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DEL.ICIO.USDeKalb lawmakers may fight creation of Dunwoody
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State lawmakers in DeKalb County are dropping very large hints that they’ll file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice to stop the creation of the city of Dunwoody.
State Rep. Stan Watson, who is now running for DeKalb County CEO, said this to CrossRoadsNews, a south DeKalb weekly:
“We have eight attorneys who are actually legislators in the House and they are working on it as we speak. We should have a statement that we can send to the press in the next five to 10 days.”
Dunwoody legislation passed the General Assembly this spring and was immediately signed into law by Gov. Sonny Perdue. But before a July 15 referendum can occur, the process must pass Justice Department scrutiny.
This sounds like the gist of the complaint:
Watson said that the vote on the bill should have been taken only by the 26-member DeKalb delegation — not all 236 members of the General Assembly. The bill passed the House 106 to 60.
“The legislators understand that home rule was violated,” Watson said. “They took a local piece of legislation and made it a general bill that allowed the people from all over the state of Georgia from Valdosta to Rome to Columbus to vote on DeKalb County, and they don’t pay property takes here.”
In other words, a General Assembly controlled by white Republicans thwarted the will of African-American legislators who dominate the DeKalb delegation.
Comments
By Logical Dude
April 29, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Regarding the last paragraph: “In other words, a Generally Assembly controlled by white Republicans thwarted the will of African-American legislators who dominate the DeKalb delegation.”
So, you took a “local power” issue and made it about race?
How did you make that leap?
Why did you make that leap?
What other evidence do you submit that this was a racist move?
By 123
April 29, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
When that giant development at the Briarcliff HS and Adams Stadium passes, start looking for the City of Druid Hills to emerge.
By Bobby
April 29, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
If you dont want that to happen, dont put Burrell Ellis in office as CEO. Check his disclosure reports and you will see SEMBLER money all over it. Burrell Ellis is nothing but a SEMBLER hired hand.Ellis says YES to SEMBLER
By DJ
April 30, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
GEAT A life poeple… If the people of Dunwoody want to be a city then a city they will be. The Federal Gov. should have NO SAY in what the people of Dunwoody want. Dekalb County Gov. is out dated and the leaders have no concept of change!!!!
WE WANT CITY OF DUNWOODY!!
By “I’m not a racist, but this is about race”
May 3, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
Remember this AJC story from Feb. 27th, 2007: “Dunwoody cityhood disturbs south DeKalb”
“I’m not a racist, but this is about race,” said state Rep. Stan Watson (D-Decatur). He accused Dunwoody residents of wanting to “secede from the Union” after blacks seized power in DeKalb.