On Tuesday, we have the opportunity to further solidify the Tucker community by voting to create a City of Tucker. Like many others across the state, it may surprise you that Tucker isn’t a city. “I thought Tucker was already a city!” is a common response from people, even those that have lived in the metro area for decades, when they first learn of Tucker’s efforts to incorporate. That’s because Tucker has been a recognized community locally, by the state and federally — for more than 120 years.
Tucker is a community in the truest sense of the word where neighbors have been working together for generations to benefit everyone who lives here. Through a multitude of organizations, including the Tucker Historical Society, Tucker Civic Association, Tucker Business Association, Old Towne Tucker Merchants, Tucker-Northlake CID, Friends of Tucker Parks and many, many more, Tucker volunteers work to get things done, supporting our neighborhoods, schools, parks and businesses.
So why incorporate?
Cityhood is not a brand new idea for Tucker. It has been discussed as an option throughout our long history. But three years ago, Tucker residents began more serious conversations about cityhood. We were seeking solutions to prevent the loss of tens of thousands of Tucker residents, Tucker businesses and one of Tucker’s gems, Henderson Park, to a neighboring city proposal. It quickly became clear that the next logical step in Tucker’s legacy was incorporation/cityhood. Becoming a city will allow us to protect Tucker’s unique character, preserve our community and build a better future for those who will inherit Tucker when we’re gone.
- It has become critical for Tucker's boundaries to be formalized. Only then can we return our focus to building Tucker's future instead of defending its borders.
- Citizen volunteers can only do so much without dedicated support. Just imagine how much more can be done by combining local experience with a city staff dedicated to Tucker's proposed city services: Planning and Zoning, Code Enforcement and Parks and Recreation.
- Tucker residents and business owners will be the ones making decisions impacting our community's future.
Throughout the three-year process, the Tucker community rallied together, raising money for feasibility studies, educating themselves and making their voices heard with thousands of emails, phone calls and personal pleas to the State Capitol. We survived many emotional ups and downs as the legislature decided Tucker’s fate, and at times we were forced to accept some heartbreaking decisions.
The people of Tucker have worked hard, stayed positive and played fair. We have truly earned the right to vote on Tucker cityhood on Tuesday. We ask you to continue your investment in Tucker’s future by going to the polls and voting “YES” to incorporate Tucker.
The Time for Tucker is now.
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