Friday, February 29, 2008

DeKalb School System - Capital Improvement Plan update on March 5th

DCPC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

Wednesday, March 5th

Cross Keys High School
1626 North Druid Hills Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319

8:45 refreshments ~ Meeting 9:15 am – 10:30 am

Ms. Pat Pope, Chief Operations Officer will be providing an Update on the DeKalb County School System Capital Improvement Plan

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Dunwoody rises from the ashes


This afternoon the charter legislation for the City of Dunwoody was reconsidered and passed out of the Georgia Governmental Affairs Committee after failing to pass in the same committee just several weeks ago.

In order for the citizens of the proposed city to have a vote there are still several legislative hurdles to overcome, next is the Rules Committee and then the debate will again move to the House floor.

Today's historic reversal is only one step of a still very long process where anything can happen.

Dunwoody Bill being revived? CBS46



Fran Millar & Jill Chambers discuss the possibility of the Dunwoody Bill being revived in committee. 2/25/2008

Brook Run Skate Park revenues, attendance lagging



The Crier; Feb 26, 2008

DeKalb County Parks and Recreation officials are looking at expanding the concessions, offering training and holding tournaments at the Brook Run Skate Park as they try to close the gap between the operating expenses and revenue. However, DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones resisted a suggestion to raise the fees at the February 19 board of commissioners work session.

Since the opening on July 28, 2007, fees from skaters and BMX bike riders have totaled $48,279 and the county has netted $10,430 from concession machines. Meanwhile personnel expense at the skate park has reached $66,798. In its presentation on the first five months of operations, the Parks Department did not mention the cost of electricity for the 27,000-square foot lighted skate park.

DeKalb County Associate Parks Director Marvin Billups said 3,555 people have registered to use the park and signed waivers. Of these, 77 percent were DeKalb County residents, 15 percent were other Georgia residents and 8 percent lived outside the state.

“In the early going, we thought we were going to have a premier facility and everybody from everywhere was going to come in,” Billups said. There has been little marketing beyond the immediate area, but a Canadian and a national magazine have featured the new skate park, he added.

Commissioner Jeff Rader noted the annual pass for DeKalb youths for the skate park was $40, the same as a two-month pass for county swimming pools. While swimming pools draw from a limited area, the state-of-the-art skate park could pull from Fulton and Gwinnett Counties and still have access for DeKalb residents, he said. Rader suggested the county promote the skate park in skater publications and at skate shops and consider raising the fees.

“Given the tight budget, it is a top priority to avoid subsidizing programs where it makes sense,” Rader said, adding that the county might have to raise taxes to fund the skate park. He pointed out bonds paid for the capital expenses. “It seems reasonable that those people using it should pay toward the operating expenses.”

“We did not build that facility with the primary purpose of making money. We built that facility as a quality-of-life facility,” Jones said, adding that the Parks Department was not in the business of managing a chief money-raising operation and he was more concerned with the accurate accounting of money from the facility.

“That is a public park and I don’t want to discourage young people from coming to that park,” the CEO said. “Their parents are paying for it.”

To attract more regional users to the park, Commissioner Larry Johnson asked if a BMX bike tournament was included in the strategic plan. In response, Parks Director Marilyn Boyd Drew said she did not have a completion date for the plan, which would include regional tournaments.

Admission fees for DeKalb residents are $3 for youths and $4 for adults, and for non-residents, $5 for youths and $6 for adults. Annual passes cost $40 for DeKalb youths, $50 for DeKalb adults, $60 for non-resident youths and $70 for non-resident adults. Of the annual passes issued, 222 went to DeKalb youths, 68 to DeKalb adults, 81 to non-resident youths and 48 to non-resident adults.

There have been 11,844 visitors to the skate park so far.

“We were looking for something for teenagers to do,” Billups said.

While 58 percent of the skate park users were between 16 and 25 years old, nine percent were between 46 and 55 years old. Skaters ranged in age from five to 62. Because of the older demographics and the staffing, the skate park has not had the discipline problems that other skate parks had, Billups said. The skate park also has a security camera and monitors.

Billups said plans under consideration included selling merchandise and hot food such as pizza at the skate park, holding a skating camp this summer, providing training tapes on monitors, and installing a change machine and wireless computer connectivity for parents.

In June 2007, the Parks Department reported that their survey of eight organizations indicated operating budgets for skate parks ranged from $75,000 to $200,000 and the average revenue was $135,000 with an average annual attendance of 30,000.

Questions remain on Peachtree Intersection Improvement, Where are the cross walks?


The traffic lights have been hung and the parking lot at Peachtree Middle School is finally open but questions remain regarding the completion of a few final details.


In an e-mail to the DeKalb Public Works Department I asked when the Peachtree intersection project will be completed by installing the left hand turn lane into the school, restriping the crosswalks & roadway and installing curb cuts on the East Side of N. Peachtree Road?

The final copy of the intersection plan includes these elements and they were confirmed by DeKalb Public Works in January but there has been little movement on the project since the parking lot opened; therefore I figured I would ask on the projects status.

I have also received several phone calls from residents regarding the need to improve the timing signal for Kings Point Drive by shorting the wait time and I informed the county of this needed improvement as well.

Hopefully the county acts on these items quickly.

Monday, February 25, 2008

DeKalb Park Master Plan redo costs $249,600.00 - Open Records Request

In 2000, the DeKalb County Parks Department contracted with the community planning firm EDAW for a 10 year DeKalb County Park and Recreation Strategic Plan. In 2006, EDAW was again contracted to perform another 10 year strategic plan for the DeKalb County Park system, at the cost of $249,600.00. In June of 2007, the county held five community meetings where I and several of my neighbors attended to give our feedback on future park development. I recently inquired as to the status of the new park master plan and when I didn’t get a reply, I filed an open records request for the complete bid package including the statement of work and the final contract as well as all correspondence or reports between EDAW, their contractors, & the county.

The DeKalb Purchasing Department has already provided me the first half of the information requested which shows the cost of $249,600 and a completion date of February 16, 2008. I am now expecting a reply from the Parks Department, as to the availability of the final report as well as any correspondence between EDAW and the parks department regarding this project. By State Law, they should be replying to my request within three business days which should be later today.

I guess we will soon see if this quarter million dollar investment was well spent? My guess is that the money would have been better spent updating and maintaining dilapidated recreation center air conditioning units so that those facilities could be usable in the heat of summer. But that is only a guess.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

DeKalb County - Police Staffing & Raises, up for a vote on Tuesday, 1% millage increase?


As a friend of the DeKalb Police Department, I fully support the officers who serve and I agree with Chief Bolton that vast improvements need to be made on the current staffing levels of the Department, especially at the uniform level. At this upcoming Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners Meeting, I am told that the County will be presenting two Police items up for approval. Supposedly, a 4% pay raise per year for three years (in addition to the annual merit increases), as well as an additional 125 officers per year for the next four years. In order to pay for these expenditures, I am told that a 1% millage increase will also be proposed to fund these items.

The other items in Chief Bolton’s "Road to Success Action Plan", such as tasers, video cameras, and take home cars, are still on the Chief's agenda; but officer pay & increased staffing are the top priorities.

On February 12th, Chief Bolton and his management team spoke to the Dunwoody North Community and faced some tough questions on increased crime & slow response times. The Chief answered the best he could and he introduced the new Interactive Community Police officers now dedicated to the area. The Chief is not a politician; he only tells the CEO & the BOC what he needs to do the job and the rest is up to them. Hopefully before any tax increase is levied, I would hope that the County has done everything within their power to streamline the process so that more officers have the time and resources available to patrol & answer 911 calls.

For example, the City of Atlanta just requested that the Georgia State Police cover the interstates for accidents and the Georgia Department of Public Safety was happy to step in to fill the roll. Wouldn’t this same agreement for DeKalb County save 1,000’s of work hours which could be used to fight crime? If the GSP isn’t available, maybe the City of Doraville could assist since they have a proven record of enforcing the speed limits on the interstates they patrol? Have you ever seen Cobb County work I-75; why can’t DeKalb work I-285 the same way? If funding is the problem, maybe it’s inadequate revenue collection that needs to be rectified? According to an AJC editorial, the DeKalb Recorders Court seems to turn away money from people who want to pay for their speeding tickets but can’t due to an antiquated computer system and an understaffed court system.

For the sake of the officers on the street, I hope that they get both the additional officers as well as the increase in pay; my only question is whether or not the department could have squeezed a little more efficiency out of the operations to fund the increased expenses.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Swim, Kids, Swim on the Dunwoody North Swim Team. Non-Members Welcome


2008 DNDC Fins swim team registration is this Sunday, February 24th from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Dunwoody North Clubhouse.

Dues for the 2008 season are $95.00 for club members if received by May 1st. After May 1st, dues are $105.00. Family maximum is $240.00.

Non-members may join the swim team for an additional $50.00 per swimmer with a family max of $240.00. The additional $50.00 fee applies to each swimmer and is not part of the max.

Only registered and paid swimmers can participate at practice and meets. If your swimmer needs a trial period, we can hold checks until Wednesday May 28th. One person from each swimmer’s family is required to volunteer during one half of each meet. You can sign up for specific positions at the February 24th registration.

If you have any questions please contact Carolyn Facteau at 770-936-8633

Dunwoody HS Soccer Benefit @ Flemings's Steakhouse on Sat Feb 23rd for Lunch


If you haven't experienced Fleming's yet, here is your opportunity for an outstanding meal at a great price, which will also support Dunwoody High School's Soccer Team.

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR
4501 Olde Perimeter Way,
Atlanta GA 30346
770-698-8112

Contact Mike Mey at ameyzing@comcast.net or 404-403-2274

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Red Cross - Babysitter's Training Course at Zabin Park

SUN., March 23 & 30 • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

TUES., April 8 • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The American Red Cross Babysitter Training course offers participants the opportunity to learn the skills that every parent looks for in a babysitter.

If you are a tween or teen (ages 11 - 15) you can get the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for infants and school-age children. Learn how to make good, responsible decisions and keep children in your care safe.

This 6 hour course provides participants with safety, basic child care, safe play, first aid and critical emergency action skills. Other topics include interviewing for a babysitting job, diapering and feeding techniques.

This course includes training on how to handle emergency or illness; choose safe and age-appropriate toys and games; and how to handle bedtime issues.

To register at the discounted member rate of $85.00, click here and state that you are a member and list "Dunwoody North" as your MJCCA Member Number. Please note that participants enrolled in the March course must attend both sessions to be certified.

Dear Moms & Babysitters, if there is enough interest by Dunwoody North Residents, the instructor, Ms. Michelle Resnick has offered scheduling a course specifically for our neighborhood association. Please contact Michelle for more information.

Michelle Resnick
Teen Connection Program Associate

Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta

5342 Tilly Mill Road

Dunwoody, GA 30338

Phone: 770-395-2647

Fax: 770-396-9568

E-Mail: michelle.resnick@atlantajcc.org

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Skateboard Lessons @ Brook Run - Every Sat 9 am


Skateboard lessons are being offered by the staff of the Brook Run Skate Park, every Saturday morning from 9 am to 12 noon. Each child is required to have their own skate board and helmet. Pads are not required but highly recommended. These group lessons which take place prior to the parks official opening are ideal for young skaters who would prefer to have a little extra space. The $25 fee covers not only the lesson but also the days admittance fee.

A waiver which also contains the park rules must be signed in the presence of park staff. For more information about the Brook Run Skate Park or group lessons, please contact the Manager, Mr. John Korg at 770-394-5703.

Brook Run Skate Park
4770 N. Peachtree Rd., Dunwoody 30338

770-394-5703


Daily Fee - Youth: $3 (DeKalb Resident), $5 (non-resident);
Adult: $4 (resident), $6 (non-resident)

Hours of Operation
M - F 3 pm to 10 pm
Sat 10 am to 10:30 pm
Sun 12 noon to 10:30 pm

BMX Bikes Only
Tuesday 6 - 10
Thursday 3 - 5
Sunday 12 - 2

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Dunwoody reacts to Jill Chambers vote against City of Dunwoody

In today's Dunwoody Crier the citizens of the community have reacted to Rep. Jill Chambers vote against the city by posting several letters to the editor. Below are a few comments that I felt were worth sharing.

http://www.thecrier.net/articles/2008/02/12/columnists/editorial/imolundsten.txt

What Ms Chambers did was embarrassing. Her expression of concern for the people of Dunwoody smacks of insincerity. I cannot recall if she has ever attended a DHA board meeting. No one I know has ever seen her at a DHA annual meeting where attendance is regularly 500 residents or more.

The questions she asked in front of the committee were done for political purposes. She had had the bills for months in their current form and not once did she ask any members of the Dunwoody Committee for clarification or explanations. She never raised these last-minute concerns to Rep. Millar who sits just two seats away from her on the house floor. To the best of my knowledge she never once attended any of the City of Dunwoody meetings to get more information. In fact, she sat with members of the committee and agreed in writing not to question the bill in front of the House committee. Instead she played dirty politics and sabotaged years of work for her own political gain. She decided that she knew best and would protect the people of Dunwoody from themselves. She knows better than I what taxes I would or would not be willing to pay. She would be the all-knowing mother superior, protecting her flock from the evils of free democratic choice. She, out of the goodness of her heart will protect the citizens of Dunwoody from choosing for themselves how they want to live and be governed.

She shot down your right to choose, not whether or not we should be a city. Whether you are for or against a city, her actions are insulting.

Ms Chambers then hides behind a press release that supports a “Township” of Dunwoody. She fails to mention that the township bills are nowhere near becoming law and mandate a tax increase to pay for what by law, IS another layer of government. How hypocritical can a person be?

http://www.thecrier.net/articles/2008/02/12/letters/letters.txt

Another letter stated... Ms. Chambers is obviously a "prima donna" who has to be the center of attention. She never had any intention of voting "yes" on the measure, and feels a sense of power at being the one person to defeat the measure. Her vote comes as no surprise in an age in which voters are given no reason to trust politicians. She also added a new measure of distrust in that other politicians can no longer trust her. She lied to the voters and to fellow Republican legislators. It is a shame that she can't be added to Speaker Richardson's enemy list and stripped of all assignments in the legislature.

If you were unable to visit the 1/31 Governmental Affairs meeting, here is the official 2 hour video provided by the Georgia House of Representatives:

http://media.legis.ga.gov/hav/08/comm/gaff/gaff013108.wmv

Monday, February 11, 2008

DeKalb Police Chief to speak at DNCA Annual Meeting on Tuesday

Reminder: This meeting is Tuesday Evening at the DNDC Clubhouse.

The Dunwoody North Civic Association invites you to attend our annual meeting on Tuesday evening to listen to DeKalb Police Chief, Terrell Bolton. DeKalb County Commissioners Elaine Boyer & Kathie Gannon have also been invited so that they may hear any concerns that you have regarding the police services provided by the county and act accordingly to make improvements.

If you want improved police services, I urge you to show up at the DNDC Clubhouse at 6:45 pm & let your voices be heard.


DeKalb County Police Chief, Terrell Bolton has agreed to be the featured speaker at the Dunwoody North Civic Association annual meeting taking place on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the Dunwoody North Driving Clubhouse, 4522 Kingsgate Drive at 7 PM. Chief Bolton will probably be addressing a number of issues taking place within the Department, including his "Road to Success Action Plan" which calls for the hiring of new officers as well as the Departments switch over to Interactive Community Policing.

If you have any comments or concerns regarding DeKalb's police services, Chief Bolton and his staff will be available for questions after his presentation.

Information on the Chief's Action Plan and other police topics previously discussed on this blog can be found at the link below.

http://dunwoodynorth.blogspot.com/search/label/Police

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Jill Chambers spouts FUD tactics to justify her denial of Dunwoody's self detemination

Despite repeated pledges to support the referendum allowing Dunwoody residents to vote on incorporation, Representative Jill Chambers voted against the bill in the Government Affairs Committee of January 31, 2008 causing the bill to fail by a single vote.

It is worth noting that the bills presented this year are identical to the bills presented last year, which Representative Chambers voted in favor of.

Thanks Jill for saving us from ourselves! What would we do without you?

Jill Chambers just saved 40,000 people from deciding for themselves on the feasibility of a City of Dunwoody. Thanks Jill for doing that otherwise we would have had until September to review copious amounts of financial data to determine if a city would work or if it was still desired even under a slight tax increase.


REPRESENTATIVE JILL CHAMBERS VOICES SUPPORT FOR SELF DETERMINATION FOR DUNWOODY

ATLANTA—Georgia State Representative Jill Chambers (R-Atlanta) today issued the following statement expressing her support for the creation of a Township of Dunwoody.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that I completely support the creation of Township of Dunwoody and the right of the residents of that area to vote on that issue,” Chambers said. “I believe that the best form of government is that which is closest to the people. “But I also believe in the right of citizens to know the cost of their government, and to know how their taxpayer dollars are being spent to create and run the local government,”

Chambers continued. “I believe in doing things right the first time, especially when we are spending other people’s money to do it. Openness and transparency at all levels of government is necessary.

“While the feasibility report regarding cityhood for Dunwoody shows that a city could be viable, the tax revenue projections are based upon collection of taxes destined to be repealed and a revenue bill passed last year that will be tied up in expensive lawsuits with the county. This creates a real risk of creating a deficit for the proposed fledgling city that would have to be made up with higher property taxes.

“A Township of Dunwoody gives local citizens the control they want regarding zoning and parks, but will not cost as much as an incorporated city. It would be prudent and fiscally responsible to first create a local form of government that will be solvent. A city of Dunwoody would have raised taxes both inside the new city and for the citizens in the unincorporated parts of the county.

“It is my sincerest hope that we can now move forward with meaningful discussions about the financial implications and obligations that will accompany the creation of the Township of Dunwoody. The citizens of this area deserve nothing less than honest and open dialogue. I remain committed to giving the citizens the right to vote on self determination and to continue working with my colleagues to make that vote happens.” ###

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Crier - Analysis: Chambers had agreed to bills


The Crier article below shows that Representative Jill Chambers met with the Citizens for Dunwoody as well as other State representatives and agreed to support the Dunwoody bills with no further changes. A letter from Rep. Fran Millar documented the conversations to the Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman, Austin Scott and he also copied Speaker of the House, Glenn Richardson & Rep. Chambers.

Rep Millar states that he has been ambushed by a fellow legislator and from the looks of the conversation, it is hard to say otherwise.


http://www.dunwoodynorth.org/images/Millar_letter_to_Austin_Scott.pdf


By Dick Williams for The Crier, 2/5/08

For all of her public questions, press releases and web postings about taxes, the fact is that state Rep. Jill Chambers (R-Doraville, Chamblee) interposed herself between the people of Dunwoody and their right to vote on their form of government.

Her flip-flop last week in a House committee - changing her position and preventing a referendum in Dunwoody - was clouded by a haze of her questions and worst-case scenarios.

The essential question to be answered was whether Dunwoody residents were intelligent enough to vote on incorporation, as were residents of Sandy Springs.

“Once a cityhood bill is passed,” said state Rep. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), “citizens have months to study the research gathered by volunteers and experts and decide for themselves if the numbers work.”

“The people of Dunwoody were once again denied their right of self determination,” said Oliver Porter, former chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Sandy Springs and an expert on new cities. “Unfortunately, Republican Rep. Jill Chambers who represents a very small number of Dunwoody homes was the most vocal in opposition and cast the deciding vote against the bill. It is a shame. The people of Dunwoody deserve better.”

In the view of many in the Citizens for Dunwoody - volunteers who have worked thousands of hours on the feasibility of a city of Dunwoody - what Chambers did after the committee vote was to add insult to injury.

Less than 24 hours after her vote to kill a referendum, she issued a press release under the headline, “Representative Jill Chambers voices support for self determination for Dunwoody.”

The release pledged her support for the right of Dunwoody to become a township, with control of zoning and parks. She did not mention that township legislation has not yet passed the General Assembly.

A few board members of the Citizens for Dunwoody contacted refused comment on what most privately call treachery. Most of her constituents live in cities.

The history of Chambers and the Dunwoody bills is complicated. Ken Wright, president of the Citizens for Dunwoody, noted that she has not attended a single CFD meeting, nor has she ever asked for information or raised a question.

After her performance last year in denouncing the bill and then twice voting for it, Millar and Wright decided to anticipate any objections in 2008.

At a lunch meeting with them and with state Rep. Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell), vice-chairman of the Government Affairs Committee, Chambers agreed to support the Dunwoody bills with no changes and no further antagonistic questions.

Millar wrote the committee chair, state Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton), with copies to Geisinger and Chambers of the agreement all had reached.

Despite the agreement, Chambers began raising new questions. At a meeting of the DeKalb House delegation, she peppered the county’s finance director with new issues. A few days before the hearing, she delivered questions to Millar.

“Many questions asked by Representative Chambers were already answered by me and I had no warning that she had any problems with the legislation,” Millar said “We sit two seats apart and nothing was said to me in spite of the fact that I had asked everyone in the committee (Republicans) to come see me if they had any issues. Bottom line, I was ambushed by a fellow Republican whom I have supported financially and on her legislation and her actions speak for themselves. Chairman Scott was the one who lived up to his word on this.”

The fate of the Dunwoody bills is uncertain. As long as the General Assembly is in session, some hope for them exists. But Wright has written his board suggesting that the matter might wait until next year.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Crier - Chambers' flip-flop downs Dunwoody vote


By Dick Williams, The Crier, 2/5/08

A state House committee, by a 7-6 vote, defeated a bill Thursday setting a referendum to create a city of Dunwoody. The bill, in its third year before the General Assembly, was expected to pass along party lines, but state Rep. Jill Chambers (R-Doraville, Chamblee), a resident of Dunwoody North, changed her vote of April 2007 and voted against allowing Dunwoody residents to choose their own form of government.

The bill passed the House Government Affairs Committee last year, with Chambers voting for it. When the bill reached the House floor, Chambers denounced it and then voted for it. The state House voted the bill down. In last year's vote, the length of the debate and the hour caused many representatives to be absent.

Last week, Chambers and one other Republican voted against the bill. The reaction of state Rep. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody) was blunt.

“Bottom line,” he said “I was ambushed by a fellow Republican whom I have supported financially and on her legislation. Her actions speak for themselves.”

Last week’s vote in the Government Affairs Committee was expected to follow party lines, with Republicans in the majority to pass it. Far fewer opponents attended to testify against Dunwoody. Millar was the lead proponent, occasionally asking for facts from members of the Citizens for Dunwoody. The committee also heard from Dr. Paula Yeary, whose Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia updated expected revenue and expense estimates in the event the new city were approved by voters. Her numbers showed a sizable surplus.

Several DeKalb County state legislators and Commissioner Kathie Gannon - whose district includes Dunwoody - spoke against the bill.

Some, like Gannon, supported a referendum for Dunwoody, but opposed including the Perimeter Center business district in the city boundaries.

State Rep. Stan Watson (D-DeKalb) who chairs the county legislative delegation and is running for chief executive officer, agreed with Gannon.

“For the record,” he said, “I am in favor of a city of Dunwoody. For the record, I am not in favor of including the PCID.”

Watson also said he had been “disrespected” because the Dunwoody bill were brought to the floor of the state House instead of going through the delegation as local legislation.”

State Sen. Ronald Ramsey (D-DeKalb) angrily charged that the legislation was “done in the dark.”

“We will have an economic boycott against the entire Dunwoody community and the PCID,” he said.

Speaking for the referendum was Oliver Porter, who chaired the Governor’s Commission on Sandy Springs.”

“I’ve looked at the numbers and Dunwoody can support itself,” said the author of a book on new cities. “There are three major developments in Perimeter impacting roads, schools and neighborhoods while increasing the population by 50 percent. Dunwoody can’t vote on those. That is Dunwoody’s business district. To take the PCID out of Dunwoody is to take Peachtree Street out of Atlanta.”

Still, it was Chambers’ incessant questioning that dominated the proceedings.

Contrary to a written agreement that she would support the 2007 Dunwoody bills with no changes, Chambers questioned if Dunwoody would receive $1.6 million in Homestead Option Sales Tax funds if DeKalb County sued to retain the dollars. The county has been fighting the issue with other cities for seven years.

Chambers noted two bills in the legislature to do away with utility franchise fees and taxes on insurance premiums. Those bills would affect not just Dunwoody but every city in the state.

“Her point about what happens if the insurance premium tax was eliminated has been around for a decade,” Millar said, “and the industry lobbyist says that legislation isn't going anywhere soon. It’s the same with franchise fees. Cities depend on them.”

When DeKalb’s Finance Director, Dr. Michael Bell, told the committee that the county pays $500,000 a year for street lighting in Perimeter Center, Chambers said she was shocked.

“Gosh,” she said, “I’m astonished to find out about the electricity cost. I’m just astonished.”

She also complained that nothing in the legislation specified that Dunwoody would contribute $1.5 million a year to Perimeter Center, as DeKalb does now. In the proposed budget of the Citizens for Dunwoody, the contribution is specified.

A resident of Dunwoody, Bob Speice, appeared to please committee Democrats. One of them, state Rep. Alan Powell, asked him to testify a second time. Speice said he thought the Dunwoody Homeowners’ Association did a great job on zoning issues and made another layer of government unnecessary. But he said he didn’t believe citizens were informed.

“I can say the dissemination of information in Dunwoody is poor,” Speice said. Veterans of the Dunwoody Homeowners’ Association do not recall him as a volunteer there.

In the end, Chambers championed the argument that a city of Dunwoody could cause a tax increase for its residents and for the rest of DeKalb County. She said she couldn’t in good conscience cause that.

A companion bill to the referendum legislation was a measure outlying how county properties would be transferred. The committee voted to table it.

Porter and others said later that the properties bill was not necessary if the referendum bill passed and Dunwoody residents decided to create a city. The precedent for property transfers to new cities was established by Sandy Springs, Milton and Johns Creek, the new cities in Fulton County.