"We are the most efficient government of its size, anywhere."

There is no way Ellis could make that statement with a straight face.

Please do not get hung up on the government efficiency argument. CEO Ellis makes a valid point, both about the shaky ground on which Rep. Jacobs bases his "permission slip" op ed, and about the stakeholders left out of the current process.

Mr. Ellis, I understand the DeKalb County BOC has tried several times to get you to eliminate the unnecessary position being held by William “Wiz” Miller. You want to update us and let us know when “Wiz” will be gone?

Word on the street from all the DeKalb County employees is that you are visiting Washington regularly for career advancement in the DC area. Is President Obama showing any interest in you?

Well, first of all Mr. Ellis, you do nothing to advance your position with me when you refer to me as "choice residential property". We all know that is code for high tax base. Basically you are saying that you do not want to lose my “choice” tax revenue because it will increase the tax burden on others. (ie: your voting base)

But what am I getting for my “choice” tax contribution? What I really want, but am NOT getting, is responsive and efficient government services for my tax dollar. How about stricter code enforcement so my part of Dekalb County has the same consistent and 'cared for' look as Dunwoody or Sandy Springs? How about local government employees that treat me with respect, not disdain and indifference?

You see... I dont care if my taxes go down. I would even accept an increase...what I want is quality government for my tax dollar. And you, Mr Ellis have not been providing that to the citizens of North Dekalb County. So, dont you even think about playing the race card...that is NOT what this is about. (“ The current law also creates economic classism and dilutes the voting strength of minorities.”) This is about wanting efficient, effective and responsive government. If you cant provide it, get out of the way and let us seek it on our own.

Actually what Mike Jacobs and all of the other Brokehaven proponents will never publicly say is this: "We are tired of our tax money being spent on financing infrastructure improvements in South DeKalb county instead of being spent on financing infrastructure improvements in the neighborhood where the tax money originated from."

Go ahead, refute it.

Here is the funny quote of the day: “Our motto is ‘better services, lower taxes,’ but before we can discuss why we think we can do a better job of spending our money than the county, we have to get the right to vote,”

My interpretation of the quote of the day is: Once we have the chance to vote, then we can discuss why we think we can do better. It should be the other way around really. Discuss first, then vote.

On a side note about the OP/ED piece in the AJC---which left no room for comments: Mike, did you get permission slips from all of the neighborhoods when you drew up this freakishly crazy map of Brokehaven? The cityhood process does need to be revisited---almost to the point of a public referendum to determine if there is enough interest to justify a study---if the public is interested then the government can foot the bill instead of a handful of people that live closer to Dunwoody than Brokehaven.

Funny quote of the day: By J. Max Davis jr.....Non-elected leader of the Brokehaven movement.

As the readers of the AJC are more spread out geographically, than those who are inside the boundaries of the proposed city, myself and many many others that live on the north side of town, do realize this affects every person in DeKalb County and conversely beyond that. There is an old saying that its easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. I think that strikes right at the heart of this matter. In politics, it may be easier, faster, and more gratifying to do what you want, even if it may adversely affect others, this is not a trait or method of governance that I approve of in my elected officials.
Our government by design, is intended to be inclusive, to move slowly, deliberately, and with much trepidation. This is the only way our system can work for everyone and regulations, and yes, maybe sometimes permission, is the only way to ensure that ALL citizens who are affected ARE NOT EXCLUDED. In my opinion, what defies logic is your belief that it’s alright for you and a handful of your supporters to impose your own will on nearly 50,000 citizens without asking THEIR PERMISSION FIRST. Permission from constituents, like other things worthwhile, is an ideal you should strive for. After all, to gain permission is to promote involvement and participation and isn’t that what a democracy is all about? I hope it still is and will always be. After all, isn’t our most precious virtue as a country supposed to be: Of the People, By the People and For the People?

On Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 7:30pm the African American ministers that represent the following churches in Brookhaven held a press conference to appose the City of Ashford on constitution grounds and economic issues. The new city violate the fourteenth and fifteen amendment of the United States Constitution and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The new city will cost DeKalb County between $20-29 million dollars and raise the millage rate 2.79 out side the new city. Only 68 out of 227 polled by representative Jacobs wanted a new city and finally the new city dislute minority community in DeKalb county. The following African American ministers in Brookhaven came out in apposition of the City of Brookhaven based on these facts: Lynwood Park United Church of God In Christ, China Grove Missionary First Baptist Church, Little Zion Baptist Church,Greater Mount Carmel AME Church, and Saint Peters True Holiness Church. Kevin G Hughley,President of Brookhaven Chamblee Home Owners and Neighborhood Business Alliance

Part 2. Mike Jacobs and friends, the voice of the few should never out weigh the voice of the many. United we are strong and divided we will fall. Your letter in the AJC did not make you sound more credible. It made you look like you actually do think you can get a few buddies and do what you want. It's time perhaps you start listening. When you were asking for us to vote for you what do you think it was you were asking for? Permission. Permission to represent us. Whomever is in your ear lately is giving you bad advice. You should listen to ALL of your constituents, and yes, ask their permission before you lead them into a bad situation. IMHO. Thank you.

With regard to DeKalb County and "services": I've lived in Ashford Park for two years having left Fulton County/City of Atlanta. I remain a property owner in both counties. DeKalb County has far superior services, employees and efficiencies. I shudder when I have to deal with Fulton County or the City of Atlanta generally setting aside a block of time even to make a phone call never mind having to personally go to any of their offices. It is a nightmare. Not true in DeKalb. Living here is a pleasure. We can't have it all--low taxes and increased services.

@NorthDekalb I don't get how your idea of representative government works. Do we hold a referendum to see if a constituency wants to hold a referendum on an issue. Maybe we should hold a referendum on whether we should hold a referendum to hold a referendum. I think not. The only way you know whether an initiative has the needed support to become law, is to vote.

And who is it that decides what you get to vote on? Is it our elected officials that we have given the permission to represent us? Look, there is only one land. In the end, we all have to live together. OK...Go. Bash away.

@Thomas Porter Why would you suggest the CVI document is not a study of accurate costs. Please name an organization that you would use instead of the University of Georgia.

At the core of this action concerning the City of Ashford, a line was crossed. I think the sheer excitement of the idea got those who are driving it moving too quickly. Government, while its not always popular, is designed to move at a slow pace, as the decisions that are made are profound. It is much easier to make a bad decision than it is to remedy it. That's why due diligence is so important.

@NorthDekalb Who decides if an action is moving 'too quickly' or 'too slowly'? If more voters than not believe the city initiative has moved too quickly, it will be defeated in July. If on the other hand, more voters believe they have sufficient information and vote in favor of the initiative it will pass. In the end, it's the voters who will decide if the speed of the process was correct.

Ok. I'm wrong. You're right. This could go on and on and on. Have a great day. And I hope which ever way this goes, it's the way that benefits everyone. Sigh.

How embarrassing that this is what passes for political discussion/debate by our so called leaders….blatantly false statements.

“Ask any newly created city, revenues are always over-estimated and expenses are underestimated.”
Not in Dunwoody.
Not in Johns Creek.
Not in Milton.
Not in Sandy Springs.

“if the referendum passes, residents of Ashford/Brookhaven will pay more in property taxes than they do right now.”
There is a millage cap in the bill which guarantees the millage rate will be at about 3 mills LESS than is currently in unincorporated DeKalb. And to make this statement after raising property taxes in the Brookhaven footprint by almost 80%. Unbelievable.

“We are the most efficient government of its size, anywhere.”
This is just more amusing than anything.

I had to laugh when I read Rep. Jacob's attempt to compare this Cityhood issue with the American revolution. His analogy not only shows his ignorance of our history but also to what lengths we will go to try to distort the truth. Except for the brave soldiers who faced the British, France was the only reason we won our independence. The only analogy to be made between this issue and the American revolution is our taxation without his proper representation. His actions in this issue have been deplorable.

One could say that Mikes article could have been a little insight into his character. One could say. Not me. But one. You know. That guy.

'It is wrong to mislead residents into thinking that somehow their taxes will go down if they create a new city. Ask any newly created city, revenues are always over-estimated and expenses are underestimated."

So every city must have busted into the $40 Million reserve fund, ruined their credit rating, raised taxes by 25% to cover that gap, and haven't dealt with the problem of unfunded pensions just like the CEO's budgets have done over the past few years, right?

Oh...you mean Dunwoody, Milton, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, and even older cities like Roswell, (http://www.roswellgov.com/index.aspx?nid=126), Smyrna (http://www.ci.smyrna.ga.us/index.aspx?page=419), and Marietta (http://www.mariettaga.gov/city/news/readarticle?id=1621) haven't had to raise their millage rates and destroy their reserves over the same period of time?

Wait...well, at least the CEO has taken care of that unfunded pension problem following the lead of the City of Atlanta...wait, who? (http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2011/06/23/the-deal-is-struck-atlanta-pension-overhaul-agreement-reached/)

It's ironic that the CEO cites a fictional character like the 'boogeyman'....because clearly sometimes truth is much scarier than fiction.

I heard that most who favor a city have to work for a living and couldn't attend.

Maybe you are right.

However, there were a lot of folks not smacking on their Chick-Fil-A that were there because they felt it so important that they appear to oppose this city that is about to be crammed down their throats that they took off work to oppose it. Did these “YES” folks not feel that this was important enough for their appearance? Evidently not, where were they?

Rep. Taylor was red-faced and walking around like a cat on a hot tin roof. He just could not find a seat to suit him. There were several times when legitimate information was presented against a new city Rep. Jacobs had a WTF look on his face. That is right, Rep. Jacobs, WTF? How dare you force your ill-prepared city on citizens not willing to comply with your abuse of our desires.

Rep. Jacobs, Rep. Taylor, and company would be better served assisting in correcting our existing county government and school system instead of wasting our time with new city non-sense!

Hey folks. I video taped the entire meeting. All 3 hours of it. I'm squashing it down to post it on northdekalbcounty.org.
And while you are there, fill out the survey. In the audience there were about 2/3 Opposed and 1/3 Favor the City of Ashford. There were appx 70 to 80 people there. Keep checking the site - probably mid morning tomorrow - it will be up. Thank you all for showing your support for your cause and showing up today. Big day!

A very good article by Commissioner Ellis. The political process has been hijacked by a well connected, influential few, using an incomplete and biased cost benefit study. Most of the community residents affected by the new city are unaware of the issues involved and have had no input. This is also true for all residents living in DeKalb County. The process needs to slow down. The entire DeKalb County residents should have an opportunity to vote of ANY new city. Finally, the tactic of creating unnecessary fear and resentment with county government to achieve political gain is obvious. What this has become is a sophisticated form of white flight IMHO.

So what is it? Brookhaven CVI study is bad and there is NOT enough MONEY to support the city or Brookhaven is poaching more than its fair share of the valuable tax base. Come on people you can't play both sides.

HOLY MOLY ME OH MY! I can't believe Burrell Ellis' administration is taking a page out of Kasim Reed's playbook and paying an anonymous poster or 2 or 3 to flood message boards under different aliases with antagonistic and false information.

Its effective in that it discourages the typical reader from using the message boards to ask questions and get information thus making a vote for a Change that much harder to sell.

Well hope you anonymous paid posters at least spend some of your earnings in DeKalb. Because in the long run letting this ship run its course without change will hurt everyone.

Incorporation of both more areas of DeKalb also helps the County Government because it allows it to focus better on the services it can deliver.

Good luck, sorry I don't have time to stay, I'm on my way, but have to say, pay now or pay much more later.

You know, that is a good point, if DeKalb Government is so concerned that Brookhaven citizens are making a mistake incorporating because the CVI study is wrong (not that it is true but that is the FUD they are slinging), then the bureacracy should be glad to get the city level expenses from our area off their balance sheet...