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Rep. Drenner will introduce annexation bills on behalf of Decatur, Avondale Estates, Clarkston

Annexation and new cities Avondale Estates Decatur Metro ATL

Rep. Drenner will introduce annexation bills on behalf of Decatur, Avondale Estates, Clarkston

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State Rep. Karla Drenner. Source: Facebook

State Rep. Karla Drenner. Source: Facebook

This story has been updated. 

State Rep. Karla Drenner, D-Avondale Estates, intends to introduce three annexation bills today, but told Decaturish that the bills may not be successful before the end of the current session.

Drenner made her announcement via Nextdoor.com, a social networking site that disseminates information at a neighborhood level.

She said she will introduce bills related to Clarkston’s annexation, portions of Decatur’s annexation plan that encompass her district, primarily on the city’s eastern border, and the Avondale Estates Annexation Master Plan.

On the website, Drenner suggested she still had some reservations about the Avondale plan, in spite of the recent election of Jonathan Elmore as mayor. While the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Elmore’s victory made Drenner feel confident moving forward with a bill, Drenner has reassessed the results of the election.

“I know that there are still concerns associated with this proposal; I also realize that the Mayor’s race was not a conclusive indicator, as I was led to believe while the candidates were running,” Drenner wrote. “(Note: I did look at all of the websites for their positions on annexation and people do flip-flop; I did watch the petition results (despite the fact that some said that they would not sign because it was too public). I have sought some level of correlation relying and respecting on our representative form of government.”

Drenner elaborated on her post saying that there will be another mayoral election in November, and Elmore is expected to run again. She is looking to that election for a clearer indication of which way voters are leaning on the annexation issue.

“This is an interim mayor they’ll have another election cycle in November and perhaps they’ll make it clear one way or the other whether they want to proceed forward,” Drenner said.

She also said that the current thinking is none of the annexation bills are going to move forward this year.

“Some of the rumors are that none of the annexations are going to go forward this year,” she said. “That’s what I’ve heard on the city side.”

Drenner said she is also not sure about the chances of the cityhood bills moving forward this year.

The borders of LaVista Hills and Tucker have changed again, and state Rep. Buzz Brockway, R-Lawrenceville, one of five appointed members who created the compromise map last year, said he’s not too happy about it.

“I gave my word to the people of both city hood groups that I would not support changes to that line and I will be true to my word,” he said in a Facebook post. “The Legislative process is far from over but in their present form, I stand now opposed to both the LaVista Hills and Tucker bills.”

Here is Drenner’s full post on Nextdoor.com.

Neighbors,

I wanted to let everyone know in advance that tomorrow at the DeKalb delegation meeting (12pm or upon adjournment, room 405 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building) I will have read three local bills that have to do with annexations. First, Clarkston’s annexation, this bill passed late last session and did not get on the ballot properly and thus voters had to request a special ballot. http://www.clarkstonga.gov/index.php/i-w…

Second, Decatur, I will be introducing sections B-3, C & E of Decatur’s plan (does not include Suburban Plaza), this annexation only coincides with the areas that I represent. All other areas in Decatur’s Master Plan have not been introduced. http://www.decaturga.com/index.aspx?page…
http://m.ajc.com/news/news/local/decatur…

Lastly, and of note for Avondale Estates, is the map highlighted in the link below minus Decatur Terrence. (When you look at the data make sure and delete Decatur Terrence from the totals.) I know that there are still concerns associated with this proposal; I also realize that the Mayor’s race was not a conclusive indicator, as I was led to believe while the candidates were running. (Note: I did look at all of the websites for their positions on annexation and people do flip-flop; I did watch the petition results (despite the fact that some said that they would not sign because it was too public)). I have sought some level of correlation relying and respecting on our representative form of government.

I understand that some residents inside of the City want more questions to be answered; some believe that it is not about the questions as much as it a “way of life”; and then others are goring a dead ox….

Then to those that live outside of the City, they have shown their support thru petitions and public meetings and by spending their money within the City of Avondale Estates, they also have made their case clear.

I would like to protect all of these potential areas from any encroachment, introducing the map does not mean that the map as is passes… it does mean that when it gets to the Senate, another Mayoral election can occur, more information can be obtained and the areas outside of Avondale can reevaluate if there are other alternatives that would be amenable. I know that all of us would like for some certainty and stability to occur in the County and yet our schools and commercial property are still in jeopardy from being annexed into Atlanta and if that occurs; it won’t matter where we live in a City or County, all of us will be paying the price. Tomorrow is step forward, not the last step… all of us have a role to play in solving these problems. I would like to thank all of you for your input.

http://www.avondaleestates.org/resources…
http://www.avondaleestates.org/resources….
http://www.wtoc.com/story/28566567/lawma…

Correction: An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect spelling of a name. The story has been updated with the correct spelling. 

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