Stockbridge Sues State To Stop Vote On Eagle's Landing

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Stockbridge Mayor Anthony Fords talks to residents at city hall about the next steps in their fight to keep their city together. / GPB News

The City of Stockbridge is suing the state in an attempt to keep itself together. Stockbridge city officials are asking a federal judge to stop a vote on the creation of the new city of Eagle’s Landing.

Right now, only those people living in the proposed Eagle’s Landing boundaries would get to vote on forming the new city in November.

But to form Eagle’s Landing, it would require taking land from Stockbridge.

Attorney Chris Anulewicz, who is representing Stockbridge, said he expects to win at least one of their challenges against the law.

“Whether it is the claims brought in the federal lawsuit or the constitutional claims that are currently pending before the Georgia Supreme Court, we think they are all equally valid,” Anulewicz said. “I think they showcase the fact how flawed this law is.”

Anulewicz said the federal issue is largely a voting rights one since not all residents in Stockbridge would get a say.

In May, Gov. Nathan Deal signed legislation that gives potential Eagle’s Landing residents the right to vote on the new city. Stockbridge sued Henry County voting officials to stop that from happening but in July a judge ruled against the city.

City officials have appealed to the state supreme court, but that case is still pending.

Anulewicz said they are aware of the time crunch they are under since the vote is scheduled to happen in three months.

The federal lawsuit names Deal and Secretary of State Brian Kemp as defendants.