via the City of Briarcliff Initiative...

The City of Briarcliff Initiative announces Briarcliff has been confirmed to be the most feasible cityhood plan currently proposed for central DeKalb County by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.

Atlanta, GA, December 16, 2013 -- The City of Briarcliff Initiative has scheduled a Tuesday, December 17, 2013 press conference to officially announce the results of an independent cityhood feasibility study. The study, conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia has confirmed that Briarcliff is the most financially feasible cityhood plan currently proposed for Central DeKalb County.

The press conference is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 2:00pm at the Toco Hills Shopping Center near 2105 Lavista Rd. A follow up public meeting to review the results of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government study will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2013, 7:00pm at Briarcliff United Methodist Church (4105 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta GA).

“An independent study has confirmed what so many in central DeKalb already knew that Briarcliff is positioned to be the most sensible city for central DeKalb,” explains Allen Venet, President of City of Briarcliff Initiative. He adds, “Our proposed city has a strong blend of residential, commercial and industrial areas. Our map is smart and does not abandon neighborhoods. We believe the members of this community deserve the chance to publically vote on Briarcliff cityhood.”

Keith Hanks, member of the executive board comments, “The Briarcliff cityhood plan is funded by local citizens. Over 99% of funds donated have come from local residents within the proposed city limits, making this a successful grassroots effort. Our next step includes refining cityhood plans, translating into necessary legal language and presenting as a proof of concept to the Georgia House of Representatives in the next session.”

For more information about the City of Briarcliff Initiative visit briarcliffga.org or facebook.com/briarcliffga.

About City of Briarcliff Initiative:
The City of Briarcliff Initiative, Inc. is a non-profit corporation chartered under the laws of the state of Georgia. The group seeks to enable residents to form a new city government in central DeKalb County that would serve all people within the community and promote the health, welfare, and safety of the general public.

Copyright © 2013 City of Briarcliff Initiative, All rights reserved. 

City of Briarcliff = most viable

The Patch reports that the City of Briarcliff proposal was deemed

 "the most financially feasible cityhood plan currently proposed for Central DeKalb County." Read the rest at The North Druid Hills Patch.

Source: The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia (that also completed the Lakeside feasibility study).

Dog lost now found [Dec 15]

Click to enlarge.

Yay, little Tucker is safely home again.

"Drive Through" Living Nativity [Dec 13, 14 & 15]

From the Clairmont Hills Baptist Church [1995 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033] 

The Living Nativity has become a family tradition for many in this area for more than twenty years. In fact, this will be our 25th year! Come and experience the events that surround the birth of our Savior. From the comfort of your car, you may drive through twelve scenes with live  actors, donkeys, sheep and other stable animals that tell the story of God's plan in sending Jesus.   A cast of over 100 church members and friends participate as angels, wise men, shepherds and other key characters to dramatize this historical event.  

The Living Nativity is our gift to the community; it is absolutely FREE to you! (No donations  accepted.) 

Friday, December 13
7:00-9:00 p.m. 

Saturday, December 14  
7:00-9:00 p.m. 

Sunday, December 15
6:00-9:00 p.m. 

For more information, please call our church office at 404-634-6231.

Galloway reports on recent Chamber of Commerce meeting

Summarizing a recent DeKalb Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting he moderated, Jim Galloway @ AJC reports

- on changes to the CEO position for DeKalb County: there is uncertainty as to what cityhood decisions the legislature will make next spring and thus, it's hard to envision what the County will look like going forward

"...outside of a few uncomplicated fixes, the re-making of DeKalb County’s form of government – something that both Gov. Nathan Deal and acting CEO Lee May want — will have to wait until 2015."

- on DeKalb's city hood movements: the (Republican-controlled) general assembly has supported the creation of new cities in the recent past, but the overlapping nature of the Lakeside, Briarcliff and Tucker proposals creates political land mines:

"Favor one city-building group in this Republican-rich section of DeKalb, and you’re bound to tick off the two others. In an election year, that causes second thoughts."

- on the erosion of the County's tax base: Decatur state representative Mary Margaret Oliver expects the trend to create new cities will continue but she warns against

"a Fulton County-style stampede in which the first communities to become cities grab the most lucrative tax bases – leaving the county government and other cities to survive on leftovers. 

The current land-grab craziness is bad for everyone..."

That last item reads the same whether you talk about cityhood or annexation.

See the whole article at @AJC.

Greetings from new ICS principal

Hello, my name is Alisa Bouer and I am the new interim Principal at ICS. Medlock Park is an amazing community and I would really like to build a partnership and alliance with the Medlock Park Community. We will be having three meet and greets so the community and have an opportunity to meet with me in person. I would love for your community to attend one of the meetings. Please know that I am very committed to our partnership and I look forward to working together. Thank you and have a great day.

Alisa M. Bouer

Interim Principal

International Community School (ICS)

2418 Wood Trail Lane

Decatur, GA 30033

phone # 404-499-8969       fax # 404-499-8968

Alisa.Bouer@ICSgeorgia.org

City of Briarcliff: info session (and pizza!) [Dec 9]

Interested? Confirm attendance by emailing rsvp@briarcliffga.org