At 121 years old and going strong, Tucker is one of the oldest communities in metro Atlanta. In fact, many people think it already is a city. It’s not an awkwardly configured “community of interest” designed to create a city with a specific political, demographic or socio-economic representation. Tucker is an inclusive, thriving community that attracts young families, working professionals, active retirees, new businesses and a range of industry.
Tucker neighbors gather on Main Street for long-standing community celebrations like Tucker Day, a lively farmers market, and shopping at locally owned businesses. Generations of children play in our local parks, and lifelong bonds are nurtured across close-knit neighborhoods.
With so much success, why pursue cityhood? The answer is simple: The Tucker community is taking the next step in ensuring its destiny and prosperity. Incorporating the city of Tucker will formally establish Tucker’s borders to maintain existing neighborhoods, and will create a local government ensuring residents a voice close to home for decisions impacting their future.
In meeting after meeting, Tucker citizens express support for a local government that attracts quality economic development to further enhance financial stability, protects zoning for established neighborhoods, and funds essential services with fiscal responsibility.
The community’s enthusiasm was demonstrated loud and clear when donations from area residents poured in to fund the $30,000 feasibility study in just over a month. And again, when more than 100 people gathered in downtown Tucker to celebrate the results of the feasibility study that confirmed Tucker would thrive as a city with no property tax increase and a surplus to protect citizens from increases in the future.
Community input shaped the decision on initial city service offerings, and the community can determine if there are additional services to be added — such as public works and public safety — that make sense fiscally and effectively as the city advances. The full study is available at www.tucker2014.com.
The feasibility study confirmed what has been true for more than a century. Tucker has all the key ingredients for city viability:
• A well-established brand that attracts a cross-section of residents, business and industry;
• An existing city center in Tucker’s thriving Main Street;
• A mix of residential, commercial and industrial properties critical for a sustainable tax base that protects homeowners;
• Local parks that have been nurtured for years through the “sweat equity” of Tucker citizens;
• Active civic and business groups that have experience working in partnership with DeKalb County to benefit Tucker.
Tucker is positioned for even greater success with full-time city officials immediately able to leverage the solid foundation already in place.
The proposed city of Tucker boundaries follow naturally defined areas traditionally recognized as a part of the Tucker community — including the Northlake Commercial District. Tucker and Northlake business and community leaders have been working in partnership to strengthen this area, and Tucker welcomes the opportunity to harness the benefits of local control for targeted economic development.
The Tucker community is confident the state Legislature will put partisanship aside and grant Tucker citizens the right to vote to take the next logical step in our community’s history. Many state legislators come from small towns across Georgia, and they understand that building a city from a successful, long-standing community like Tucker makes the most sense.
Tucker is more than a destination on every map, a federally recognized community, or a collection of zip codes; it’s our home. The cityhood initiative grew out of a passion for preserving what is special about Tucker today, while ensuring success well into the future as DeKalb County’s next city.
Sonja Szubski is president of Tucker 2014.
