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Residents tell Brookhaven board annexation left them without sewer, water; one speaker disputes "slumlord" label and raises complaint about city employee
Summary
Two public commenters urged follow-up on annexation services and housing policy: Tony Laird said he was annexed 17 years ago and lacks water, sewer and fire protection; Gail, a local rental-owner, disputed being called a "slumlord" and alleged a city employee demanded $250 and later received a raise.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the Brookhaven City meeting to press the board for answers on annexation services and housing enforcement.
Tony Laird (speaker 6) said he was annexed into Brookhaven 17 years ago and asked when the city is required to provide services after annexation. "I was annexed into the city limits of Brookhaven... I have nothing except a high tax thing," he said, adding he has no water, sewer or fire plugs. Laird asked staff to locate any state statute that sets a timeline for when annexed properties must receive municipal services and asked for follow-up.
Committee member (speaker 2) offered to speak with Laird after the meeting and staff asked Laird to meet with them; staff later confirmed engineering work has been discussed and that the city is evaluating funding and timing.
Gail (speaker 3) spent her five minutes disputing an accusation printed in a local paper that she was a "slumlord," described longstanding work rehabilitating rental housing, and said she had filed a complaint after an interaction with a city employee. "To call me a slumlord, really, excuse my French, pisses me off really bad," she said. Gail alleged a city worker demanded $250 in cash after cutting up a storm-damaged tree and said she has a canceled check documenting what she described as an improper payment. She added that the employee remained on the payroll and that a $5,000 raise had been given to that employee; she asked the board for accountability.
Chair (speaker 1) and Committee member (speaker 2) told Gail the board would be fair with the public-comment time limit and invited her to meet with city staff to review her complaint and documentation. No personnel action or disciplinary outcome is recorded in the transcript excerpt.
Why this matters: annexation timelines affect residents' access to basic utilities and emergency services; allegations about employee conduct raise questions about city oversight and enforcement.
What comes next: staff offered to follow up with both commenters; Committee member (speaker 2) invited Laird to talk after the meeting and staff asked Gail to provide her canceled check and supporting documents for review.
