Reports of Ice Pellets north of Atlanta.

Courtesy 11alive.com 

A cold core low pressure system is passing over the area this afternoon.  That low has generated only a few showers in the area this afternoon.  The low also has some very cold air aloft.  Even though temperatures at the surface have been in the 60s, the cold air aloft has been cold enough to develop some ice pellets that have fallen in some spots today.

We've only had a few reports, but some folks actually saw some of these pellets make it to the ground.  We had a report of small ice pellets in Lavonia and Jasper.  One viewer reported a quick "very cold rain" in Milton, Georgia.  This type of ice pellet is also referred to as "graupel."  Graupel forms when we have warm air at the surface and very cold air aloft.  In that cold air aloft, snow flakes can develop.  When those flakes encounter supercooled air, ice crystals form on the flake.  That ice buildup on the snowflake is also referred to as "rime coating."  It is different from hail.  Hail is solid.  Graupel breaks up as you touch it.  

This cold core low will sweep to the east taking this disturbed weather away for tonight.  We will have clearing skies and colder air moving in overnight.  We will wake up to temperatures in the lower 40s in Atlanta by morning.  Many areas outside the city will be in the upper 30s by morning.

Sights & Sounds Of "Rural" Milton.

By Tim Enloe; Accessmilton.com

Continuing our promotion of Milton Georgia's "Rural" Character, here we find some new sewered town homes being built in "Rural" Crabapple. No word yet on where residents will place their gardens...

Keep Arnold Mill rural, low density.

Community envisions development plan.

By Savannah Lee; The Milton Herald

	(click for larger version)

November 26, 2013

MILTON, Ga. – Milton staff held a community meeting Nov. 12 to review the visioning plan for the Arnold Mill Road area. ¬The meeting was held at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church. 44 people turned up.

Community workshops were held in June to form an idea of how the community would like the Arnold Mill area developed in the future. Through these workshops, staff found that the community wanted to preserve the area's rural character, natural beauty and historic resources, avoid strip commercial developments and avoid the standard subdivision model.

Michele McIntosh-Ross, a Milton staff planner, said the goal is to understand what people in the area want.

"We don't profess to proscribe what we feel people in the community want," McIntosh-Ross said. "So we always try to go out and ask the question to the community about what they want to see."

Residents said they wanted new developments to be guided toward small centers with a street grid, one- to two-stories tall and small-scale mixed-use with standard designs focused on form; rustic or farmhouse style, with brick, wood or stone and with parking in rear. The possible locations discussed for this type of development were Arnold Mill Road at Cox Road, and the area around the Old Chadwick store.

After discussion with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the widening of Arnold Mill Road is on pause and is a long-range plan at best. Alternative options were presented to help manage traffic and promote safety in the area. These options included turn lanes or roundabouts at key intersections, slower speeds in village centers and faster in between. It was suggested to extend Cox Road to New Providence Road and extend a new road near the power line easement from Arnold Mill Road to New Providence Road.

The Old Chadwick Road Landfill is projected to close in five to eight years, and staff presented some suggested reuse options and asked for feedback of what the community would like to see. After the landfill closes, it would be covered with vegetated earthen material to prevent exposure to waste, water infiltration and erosion. Some of the possible uses include park/green space with active uses – such as walking, hiking and biking trails, a dog park, zip line and seasonal sledding – and passive uses – such as a nature preserve, wildlife habitat, botanical garden, sculpture garden and solar array. It was also suggested that it could be used as an outdoor event space for local events and festivals.

After the community input is processed, staff will write a report that will place rules and regulations for future developments to be developed according to the agreed upon vision for the area. After the report is written, it will go before the Design Review Board, then to the Planning Commission meeting and finally to City Council

Residents give input on Crabapple streetscape.

Plan calls for sidewalks, trees

Courtesy Savannah Lee; The Milton Herald

	Residents Brian Thornett and Suzanne Heiser look at examples of the character elements the Milton Public Works Department is considering in the streetscape design. SAVANNAH LEE/Staff. (click for larger version)

November 26, 2013

MILTON Ga. – The Milton Public Works Department held an open house Thursday, Nov. 14, for the community to review and provide feedback on potential improvements to the Crabapple area streetscape.

Public Works Director Carter Lucas said this is a federally funded project that will allow the city to improve the streetscape in the Crabapple area by extending sidewalks and working with other streetscape components such as street trees, landscaping, benches and street lights.

"The goal of this project is to increase pedestrian connectivity within the Crabapple area, particularly with the library coming in," said Lucas.

Gathering community input is the first step in this process. Once the input is gathered, the department can proceed with the design of the streetscape and try to incorporate the comments and suggestions from the community in the overall design.

"This particular meeting is to look at the concepts and try to get some community input and feedback as to whether or not that is going in the right direction," said Lucas.

Images of the potential plan were set up for viewing and members of staff were present to answer questions and listen to comments from the approximately 40 community members who attended. Community members who came were asked to leave their comments by filling out a survey.

"I'm glad they are here to get the community's feedback," said resident Sally Rich-Kolb.

Resident Lisa Renko said she was excited about the plans for streetscape improvement. She said she has a vested interest in pedestrian safety as she and her husband are both runners.

"Anytime they want to put in more sidewalks, I'm all for it," said Renko.

Copies of the potential streetscape plan should be online soon at miltonintersectionprojects.com along with an online version of the survey for community feedback.

Milton approves resolution for firefighter grant.

Joins with North Fulton cities.

Courtesy Savannah Lee; The Milton Herald

	(click for larger version)

November 25, 2013

MILTON Ga. – Milton City Council approved a resolution Nov. 18 authorizing the city to join three other cities in applying for a grant that would help in the purchase of radio equipment for Milton's firefighters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's firefighter assistance grant is open for applicants every year. Cities can apply as individual cities or as a group of cities. The cities of Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs are in the beginning stages of applying for this grant as a group. Each city must approve a resolution to be included on the application.

Milton City Manager Chris Lagerbloom said Milton is seeking about $300,000 worth of equipment. Milton would commit a 10 percent match at $30,000 and in exchange, the grant would be for $270,000.

The money would allow Milton to buy three "base station" radios that function inside a fire station, 14 radios to be mounted in fire engines and vehicles and 59 personal portable radios for firefighters to carry with them on emergency calls.

Lagerbloom said the city is in the process of designing and building a new radio system as the current one is nearing the end, and the new radio equipment will need to be purchased with or without the funds from the grant.

"Good communication is at the core of any public safety department," said Lagerbloom. "So if there is an opportunity to fund a grant that would provide the funding so that our $300,000 investment is only a $30,000 investment, that's just good finances. It's a need that exists with a good financial solution as an option."

For the grant application, the cities applying must provide demographic information along with a narrative explanation of why they think the award would be in line with what FEMA has determined to be critical needs for this year. Lagerbloom said one thing FEMA has said is a priority for funding is inter-operability among departments.

"This is a great inter-operability project," said Lagerbloom. "It seems as though it fits what they are looking for."

The city of Alpharetta will be taking the lead in submitting the application once each city has approved a resolution and provided the necessary information.

Don't forget: Tree Lighting Friday.

Courtesy City of Milton

Don't forget Milton's holiday season will kick off this Friday, Nov. 29 with the fifth annual City of Milton Tree Lighting ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Ga. 9 and Webb Road.

Click here for directions to the tree lighting ceremony, which will be held in front of the Deerfield Place shopping center at Webb Road and Ga. 9.

The tree lighting ceremony will last 30 minutes, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., and include musical performances and Milton's Mayor and City Council counting down to the big moment.

After the tree is lit, good St. Nick will arrive by fire truck to the tune of "Here Comes Santa Claus."

Following the ceremony, there will be complimentary popcorn from It's My Party Rentals, free hot chocolate from American Family Care, photos by Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts with Santa Claus and holiday music. It's an evening of fellowship with your neighbors - not to mention a perfect opportunity to get some holiday shopping done at one of the Ga. 9/Deerfield Parkway corridor's many retailers.

And don't forget about the sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple Dec. 7 and the second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council on Sunday, Dec. 15.  

AM NOTE: Many thanks to Protect Milton for the donation of the Christmas tree!

Christmas in Crabapple set for Dec. 7.

Saturday, Dec. 7 is sure to have heaps of holiday cheer in Milton as the city, in partnership with the CCA, hosts the sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple from 2 to 5 p.m. in historic downtown Crabapple.

Again, Christmas in Crabapple will be a celebration throughout the Crabapple Crossroads. At Friendship Community Park there will be Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday music favorites, a holiday bounce house, funnel cakes, hot chocolate and holiday train rides.

In historic downtown Crabapple, the CCA is offering photos with Santa Claus at Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts, a bonfire and the return of the "North Pole Passport" program featuring local businesses.

Click here for directions to the park, located at 12785 Birmingham Highway between Crabapple Crossing Elementary and Northwestern Middle schools. Click here for directions to historic downtown Crabapple. 

And don't forget about the fifth annual City of Milton Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 29 and the second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Fifth annual City of Milton Tree Lighting

Milton's holiday season will kick off Friday, Nov. 29 with the fifth annual City of Milton Tree Lighting ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Ga. 9 and Webb Road.

Click here for directions to the tree lighting ceremony, which will be held in front of the Deerfield Place shopping center at Webb Road and Ga. 9.

The tree lighting ceremony will last 30 minutes, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., and include musical performances and Milton's Mayor and City Council counting down to the big moment.

After the tree is lit, good St. Nick will arrive by fire truck to the tune of "Here Comes Santa Claus."

Following the ceremony, there will be complimentary popcorn from It's My Party Rentals, free hot chocolate from American Family Care, photos by Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts with Santa Claus and holiday music. It's an evening of fellowship with your neighbors - not to mention a perfect opportunity to get some holiday shopping done at one of the Ga. 9/Deerfield Parkway corridor's many retailers.

Second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council

In an effort to create the most welcoming, inclusive community in the state, every resident of Milton is again cordially invited to the second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council Sunday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the home of Mayor Joe Lockwood on Dorris Road.

You read that right: The entire city is welcome to the informal holiday party, which will be held at the Mayor's home. All food and drinks will be donated by City Council and local businesses.

Shuttled parking will be available from 4 to 7 p.m. at Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway in Milton (click here for directions). Handicapped parking will be available at the home, 375 Dorris Road in Milton (click here for directions).

To RSVP, please e-mail rsvp@cityofmiltonga.us and include your name and address to verify you are a Milton resident. You will be sent an invitation to print out.

For more information on either of these holiday events, contact Special Projects and Events Manager Angela Thompson at 678-242-2530 or angela.thompson@cityofmiltonga.us

Bulky Trash Amnesty Day set for Saturday, Dec. 7.

Courtesy City of Milton

The City of Milton Public Works Department and Milton Grows Green are offering residents a bulky trash amnesty day Saturday, Dec. 7, so gather your large items for disposal.

From 8 a.m. to noon, residents of Milton can bring items to the City of Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road in Roswell (click here for directions). Only City of Milton and Roswell residents will be served. Proof of residency will be required, and utility bills are preferred.

Also, bring your gently-worn shoes for a recycling and reuse program to help fund Milton's Community Wildlife Habitat Project (click here for more information on the project).

Some of the items accepted are (reusable items will be donated to Atlanta Furniture Bank): 

• tires - must be off the rim, automobile tires only; limit 4 per car
• sofas
• tables
• refrigerators
• chairs 
• washers 
• dryers 
• televisions 
• deactivated cell phones
• computer equipment and electronics
• mattresses and box springs
• grills
• lawnmowers (with fluids drained)  

The following items will not be accepted:  

• paint
• household hazardous waste 
• any fluids including motor oil and anti-freeze
• household batteries 
• construction and demolition materials 
• yard waste  

For proper disposal of these items, please contact either the Roswell Recycling Center at 770-442-8822 (motor oil and anti-freeze) or Chadwick Landfill at 770-475-9868 (construction and demolition materials).

Materials will only be accepted at the site on the day of the event and only during the hours of 8 a.m. and noon. Please note that the gate will close at noon.

A special thanks goes to the Young Mens' Service League for their continued volunteer support.
For more information, please contact Milton Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Eade at 678-242-2509 or cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.

Cook safe this Thanksgiving.

Courtesy City of Milton

The City of Milton Fire Department would like to remind residents to cook safely this Thanksgiving. To learn more about cooking safety from the National Fire Protection Association, click below for informational flyers.

Thanksgiving safety tips  (PDF)
General cooking safety  (PDF)
Fryer safety  (PDF)

  

More "Rural Character" Headed Your Way.

The End Result Of Milton Georgia's 23,000 Acres.

By Tim Enloe; Accessmilton.com

Flipping to page 28 of this week's Milton Herald, it is more than obvious that the "Rural Milton Georgia" initially promised is gone with the wind and one of the biggest smoke and mirror campaigns in recent history.

Numerous proposed subdivision zoning notices have been published. No doubt more are to come.  They include:

PETITION NUMBER: RZ13-17 

LOCATION: 13980 Freemanville Road

REQUEST: To rezone from AG-1 (Agricultural) to CUP (Community Unit Plan) to develop 9 single family residences on 16.98 acres.

PUBLIC HEARING: Design Review Board Meeting / Tuesday December 3, 2013 at 6:00pm

PUBLIC HEARING: Planning Commission Meeting / Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 7:00pm

PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor & Council Meeting / Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 6:00pm

_______________________________

More...

PETITION NUMBER: RZ13-18

LOCATION: 14738 Birmingham Highway

REQUEST: To rezone from AG-1 (Agricultural) to CUP (Community Unit Plan) to develop 17 single family residences.

_______________________________

PETITION NUMBER: RZ13-19

LOCATION: 13941 and 13943 HWY 9 North

REQUEST: To rezone from O-I (Office - Institutional ) to TR (Townhouse Residential) to develop 24 single family residences.

______________________________

PETITION NUMBER RZ13-20

LOCATION: 16340 Birmingham Hwy with additional frontage on New Bull Pen Road containing a total of 65.71  acres.

REQUEST: To rezone from AG-1 to CUP (Community Unit Plan) to develop 54 single family residences.

______________________________

PETITION NUMBER RZ13-21

LOCATION: 975 Birmingham Road and 15755 Birmingham Highway containing a total of 22.3 acres.

REQUEST: to rezone from MIX (Mixed Use) and AG-1 (Agricultural) to CUP (Community Unit Plan) to develop 55 single family residences.

APPLICANT: Acadia Homes and Neighborhoods LLC

PUBLIC HEARINGS: Community Zoning Information Meeting / December 4. 2013 at 7:00pm

PUBLIC HEARINGS: Design Review Board Meeting / Tuesday December 3, 2013 at 6:00pm

PUBLIC HEARINGS: Planning Commission Meeting / Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 7:00pm

PUBLIC HEARINGS: Mayor and City Council Meeting / Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 6:00pm

______________________________

IF the Mayor and Council approval all of the above, total new homes in Milton Georgia will be:

1. 9 + 17 + 24 + 54 + 55 = 159

And then factor in some new subdivisions under construction in Milton and on it's borders now:

1. Ruth's Farm / 49 Homes
2. Mayfield Road @ Batesville / 109 Homes
3. Preserve across from Summit Hill / 50 Homes

The numbers break down like this:

A. New Homes Total=367.
B. Assume minimum of two cars per home; 734 additional vehicles on local road ways daily.
D. Assume a minimum of four people per dwelling; 1,468 new residents.
C. Schools - According to Fulton County School Board Member Katie Reeves; schools in Milton are at capacity. Could more new elementary, middle, and high schools be in the not too distant future due to a growing population?

What we are witnessing now is a massive ripple affect. There are reasons why people live the way they do; that setup, whatever it is, works for them. When you take away one of those big reasons, those who purchased for that reason are more likely to exit in the hopes of finding again what they had initially purchased to begin with.

In seeing monotony and sprawl in full swing in "Rural Milton", it begs the question once again: Why, if this area was going to become the same as so many others, did we even incorporate to begin with? What was the point? Why not just annex into Alpharetta? After all, the end result will soon be the same. With a full two years until the next election and the flood gates open wide, one has to wonder if there will be anything left to fight for. 

Those behind the push to incorporate Northwest Fulton as well as Milton's elected leaders, current and past,  have failed...or have they simply lied? Are we now bearing witness to what they wanted from the beginning? That opinion is up to you. 

By the way, there were no published notices for anyone applying for a new barn or equestrian facility...

Mom, toddler injured jumping from 2nd floor to escape fire.

Courtesy www.ajc.com 

MILTON, Ga. —

A mother and her 3-year-old were injured while escaping a Milton house fire early Friday morning.

The Milton Fire Department said they were called to a home on White Columns Court around 6:40 a.m.

A family of 9 – seven children and two adults – lived in the home.

The Fire Department said the mother and toddler were injured when she jumped out a second-floor window to escape the flames. The father was also injured. All three were taken tothe hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Three family pets are missing and possibly dead.

The house was completely destroyed by the fire.

Sights & Sounds Of "Rural" Milton.

By Tim Enloe; Accessmilton.com

Starting this week, Accessmilton.com will be posting various pictures of our "rural" community.

Above, we have this fine fellow exiting Fry's on highway nine in Milton Georgia . No doubt his next stop was to pick up horse feed across the way...

Statement from Sen. Albers Regarding the Georgia 400 Toll Removal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jennifer Yarber, Director

Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist

Shawna.mercer@senate.ga.gov

404.656.0028

ATLANTA (November 22, 2013) – Sen. John Albers (R –Roswell) has released the following statement regarding the removal of the Georgia 400 Tolls:

“Today is a historic day for commuters and citizens residing along the GA–400 corridor. After years of working with elected and state transportation officials, the day has finally arrived – the GA-400 tolls are coming down. This is a positive example of the branches of government working together and doing what’s right for the people of Georgia.

Scheduled to be removed in 2011, the GA-400 tolls were extended and allocated for other regional transportation projects without any involvement from the people who use the tolls every day. This action become a barrier to public trust and required citizens to foot the bill for millions of additional bonds that were already paid in full.

For nearly five years, I’ve worked closely with state transportation authorities and sponsored legislation to ensure the State of Georgia fulfilled its promise to end the GA-400 tolls and find innovative solutions for traffic management.

I would like to commend Governor Nathan Deal for working to fulfill this promise to the citizens of Georgia and those who travel along our roadways. Today represents a new chapter in rebuilding transparency between government and the people it serves.

Today, I had the privilege of bringing my sledgehammer down on the GA-400 tolls once and for all; fulfilling my pledge to the citizens of this state.”

# # # #

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the State Institutions and Property Committee.  He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of North Fulton and Cherokee counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.

Girl Scouts beautify Friendship Park for Silver Award.

Courtesy City of Milton

Two local Girl Scouts recently finished their Silver Award project at Friendship Community Park in Crabapple by installing planting beds that spell out “Milton.”

Clara Smallwood and Meagan Mitchell, eighth graders at Northwestern Middle School and members of Girl Scout Troop 27332, chose Friendship Park because they were at Crabapple Crossing Elementary School when plans for the park were first announced. The Silver Award requires the girls “positively impact their community in a sustainable way,” so Friendship was a perfect fit.

“We like gardening, we like going to the park,” said Mitchell. “We knew doing something here would be good for the school and the community.”

Smallwood said they began fundraising in July and planted the projects pansies, tulips and monkey grass in late October and early November.
To learn more about the girls and their project, including sponsors, visit www.miltonfriendshipproject.weebly.com. 

North Fulton CID holds open house Dec. 2.

The North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID), commercial properties stretching along Georgia 400 from Mansell Road north to McFarland Road, will hold its Blueprint 2.0 public open house Monday, Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 11605 Haynes Bridge Road (click here for directions) in Alpharetta.

In March the CID began work on its new master plan for the commercial district, which stretches along Georgia 400 through Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton. Entitled “Blueprint North Fulton 2.0,” the master plan will outline priorities for the next decade of CID investments in North Fulton.

Since its inception, the North Fulton CID has invested $15 million of commercial property owner funds to advance more than $78 million worth of transportation and infrastructure improvements.

Blueprint 2.0 will outline a new list of CID priorities and projects, guiding the CID’s investments over the next five to 10 years.

For more information on the North Fulton Community Improvement District, contact Kristin Rome, Project Assistant, at (678) 397-0570, or visit www.NorthFultonCID.com.  

Milton holds three holiday events Nov. 29 to Dec. 15.

Perk up those ears for sleigh bells and pack the mittens, because the City of Milton will once again provide three holiday events for residents: the fifth annual City of Milton Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 29; the sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple on Saturday, Dec. 7 in partnership with the Crabapple Community Association (CCA); and the second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Fifth annual City of Milton Tree Lighting
Milton's holiday season will kick off Friday, Nov. 29 with the fifth annual City of Milton Tree Lighting ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Ga. 9 and Webb Road.

Click here for directions to the tree lighting ceremony, which will be held in front of the Deerfield Place shopping center at Webb Road and Ga. 9.

The tree lighting ceremony will last 30 minutes, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., and include musical performances and Milton's Mayor and City Council counting down to the big moment.

After the tree is lit, good St. Nick will arrive by fire truck to the tune of "Here Comes Santa Claus."

Following the ceremony, there will be complimentary popcorn from It's My Party Rentals, free hot chocolate from American Family Care, photos by Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts with Santa Claus and holiday music. It's an evening of fellowship with your neighbors - not to mention a perfect opportunity to get some holiday shopping done at one of the Ga. 9/Deerfield Parkway corridor's many retailers.

Sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple
Saturday, Dec. 7 is sure to have heaps of holiday cheer in Milton as the city, in partnership with the CCA, hosts the sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple from 2 to 5 p.m. in historic downtown Crabapple.

Again, Christmas in Crabapple will be a celebration throughout the Crabapple Crossroads. At Friendship Community Park there will be Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday music favorites, a holiday bounce house, funnel cakes, hot chocolate and holiday train rides.

In historic downtown Crabapple, the CCA is offering photos with Santa Claus at Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts, a bonfire and the return of the "North Pole Passport" program featuring local businesses.

Click here for directions to the park, located at 12785 Birmingham Highway between Crabapple Crossing Elementary and Northwestern Middle schools. Click here for directions to historic downtown Crabapple.

Second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council
In an effort to create the most welcoming, inclusive community in the state, every resident of Milton is again cordially invited to the second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council Sunday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the home of Mayor Joe Lockwood on Dorris Road.

You read that right: The entire city is welcome to the informal holiday party, which will be held at the Mayor's home. All food and drinks will be donated by City Council and local businesses.

Shuttled parking will be available from 4 to 7 p.m. at Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway in Milton (click here for directions). Handicapped parking will be available at the home, 375 Dorris Road in Milton (click here for directions).

To RSVP, please e-mail rsvp@cityofmiltonga.us and include your name and address to verify you are a Milton resident. You will be sent an invitation to print out.

For more information on either of these holiday events, contact Special Projects and Events Manager Angela Thompson at 678-242-2530 or angela.thompson@cityofmiltonga.us.

  

Horse Therapy and Trouble Teens.

Courtesy http://www.equine-psychotherapy.com

Many boarding schools offer residential treatment for troubled teens, but few offer equine therapy as a means to healing many of the common social, and behavioral disorders that exist in many teens today.

Psychologists and counselors have discovered many effective treatment programs for troubled teens. The leading new treatment involves Equine Assisted Therapy - or the use of professionally trained horses as part of the counseling process.

Many studies have been done to show the effects of building relationships with animals and horses. Endorphins are released into the body and decrease chemicals which cause stress and arousal when sessions with horses are experienced by troubled youth. Troubled teens are typically in a state of aggression, defiance, or anger. Using horse therapy with these teens helps maintain a constant and healthy chemical balance.

Not only do horses provide therapy as a result of chemical connection between the human and horse, they also provide troubled youth with an opportunity to learn how to control and work with animals. Learning how to work with horses will help them in their day to day lives as they deal and work with humans.

Horses can often times be stubborn, reluctant to follow orders, and have to learn how to get along with a team. Members of horse therapy groups will learn how to properly lead, groom, and take care of the animals. These teen may realize that they exhibit some of the exact same behaviors as the horse. By learning how to get along and work with the horse they will better understand their own emotions and body language.

Horses cannot speak like humans, and careful attention must be placed on their body language. They will let you know if they are nervous, relaxed, frustrated, exited, or dangerous by their body language. Learning how to recognize this language is key in learning how to train and become one with a horse.


Horses have been used for therapy for many centuries. Many disabled people both physically and mentally have used horses to overcome their obstacles. More recently the horses are being used for troubled teens. The principles are the same.


Teens who may struggle in school, have alcohol or substance abuse problems, or have social or mental disorders can greatly benefit from horse therapy programs. 

New Poll Up; Old Poll Results.

All:

We have a new poll up. 

It asks:

"Should The City Create A PR Campaign Encouraging More Horse Owners To Move To Milton?"

Have your say today in the upper right!

Past poll results listed below.

Former Milton councilman Rick Mohrig rejoins city council.

by Nicole Dow; Neighbor NewspapersNeighbor Newspapers

November 13, 2013 10:23 AM | 236 views | 0  | 11   |  | 

slideshow

With no contested races in the past municipal election, there is only one “new” face on Milton’s city council as former councilman Rich Mohrig takes Lance Large’s seat to serve his unexpired term.

Large recently relocated to Virginia requiring a special election to be held in conjunction with the Nov. 5 municipal elections.

Mohrig, who served on Milton’s first city council for 14 months, was the sole candidate to run for the District 3 Post 2 council spot.

“I wanted to get back officially in serving our residents, using my business and community service background for Milton,” he said. “I see this as an opportunity to re-engage and be a part of continuing to improve our city and represent our community.”

Mohrig said his top three priorities for the city are further development and build-out of Milton’s parks, improving roads and intersections, and maintaining ongoing financial stability and efficiency in how taxpayer funds are used. Running unopposed gave him more time to focus on the city’s current priorities instead of campaigning, he said.

During his first city council term, Mohrig said he and his fellow council members worked to form the city’s various departments and services as well as pass all the necessary laws for the new city.

“We had to start from ground zero,” he said. “We also were involved in key personnel decisions including hiring our city manager [and] our public safety director, working with CH2M Hill on the setup of the city and [setting] our budget allocations.”

Since his first council term ended, Mohrig has served on Milton’s Highway 9 Design Review Committee and Construction Board of Appeals. He has also been active in the community as a past Milton Business Alliance board member.

“I am a private business owner in Milton and run a renovation and repairs services company, serving both commercial businesses and homeowners,” he said. “I bring a strong business and management background to the job. My focus has been in listening, supporting, and serving customers.  I believe in teamwork and integrity to accomplish goals.”

Mohrig said his business background and his knowledge of city council policies and procedures will be positive assets for the next two years he will serve on council.

Copyright 2013 Neighbor Newspapers. All rights reserved.

Read more: Neighbor Newspapers - Former Milton councilman Rick Mohrig rejoins city council

Three Runs Plantation: The Milton That Could Have Been?

By Tim Enloe; Accessmilton.com

Flashing back to 2006, who can forget the buzz about unincorporated North Fulton evolving to the new City of Milton, Georgia. Pledging to "protect the rural equestrian heritage" of the area, voters voted overwhelmingly in favor of.

Flash forward to 2013, and like so many promises offered by those in political office, it is more than obvious that incorporation was about something other than keeping horses in Northwest Fulton. 

More subdivisions are destroying what remains of Milton's vanishing country side like an terminal cancer as once pristine horse farms fall victim to this clustered lifestyle. Oh, and for the record, AG-1 / one unit per acre subdivisions are NOT "rural"; never have been and never will be. The names given are even more hypocritical; monikers such as "farm", "field", and "preserve." Curious also, how can a person who purchased in a subdivision that was farm not too long ago preach about "rural preservation"?

I suppose this graduation was to be expected. Since incorporation, not one elected official, current or past, has been an advocate for the initial pledge to "protect our rural equestrian heritage." There have been plenty of equestrian photo ops, mind you, but no traction to put action behind the image. They had the chance to stand out in various ways; to uphold the image professed, but none have been taken to date.

There have been many stances our elected body has taken, like requesting a four board black fence going around the new Cambridge High School, and the hours of discussion on the potential gating of a tax payer funded and owned city street.

From a public relations perspective, staff has been busy there as well! Did you know we offer yoga and have a bulky trash pick up day? Exciting stuff, no doubt, but nothing promoting horses but we do have horse pictures-don't forget those pictures!

Who can forget the botched investigation of animal abuse against my family's horse, Liberty. Having been shot with paint balls, screamed at, and fireworks shot into her pastures among other things by the same offenders, nothing was done to the guilty. As a result, we created Liberty's Law; an ordinance that would enforce and enhance laws to protect horses, but council and staff have done every thing in their power to block this proposal from even being heard; much less enacted. One council member refused to support this proposal if Liberty's name was in it; while another told us we should move our horse off of property; the very property where she took her first breaths in the early 1980's. Both are still in office. For those who believe in horse protection; there is much more exciting news from Liberty's Law to come; stay tuned.

Such a law could have easily encouraged other horse owners to move to Milton while turning our 23,000 acres into a "Little Kentucky" of Georgia; especially if the local governing body was the initial advocate. This type of citizen could have easily created a demand for a true rural / equestrian community; a community like Three Runs Plantation out of Aiken, South Carolina.

Three Runs Plantation puts action behind the image; with the smallest lots being 3 acres; this 2400 acre planned community is all about the horse and the lifestyle that surrounds it. They offer 30 miles of trails,equestrian amenities, and other benefits.  Oh, and before you assume only the extreme wealthy
can afford a farmette in Three Runs, take a look at some of the pricing and lots.

Recently, I encouraged one of our elected body to reach out to the developers of Three Runs and invite them to our home town. The goal would be to implement some of what they have put together in Aiken here. I was told by this official that he would "totally support" this. However, he told me I also needed to purchase all the land around the nine acres my family currently owns first to make it reality. Closing his comments, he states that the Three Runs Plantation approach "has to start with the property owners and not forced on (the property owners) by government." Funny, didn't the city decide about the infamous sewer map a few years back; impacting the value of one's property greatly? I don't remember those owners having a say. Another consideration, I wonder if the City of Las Vegas Nevada
promotes their city being the "adult playground" or do they keep mum about what makes them unique?

For those with a keen eye, you might have noticed that Milton Georgia is slowly, almost quietly, pulling themselves away from the horse. The new police cars have dropped any horse image whatsoever and the "Milton Round-Up" festival is now dead. No doubt more evolution is on it's away.

In conclusion, people flock to areas that are different. If it is not gambling in Las Vegas, it is the sandy beaches of Florida or the big city lights of New York. All know how important it is to stand out among the crowd; to defend the diamond within; to protect what makes them unique. Unless something is done NOW; Milton will disappear into the vast monster of suburban sprawl; leaving nothing but memories of what could have been. Remember, image without action is nothing more than a facade.

Freedom Park opens with Veterans Day celebration.

November 13, 2013 10:37 AM | 162 views | 0  | 7   |  | 

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Pictured from left, Fulton County Commissioner Liz Haussmann, Milton City Councilman Matt Kunz, Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood, Ga. Dist. 6 Rep. Congressman Tom Price and Roswell Councilwoman Betty Price cut the ribbon to the city’s new Freedom Park during a Veterans Day ceremony.

Click here to view more photos from the event.

Read more: Neighbor Newspapers - Freedom Park opens with Veterans Day celebration

Milton puts a face to pancreatic cancer.

Honors Mike Scott

by SAVANNAH LEE/ The Milton Herald

	Milton's City Council declared November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in the city. (click for larger version)

November 12, 2013

MILTON, Ga. – Mayor Joe Lockwood proclaimed November to be Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month at the regular City Council meeting Monday, Nov. 4.

Lockwood said he wanted to do more than recognize November for pancreatic cancer; he dedicated the proclamation to coach Mike Scott, who died in December 2012 at age 36, less than two months after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"I'd like to make this more than just a proclamation on a terrible disease and cancer, but also bring it in perspective of a personal loss we all had," Lockwood said.

Coach Scott was a teacher and football coach at Milton High School. His wife Mary Jane Scott spoke at the City Council meeting and shared the words his players had used to describe him, "tough, loyal, hilarious, passionate, fun-loving, supportive, legendary, mentor, role model, best friend and father."

"Mike faced his pending death with wit, grace, dignity and an unyielding faith that has inspired me to be a better woman and has made me so proud to have been his wife," she said. "He was as strong and fearless in death as he was in life."

Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. and is projected by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to become the second leading cause by 2020. The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2013 there would be 45,220 new cases of pancreatic cancer and 38,460 deaths from the disease. Of the patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 73 percent of them will die within the first year and only 6 percent will live longer than five years after diagnosis.

There are limited treatment options for people diagnosed with the disease. In some cases surgery is an option, in others chemotherapy and radiation. There are Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, however the National Comprehensive Cancer Network states in their guidelines for treatment that clinical trials are the preferred treatment option.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network calls pancreatic cancer the most under-funded, under-recognized and under-researched cancer, stating that only 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute's annual budget goes toward pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has a local Atlanta affiliation that hosts the Purple Stride, a 5K walk/run to raise awareness and funds. Purple Stride took place Nov. 9 at Centennial Park.

The original fundraising goal was $220,000, but they surpassed that goal and upped it to $250,000.

Tina Sant, who works for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, said they just want people to be more aware.

For more on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, visit them online at www.pancan.org.

Milton community reviews Ga. 9 North Visioning Study.

Traffic, safety among concerns.

by SAVANNAH LEE/ The Milton Herald

November 12, 2013

MILTON, Ga. – A meeting was held Wednesday, Nov. 6 to update the public and gather feedback on the Ga. 9 Visioning Study.

In April, Michael Elliott was hired to work with neighbors and property owners to reach a consensus on development of two subareas within the Ga. 9 Visioning Study that needed special treatment. One subarea is located at the corner of Bethany Bend and Cogburn Road, and the other is on either side of Five Acre Road and Ga. 9.

Each area had special concerns with how the land would be used. Elliott held several meetings for each location to reach a general agreement.

A developer was working with the property owners of the Bethany Bend and Cogburn Road area and used the right to move forward with rezoning. The developer agreed to work within the general agreement reached at the meetings Elliott facilitated.

The interest and concerns of the community were to minimize traffic and promote pedestrian safety and compatible land uses. The community wanted the privacy of the neighbors to be protected. Concerns of higher density redevelopment were also raised.

The proposed plan for the Bethany Bend special treatment area is for 28 single-family house lots, with 75 feet of undisturbed natural buffer to the north. The sewer is proposed to be a private sewer sized for 28 residential units. There would be one entrance on Bethany Bend.

The application for rezoning will go before the Milton Planning Commission Nov. 20 and then before the City Council on Dec. 16.

The second special treatment area has a conceptual plan that meets the general agreement from the meetings with the Five Acre and Ga. 9 stakeholders and neighbors. The interests and concerns raised for this location include traffic, safety, character of the area and look and feel of the Five Acre Road entrance. A list of acceptable and unacceptable uses was made and a height limitation of 28 feet or two stories was set.

With the information gathered in the community meetings, staff will write a report to be presented to the design review board at a later date.

Sandy Springs suspect linked to Milton cases.

Collin Daves allegedly spotted driving stolen car in video

Courtesy The Milton Herald

November 12, 2013

MILTON, Ga. – A man accused of running down a Sandy Springs police officer Oct. 28 has been linked to a series of crimes in Milton.

Collin Lee Daves, 18, of Sandy Springs, was arrested by Sandy Springs Police Oct. 28 after he allegedly tried to run down one of their officers and drove a stolen car into two police vehicles. During that incident, Daves was shot in the leg by an officer.

He was taken to a nearby hospital and then transferred to Fulton County Jail.

In processing, Sandy Springs detectives recognized Daves from a lookout posted by Milton detectives earlier in the month.

On Oct. 10, a concerned resident alerted Milton officers to a suspicious vehicle parked near the clubhouse of the Hermitage neighborhood off Cogburn Road. Investigators found the car had been reported stolen out of Sandy Springs.

Detectives began compiling reports and suspected the same person was likely responsible for the recovered stolen car and a report of a stolen car just five days earlier in the same neighborhood. Compounding this belief were a rash of entering auto reports filed just a few days prior in the immediate area.

In the recovered vehicle from Sandy Springs, detectives found items belonging to one of the entering auto victims from Milton. Sandy Springs Police then recovered video from a gas station of Daves allegedly driving the stolen car.

Bradshaw subsequently charged Daves with one count of theft of a motor vehicle and three counts of entering autos. He is also charged with aggravated assault, obstruction, criminal damage and theft by receiving stolen property.

City Council names November “Native American Heritage month”

At its Nov. 4 meeting, Milton’s City Council proclaimed November National American Indian Heritage month.

The designation began in 1976, but dates back to 1916 when Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, rode horseback from state to state, getting endorsement from 24 separate governments to have a day that honors Native Americans.

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution Martha Stewart Bulloch Chapter’s American Indian Committee joined City Council in receiving the honor.

Milton’s HYA baseball spring registration now open.

Online registration for Hopewell Youth Association’s (HYA) Spring 2014 recreational baseball season is now open at the group’s Web site, www.hopewellbaseball.org.

To register and for full information on age cut off dates, volunteer coaching opportunities and league fees, click here. This page is also accessible by visiting www.hopewellbaseball.org and clicking on the “Register Online’ link to the upper left.

Please note the registration process is split into three parts: The first, for Milton residents only, is now open. The second, which begins Friday, Nov. 15, is for HYA veteran players who do not reside in Milton and city residents. The third, kicking off Sunday, Dec. 1, is open registration for everyone regardless of residence or previous league history.

Registration will close Wednesday, Jan. 1. A $35 late fee will be charged for any registrations after this date. Each phase of the registration is open to all ages.

HYA, which recently celebrated its 25^th anniversary, is a non-profit organization that schedules and programs the baseball activities at Milton’s Bell Memorial Park through a joint agreement with the City of Milton. For more information about the programs, including a full schedule of fall baseball, visit the group’s Web site at www.hopewellbaseball.org.

Rick Mohrig joins City Council.

In a special called meeting Wednesday night, Rick Mohrig joined Milton’s City Council. Mohrig, who ran unopposed in the special election Nov. 5 for former councilman Lance Large’s vacated District 3, Post 2 seat, was sworn in by Milton judge Brian Hansford.

Above, Mohrig signs his oath of office to officially join council. After being sworn in, Mohrig and his family joined friends and fellow councilmembers for a small reception in City Council Chambers.
Mohrig will serve out the rest of Large’s term, which ends in 2015. He joins Councilmembers Karen Thurman (District 1, Post 1), Bill Lusk (District 2, Post 1), Joe Longoria (District 3, Post 1) and Mayor Joe Lockwood (at large), who all ran unopposed in the Nov. 5 general election.

To see the results from the election, click here.

Don’t forget: Crabapple streetscape meeting Thursday.

Don't forget the City of Milton Public Works Department will hold a public information open house tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 14 to discuss adding pedestrian improvements to the Crabapple area.

This meeting will be held in the Crabapple Government Center Courtroom, 12625 Broadwell Road (click here for directions) from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be no formal presentation.

For more information on this, or any, road project in the City of Milton contact Sara Leaders, PE, transportation engineer for the City of Milton at 678-242-2559 or sara.leaders@cityofmiltonga.us.

See photos from the Freedom Park opening ceremony.

The City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department hosted a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony for Freedom Park, located at the corner of Deerfield Parkway and Webb Road (click here for directions) on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m.

After the ribbon cutting, local veterans raised nine flags representing the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, POW/MIA, the state of Georgia, the United States and the City of Milton.  

Following the raising of the flags, touching remarks were made by Rep. Tom Price and Mayor Pro Tem Bill Lusk, a Vietnam veteran.

The park is now officially open and will serve as an exercise center for the runners, cyclists and walkers on Deerfield Parkway and host the city's patriotic events. It features a .15 mile trail and equipment for sit ups and body curls, a cardio walker, and rowing and elliptical machines. 

No word yet on when city will break ground on the Milton Equestrian Park.

To see photos at the city’s flickr site, click here.

Senior Center hosts Thanksgiving feast.

Courtesy City of Milton

The Milton Senior Center will host a Thanksgiving party for Milton seniors Thursday, Nov. 21 -- complete with yoga and bingo.

The Senior Center, located at 3315 Francis Road (click here for directions), provides active seniors the opportunity to socialize, learn and maintain special relationships through weekly trips, exercise, dancing, table games and much more.

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with seated yoga taught by a certified instructor. Turkey Bingo will follow at 11 a.m. Lunch, including roast turkey and all the trimmings, will be served at noon.

"Please feel free to join us and give thanks for all the wonderful things we enjoy in our lives," said Melinda Ross, manager of the Milton Senior Center. "We can be active, enjoy a game and celebrate our fellowship over a warm and healthy meal."

For more information on the Senior Center and its programs, contact Ross at 470-554-0758 or mross@ssnorthfulton.org.

Senior Services North Fulton is a private, non-profit 501 (C) (3) founded in 1991 to provide programs and services for the older adults who live in North Fulton.

It is the only nonprofit in North Fulton dedicated to serving the older adults, operating Neighborhood Senior Centers in Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs and now Milton. Staff coordinates care for clients, including Meals on Wheels, transportation and supportive in-home services such as personal care assistance, homemaker services and respite. All clients are served regardless of ability to pay.