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BREAKING: Cityhood panel appointed

NOTE:  WHATEVER THIS GROUP DECIDES TO DO, YOU WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE!   IF CENTRAL DEKALB WISHES TO REJECT ALL CITIES, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS AGREE TO ALL VOTE NO!   

 Posted by Dan Whisenhunt  November 19, 2014
  Decaturish

This story has been updated.

Three groups vying to become DeKalb County’s newest city had until Nov. 15 to present a map to the state Legislature that resolved their differences.

Two of the groups – Lakeside and Briarcliff – met that deadline and proposed creating a city of LaVista Hills, which combines the maps proposed by both groups. But they were unable to reach a compromise with supporters of creating a city of Tucker, leaving both groups with overlapping map boundaries.

Now the state Legislature will sort it out.

On Wednesday afternoon, House Governmental Affairs Committee Charwoman Rep. Amy Carter, R-Valdosta, appointed five members to a Cityhood Subcommittee on Governmental Affairs.

The members are:

– Rep. Buzz Brockway (R-Lawrenceville), Chair

– Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem)

– Rep. Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming)

– Rep. Howard Mosby (D-Atlanta)

– Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur)

“At the outset, I was very hopeful that the DeKalb cityhood proponents could come together and agree upon boundaries for the proposed cities. Unfortunately, their efforts failed to result in one, unified map,” Carter said in a press release. “I am following through on the pledge to appoint a five person subcommittee of state House members to draw a map for the proposed DeKalb cities after stakeholders couldn't come to an agreement on their own.”

The committee will be responsible for creating a map by Dec. 31.

Mary Kay Woodworth with LaVista Hills Yes told Decaturish, “We look forward  the next phase of  the process that the House Governmental Affairs Committee put in place.  We are pleased that Representative Carter appointed legislators who are familiar with DeKalb County and the region, and look forward to presenting our best evidence to support the boundaries for the City of LaVista Hills.”

Michelle Penkava with Tucker 2015 said, “We are confident that this five person subcommittee of State House members will bring about a solution that is fair and respectful of our long-standing and recognized Tucker community while allowing our neighbors in other areas to achieve their own vision of local control. We are thankful for the time they are committing to ensure that Central/North DeKalb will have two successful cities that will benefit generations.”

We’ve reached out to the mayors of Decatur and Avondale Estates for their reactions. Check back for updates.

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