House paves way for new DeKalb County city

The state House passes a bill to allow voters in the north part of DeKalb County to vote on a new city of Ashford.  If it passes this session, some 49,000 residents in the area known as Brookhaven would vote on incorporation in July. 

Representative Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta) is sponsoring the bill.

"This city would be the 16th largest in the state and the largest in DeKalb County," said Jacobs.

Rep. Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta) lives in the historic Brookhaven area. He made the suggestion to change the new city's name to Ashford, so as not to confuse people.

"As I have also told folks in this area that are concerned over this name, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet and this is going to be a sweet new city in north DeKalb.," said Lindsey.

Representative Michele Henson (D-Stone Mountain) doesn't think it is sweet idea.

"It's going to take money out of my county's coffer to provide services to the majority of the people of DeKalb County.  That is roughly 650,000 folks that are going to be impacted," said Henson.

Representative Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) represents the city of Dunwoody and supports the measure.

"This is kind of like Groundhog Day. We've been down this road before with Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Chattahoochee Hill Country: they are all successful," said Taylor.

Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) says it won't benefit everyone.

"On behalf of my constituents in Druid Hills and unincorporated DeKalb, I must oppose a new city of Ashford," says Oliver. "It is economically going to harm my constituents."

The bill now goes to the state Senate.