7/17/2019 LaVista Hills Alliance Calls for Resignation of DeKalb CEO

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

LaVista Hills Alliance Calls for Resignation of  DeKalb CEO 

ATLANTA (Oct. 3, 2015) --- LaVista Hills Alliance, a grassroots advocacy group, called for the

resignation of DeKalb County acting CEO Lee May today in light of a scathing report issued this

week by the former Attorney General Mike Bowers that alleges blatant disregard for the

expenditure of taxpayer funds

“There is no doubt those who run DeKalb County -- starting at the top with Interim CEO Lee

May -- have a blatant disregard for taxpayer’s money,” said Mary Kay Woodworth, chairman of

the LaVista Hills Alliance. “We are demanding that May step down for the good of our citizens

and ask the other commissioners named in the report to consider the same.”

Bowers’ report suggested May broke the law in borrowing funds from a county employee and

the county doled out more than $500,000 in questionable expenses including spa services and a

movie while May was on a trip to Hawaii. Bowers wrote: "While the CEO has the duty to

enforce … the budget of each department, there is no evidence that he has done so. This lack ofcontrol is the origin of much of the fraud, waste and abuse we found."

Four other commissioners were found to have questionable expenses ranging from floral services

to gift cards, legal bills and charitable donations expensed to the county, according to the Bowers

report.

“This report confirms why our citizens have had enough and want local control with a new city,”

Woodworth said. “With local control we will be able to hold our city council members more

accountable than officials who don’t live in our community and obviously don’t care about our

needs. DeKalb County government needs a complete overhaul, and legislative reform measures

alone cannot fix the culture of corruption that permeates this institution.”

Citizens in the LaVista Hills footprint will vote on Nov. 3 for incorporation of the community.

Its borders would extend from the Embry Hills area to the north, south along Interstate 285 to

include Northlake Mall then down U.S. 29 to North Druid Hills Road and the North DeKalb

Mall area west to Briarcliff Road then north on Briarcliff to Interstate 85. It would include

Mercer University and the Toco Hills shopping center.

7/17/2019 LaVista Hills Alliance Calls for Resignation of DeKalb CEO

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Citizen interest in incorporation has been escalating as turnout at the last two community forums

held by the LaVista Hills Alliance has been strong with standing room only crowds.

“People work hard for their money and they expect adequate police protection, paved roads and

other services; they do not tolerate elected officials and government employees using our tax

dollars at their personal discretion,” Woodworth said.

A study released by analysts at the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government

found the proposed city was financially feasible with current revenues and could be formed

without a tax increase.

 LaVista Hills Alliance is organizing and coordinating volunteers to support passage of the

incorporation referendum on Nov. 3. It is recruiting neighborhood volunteers and leaders to

serve as advocates within their own subdivisions and local neighborhoods.

 LaVista Hills Alliance is a ballot question committee. Contributions to it are not tax-deductible.

To volunteer, contribute or find out more go to www.lavistahills.com 

For additional information contact: Susan L. Meyers slmeyers@comcast.net or 404-518-2271