“DeKalb County got slack and lazy. Its politicians became presumptuous. It had too many political and financial scandals. It took no opportunity to define a strategy that could improve the lives of all its people. … As long as DeKalb County continues to be second-rate in its capacity to show all its citizens the way to prosperity, and is not a place of high performance leadership and initiatives, more enclaves are going to peel off to do their own thing.”

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/eugenie-viener/3a/b9b/a63

Golden triangle holdings, such a farce, and a liar.

Eddie-

The rate is not set in the charter. The maximum rate is capped in the charter.

I quoted the charter in my comment above.

Facts are stubborn things.

Pathetic is defined as "Eddie's drivel, rants, rages, lies & paternalistic treatment of others!"

Yeah Eddie... And the NO camp constant bellowing that they are connected or influenced by DeKalb County!

Guess that keeps getting lost in your drooling grovel. And now lo' and behold the county sayeth we shall keep thou millage thy lowest... Until after the vote count is in... "And if tis the case that thou county doth winnest, then thou shall see thy biggest tax millage increase in thy county's history & thy services shalt vanish!"

Grieg-

The rate is not set in the charter as the author and the No city group claims. The maximum rate is capped in the charter.

There is a big difference between setting a cap and setting an actual rate.

I quoted the charter in my comment above.

Grieg... Of course it's not unusual for a corrupt county, as reported across the nation, to keep the millage rate unchanged when it's bleeding a slow painful bleed from pension funding obligations, pay-off issues of terminated employees, low police moral for being stretched unreasonably & poorly paid, executive perks, serious lawsuit obligations (and this doesn't include the school system), a previously raised millage of 26%, shocking increase in appraisal values within sections of 30319, over bloated workforce in comparison to similar counties, etc, etc, etc... Seems like the status quo likes static cling!

And now, let's all make sure that Burrell and the BOC GUARANTEE that they will keep the millage rate UNCHANGED until the voters of DeKalb county say they are allowed to raise via a referendum; instead of changing it immediately following an election year! Oh, I forgot... the county can change the millage rate when they say so despite the voters' input!

Keep in mind these are the same folks that made a deal with the Pre Dunwoody Cities to share the HOST proceeds in exchange for the Cities' support for passage of the HOST tax many years ago only to find DeKalb recently disavow that promise and use a procedural maneuver to get out of the promise they made.

Eric,
The selective-untruth was that 'taxes would be lower' (without mentioning other costs would be higher) from the very first public meeting.

It ain't gonna happen.

The current Dekalb tax rates define what WILL be on our tax bills. No hopeful considerations for '100% collections', no 'flexible scale' of reductions for higher valued properties, just the facts.

So which scenario best defines a 'lie'?

Eddie... yours! That's why you donated so RICHLY to the NO CITY campaign. After all, you must continue to rant & rave because you don't want to lose your investment if the city passes. I suppose that wouldn't look like a good biz decision now would it?

Dr. Joke (anonymous yesser, is the dr. real?)

My investment in my neighborhood far surpasses the pittance to prevent it from falling into the tentacles of a 'vanity city'.
Just incorporate 'Dun-Jilted' and pay what it costs up there!

Why is this section of Unincorporated Dekalb County up for grabs anyway?

Will the entire county be relentlessly gobbled up by the 'little city that can't' rather than have them raise their own taxes to reflect fiscal reality?

When the city fails, the Citizens of Dekalb county might want to be consulted about how much we should give up to suit another area's fantasy!

Why is this section of Unincorporated Dekalb County up for grabs anyway?

That's easy...because DeKalb is providing .20 of services for every dollar sent to Decatur.

When property owners (residential, commercial, or otherwise) get the overwhelming sense of getting ripped off, they look for other options.

Wasn't the County, zoning and codes, as well as tax rate set and available when these developments were built?

Has our whole country lost it's mind with the assumption that 'I'm to important to pay taxes' driving them to seek every possible dodge?

Eddie-

Again, that's easy. The answer is no.

The tax rate wasn't and isn't 'set.' Unlike in a city of Brookhaven which has a millage cap in the charter, DeKalb has the unlimited ability to raise the millage rate...and they have used that ability on multiple occasions not to provide better services, but to pay for bloated budgets, legal fees, and new parks and improvements in other areas of the county.

And incorporation isn't a tax dodge. It is just an extension of a simple concept...you should get what you pay for. Brookhaven is over 15% of the county's tax digest and 9% of the county's population. The county woefully underspends on our services...and that was before the 26% tax hike when the county basically said, "pay more for even less."

So for you to say 'i'm too important to pay taxes' completely misses the point. We all pay taxes...more than our fair share.

However, there are apparently some in our community and certainly many in our county government that believe that while we should pay taxes, we shouldn't expect to see any services in our community paid for by those taxes. That's wrong...and incorporation will make sure that the taxes we pay for parks will go to...gasp...our parks...and the taxes we pay for police will go for...gasp....our police and the taxes we pay for sidewalks will go to ...gasp...our sidewalks.

Simple concept...but one that seems to be hard to grasp.

Eddie Haskell... As many of us have stated to you more often than not... We pay our taxes! So quit using that rant! What we have issues with is what an over bloated bureaucracy does to waste the hard earned dollars that we contribute!

It takes but a ranting, paternalistic dude such as yourself to demonstrate to us you are losing your mind. Or is this just another tactic using the NO playbook?

Ask Burrell & the BOC to guarantee that they will cap ALL millage rates for the county and work within that budget unless they have a referendum from us that gives them voter permission to raise it! C'mon Eddie, do it! LOL....

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/eugenie-viener/3a/b9b/a63

Burger-

I'm still missing your plan to solve the problems we currently have. Right now, for every dollar I send to DeKalb through my property taxes, they spend .20 to .30 in our area on services.

How do we fix that inequity without incorporating? What is the no city group's plan to solve the service issues in our area if we don't incorporate?

It's funny with the thousands of posts you have, I can't seem to find a clear answer on what should be the fundamental question.

Mr. William, when this city vote fails, you and I are going to contact the Brookhaven Yes folks and organize to make changes in our existing government . . . And school system . . . Like Rep. Mike Jacobs should have encouraged to begin with!

Please pass the yellow mustard!

Burger-

That's not a plan.

Signed-

Reality

Mr. William, it will be on August 1st!

Please pass the yellow mustard!

Wait....so your official position is to trust you and the county to come up with a plan after August 1st? Have you not had enough time over the past 20 years to think of anything?

Why isn't that on the No City website?! That would be a great "News alert"!

News Flash- We don't have any plan to fix the horrible services provided by the county.

I've got some great slogans to go along with that...

Vote No...Historic Brookhaven will be fine either way.
Vote No...we'll think of something.
Vote No...keep our parks looking like they did in 1976.

I doubt any undecideds actually read these comments, but if they do, I hope they understand the utter foolishness of your position.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
Albert Einstein

Mr. William, on August 1st, you just continue to sit on your hands. Others will do your share for you. You clearly will be sulking about not having your new city.

Folks are not particularly happy with DeKalb, but they are less interested in having another layer of government to deal with. There will be no choice other than to organize and make changes in county government.

As for education, we are looking at homeschooling and private schools for our little ones.

Please pass the yellow mustard!

Burger-

I'll ignore the personal bull crap because frankly I expect it from you...your M.O. is that when you start looking silly (which happens when you have very little substance) is to start blaming others for the county's problems.

Again, if your plan is 'wait until August 1st and then we'll all think of something', I would tell you to put it on a flyer and add it to the No City platform.

However, what is interesting is this...

"Folks are not particularly happy with DeKalb, ... There will be no choice other than to organize and make changes in county government."

For what it's worth, You just described the incorporation movement.

William,
Stop and take a couple of breaths and think for a minute.
You yessers have been building this up for yourselves for nearly two years but you have neglected to notice that relations with the County MAY NOT BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD for a lot of people.
Many Dekalb citizens do not have such inflated senses of self-worth and entitlement that they would hold their breath until they expired in order to get their way (at the expense of everyone else).
The tempests you see when you look out the window are really teapots to many of your neighbors.
So when you lose next Tuesday, remember that lots of folks have substantially more important issues to solve on a daily basis.

@H- "Not particularly happy" is an extreme understatement. Anyone who thinks they are going to change the Dekalb machine is naive. Despite the school board being under an intense microscope from taxpayers, they have decided they don't intend on changing, regardless of what their own paid for audit recommended. The recent handling of property tax appraisals showed they have no intention of giving tax payers fair estimates, and can't be bothered to rectify problems that even they admit are obvious on their end. In the case of Decatur, the mayor stepped in and helped his citizens, but unincorporated folks are getting fleeced, and the county can't be bothered. And there are absolutely elements in South Dekalb that prevent any meaningful changes or reforms from taking place now, or in the future.

Eddie-

So far, you and Burger have put together a plan of :

(a) Wait until after August 1 to make a plan

and

(b) chill out because there are more important things in life.

Seriously, put that on a flyer and mail it out.

Mr. William, what’s with the procrastination? Treating your food like you have done your existing government? Your analogy is just plain crazy . . . Everybody knows you cook the best turkeys on a lump charcoal grill!

Cheerwine?

Burger-

Your counter points only go to prove the point I'm making.

Denial is a pretty weak argument.

Mr. Joe, EXCELLENT! Post of the YEAR!

Please pass those thin sliced onions!

Yes, Excellent.

Makes my point perfectly.

Denial is the cornerstone of the No position.

Reality calls, folks.

Joe,

Who are we to decide when it is time for each of us to eat.

They have decided and they expect us to set the table for them!

Denial a'int just a river in Egypt, Eddie.

It's also the major plank in the no city platform.

I guess you guys don't have to pay taxes and can decide when it's time to do so. The rest of us pay taxes...and are watching them go to waste while you and the rest of DeKalb's 'leadership' sticks their heads in the sand and continues to deny that there are any problems.

The rest of us that have to pay taxes will just have to excuse you guys from the discussion...we'll let you know when it's time to eat, ok?

Sirs,
This is what I was talking about earlier...and the root of it all. In flatulence, odors result from trace amounts of components often containing sulfur compounds. The gas released during a flatus event frequently has a foul odor which mainly results from low molecular weight fatty acids such as butyric acid (rancid butter smell) and reduced sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and carbonyl sulfide that are the result of protein breakdown. The incidence of odoriferous compounds in flatus increases from herbivores, such as cattle, through omnivores to carnivorous species, such as cats. Flatulence odor can also occur when there is a number of bacteria and/or feces in the anus while being expelled. Beano is an enzyme-based dietary supplement that is alleged by its manufacturer to reduce gas in the digestive tract, thereby preventing flatulence. It contains the enzyme alpha galactosidase. It is claimed that the human digestive tract does not contain alpha galactosidase; however acarbose may work against alpha galactosidase in the human gut; this enzyme breaks down oligosaccharides such as raffinose.
The polysaccharides and oligosaccharides found in these foods might otherwise pass through the small intestine unaffected. Once in the large intestine, those sugars may be worked on by intestinal flora, fermenting to produce the gases that cause discomfort.
For I am a scientist and a genius. Notice my enormous cranium.

Oh Eddie Haskill... even Mrs. Clever's not gonna let you set her table unless you clean your dirty, greasy hands.

As for me and my household, we take pleasure in setting our own table.

To the overly inflated cranium.... Please stand up, face away from us so that we may see your HUGE cranium.... CAUTION: Everyone in the YES and UNDECIDED camp... Please keep your gas masks on at ALL times. And disregard any thunderous sounds. It's simply due to a couple of HUGE cheeks vibrating! It will all pass on July 31st.

You are welcome to 'say' that.

My neighbors and I are welcomed to VOTE NO!

And I should stand in awe at the reliability of yet another anonymous yesser.

Now that is worthy of a hearty guffaw!
Paying close attention and knowing the facts hardly qualifies one as a 'big time lobbyist', especially when the payment for direct citizen action is in the low zeros.

I can say that getting to know the offices of our Congress People is good for every Citizen and helps to understand the difference between effective representation (as we in the 4th District have now) and worthless representation (as will be forced on us after the first of the year).

Eddie,

I removed my comment, you are to be thanked, sincerely, for getting off your butt and speaking your mind to your representatives.

You have nothing to fear with incorporation, man.

But this is patently false:

"and worthless representation (as will be forced on us after the first of the year." Heck, a person like yourself, passionate and fairly knowledgeable would have more of a voice in local matters. Deny it, don't believe it, but it is a FACT.

everyman (another anonymous yesser)

Call the offices of each of the Congress People in the metro area and get back to me about who is most receptive and interested in your area of concern and who is more interested in promoting the sort of tax policies that led to the bush depression.

I should have made clear, I was speaking of 'Congressional Representation' as I don't think anything else will change around her after the first of the year (unless maybe the County Commissioner for the Dun-Jilted are is replaced).

Congress critters are one thing, but YOUR City Council is another, Eddie.

Don't go all Hamburger on me -Start sliding your arguments around in grease.

Local representation gets things done.

"Call the offices of each of the Congress People in the metro area and get back to me about who is most receptive and interested in your area of concern and who is more interested in promoting the sort of tax policies that led to the bush depression."

The 'Greed Cycle' of the last thirty years makes both sides of the aisle culpable, Eddie. Deny that, deny Brookhaven, and deny your future.

everyman (failed city anonymous poster)

I have no interest in supporting your fantasy.
Look to 'dunwoody' for your suchre.
We have work to do south of Peachtree with no room for fantasies.

Dunwoody is such a 'good neighbor' isn't it.

Both Chamblee and Dunwoody will open their arms to a new City of Brookhaven, Eddie.

Nobody, has a beef with you.

everyman (another anonymous yesser)

No 'open arms' will be necessary when the Opposed City is defeated.
Then on to help the DECA folks understand why they DON'T want to be in Chamblee.

“DeKalb County got slack and lazy. Its politicians became presumptuous. It had too many political and financial scandals. It took no opportunity to define a strategy that could improve the lives of all its people. … As long as DeKalb County continues to be second-rate in its capacity to show all its citizens the way to prosperity, and is not a place of high performance leadership and initiatives, more enclaves are going to peel off to do their own thing.”

Dean,
How big is an 'enclave' and how much of my money do they want to pretend to be important?

Eddie... The only pretense to be open-minded comes from you and the fence you've erected around your entire yard. Says a lot about you and your hermit needs. Stay in your pretend world... we'll be the better for it.

Dr. Joke,
What an illogical response.
If you read carefully, you will see that I am certainly NOT the one attempting to draw an imaginary line around me to play keep-away from the 'evil county'.
It would almost be fun to see the opposed city pass just to see all of you who 'would be king' trounced in a 'local control election'.

Alas, next Tuesday you will learn that NO MEANS NO!!

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/eugenie-viener/3a/b9b/a63

Whats really cool is Facebook tracks who has looked at your profile. And if it does not display, all you have to do is email them and they will provide you with analytics. Better be careful "sir".
For you see, I am a scientist and a genius. Notice my enormous cranium.

Since you have no friends, you ought not fear this.

You are a complete and utter joke, and the the pro-City crowd ~HEARTS~ you because your posts are absurd.

Keep it up, Childers, you wanker.

everyman (another anonymous yesser),

Do you realize that most grownups don't even have a 'facebook' login (unless they are some kind of sales weasel looking for new 'contacts').

Eddie Haskill.... We realize that with your childish ways you would have no idea about the adult world.

Dr. Joke,
I have enough 'real' channels of communication so I don't really need one based on pictures of kittens and high school popularity.
How about you?

Mr. Eric, at some point being in a city may not be cost effective. Smart folks will weigh the benefits vs. the cost.

http://tinyurl.com/blw8l3y

Please pass the yellow mustard!

“DeKalb County got slack and lazy. Its politicians became presumptuous. It had too many political and financial scandals. It took no opportunity to define a strategy that could improve the lives of all its people. … As long as DeKalb County continues to be second-rate in its capacity to show all its citizens the way to prosperity, and is not a place of high performance leadership and initiatives, more enclaves are going to peel off to do their own thing.”

Oh you mean that little chicanery DeKalb did by raising taxes on everyone in a city but saying they didn't raise taxes? The chicanery that included a silent reallocation of costs?

Hamburger you've got the inside line, can you explain how the numbers worked? Why did DeKalb suddenly decide they were over allocating by 37% the cost of the Police Force?

It just sort of seems out of the blue and odd. Maybe even devious. I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt but now that I understand how we got to that table you linked to, I can only say I'm disappointed by the glaring lack of transparency, I had my hopes this CEO would be me more open. Please tell me why I'm wrong.

In this day of the internet why can't DeKalb put worksheets and budget analysis on the internet?

Have you ever seen Dunwoody's monthly financial reports, its indeed impressive. I like I tell MARTA regarding the occasional delay. When you communicate and provide information it helps the taxpayer or commuter understand.

But as has been stated, the .335 is a CAP, With the HOST jumping from 46% to 59% the increase in revenues for Brookhaven will be high. And the other 50% of revenues will be up.

its impressive indeed.
http://www.dunwoodyga.gov/Departments/Finance_Administration/Accounting_Reporting.aspx

More personal attacks, lies and FUD from this NOCity DeKalb Democrat operative.

No surprise, it is all they have had to offer throughout.

Voters will not be deceived.

Mr. Dean, just received notification that posts with FUD in them have averaged 4.2 sign requests, thought you would like to know.

Please pass the yellow mustard!

You mean the flyer on Friday that was sent by the Brookhaven Ballot Committee. No flyers were received from Brookhaven Yes last Friday.

By the way how the heck did the Brookhaven Ballot Committee know Tom Cousins was doing the funding if the report wasn't filed until Friday?

Mr. Eric, J. Patrick Hoban.

You can continue to say they are separate, however, at the end of the day, one hand washes the other.

Please pass the yellow mustard!

Yea the auto guy who contributed to both groups, actually providing a huge chunk of the Ballot Committee's funds? So how does him giving money to both groups and even stating the reason to the Reporter make them the same?

By the way we got a statement from him, any reason for Cousins?

And I never did find out how much that god awful billboard cost you guys.

Dean,
On August 1, I really look forward to putting the idea of Foul-Underhanded-Double-Dealing behind me.
Will the city-yessers be moving so we never have to hear about this again?

Hamburger and Eric,
I got the foul, inappropriate complexion flyer today.
I will save it, because it should help keep misguided little dictators in check for a generation.
Remember, there are more 'contribution reports' to come!

Mr. Eric, you misinterpreted my post.

Also if it makes you feel better, BY is for Brookhaven, Georgia and BBC is for Brookhaven, NY. Better?

Please pass the yellow mustard!

Yes I know they both want the same thing

Is this a special yes-poll?
Was it conducted only in the Dun-Jilted Crescent?
It certainly doesn't reflect any real polling I've seen.

that poll is correct - Eddie where are you getting your poll information? the ones where you and hamburger can vote 200 times?

City Yes, our latest polling information, based on feedback from our volunteer field network is 57% NO with the remainder YES or UNDECIDED.

Concerns with the new city in no specific order are as follows:

- New city concept sold hard with confusing facts.
- Out of date and incomplete data being used to promote cityhood.
- Distrust of the new city promoter motives (MJ) and manner in which the cityhood concept was developed in neighborhoods around Silver Lake and north.
- Lack of commercial property in new city.
- Concerned petty politics will continue in new city with the select few BY folks running new city.
- Distrust of new city officials support of new city while they have their own issues.
- Do not want another layer of government.
- Bothered that CVI Study was not linked to HB 636 for cityhood guidance and development.
- Feel cityhood issue should have required more time for development.

Some respondents were very strong in stating their distrust of cityhood promoters and the short timeframe for issue vote.

Special hamburger and Cheerwine?

Eddie/Burger-

You have to poll someone other than the people in your living room.

Signed-

Reality

P.S. Only poll that matters is the one going on right now at the polling place... :)

Folks, the polling truth is clear, and it isn't written on a 'rosetta stone'!

Mr. Phil, no surprise. Folks in Brookhaven have little practical use for the Crier and more than likely do not make it a regularly checked new source. It is more relevant for us folks north of Blackburn Park.

More thin sliced onions?

Does anybody outside of Dunwoody even read the 'Whiner'?

For what?
To defend against the lies and distortions that have been the entire 'case' since the tiny little minority pushing the Opposed City bubbled up?
You haven't made your case and we aren't buying it.
Nothing more to say,...but:

Vote Your Interest,.....VOTE NO!

Mr. Phil, everyone has made up their mind some time ago. What would be the point? You were at Oglethorpe; did that forum make a difference? No. Brookhaven Yes is the salesman, if you buy into what they are selling, early voting has started, go to Chamblee, vote Yes and be happy !

May I have some more thin sliced pickles?

To bad since its the only paper that's done such a comprehensive job of trying to offer actual numbers and analysis.
http://www.thecrier.net/news/collection_667ef65c-b002-11e1-8c23-0019bb2963f4.html

The whiner has done comprehensive articles.
What's next, the wonderful job the CofC has done on the ridiculous 'tsplost'.
One driveway lump newspaper is not much different than another.

Phil,
Tomorrow is another day.
And I hope to convince another 30 people to vote NO (the running average).

Phil... Not from what I've read about him.... Paternalistic is a very accurate descriptor of his persona...

Phil an Dr. Joke,

Flattery will get you nowhere, just like attempting to force a city on the rest of us.

By the way, it would be nice to 'read about' you guys and all the anonymous 'yessers' so that it would be easy to associate the bag of snakes being sold with the salesmen.

Why do you still hold so tenaciously to hiding your identities?

"Why do you still hold so tenaciously to hiding your identities/"

Because HamBurger, Childers, Enuff, Roger, threaten, bully and try to intimidate the folks that do post under their real name.

What an idiotic comment, Eddie, but at least you stopped denying who YOU are.

Hi Ms. Johnson, how are you today? I looked through my post and didn't locate one that "threaten, bully and try to intimidate the folks that do post under their real name." If I did I apologize. I post my observations and opinions. My opinion is we do NOT need more gov't.

Carol Johnson (it is nice to finally put a name on a yesser),

I never, ever attempted in any way to deny or hide who I am.
Heck, there is video of me as far back as this discussion has been going on.
See, I have nothing whatsoever to hide and I understand the burden that comes with Citizen Activism.
Which is why I still wonder why those who are so adamant about the (imaginary) reasons a city is so (not) necessary won't stand up publicly and be counted.

Eddie-

I agree...the context of the article is irrefutable. :)

However, the content of the article is actually quite refutable because it is based upon falsehoods, mis-stated quotes, and false assumptions.

Here are facts...
1) DeKalb and the No City group have told us that Brookhaven will cost more and that it will not work based on the 2012 tax digest
2) At the same time, they have told us the tax digest drop in DeKalb as a whole was WORSE than in Brookhaven.
3) AND DeKalb didn't raise taxes or cut their budget in response to this WORSE tax digest drop...in fact, they INCREASED their spending by 5% and increased the HOST exemption for households(in what only seems like a political move to provide ammo for the anti-city groups).

So you have three conclusions you can come to based upon those FACTS....

1) Either Dekalb is full of crap and the revenue pictures aren't nearly as bad as their press releases say they are

OR

2) DeKalb is grossly incompetent and is increasing spending in the face of crippling revenue decreases

OR

3) All of the Above.

I'll take 3. And I'll vote Yes! I'm tire of the spin and politics as usual...I long for when I have a government of my neighbors that care about our area more than they do about their political party.

William,

OK, you tell me:

What would the Opposed City COST
and What would the Opposed City PROVIDE.

These concepts have constantly been in flux against the backdrop of some imaginary evil in the Dekalb County Government.

I don't take all of the above except in the context of inventing a new layer of Government to suit the ruffled feathers of a self-entitled few.

More vapid evasion.

I KNOW what my tax bill will be with Dekalb County for the next 12 months.

What WOULD BE my tax bill under the opposed city, other than the telephone franchise fee of $36.00 per year, what would the franchise fees on OTHER utilities be?

What reduction in services would I be expected to endure for these amorphous and constantly in flux taxes/fees that seem to increase or decrease with whatever offset of service increases/reductions are in play on a given day to provide the artificial result the 'yessers' are attempting to 'sell' on that given day?

You can't play football with jello and you can't 'govern' with constantly shifting projections.

Lofty projections won't establish a budget or put Police on the street.

“DeKalb County got slack and lazy. Its politicians became presumptuous. It had too many political and financial scandals. It took no opportunity to define a strategy that could improve the lives of all its people. … As long as DeKalb County continues to be second-rate in its capacity to show all its citizens the way to prosperity, and is not a place of high performance leadership and initiatives, more enclaves are going to peel off to do their own thing.”

I know that DeKalb will continue to screw with appraisals and millage rates to the point that when property values return, and they will at some point, I may not be able to afford my home due to property taxes.

I appreciate your comments Eddie, your conviction is obvious, and I respect that...

Decatur ain't perfect, but it beats being governed by those dunderheads in DeKalb.

Carol,
I seriously doubt that the interest of the Dekalb County Government is to make any of us unable to afford our homes due to the property tax rate. I was annoyed at the massive increase two years ago, but much of it reflected the new appraisals for new, oversized structures built during the infill madness, whether many of the structures were not yet occupied.
Wouldn't it make more sense to mobilize collectively to petition the County with our grievances than to encourage the cascade who's eventual goal is 'milton county'?

Phil (yet another anonymous yesser),
So your contention is that I should just shut up and subjugate myself and my property to the whim that YOU and your anonymous friends have DECIDED is best for ME right?
I don't hate the County.
I am not upset about my property taxes (the last link in the chain after we pretended that Federal and State taxes could be 'reduced' without dire consequences).
I am not uncomfortable with the current level of Police services.
I don't care what they do in Dunwoody or Sandy Springs. I don't live there because I DON'T WANT TO.
I don't care what Dekalb County does with taxes next year. I hope the Federal Government lets the shrub tax cuts expire so funding at all levels can return to 'normal' (see 1993-2000 for normal and effective tax policy).

But I know you have an amorphous 'plan' for taxes/fees that may or may not increase and services that may or may not improve over what I have that will give me a new layer of government to 'elect' and then fight with over whether my neighborhood is 'entitled' to the same level of funding we receive or if we should send it to the 'Dun-Jilted Crescent' as they are much more entitled to my money.

What a deal.
I see why you guys stay 'anonymous'!!!

I smell the stench of 'milton county' in THEIR future.
Oh what a tangled web we weave.

No still means NO!

Eric,
The TSPLOST supporters are quick to point out that those with a financial interest only account for '1/3 of the total'. Why do they get to contribute anything?

Of course the yessers received over half their funding from corporations that would profit from inventing a city. Why do they get to contribute anything as well?

NOCity received double the amount BrookhavenYES did, and all of NOCity's money comes from DeKalb Democrat operatives who stand to (continue to) profit if the city fails.

How do they define a financial interest.

I don't begrudge a contribution though as long as its disclosed and one factors it in. In the case of TSPLOST it truly is a David and Goliath moment. All the county officials with their 15% are budgetarily (Sp?) paid off to support it and of course the 6 million vs. practically nothing makes this a one sided campaign. And then we have the basically good Rockefeller Foundation funding several good planning or environmental groups to get TSPLOST passed in part because that funding was done before the full effects of the law were known and in part because they are desperate for some new transit even if its not a good deal. Its a very one sided fight.

For Brookhaven both sides are putting up the good fight. I'd say the Yes and the No Committees are at least. The Ashford Group (the other No group) and the Brookhaven Ballot Committee (the other Yes group) not so much, they probably are helping the other sides more.

Anyway, yes be aware of the contributions. The nice thing about a City of Brookhaven is I'm sure we can elect someone from District 3 or 4 or will go through the Police Car leases with a fine tooth comb. Same with the other proposal for counsel and the planning and zoning permiting work. Since we are dealing with a focused list of services in a small area its easier to track and easier to hold accountable the people in charge of those limited services.

One man's stench is another man's compost, Eddie.

Here is my question: Will diehard Dekalb Dems, like yourself, have enough 'ooomph' to derail incorporation? Who has the data?

If that happens, DeKalb will become very expensive, because the CEO form of government and the rest of the Commish at that 'happy trough,' will win. Expect more of the same, more quickly.

$1,000,000 Soap Box Derby track,
Bond referendums, regardless of cost or use,
Tax increases,

I think that the outcome of TSPLOST, Brookhaven, and our November Presidential debate will make the writing on the wall both indelible and irrefutable.

We will soon know!

DeKalb raised the taxes on all the DeKalb Residents living in these cities:
Atlanta‡ (approx 10% of 420,000 COA are in DeKalb)
Avondale Estates
Chamblee
Clarkston
Decatur
Doraville
Dunwoody
Lithonia
Pine Lake
Stone Mountain

Annexations in process http://www.crossroadsnews.com/view/full_story/18223209/article-Brookhaven-city-and-annexations-to-cost-county-lots-of-dough
- Doraville will annex 1,500 to 2,000 people and half a square mile effective Jan. 1, 2013 without a referendum. The annexed area has 53 commercial parcels and 15 industrial parcels. About half of the land has apartments and 20 percent has single-family homes.

The new residents will dramatically increase the Doraville’s 2010 population of 8,330.

- The City of Decatur and Avondale annexations will be effective July 1.
The city of Decatur will 10 commercial parcels on a quarter mile stretch of College Avenue near the Avondale MARTA Station.
Avondale Estates gets three-tenths of a mile along East College Avenue from Maple Street to Sams Crossing. will add 13 acres and 23 commercial parcels to Avondale Estates.

Annexations announced but not yet in process:
Perimeter Summit and CID area inside 285 if B'haven doesn't happen.

Decatur Suburban Plaza and other areas http://www.decaturmetro.com/2012/07/10/decatur-city-commission-to-reconsider-annexation-of-surrounding-areas/

Oh and the Chamblee Annexation http://www.crossroadsnews.com/view/full_story/18223209/article-Brookhaven-city-and-annexations-to-cost-county-lots-of-dough

“They would be in an isolated strip of DeKalb if Brookhaven is formed,” Parent said.

You mean just like most of the proposed city of Brookhaven?
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=214649083494226706333.00049fb9aff1865a252a6

Carol,
So at least you are admitting this Opposed City is just a stepping stone for those with the glint of 'milton county' in their eyes?

Why do yessers hate their neighbors so much?

Dean,
All of NoCity's money came from Citizens.
Despite the second place finisher in the fall Presidential Election's contention to the contrary, you do realize that 'corporations are not citizens' don't you?

WHOA, Eric!

Please do not confuse my business, The Ashford Group, with Ashford Neighbors, the anti-city group.

And thanks for posting your opinions on this board. Anyone who reads your logical posts, backed up by data, in comparison to the rants of the NoCity crowd, will have a clear idea of the opposing sides in this referendum. Thanks for hanging in there....you're a better man than I.

Thanks and sorry about that Mark, I forgot Ashford Group was the name of your business. I keep drawing a blank at the notion of the word neighbor when it comes to describing the Ashford Neighbors inc. since it seems like an oxymoron.

I think its telling when present and former officers of the area HOA's understand why a City of Brookhaven is a good idea. At the very least there should be less a savings from aspirin from the reduction in banging one's head against the wall!

Mr. Eric, shame on you for mistaking Mr. Mark’s business for another.

However, you can associate Mr. Mark (Graffagnino) with Brookhaven Ballot Committee, one of the Brookhaven Yes organizations that sponsored the insulting YES mailing that hit the mailboxes last Friday. Mr. Mark is the treasurer of the Brookhaven Ballot Committee.

Please pass the yellow mustard!

I wouldn't call it insulting, true as a Democrat I didn't like it. Though there's no denying that the CEO is influenced by his desire to protect his power. I mean I gotta say, former CEO Jones was a lot friendlier to Dunwoody's incorporation, and you want to talk about taking a chunk out of DeKalb's tax base.

Anyway, at least unlike the No City Brookhaven flyer, the Ballot Committee flyer was not full of statements that need a great deal of "clarification"

Mr. Eric, the mailer was insulting. I am not the only one that thinks so. Many conservative associates living in the proposed city that have received this same mailer have said the same thing. Thanks Mr. Mark.

Cheerwine and a special hamburger?

Joe,
OK, Guilty of hyperbole on occasion.
But, I can admit it!

That layer of government argument is semantics. You may be semantically correct, in reality, city government replaces a few county functions.

In any debate, an advocate cannot just 'concede a point,' without opening Pandora's Box to other concessions. I get what you are saying, you may even be right semantically.

Notice I did not say 'but'? If that is your sole reason for voting no, look more deeply.

Mr. Joe, as one of the ten, I feel compelled to post this song in dedication to my fellow posters. Thanks to IWillBrook . . .

http://tinyurl.com/d3eegpc

More thin sliced onions?

Sorry, Joe, that you have decided one way because they did not answer a question the way you would prefer. I believe that both sides are not without blame and mistakes on strategy etc..

Initially I, too, was worried that a City could not offer me more than what I received through the current structure. But the more I researched and thought about local representation, the more attractive the prospect of a new city became.

My hot button is that many municipal and county governments are going to have to explore--and adopt--more outsourcing of some basic services such as park maintenance just to avoid the pension obligations in the future. It is, imo, unavoidable.

I would vote against the city if I had any confidence that Dekalb County would get their staffing levels in line. And I saw a possibility of Brookhaven getting a bit more back in our tax revenues than we currently get.

But I really have ZERO confidence in Dekalb improving on accountability and increasing productivity. So, I am open to a new city with just 15% of my taxes going to that local entity.

BTW, my point on the "convincing two people" was that there are voters who have yet to have decided. There are many votes that are still in play.

Take care.

Carol, and 'resident' (yet another anonymous yesser),

When your exhausted 'argument' falls flat, no reason to shrink away from vapid personal attack is there?

But is it untrue?

Carol,
True or not, is it relevant to anything?
Outside of a few Dun-Jilted whiners, who cares?

I live near OU, I care about undue influence that anyone has over me.