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Health & Fitness

Who is Really Behind These New Cities?

How can any of these groups claim to represent the sentiment of the residents when they spend the majority of their time at meetings simply trying to justify their reasons for coming together in the first place?

I do not want to start a huge political debate here for many reasons, but there are some questions that have bothered me about the new city movement in the place I have often heard called "Democratic DeKalb."  Mainly, I'm concerned that it appears to be purely a Republican-driven initiative to start new cities in our county and it is mainly supported and organized by would-be politicians who have not been elected in their communities.  

In other words, we have people whom we have specifically gone to the ballot box and said we do NOT agree to these individuals as being qualified to represent us.  They do NOT speak for the majority of voters who have, instead, selected another candidate.  Yet, here they are.  Every new city under consideration right now can be tied back to someone who has not been able to gain favor by the voters in that particular area. 

That would not be as big of a concern if the movements were essentially an open book, allowing us to review their list of donors, and read about their board members.  But, take Tucker, for example.  We appear to have a rotating panel of speakers depending on the audience.  Again, that might not be a problem for some, except for the fact that they are simultaneously shutting others out of their decision making team.  

Save Tucker! is a group that formed immediately upon hearing about the Lakeside City map and we were clearly interested and involved in anything we could do to help with a response from our community.  But, many of the people who have emailed us or responded to our Facebook posts have told us that they have volunteered time and have not been contacted to help.  Many of us have tried to ask questions, but we continue to run up against a brick wall.   We are all Tucker residents, so if we are truly working for the best possible outcome in Tucker, why are we being brushed off, while other leaders from other peripheral communities are being pushed to the forefront, speaking to legislators and the media, as if they are representing everyone?  
How can any of these groups claim to represent the sentiment of the residents when they spend the majority of their time at meetings simply trying to justify their reasons for coming together in the first place?  

If cities are formed due to an uprising of the citizens, shouldn't the average citizen at least have a basic understanding about why there is talk about starting a city, especially in their own community?  

But, obviously, many people do not understand.  Otherwise, why would so many residents from the Evansdale community attend a recent public meeting (held by Reps. Scott Holcomb and Coach Williams) to voice their concerns over having their elementary school redistricted?  Why would they think there was any doubt in the minds of the legislature as to what city they wanted to be included in?  Isn't this small portion of Evansdale/Tucker the ONLY part of our area that Sen. Fran Millar actually has in his territory?  Aren't they the ones who specifically spoke up to request the City of Lakeside?  

If THEY aren't even sure why the City of Lakeside was called for and THEY are the ones who reportedly asked for it, then how is anyone else supposed to know what is going on here?  Don't they realize that the only reason there is even talk about including them in a city of Tucker is because THEY were specifically named as being the community that wanted a city of Lakeside for reasons completely unrelated to the schools?  Now they are afraid of being left out of Lakeside?  Is that even possible?

If we are all trying to get away from something that is not working, then why are we not filling up the Q&A time at these meetings with ideas that are... well, new and different?  And why would any group wish to leave questions unanswered or volunteers without projects?  Instead, the city advocates try to downplay any reason for concern.  They say, "Don't worry, it isn't that much money," or "Don't worry, we aren't trying to leave DeKalb County," or "This has nothing to do with the schools."  

If it has nothing to do with any of the things that we, as residents, have been speaking up to complain about, then what DOES it have to do with?  WHO will benefit?  HOW?  I wish I could say that I was 100% behind the proposed city of Tucker, but ... I just don't know how a huge city makes sense for the community that was perfectly happy being a small town.

I was never against the idea of a city, but I haven't seen much that has made me want one either.  There must be a better way to protect your historic borders than by creating a city that doesn't even resemble the community you started out trying to protect.  


"Like" us on Facebook if you would like to remain updated on this subject as it moves along.  Save Tucker! is not affiliated with any political party or city group.  We are a discussion and news sharing group of concerned residents who are seeking the truth.  www.facebook.com/SaveTuckerFromLakesideCity

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