As the dust settles from the July 31 vote to incorporate a new city of Brookhaven, journalists, bloggers and social media users are considering the implications of the outcome.
The pro-cityhood movement celebrated. The critics grumbled.
The margin of victory for Brookhaven, 55 percent, is a solid win but not as overwhelming as the victories for its older brothers, the cities of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.
Governing a divided community will present its own challenges. That same divided community will soon consider candidates for the city’s first council. Building the basic elements of a city, including police protection and a functioning government, will be another task facing the city’s future leaders.
Brookhaven’s gain was also DeKalb County’s loss. The move to incorporate will take a $25 million bite out of the county’s budget.
The reaction from DeKalb officials so far has been muted. Here are some other reactions the Brookhaven Reporter staff found interesting and noteworthy:
Reporter Newspapers broadcast partner CBS Atlanta reported that the cityhood vote generated mixed reactions.
The NoCityBrookhaven.com domain name is up for sale. Click here to check it out.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports DeKalb County may face more cuts in the wake of Brookhaven’s incorporation. To read that article, click here.
About.com didn’t waste any time telling Brookhaven residents what restaurants will be available in their new city. For a full menu of dining locations, click here.
DeKalb County police officers are discussing the implications of the new city on a blog where police officers anonymously air their grievances. Check out that blog here.
Here are more reactions via Twitter:
I live in the newly crowned city of Brookhaven keeping our tax loot to ourselves lol
— Moetown Lee (@MoetownLee) August 2, 2012
Brookhaven voted to become its own city… I’m running for Mayor in November
— Popular Stranger® (@P0PULARSTRANGER) August 2, 2012
Yesterday’s election results are in–welcome to the newest city in the United States: Brookhaven, GA
— Pattie Baker (@PattieBaker) August 1, 2012
Crap, I live in Brookhaven, GA now. After hearing both sides, I still don’t see the benefits. ow.ly/cGnZN
— Steven Nghe (@stevennghe) August 2, 2012
Congrats people of Dunblee. You felt disenfranchised so you annexed the true
#Brookhaven. Now 3/4 of your new city are disenfranchised.— Christopher Allen (@dunrungill) August 2, 2012
“I live in the city of Brookhaven.” Could get used to saying that!
— Christie Nichols (@ChristieATL) August 1, 2012
Voters approve Georgia’s newest city.
#brookhaven passes. Mike Jacobs promises tax cuts, better deliver.#dekalbfails ajc.com/story-1488812.…— Ward Howell (@wardhowell3) August 1, 2012
Only in Atlanta can an upscale neighborhood become a city…
#Brookhaven— W-P (@OpenBet) August 1, 2012
Amen
@stevenmarks86: City of#Brookhaven passed bec property owners want quality service in rtn for tax $. DeKalb couldn’t figure that out.— Craig (@ufcoop) August 1, 2012
Congrats to the new city of Brookhaven!!reporternewspapers.net/2012/07/31/bre…
— Lowe Engineers (@LoweEngineers) August 1, 2012
Brookhaven (an affluent neighborhood w/ no crime)= city = lots of cops w/ nothing to do but give DUIs. Trust me, a city of Dunwoody resident
— Ian (@JohnBonBrovi) August 1, 2012
Brookhaven has become a city. OMG! DeKalb will suffer more financial strain. SMH
#VOTE— MindOfMe (@CRUSH_Amor) August 1, 2012