Alex, The reason you did not see my comment online is because I deleted it. I am not enjoying this foray into politics and am very frustrated that I even have to address the City issue but the UPCCA has decided that we need this so now I must do research and spend what little free time I have researching the facts. I have read the charter numerous times and the feasibility study both of which are filled with so much legal talk its mind numbing:) Please tell me in a few sentences what the county has not provided us. I see great schools, thoughtful development, and a fabulous park all within walking distance of my home. Annexation into an adjoining city cannot be done without the approval of the voters. I believe we live in a great place. With a City I see new taxes with no return on investment. Housing prices will go back up when the economy improves not because we become a city. Like I said please tell me what is so bad now. I remember when 141 had only 2 shopping centers and we would get pumpkins and horse rides right where Ippolitos now stands. What exactly is the problem....no talk of what ifs...what has been done that is tangible that you/pro city see as the reason this is needed. I appreciate your passion and the time you do researching the issue. More informed and engaged voters is what our society needs not more government.

Alex, I thought this was a forum to discuss the pros and cons of Cityhood? Seems to me you are getting more and more insulting to those that oppose the city with each article. Lets keep it on the facts and not on insulting those that don't agree with you.ie B movie, black helicopters, not believeing reports. Why was this initiative not put to the community BEFORE it was bought to the state capital? There are several people in my neighborhood who had no idea of the initiative so there was no outcry for a please save us from the terrible situation we are in not getting services. I see this as just a money pit...elections, inititives, pensions, and of course and increase in the milage rate down the road. Citizens will have to approve an increase when they want a nice new City hall or court offices or to cover the bonds the city can sell to raise money...we will be opening a can of worms that can't be shut. I am happy with the current state of my services and representation so I see no benefit to creating a city. I am sure you will respond with the fact that hope won't keep things the same but I will say I HOPE my VOTE will. No to Cityhood."

Listen, I HATE paying taxes, especially to the Federal government. I can't really express it in words I hate it so much. The waste makes me literally sick to my stomach. I want a balanced budget every year and I want the entire Federal debt paid off. I want the Federal government to stay out of my business and I want the 10th amendment enforced instead of ignored. You would normally not find someone like me voting and fighting for a new government but the potential future for our area (and our home values) is so threatened in my opinion that I am willing to support this movement. I suspect so many of the anti-city folks and the pro-city people have political views that are very, very close. This is almost like a civil war between a family which is very, very unfortunate. I hate it. But I am convinced if we do nothing we will regret it because economic decline will be greater than it already is and we will have limited ability to stop it because we will continue to be ruled by the county commission. If I thought by doing nothing would make things better economically I would be fighting just as hard to stop this movement but unfortunately all the data trends I see show just the opposite.

Anyway, I hope you can make it to one or both of the Town Halls. They should make for interesting theater if nothing else. Thanks for continued interest in this topic.

5. City bonds, salaries, etc...... it is all capped at the 1.0 mil rate. They can't spend over that. End of story. To do otherwise requires voter approval. If we do nothing one or two things will happen. 1) We eventually get absorbed by Norcross and pay an additional 6.4 mil rate. 2) We don't get absorbed and eventually we get new leadership in Gwinnett that does not support us incorporating and then we become a giant ATM machine for the rest of the county just like Sandy Springs and Dunwoody became for their counties. That might be 10 years down the road but it will happen. Massive political change is just over the horizon in Gwinnett. The demographic changes that have already happened will not allow an all Republican County Commission to continue much longer. Once that political change happens the opportunity to incorporate will be gone. I discussed this in an earlier blog about how the Democratic Party in Georgia has consistently opposed incorporations for the last 35 years. There is no reason to think that is going to change. If you are confident that the County will continue to meet your expectations with service delivery indefinitely into the future after the political shifts take place then yes, you should vote no in November.

3. At least in Georgia for all the new cities that have created recently the voters were not asked before hand if they wanted a vote to see if they could vote. It seems redundant. If the people don't want it they will reject this idea in November and Tom Rice will pay the price as well. I don't know what the big deal is on this one. If it is such a bad idea the vote won't even be close.
4. If you have lived in Gwinnett County for any period of time I can't imagine you think things are better today than they were 20 or 30 years ago? If you do then yes, you should vote no for the city. I think Gwinnett is in decline. Some of the reasons are of such a macro level that no level of involvement by citizens like you or I can change things. I wish that were not so but it is, so when the decline becomes irreversible you have to figure out what you can do to minimize its impact on your area or at least an area that is small enough where you can have an impact. I have only lived in Gwinnett for 10 years but I grew up nearby so I have had a chance to see it change over the last 30 years and it has already hit its peak in a whole array of areas.