Cityhood legislation rapidly moves ahead

Measures to create the cities of LaVista Hills, South Fulton and Tucker sailed through a committee Wednesday, setting up a vote before the full House of Representatives possibly next week.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approved the legislation that would allow a November referendum to create the cities.

All three of the bills were passed within 10 minutes. Each of the cityhood proposals were introduced in the House on Monday, passed by a subcommittee on Tuesday and given the go-ahead by the full committee Wednesday.

“The ultimate goal is to allow the public to decide how they’re going to be governed, and we’re trying to give them that opportunity,” said Rep. Ed Rynders, R-Albany, the chairman of the committee.

If these cities pass the House, they will then be considered by the Georgia Senate.

Three other communities also are seeking legislative approval to become cities, but their bills haven’t yet been considered. Those potential cities are Greenhaven, Sharon Springs and Stonecrest.