Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2007 > February > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA slice of life from north and south DeKalb County
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Resentment over the looming incorporation of Dunwoody spilled into Wednesday’s meeting of the DeKalb County delegation.
Our colleague Ty Tagami watched as senators and representatives from the county munched sandwiches and discussed legislation, including that pesky bill that calls for a referendum creating a city of Dunwoody.
Should the city of Dunwoody come to pass, the county would lose a healthy chunk of its tax base
That led led state Rep. Michele Henson (D-Stone Mountain) to urge more study about the effect on the county budget.
“Where are we going with this?” asked Henson, whose east DeKalb district would be left behind.
Earnest “Coach” Williams (D-Avondale Estates) represents south DeKalb residents, who also would be left behind.
He had a quiet but frank answer. “Segregating the county,” Coach mumbled.
Williams, who is black, was seated next to Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), who is not.
Millar, a leading proponent of incorporation, heard Williams’ comment, and obviously objected.
“That’s bull [stuff],” Millar said. “Don’t play the race card.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By SharonH
February 8, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Why is it that whenever someone calls a racist on their racism they scream “race card!” You can call it what you want Millar but the truth is the truth. Of course, it is an attempt to segregate that is what the citizens of Dunwoody and North Dekalb want. They have been bitter for years over what they claim is their tax dollars going to support South Dekalb which is a big fat lie that those of us who pay ever increasing property taxes resent. What they really hate is being associated with an increasingly diverse county and they especially hate having Black political representation. Let’s tell the truth now! It’s the same thing going on in North Fulton. White flight doesn’t work, because as they have learned Blacks and Hispanics can move too, so this is merely the next attempt to be segregated. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
By Marty Collier
February 8, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Hooray for Rep. Michelle Henson for calling for more information about how this would affect the rest of the county! What is the big hurry? Since a study is underway to document costs, then the citizens of the whole county are certainly due the facts. We also need to know who will vote on this. If it affects the whole county, then we should all get to vote after having proper information.
By Jim J
February 8, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Dunwoody has been famously racist for decades. I’m surprised it’s taken the Klansmen this long to finally secede. Let ‘em go — nobody needs what they’re offering anyway.
By gorwell
February 9, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
“What they really hate is being associated with an increasingly diverse county and they especially hate having Black political representation.”
Not trying to anger anyone, but I wonder - if blacks prefer to be represented by blacks, is it OK for whites to prefer to be represented by whites?
By Belinda
February 13, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
I agree that additional information is required. The facts will speak for themselves. But the right questions must be asked.
North or South DeKalb - taxpayers in all parts of the County have supported the development on the Northside. The issue is “equity”.
There are many questions, i.e. - Whose tax payments supported the payment of infrastructure / bonds to create a residential Dunwoody before there was a community? Are those bonds paid? Will Dunwoody taxpayers assume the responsibility for those bonds if not paid? Whose income provides revenue for the businesses located in Dunwoody? Is the legislation considering opportunities for revenue sharing?
No community is an island unto itself.