The Lie “Right to Vote Denied?”

Don’t Be Fooled by Imagine Greenhaven in its efforts to create a City

This information was pulled from a presentation by:

Concerned Citizens in Opposition to Greenhaven

The allegation of denial of  right to vote issues are serious.

We support voter rights everywhere, but we take exception that failure to create the city of Greenhaven, Ga rises to the level or merits of a civil rights issue.

The Lie is an insult to our intelligence and makes a mockery of legitimate and serious right to vote issues.

The Lie – Diminishes Real Voting Issues

In the past, we tried being politically correct by calling the statement a “false claim”, but it is so harmful and divisive to our community that we are calling it what it is The Lie!!

Too many people suffered and died to obtain voting rights for all, and no person of good conscience ,who believes in civil rights for all, would support denial of any citizen’s voting rights.

Legitimate voting rights concerns are evident around this country, but voting rights issues are diminished when used in the context of advancing a cityhood cause.

Imagine Greenhaven launched a disgraceful campaign creating a false narrative that “your right to vote is being denied”.

UPDATE: November 30, 2021

Greenhaven has changed its’ name, but not it’s tactics. Kathryn Rice announced Greenhaven is now going by the name of City of DeKalb. Same script, same cast, just a new name, a larger footprint and promoting it as DeKalb Cityhood. The irony of this is that their lobbyist, Brad Carver, of Hall Smith Booth is a Republican supporter of Trump tactics! Brad Carver is on record of saying the election of President Biden, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossof, all of whom won the vote in Georgia in 2020, was election fraud. We know it’s not true, but what does that say about Kathryn Rice and they City of DeKalb crew? The ends do not justify the means. City of DeKalb proponents and Kathryn Rice are saying it’s voter suppression, when they are actually using Brad Carver, is one of the members supporting Georgia’s legislation and installing tactics that would actually suppress the votes of not only minorities, but independent voters. DeKalb Cityhood are messaging that they want an all black city, but are using politicians that are actively suppressing votes and gerrymandering districts to suppress the voters of metro Atlanta.

Imagine Greenhaven takes a serious national

and important issue of “right to vote” and uses it for their frivolous and self-motivated political gain. Greenhaven, ga has even gone as far as stating that Martin Luther King, Jr were he alive would vote for Greenhaven.

Imagine Greenhaven is not entitled to approval of their legislation just because they say so. And, its failure does not make it a civil rights issue!!

Strategy of The Lie

African Americans  vote our elected officials into office to meet our needs and concerns in DeKalb County. We expect them to do what is legal and fair across all DeKalb.  There is a legislative process, but Greenhaven proponents have not accepted the process conclusions – No Greenhaven

Financial stakes are high for Greenhaven supporters, contractors, developers

Create a hot button issue in an attempt to generate more support for city of Greenhaven – “Your right to vote being denied.”

Two  groups targeted by this not so subtle message:

Legislators in the General Assembly

Only African- Americans

Targets of The Lie

Say it enough and people will believe you. For the targeted groups, the Greenhaven’s message is clear:

Legislators – Bully, intimidate, and mislead by Greenhaven, Ga

• Vote for anything as long as you create the city of Greenhaven
• Political consequences if you vote against Greenhaven – Run our supporters against you (they failed to win)
• Brand an official as someone who denies citizens their civil rights

Only African- Americans – Play on emotions, not facts by Greenhaven, Ga

• Callously provoke negative emotions and divisions within the community
• Gain new converts in their failed efforts to create a city
• “You are being discriminated against if this city is not approved”
• “Let’s sell The Lie, they will buy it, and ask no questions if its good for them or not”.

Why The Lie? D-I-V-E-R-S-I-O-N! 

Words of Imagine Greenhaven“…Proposed Greenhaven’s primary weakness – its economic vulnerability”…  This is their problem, not denial of voting rights.

So…Create a diversion to distract from the financial weakness they would be the City of Greenhaven

This is not a black, white, racial, or a voting rights issue. It is a green issue about your tax dollars – a common denominator for all of us.

Bully, intimidate, and mislead legislators to approve city of Greenhaven

If  we buy into the “denial of voting rights” lie:

We are not talking about the limited services the proposed city would offer;

We are not talking about increased taxes;

We are not talking about the fact this proposed city is not financially viable.

Let’s talk voter suppression! City of Greenhaven supporters did not ask US to vote on having our properties hijacked, before submitting legislation to the General Assembly five times.

“I Am Not In Favor of Greenhaven, But..”

“…the people deserve the right to vote” – Only a referendum allows citizens the opportunity to vote and there is no Ballot on which citizens have a vote.

Legislators are the only ones with the right to vote at this time; not getting the desired result does not justify making this a civil rights issue.

Anyone allowing this cynical tactic to influence their position on creating the proposed city of Greenhaven, then they may not:

1.Have read or analyzed the Feasibility Study, have chosen to ignore it, or do not understand the financial implications of this old data;

2.Have read the legislation and are unaware of its negative impacts;

3.Have read the Feasibility Study and legislation, but do not want to be seen as “denying voting rights” – this is an easy political cop-out

4.Have our long-term community interests as a high priority

Prove the Allegation

If Kathryn Rice of Imagine Greenhaven truly believes that voting rights are being denied they, in good conscientious, should have its high-priced Buckhead lawyers, Hall Booth Smith, seek remedy in the courts and file a lawsuit

Because it’s a Lie, see if they will do it!!

Opposition Greenhaven Meeting a Success

Big Money Lobbyist for Greenhaven and Vista Grove

Neighbors Against Greenhaven Petition to prevent tax increases in south & central DeKalb home due to the new city of Greenhaven, Ga

Video: Greenhaven Dean Heard refusing to say who funds Greenhaven’s Lobbyist

Video: Kathryn Rice, Imagine Greenhaven, Fees Vs. Taxes, Are Really the Same Thing?