Bouyant Johns Creek, Milton Convene as Cities!

BY DOUG NURSE , MARCUS K. GARNER The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 11/15/06

It was like a work party Tuesday night at the new cities of Milton and Johns Creek. The mood was festive, buoyant even, at the first city council meetings of Georgia's two newest cities, but a lot of important groundwork was laid.

Both cities swore in their mayors and four council members. They empowered themselves to levy taxes. They adopted Robert's Rules of Order. Johns Creek adopted a measure warning businesses not to sell obscene material.

But what they did was overshadowed by the mere fact they were meeting at all. "This has been a long time coming," said Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker. "The people of northeast Fulton County finally have a local government that can respond to their needs."
When Sandy Springs proved it was possible to successfully incorporate into a city last year, the community of Milton, population 20,000, with its horse farms, golf courses and mansions launched intense efforts to incorporate to save the rural feel of the area.

Simultaneously, the Johns Creek area of northeast Fulton County, known for its stacked stone shops, manicured lawns, and gridlock traffic also began working for cityhood. Supporters were largely motivated by a feeling that Johns Creek's 63,000 residents had been ignored by Fulton County and wanted more control of taxes and spending.

Voters in July approved incorporation by at least 80 percent in each community. The cities won't begin actually delivering services until Dec. 1, but they need ordinances to give some framework to the government. In each city, two unresolved council posts will be settled in a Dec. 5 runoff.

In Milton, George Ragsdale, the man credited with stirring the fires for the new city's rise watched from the sidelines Tuesday as the mayor and council were sworn in. "It's a very exciting experience to see it come to fruition," Ragsdale said of the work to bring the city to life. "I'm looking forward to being an ardent observer of what's going on."

Jeri Colton, a 42-year-old homemaker, was one of about 200 people attending the festivities at Northview High School, site of Johns Creek's first City Council meeting. She said she came just to witness something historic. "It's self-government in the making," she said. "We have a fresh start, a new city. How often does that happen?"

Anne Thompson, 67, said she was relieved to have Johns Creek become reality. "We have looked forward to this for many a year," she said. "We're tired of paying high taxes and getting nothing in return. We personally know these people [City Council members]. If we don't like the way things are going, we'll tell them."