An Editorial By Tim Enloe; Accessmilton.comAccording to dictionary.com, the first definition of the term "rural" is as follows:
RURAL –adjective.
1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the country, country life, or country people; rustic: rural tranquillity.
2. living in the country: the rural population.
3. of or pertaining to agriculture: rural economy.
Being one of the few left who actually lived here when the term was truly applicable, Milton being refered to as "rural" is inacurate to say the least. Is Milton different than the surrounding cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, and Johns Creek? Yes and that uniqueness is a good thing. However, putting a black three board fence around a local strip center and utilizing a borrowed horse graphic as the city's official logo doesn't make it "rural."
When one takes a look at our current population, an estimated 90% of residents live in subdivisions that have been built on former "rural" farm land over the last twenty years. The remaining 10% reside in Milton's open road neighborhoods which do harbor some "rural" asthetics.
This fact is by no means stating that those who live a certain lifestyle are better or worse than the other. Honestly, I have met good and bad on both sides of the fence.
If you still believe that Milton is indeed "rural", I have a test for you. Go to google.com; click on images and then type in "Rural" with quotes and see what come up. You aren't going to find pictures of golf courses, swim and tennis subdivisions, or strip centers. You will, however, find numerous pictures of agricultural settings, lonely country roads, and farm animals of all sorts.
Can Milton retain it's unique air offered by the open road neighborhoods? I think it can provided both our city government and it's constituency start treating these residents as the neighbors and neighborhoods that they truly are. Enough with the speeding and roadside trash; enough with the constant noise; enough with the second class treatment and double standards.
If not, expect Milton to eventually evolve into another Atlanta suburb when the economy returns. And as for the term "rural", you can flush it for good when the sewer finally arrives.
22 comments:
ever heard of spellcheck
Milton's already been flushed. Just look at the council majority.
Just wondering, how much total acreage is owned by the 10% of the population supposedly on farm land, and how much acreage is actually subdivisions properties. What is the average price of a home/property Over 1 acre, and what is the average price of a home On 1 acre. I'd like to see those stats.
Don't forget about all the homes, condos and apartments in Milton.
Not everyone has an acre or more on septic.
Ok above poster, "look at the council majority". What are you talking about, all the previous counsil members, Neal, Tina, and Rick, live in subdivisions, with some actually on "sewer"?
Julie could answer # 3 for you.
I've always thought the city motto should have been, "Remaining rural 'til no rural remains." Decorating your house with a farm motif doesn't make it rural anymore than developing your city with a farm motif makes it rural, country, agricultural, etc. This is only a question of how the farms are going to be developed, not if. History will repeat itself; when the taxes get too high, the farmer sells. It's happened a million times before all over the country. In ten years, Milton will be a city of subdivisions with horsie logos hanging on 3 board fences (the real nice ones will have 4 board;). The more important question is where should we put the city and businesses before the land is gone.
I moved here from "rural" Vermont - we had 100 acers of mountain side pasture - all the New Yorkers moved in and raised the price of an acre from $100 to $400,000 and our taxes went from pennies to "we have to sell"!!! Milton is 3/4 the way there now - it's over baby - the fat lady is singing!!!
PS - I dont mean Karen :-)
How can this place possibly be "rural" when I can not do as I see fit with my own land even when I am zoned AG-1?
Did farmers in the early and mid 1900's have to get approval from an arborist, erosion control specialist, a design review board and possibly the city council to pursue their property rights?
You are kidding yourselves if ANYONE thinks this place is rural.
Back in the early 1900's these farmers had to deal with all kind of issues like locusts, drought, flooding, starvation, and early traveling Zahner ancesstors that patrolled the area on donkeys using an old fashioned bullhorn to scream out "for the record" to all that would listen.
Typically the only true listeners back then were those that had 4 legs and hooves, thereby the modern Zahner followers are commonly refered to as "ass's".
Did they advertise their personal business as they went around spreading "their" gospel?
Yes, but back in the days of pre-modern suburbans and Dodge Ram 2500's they just basically wore the magnets on the sides of their asses.
You have got to be kidding, did they just slap it right on their ass?
I'll bet that modern day jzb disciple Alan Tart likes a good ass slap every now and again.
"Go Alan.....Go Alan!" Ride em cowboy!
Hey, what about Bill Lusk, he's a big "cowboy" too? He had his picture with a horse one time when he was running for office.
He was leading the horse with that cute, rainbow colored ropw too!
You have got to be kidding? Were Julie, Tina, and Bill using the same horse in their campaign material? How cheap and mis-leading! I thought they were real horse people!
I have lost all respect for Bill Lusk now, he is such a fake.
Tim,
Your successive, pretend-anonymous posts are pathetic.
And transparent.
If I am going to say something against someone, then I am going to say it with my name. Be a coward and believe what you want to believe. If you doubt me, call me but I have a feeling I will be waiting on that call for a while.
Tim Enloe
Accessmilton.com
770 653 0552
At least Tim has his own real horse, not the fake ones on a stick like the other three have.
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