I see that a CID is :

"Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) are created pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, Article IX, Section 7. A CID is a self-taxing district that allows property owners to proactively address solutions by investing in planning, studies, or real improvements. Utilizing "seed" money, the CID can attract money into the area from federal, state and local government sources to leverage project construction."

But what are the practical issues, both benefits and limitations, of such a status?

A CID can apply for grants and funds that are earmarked for CID specific projects. In the worst case scenario CID’s historically have a 10 to 1 return on their annual CID investment. That means that for $1000 in CID investment, the CID can be awarded funds up to $10,000 for CID managed projects.

By working together the commercial property owners will be able to direct money and efforts towards common goals. While those goals will be decided by the CID board the Tucker CID Formation Committee has identified the goals of: Creating a specialty community look; Encouraging Economic development and exposure by working closely with the county and the Dekalb Chamber of Commerce; enhance public safety and security; and enhance the feel of the community with landscape and general clean-up.

The CID will improve the commercial areas of Tucker which will then encourage business growth which will bring more employees which in turn brings more families into our community.

The primary problems facing this county are crime and a poor education system. The reality is that many Tucker parents feel the only way for their children to get a good education is to seek out a private school. Turn on any local news channel and you will see that close to 50% of the crime stories originate in Dekalb County. These problems keep Tucker from prospering and growing and translate into a relatively weak tax base. Forming a CID and asking business owners to pay more taxes does not address our real problems. Fix the crime and education problems and Tucker can return to the "Mayberry" I experienced in the 60's and 70's as a child.

Regarding crime ~ the CID board may choose to invest in security. This would help the community because the vacant commercial lots, darkened buildings and warehouses would be patrolled and this is where a lot of the crime takes place.

Regarding the state of education problems, In my opinion, we need the citizens of the county to get involved. Tutor at the schools, run for school board, volunteer and make sure the school board knows the citizens hold them accountable. It takes all of us.

It has been proven that throwing money at any problem and asking for government involvement at any level results in an inefficient solution process. Let's look at a neighboring county...Cobb County. This county has a 6% sales tax versus 7% in Dekalb County. Property taxes are significantly lower than Dekalb's and at least four of the top ten public high schools in the state are in Cobb County. In addition, crime is much, much lower than in Dekalb. So, higher taxes don't necessarily equate to a safer and better educated people.

I am interested to see a list of the organizers of the Tucker CID and the commercial properties they personally own in Tucker. You see, its always easy to ask others to pay more. Just ask the "earned income" federal income tax filers if they want to change the tax code so all Americans pay their fair share.

Bill is right about the school issue holding Tucker back in terms of growth. It may even be part of the crime problem as half the students in DeKalb drop out before they graduate.

There will be two opportunities to address the new Superintendent of Schools, Michael Thurmond, about these concerns. I have also heard people say that the cities under consideration could be planning to start their own districts if they can get the voters statewide to approve a change to the state constitution. If that were to happen, significant funds would be removed from the school system leaving Tucker and a few other select areas as the main contributors to the cost of educating a large number of the children left behind in the unincorporated areas. I personally think the CID is a fantastic accomplishment and greatly appreciate what these business owners are agreeing to do to help our area grow, but I am concerned that the timing coincides with the push to cityhood as a necessity to protect our community from being gobbled up by neighboring cities that want our business tax dollars for themselves.

The upcoming meetings with the Superintendent include: TOMORROW: April 17, 2013 - Coralwood Diagnostic Center (next to Oak Grove Elementary) at 9:15 a.m. and April 23rd, 6:30 pm at Brockett Elementary on Brockett Road in Tucker. (Henderson Road is the same thing as Brockett Road, just follow it over LaVista and the name changes.) Thank you.