Save Tucker!

From Atlanta Progressive News: Rep. Dudgeon, Sen. Ligon Introduce Township Model for Georgia January 28, 2016   GLORIA TATUM photo credit: APN (APN) ATLANTA — State Rep Mike Dudgeon (R-Johns Creek) introduced HR 1051, a constitutional amendment to create a township form of governance in Georgia. Rep. Mike Dudgeon of Johns Creek has introduced a township amendment . State Sen. William Ligon (R- Brunswick) introduced SR 724, an identical resolution in the State Senate. The proposed amendment would create a township with limited powers and services.  Towns would have the power of zoning and regulation of land use and development, with property tax rates capped at 0.5 mills. County governments would still provide police, fire, water, sewer, and other necessary services to the township. http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20152016/154812.pdf “I believe our state needs a township model where local citizens can vo...

by Brent Barron Neighbor Newspapers December 31, 2015     You might not want to be involved, but if you live in Tucker... you already are.   Better start paying attention now rather than regret the choices other voters might make for you!    A senate committee released the findings from their study last month and found that “city-lite” models, such as with the newly formed city of Tucker, contain unconstitutional provisions. The Senate Annexation, Deannexation and Incorporation Study Committee was called for by Senator Elena Parent of District 42 last summer with appointments to the committee made by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “I thought it was time to take a look at the formal process or lack-thereof of the formation of these cities to see if there were ways to make the process more uniform, transparent and fair,” Parent said. “I served as ch...

DeKalb CEO Lee May: New cities strain DeKalb budget Posted: 5:08 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 By Mark Niesse - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution  As money and power shifts to newly created cities, DeKalb County’s government is feeling the pinch. Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May warned Wednesday that the county will soon have to reduce services or raise taxes because incorporations and annexations have strained budgets.                                        Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May and DeKalb Budget Director Jay Vinicki discuss the county’s proposed 2016 budget on Wednesday. MARK ... read more Credit:...

Sandy Springs (2005) … 94% Milton (2006) … 86% Johns Creek (2006) … 84% Chattahoochee Hills (2007) … 84% Dunwoody (2008) … 81% Tucker (2015) … 74% Peachtree Corners (2011) … 57% Brookhaven (2012) … 55% Lavista Hills (2015) … 49.5% South Fulton (2007) … 15% Source: County Election Offices.

Before you vote on Nov. 3, make sure you know exactly what you are being asked to consider.  Tucker, by the new boundaries, will include a lot more people than what you might realize. Just take a look at a search that was run on the state's website for "Section 8" housing.  Here is a look at the available housing in Tucker, as defined by our single zip code, 30084:  Tucker as it exists today.  Easy to identify and the zip code and postal designation WILL NOT CHANGE, regardless of whether or not any new cities are approved in our area.  Tucker will still be called Tucker. Tucker's zip code has a few areas with Section 8 housing readily available, according to the state, but look what happens when the new city boundaries are included in the search (see below). Here is the new version of "big city" Tucker, as divided by its suggested city council areas.  Note:  the largest area in terms of voters and sheer land mass belongs to the real, ...

Jim Eyre, the first ever elected councilman for Brookhaven who later resigned and stepped down from his seat on the council, warns DeKalb County residents about what could lay ahead for them if they approve new cities.You can watch and listen to his speech,  already cued up for you,  here . Jim Eyre warns Tucker and Lavista Hills area residents about the short-shortsightedness of new cities. Here are the highlights of his speech: 1.  Yes, it is a new layer of bureaucracy stacked on top of the one we already have. 2.  There is no independent ethics board.  It is all handled through the city's attorney and the city council itself.  The potential offenders are the same ones overseeing the ethics. 3.  Confusing - who to call for various services.  It is another layer for everyone to hassle with.  It is intertwined with the county services and providers.  Are the services being provided in such a manner that adding this new layer...

According to an article in the Brookhaven Post, Republicans who participated in the city fiasco taking place in DeKalb County have decided that their work here is done and they can now start the process of forming cities in their own, Republican-controlled counties.  And, guess what?  They are now saying the process is flawed.  And they are going to fix it... for themselves, not for us.    New cities will focus more on the benefit they can bring to the residents and, get this ... they will be formed WITHOUT property taxes at all.  Franchise fees and fines alone will be enough to provide border protection in a low profile township or "city lite" type of municipality that can ease residents into city living over time, if that's what they want.   It will protect the community from over building or the expansion of nearby areas by annexation.  If you were already upset that Lakeside City abused the process by submitting multiple bills and claiming...

"The city of Tucker is morally wrong," according to Smoke Rise resident Robert Stamper.        

March  5, 20015 ... From WABE.org , which lifted text directly from the Lavista Hills press release without even verifying the facts or using a correct map.  Well, now we know why they were the ONLY media at most of the previous meetings hosted by Lakeside City (a.k.a. Lavista Hills) ...  Legislation that would allow residents to create two new cities in DeKalb County is a step closer to a vote by the Georgia House, but border disputes remain unresolved. A House committee Wednesday approved bills that could pave the way for the new cites of LaVista Hills and Tucker in central DeKalb. Rep. Tom Taylor, R-Dunwoody, is the sponsor of the LaVista Hills bill and says residents want a more efficient and responsive government. “What you see here is a common thread: dissatisfaction with the current DeKalb County government , ” said Taylor. “This bill does not create a city. All it creates is an opportunity for folks in that area to vote in a referendum whether they want ...

Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 3:13 PM To: Rep. Billy Mitchell Subject: Save Tucker! Opposes a City of Tucker because it simply is not Tucker! Dear Rep. Mitchell, While we appreciate the fact that you were willing to sponsor a  bill for a city of Tucker during the last legislative session, based on the information you were provided at the time by the individuals who were reaching out to you, we want you to know that the residents of Tucker by large number, are no longer in support of this plan and would prefer that you do not fire the first shot in this turf war. We were never the ones complaining about the DeKalb County Government or asking for government that was closer to us.  By every testimony I heard during the initial Tucker Together meetings, it sounded like Tucker residents were very satisfied with the services they received.  We have no complaints about a police department that has provided us a safe place to live, wi...

Two photos for two new proposed cities, but both featuring at least one supporter who believes he belongs in BOTH groups.   What OTHER similarities are there between these two "rivals" that their supporters may not know about?   How exactly did all of these proposals supposedly come "from the people" but ended up wanting the exact same things, with the exact same slogans and now, we learn, the exact same people.   In fact, Lakeside City was started by a group of people who stated that one of their main motivators was that they did not want to be included in a proposed City of DeKalb.  Later, Stonecrest was started, the story goes, because of the efforts to start a city of Lakeside in North DeKalb.   Before all of this, there was "Brookhaven YES."  Now, we have "Lakeside YES" and "Stonecrest City YES."   How stupid do they think we all are that we cannot see they are all part of the same plan? Either write ...

There is a lesson in here!  Please read about these residents and businesses who are saying cityhood is not exactly what they expected.   Property owners seek cityhood reversal   January 28, 2015 |  by  Mark Niesse Don't let this happen to you!  Pay attention to what's going on and stop the insanity before it costs you! Business owners and residents who say they were forced into the city of Doraville now want out — a rare exception to the movement toward making more areas into cities across metro Atlanta. The DeKalb Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on Tuesday to approve a resolution calling for the area along Buford Highway to be de-annexed after it was incorporated into Doraville on Dec. 31. The board’s action is the first step in the process to return the area to unincorporated DeKalb, and now a similar resolution may be considered by Doraville’s government. Concerned citizens told commissioners they didn’t get any benefi...

From "The Other Dunwoody" Originally posted:  Sept. 4, 2014 A couple of thugs down at the Gold Dome have started flexing their muscle by giving an ultimatum to the Lakeside, Briarcliff and Tucker cityhood teams: Set your city borders by date certain or we will. We will skip over the arrogance of the ultimatum as arrogance is one of the main ingredients of any ultimatum and cut to the chase. Why is it considered a fait accompli that there must be any new city at all, or that any, even if desired by someone other than politicos, would be viable? Of course none of that matters as the powerful and politically connected will have their way no matter who must pay.

The common theme among the public comments from the city of Briarcliff hearings: "Please, give us all the right to vote. The right to vote NO."   Highlights:   Emory says "No" to "Lakeside" and "Let us vote," to Briarcliff.    Young Republican smiles at thought of what this does to Jason Carter's "epicenter of support."  Committee Chairman cuts him short. Long time resident and daughter of a builder from Leafmore states Tucker has always had property inside the perimeter and residents are all friendly with one another. Druid Hills Past President speaks to desire for preservation of history and land.  States they funded the Briarcliff study and large number of residents want the right to vote.  Another resident left out of Lakeside wants the right to vote. Neighborhood in Lavista Park sends association President to ask for right to vote. Another resident against Lakeside hopes Briarcliff and Tucker can work together....