Save Tucker!

Lavista Hills Donors Revealed  Save Tucker! edited this story slightly from its original text submitted by DeKalb Strong, a group opposed to the incorporation of new cities in DeKalb County, GA. Lavista Hills raised eyebrows back in August by holding a $500 'suggested minimum donation' event , where they actively solicited money from vendors who do businesses with cities.    Mary Kay Woodworth was quoted as saying, "We think it is great that they want to invest in us before we invest in them."  But, handing over government contracts to vendors simply because they "paid in advance" to receive them is exactly the kind of system that we have in DeKalb already.  No request for proposals.  No bids.  Just good old fashioned "wink-wink. nudge-nudge." deals made among business buddies.  How does one justify running a campaign all about "local control" while accepting money from companies that are not even located in our co

The new cities of Lavista Hills and Tucker will be voted on this November 3, 2015.  Residents who say they hope to escape from county problems will be disappointed to learn that the same people who have been accused of corruption in the county are behind these new cities and have pitted the two areas against each other intentionally.  Otherwise, the residents would have no reason to incorporate unless they feared "takeover" from the other side or surrounding cities.  Those fear tactics should not be tolerated and are, in fact, illegal under federal law.  Don't vote for a city if you are not sure who will be leading it and what they intend to do.  We can continue to get along with our neighbors and stop the fighting and destructive competition that keeps most people's focus on each other rather than the true thieves funneling money to their own friends and family networks.  DON'T JOIN THEM by approving the ridiculous boundaries and poor service offerin

The state House of Representatives Committee on Cities and Annexations was formed at the end of the last legislative session.  They are actually working on that "better process" that DeKalb County residents have been asking for.  The only problem - it won't come in time to help you if your property is in Central DeKalb because you get to vote on the last two cities that were okayed by the legislature to move forward without a clear process that protects taxpayers from the problems that we have already encountered. That committee also brought up something new that was not discussed during the legislative hearings.  The concept of a 'city lite' (a limited city government that can only add services if approved by voters in a referendum) is something that Tucker has indicated that it will be, may actually be unconstitutional in the state of Georgia.   Therefore, Tucker's charter may actually be unconstitutional in the state of Georgia.   That leaves us with

Do they really want a city? Do you recall how the issue of cities for Central DeKalb County first came about? It was right on the coattails of the Brookhaven cityhood victory (a narrow margin victory with some areas claiming they voted even though they don't live in the city limits, but that's another story.). There were some leaders from that movement who were thrilled with the victory and ready to move on down the 285 loop so they could start it all up again. So, next stop ... Lakeside, where the groundwork had already been laid as much as possible, thanks to school board member and vice-chair Paul Womack and Lakeside's former principal and their "at-large" board member, Dr. Eugene Walker. Except they aren't even involved in the whole city thing any longer.  Come to think of it... neither is Steve Schultz - the man who once claimed the city of Lakeside was his bright idea.  He later faded into silence when his personal connection to the politici

Just a reminder for those who have felt "at ease" with the proposed cities of Lavista Hills and Tucker because they have something in their charter that says you will get a vote if they ever decide to take on more services or a higher tax rate.  That might be what the charter says.  But, that's not what the city councils have to do.  If they want to take on a larger amount of your tax dollars, all they have to do is ask the legislature for an amendment to the original charter.  It can be written, passed and signed into law without ever gaining your input or consent.  In fact, we don't have to look very far back to find an example of how the new cities that have started in Georgia have already betrayed the voters on this seemingly simple concept. In Dunwoody, July  16, 2013, Reporter Kiri Walton described this situation: Dunwoody Residents Demand Public Vote on Proposed Fire Dept. Funding   Dunwoody citizens are speaking out about concerns their public vote

This letter was posted on the Decaturish site, under the title " Just Say No to New Cities ."  It is true for both the city of Lavista Hills as well as the city of Tucker.  Dear Decaturish, It is my understanding that the LaVista Hills movement is upset with the AJC article that the proposed revenue will be less than anticipated . I am more concerned about other misrepresentations to the community by the pro-city movement. The pro-LaVista Hi lls group in public meetings contends that court functions will remain in DeKalb County despite the fact that they are going to duplicate services. Regardless of what you call it, leaders  in the city effort have been less than  transparent about the cost of  services and where they plan  to get the funds. LaVista Hills residents will have to support the County Court system whether there is a new city or not. However, LaVista Hills will also unnecessarily duplicate services for municipal court functions. Municipal

Tucker 2015 will host a Q&A format meeting for Tucker and Smoke Rise residents: Tuesday, October 13, at 7 p. m.  (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1947 Brockett Road, Tucker , 30084 Save Tucker! will also be on hand after the meeting for anyone who would like to pick up a "VOTE NO" yard sign.  Please display your signs at least 20' from the curb on private property and not in the "rights of way" next to the road or near street signs. ******************************************************************************* The DeKalb County / Lee May  “Up Close and Personal” meeting schedule is as follows: Tuesday, Oct 13, 6:30-8 p.m . Lou Walker Senior Center 2538 Panola Road Lithonia, GA 30058   Thursday, Oct. 15, 6:30-8 p.m . Tucker – Reid Cofer Library 5234 LaVista Road Tucker, GA 30084 Tuesday, Oct 20, 6:30-8 p.m . Derwin Brown Memorial South Precinct 2842 H.F. Shepherd Drive

We ran across a narrative published online by Jeff Raider on the "Reporter Newspapers" website.  In it, he offered some words of advice to DeKalb voters: (this is a partial reprint of text from longer article, found here .) "The most recent election to fill the vacant District 5 Commission seat attracted less than 6 percent turnout. It can be reasonably argued that DeKalb voters are getting the representation they deserve. What does that mean? Often we are represented by figures that seem superficially attractive, but have no substance. With no track record of success in their private lives, they depend too much on their offices for income, or see their offices as private property, not a public trust. They make bad decisions, and they discourage others from service. What can be done?  First, the voters must understand and vote their interests. Educate and motivate yourself, your family and friends. There is a growing network of local news sources and blogger

    Do you remember when Save Tucker! called your attention to a random guy  who appeared to be a "super fan" of cities in DeKalb County, GA?   He was pictured as one of the "citizens" in the "grass roots" movements for BOTH Lakeside City AND Stonecrest.    Here is our original post:   titled, "Lakeside and Stonecrest are More than Just Friends."      BUT, now we have learned something NEW.      "THIS GUY" from the Lakeside City and Stonecrest groups is ALSO the same as   "THIS GUY" from Brookhaven!   Yes, that's right... take a look for yourself....   "THIS GUY" is pictured with Mary Kay Woodworth and Co. at a big press announcement for Lakeside City. "THIS GUY" then appeared in a City of Stonecrest photo op as they exercised their rights of free speech and assembly.   AND NOW, WE HAVE LOCATED "THIS GUY" AGAIN, INVOLVED IN A THIRD CITY MOVEMENT....