On November 4th, Brookhaven voted NO on the Redevelopment Powers Law (RPL) referendum in a resounding 60-40% defeat.
The members of the Brookhaven Redevelopment Referendum Committee are encouraged and gratified by the results of our public awareness efforts.
Brookhaven voters saw past the misleading, anonymous pro-RPL campaign and rejected a law that would have expanded local government's debt and eminent domain powers.
We would like to issue a hearty and sincere thanks to all of our supporters who have donated, attended our community chat events, knocked on doors, and otherwise made this success possible.
Informed, engaged citizens really can make a difference!
The citizens of Brookhaven have sent a clear message that we demand transparency and accountability, not city officials trying to rush us into voting for poorly-understood laws that threaten our community's financial stability.
Despite the defeat of the RPL referendum, Brookhaven city government has continued to act outside the scope of its original mandate. Elected officials promised to focus on improving services and lowering taxes, but always seem to come up with new projects that expand their control over Brookhaven residents and businesses.
City Manager Marie Garrett, the highest paid city manager in Georgia despite residing outside the city, has proposed a 3% pay increase for all city employees.
City officials have spent significant resources on public relations and communications efforts, leading residents to wonder why money is being spent on spin instead of substance.
The annexation of Executive Park and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), along with other land on the southeast side of I-85, is another example of this expansion. This land is already part of a Tax Allocation District from DeKalb County - the same financial scheme Brookhaven voters rejected in the RPL vote. The annexation of TAD-burdened property has raised concerns that state and local officials will again seek to pass the RPL.
State Representative Mike Jacobs, the sponsor of the state law that placed the RPL on Brookhaven ballots, has publicly pledged never to introduce another RPL referendum.
Mayor J. Max Davis has also promised not to bring the referendum up again, given the clear public sentiment against it.
Keeping an eye on this is hard work. While the BRRC must formally dissolve as of December 31, 2014, please stay tuned for updates on our continued efforts to hold local government accountable.
Please bookmark our "Updates" webpage (accessible from the "Updates" link in our website's top navigation), which we will keep updated with the latest developments currently affecting the city of Brookhaven.
If you have not already done so, please join our mailing list, follow us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter to stayed notified of developments going on in Brookhaven.
The citizens of Brookhaven DO NOT want to give City Council unlimited and permanent powers to bury them in debt, raise taxes, or confiscate property through eminent domain.
But only your generous support enables us to continue our work.
So, if you're able today, please consider donating $25, $50, or whatever you can to help us in our fight against big and unaccountable government.
Thank you in advance for your support. Together we can make a huge difference!
