Annexation into Atlanta: what would that mean?

The MANA Working group has done a lot of research on our neighborhood's annexation options. Our survey did not point to Atlanta as preferred annexation goal, but much has happened since we conducted that survey: City of Decatur rejected the notion of including Medlock Park in its annexation map, and a new La Vista Hills city has been mapped but its fate in the coming legislative session is uncertain (if approved, the proposal would still go to a popular vote). Although a number of nearby communities are clamoring to remain unincorporated, many individuals believe that sooner rather than later, north DeKalb neighborhoods all will be incorporated into new or existing cities. If we accept the idea that incorporation is inevitable, it is important to educate ourselves on the impact of joining a new city [such as those being considered in the current legislative session] or joining City of Atlanta.

Comparison of Unincorporated DeKalb Governance vs City of Atlanta
This file also available here [pdf file, updated 1/17/2015]

Comparison shopping: It has been, and continues to be, impossible to create a comparison chart for proposed new cities: they do not have charters in place because they don't exist yet. We can, however, establish a comparison between being in unincorporated DeKalb County and being in City of Atlanta. The MANA Working group has created an extensive comparison table. Rep. Rahn Mayo published an abridged version of this table in a recent newsletter that was distributed to his Medlock constituents recently.

At this time, the MANA Board is not issuing any particular recommendation other than to stay informed and continue to contact our elected representatives to ensure that our neighborhood's concerns are factored into any decisions made during the current legislative session and beyond.

We are working on a new survey to ascertain the wishes of as many residents as possible and planning a MANA community meeting for January (details coming soon) timed to take place before the survey's closing date.

DeKalb County's Homeowner Gardening Series and Plant Sale

via DeKalb's Extension Office

Plant sale includes blueberries,
blackberries, figs, raspberries, ferns,
viburnums,  butterfly bushes,
hydrangeas, azaleas and gardenias. 

DeKalb Cooperative Extension Announces 2015 Homeowner Gardening Series and its 3rd Annual Plant Sale for DeKalb County Residents


DECATUR – DeKalb Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce its 2015 Homeowner Gardening Series [pdf] and its third annual Plant Sale [pdf]. The office will accept orders for the plant sale between January 12, 2015 and March 9, 2015.  The one-day pick up is Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension office.  We have several varieties to choose from including azaleas, blueberries, hydrangeas, gardenias and many more.  In addition, DeKalb County Extension will provide a seminar on “Fruit Trees” on Thursday, January 29, 2015. For everyone who purchases a fruit plant, the fee for the class will be waived. Class will be held at the DeKalb Extension Training Center at 6:45 p.m. Registration is required.

 “Although this is just our third year, we are excited to see this annual sale grow.  We are committed to helping citizens realize and understand the role they play in the beautification and
sustainability of their own neighborhoods, said Jessica E. Hill, Director of the Cooperative Extension office in DeKalb.

Classes include lawn care, alternative
lawns, gardening with native
plants, year-round veg and herb
gardening, landscaping and pruning
basics and much more!

For more information about ordering plants or to learn more about other programs and services, please contact the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension office at 404-298-4080 or visit us at www.ugaextension.com/dekalb.



Lynwood L. Blackmon II
DeKalb County Horticulture Agent
DeKalb County Cooperative Extension
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 200
Decatur, GA 30032
404-298-4087
404-298-3084 Fax
blackmonl@dekalbcountyga.gov

"Is Unincorporated DeKalb a Viable Option?

On the issue of remaining unincorporated, there is a meeting this week that may bring some answers.

"Is Unincorporated DeKalb a Viable Option?"

Acting DeKalb County CEO Lee May and Commissioner Jeff Rader will host a community meeting to discuss this topic on

Thu Jan 15 7:00 pm
Young Israel - 2056 LaVista Road

Per the CHCA site, this meeting has been organized by the Merry Hills and LaVista Park neighborhoods.

Petition to oppose City of Decatur's unreasonable annexation plan

If you live in DeKalb County and want to voice your opposition to Decatur's commercial annexation, please sign this petition.

One question that comes up often is whether renters should sign this petition or be at all involved in the annexation debate. The answer is a resounding YES. If new cities or annexations are approved, changes will come soon and impact everyone living in DeKalb County. Should any cityhood or annexation issue come to a popular vote, all registered voters will be eligible to cast ballots. 

If you would like some context to this petition, please review our other posts under the Nix Decatur's Commercial Annexation tag. 

AJC poll: 69% think new cities in the metro area are a bad idea

The Sunday edition of the AJC featured several items on the 215 legislative session, include a legislative how-to section that includes information on how to contact legislators and track bills.

Also included were the results of several polls [article behind paywall] on issues such as transportation (folks want more emphasis on transportation but don't want to pay for improvements through gasoline taxes), legalizing marihuana (even split) and minimum wage (overall in favor of increasing).

The article closes with the factoid that only 25% of respondent said they supported the creation of new cities in the metro are. "Sixty-nine percent gave the idea a thumbs-down."

Clairmont Heights also opposes City of Decatur's unreasonable commercial annexation

"The Board of the Clairmont Heights Civic Association writes to protest the City of Decatur’s proposed Annexation Master Plan. We respectfully request that you object to legislation related to this plan during the 2015 session of the Georgia General Assembly.... The City of Decatur intends to annex predominantly commercial property historically and geographically connected to our neighborhood without accepting the adjacent residents and families who support these businesses. Their proposal would remove an estimated $8 million in annual tax revenue that supports our local schools while simultaneously cutting our contiguous relationship with these schools. Furthermore, the Decatur proposal negatively impacts other efforts our neighbors are pursuing to secure a strong voice for Clairmont Heights as DeKalb communities contemplate future city boundaries." Read the rest of CHCA's letter to the DeKalb Delegation @ http://clairmontheights.org/node/4385

Adopt a pet!

Ring in the New Year with a New Pet from DeKalb County Animal Services and LifeLine will Waive the Adoption Fee!

Shelter Offering Free Adoptions During the Month of January

 

ATLANTA, GA -- (January 5, 2015)  LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit that manages DeKalb County Animal Services, invites you to adopt a pet for FREE!  Through our “Ring in the New Year with a New Pet” promotion at DeKalb County Animal Services (DCAS), you may adopt any dog, puppy, cat or kitten for no charge!  All adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and more – services with a retail value of over $200!  As always, potential adopters will be screened to ensure the animals go to good homes. 

According to DCAS Shelter Director Susan Feingold, the goal of the promotion is to increase the number of shelter animals who will find homes this year.  “Free adoptions tend to create a buzz of excitement and bring more people into shelters,” she says.  “According to numerous studies, fee-waived promotions increase adoptions without compromising the quality of care that the animals receive.” 

Whatever your needs, likes or limitations, there is a pet (or two) at DCAS right now that is perfect for your household.  For adoption hours, location and pictures of available animals, please visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com.    

About DeKalb County Animal Services

Managed by LifeLine Animal Project, DeKalb County Animal Services provides humane care for animals at the shelter, veterinary care, pet adoptions, pet reclaim services, volunteer opportunities, foster care, and rescue group coordination.  To learn more, please visit www.dekalbanimalservices.com.

 

About LifeLine Animal Project

Founded in 2002, LifeLine Animal Project is a nonprofit organization providing lifesaving solutions to end the killing of healthy and treatable animals in county shelters, promote animal welfare and prevent pet overpopulation in metro Atlanta. As the managing organization for DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services, LifeLine has dramatically increased adoption rates and decreased euthanasia rates by more than half at both shelters.  The organization also operates two low-cost spay/neuter clinics, which have performed 80,000 surgeries to date, and its own rehabilitative, no-kill shelter. Other outreach efforts include its Catlanta trap-neuter-return program, the first and largest in metro Atlanta, for stray and feral cats.  For more information, please visit www.lifelineanimal.org.