With less than six months to go until election day, supporters of cityhood for Eagle’s Landing are ramping up efforts to get voters behind their cause.
Vikki Consiglio, a leading voice in the cityhood movement, said supporters are visiting the neighborhoods that would make up the proposed city and holding monthly meetings. Thursday, an information session is planned for residents of Villages at Eagles Landing and the Eagles Landing Country Club community at 6:30 p.m. in the Eagle Landing Country Club Ballroom.
“It’s about people learning about their new city,” said Consiglio. “We want to be able to speak with the citizens one on one.”
The decision comes as the battle over the proposal is intensifying.
In May, Stockbridge leaders filed a lawsuit against the Henry County Commission and the Henry Elections Board to keep the referendum off the Nov. 6 ballot. Stockbridge officials oppose the incorporation of Eagles Landing because it would be formed out of half of Stockbridge's current territory.
Consiglio and two others filed a motion on June 7 to intervene in the suit. They argue that Stockbridge is trying to override the will of the General Assembly.
Motions to intervene are filed by parties who are not defendants in a lawsuit, but do have a vested interest.
“The motion to intervene by the three county residents, two of which live in the limits of Stockbridge, is a request that they be able to respond to the allegations proffered by Stockbridge since Stockbridge’s action would limit their right to vote on the question of the incorporation of Eagle’s Landing,” Thompson Kurrie, the group’s attorney said in an email.
Stockbridge leaders have held several meetings and press conferences to argue that a separation from Stockbridge is bad for Eagle's Landing residents and Henry County. They have also said they plan to file a federal lawsuit in the case.
Cityhood backers have mostly laid low for the past two years, shunning the spotlight. Now, with the clock ticking, they’re reaching for a broader audience.
“A lot of people shy away from attending meetings where there’s a lot of cameras.,” said Consiglio, who plans to run for mayor if Eagle’s Landing becomes a city. “We have tried to keep it low key.”
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