Chambers responds to Crier letter from Millar

From: jillchambers@msn.com
To: ccobbs@criernewspapers.com ; thecrier@mindspring.com

Subject: response to Crier letter to the editor
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:15:17 -0400

My response follows the letter from Rep. Millar: http://www.thecrier.net/articles/2008/06/10/letters/letters.txt

Letter To The Editor: Chambers
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 1:57 PM EDT

As many of you know, Representative Jill Chambers continues to raise the same old questions about a City of Dunwoody. This week she will try to rehash the legislative session at Perimeter College since the League of Women Voters and 'neutral' DeKalb Chamber of Commerce will give her a microphone for her re-election campaign.I agree that DeKalb County could always bring a lawsuit against the State of Georgia on HB264 (HOST Bill that Chambers voted for).

However, why would DeKalb County want to prevent the Perimeter CID (business community) from receiving $1 million to $1.5 million for transportation improvements which is one of the primary purposes of the bill? A large portion of the Perimeter CID will remain in unincorporated DeKalb (inside I-285 where major expansion is planned). Finally, DeKalb County will continue to receive all of the sales tax revenue and at least 90 percent of the property tax revenue from business properties located within the city of Dunwoody. If the commissioners have any sense, they will not take any legal action and to date they have not.

After two years, I have some questions that Representative Chambers needs to answer:Why did you sponsor legislation allowing people in unincorporated DeKalb to become part of the city of Doraville ($200,000 anticipated deficit) and yet you are opposed to people in Dunwoody voting to become a city with a possible surplus? UGA did both fiscal studies. We both know Representative Watson (DeKalb delegation chair) kept his word to me and let the Doraville bill go forward.

Why didn’t you draft the annexation bill for all of Huntley Hills to become part of the city of Chamblee when you said you would?Since you represent Doraville and Chamblee and both cities passed resolutions supporting the Dunwoody incorporation, why are you opposed?

Isn’t it true that you and your seatmate are the only Republicans to vote against the legislation which allowed people to vote on incorporation in Dunwoody (98-2)?

How did you know Roy Barnes was hired by Vernon Jones for a potential lawsuit and yet none of the Commissioners were aware of this action?

Isn’t it true that over the years your campaign donors include CEO Vernon Jones, Richard Stogner (Vernon’s Executive Assistant), former MARTA head Ed Wall (Vernon Senate supporter) and HJ Russell & Company (big Vernon supporter)? I was also one of the donors, but never again.

Anyone can vote for or against the creation of the City of Dunwoody. I have no problem with opposing viewpoints. When I see an elected official trying to create a re-election issue or carrying someone else’s water, then it needs to be exposed. This is particularly true when this elected official cloaks him or herself in the mantle of transparency and open government.

Further, factual information can be obtained June at the next forum at Dunwoody Methodist. I urge everyone to get informed and vote July 15.

State Rep. Fran Millar
404-487-7329
fran.millar@wachovia.com



June 10, 2008
To: Mr. Dick Williams and Rep. Fran Millar:

Thanks for the opportunity to respond to the letter in this weeks Crier newspaper; the answers requested from me by Rep. Millar are below. The Crier has my permission to reprint the unedited answers in next weeks issue.

"After two years, I have some questions that Representative Chambers needs to answer:

''Why did you sponsor legislation allowing people in unincorporated DeKalb to become part of the city of Doraville ($200,000 anticipated deficit) and yet you are opposed to people in Dunwoody voting to become a city with a possible surplus? UGA did both fiscal studies. We both know Representative Watson (DeKalb delegation chair) kept his word to me and let the Doraville bill go forward.'

When Senator Dan Weber was unable to get the required ten House signatures on his 2007 annexation bill, SB 32, you asked me to drop a House version so that the other DeKalb Reps would sign it. When you and Senator Weber supplied the wrong boundary description for Doraville for HB 1367, I had to redrop a corrected bill several days later, HB 1378.

'Why didn’t you draft the annexation bill for all of Huntley Hills to become part of the city of Chamblee when you said you would?'

The only part of the Huntley Hills subdivision that I represent is already in the city limits of Chamblee. Since the citizens in the unincorporated area are not in District 81, it would be inappropriate for me to introduce legislation that affects them. That is the responsibility of the Rep. or Senator who represents those neighborhoods. As I have stated before, I would be happy to co-sponsor a Chamblee annexation bill whenever you are ready to introduce it in the legislature.

'Since you represent Doraville and Chamblee and both cities passed resolutions supporting the Dunwoody incorporation, why are you opposed?'

As a Republican, I stand for less government and lower taxes. I am not convinced that a city of Dunwoody can provide similar or greater levels of service without a tax increase.

'Isn’t it true that you and your seatmate are the only Republicans to vote against the legislation which allowed people to vote on incorporation in Dunwoody (98-2)?'

Yes. I hope you noticed that several fiscally conservative Republicans walked out on the vote this year rather than support a tax increase.

'How did you know Roy Barnes was hired by Vernon Jones for a potential lawsuit and yet none of the Commissioners were aware of this action?'

DeKalb testified at the House Governemental Affairs committee that the county intends to sue regarding HOST if Dunwoody incorporates. This was also confirmed and discussed during DeKalb delegation meetings - these weekly meetings held during the legislative session are open to the public and all DeKalb Reps and Senators are invited. I do not know why the commissioners were unaware of this - you will have to ask them.

'Isn’t it true that over the years your campaign donors include CEO Vernon Jones, Richard Stogner (Vernon’s Executive Assistant), former MARTA head Ed Wall (Vernon Senate supporter) and HJ Russell & Company (big Vernon supporter)? I was also one of the donors, but never again.'

All of my campaign donors are disclosed on my campaign finance reports submitted to the Ethics Commission. In addition to those listed above, I have received contributions from former Congressman Bob Barr, State Senator Eric Johnson, Congressman Jack Kingston's PAC, and US Senator Bill Frist's PAC. I appreciate your past support from your own campaign account.

I hope this answers your questions and I now have additional questions:

Why are you so worried and afraid of my speaking to the citizens in the Dunwoody community? Why won't you welcome a public debate on both pros and cons of incorporation?

Thanks,
Jill Chambers
State Representative