Rep. Elena Parent Excluded from Incorporation Talks

State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-80) dropped the Brookhaven Charter Bill  as promised - another step toward the idea of Brookhaven becoming its own city, and another move on the issue without consultation with  Democratic counterpart Rep. Elena Parent (D-81).

Parent first said in last week's town hall meeting hosted by Jacobs on March 29 that she, "did not know, that a map was coming out that included neighborhoods in my district. I would have preferred to, before we were included in the map, be able to try to get a sense of where my community stood."

Parent said she was neither for or against the plan and said she would represent the wishes of her constituents at the State House on the matter.

Parent, who lives in Ashford Park, told Patch that she had not been invited to the Town Hall Meeting by Jacobs, informed about his intention to pass a Charter Bill for Brookhaven, or approached to discuss the issue in general. She learned of the meeting from constituents.

"I welcome an opportunity to work with my colleague and discuss the issue of incorporation," she said.  "When I'm not invited to the table, the residents in the communities I represent have no voice."

Jacobs did not respond to attempts for comment.

Jacobs hosted a Town Hall Meeting that morphed into a standing-room only crowd at Chamblee First United Methodist Church to discuss issues of annexation and/or incorporation of Brookhaven. Groups both for and against the plan expressed both concern and optimism over the possiblity. 

Rep. Tom Taylor and Sen. Fran Millar, both Republican, stood by Jacobs' side during his presentation to the crowd that included a map of areas in Brookhaven and  unincoporated DeKalb County being considered for the plan and his tax bill he used to explain line items for county services. Both legislators, who represent Dunwoody and parts of Brookhaven, support the concept and also fielded questions asked during the Town Hall Meeting.

Jacobs introuded the House Hopper HB 636 "to incorporate the City of Brookhaven in DeKalb County; to provide for a charter for the City of Brookhaven; to provide for incorporation, boundaries, and powers of the city; to provide for general powers and limitations on powers."

The next step, Jacobs said, is perfoming of a feasiblity study to provide a general idea of what the venture would cost.

Read our story about the Town Hall Meeting. Watch the of Jacobs' announcement of his intent to drop the charter legislation.