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AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > March > 31 > Entry
Sandy Spring gets nod from Legislature
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
They had to get two bills passed and work the legislative process down to the final hours, but supporters of a city of Sandy Springs left the state Capitol on Thursday claiming victory.
“I am just thrilled. I am so glad to have the last hurdle cleared,” said state Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Atlanta), sponsor of the legislation.
Willard watched from the back of the state Senate late Thursday night as his bill won final approval with a vote of 35 to 14.
If voters agree, Sandy Springs would become one of the most populous communities to incorporate. Its supporters say that, with about 86,000 residents, it would be America’s largest new city.
For years, legislators from Atlanta persuaded the House’s Democratic majority to block cityhood for Sandy Springs. They continued to lobby against it this year, but the new Republican majority ruled.
In the Senate on Thursday night, Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) objected to the way the proposed city council districts have been drawn. He said the area’s African-American and Latino residents will be split between three districts.
“Not only is this bill a bad bill for Fulton County, the city of Atlanta, the 10 other cities in Fulton County, but it is also in terms of voting rights,” Fort said.
Willard said the group pushing for a city can now begin a campaign for passage of the referendum in June.
“There’s an excellent chance it will be adopted in June,” he said. “It’s a major undertaking — 86,000 people starting from scratch to make a city.”
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