Atlanta plutocrat sues to close treasured horse barn

The City of Atlanta refuses, for political reasons, to grant Buckhead Barn the correct zoning. A few of the Barn’s wealthy neighbors, who financially support Councilwoman Clair Muller, have decided to blame Buckhead Barn for, among other trivial excuses, an inability to sell their over-priced homes in the worst housing market in decades. The barn has spent in excess of 150 thousand dollars defending it’s right to exist due to the persistent legal harassment of a small cadre of wealthy neighbors (monies that could have been spent upgrading the property). All this was politically motivated and forced upon the barn by the following neighbors: Mrs Ann Eldridge, Ruth and Thomas Anthony, Carla and Russ Sklenkam, Jennifer and Marty Flanagan and Sue and Richard Stern. At this time, none of these individuals are willing to negotiate any solution other than the complete dissolution of the farm.

Councilwoman Clair Muller’s direct intervention on behalf of the neighbors who initiated the lawsuit led the to the BZA’s decision to withdraw the Barn’s license to operate and to the City of Atlanta’s absolute refusal to negotiate on any terms. Her unwavering support of a half-dozen awful plutocrats at the expense of hundreds of the Barn’s patrons ... most of whom were children ... is disgraceful. Clair Muller does not deserve to be reelected if her office only serves to represent the interests of a few wealthy people.

Buckhead Barn was a good neighbor and played an important and invaluable role in the community. All of the Barn’s dedicated supporters were committed to working with the Barn’s neighbors to find a solution that would allow the Barn to remain a small riding institution that benefited the surrounding community. The farm provided everyone with a unique and much-needed green respite from the never-ending crush of development. Not to mention ... Riding benefits everyone.

About Buckhead Barn
Buckhead Barn is a one-of-a-kind horse farm offering horse-riding and polo lessons to people of all ages. The Barn also happens to occupy one of the last pieces of undeveloped acreage within the city of Atlanta’s most expensive neighborhood, Buckhead.

There are many kids and adults who have benefited from the operations of the barn over the past decades. From kids with special needs, to charities, to leisure riders, to campers, to birthday parties, to the children of some of the individuals who have brought this lawsuit against the Barn, and, finally, to those who just wanted to show their families that animals do exist within the city of Atlanta.

The Barn has been there since 1936. Long before any of the fine homeowners who brought this lawsuit against the Barn ever purchased their multi-million dollar homes.