Lee May: Getting Basic Permits in DeKalb 'Is Like An Act of Congress'

District 5 Commissioner Lee May was one of five panelists who spoke about economic development in the county at fellow board member Stan Watson's "Soul of DeKalb - Reflections of Our Progress" Wednesday night at Southwest DeKalb High School.

May, the presiding officer of the board of commissioners, whose district includes Lithonia and some of Stone Mountain, addressed the county's permitting process -- which has come under scrutiny --  as well as zoning. 

"In terms of getting just basic permits, whether on the residential side or the commercial side, is like an act of Congress. You can see how good Congress is acting right now," May said.

But he offered some hope that things will change so that businesses "have a smooth transition into DeKalb county."

Regarding permitting, he said: "We're dealing with that right now in terms of funding it, building a structure in place that makes us one of the better places in this metro area."

Also on the panel were former DeKalb CEO Liane Levetan; ; Kevin Greiner, president and CEO of Gas South; and DeVon Hudson, owner of DeVon Hudson Insurance Agency/State Farm Insurance. Leonardo McClarty, president/CEO of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, was the moderator for the discussion..

The evening was divided into different topics - each with its own panelists - including educaton, community lobbying and involvement, and health care.

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