Gov. Nathan Deal Names Brookhaven Commission

Gov. Nathan Deal announced the five members of the Brookhaven commission on Friday afternoon.

They are:

Ben Vinson, chairman

J.D. Clockadale, District 1 representative

Todd E. Lantier, District 2 representative

Jed Beardsley, District 3 representative

Kim Gökçe, District 4 representative

Click here to read more about each of the commission members.

The legislation creating the Brookhaven cityhood vote stipulated that . Those recommendations will be passed onto the mayor and city council, who will be elected on Nov. 6.

However, with crowded fields in the mayor's race and every city council race, runoffs are almost a guaranteed certainty, perhaps making the commission's responsibilities all the more crucial. Runoffs will be held about one month after the general election.

Brookhaven officially becomes a city at 12:01 am, Dec. 17, 2012.

Reaction:

Brookhaven mayoral candidate Sandy Murray disapproved of the process used to select the commission.

"The meetings to determine who will serve on the Governor’s Commission have taken place behind closed doors. No media have been present at these meetings and there have been no announcements as to when and where these meetings have been held. The lack of transparency is a clear violation of the principles that our new city should be founded upon and against many of the wishes of those who supported cityhood," she said in a statement. "Even though I disapprove strongly of the process used by the Governor to select members of the Commission, I commit to working closely with the Commission now as a candidate for Mayor of Brookhaven."

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Mayoral candidate Thom Shepard thanks Gov. Deal and his deputy executive counsel, W. Thomas Worthy, for the process of selecting the commission.

"I am thrilled to see the diversity of experience, skills and academic credentials that are represented by Governor Deals appointees. We are truly fortunate to have such a long list of individuals willing to volunteer for such a challenging project such as the founding of our new government," he said in an email. "I think I can easily speak on behalf of all of Brookhaven in thanking the newly appointed commission members for their volunteering of service to our new City of Brookhaven."

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State Rep. Mike Jacobs: "That Sandy Murray would go on the attack after these appointments only shows her complete lack of understanding of the strengths of the appointees.  I commend Governor Deal on his selections.  Each and every one is outstanding." 

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J. Max Davis, candidate for mayor of Brookhaven, on Friday praised the appointments to the Brookhaven Commission announced by Governor Nathan Deal’s office.

“I appreciate the care with which Governor Deal made these appointments,” Davis said.  “Working together, these commissioners will lay a solid foundation to get Brookhaven started right. They bring a depth of experience, both in business and our community.

“As we work through the upcoming campaigns, I am pleased with the process that allows community leaders to begin the work necessary for us to hit the ground running and keep out the politics,” said Davis. “While our predecessors like Dunwoody and Sandy Springs can give us some direction, I look forward to the Commission meeting and acting quickly. December 17th is just over 10 weeks way and I am confident the Governor's Commission will help put Brookhaven on a solid footing.”

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