Dekalb Legislative Delegation Town Hall Meeting.

DeKalb House Delegation Town Hall Meetings (12.13.12)Updated Today
From Dar'shun Kendrick

December 13th at 6:30 PM

Attendance

1. Rep. Tom Taylor
2. Rep. Mike Jacobs
3. Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick
4. Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver
5. Rep. Scott Holcomb
6. Rep. Michele Henson

Rep. Holcomb called the town hall meeting to order at 6:44 PM.

Rep. Scott Holcomb

• Advised that this session is more to hear from constituents as opposed to speaking about what we will do
• He spoke about his trip to Beijing and reiterated the need for expansion of the Savannah Port and to close the [education] skills gap.

Rep. Mike Jacobs

• Updated that the city of Brookhaven was starting at a city next Monday
• Also stated that he chairs the MARTOC committee and that 2012 legislation that failed on the last day would be coming back as well as taking a look at privitizing transit service and payroll (KNG report)
• Advised that the state budget is tight; thinks there will be a gift ban for lobbyist this legislative session.
• Recognized newly sworn in Jim Ire, Councilman from Brookhaven

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver

• Stated that she has ways for people to get in touch with her like Facebook, Twitter and enewsletter
• Updated that she went to Forsyth to do final vote on Criminal Justice reform
• She has prefiled 2 bills > Post adoption bill [HB 21] and on municipalization (requirement of stronger economic analysis) [HB 22]
• She is worried about healthcare budget issues that are controversial (Obamacare, bed tax, etc.)

Rep. Tom Taylor

• Stated that he thought the state budget would be the debate
• Also stated that he would be co-sponsoring to regulate the "pill mils" and a "2nd call" requirement for alarms to conserve police resources

Rep. Michele Henson

• Not sponsoring any legislation at the moment but she advised that she is sure that would change

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QUESTIONS

Keith Watkins

• Stated that MARTA has been played by racism; pointed out Rep. Jacobs' comments as offensive
• Rep. Jacobs: Said that he doesn't believe his statements;  said MARTA is a state sanctioned commission; he said that he may not oppose state funding for operation of MARTA but not until they are operating efficiency; he said there has been state money provided for MARTA although not from the general budget; said that one of the things he got from the TSPLOST vote is that the region is not ready to expand transit until MARTA gets in order
• Rep. Oliver said that the question is how do we fix the problem when 2 counties voted for MARTA.
• Rep. Henson clarified to make sure that Rep. Jacobs was not blaming the failure of the TSPLOST on MARTA.
• Rep. Taylor spoke and said that there were other reasons for the failure of MARTA but that MARTA needs help.

Mr. Duncan

• He commented that public safety CANNOT be outsourced.
• Rep. Jacobs said there is a study/findings of an independent auditor that there are cost savings for privitization.

Jim Eyre

• Brought up the concern of pedestrians and DOT funds from 2006 being allocated along Buford Highway but hasn't been spent even though there has been a rise in deaths
• Requested help getting money to get spent and save lives

Sharon Miller

• Parent that started group once her child's school was listen to receive a cell tower; worked with Rep. Drenner on her bill (16 out of 18); interested in how it became a non-binding resolution referendum
• Her Question: What do we do now since it didn't make it to the floor for a vote?
• Rep. Taylor advised that this was a bi-partisan issue. This was a binding legislation for the school board because ultimately they own those properties.
• Rep. Holcomb stated it was his recollection that there was a duly executed contract so couldn't force them to break it.

Mr. Duncan

• He read an email from a home owners association (Medlock Place/Medlock Commons on Medlock road) that was under consideration for being annexed into Decatur that vehemently opposed that attempt.
• Rep. Oliver said that the public opinion has went back and forth on whether to be annexed. Additionally, the City hasn't made a decision on whether to include residential but commercial property.
• Tracey Nelson objected as well and strongly advised the delegation not to put on the local calendar.
• We identified that Rep. Rahn Mayo is the rep. for this area.

Candice Jordan

• Lives in Lawrenceville, Ga.; says she has been a victims advocate; she feels there is not enough being done for juvenile justice reform or justice reform, especially about mentorship.
• Rep. Taylor stated that this delegation supported juvenile justice reform although it wasn't supported by the Governor.
• Rep. Jacobs said that he thinks she will see programs this year.
• Rep. Oliver says you have to prove mentoring works and you have to have evidence based results.
• Rep. Taylor advised that she should come down and get engaged and speak.

Trey Benton

• What happened to HB 830 with Rep. Elena Parent?
• Rep. Oliver stated that it was refiled as HB 22.

Stephanie Miller

• Asked about changing the County Charter to change the form of government and whether to increase the number of persons on the commission
• Rep. Oliver stated she is not aware of anything today.
• Rep. Jacobs advised that the problem is getting support from the delegation and would support changing CEO and riding of super commission districts for 7 single districts

Estelle Ford Williamson

• Lives in Avondale area
• She is concerned about the CEO form of government because the BOC seems like they can't get anything done
• Doesn't advocate abolishing CEO position but shifting powers under the Charter
• Rep. Taylor says that we need to hear from an advocacy groups
• She asked about lobbyist gifts. Rep. Taylor said that we haven't been in session but there will be a bill proposal.
• Rep. Taylor stated that there are 1800 registered lobbyists and 236 legislators, there are bad apples, 
• Rep. Scott said that it's pretty simple.

Rep. Holcomb adjourned at 8:00 PM.

House Bill 830 will be reintroduced in the next Legislative session as HB 22. To read more on this please click here.