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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Milton County proposal could get House vote next week.

By Jim Tharpe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


A controversial proposal that could lead to the re-creation of Milton County out of what is now north Fulton County could be voted on by the state House of Representatives in a week.

The proposal, HR 21, won approval from the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee on Thursday by a 9-7 vote, clearing the way for its consideration by the House Rules Committee and the full House next week.

Pushed by House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Milton), the resolution would put the Milton County proposal on the November ballot in the form of a constitutional amendment. If that passed, residents in the proposed county would still have to approve the plan.

But the road to the November ballot is a long one. Proponents would need a two-thirds vote in the House, meaning Republican backers would need to pick up 15 Democratic votes, an uphill task for any piece of legislation in the partisan chamber. And if it passed the House, it would have to pick up a handful of Democratic votes in the Senate.

“They have some very steep hurdles to overcome to get this on the ballot,” said state Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), who opposes the proposal.

Proponents, however, point out that they overcame similar obstacles with the creation of the cities of Johns Creek and Sandy Springs in recent years.

Milton and Campbell counties were merged with Fulton County during the Great Depression as a cost-cutting move. Since then, however, northern Fulton’s population has exploded. Some north Fulton residents contend that the county's Board of Commissioners has become increasingly unresponsive to their needs and an inefficient steward of their tax dollars.

Opponents of a re-created Milton County argue that dividing Fulton County would hurt Atlanta and the entire region. Some opponents have alleged that race is an underlying motivation for the proposal -- south Fulton is predominately black, while north Fulton is majority white.

Supporters of the new county have steadfastly denied any racial motivation, contending their primary aim is a more efficient county government closer to the people it serves.

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves on Thursday called the 1932 merger of Fulton with Milton and Campbell counties a “marriage” that Milton County proponents are trying to tear apart.

“This divorce would have a disastrous impact on all parties involved,” Eaves said. “It’s a lose-lose situation.”

But Roswell Mayor Jere Wood said during the committee hearing that divorce is sometimes necessary. In this case, he said, it might cause some short-term pain, but the long-term benefits would be worth it.

“The divorce is because it’s not working out,” said Wood, a major backer of Milton County whose city would be within its boundaries. “I see irreconcilable differences.”

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
OAKLAND DIVISION
In re: Case No. 08-45902 J
Chapter 11
ROME FINANCE CO., INC.
Date: January 29, 2009
Time: 2:30 pm
Place: Courtroom 215
Debtor.
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES BY THE TENNESSEE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT
OF TRUSTEE

“In fact, as the Acting U.S. Trustee explains in her memorandum, it has already come to light that Ronald Wilson has been using an alterego, Rome LLC, to issue notes and finance accounts receivable. There can be little doubt that Mr. Wilson established Rome LLC in order to evade the Tennessee enforcement action and continue highly questionable, unlicensed business activities under a different corporate identity. This fact alone is enough to convince that Mr. Wilson cannot be trusted with fiduciary capacity to act solely on behalf of Rome’s interests.”

And who owns 45% interest in Georgia-based, parallel company, Rome LLC ?

Anonymous said...

Lisa Cauley?

Anonymous said...

Joe Fudgewood?

Anonymous said...

Hey, Karen, pay your delinquent taxes in Flagler Co, Florida.
2008 Total: $129,744.83

Anonymous said...

Thurman needs to pay her past due taxes in Georgia first.

She is such a hypocrite!

She calls out her opponent for not paying for a business license on a family trust which does not require a business license, but its okay for her and her family not to pay their property taxes.

I can’t believe the people of Milton couldn’t find better quality representation.

Anonymous said...

So what's the answer to who owns 45% of that company?

Anonymous said...

See who owns 45% of Rome LLC.

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
OAKLAND DIVISION
In re: Case No. 08-45902 J
Chapter 11
ROME FINANCE CO., INC.
Date: January 15, 2009
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: U.S. Bankruptcy Court
1130 Clay Street, 2d floor
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF ACTING U.S. TRUSTEE’S MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE

“In 2006, the year after the State of Tennessee filed suit against the Debtor, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Collins set up a parallel (non-debtor) corporation, Rome Finance Corporation (GA) LLC (“Rome LLC”), owned 45% by each of them and 10% by Jody Mohammed, carrying on a business identical to the Debtor’s business. The Debtor has been shifting the Debtor’s business to the non-debtor entity since that time. …..The Debtor also carries on parallel businesses for the benefit of Mr. Collins’ IRA.”