Community Forum October 19

Mary Margaret Oliver

Email Newsletter

October 14, 2015

Friends,

An important election is coming up on November 3 concerning the incorporation of the proposed cities of La Vista Hills and Tucker. For those of you who do not live in the proposed new cities, but live in DeKalb County, you are asked to go vote to approve the County's new Ethics Commission format--- which I support for much needed reform.

Sen. Elena Parent and I are sponsoring a forum on the LaVista Hills cityhood referendum at Young Israel of Toco Hills on LaVista Road on Monday, October 19. LaVista Hills and DeKalb Strong will present the pro and con perspectives on whether to incorporate.

Full details:

Community Forum on Proposed City of LaVista Hills

Sponsored by State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver and State Senator Elena Parent

Moderated by Sen. Parent and Rep. Oliver

Purpose: To provide a structured meeting enabling both sides to present their positions to the public, and for community members to have their questions answered

When: Monday, October 19, from 6:30-8:00 PM. Meeting will start and end on time.

Where: Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road, Atlanta, GA 30329

Please come and hear discussion of this issue so important to our community.

Mary Margaret

ANNEXATION AND CITYHOOD REPORT

The House Study Committee on Cityhood and Annexations met for the third time on October 6, and there was a discussion relevant to the 82nd District on the use of metes and bounds legal descriptions instead of only census tract data for map drawing. This vexing issue continues to create barriers to citizens who wish to be in or out of a city limit--frustrating.

I expect recommendations to be proposed for improved procedures on multiple issues, but cannot predict yet a final product.

Survey on Casino Gambling

In my last newsletter I asked the following question about casino gambling in Georgia:

Would you vote to give the citizens the right to approve casino gambling in Georgia that would fund HOPE and Pre-K students? Should Georgia join the majority of other states to allow a new form of gambling?

Your responses were 39% YES and 61% NO.

Very interesting. I cannot tell yet whether the state's leaders are open to a voter referendum on gambling in the 2016 Session, but I expect there to be new money in campaign contributions, and newly hired lobbyists to be at work soon. I will keep you informed.

DeKalb County Survey

There are too many moving parts, most going in a bad direction, to understand where DeKalb County stands with various alleged ethics violations. I continue to hope and expect that the Northern District U.S. Attorney will complete his investigation and make final decisions on possible criminal actions. Regardless of what charges he may or may not bring, he needs to make decisions so the current stagnation can be resolved. If not resolved, at least end the current limbo, and repetitive investigations.

Question:

Would you vote to replace the current CEO form of government with an elected county commission and a county manager? I know this questions lacks many details, but do you think a different form of DeKalb County government will help? Click here to take survey.

Please contact me anytime with your questions or comments and visit our website at the link below and follow me on Facebook and Twitter by clicking the links below. I look forward to working with you during the 2016 Georgia General Assembly, and I need your help!! In the meantime, I will continue to report on issues that may interest you, and welcome your suggestions on how this newsletter may better serve you.

Mary Margaret

[email protected]

Law Office (404) 377-0485

Legislative Office (404) 656-0265

http://marymargaretoliver.org/