In most political issues, we try to boil it down to two
sides. Much like a debate, we want to be for or against an issue. The reality
of life in unincorporated south Fulton county is not that way. There are people
who want to be annexed into existing cities, there are people who want to
create their own, new city, and there are people who want things to remain as
they currently exist.
Whenever one option is brought to the surface, the other two
options are naturally cast against it. In the case of annexation, opponents
either want their own city or prefer to be left alone. In the case of a new
city, opponents prefer an existing city or want to be left alone. In the case
of being left alone, both city options state that this cannot happen; at some
point you have to choose or one of the city options will force your hand.
If am confident that the most prevalent opinion of
the residents if forced to make a choice and stick with it would desire to be
left alone. That option doesn't serve either of the city groups well. However,
that opportunity did exist in the Georgia Legislature in 2007-08. The Georgia
Township Act was legislation that would allow something more than
unincorporated lands, but less that a full fledged city. It would have given
some level of protection against annexation. It would have had elected offices,
but not at the level of a mayor and city council. The key services would still
be handled by the county. Town taxation would have been very limited.
To see the old township legislation for yourself, go to http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/Search.aspx
…and under session, select 2007-2008 Regular Session. In Keywords, type township.
You should see HB 651, HB 925, and SB 89. Clicking on these bills, you will see
a First Reader Summary that will give you a basic idea of what is in the bill.
You can see the entire (old) bill in PDF at the bottom of the page.
These days, there are more than enough activists telling the
citizens of unincorporated south Fulton, what you should want. The challenges
of annexation versus a city have been officially active in this community since
2006, yet we still have no resolution. It is well past the time for the
citizens to push back and make their demands for a town, be known. Push your
political representatives to accomplish the things that you want…or find new
people to do those jobs.
If you want to stay as close to the way you are without
external threats, demand it. Let’s take actions to get township laws in Georgia.
Otherwise, people will make decisions for you.
