a factor in the upcoming legislative in the coming
year?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>4. Putting an
End to Obstruction.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>a.
Facts: </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>i. Briarcliff could continue to serve the
very limited role of remaining a hindrance to passage of a cityhood bill at the
Capitol. This is precisely what anti-city forces hope will happen. They would
welcome Briarcliff’s continuing to work against Lakeside.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>ii. From its beginning, a primary motivation of
the Briarcliff groups has been to stop Lakeside’s efforts, rather than to
actually create the opportunity for citizens to vote on self-rule. One of its
board members admitted as much in the following quotation, while claiming at
the same time that he is now pro-city: </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -9pt;">
<i>"I
came to the conclusion that the best way to oppose Lakeside was to support
Briarcliff. At that point I joined the Briarcliff effort and have devoted
significant time and energy to that cause.
So, opposing Lakeside by supporting Briarcliff was my primary
motivation…"</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -13.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i>b.
Question:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<i>The existence of
competing cityhood groups played a role in the inability to get a cityhood bill
approved by the Legislature. Would the
Briarcliff group be willing to fold into Lakeside or to disband if that
improved the chances of a cityhood bill being passed during the next
legislative session?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>If you do decide to attend the advertised meeting, please use it as an
opportunity to ask the Briarcliff group to do the helpful thing: fold into and
support the one group inside the Perimeter that has the best chance of success
at the Capitol.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Response from Keith Hanks</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
COBI Board Member</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Comment posted to COBI Facebook page</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
April 20, 2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i>Kevin, as a board member I'd like to thank you personally for including
Briarcliff as part of the "Kevin Levitas Post Legislative Session Tour of
Rage.” It is a real honor to get this
level of attention from you. We thought this was only reserved for the AJC and
GOP House leadership.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i>The good news is you wouldn’t take such extensive time to write this if
you didn’t see Briarcliff as a legitimate challenge. So I guess that settles the faux cityhood
movement claims you’ve been spreading.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i>More good news, we had not been public about this (wanted it to be a
surprise), but might as well give a preview now. Over the last few weeks we’ve have multiple
conversations with Lakeside and Tucker and we’ve extended invitations to both
groups tomorrow evening to have the floor. Each group has the ability to discuss their
thoughts on cityhood for 5 minutes each. Seemed like the right thing to do and
something people have been asking for. We
saw this as an opportunity to start ending the community being so divided. Even though it doesn’t appear you’ll be taking
a leadership role in Lakeside moving forward, as a Co-Chair of the original
Lakeside group that invitation extends to you.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>When it comes to either ‘folding or disbanding’
I’m assuming you’re referring to the “Lakeside way or the highway” approach? I’m going to take the high road and follow up
with you individually. Because you initiated it with your Tour of Rage, I’ll
end with this . . . if you want to see a city in the near future here, it’s
time to back off the rage, genuinely learn how to work with others, and eat
some humble pie.</i></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-13494357895834454522014-04-22T12:28:00.002-07:002014-04-22T13:04:30.322-07:00A Snake In the Meadows<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamfjpnmSBGKF17N2iXRko9Ux4PYHDGq2-BwftnkKWQMunx5ox_J7V1kux74ByJX1IeVurFo4PbhYp3BqeXviTqSlIWq2WgiLkbxiJ2caHaiNlDN8ukSM5-o46TR1CEbm7wSNwYOcyed2t/s1600/Grass+Snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamfjpnmSBGKF17N2iXRko9Ux4PYHDGq2-BwftnkKWQMunx5ox_J7V1kux74ByJX1IeVurFo4PbhYp3BqeXviTqSlIWq2WgiLkbxiJ2caHaiNlDN8ukSM5-o46TR1CEbm7wSNwYOcyed2t/s1600/Grass+Snake.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Kevin Levitas accuses Rep. John Meadows of being a SNAKE! Ooooooo, burn!</h4>
<br />
In a clever play on words, Kevin Levitas, former co-chair of the Lakeside City Alliance, takes on Rep. John Meadows, R - Calhoun, the powerful Chair of the House Rules Committee. Former representative (and former Democrat) Levitas is personally, and singularly, blaming Rep. Meadows for the 'failure' of the LCA's proposal for the new City of Lakeside to pass the General Assembly in the 2013-14 legislative session.<br />
<br />
Rep. Meadows' power in the legislature comes from his position as Chair of the Rules Committee, where he can personally guarantee the success or failure of any bill that comes out of any House committee. Seems to me its not all that wise to piss off one of the two or three men in the state government who can personally kill your pet project. I guess that's why Mr. Levitas is now being billed as the FORMER chair of the LCA. Oh well, business as usual for the LCA.<br />
<br />
Read for yourself, in the article as posted to <i><b>zpolitics</b></i>. Click <a href="http://zpolitics.com/a-snake-in-the-meadows/" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the original article.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
His article, after the break.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7RSwZTEjGERitzsk3sNo9T7B3t8u6TTtzjrH4T7YN8Icn96FzBpSepIV3iyWjfjXY9gJ9EWG2j2P2Gz-ub4Nb5HjJ-w2rExBZBZArhE3HO2ZrFt8BHTXBKRmiGkeTZKI39QTpAhNtiWN/s1600/background_04.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7RSwZTEjGERitzsk3sNo9T7B3t8u6TTtzjrH4T7YN8Icn96FzBpSepIV3iyWjfjXY9gJ9EWG2j2P2Gz-ub4Nb5HjJ-w2rExBZBZArhE3HO2ZrFt8BHTXBKRmiGkeTZKI39QTpAhNtiWN/s1600/background_04.gif" height="200" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Levitas<br />
Fomer co-chair of the LCA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A Snake In the Meadows</h4>
<br />
An Article by Kevin Levitas<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Posted on the blog <i><b>zpolitics</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
March 31, 2014</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>To the sheer delight of DeKalb County government and local Democrats in
the state Legislature, the proposal to create the new city of Lakeside in
DeKalb County is dead. And the GOP is left holding the knife.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>One might rightly ask about the roles in this outcome of acting DeKalb
CEO Lee May and the DeKalb commissioners — particularly Republican Elaine Boyer
— all of whom fought hard over the last several months to kill city-hood
initiatives in DeKalb.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Then there are the powerful and high-priced lobbyists from the law firm
of McKenna Long & Aldridge, hired at DeKalb taxpayer expense, to lobby
against DeKalb citizens. Credit is due also to paid lobbyists from another
politically influential law firm, Hall Booth & Smith, retained (by whom is
unclear) to represent a Tucker cityhood group. The Hall Booth contingent, along
with their clients, succeeded in muddying the legislative waters by providing
bogus information to legislators to prevent approval of the Lakeside proposal.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>There is also a cameo by longtime anti-city legislator state Rep. Mary
Margaret Oliver and her partners in the House who, in past sessions, voted
against the cities of Dunwoody and Brookhaven and who, this year, took aim at
the proposed city of Lakeside.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Finally, one should not entirely discount the role and fine dramatic
performance on the Senate floor (including a walk on the vote) from the DeKalb
legislator running for Governor (state Sen. Jason Carter); the horrendous
mismanagement of the House Governmental Affairs Committee; and the utter
failure of most of House leadership. False racial politics even played a part.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>Yes, all of these actors had a role in the slow death march of the
opportunity for DeKalb citizens to vote on self-rule, and those of you who
hoped for that chance should long remember the parts, even small ones, that
each and every one them played in this legislative calamity.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeFTD4eZ_U6zTWyoWeNC16ayHk8IbplCDlaRTQ0ghitTznQo0hLonk7ZwiQcYqks3ZHLbWWVvnKWpgEeHKFGfZTb-dawnlsZ-4jA147VEHDwVqnwBDKADZfzCtf6jSp8ccdr_Eydq41SU/s1600/MeadowsJohn169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeFTD4eZ_U6zTWyoWeNC16ayHk8IbplCDlaRTQ0ghitTznQo0hLonk7ZwiQcYqks3ZHLbWWVvnKWpgEeHKFGfZTb-dawnlsZ-4jA147VEHDwVqnwBDKADZfzCtf6jSp8ccdr_Eydq41SU/s1600/MeadowsJohn169.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rep. John Meadows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Make no mistake, however. The judge, jury and executioner in this
case was ultimately—and quite ironically—the former 13-year mayor of Calhoun,
</i><a href="http://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=169&Session=23" target="_blank"><i><b>Rep. John Meadows</b></i></a><i>, now the intimidating and powerful chairman of the House
Rules Committee. From that lofty position, Mayor Meadows is free to
impose his will on other legislators who must seek his blessing to get their
bills to reach the state House floor. Few have the temerity to cross him,
but if there is a silver lining to this otherwise terrible story, it is that at
least a few valiant members of the General Assembly refused to run scared.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>The tale of how one person—a former mayor from a small county in the
northwest corner of Georgia—could kill the opportunity for cityhood for tens of
thousands of DeKalb residents is instructive about what is so very wrong with
the political process in our country. The sad and bizarre story of Mayor
Meadows’s usurpation of local control is strong anecdotal evidence of why tea
parties began and why Republicans observers find it increasingly difficult to
tell a difference between politicians with R’s and D’s after their names at the
state Capitol.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>I didn’t really know much about the city of Calhoun until Mayor Meadows
made that geography relevant to me and to my DeKalb neighbors a week or so
ago—when he destroyed our chance, a chance for Democrats, Independents and
Republicans, to vote on self-determination for our community.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>I now wonder, however, how folks from Calhoun would feel if people from
DeKalb started redrawing Calhoun’s city lines—or simply decommissioned the city
entirely. They might rightly demand: “What in the [heck] business is that
of yours?!” We in DeKalb would, of course, be wrong to interfere in
Calhoun’s local business, just as it was wrong of Mayor Meadows to team up with
veteran lobbyists, Democrats and a few gullible Republicans to decide the fate
of DeKalb citizens by killing its city-hood bill.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>What a dangerous legislative precedent Mayor Meadows set when he
decided to intervene in the business of other officials’ local areas.
It’s a new day under the Gold Dome, and Mayor Meadows and his comrades-in-arms
among the high-paid lobbyists and in the Democrat Party are simply
ecstatic. He has done an incomparable job of increasing the stock of both
latter groups—and just in time for the fall elections.</i></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-795413678068815042014-04-02T13:35:00.000-07:002014-04-03T08:01:19.735-07:00Emory Has a Plan!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyPCbOD6dboG_iSafB-e70JLCDv8Tg2x6EHTgj7kQ6HWmQz2DN0h1bus-b29NtdFkN-jD4fHkoDvwfiZyqGpmxAWZmZvbzFx-dNqU65UG9aknUvqrMg2kZe2EHDDa9WP-8lDaGhP4stlF/s1600/Emory+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyPCbOD6dboG_iSafB-e70JLCDv8Tg2x6EHTgj7kQ6HWmQz2DN0h1bus-b29NtdFkN-jD4fHkoDvwfiZyqGpmxAWZmZvbzFx-dNqU65UG9aknUvqrMg2kZe2EHDDa9WP-8lDaGhP4stlF/s1600/Emory+logo.jpg" height="61" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Emory and Atlanta, Sitting In a Tree, K - I - S - S - I - N
- G</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, maybe not so much - yet. But word on the street is that Emory is
certainly exploring the option of being annexed by the City of Atlanta, and
have had informal talks to that end. And they already know pretty much how they
can go about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The recent incorporation debate between the City of
Briarcliff Initiative (COBI) and the Lakeside City Alliance (LCA) certainly got
Emory's attention, to the point they began to internally evaluate just what
their identity was, and what impact possible incorporation would have on that
identity. It certainly did not help when the proposed Lakeside southern
boundary was bouncing around hither and yon just north of the Emory campus.
When the surprise Lakeside map that was issued only after approval by the
Senate committee, Emory was shocked to see the new southern boundary actually divided
the Emory Campus in half. At that point they made it clear to St. Francis of
Dunwoody that that was absolutely unacceptable and they demanded that the Emory
campus, and the adjacent neighborhoods, be left out of the LCA plan. Regarding COBI and the City of Briarcliff,
they were officially neutral to that proposal, as they realized there was
little room for negotiation with COBI. However, that doesn't mean they did not
speak privately with certain legislators in the General Assembly to make sure
they privately understood Emory's position. But, by that point, the question
was moot as it had become clear that Briarcliff would go nowhere as long as
Lakeside remained a possibility.<br />
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In evaluating their identity, Emory concluded that there was
a strong branding of themselves with the City of Atlanta, and that was a
relationship that they wanted to preserve. To protect that relationship, it
became clear that as long as the City of Briarcliff remained viable, after
Lakeside failed to pass muster with the General Assembly, they needed to become
proactive in the process, which led to their exploring the means by which they
could be formally annexed by the City of Atlanta should that be the ultimate
decision.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emory lies close, but not adjacent, to the current City of
Atlanta border. To the northwest, the campus, along with other university owned
property, was only one block away from Atlanta.
To the south, Atlanta was approximately 1/2 mile away, through the
commercial properties at Emory Village, and a major portion of the Druid Hills
Golf Club. Between those two points lay the
western half of the wealthy, predominately white and liberal leaning, Druid
Hills neighborhood, which itself had been debating whether or not they would
prefer annexation by Atlanta rather than becoming an integral part of
Briarcliff. So several paths lay open for them to combine with Atlanta.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the decision was to include all or part of unincorporated
Druid Hills, a third of which was already in Atlanta, an annexation bill would
need to be approved by the state, followed by a popular vote of the affected
area. A little chancy, as there was no guarantee a vote would go Emory's way,
and, maybe most importantly, Emory would have no vote on the question at all. A
second factor, critical to Atlanta, was the question on whether or not it would
be wise to bring in a significant number of white, though still liberal,
voters. If this approach became the
preferred way, Atlanta's solution was simply to also annex predominantly African-American areas in
southwest DeKalb County. Win-win for Atlanta, at DeKalb's expense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other annexation opportunity lay in the possibility of
using the 60% or 100% Methods for Annexation, to be used only on the campus,
and adjacent Emory controlled properties . (See the blog article <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2014/01/annexation-methods-in-georgia.html" target="_blank">Annexation Methods in Georgia</a>, posted January 17, 2014, to understand the difference in
the two methods.) What was valued in these two approaches was that a referendum
was not required so that Emory could wholly control the process and results. The difference between the two methods is
also critical. In the 100% method, ALL property owners must formally agree to
the annexation, and only 50 feet of the proposed annexation boundary need be
contiguous with the existing city. This is very attractive as Emory already
controlled up to 98% of the properties in the area proposed for annexation, and
the balance of properties that weren't under their control would likely be open
to being persuaded to cooperate. The 60%
method only required 60% of property owner's agree to the annexation, but also
60% of registered voters also had to agree, which may be more of a challenge,
even though there are very few voters in the formal Emory campus areas. The
biggest problem may be in the requirement that one eighth of the proposed
annexation area's boundary had to be contiguous with the existing city
boundaries. This requirement made the 60% method almost impossible to use, as
too may residential property owners would be involved. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the immediate focus is on using the 100% method to
formally annex just the Emory University campus and Emory controlled properties
adjacent to the campus. At this point I am assuming that both the CDC and the
VA Hospital would also be included, as those properties are within or adjacent
to the Emory campus, and are owned by the Federal Government. (This may or may
not be the case as I have no knowledge either way.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following two maps illustrate one way this may take
place, by using the 100% method and connecting
to Atlanta to the northwest of the main Emory campus. To create the
contiguous boundary only ONE property not controlled by Emory is needed to
bring the plan together. And there are FIVE candidate properties, all of which
are already partially in the City. It should not be too difficult for Emory to
get at least one property owner to cooperate, if not all five. Even if all five
were to be difficult to convince, Emory could easily purchase one or more of
the properties, making offers the property owners could not refuse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Map - Scenario A - Atlanta Annexation of Emory University<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4ARzMXZTRBZei3ioC-UCJXV8ENMwbDM6JxEHeTnQMAF0k0PrXVOV1cZDOThjIdzehB6XFcpKK-3YXxkWe74Bb7xdXFV1OOLehKSiaaKBjtMcoNq3n7CD8SGJBbz8EKFOV_XRQklhwET_/s1600/Atlanta+Emory+Annex+v1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4ARzMXZTRBZei3ioC-UCJXV8ENMwbDM6JxEHeTnQMAF0k0PrXVOV1cZDOThjIdzehB6XFcpKK-3YXxkWe74Bb7xdXFV1OOLehKSiaaKBjtMcoNq3n7CD8SGJBbz8EKFOV_XRQklhwET_/s1600/Atlanta+Emory+Annex+v1.1.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Map - Detail Enlargement for Atlanta Annexation of Emory University</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvRYyyfjCwwfn_JcBMssdr8tnISUpoCMY1tQ2my-t2HfZ3fstBp6dRBIyv_sDBv7CbNGfvumwTSmxHi3sn7SqTmfb8dsTPnD50AadE0d1dViTN9pfmxzOgg5EVaWM1SCGpqnFhYKgIplE/s1600/Atlanta+Emory+Annex+detail+v1.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvRYyyfjCwwfn_JcBMssdr8tnISUpoCMY1tQ2my-t2HfZ3fstBp6dRBIyv_sDBv7CbNGfvumwTSmxHi3sn7SqTmfb8dsTPnD50AadE0d1dViTN9pfmxzOgg5EVaWM1SCGpqnFhYKgIplE/s1600/Atlanta+Emory+Annex+detail+v1.0.jpg" height="400" width="347" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-59665264241808368502014-03-24T18:40:00.001-07:002014-03-24T19:06:49.776-07:00Residents Fight to Save the City That Isn't There<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbU6wf43ABY46Tbikt8-mC5eQ8XE3TkvCITSAxaefBG_8yTSQ63uN8wyp8a3aduW0MBVckelgK5aOEWnMXUd1zd16OLarb8TpTUZEf7sXMKjmvzYlYMxR04jcgwqQmbt-rW8v4p7J72AX/s1600/footer-logo%25402x.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbU6wf43ABY46Tbikt8-mC5eQ8XE3TkvCITSAxaefBG_8yTSQ63uN8wyp8a3aduW0MBVckelgK5aOEWnMXUd1zd16OLarb8TpTUZEf7sXMKjmvzYlYMxR04jcgwqQmbt-rW8v4p7J72AX/s1600/footer-logo%25402x.png" height="103" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Residents Fight to Save the City That Isn't There</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
An article in USA Today, featuring Tucker, its long history, its active community and its battle against the Forces of Evil, represented by the LCA and the proposed City of Lakeside, may it rest in peace.<br />
<br />
The main article can be found <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/new/nation/2014/03/20/tucker-is-the-city-that-isnt/6496693" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/214337611/Residents-Fight-to-Save-the-City-That-Isn-t-There" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" title="View Residents Fight to Save the City That Isn&#x27;t There on Scribd">Residents Fight to Save the City That Isn&#x27;t There</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_6032" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/214337611/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6eAJJnqTeSqSR9GrHFx5izMwndAmk0i4gdP8PGQJNK9vIzgLDWQb6zvjVfTLliuxk00OJa7rSjCOw5w5OGeXcFRLvf37QV6Y64XVXd3CySsNnT8QaSZ6H_xEaHkWooG3MWMCKErh0bmP/s1600/1395339900000-XXX-Tucker-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6eAJJnqTeSqSR9GrHFx5izMwndAmk0i4gdP8PGQJNK9vIzgLDWQb6zvjVfTLliuxk00OJa7rSjCOw5w5OGeXcFRLvf37QV6Y64XVXd3CySsNnT8QaSZ6H_xEaHkWooG3MWMCKErh0bmP/s1600/1395339900000-XXX-Tucker-107.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Kathy Powell, treasurer and co-founder of the Tucker
Historical Society, on Main Street in Tucker, Ga. "The few times that
cityhood had been discussed in the past, it just seemed that Tucker was able to
get everything accomplished that the leadership wanted to do without being an
incorporated city," she says. Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1vRPuEQl5BhSkBBFc0GAoEfBwz11hyEKeQvs_xVCRdPyjzv7ZCY0d75HWcshP1HfQWnvsm6FvtY75CLDwfLAnsCpVtn9jIhxAuqImYvproLIyt6-bmH519KD1G1F7vsH37dfELg-bUTe/s1600/1395339900001-XXX-Tucker-123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1vRPuEQl5BhSkBBFc0GAoEfBwz11hyEKeQvs_xVCRdPyjzv7ZCY0d75HWcshP1HfQWnvsm6FvtY75CLDwfLAnsCpVtn9jIhxAuqImYvproLIyt6-bmH519KD1G1F7vsH37dfELg-bUTe/s1600/1395339900001-XXX-Tucker-123.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Tucker High School at the end of Main Street, home to the
Tucker Tigers, state champions in AAAA football in 2008 and 2011.
Unincorporated Tucker got swept into the 'new cities fever' rolling across
metro Atlanta when nearby communities proposed borders for their envisioned
cities that would gobble up chunks of Tucker. Michael A. Schwarz,
USA TODAY</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusciJ0hNJa9bLtXHJrbkLQluwqPLAb7AIRWMF1w75s4yL_xRSAbXDEhttgoSyGdH6FSQkRxXMLZQNvNBbno6APd-TsouRmX6V2kXaZtxLTrYUI9r-TxTVnl8FVvqj0exIb8ZMXofSYofk/s1600/1395339900002-XXX-Tucker-125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusciJ0hNJa9bLtXHJrbkLQluwqPLAb7AIRWMF1w75s4yL_xRSAbXDEhttgoSyGdH6FSQkRxXMLZQNvNBbno6APd-TsouRmX6V2kXaZtxLTrYUI9r-TxTVnl8FVvqj0exIb8ZMXofSYofk/s1600/1395339900002-XXX-Tucker-125.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
One of four graves of Revolutionary War veterans at Old
Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church in Tucker, Ga. When new cities are formed
in unincorporated areas of a county, they often snatch away the highest taxpayers. Michael
A. Schwarz, USA TODAY</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbWZBdmc_h4miJ6oT_h2cjK1wTW9UVNvB0YgQrVQaElfv-Q7wCIw0XDMyRg47bFCHk-CVzO0SZR_2mOW32x82Na7iugov3mLcWBl5ePnQDamfK_84j8_ZQ0B4UAJycIRqz-0HJPYIErH7/s1600/1395339900003-XXX-Tucker-163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbWZBdmc_h4miJ6oT_h2cjK1wTW9UVNvB0YgQrVQaElfv-Q7wCIw0XDMyRg47bFCHk-CVzO0SZR_2mOW32x82Na7iugov3mLcWBl5ePnQDamfK_84j8_ZQ0B4UAJycIRqz-0HJPYIErH7/s1600/1395339900003-XXX-Tucker-163.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
Browning Courthouse in Tucker, circa 1860. Michael
A. Schwarz, USA TODAY</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9CFSohwoFfmF5ZZ9VouvgmNfeXDQ6YGdBRiFGRK9VF2QhNq-bfLNKJTI2aZYRbfvJhKbuZp2sKtv-iAhZfVLKfLUPlXik5lxeUtitoCAHsMEgWvTUGaxCgbWuC-PR43dFfKmFxT5PP1E/s1600/1395339900004-XXX-Tucker-048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9CFSohwoFfmF5ZZ9VouvgmNfeXDQ6YGdBRiFGRK9VF2QhNq-bfLNKJTI2aZYRbfvJhKbuZp2sKtv-iAhZfVLKfLUPlXik5lxeUtitoCAHsMEgWvTUGaxCgbWuC-PR43dFfKmFxT5PP1E/s1600/1395339900004-XXX-Tucker-048.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Main Street in Tucker, Ga. Tucker has a downtown and
generally agreed upon borders, so it has a chance of becoming a city. Michael
A. Schwarz, USA TODAY</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL6bT5uzpbi0V7fWjvQIsbkBmLpWbkuBQ0xah_tMq4eImXFVBkfPYcqFrEWtiM2k0GlyJ7GkO_c47Ccz8JDN9_MUslhZsRJR4zTGi4TUNvTSaa71vU_bt6AG4ZSVVsEi42BLcec4NsEq4/s1600/1395339900005-XXX-Tucker-066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL6bT5uzpbi0V7fWjvQIsbkBmLpWbkuBQ0xah_tMq4eImXFVBkfPYcqFrEWtiM2k0GlyJ7GkO_c47Ccz8JDN9_MUslhZsRJR4zTGi4TUNvTSaa71vU_bt6AG4ZSVVsEi42BLcec4NsEq4/s1600/1395339900005-XXX-Tucker-066.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Gail Pinckney, owner of The Yellow Llama on Main Street,
holds a Tucker High School T-shirt for sale in her store. The Tucker High
School girls' basketball team recently won its first-ever State
Championship. Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbIB4HhzdBEjasitu2q_5thhf_gdNWpr8l_0Dd81YsltFYrHJAi9NVSU4u3oh_3yx5ML_7t3CDA20hYwaRDS5_GekY2_G472Vt1ZVeJmUx9csznD48bKeM4RE261eJAuXfqpB92Axk6ie/s1600/1395339900006-XXX-Tucker-033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbIB4HhzdBEjasitu2q_5thhf_gdNWpr8l_0Dd81YsltFYrHJAi9NVSU4u3oh_3yx5ML_7t3CDA20hYwaRDS5_GekY2_G472Vt1ZVeJmUx9csznD48bKeM4RE261eJAuXfqpB92Axk6ie/s1600/1395339900006-XXX-Tucker-033.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Michael Greene, left, third-generation owner of Matthews
Cafeteria on Main Street in Tucker, talks with longtime customer Todd Eason,
who also works in Tucker. Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-36358167626056463202014-03-24T16:47:00.001-07:002014-03-24T16:47:19.836-07:00Kevin Levitas Responds to the AJC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y8UvwRuKNF7XTxJzhXUb_zs2L7JJSb6iP6qRAnOXs-iP9UIKGIoVvkD03Yx94gy4xncRd2DdAZB1YOAdcoU8ozgvEDbNqdc8wj2flmslDBYlSQb2E995D-rVOws6iBmXES5JsEgkQ8ui/s1600/background_04.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y8UvwRuKNF7XTxJzhXUb_zs2L7JJSb6iP6qRAnOXs-iP9UIKGIoVvkD03Yx94gy4xncRd2DdAZB1YOAdcoU8ozgvEDbNqdc8wj2flmslDBYlSQb2E995D-rVOws6iBmXES5JsEgkQ8ui/s1600/background_04.gif" height="200" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Levitas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LCA's Kevin Levitas'
response to <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/why-lakeside-cityhood-push-failed/nfJNj/" target="_blank">AJC editorial/reporting</a> staff re: one-sided article from 3/23/13:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></h4>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">While I do not
anticipate that any what follows will make it into a follow-up article or as
part of a retraction, it is nonetheless important to have a record of the facts
because the truth really does matter. I have spoken with you both you
repeatedly and at length over the last year about cityh<span class="textexposedshow">ood and have been easy to reach, so shame on you for not
having the journalistic integrity to engage in even remedial fact-checking
before submitting your flawed piece.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">I will respond to the erroneous points raised in
the order in which you presented them:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">1. "[D]esperate Lakeside backers, who were
watching their effort fall apart last week, drafted Jacobs to work his magic
again." This is utterly false. At no time did anyone from the Lakeside
City Alliance ask or "draft" Rep. Jacobs into the process. Rep.
Jacobs's statements to the House Governmental Affairs Committee came as a
surprise to Alliance members and, I believe, to the sponsor of SB 270.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">2. Lakeside had "an identity based around a
high school district, not a historic community." One of the more tiresome
notions espoused by April and other pro-Tucker supporters is the idea that
Tucker is a "real" community, but other areas are not. Tucker is, of
course, a strong and historic community, but the idea that our community is
somehow less historic is absurd.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">My writing to correct the many grievous errors you
published is not the proper venue for a history lesson, and your post-hoc
education cannot “unprint” your misstatements. Nonetheless, it might be interesting
for you, at another time, to examine who Greenville Henderson was, where he
lived and the genesis of communities between modern-day Tucker and Chamblee.
Before you went to press, you might have spoken with longtime members of our
community to get some minimal background, but, as your hit-piece now attests,
you chose to opt for a less labor-intensive route.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The discussion above, however, somewhat misses the
larger point, which is: for those of us who were born and raised in this part
of DeKalb County, who love, who have served and who continue to serve our
community, it is offensive and crass to suggest that we are somehow unequal to
Tucker. You do not need to denigrate one community in order to promote another
in your story. It is regrettable that you chose this path.<a name='more'></a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">3. Lakeside "would have created another
Republican-leaning city." This baseless and transparently subjective
characterization might be amusing if it did not do such a disservice to the
thousands of people in our community who simply wanted a chance to vote on
self-governance and were completely uninterested in partisan politics. To
understand the speciousness of your quoted claim, one need only to engage in
the most basic analysis of area voting patterns, such as the 2012 presidential
election results (or the overall political composition of the proposed city).
You either failed to take this basic step, or you simply chose to ignore it.
Either result is disappointing.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">4. "Lakeside backers built up their vision of
local government by tearing down DeKalb County." This
"observation" reveals yet another bias and indicates that you did not
attend our meetings. No one needs to "tear down DeKalb County." Its
own incompetence, dysfunction and sometimes criminal conduct as well as your
paper's own desire for salacious headlines has constituted a
more-than-sufficient demolition process without any assistance from cityhood
groups.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The Alliance’s meetings were educational and
focused on the pro's and con's as well as the nuts and bolts of incorporation
and city operations. You may be confusing our meetings with the City of
Briarcliff Initiative, which did focus a great deal of attention on the
pervasive problems with county government. The Alliance, however, felt this was
not the proper focus of the overall cityhood discussion.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">5. "They [Lakeside] hired Republican
consultants and lobbyists." While this quote is attributed to Rep. Oliver,
you owed your readers a duty to ask us if her allegations are true; they are
not. There is a much larger story here about Rep. Oliver's strategy to thwart
cityhood and her dedicated efforts to achieve that goal, including statements
she made about using her own bill as a tool to stop Lakeside rather than
promoting the bill on behalf of the Briarcliff cityhood group that she
purported to represent. All of this, however, is somewhat tangential to the
larger failures of your column.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">6. "Jacobs insisted 'this was not about
partisan politics' and said he was glad to help carve out a workable solution
between Lakeside and Tucker.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Still, when questioned by committee members, he
conceded he was 'not entirely comfortable' with the amount of legislative
rule-bending needed to approve both cities at once. (The Tucker bill didn’t get
proper approval by a key legislative deadline, and the compromise had to have
both cities advancing together.) He suggested supporters 'come back and do this
the right way in 2015.'"</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Your comments--especially the use of the word
"still"--are written (perhaps intentionally) in a way that gives the
appearance that Rep. Jacobs was acting in a partisan fashion and in favor of
Lakeside. Had this been a partisan result, then SB 270 would likely be awaiting
the Governor’s signature now. After all, the bill purporting to be the Tucker
cityhood bill and the one purporting to the Briarcliff bill were sponsored and
cosponsored by the same Democrats who voted against the creation of both
Dunwoody and Brookhaven. Had this been a partisan process, the city of South
Fulton--an area populated overwhelmingly by Democrats--would not have sailed
out of the House this year. It is important to be clear, however, that the
necessary rule-bending that was considered by legislators pertained only to the
Tucker bill.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">SB 270 was the only one of the three cityhood bills
to adhere to the House Governmental Affairs Committee rules, which are intended
to have fully fleshed-out cityhood bills filed in year one of a two-year
legislative term so that they can be discussed in communities over the next
year before any further committee action is taken. SB 270 was filed during the
2013 session, contained 41 pages of text (exclusive of land descriptions) and a
map. Neither the purported Tucker nor Briarcliff bills contained either of
these latter two elements. I use the word "purported" because both
other bills were devoid of city names or any other meaningful text. In fact,
this is the sum and substance of the bills (since the bills are essentially
identical, I set out just one example):</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">13 LC 28 6782</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">H. B. 677</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">- 1 -</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">House Bill 677</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">By: Representatives Mitchell of the 88th, Henson of
the 86th, and Williams of the 87th</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">A BILL TO BE ENTITLED</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">AN ACT</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">1 To incorporate a new municipality in DeKalb
County, Georgia; to provide for related</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">2 matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">4 SECTION 1.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">5 There is created in DeKalb County, Georgia, a new
municipality which shall have such</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">6 boundaries, governing authority, powers, duties,
and name as the General Assembly shall</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">7 provide by law.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">8 SECTION 2.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">9 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this
Act are repealed</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">For Tucker to pass--but not so for SB 270--rules
(and maybe even state law) had to be changed. The Legislature was right not to
engage in legal gymnastics on behalf of a Tucker group that did not follow the
rules as the Alliance had. The time that the Alliance spent hosting meetings
and developing a proposal was much of the same time that the other groups spent
simply attacking the Alliance and its members.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">That was, after all, the cause that gave rise to
both other "cityhood" groups: stopping Lakeside. Some in those groups
were honest enough to admit their purpose. Others were not. Ultimately,
however, that plan succeeded. If anyone has doubts about the ultimate purpose
of the anti-Lakeside contingents, then simply look at what they wrote and said
to others or with whom they celebrated after city legislation was killed. It
would not have been a tall task to track down the information above, but this
countervailing information clearly did not fit with your narrative.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">7. “Rumors abounded that Gov. Nathan Deal, who is
running for re-election, did not want the extra controversy of cities
squabbling over boundaries during this election year." Rumors? Really? How
did the Governor's Office respond when you put this question directly to them
to provide your readers with something other than “rumors?”</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">8. "But Lakeside advocates opened themselves
up to similar charges [of dirty politics] with multiple boundary changes as the
proposal moved through the Legislature." What were Mary Kay's and Sen.
Millar's responses when you asked them about why the map changed? Since you
interviewed both, I assume that you asked this most basic question.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">9. "Most controversial was Lakeside’s
perceived overreach into Tucker, a century-old unincorporated community."
This is the same tired line of reporting that April has stuck by for months.
Unincorporated DeKalb is just that. The area does not belong to one group or
another on either side of the Interstate. Rather, the community is defined by
the residents who live there. Some people east of I-285 identify with Main
Street and the Tucker community; others identify with Northlake and the
community to the west. Still, April has repeatedly reported the Lakeside
proposal as encroaching on land that "is" Tucker's. We have pointed
out this bias to her on a number of occasions, but unfortunately, the line has
remained essentially the same in her stories.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The leaders of the Tucker proposal view I-285 as a
DMZ of sorts (except when it comes to Northlake's valuable commercial
property). The Alliance does not. A significant reason for hosting over 75
community meetings was to determine who, from either side of the Interstate,
wanted in and or out of the Lakeside map. While you may view adjusting
boundaries as a negative, the Alliance believes that attempting to respond to
the wants of the people in the proposed boundary area was important and
desirable.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">10. "Lakeside’s backers said . . . their proposal,
the only one with a Republican sponsor in a GOP-dominated Legislature, would
win approval." This is yet another false claim. What the Alliance said was
that our bill was the most likely to win approval. At the time, we believed
(perhaps naively) that House committee rules mattered, that a bill that crossed
over from one legislative chamber to the other was due more consideration than
two bills that had failed to comport with those House rules or to gain approval
from even a single committee.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">We, or at least I, did not foresee the masterful
job that lobbyists and their clients would do of misleading an all-too-gullible
group of legislators. At no time, however, did we say that our bill would pass.
We knew there were hurdles, even if we did not foresee a scenario in which our
bill would be dragged down by the failures of another cityhood group to do what
was asked of all cityhood groups. We did not anticipate the misguided misuse of
power by the House Rules Chairman John Meadows. It was sad to see so many
legislators bow meekly to his will, but that is a story for another day,
certainly a more interesting tale than the one that you spun.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The worst part of your awful piece is that it does
a great disservice to your readers by knowingly or recklessly providing them
with false information (though, admittedly, there is an element of caveat
emptor as well). You could have reported the facts and delved into the
behind-the-scenes machinations that led to this unfortunate outcome.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The true story of the demise of Lakeside is a
compelling account of betrayal, lies, lobbyist influence, and other elements of
a real-life episode of “House of Cards.” It is a shame that you chose instead
to base your writing upon a more allegorical house of cards that collapses
under the weight of the facts.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Did you speak to Tucker's lobbyists? To DeKalb
County's? Did you interview the legislators and ask what they were told by
these same people? It does not seem that you did, but then again, were you ever
interested in the truth? Sadly, I suspect you found the "story" and
the headline more compelling than maintaining journalistic or personal ethics.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Kevin Levitas</span></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-46970890796861783292014-03-22T11:53:00.000-07:002014-03-22T11:53:11.647-07:00The DeKalb Executive Order<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsZpv_3NLIMxz6l1jBNp3iJajfe_QBAtbgyoUpXHhIiC8OvKGStJ2s93OfL3AKwRtP7WiB6ylpOMxaiRbNJEEoFbniZm40BpSHqXqJ3FFbfclVfPmwMlv1Ue4ePsnXfS5VOlET2GhHqP/s1600/DeKalb+County+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsZpv_3NLIMxz6l1jBNp3iJajfe_QBAtbgyoUpXHhIiC8OvKGStJ2s93OfL3AKwRtP7WiB6ylpOMxaiRbNJEEoFbniZm40BpSHqXqJ3FFbfclVfPmwMlv1Ue4ePsnXfS5VOlET2GhHqP/s1600/DeKalb+County+Logo.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Lee May Issues an <b><i>Executive Order for the Creation of a Task Force on DeKalb County Operations</i></b></h4>
<br />
Having lucked out and gotten their one-year moratorium by default, not merit, DeKalb County Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May has issued an Executive Order with the purported purpose of examining DeKalb County government, county services and incorporation.<br />
<br />
The Executive Order can be seen, after the break.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRBnR9wZohIILjIzCVhIGtj8HETjAwU1MaDFIA2crU-8c4-EiHTjQRp8rG1snT8hLCclRPBqYiZc41DD4CNhg8LJGJlWlZAImlZ16O2DgTFO0sHDzrGj7Jjn59zho_09nHSeX7fyYiQPz/s1600/LeeExecutiveOrder_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRBnR9wZohIILjIzCVhIGtj8HETjAwU1MaDFIA2crU-8c4-EiHTjQRp8rG1snT8hLCclRPBqYiZc41DD4CNhg8LJGJlWlZAImlZ16O2DgTFO0sHDzrGj7Jjn59zho_09nHSeX7fyYiQPz/s1600/LeeExecutiveOrder_Page_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcA2KwlKdveEGKmgo8mbi_LjoEiJtPmllBOl04we9VHxs14rFdBx6AK80eQXAzN4K-MI3BIeaMicG9S3yQQfn_BgbKvA99Th4lTGoDvU1CZZRTcV_YL0iANqkwzsMTAXEoMmCb-A-lf77/s1600/LeeExecutiveOrder_Page_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcA2KwlKdveEGKmgo8mbi_LjoEiJtPmllBOl04we9VHxs14rFdBx6AK80eQXAzN4K-MI3BIeaMicG9S3yQQfn_BgbKvA99Th4lTGoDvU1CZZRTcV_YL0iANqkwzsMTAXEoMmCb-A-lf77/s1600/LeeExecutiveOrder_Page_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-30505868262477752002014-03-22T10:53:00.002-07:002014-03-24T17:40:06.002-07:00"They Were a Sleeping Dog . . " . <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L_JeedHfmoPFrOe0tUKGDxFpaa38VSo6eUiFQQkvPlAm4eQ94ABYvVNrwg-36jJ5X3xxVJSWU3hAHnw8EX3chhBYgvV_NGCJyAPmsnxHMzOVLss0183-FnGmrgSYSMyDYvo_XMvzNS6j/s1600/Sleepingdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L_JeedHfmoPFrOe0tUKGDxFpaa38VSo6eUiFQQkvPlAm4eQ94ABYvVNrwg-36jJ5X3xxVJSWU3hAHnw8EX3chhBYgvV_NGCJyAPmsnxHMzOVLss0183-FnGmrgSYSMyDYvo_XMvzNS6j/s1600/Sleepingdog.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give Me a 'T'!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Why Lakeside Cityhood Push Failed</h4>
<br />
An article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Friday, March 21, 2014, by April Hunt and Bill Torpy, is a well-written, in-depth article exploring the legislative push for the City of Lakeside, the forces gathered against it, and the ultimate reasons it failed.<br />
<br />
The article can be found <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/why-lakeside-cityhood-push-failed/nfJNj/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. For the moment it is not behind the pay-to-view firewall.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYFUpj4MXHLTKUKhPYVzKbzG0A3YZeJ902_-G576Psd5uf4ZiHN4Hrz9sTD4MtB0i0pQ8zXzvWE7K1kYTOFqmuaw5stXxRFolysLQKYBvp9nkjpUb3kMMMRpZgW_i8PuHrbUbkRzsDP2q/s1600/AJC+Article+Why+LCA+Failed+3-21-14+Large+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYFUpj4MXHLTKUKhPYVzKbzG0A3YZeJ902_-G576Psd5uf4ZiHN4Hrz9sTD4MtB0i0pQ8zXzvWE7K1kYTOFqmuaw5stXxRFolysLQKYBvp9nkjpUb3kMMMRpZgW_i8PuHrbUbkRzsDP2q/s1600/AJC+Article+Why+LCA+Failed+3-21-14+Large+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-44309939254807981222014-03-22T09:12:00.001-07:002014-05-23T18:25:17.018-07:00Tucker Resident Honored by Legislature!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKmSujEV67VvcwfOLxxyoYQNZI_jSK-9EKfUEyOqtf0I0S4yoU7RcGmatLSWZ_vTSFMqBrc4k2q1XSlCZ9E2hXr3sCs9CxIFsvTs6Ag6TeS-gFY6UeZrWfwSj8-tC2e9VD6djgGg3oTI4/s1600/Shoomi+Honor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKmSujEV67VvcwfOLxxyoYQNZI_jSK-9EKfUEyOqtf0I0S4yoU7RcGmatLSWZ_vTSFMqBrc4k2q1XSlCZ9E2hXr3sCs9CxIFsvTs6Ag6TeS-gFY6UeZrWfwSj8-tC2e9VD6djgGg3oTI4/s1600/Shoomi+Honor.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoomi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Tucker Resident Commended in House Resolution!</h4>
<br />
A Tucker resident was given an incredible honor by the House of Representatives in the closing days of its 2014 session, in a Resolution honoring and commending their contribution to our community. Coming as an absolute and total surprise, the Resolution recognizes the incredible work, community involvement and influence of our friend and neighbor.<br />
<br />
We should all give a hearty <b><i>Well Done!</i></b> and <b><i>Thank You!</i></b> to this fine and upstanding citizen.<br />
<br />
The formal Resolution can be found after the break.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Following is the House Resolution honoring <b><i>SHOOMI</i></b>, our great friend and honored guest. We at The Tucker Initiative couldn't be more proud!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/213871633/Shoomi-House-Resolution" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Shoomi House Resolution on Scribd">Shoomi House Resolution</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_53059" scrolling="no" src="//www.scribd.com/embeds/213871633/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-71546231900845709062014-03-17T14:10:00.003-07:002014-03-17T20:43:08.030-07:00Alrighty Then, Let's Roll Up Our Sleeves and Get Back To Work!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSn2gLSX_qmNaW9DftmiSi9NNKVakgzM97ads8AoVgC7SjyRAV8-okkqF8_o72H3zSh4vO0o9KeJNbRfTqnNWEzyXjOc5rGykOowry27zQfwUGtVxS73yMj_IEUugKa6IxnC3gxtr50772/s1600/Tucker2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSn2gLSX_qmNaW9DftmiSi9NNKVakgzM97ads8AoVgC7SjyRAV8-okkqF8_o72H3zSh4vO0o9KeJNbRfTqnNWEzyXjOc5rGykOowry27zQfwUGtVxS73yMj_IEUugKa6IxnC3gxtr50772/s1600/Tucker2015.png" height="148" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-67972315916163960752014-03-17T14:09:00.002-07:002014-03-17T20:44:55.113-07:00How the Mighty Have Fallen!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The Lakeside Bill Dies In Committee! Actually It and St. Francis of Dunwoody Went Down In a <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>MURDER - SUICIDE</i></span>.</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7brCOSZBs_hGWCMTptm5wKZNkLXxN4cK872Z0w9aJEe2tPuwGUw4tdXGXy0HjqGcEAGSBeawjGnEdoa075nyfSOK5G_iuNVGg7ssvOEtX68C3Tl7Qih_rKhZzS6l-qlWIHSXps4ZEG3fJ/s1600/Dead+lakeside+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7brCOSZBs_hGWCMTptm5wKZNkLXxN4cK872Z0w9aJEe2tPuwGUw4tdXGXy0HjqGcEAGSBeawjGnEdoa075nyfSOK5G_iuNVGg7ssvOEtX68C3Tl7Qih_rKhZzS6l-qlWIHSXps4ZEG3fJ/s1600/Dead+lakeside+3.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The recording of the House Governmental Affairs Committee meeting, held on March 17, 2014, can be found <a href="http://www.fileswap.com/dl/VAvT9N1NBJ/HGAC_Final_hearing_3-17-14.mp3.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
With our apologies, we should note that the Live Stream of the hearing started late and only begins after Rep. Mike Jacobs has begun his testimony. The recording lasts less than 16 minutes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934041074178717925.post-64713130892176860192014-03-16T16:04:00.000-07:002014-03-16T16:30:41.627-07:00LCA Shenanigans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uQGstrxws_IIF86JyLzFlOMVizWMS6SAKtKCalQG2w0wwEjyFkATzLRN6a0Us4k6PFxvXr1AfHzeDaBRx-5E05YjAYiqMs-Bo5ezaz0WYGJ_bX_UQfpez0ce2gd4VkR4uVVsig5sgjcS/s1600/Broken+Psycho+Lakeside+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uQGstrxws_IIF86JyLzFlOMVizWMS6SAKtKCalQG2w0wwEjyFkATzLRN6a0Us4k6PFxvXr1AfHzeDaBRx-5E05YjAYiqMs-Bo5ezaz0WYGJ_bX_UQfpez0ce2gd4VkR4uVVsig5sgjcS/s1600/Broken+Psycho+Lakeside+2.jpg" height="100" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Credibility is not their strong suit.</h4>
<br />
For all seven versions of the Lakeside map, including the latest, issued on Friday, March 14, 2014, look back at the previous article on this blog - <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2014/02/lca-rapes-tucker-again.html"><b><i>Lakeside Rapes the Tucker Communit</i></b><i><b>y. Again.</b></i></a> This article has been updated to keep all the Lakeside maps together in one spot.<br />
<br />
To the other article, click <a href="http://cityoftuckerinitiative.blogspot.com/2014/02/lca-rapes-tucker-again.html">HERE</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0