Gov. Deal Says Yes to Cityhood Vote Next Door

Surrounded by the bill's sponsors and its most dedicated supporters, and despite , Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 636 – the controversial legislation to create a charter for a city of Brookhaven.

The bill's signing, which occured Monday at 2pm in Deal's office, allows the more than 48,000 residents within the proposed boundary to vote on a referendum on July 31. If the referendum passes, election of the city council of the city would occur in the general election.

"I'm obviously pleased that the governor has taken the last step that is necessary in [the State Legislature] in Brookhaven's path to cityhood. Now it's time for the people to decide," State Rep. Mike Jacobs said outside the governor's office.

"You're always happy to see another step in the process completed, now the real work begins," he said.

That work, according to leaders of the Brookhaven YES cityhood advocacy group, is continuing to educate neighbors on what they believe are the benefits of cityhood. Brookhaven YES president J. Max Davis said he already has knocked on 70 doors and he and other group members will continue to do so until July.

"We have a lot of work in front of us," Davis said.