When Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Tucker, Milton, and many more set out to achieve cityhood, they were seeking a form of independence to ensure their vote counted in their neighborhood, that their taxes paid for their local problems and that their government was, in fact, local.
It’s the same dream that started centuries ago when our Founding Fathers challenged the almighty King of England and fought the Revolutionary War for the concept of representative government. Fortunately, that war was won and thus began the magical experiment of American democracy.
It was not an easy war to win, as we all remember from our history classes, but it was founded in principle and a war that changed the world forever.
This founding principle continues today for the folks seeking cityhood in Buckhead. Much like in earlier days of Buckhead, the ongoing frustrated voices of people dissatisfied with the policies and actions of their leadership have led to a movement to replace and improve. But now, instead of going to war, what is being sought is the current civil day method of putting the issue up for a vote and letting the voice of the people decide what Buckhead’s future should be. If the current system of leadership is working the voters will decide. If the voters are ready for something new, yet again the voters will decide.
As an inaugural member of the Brookhaven City Council, I can share that many of our experiences were very similar to what Buckhead has been forced to address. After years of complaining to our county management to improve essential services (like police), we finally organized to seek cityhood. The result took three years to realize.
There were a lot of nay-sayers, politicians, businesses, and special interest groups in opposition stating the standard dire consequences that would ensue: a ruin of the financial system, an unnecessary extra level of government, crime won’t be reduced, more politicians for the people not to trust, etc. There was a lot of noise with too many looking to protect their prurient interests. The bottom line is that we did not let that distract us from the goal at hand. We secured the right to vote and worked at educating the populace with the simple truths of what and how we could improve their quality of life. After all was said and done, and the final tally of the vote was completed, we achieved cityhood with the narrow victory margin of only 53 percent.
This result is not uncommon as people tend to be reluctant to change. Fortunately, in every new Georgia city, there’s always a core group of visionary leaders committed to ensuring success. Brookhaven was no exception. If a vote were taken today to gauge the feeling of Brookhaven’s residents and businesses on the value of becoming a city, I would venture the approval rate would well exceed 90%percent. And there is good reason to justify this statement.
We are living proof that smaller government is more effective in fulfilling the needs of the people. By taking only $.065 (yes, 6-1/2 cents) of every dollar paid in taxes by a Brookhaven resident, we consistently achieved results that exceed existing county standards. Consider:
· Established the premiere police force in the region: crime dropped significantly; best response time (averaging under 4 min); among the best paid; initiated our own 911 call center, K-9 force, Drone response program, License Plate Readers (LPRs) at all entry points, regional SWAT Team.
· Recognized regionally for having excellently paved roads.
· Leading the economic development of DeKalb County with $3 billion under development – and an additional $500+ million forecasted with the upcoming re-development of the Buford Highway corridor.
· Over 50 percent of our many parks have been upgraded to meet their 25-year Comprehensive Plan objective; Phase I of our beautiful Peachtree Creek Greenway has been completed with Phases II and III underway to connect to the Beltline. This $35 million project is being paid in full with no tax dollars from our residents.
· Many other points are too numerous to mention.
The right to have the privilege to vote on cityhood for Buckhead will not simply be given to you. Your challenge now is to prove you truly want it. But understand that wanting it means you’ll have to fight for it.
My advice is don’t be discouraged. Go after it harder now than ever before, dig your heels in and don’t give up the dream. You’ll never know what kind of a better Buckhead is waiting just a vote away. It’s yours if you truly believe it’s the right thing to do.
Joe Gebbia is the former Mayor Pro Tempore of the City of Brookhaven
