Is it local chicanery or an existing city acting responsibly and within the law? That has been the debate stirring on Super Tuesday Eve in Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake.
Even before a ballot has been cast (well, minus the absentee and early voters), concerned citizens have been vigorously debating a proposal for the city of Berkeley Lake to annex over 160 businesses that could have been within the boundaries of Peachtree Corners.
Many citizens are concerned that this is a losing proposition for Peachtree Corners with lost potential revenue. Furthermore, many residents feel betrayed that changing the borders after they voted for the city in the November 2011 election was ethically wrong even though it’s perfectly legal.
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So is it morally, ethically and legally right for Berkeley Lake to annex these businesses before Peachtree Corners becomes a city? You make the call. Welcome to Local Politics 101.
State Representative Tom Rice and state Senator David Shafer both say that they have the answers. They worked in concert to develop legislation that changes Peachtree Corners’ borders to satisfy Berkeley Lake’s desires.
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Both legislators wrote passionate letters in this publication defending their positions. Rep. Rice wrote that his and Shafer’s proposal, “provides certainty to the affected businesses” and that potential litigation would outweigh potential revenue from those businesses.
Thus, this dilemma begs the question: Is this a backroom proposal or common sense from two veteran legislators looking out for the good of the communities and businesses?
The boundary-changing proposal is a bitter pill to swallow for those who voted for a city based on the original charter’s details, but there is a devil in every detail, right? Why should this conflict surprise anyone? True local politics has arrived on election eve in Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake. It’s nothing new. Raw politics has been emanating out of Washington and Lawrenceville since their creations. Please do not be surprised. But, now, politics is more local and we will have plenty of vigorous debate.
So, whatever the outcome of this dilemma, this too shall pass, but at what cost? Will we learn from this and create an honest, open local government? Judging from the comments on Mr. Rice’s and Mr. Shafer’s letters, there are going to be a plethora of voters who will look at the city council candidates to see if they will adhere to a dedication to transparency, fiscal accountability and a love for the new city.