Hearing scheduled early March for lawsuit against City of Mableton

A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the city of Mableton is scheduled for its first hearing in Cobb Superior Court on March 6. The lawsuit was brought forth last year by Mableton de-annexer Deidre White, and her de-annexer group to challenge the new city.

House Bill 839, which enabled Mableton’s creation, was lawfully passed by the Georgia General Assembly, and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022. Citizens voted overwhelmingly to form Mableton in the November 2022 General Election.

Since losing their ‘No Mableton’ vote at the ballot box in the November elections, de-annexers have been relentless in their actions to stop Mableton, protesting all the way up to the election of a mayor and city council in 2023.

Now that the city is formed and functioning, every citizen that voted for the city and is invested in its success, may see their vote invalidated and the city harmed if the de-annexers get their wish with this lawsuit. Some say this latest action by the de-annexers is an attempt to disenfranchise Black voters, plain and simple and they are disgusted that the main plaintiff is Black.

The city of Mableton, represented by former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court Harold Melton, acknowledges the residents’ right to challenge its constitutionality. Citizens in Mableton we spoke to believe that the new city will prevail against the latest attack by those dissatisfied with the outcome of a legitimate election process. 

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said, “As Mayor of Mableton, I am dedicated to protecting our city. I have employed the expertise of Justice Melton to uphold this commitment, and I am confident in his ability to do so effectively. Despite this ongoing lawsuit, neither I nor the city will be deterred from our mission of building this city government and smoothly transition vital services from the County to the City over the next year and a half. My primary objective remains the same: to position ourselves to deliver services that will improve the quality of life for every resident of Mableton.”

Owens said that the legal challenge will not impact the day-to-day operations as he and the council continues the development and growth of the city for the benefit of the citizens who call Mableton home. As it moves forward, Mableton is focused on establishing commissions, authorities, and boards to support its ongoing initiatives.

The hearing, scheduled for March 6th at 9 a.m., will be presided over by Judge Sonja Brown in Cobb Superior Court. Citizens who support the new city of Mableton are encouraged to attend.