Thanks to www.ledger-enquirer.com for this story.
Long-time 'neighbors' to serve town
Columbus natives both elected to city council in Milton, Ga.
BY LARRY GIERER - lgierer@ledger-enquirer.com --
They graduated one year apart from the same high school. They even participated in the same Boy Scout troop. As adults, they've lived in the same north Georgia area for years. Still, they were strangers.
Columbus natives Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart will be seeing a lot of each other for the next four years. On Tuesday, both were elected to the city council in Milton, Ga.
Both defeated incumbents in the town that has been incorporated for just one year.
Both ran on the same campaign platform, and that was to keep the big city sprawl of Atlanta out of Milton.
The first time the two met was at a political meeting. This was before either had decided to run for office."We just started talking," said Hewitt, "and were amazed about what we discovered.""At first, I asked if he was from Columbus, Ohio," Tart said.
Tart is a 1992 graduate of Hardaway High School and Hewitt was in the 1993 class.
Following graduation from high school, Hewitt attended Auburn University in Alabama and Tart went to Berry College in Rome, Ga.
Tart, who has worked at Northwest Regional Hospital in Rome, and taught for one year at Hardaway, is currently a retail food specialist for the Food and Drug Administration. He was elected by the other 22 specialists in the country as their leader.Hewitt is regional sales manager for Volk Enterprises, which supplies packaging materials to the meat and poultry industries.
Hewitt has a wife, Ivey, and three daughters. Tart has a partner, David, and a daughter.
Milton, with a population of approximately 20,000, is in the northwestern section of Fulton County.
Hewitt said 86 percent of the city is zoned agricultural. It is not cluttered. His house, for example, has 90 acres of vacant land behind it. Those acres go for $100,000 apiece. It is a wealthy area that is 80 percent Republican.
"My opponent tried to label me a Democrat. That's a serious charge around here," said Tart, laughing. "Since I work for the government, he tried to paint me as someone who favors big government. It didn't work."
"It was a nasty campaign," Hewitt said. "A lot of lies about us in e-mails. It was a way for them to not have to talk about their own performance in office."
Both men won in a landslide.
Much of the city uses septic tanks. Both Hewitt and Tart campaigned that they would fight the extension of sewer service into the city and keep the small town character.
"The expansion of the sewer service would bring the increased density and increased traffic we don't want. We feel we have a little oasis here," Hewitt said.
Different sides
The part of town in which Tart lives isn't quite as rural as where Hewitt resides. "We already have more of a problem with crime," Tart said. "That's something I want to clean up."
The move of Tart and Hewitt into politics shouldn't have been surprising. Both have been diligent workers in different areas of the city.
Both said providing Milton with "strong leadership" is why they ran.
"I'm sure we'll disagree on some issues," Hewitt said.
"But," Tart said, "we'll keep it friendly."
Monday, November 12, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Protect Milton Update.
In response to Reporter, Candy Waylock’s article in the Milton Herald from Protect Milton:
This is not about the residents that live in close proximity to the school site as Katie Reeves of the BOE always attempts to portray unsuccessfully.
This site is wrong for our new City in so many ways as stated in the school petition and other letters from Protect Milton. Katie Reeves and the BOE will not succeed at trying to make it a "problem only for those that live near it" situation. This is a CITY problem and the majority of City Council has voiced their belief that the school should be put somewhere else in Milton, as have many of our residents, and only the BOE is not listening. They don’t care. They only chose this site because it was easy and convenient, not based on some long term study they would like to make the community believe was done. Their staff listed the sites below and they picked the easiest one, Freemanville. That is not responsible studying or planning. Richard Wernick willingly offered it to them on a silver platter in the middle of the night!
The other sites looked at are listed below:
1. Hopewell Road - The Trophy Club 120 acres. (Are you willing to believe this was actually a legitimate consideration, taking the Golf Course?) In reality would they take this site?
2. Cogburn Rd./Bethany Rd. - (they claim they didn’t take this site because the developer, David Chatham, got the zoning he desired to build homes, and decided not to take it from him, forgetting the fact that this site is on SEWER, and already has a traffic light, etc.)
3. Bethany Rd./Providence Rd. - 90 + acres, the owner wasn’t willing to sell? And it was too close to MHS? What about the Freemanville site, it’s only another .5 or less miles to MHS, and it isn’t too close enough as well?
4. Hopewell Road – 58 acres which they say was flood plain so they would have had to add adjacent acreage which would have brought the price per acres to $180,000 per acre. This would need to be proven with an appraisal, which Katie Reeves stated in the Summit Hill meeting that all of the properties had an appraisal done on them by the BOE.
Since when is it okay for someone not sell to the BOE given their jurisdiction? When did the BOE become so considerate as not to take land because a developer got his way on rezoning for building new homes? The Freemanville site was going to be residential homes as well, but that didn’t bother them in obtaining it. Go explain that to the families that ended up having to sell their property or the BOE was going to use Eminent Domain to take their homes during the building of the existing Milton High School. They didn’t have to use Eminent Domain as they stated because the threat was real for the families that owned the property if they refused to sell. Are people now allowed to "just say no" to the BOE when it comes to school sites?
What about the 124 acres on Birmingham Hwy currently available at the same price the BOE paid for the Freemanville Site, as well as the 70 acres directly across the street from it for a middle school, right under Chatham’s Blue Valley. They aren’t considering this site and won’t, or the number one site, going back into the Old Milton High School and rebuilding it for the Alpharetta students since once the high school is built in Milton, all the students going to the existing Milton HS will be Alpharetta students and not those from Milton. The City of Milton will pays for the roads, maintenance, Fire and Police for this school, and the students will come from Alpharetta, not Milton.
Katie Reeves stated in the meeting at Summit Hill, claiming around 75% or more students after redistricting would be from Alpharetta primarily in the existing Milton High School. Katie Reeves also stated at this meeting that they couldn’t possibly take the Independent students (450) currently using this underutilized Old High School site because they plan on having 850 Independent students there, mind you, not from this area, they will be busing these students in as they are now. It is more important to underutilize this school for students that aren’t from here then to adaptively reuse this great location and reclaim this historical High School site for a school for Alpharetta and its students.
I am asking the community to get involved now. This site is wrong for our City. This is not about a few residents upset that a school is being built near their homes and the BOE is not going to succeed at making this that kind of issue as they have always done in the past.
Go ask your City Council members how they feel about the placement of this school site. Go ask all of them and the candidates, Alan Tart and Burt Hewitt, running for office now. No one on Council has ever stated they are for this site. They have indicated and expressed that this site is wrong for Milton and the BOE should choose another site more appropriate. This site is too close to MHS, has environmental issues, and will compound the traffic issues already on Freemanville Road, Birmingham Highway, and surrounding roads. The Fulton County EPC already denied Kings Ridge two times the ability to build on this site as posted in the Protect Milton letter in June of 2007 on Access Milton.
They (Fulton County) denied it because it didn’t fit in with the Fulton County 2025 Land Use Plan, traffic issues, and environmental issues. If they denied a land use permit for Kings Ridge due to these reasons, then shouldn’t these same reasons hold water for a much larger High School and now a possible Middle School? Kings Ridge eventually got a use permit for this site due to major concessions they were willing to make to build on it. Obviously they felt it was better to move their location and build the school the way they envisioned it, then to have to sacrifice by making concessions to their site plans based on the problems with this site.
Bottom line, the Freemanville site, was an easy cop out for the BOE, and not surprisingly it is far from the best site choice for our new City. Our petition is growing and we welcome your support and input regarding this school site being moved. Just because the BOE claims the school will be built, doesn’t mean it is so. Don’t be fooled and deterred because the BOE says it is a done deal.
It is not.
Lisa Cauley
Protect Milton Group
ProtectMilton@aol.com or CMschoolpetition@aol.com
Petition link: www.gopetition.com/petitions/new-school-site-opposition.html
This is not about the residents that live in close proximity to the school site as Katie Reeves of the BOE always attempts to portray unsuccessfully.
This site is wrong for our new City in so many ways as stated in the school petition and other letters from Protect Milton. Katie Reeves and the BOE will not succeed at trying to make it a "problem only for those that live near it" situation. This is a CITY problem and the majority of City Council has voiced their belief that the school should be put somewhere else in Milton, as have many of our residents, and only the BOE is not listening. They don’t care. They only chose this site because it was easy and convenient, not based on some long term study they would like to make the community believe was done. Their staff listed the sites below and they picked the easiest one, Freemanville. That is not responsible studying or planning. Richard Wernick willingly offered it to them on a silver platter in the middle of the night!
The other sites looked at are listed below:
1. Hopewell Road - The Trophy Club 120 acres. (Are you willing to believe this was actually a legitimate consideration, taking the Golf Course?) In reality would they take this site?
2. Cogburn Rd./Bethany Rd. - (they claim they didn’t take this site because the developer, David Chatham, got the zoning he desired to build homes, and decided not to take it from him, forgetting the fact that this site is on SEWER, and already has a traffic light, etc.)
3. Bethany Rd./Providence Rd. - 90 + acres, the owner wasn’t willing to sell? And it was too close to MHS? What about the Freemanville site, it’s only another .5 or less miles to MHS, and it isn’t too close enough as well?
4. Hopewell Road – 58 acres which they say was flood plain so they would have had to add adjacent acreage which would have brought the price per acres to $180,000 per acre. This would need to be proven with an appraisal, which Katie Reeves stated in the Summit Hill meeting that all of the properties had an appraisal done on them by the BOE.
Since when is it okay for someone not sell to the BOE given their jurisdiction? When did the BOE become so considerate as not to take land because a developer got his way on rezoning for building new homes? The Freemanville site was going to be residential homes as well, but that didn’t bother them in obtaining it. Go explain that to the families that ended up having to sell their property or the BOE was going to use Eminent Domain to take their homes during the building of the existing Milton High School. They didn’t have to use Eminent Domain as they stated because the threat was real for the families that owned the property if they refused to sell. Are people now allowed to "just say no" to the BOE when it comes to school sites?
What about the 124 acres on Birmingham Hwy currently available at the same price the BOE paid for the Freemanville Site, as well as the 70 acres directly across the street from it for a middle school, right under Chatham’s Blue Valley. They aren’t considering this site and won’t, or the number one site, going back into the Old Milton High School and rebuilding it for the Alpharetta students since once the high school is built in Milton, all the students going to the existing Milton HS will be Alpharetta students and not those from Milton. The City of Milton will pays for the roads, maintenance, Fire and Police for this school, and the students will come from Alpharetta, not Milton.
Katie Reeves stated in the meeting at Summit Hill, claiming around 75% or more students after redistricting would be from Alpharetta primarily in the existing Milton High School. Katie Reeves also stated at this meeting that they couldn’t possibly take the Independent students (450) currently using this underutilized Old High School site because they plan on having 850 Independent students there, mind you, not from this area, they will be busing these students in as they are now. It is more important to underutilize this school for students that aren’t from here then to adaptively reuse this great location and reclaim this historical High School site for a school for Alpharetta and its students.
I am asking the community to get involved now. This site is wrong for our City. This is not about a few residents upset that a school is being built near their homes and the BOE is not going to succeed at making this that kind of issue as they have always done in the past.
Go ask your City Council members how they feel about the placement of this school site. Go ask all of them and the candidates, Alan Tart and Burt Hewitt, running for office now. No one on Council has ever stated they are for this site. They have indicated and expressed that this site is wrong for Milton and the BOE should choose another site more appropriate. This site is too close to MHS, has environmental issues, and will compound the traffic issues already on Freemanville Road, Birmingham Highway, and surrounding roads. The Fulton County EPC already denied Kings Ridge two times the ability to build on this site as posted in the Protect Milton letter in June of 2007 on Access Milton.
They (Fulton County) denied it because it didn’t fit in with the Fulton County 2025 Land Use Plan, traffic issues, and environmental issues. If they denied a land use permit for Kings Ridge due to these reasons, then shouldn’t these same reasons hold water for a much larger High School and now a possible Middle School? Kings Ridge eventually got a use permit for this site due to major concessions they were willing to make to build on it. Obviously they felt it was better to move their location and build the school the way they envisioned it, then to have to sacrifice by making concessions to their site plans based on the problems with this site.
Bottom line, the Freemanville site, was an easy cop out for the BOE, and not surprisingly it is far from the best site choice for our new City. Our petition is growing and we welcome your support and input regarding this school site being moved. Just because the BOE claims the school will be built, doesn’t mean it is so. Don’t be fooled and deterred because the BOE says it is a done deal.
It is not.
Lisa Cauley
Protect Milton Group
ProtectMilton@aol.com or CMschoolpetition@aol.com
Petition link: www.gopetition.com/petitions/new-school-site-opposition.html
Please Thank A Veteran!
It is the VETERAN , not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.It is the VETERAN , not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag.
It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag.
Many thanks to Marty Lock for this wonderful message.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A Morning In Milton...
Many Thanks to Mrs. Lisa Cauley for this wonderful Milton, GA picture!Do you have a photo of our city that you would like to share? If so, email us at magnoliamedia@yahoo.com today!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
District 2 Council Person Julie Zahner Bailey Thanks Voters.
Dear Friends, Neighbors and Fellow Citizens of Milton,Thank you Milton! The citizens of Milton have spoken with their voices and votes and have made it clear they want and expect positive people, positive leadership and a very positive Milton. Tuesday night, the citizens reclaimed their community and sent a resounding message that negativity will not be tolerated and that it is not acceptable. Way to go citizens of Milton!
Thank you for making a difference, thank you for ensuring your voice was heard, thank you for your care, thank you for affirming all that is good, thank you for expecting integrity and honesty in your elected officials, neighbors and friends, and thank you for the confidence you have put in my ability to serve your interests on the Milton City Council. I look so forward to working with Mayor Lockwood, new council members, Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart, and those already on our council. Congratulations to Burt and Alan! We have a very bright future.
I am humbled and honored by your decision to have me continue to represent your interests for the next four years. You have my commitment that I will work hard on your behalf as I have done for the last 12 years. I am so very excited about the future of our community and the great things that are in store for our citizens. Our new council has amazing opportunity to be forward thinking and collaborative in our approaches on all issues that may come before us. This is a special place with extremely wonderful people that care deeply about their community. We are blessed beyond words with the greatest citizens.
And while the numbers may speak volumes, the real story is found in the dedicated volunteers, the extensive and enthusiastic supporters, the voters and the citizens who have worked so hard to ensure that the City of Milton returns to a focus on the positive and is forward moving. I am humbled by the tireless efforts of so many who put forth tremendous work, energy and enthusiasm for our community.
Thank you to everyone who made phone calls, walked door to door, prayed for me and my family and this community, raised funds, talked to friends, wrote emails of encouragement, focused on the facts versus the fiction, insisted that negative campaigning and frivolous and politically motivated acts simply would not be tolerated, brought my family dinners, drove my children to various activities, called just to check in and stood in the wind and cold smiling and waving. All of you have represented the future of this community through your conviction and faith in that which is truly good. I am blessed to be a part of your team and am thrilled to be a continuing part of the Milton City Council. It truly is a new day.
As was true last year, I have been inspired and joy filled by the youth of our community who have participated first hand in this process. Milton's future does need to be protected, preserved and appropriately planned in large part for them. So, thank you, to those young people who have been personally engaged and who have provided daily hugs, calls, support and warm smiles. Please keep them coming because this truly is about each of you.
I also want to thank my family. My husband, Bill, daughter Savannah and son, Zachary, have been beside me and this community every step of the way. Had it not been for each of them, I could not have made it through this last campaign process, but more importantly, the last 12 years of community involvement. My family lives the dedication everyday and for that I am especially thankful. They are individually and collectively wonderful human beings and if you do not yet know them, I cannot wait for you to get to know them.
I also want to acknowledge all the candidates and incumbents. Everyone brought something to this process that in the end will make Milton a better place. And while this process was not always easy, it was necessary and has clarified a lot of things for many people even if to reaffirm the importance of staying on high ground in all that we do everyday. With that in mind, I challenge everyone to put the best interests of your neighbors first each and everyday. In so doing we will have the best possible Milton. I also urge all of you, to remain firmly involved in your community. Every voice does make a difference as we have so clearly witnessed in the last 48 hours.
In closing, I want to thank all citizens, including those who didn't vote for me, but still got to the polls to express your opinions. For anyone that was confused by my opponent's negative campaigning, you are welcome to contact me in person or by phone or e-mail. I urge everyone to stay involved and engaged and to continue to express your opinions and desires for our collective future. It is only through the voices of the many that we gain perspective, balance and the best possible chance for the best and brightest city of Milton.
There is much work to do and for all of those citizens who have stepped up to the challenge and responsibility of community involvement, please do not step away. If anything, plan to be more involved. We have more policies to review, and many decisions to make, so please ensure your voice continues to express your desires.
Now back to City business, please attend the next work session today at 5:30 pm at City Hall.
God bless you and this very special place,
Julie Zahner Bailey-Milton City Council
District 6 Council Elect Alan Tart Thanks Voters.
Hi, Friends, Volunteers, and Neighbors:I want to thank those of you who voted for me yesterday. Thanks to you, Julie Zahner Bailey re-claimed the District 2 seat, Bert Hewitt unseated Neal O’Brien, and I unseated Rick Mohrig. This was what most would consider a “story book ending” to a tumultuous campaign season. Congratulations to Julie and Burt! Tuesday was a true referendum of the people!
To Chuck Campbell, Tom Kuehn, Steve and Mary Beechum, Marty and Jan Locke, Beth Walker, Rose Prestianni, Tim and Ginger Enloe, Nikki Haslett, Tara Chambers, Patti Silva, Don and Nona Shawhan, Kay Harrison (Morgan and Clara), Darryl Jan Porter, Dianne Urig, Patti Silva, Paul Moore, Laura Wright, Cary Schlenke, Suzanne Cassada, Kim Swiacki, Travis Allen, The Bentley’s, The Newell’s, my many Avensong friends and supporters, and countless other volunteers, friends, supporters, and organizers: Thank you so much for the time and effort that you put into this election. Your tireless efforts, counsel, and support these past few months made this happen for all of us! You all were a pleasure to work with and get to know! Thank you!
I want to thank those of you have gave your time and energy to the campaign. The collective efforts of all the volunteers involved with the sign holding campaign, led by Ed Parsons and Bill Schellhorn, as those involved in the phone campaign, led by Vic Jones and Len Hymen, were instrumental to my success. I could not have accomplished this without you all! Thank you so much!
To Joe Lockwood, Tina D’Aversa, and Julie Zahner Bailey: Thank you for being the kind of leaders that inspire people like me to want to become more involved in the community and for having the courage to do what you feel is right. We will make a great team representing the people of Milton!
To Burt: We did it, man! Congratulations! Thanks for the talks over the last several months that kept me grounded on some days and uplifted on others. Our challengers ran dirty campaigns, but we always took the high road and it paid off.
To my contributors: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Without your help, this could not have happened. I was outspent, but not beat out! Again, I cannot thank you enough!
And to the citizens of Milton: Thank you for believing in me and allowing me to represent you. You have proven that we are community unlike any other. You are the true stars in all of this! I promise to serve you with honesty, integrity, and perseverance. I will not take office until after Jan 1. Soon thereafter, expect me to propose initiatives to clean up the Highway 9 corridor, fight crime, and build consensus within the community and on council. I look forward to working as a team with Mayor Joe Lockwood and the rest of the council members.
I hope you will always feel that you can share your thoughts and suggestions with me. I look forward to serving you over the next 4 years.
Yours Truly,
Alan
Alan M. Tart - Milton City Council Member ELECT - District 6 (At Large)
Cell: 678-464-8550 E-mail (please share your concerns): alantart4milton@comcast.net
Website: http://www.alantart4milton.com/
Political Meanies Divide Milton.
NOTE: Our system had an error earlier and was not allowing posting. We apologize for those who have posted to date and have relisted the article in question.
- AM Staff
By DOUG NURSE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution /www.ajc.com
Published on: 11/07/07
In Milton, politics is a blood sport, not for the tender, the faint of heart, nor the idealistic.The bitter infighting that has plagued the City Council carried over into the campaigns settled in Tuesday's election. The past two months have seen zipping e-mails smearing candidates' honesty, advertisements mocking them and personal, hurtful, back-biting gossip."It reminds me of Vietnam when the country was so split," said Councilman Bill Lusk, who was not up for re-election. "There's so much innate anger. People couldn't harness it. Neighborhoods are split. I've seen friends split, even families. We're picking picking sides when we don't need to be."
Milton, incorporated as its own city a year ago, is known for its sense of country quietude, its black-fenced horse farms, tree-lined roads, and mansions. Subdivisions are hidden away. It is mostly white, conservative, Republican and wealthy. The current average price for a home in Milton is in excess of $800,000.But beneath the peaceful, well-heeled scenery lies a political mean streak.
Defeated Councilman Rick Mohrig said he could not believe how nasty the campaign got."I could show you e-mails challenging my faith, my integrity, attacking my character and my record of what I've accomplished," Mohrig said. "I was surprised at the viciousness."
For instance, one candidate was accused of being gay and a Democrat — the latter purportedly being the worse of the two. A City Council incumbent was accused of falsely claiming to be disabled. A subdivision resident threatened the same candidate over a yard sign. One e-mail said a candidate was so bad his father-in-law supported his opponent. And on and on.
The mayor and an ally on the council picked a side, and campaigned hard. The other two council members picked the other side. The central faultline: mistrust about who would best protect the city from overdevelopment.On one side, the Julie Zahner Bailey; Burt Hewitt; Alan Tart partisans said the Roger Santi; Neal O'Brien; Rick Mohrig ticket couldn't be trusted to fight sewer and accompanying density, pointing to developer contributions.The Santi-O'Brien-Mohrig faction protested it didn't support sewer and density. The three attacked their opponents on a wide range of topics.
The Bailey-Hewitt-Tart slate prevailed with its message of slow growth – no growth, say their opponents.Feeding all this was a virulent two-way e-mail campaign."E-mail is one of the most vicious, misused means of communications ever devised by Al Gore and the rest of the human race," Lusk said.Terry Cecil wrote to protest attacks on candidates he supported, saying, "[They] are reminiscent of McCarthy and are a sad statement for a community that wanted self-governance from Fulton County. ... [It] is sad we let this filth get away with character assassination." Winners say the slash-and-burn campaigning turned off the voters."I think the negative campaigning by my opponent paid off for me," Tart said. The vanquished, of course, say the political shock-and-awe worked."I was struck by the fact that no quarter was given," said fallen Councilman O'Brien. "This is reflective of social landscape in Milton. We'll have to try very hard as a community and as neighbors to leave the negativity behind. I hope we can for the sake of the community."
- AM Staff
By DOUG NURSE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution /www.ajc.com
Published on: 11/07/07
In Milton, politics is a blood sport, not for the tender, the faint of heart, nor the idealistic.The bitter infighting that has plagued the City Council carried over into the campaigns settled in Tuesday's election. The past two months have seen zipping e-mails smearing candidates' honesty, advertisements mocking them and personal, hurtful, back-biting gossip."It reminds me of Vietnam when the country was so split," said Councilman Bill Lusk, who was not up for re-election. "There's so much innate anger. People couldn't harness it. Neighborhoods are split. I've seen friends split, even families. We're picking picking sides when we don't need to be."
Milton, incorporated as its own city a year ago, is known for its sense of country quietude, its black-fenced horse farms, tree-lined roads, and mansions. Subdivisions are hidden away. It is mostly white, conservative, Republican and wealthy. The current average price for a home in Milton is in excess of $800,000.But beneath the peaceful, well-heeled scenery lies a political mean streak.
Defeated Councilman Rick Mohrig said he could not believe how nasty the campaign got."I could show you e-mails challenging my faith, my integrity, attacking my character and my record of what I've accomplished," Mohrig said. "I was surprised at the viciousness."
For instance, one candidate was accused of being gay and a Democrat — the latter purportedly being the worse of the two. A City Council incumbent was accused of falsely claiming to be disabled. A subdivision resident threatened the same candidate over a yard sign. One e-mail said a candidate was so bad his father-in-law supported his opponent. And on and on.
The mayor and an ally on the council picked a side, and campaigned hard. The other two council members picked the other side. The central faultline: mistrust about who would best protect the city from overdevelopment.On one side, the Julie Zahner Bailey; Burt Hewitt; Alan Tart partisans said the Roger Santi; Neal O'Brien; Rick Mohrig ticket couldn't be trusted to fight sewer and accompanying density, pointing to developer contributions.The Santi-O'Brien-Mohrig faction protested it didn't support sewer and density. The three attacked their opponents on a wide range of topics.
The Bailey-Hewitt-Tart slate prevailed with its message of slow growth – no growth, say their opponents.Feeding all this was a virulent two-way e-mail campaign."E-mail is one of the most vicious, misused means of communications ever devised by Al Gore and the rest of the human race," Lusk said.Terry Cecil wrote to protest attacks on candidates he supported, saying, "[They] are reminiscent of McCarthy and are a sad statement for a community that wanted self-governance from Fulton County. ... [It] is sad we let this filth get away with character assassination." Winners say the slash-and-burn campaigning turned off the voters."I think the negative campaigning by my opponent paid off for me," Tart said. The vanquished, of course, say the political shock-and-awe worked."I was struck by the fact that no quarter was given," said fallen Councilman O'Brien. "This is reflective of social landscape in Milton. We'll have to try very hard as a community and as neighbors to leave the negativity behind. I hope we can for the sake of the community."
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
City Of Milton Notice.
Media contact: Lisa Maggart
678-242-2492 O 404-414-3301 C
lisa.maggart@cityofmiltonga.us
Community Development contact:
Mike Tuller
678-242-2538 O
mike.tuller@cityofmiltonga.us
First of Three Meetings Set for November 19 to Discuss
Update of the Crabapple Crossroads Community Plan
MILTON, Ga., November 7, 2007 --The Public is invited to attend a meeting to discuss updating the Crabapple Crossroads Community Plan between 7:00 and 8:30 PM on November 19, 2007 in the Social Hall of the Alpharetta Crabapple Government Center. This is the first of three meetings sponsored by the City of Milton Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee to discuss issues related to the Crabapple Crossroads Community Plan. The meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for citizens to meet with the consultants preparing the City of Milton's Comprehensive Plan and to help identify major issues and concerns regarding the Community Plan adopted by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and now a responsibility of the City of Milton.
Additional meetings are scheduled for December 3, 2007 and January 7, 2008 to refine the issues and opportunities and to determine what measures and priorities should be considered to address these issues in an interim update to the adopted Community Plan.
In March 2004, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners adopted an amendment to the County's zoning resolution to create the Crabapple Crossroads Overlay within the Northwest Fulton Overlay District to delineate approximately 511 acres containing the historic mixed-use center of Crabapple and the land surrounding it, and to establish standards for the Crabapple Crossroads Overlay area. The Northwest Fulton Overlay Design Review Board was given the responsibility for reviewing development plans and making recommendations regarding the approval of a Land Disturbance Permit, Building Permit, Sign Permit, or Primary Variance in the Overlay area. The Commission adopted the Crabapple Crossroads Plan of June 4, 2003 as the basis for regulating development in such a way that it would be consistent with Crabapple's historic and rural village character, preserve 20% of the area as open space, and create an interconnected transportation network to implement a pedestrian-oriented core with surrounding residential uses.
Since the adoption of the Overlay District, the Crabapple Crossroads Community has seen significant changes, including the incorporation of the City of Milton, the construction of the new Milton High School, and substantial development in the southwest quadrant of the community. To the northwest, a large expanse of property has been cleared, exposing a red scar of graded earth and changes to the topography, and degrading the rolling rural landscape that was part of Crabapple's character. Significant changes have not occurred on the eastern side of Birmingham Highway, but what can the community expect given the development to the west? How can the Overlay District manage growth more effectively to preserve the intent of the Community Plan?
The City of Milton has inherited the Crabapple Crossroads Overlay District and the Overlay Design Review Board, and is committed to addressing these issues by updating the Community Plan as part of the City's Comprehensive Plan process. Due to the extreme interest in the Crabapple Crossroads Community Plan, an interim update of the Community Plan is being prepared during the initial stage of the Comprehensive Plan process. Recommendations from the interim Community Plan update will be folded into the Comprehensive Plan recommendations when they are prepared next spring.
The Marietta office of BRPH, Inc., a full service planning and design firm with projects ranging from the preservation of a pre-Civil War post office in Gwinnett County to the design of the next generation of NASA launch facilities at the Kennedy Space Center, is providing planning services to update both plans.
Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment. For more information, visit http://www.cityofmiltonga.us/ call 678-242-2500.
Candidates Who Stuck Together Appear To Win In Milton
By DOUG NURSE The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 11/07/07
Milton voters on Tuesday appeared to elect a de facto three-candidate ticket by an overwhelming margin.
Unofficial returns showed Post 2 incumbent Councilwoman Julie Zahner Bailey, Post 4 challenger Burt Hewitt, and Post 6 challenger Alan Tart winning in Milton's first full-term election.
RELATED LINK:• Fulton County results
With partial results counted, Zahner Bailey was crushing challenger Roger Santi 62 to 38 percent; Hewitt was similarly hammering incumbent Post 4 Neal O'Brien 60 to 40 percent; and Tart appeared to have steamrolled Post 6 incumbent Rick Mohrig 55 to 45 percent.
"I'm riding a cloud right now," Tart said Tuesday night. "I can't say I was worried, but there were specific times when I was stressed. I don't deny that Julie, Bert and I ran on an equal platform, but I don't know that all the credit goes to Julie, Bert or me. We each had a good following."
As the campaigns progressed two unofficial tickets emerged. Where you saw campaign signs for one, you were likely to see signs for the other two. Santi, O'Brien and Mohrig are all using the same consultant, Rusty Paul of Sandy Springs.
On the surface, there didn't seem to be much difference between the candidates. They were all against sewer. They didn't favor density. They all wanted more parks and recreation. They all pledged to be fiscally conservative. Nobody supported tax increases. All promised to let the comprehensive plan guide their rezoning decisions.
The central issue was more about a lack of trust about who would best protect the city from overdevelopment.
On one side, the Bailey-Hewitt-Tart campaigns and partisans said the Santi-O'Brien-Mohrig ticket couldn't be trusted not to allow sewer and its accompanying density, pointing to developer contributions. The Santi-O'Brien-Mohrig faction protested it didn't support sewer and density. The three attacked their opponents on a wide range of topics.
Each side repeatedly accused the other of lies, personal attacks, and misrepresenting each other's positions.
"I think people were tired of the negativity on the City Council and in the campaigns," Hewitt said. "And I think they were ready for capable leadership."
Tart agreed, saying, "I think the negative campaigning by my opponent paid off for me."
Each each side claimed the future of the newly incorporated city was at stake. Thus far, the minority, led by Zahner Bailey, has managed to tie up the four-member majority through sheer determination and will, but the majority, including O'Brien and Mohrig, seemed prepared to exercise their strength.
Mayor Joe Lockwood and Councilwoman Tina D'Aversa, who have been on the losing side, actively campaigned against fellow council members, Mohrig and O'Brien, and Santi. Incumbents Bill Lusk and Karen Thurman campaigned for them and against the other three.
"I think the citizens spoke and said we want change and to move forward in a positive way," Lockwood said.
Milton voters on Tuesday appeared to elect a de facto three-candidate ticket by an overwhelming margin.
Unofficial returns showed Post 2 incumbent Councilwoman Julie Zahner Bailey, Post 4 challenger Burt Hewitt, and Post 6 challenger Alan Tart winning in Milton's first full-term election.
RELATED LINK:• Fulton County results
With partial results counted, Zahner Bailey was crushing challenger Roger Santi 62 to 38 percent; Hewitt was similarly hammering incumbent Post 4 Neal O'Brien 60 to 40 percent; and Tart appeared to have steamrolled Post 6 incumbent Rick Mohrig 55 to 45 percent.
"I'm riding a cloud right now," Tart said Tuesday night. "I can't say I was worried, but there were specific times when I was stressed. I don't deny that Julie, Bert and I ran on an equal platform, but I don't know that all the credit goes to Julie, Bert or me. We each had a good following."
As the campaigns progressed two unofficial tickets emerged. Where you saw campaign signs for one, you were likely to see signs for the other two. Santi, O'Brien and Mohrig are all using the same consultant, Rusty Paul of Sandy Springs.
On the surface, there didn't seem to be much difference between the candidates. They were all against sewer. They didn't favor density. They all wanted more parks and recreation. They all pledged to be fiscally conservative. Nobody supported tax increases. All promised to let the comprehensive plan guide their rezoning decisions.
The central issue was more about a lack of trust about who would best protect the city from overdevelopment.
On one side, the Bailey-Hewitt-Tart campaigns and partisans said the Santi-O'Brien-Mohrig ticket couldn't be trusted not to allow sewer and its accompanying density, pointing to developer contributions. The Santi-O'Brien-Mohrig faction protested it didn't support sewer and density. The three attacked their opponents on a wide range of topics.
Each side repeatedly accused the other of lies, personal attacks, and misrepresenting each other's positions.
"I think people were tired of the negativity on the City Council and in the campaigns," Hewitt said. "And I think they were ready for capable leadership."
Tart agreed, saying, "I think the negative campaigning by my opponent paid off for me."
Each each side claimed the future of the newly incorporated city was at stake. Thus far, the minority, led by Zahner Bailey, has managed to tie up the four-member majority through sheer determination and will, but the majority, including O'Brien and Mohrig, seemed prepared to exercise their strength.
Mayor Joe Lockwood and Councilwoman Tina D'Aversa, who have been on the losing side, actively campaigned against fellow council members, Mohrig and O'Brien, and Santi. Incumbents Bill Lusk and Karen Thurman campaigned for them and against the other three.
"I think the citizens spoke and said we want change and to move forward in a positive way," Lockwood said.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Letter From The Editor.
All:
What an exciting evening as Milton held it's second election for our wonderful city. Both my wife Ginger and I had the opportunity to frequent a couple of parties as folks awaited the results. Being a taxpayer as we all are, I too had my say with three votes. As we made our way home, a parallel came to me that I hadn't yet realized; well at least a parallel in my opinion. The following is a story that I wrote for our recent newsletter "The Milton Observer." For some reason, it feels symbolic when it wasn't meant to be; poignant when I suppose it had to be. Thus, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to:
What an exciting evening as Milton held it's second election for our wonderful city. Both my wife Ginger and I had the opportunity to frequent a couple of parties as folks awaited the results. Being a taxpayer as we all are, I too had my say with three votes. As we made our way home, a parallel came to me that I hadn't yet realized; well at least a parallel in my opinion. The following is a story that I wrote for our recent newsletter "The Milton Observer." For some reason, it feels symbolic when it wasn't meant to be; poignant when I suppose it had to be. Thus, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to:
Whitey.
WHITEY.by Tim Enloe
It was the spring of 1980 when Whitey introduced himself to me. Before that, he was simply a lawn ornament of quiet but large proportions. I remember how excited I was when we moved to our home on Bethany two years prior. All this land and look - real cows right behind my house!
Each day, Whitey and his herd grazed innocently on the large farm that bordered us. Morning turned into day; day turned into evening; evening turned into night; all ready to start the process over the next day. An innocent existence for a bovine community…or so I thought.
Saturday typically meant three things around the Enloe home; watching hours of cartoons, then complaining about doing the few chores my parents would ask before my younger brother Patrick and I would disappear to enjoy the freedom of innocent youth .Two friends had come over for a visit this particular day. Our travels ended up putting us at a tree house my father had built a year prior. This fortress was constructed around one large oak tree and four other trees about seven feet up. Located on the back corner of our property, one could easily see into the 37 acre farm that bordered us.
As we flicked acorns at one another and talked about what to do next, we happened to notice a congregation of cows at the juncture where the farm, our property and a neighbors met. There was not much action at all. On the four acre parcel to our left was one cow and a young new bull that was visiting with hopes of bringing a new calf to the property that following spring. On the farm, cows and calves alike just stood there; all crowding tightly in the hopes of getting a fleeting glimpse at their new neighbor. It was as if they were all talking telepathically with no noise to be heard. After about ten minutes, a calm snort came from one side, then a calm snort came from the other. This calm was about to be broken.
A massive white bull that took claim to the herd had witnessed the interactive snorts from afar. The cows and calves quickly made way, as if Moses himself was parting them. Whitey had arrived. Whitey saw the cow and snorted. Whitey saw the new bull and snorted. Then, as if the many numerous layers of barbed wire were simply fishing line, Whitey walked through the fence. Now let me be completely clear here. He did not run into the fence. He did not walk back to gain momentum. No. Whitey simply WALKED THROUGH THE FENCE. I remember hearing the rusted wire pop repeatedly; snapping back as if it were alive. Before you could blink an eye, Whitey was on the four acres and was ready to stake his claim. The young bull took off running towards the front of the property but that would do him no good. Whitey was on him in seconds - ramming him time and time again. The bull screamed in agony but such pleas matter not to Whitey. For many minutes, Whitey chased that poor bull around that four acres attacking him with mighty force. If he wasn’t slamming the young stud into a parked horse trailer or barn, he was using the fence that separated our property from the four acres as an asset.
Meanwhile, my father was busy working on the new pool checking the chemicals and such. When he heard the ruckus, he grabbed the first and best tool for such an event - the long pool skimmer. Yep; my Dad ran over to our neighbors property with a twelve foot metal pool skimmer in his hands in an attempt to break up a fight between two bulls. Whitey must have been terrified. The neighbor of the four acres had just come out and both men tried their best to ward Whitey off his defeated foe. A phone call had gone out to the farmer prior and made his way over. By that time, the defeated young bull and triumphant Whitey had separated for the moment. Whitey continued to pace in the front of the four acre lot as if a shark was waiting to make his final attack. He was in his pure essence of being; his “Chi” if you will.
Now, during this time, my brother and I along with our friends had the best seats in the house for a fight as we stood in our adjacent pasture. However, my father and the neighbor had all of us go back to the house when Whitey’s owner arrived. I am not sure exactly what happened next but I do remember my father sharing some information with me later that day. The farmer had driven over in his truck with horse trailer in tow. One of the gates to the neighbor’s property was opened and the rig was backed in. The farmer looked at Whitey and calmly said “Whitey-get in the trailer.” Whitey refused. The farmer then walked up to Whitey with a 2×4 and said again “Whitey-get in the trailer.” Again, Whitey was difficult. Then, the farmer smacked that 1000 pound plus bull with his 2×4 and said for the final time “Whitey-get in the trailer.” Whitey got in the trailer.
After that, the fence was fixed and the young bull removed. Whitey continued his time at that farm for a few more years and then was gone as is the lot for many farm animals. I sometimes think I still see him over there; the calm before the storm; the inner rage held at bay; the Pride refusing the Fall. To this day, I look back at that moment and realized I wasn’t just seeing two bulls fight. I was seeing something much more. I was seeing the very essence that we all strive to be. I was seeing the epitome of courage, strength, love, and protection. Whitey was doing what Whitey was supposed to do. He was protecting everything he knew to be true to him. He was protecting his home and barbed wire was just a formality.
Election Results 2007.
Milton Election Winners!
District 2 Seat
Julie Zahner Bailey (i) 2,125 62%
Roger A. Santi 1,322 38%
District 4 Seat
Burt Hewitt 2,061 60%
Neal J. O'Brien (i) 1,358 40%
District 6 Seat
Alan M. Tart 1,875 55%
Rick J. Mohrig 1,525 45%
District 2 Seat
Julie Zahner Bailey (i) 2,125 62%
Roger A. Santi 1,322 38%
District 4 Seat
Burt Hewitt 2,061 60%
Neal J. O'Brien (i) 1,358 40%
District 6 Seat
Alan M. Tart 1,875 55%
Rick J. Mohrig 1,525 45%
Poll Results.
Word relays that a steady stream of voters have hit the polls today. Keep an eye on Accessmilton.com as results come in.
Press Release / Tuesday / November 6 2007
11th Hour Negative Campaigning By My OpponentDear Milton Residents:
My opponent continues his efforts to discredit me with false and negative campaigning, right up to the end. The latest attack comes today, when there is little time to respond. I apologize for this additional email, as I know that you are all receiving many. However, I must respond.The latest attack was sent by a Mr. David Ruckers, who claims to be a citizen of Milton. There are no Ruckers' listed as residents of Milton. Numerous emails to him requesting information have gone unanswered.Below contains a point-by-point correction of my opponent's distortions.
Do not let the antics of a politically motivated, developer funded opponent twist the truth in order to over develop our community. Milton deserves a positive community with positive leadership. Vote Julie on Nov. 6th. Council Members' Stipend: I never asked to increase the Council members' stipend. In the first budget review I clarified that the stipend should not be additional salary, but instead MUST be for expense reimbursement only. Medical Insurance for Council Members: I did not ask that council be provided insurance, but instead asked our finance department to clarify what was or was not included in the line item.
Late 1990 Parks Acquisition: I questioned the lands selected in the late 1990s for park land because they contained large electric transmission lines and could have compromised the safety and health of our children. There was also the potential for the use of eminent domain for the acquisition of the land.I support parkland and I support appropriate and healthy lands for our parkland. I support due process for all issues facing our community including the taking of citizens' land. As an example, I was directly responsible for getting a developer to donate land to the community before the incorporation of Milton. That land will become a pocket park of Milton.
Governor Perdue Letter: In May 2007 I wrote a letter asking the Governor not to approve changes to the charter since the Mayor and Council had not been involved in the charter changes at all. The concerns outlined in my letter were focused on the removal of authority of our Mayor, not removal of a Parks Authority as claimed.
Private Recreation and Sports Facilities: I haven't spoken against private recreation. To the contrary, I have spoken often about the importance of green space, trail systems, more parkland, the need for a national standard for our parkland and the protection of our night sky and upholding our comprehensive land use plan.
Garden Plots vs. Recreation Fields in Birmingham Park Plan: The idea that I spoke against recreation fields in favor of garden plots in Birmingham Park is ridiculous. The Birmingham Master planning initiative created three different scenarios for the 200+ acre park. All three of these park plans have active recreation as well as passive recreation. At least 40% of the parkland is not suitable for anything other than passive recreation due to wetlands, streams, transmission lines on the land and steep slopes. Tom Price: I never said Tom Price endorses me. Representative Price provided the following quote and gave me permission to utilize his words about my commitment to the community. __________________________________________________Here is the official email from Congressman Tom Price's office: 9/25/06__________________________________________________Attached you will find the quote from Congressman Price that you are free to use in whatever form you deem fit. Please let me know if there is anything else we can do for you.Jeff"Julie Bailey has proven herself to be a strong advocate for property rights. She is a tireless worker and willing to take a stand on issues that she believes represent the best interests of our community."Tom Price, M.D.Member of CongressJeff C. HamlingDistrict DirectorCongressman Tom Price, MD (GA-6) _____________________________________________ About the Bailey's Taxes: These folks cannot even get the figures or any of the facts straight. I already responded to a similar false statement in Santi's latest negative ads. To again set the record straight: In 2003 we applied for and met the eligibility for a long standing, state sponsored tax incentive called Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA). It is available to citizens who own at least 10 acres, as a mechanism for conservation of our agricultural and farmlands, timber land and wildlife habitats. In fact, enrollment in the program includes 447 properties in Fulton County and 139 properties in Milton. Without this tax incentive many farmers and other qualified landowners would not be able to afford to own large parcels for active farms or wildlife habitats. These preserved lands would simply be replaced by intense development.
Tax Lien: Unemployment taxes for Bailey Farm & Gardens, in the amount of $855, were overlooked when reporting. This has long been resolved by our CPA, PAID and fully satisfied.
Family Business vs. Competing Businesses: Council member D'Aversa and I voted against a special use permit because the application did not meet the buffer requirements nor the development standards. I believe in consistent application of the laws, comprehensive land-use plan and policies for everyone. To suggest that I voted against this because it would've competed with my family's business is outrageous. Buffer and development standards are in place for a reason and should be upheld.
Excessive Legal Fees: Legal fees have been higher than they should have been due to a variety of reasons including annexations, frivolous ethics complaints, other council members spending too much time personally on the phone with the City Attorney, etc. Legal fees do need to be monitored and they are not high because of me, quite the contrary. I have been a strong supporter of managing tax payer dollars including the fees tied to the City Attorney. I do not believe legal fees should go unchecked and believe in checks and balances including making sure the City Attorney's office is not being misused by individual council members for their personal time or agendas.
City Charter: Milton's charter states that Mayor and Council cannot intervene in the day-to-day operations of city employees. The Mayor and all Council were reminded of this charter provision given the negative political environment in which we have had to operate. I have not been singled out for violations of the charter.
Sign Ordinance: The statement that I've been the biggest violator of the Milton Sign Ordinance has absolutely no basis in truth.Following Laws: There is no law we do not follow. This is absurd.
VOTE for Julie Zahner Bailey - A Positive and Proven Leader for a Positive Milton!
Visit her website for the footage from the League of Women Voter's and for the long history of tireless work she has done on behalf of the entire Milton community. Julie's record speaks for itself.
Paid for by Friends of Julie Zahner Bailey.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Poll Results.
All:
The following are two polls put together by Accessmilton.com. The first is the results from this news sections poll. The second, from our recent "Milton Observer" newsletter. Each poll is configured differently. Accessmilton.com DOES NOT guarantee these results are accurate as polls can be manipulated. We simply post this information as a service to our readers. Accessmilton.com will be on hand to provide the voting results as polls close. Please check here for updates Tuesday evening.
Best of luck to all the candidates.
- AM Staff.
MILTON NEWS POLL / 197 Votes.
District 2 Race
Julie Zahner Bailey (I) 58%
Roger Santi 17%
The following are two polls put together by Accessmilton.com. The first is the results from this news sections poll. The second, from our recent "Milton Observer" newsletter. Each poll is configured differently. Accessmilton.com DOES NOT guarantee these results are accurate as polls can be manipulated. We simply post this information as a service to our readers. Accessmilton.com will be on hand to provide the voting results as polls close. Please check here for updates Tuesday evening.
Best of luck to all the candidates.
- AM Staff.
MILTON NEWS POLL / 197 Votes.
District 2 Race
Julie Zahner Bailey (I) 58%
Roger Santi 17%
District 4 Race
Neal O'Brien (I) 12%
Burt Hewitt 71%
District 6 Race
Rick Mohrig (I) 14%
Alan Tart 59%
"MILTON OBSERVER" (NEWSLETTER) POLL / 310 Votes.
District 2 Race
Julie Zahner Bailey (I) 28%
Roger Santi 7%
District 4 Race
Neal O'Brien (I) 7%
Burt Hewitt 26%
District 6 Race
Rick Mohrig (I) 6%
Alan Tart 28%
Polling stations and voting info for November 6th.
All:
Please see the following pdf for polling stations. Best of luck to all the candidates!
2007 Election
Municipal General Election date: November 6, 2007
Secretary of State Web site: www.sos.state.ga.us/elections
The current polling locations for City of Milton residents are listed below. These are subject to change by Fulton County. For accuracy, please refer to your voter registration card or call Fulton County Board of Elections at 404-730-7072.
Go to www.sos.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/locator.asp for Poll Locator
POLL LOCATIONS:
Precinct Precinct Address
ML01 Northwestern Middle School
12805 Birmingham Hwy (temporary)
ML02A Providence Baptist Church
20075 Providence Road
ML02B Providence Baptist church
20075 Providence Road
ML03 Summit Hill Elementary School
13855 Providence Road
ML04 Hopewell Middle School
13060 Cogburn Road
ML05 Cogburn Woods Elementary School
13080 Cogburn Road
ML06 Manning Oaks Elementary School
405 Cumming Street
ML07 Hopewell Baptist Church
15730 Hopewell Road
Please see the following pdf for polling stations. Best of luck to all the candidates!
2007 Election
Municipal General Election date: November 6, 2007
Secretary of State Web site: www.sos.state.ga.us/elections
The current polling locations for City of Milton residents are listed below. These are subject to change by Fulton County. For accuracy, please refer to your voter registration card or call Fulton County Board of Elections at 404-730-7072.
Go to www.sos.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/locator.asp for Poll Locator
POLL LOCATIONS:
Precinct Precinct Address
ML01 Northwestern Middle School
12805 Birmingham Hwy (temporary)
ML02A Providence Baptist Church
20075 Providence Road
ML02B Providence Baptist church
20075 Providence Road
ML03 Summit Hill Elementary School
13855 Providence Road
ML04 Hopewell Middle School
13060 Cogburn Road
ML05 Cogburn Woods Elementary School
13080 Cogburn Road
ML06 Manning Oaks Elementary School
405 Cumming Street
ML07 Hopewell Baptist Church
15730 Hopewell Road
Council Member Tina D'Aversa Endorses District 6 Candidate Alan Tart.
Hi, everyone:
Please read the following words by our Distinguished Council Member Tina D’Aversa:
Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know a fine man, Alan Tart. Alan is an intelligent, hard working family man who is dedicated to his family, his job and his community. He stepped into his own homeowners association and made a real difference in an area that had some challenges. He is passionate about Milton and the values citizens want to preserve and protect! I believe if elected to the Milton City Council, Alan Tart, will stand strong for all of Milton concerning these primary issues:
1. Maintaining Taxes while providing the highest quality services
2. Reducing Traffic through proper growth and strategic alliances
3. Controlling growth and development through adherence to our Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the law
4. Reducing crime through strategic support of our public safety department and increasing community awareness
5. Working together as a unified city government free from personal agendas that lead to inappropriate actions
Please vote Tuesday, November 6th and help me, Mayor Lockwood and our fellow council members and city staff continue the work we began nearly two years ago! Protecting and Preserving Milton begins with you!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Tina D’Aversa
Milton City Council Member, District 5
I want to take this last minute opportunity to thank you, the citizens of Milton, for your support these past few months. I know you are ready for this election to be over. I know I am!
The most rewarding part of this campaign has definitely been getting to know many of you. I regret that I did not have the time to meet each of you personally. I am proud to live among some of the nicest, most passionate group of people I have ever met.
I look forward to serving you on the council, but I don’t want to be too presumptuous. I need your vote tomorrow! By most accounts, the District 6 race will be a close race. Your vote can really make a difference!!!
Elect someone who will understand the importance of leadership . . . someone who will not ride on the coattails of other council members, but rather be a proactive leader.
I will clean up Highway 9 and make the area something of which we can all be proud. I will work to enhance Hwy 9, while working to preserve the beautiful, rural, equestrian character of the city.
I will be tough on crime. I will work tirelessly to prevent the Fulton County element of crime and drugs from penetrating our city anymore than it already has.
I will spend your tax dollars wisely and not raise taxes.
Outstanding leaders, like Councilmembers Tina D’Aversa (District 4) and Julie Zahner Bailey (District 2), Mayor Joe Lockwood, and Bert Hewitt, Candidate for Milton City Council from District 4, want to work for you, and so do I. I will work well with other council members and will not tolerate petty politics at your expense. Together, we will put an end to the pettiness.
Please go to the polls tomorrow and vote to reclaim control of our city! Vote Tart, Bailey, and Hewitt!
- Alan Tart; Candidate / District 6 / Milton City Council
Please read the following words by our Distinguished Council Member Tina D’Aversa:
Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know a fine man, Alan Tart. Alan is an intelligent, hard working family man who is dedicated to his family, his job and his community. He stepped into his own homeowners association and made a real difference in an area that had some challenges. He is passionate about Milton and the values citizens want to preserve and protect! I believe if elected to the Milton City Council, Alan Tart, will stand strong for all of Milton concerning these primary issues:
1. Maintaining Taxes while providing the highest quality services
2. Reducing Traffic through proper growth and strategic alliances
3. Controlling growth and development through adherence to our Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the law
4. Reducing crime through strategic support of our public safety department and increasing community awareness
5. Working together as a unified city government free from personal agendas that lead to inappropriate actions
Please vote Tuesday, November 6th and help me, Mayor Lockwood and our fellow council members and city staff continue the work we began nearly two years ago! Protecting and Preserving Milton begins with you!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Tina D’Aversa
Milton City Council Member, District 5
I want to take this last minute opportunity to thank you, the citizens of Milton, for your support these past few months. I know you are ready for this election to be over. I know I am!
The most rewarding part of this campaign has definitely been getting to know many of you. I regret that I did not have the time to meet each of you personally. I am proud to live among some of the nicest, most passionate group of people I have ever met.
I look forward to serving you on the council, but I don’t want to be too presumptuous. I need your vote tomorrow! By most accounts, the District 6 race will be a close race. Your vote can really make a difference!!!
Elect someone who will understand the importance of leadership . . . someone who will not ride on the coattails of other council members, but rather be a proactive leader.
I will clean up Highway 9 and make the area something of which we can all be proud. I will work to enhance Hwy 9, while working to preserve the beautiful, rural, equestrian character of the city.
I will be tough on crime. I will work tirelessly to prevent the Fulton County element of crime and drugs from penetrating our city anymore than it already has.
I will spend your tax dollars wisely and not raise taxes.
Outstanding leaders, like Councilmembers Tina D’Aversa (District 4) and Julie Zahner Bailey (District 2), Mayor Joe Lockwood, and Bert Hewitt, Candidate for Milton City Council from District 4, want to work for you, and so do I. I will work well with other council members and will not tolerate petty politics at your expense. Together, we will put an end to the pettiness.
Please go to the polls tomorrow and vote to reclaim control of our city! Vote Tart, Bailey, and Hewitt!
- Alan Tart; Candidate / District 6 / Milton City Council
A Letter from Paul Moore.
AMCA_Certificate_of_Incorporation.pdf
All,
The attached letter was forwarded to me over the weekend and I found it shocking. Without weighing in on the merits of the school as I do not have the benefit of any of those details (nor should I prior to the presentation to the Planning Commission), I would like to weigh in on what is one of the finest examples of why it is time for change in this election in Districts 4 and 6 and time for change again when the City Council seats come up for Districts 1 and 3.
The letter confirmed that the elite backroom politics that so many of us know goes on are real. It confirms that the group of Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig, Karen Thurmond, Bill Lusk and now add Roger Santi to the list are attempting to run the city as their own without allowing the process of checks and balances that the Design Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council meetings provide. There is absolutely no legitimate reason for any City Council member to have offered a position on this plan at this point in time. ..and yet the letter states "To date we have received favorable support from Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig, Bill Lusk, Karen Thurmond and a current candidate, Roger Santi." The letter goes on to say "The present political climate has the votes to get the building site approved." This could not be more inappropriate. It tells me that the "team" of Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig, Karen Thurmond, Bill Lusk and Roger Santi think they are above the rules set forth for the City and Community. It says they are willing to have side meetings and make commitments outside of public hearings. It says they have chosen to act in contrast to the code of ethics as advised to all of us and as we were trained by Mark Scott and a 3rd party consultant on how to conduct City business in an ethical manner. They are voting before the process of public hearings and your input has been heard.
It means it is time for change when you go to the polls tomorrow. Please send Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig and Roger Santi a message.....WE WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR BACKROOM POLITICS. Vote for change by electing Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart. Please re-elect Julie Zahner Bailey who is above these antics and who works within the guidelines of how to conduct ethical business for the City.
Please elect Julie Zahner Bailey, Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart tomorrow....November 6th.
Regards,
Paul Moore
All,
The attached letter was forwarded to me over the weekend and I found it shocking. Without weighing in on the merits of the school as I do not have the benefit of any of those details (nor should I prior to the presentation to the Planning Commission), I would like to weigh in on what is one of the finest examples of why it is time for change in this election in Districts 4 and 6 and time for change again when the City Council seats come up for Districts 1 and 3.
The letter confirmed that the elite backroom politics that so many of us know goes on are real. It confirms that the group of Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig, Karen Thurmond, Bill Lusk and now add Roger Santi to the list are attempting to run the city as their own without allowing the process of checks and balances that the Design Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council meetings provide. There is absolutely no legitimate reason for any City Council member to have offered a position on this plan at this point in time. ..and yet the letter states "To date we have received favorable support from Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig, Bill Lusk, Karen Thurmond and a current candidate, Roger Santi." The letter goes on to say "The present political climate has the votes to get the building site approved." This could not be more inappropriate. It tells me that the "team" of Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig, Karen Thurmond, Bill Lusk and Roger Santi think they are above the rules set forth for the City and Community. It says they are willing to have side meetings and make commitments outside of public hearings. It says they have chosen to act in contrast to the code of ethics as advised to all of us and as we were trained by Mark Scott and a 3rd party consultant on how to conduct City business in an ethical manner. They are voting before the process of public hearings and your input has been heard.
It means it is time for change when you go to the polls tomorrow. Please send Neal O'Brien, Rick Mohrig and Roger Santi a message.....WE WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR BACKROOM POLITICS. Vote for change by electing Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart. Please re-elect Julie Zahner Bailey who is above these antics and who works within the guidelines of how to conduct ethical business for the City.
Please elect Julie Zahner Bailey, Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart tomorrow....November 6th.
Regards,
Paul Moore
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Press Release / Sunday / November 4, 2007
A letter from Mayor LockwoodDear Citizens of Milton, when I decided to pursue the office of mayor, I did so with the hope of engaging you, the citizens of Milton, in a collaborative effort to create a community that is financially sound and the envy of North Fulton.
Today, I envision a Milton that protects and represents its citizens in the best possible light. I envision a Milton that old and young will be proud to call home. You elected me because you too believe in this vision. We are well on our way. We've had successes and we have had challenges. I am proud of our accomplishments, grateful for the education from our challenges, and above all else, excited and optimistic about our future.
I write you to ask for your support in overcoming the three biggest threats to our vision. We must first control the cost of living. Property taxes and the overall cost of living increased for many of us this year. While actual property tax amounts are controlled by Fulton County through assessed values, the city can take steps to protect your overall costs. We had the opportunity, and some pressure, to increase millage rates this past year, and chose not to. My vision includes a "city center" located in an appropriately zoned location, which will be chosen by our citizens through public participation in our Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This will promote business and business tax revenue, provide a vibrant walking and meeting place for our residents, and help establish our city's own unique identity. The resulting business tax revenue will help fund the acquisition of land for trails and parks, and reduce the burden on Milton's citizens to carry the entire financial costs of running our city.
Secondly, increased traffic congestion threatens our quality of life. Our two lane roads bear traffic loads for four lanes. Our commute to the grocery store, parks, school, church, and work seem to grow with every new subdivision. As a resident of Milton, you should not have to wait 10 or more minutes just to back out of your driveway. I will work with the new council to quickly implement responsible growth through the Comprehensive Land Use plan. We have already begun the process of improving many of our intersections. Our residents will see the benefits in the near future.
Finally, our identity as a city is threatened. To me, being a part of Milton means being part of a special area with roots dating back nearly 100 years. It means having a strong downtown district with a city hall and libraries within our city limits. It means protecting and celebrating our historic sections while creating crime free neighborhoods for our new residents. It means preserving our farms and open land as much as possible. It means making Milton unique and distinct from our neighbors. It also means overcoming the negative press from the Atlanta Journal Constitution and USA Today based on the personal agendas of certain city council members.These are just a few reasons that the AJC characterized the city of Milton as having a "dysfunctional council": Four council members pushed forward a resolution to remove a Mayor's Assistant position from our budget, knowing full well that if they had been successful, it would have negatively impacted customer service response and resolution intervals for our citizens in this crucial first year.
Four council members decided to hire an "organizational psychologist" at taxpayers' expense against the will of the mayor, staff and other council members.
Political appointees/associates of certain council members continue to bring frivolous ethics complaints against me, other council members, and our appointees. It has costs the city thousands of your tax dollars.
Four council members decided to hire an "organizational psychologist" at taxpayers' expense against the will of the mayor, staff and other council members.
Political appointees/associates of certain council members continue to bring frivolous ethics complaints against me, other council members, and our appointees. It has costs the city thousands of your tax dollars.
Four council members supported, and allowed the passage of key, behind-the-scenes changes to our city's charter without any previous discussion with the mayor, staff or other council members.
Highly valued, key employees have left the city's staff due to politics. Among other things, these political antics have cost us time, productivity, and considerable tax dollars. I need your help to put an end to this. I need your help to focus our energies and financial resources on moving forward, responsibly and aggressively, towards our mutual vision for the City of Milton. I am concerned with and opposed to extending sewer in Milton. The groups requesting it earlier this year have filed a request to re-open the issue just after this election.
Julie Zahner Bailey, Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart share my concern and will work with me, on your behalf to implement our vision. Please stand with me by casting your vote for Mrs. Bailey, Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Tart on November 6. Vote for the principles of responsible growth, reduced congestion, and a positive local identity. Vote for keeping control of our future in our hands, not in the hands of special interest. Vote for candidates who will work to reduce crime, preserve our lifestyle, and who hold high the virtues of character and professionalism.
Milton needs Julie Zahner Bailey Alan Tart, and Burt Hewitt on our City Council. Milton needs you and your vote on November 6. Let's move forward!
Respectfully,
Joe Lockwood, Mayor
Press Release / Sunday / November 4, 2007
Good afternoon, this is Burt Hewitt, candidate for Milton City Council and I want a few moments to ask for your vote Tuesday.
I am ready to work hard for our community. When you vote on Tuesday, you will be voting on who will we become as a city. Parts of our community are struggling with crime, other parts with infringement, and we all are coping with unchecked and irresponsible development a legacy left by Fulton County.
As a community, we must decide if we want Milton to be the community that attracted and kept us or if we want it to be a cash cow for developers. We should be one Milton. I will work to create a downtown district that diverts traffic from our streets and will build a tax base from businesses to help support Milton. I will work to lower your overall tax burden. I will work with my fellow council members and I will work for you. When you go to vote, know that you are voting on our future.
Please vote for me Burt Hewitt this Tuesday November 6. If you would like to hear my position on the issues or have me call you, please call 770-772-5310.
Sincerely,
Burt Hewitt
Candidate for Milton City Council District 4
I am ready to work hard for our community. When you vote on Tuesday, you will be voting on who will we become as a city. Parts of our community are struggling with crime, other parts with infringement, and we all are coping with unchecked and irresponsible development a legacy left by Fulton County.
As a community, we must decide if we want Milton to be the community that attracted and kept us or if we want it to be a cash cow for developers. We should be one Milton. I will work to create a downtown district that diverts traffic from our streets and will build a tax base from businesses to help support Milton. I will work to lower your overall tax burden. I will work with my fellow council members and I will work for you. When you go to vote, know that you are voting on our future.
Please vote for me Burt Hewitt this Tuesday November 6. If you would like to hear my position on the issues or have me call you, please call 770-772-5310.
Sincerely,
Burt Hewitt
Candidate for Milton City Council District 4
Press Release / Sunday / November 4, 2007
You are cordially invited to join Burt Hewitt, Candidate for Milton City Council – District 4 and
Alan Tart, Candidate for Milton City Council – District 6 as they celebrate election night with family and friends.
Date: November 6, 2007
Location: Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails
780 Mayfield Road, Milton, GA 30004Phone: (770) 817-0161
http://www.miltons-atl.com/
Directions: http://www.miltons-atl.com/directions.html
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosts: Alan Tart and Burt Hewitt
Light hors'duerves will be served. No R.S.V.P is required. Please feel free to bring a guest! We hope to see you there!
Alan M. Tart
Alan Tart, Candidate for Milton City Council – District 6 as they celebrate election night with family and friends.
Date: November 6, 2007
Location: Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails
780 Mayfield Road, Milton, GA 30004Phone: (770) 817-0161
http://www.miltons-atl.com/
Directions: http://www.miltons-atl.com/directions.html
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hosts: Alan Tart and Burt Hewitt
Light hors'duerves will be served. No R.S.V.P is required. Please feel free to bring a guest! We hope to see you there!
Alan M. Tart
Candidate for Milton City Council - District 6 (At Large)
"The Candidate For the People And Of The People"
Cell: 678-464-8550E-mail (please share your concerns): alantart4milton@comcast.net
Cell: 678-464-8550E-mail (please share your concerns): alantart4milton@comcast.net
Website: http://www.alantart4milton.com/
Editor:Is it just me, or have Roger Santi, Neil O'Brien and Rick Mohrig gone underground?
Now that residents are getting a clear picture of where their support is coming from (and my thanks to Access Milton for providing a forum that the developer-dependant local media seems to find difficult), I am surprised that I have not seen a word of self-defense in charges that they are supported heavily be developers and, sewer companies.
Anybody who gets a call from their supporters in the run up to the election should ask Mr. Santi why his Campaign Disclosure Report lists major high-density developers and a sewer company as contributors. Why would they give money to someone who professes to be anti-sewer?
For Mr. O'Brien, the question is: why does your Campaign Disclosure Report list a developer with ties to the advancement of sewers, a sewer management company and assorted other developers?
Just an aside: those of us in Six Hills have taken special note that one of Mr. O’Brien’s contributors is Ted Officer, who tried to threaten and legally strong arm our subdivision into creating a road between two of our neighbor’s properties so he could develop 15 additional homes that our community was dead-set against. He has been turned down on appeals four times by both Fulton County and Milton . Yet, he persists despite reportedly having liens against other properties. He chain sawed all the trees in the easement he owns, tore down the fence in front of it, and has allowed weeds to cover the area he has destroyed. When we suggested that we put the fence back up at our expense, he said we can do anything we want to, but he's just going to tear it down again. Why would Mr. O’Brien, who professes to be for smart growth, take a dime from such an individual?
For Mr. Mohrig, whose contributions are minimal, the question is: why are his signs always with Mr. Santi’s and Mr. O’Brien’s? Is it a free ride in return for the right vote?
Until these three candidates answer questions about their support openly and honestly, then the only conclusion is that their strategy is to spread misinformation and create diversion. Create enough confusion and it might be possible create the appearance that Council id disfunctional -- even though that Council has virtully created a working municipality with fire, police and courts in a little more than a year. That strategy appears to track nicely with events to date.
Such a strategy can only be based on the hope that residents of Milton won’t notice that the Three Amigos are on the political payroll of those who would tear up our roads for years and ruin the very quality of life that most of us moved here to enjoy – just so they can chop our city into the smallest – and most profitable – pieces possible.
Sincerely,
William Ruffin
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Welcome To Milton.
By DOUG NURSE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 11/04/07The city of Milton delights in its rural, rustic charm.
Two-lane roads are lined with trees. Well-tended black fences meander over rolling hills. Horses graze in breeze-rippled pastures. The equestrian backdrop is the signature of this north Fulton city and a magnet to high-end home buyers drawn by the prospects of living in a community that is pretty enough for a postcard. But some newcomers are coming face to face with an unavoidable dose — or whiff — of reality.
Jeff Runner's Yellow House Farm includes elegant stables and a 48,000 square foot indoor riding arena on 36 acres in Milton. He has been embroiled in a battle with neighbors who are upset he built a large arena for horses, and that he puts the manure in a dumpster near the property line.
Postcards don't stink.
As city officials are finding out, some Milton residents are more enamored with the visual aspects of a rural environment than with the inevitable byproducts.
"People have high expectations up here," said Milton Community Development Director Tom Wilson. "They like the way it looks. They don't like the way it smells or how it sounds.
"People will call and say, 'I smell horse poop' or 'I see a greenhouse,' 'Are they building a chicken house?' 'Do they use chemicals or fertilizer?' "
Wilson recalls a telephone conversation with a woman who was livid about a pile of horse poop on a gravel road near her home. Wilson explained the area is considered agricultural, and horses naturally fit that description."She was not happy," Wilson said.
Milton's culture clash was, perhaps, inevitable. The city started as a cotton-farming area, dotted with small crossroads communities. Because of a lack of railroads or major highways, Milton was largely bypassed from the tidal wave of growth on the Northside in the '80s and '90s.
It has become increasingly popular with people who can afford to live in an equestrian community within commuting distance of Atlanta. Dozens of horse farms are within the city limits.
The current average asking price for a home in Milton currently tops $800,000, according to Lauren Holmes, managing broker of Crye-Leike Realtors.
Milton, with 20,000 residents on 44 square miles, is twice the size of neighboring Alpharetta with half the population.
Residents love to talk about their horse farms and the need to protect the rural-tinged vistas. The city's logo depicts a galloping horse. The city Web site has a picture of grazing horses.
Kathleen Smith, of Hidden Haven Farm, says many of Milton's newcomers don't understand that agriculture is sometimes a messy, smelly enterprise.
"Farming isn't pretty," she said. "People want the Disneyfied version of agriculture. I hear people moved here for its ruralness, but it's not rural. When you live a rural lifestyle, you don't have covenants. We're being pushed out, but then people complain that we're leaving."
About 90 percent of Milton is zoned for agriculture, which allows one unit per acre. Agricultural zoning allows a wide variety of uses that doesn't fit the increasingly suburban nature of Milton, such as chicken farms, pig farms, kennels and horses.
City Councilman Neal O'Brien said he understands the potential for conflict."If you built a lovely estate house," O'Brien said, "you might find it unpleasant to live next to a chicken house."
Sometimes the clash is institutional.
For example, horse arenas typically are 35,000 to 40,000 square feet, but the rules adopted by the city only allow for 25,000 square feet. And the city has been reluctant to grant variances.
On Oct. 16, the Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request by Jonathan Levy of Arlington, Va., to build a 45,000-square-foot covered arena on 22 acres. A frustrated Levy said Milton's supposed love affair with horses is mere pretense.
"It's unmitigated hypocrisy," Levy said. "They're touting themselves as an elite equestrian community, but heaven help you if you want to build a real show barn. If they wanted to be a top-flight equestrian community, they would set up a special equestrian zoning ordinance that applied only to equestrian properties greater than 10 acres. It's all rhetoric."
Levy vows to sell his property to a developer and move to another county.
Jeff Runner, owner of Yellow House Farm, has been embroiled in a dust-up with some neighbors. One adjoining property owner, Ted Cox, says Runner violated the development regulations when he built a 36-stall, 48,000-square-foot barn and arena complex. He maintains that Runner's arena is improperly operating a commercial venture and that the structures violate several provisions of Fulton County's development laws.
He frets that the steel-ribbed arena, built two years ago, is within easy eyeshot of his back windows. Moreover, a large Dumpster for the horse dung sits near the property line of another neighbor."Of course it smells," Cox said. "It holds manure for 36 horses. There's noise, there's lighting. There's no buffers, no variances."
Runner said the stacked-stone and wooden barn and the arena were approved by Fulton County before Milton became a city last December. He said the county has assured him the buildings and their operation are fully compliant with the county's rules. He said some people want to dictate what he can do with his land."Why did they move here?" Runner asked. "People think a horse barn is a little shed with a couple of horses in the pasture. The reality is that's not a horse barn. That's a person with a couple of horses."
Karen McGoldrick, owner of Prospect Hill Farm with its six horses, said horse farms and subdivisions don't mix. She remembers a community forum last year where the tension was evident."I heard people complain 'Your horses scare my dogs.' 'Your riding instructors speak too loudly.' 'The hoofbeats make too much noise.' 'They make too much dust,' McGoldrick said. "There was such anger. These people aren't animal people."
The conflicts are not limited to horse farms. Wilson, the community development director, said he's fielded complaints about people timbering their property, operating landscaping businesses, and one case involving greenhouses on agriculturally zoned land.
Smith, of Hidden Haven Farm, says she deliberately keeps her animals — a horse, sheep and chickens — out of sight from neighbors. That means there are large portions of her land that she doesn't use.
"People move here from somewhere else to get a little piece of paradise," Wilson said. "They've lived in residential developments all their lives, and they expect the same kinds of protections they've always had."
The city is about to embark on its first comprehensive plan, and that might present an opportunity to change much of the zoning from agriculture to a more traditional residential zoning.
However, Mayor Joe Lockwood said he's a little uneasy making en masse rezonings from agricultural to residential, saying property owners might feel the city has taken away all their options, save development.
"It might accelerate development," he said. Lockwood recommends prospective home buyers check out what would be around their property."People need to be aware of what they're getting into and not be surprised," Lockwood said.
Parolee Accused Of Killing Ex-City Men.
By Jay Rey NEWS STAFF REPORTER /www.buffalonews.comA drug-related double murder near Atlanta earlier this week led investigators to Buffalo, where a suspect was arrested.
Alan Hall, 27, was picked up by local authorities Thursday morning at his home on Abbott Road, and faces charges of murdering two former Buffalo residents in an Atlanta suburb on Monday.
Hall, who is on parole, is being held in the Erie County Holding Center until his court appearance Monday in Buffalo, where he’ll face extradition.
Hall, who is on parole, is being held in the Erie County Holding Center until his court appearance Monday in Buffalo, where he’ll face extradition.
Hall is accused of fatally shooting the two Buffalo acquaintances during a drug-related robbery Monday evening at a home in Milton, Ga., 20 miles north of Atlanta. The victims, Justin Stewart, 27, and Terrell Jennings, 32, are from Buffalo and relocated to the Atlanta area, said Kevin Kendall, a senior investigator with the State Police.
“All the parties were involved with drug dealing and narcotics trafficking,” Kendall said.
Milton police were called to the home at about 9 p.m. Monday and found Stewart shot dead and Jennings with a gunshot wound. Jennings died Wednesday.
Milton police were called to the home at about 9 p.m. Monday and found Stewart shot dead and Jennings with a gunshot wound. Jennings died Wednesday.
An investigation by police identified Hall as the suspect. “He was in Georgia at the time,” said Lt. Shawn McCarty of the Milton Police Department. “Apparently [the three] were some sort of acquaintances.” “Right now the motive is robbery,” McCarty said. “There were drugs and money involved at the residence.”
Authorities tracked Hall to Buffalo. “He lives in Buffalo, and he was on parole, so it made sense he was headed back for Buffalo,” Kendall said.
A local fugitive task force from the State Police, U.S. Marshals and Niagara County Sheriff’s Office surrounded the Abbott Road residence Thursday morning, and Hall was taken into custody without incident, Kendall said.
Hall had been in and out of prison since 1998, when he was caught with more than 4 ounces of cocaine, Kendall said.
Press Release / Saturday / November 3rd / 2007
Dear Milton Citizens:“Leadership is action, not position.” - Donald H. McGannon
I am in this race because I care about Milton and am deeply concerned about its future. I have no hidden agendas, no further political aspirations, and no puppeteer. I am merely an energetic, positive, and free thinking leader who wants to protect your interests on the council.
I will not stand passively by while criminals hold our families hostage and developers threaten our way of life with out-of-control, high density development and increased traffic. The recent homicide (the second in just 6 months) and the increase in drug arrests in the Highway 9 area underscore why we need a strong, steady leader on the council from District 6.
All neighborhoods in Milton, not just those along the Highway 9 corridor, should be concerned about the Fulton County element of crime and drugs becoming a fabric of our city. I can tell you firsthand that it is already thriving here. I and the other concerned citizens living along the Highway 9 corridor fight it everyday.
If you ask senior law enforcement officials what factors increase crime in the Highway 9 area, they will tell you two things:
High density; and
The large number of rental homes/apartments and accompanying transient population that makes the identification of suspicious activity or persons more difficult.
Every neighborhood in Milton needs to take action now by forming neighborhood watch programs and coordinating anti-crime activities with each other and the Milton Public Safety Department. Our police force has done an excellent job of enhancing the services provided by Fulton County. I will ensure that they have all the resources they need to increase patrols in areas with known crime elements and crack down on drug dealers and other criminals.
As we plan for future growth and development, I will vote to prevent conditions that give criminals a safe haven here. I will fight development that will bring more loitering, littering, and crime into our city. Partnering with our public safety officers, the Mayor and other city council members, industry, and you, I will lead the effort to clean up the Highway 9 corridor and stop crime from becoming prevalent throughout Milton.
I will also stand firm against uncontrolled growth and development. I will remain resolute on my position of “no new sewer” since with more sewer comes more dense development and crime. I will not flounder on this position when confronted by rich developers.
I will work quickly to pass more stringent architectural and design standards along Highway 9 to protect our rural, equestrian character. I will work with developers to encourage that any new growth brings an added value to our city and our lives. The last thing that either the citizens or developers need is more un-leased, unsupported development. Growth needs to be strategically planned so that it is a “win-win” for both the citizens and developers. If it is not, then I will not vote for it.
As a peer-elected, National Team Leader with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and as President of the Avensong Community Association, I have a proven track record of bringing people together to accomplish great things. I do not back down in the face of defeat. I don’t just talk about doing things; I get things done. Ask any of my many supporters in Avensong and throughout Milton, and they will tell you that I am a leader who remains steadfast in executing a vision.
I want to be your proactive, innovative, consensus-building, and participatory voice on the council. Give me the chance to show you what can be achieved when you have a true leader representing you on the council. I will turn the citizens’ vision for Milton into a reality.
I need your vote on Tuesday, November 6. Thank you!
Yours Truly,
Alan M. TartCandidate for Milton City Council - District 6 (At Large)"The Candidate For the People And Of The People"
Cell: 678-464-8550E-mail (please share your concerns): alantart4milton@comcast.net
Website: http://www.alantart4milton.com/
Press Release / Friday / November 2 2007
The Saga Continues - Opponent's Latest Ad Absurd!Conservation Use a Key Tool to PreservationZahner Bailey is a Proponent of Conservation Use Valuation as a Mechanism for Preserving Greenspace & our Equestrian & Agricultural Community...
In the current Milton Beacon, in another string of negative advertisements, my opponent claims that I under-pay my property taxes. For the record, the Bailey's pay their taxes.It's a shame my opponent's latest negative ad fails to mention that our family's land was placed into "Conservation Use" in 2003 - long before Milton was even a concept - as a way to protect this land from development and to demonstrate our commitment to green space, preserving the environment and promoting lower density.
You would think someone claiming to be a CPA would have knowledge of a long standing, state sponsored tax incentive called Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA). It is available to citizens like me as a mechanism for conservation of our agricultural and farmlands, timber land and wildlife habitats.
CUVA also helps promote Georgia's agri-tourism business where the general public can tour a farm in operation and/or purchase products on site. Every year school children take field trips to farms for educational purposes.
Without this tax incentive many farmers and other qualified landowners would simply not be able to afford to own large parcels for active farms or wildlife habitats. These preserved lands would simply be replaced by intense development which is in stark contrast to the mission of Milton to promote our rural character.
My family's land meets the eligibility requirements in several categories encouraged by CUVA and the State. CUVA helps make our stewardship of the land a reality and enables us to truly live our commitment as long-term stewards of the community. I love this community and am committed to conserving open green space and preserving its environment and unique heritage.
These are the very reasons that the Statewide CUVA program exists. I have promoted conservation use for many years in hopes that more landowners embrace these available tools for preservation. From 1992 the enrollment in the number of properties in conservation increased from 16,000 to 81,000 by 2002. This includes 447 properties in Fulton County and 139 properties in Milton that participate currently in the conservation program.
In September 2007, Milton's finance department presented the benefits of CUVA at a town hall meeting concerning taxes of which CUVA was discussed. However, we need to do more to communicate the existence of these valuable and necessary tools.
Here's how this Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) works:
Basically, if you own between 10 and 2,000 acres of land and utilize that land for certain purposes as defined by the State, you are eligible for a CUVA. Some of the uses include:
- Raising, harvesting, or storing crops; feeding, breeding, or managing livestock or poultry; producing plants, trees, fowl, or animals; production of aquaculture, horticulture, floriculture, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry, and apiarian products.
Tax Savings and Commitment:
In exchange for committing not to develop your land and to continue to use it for the defined conservation purposes, a Conservation Use Valuation Assessment is applied to the property resulting in a reduced tax. The State's Basic Formula: Tax Liability = 40% of current use value x Local County Millage Rate.
The property owner must commit to non-development in increments of 10 years. If for any reason the land does not continue to meet State regulations for conservation then a penalty and back taxes would be due.
As a result, this program is not for everyone, but for those willing to make the commitment to maintain their land in State-defined conservation use. It is a win-win for the community and the landowner.
You may wish to speak to a knowledgeable CPA or other financial advisor to see if the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment would fit into your long-term goals. My family has been committed to this program for years and will continue to do so.
All my best,
Julie Zahner Bailey
Milton City Council
A Postive Leader for a Positive Milton
Friday, November 02, 2007
Check Out This Upcoming Milton Garage Sale!
Nov. 02 - Nov. 11.
Hampton's Grant N'Hood Sale - 10+ families yard sales!
4705 Hampton's Drive/ 30004
Sat., 11/10 from 8am-4:30pm
Furniture, lamps, exercise equip, bedding, household items, clothes, toys, baby goodies, and MUCH MORE!
Hampton's Grant N'Hood Sale - 10+ families yard sales!
4705 Hampton's Drive/ 30004
Sat., 11/10 from 8am-4:30pm
Furniture, lamps, exercise equip, bedding, household items, clothes, toys, baby goodies, and MUCH MORE!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Letter To The Editor.
Another One Bites The Dust.
...justly titled if applied to Milton City Councilman Neal O'Brien's e-election campaign.
Folks, let's take a minute to digest what has happened today to Mr. O'Brien's campaign...
Yet another person has apparently gotten upset over Mr. O'Brien's use of their good name, this apparently isn't the first occurrence, and more than likely not the last before next week’s elections...
Knowing Travis Allen, I find him to be a fairly upstanding citizen who is concerned about our community.
Having said that, I’m not convinced that his response to Mr. O’Brien’s using his good name was conniving, underhanded, or inappropriate at all, as Mr. O’Brien has suggested.
Is it that farfetched that the 2 of them would have spoken about shared interests such as Historic Preservation and College Football?
Perhaps Mr. Allen just found it convenient that a city council member had expressed interest in Historic Preservation, something that Mr. Allen has stated that he is an advocate of….perhaps Mr. O’Brien misread this as support…who are we to know?
But the point is that Mr. O’Brien has lost yet more of his perceived support; people may make mistakes once, but are a little more cautious the second time around. Just ask any of Mr. O’Brien’s main supporters from last year’s election.
Mr. O’Brien has suggested that Mr. Allen was only mining him for information…NEWSFLASH!!! You don’t need to dig for gold when it’s laying on top of the ground…any information about Mr. O'Brien is easy to come by, one just needs to look.
Mr. O’Brien is a shady individual who will let nothing stand in the way of his badmouthing someone….just look at how Tim Enloe was treated during last year’s run-off campaign…Mr. O’Brien can feign ignorance all he wants, but everyone knows who was behind the character assassinating website.
Also, does Mr. O’Brien think for one minute that any of us believe that his citing the support of Mr. Allen was all just a ruse?...that he was just trying to provoke Mr. Allen into revealing that he wasn’t a supporter…please…don't insult our intelligence...
Neal, you may be licensed to carry nuclear weapons, but someone else deciding not to support you wasn’t quite a bombshell.
Everyone just needs to take a look at how Mr. O’Brien responded to get a good sense of what we would have if this man were to be re-elected…
Although a Historic Preservation Ordinance would certainly benefit the community, Mr. O’Brien has all but threatened to not back such an ordinance just because of his dislike of one individual?
And this coming from someone who appointed developers to city committees…can someone please try to justify his remarks and actions…I certainly can’t!
Neal O’Brien has done so little but taken so much credit that I fear even he is beginning to believe his own lies...
Where is the Parks Authority that Neal created?
Where was Neal at the Tax Information Session?
Where is the Tax Moratorium that Neal promised?
Does Neal even know where Milton is?
To paraphrase Neal’s response to Mrs. Chambers regarding Mr. Allen’s non support:
Good one Neal, you really had us going. If these kind of tactics work, I hope at least some good comes of it.
-M. Eagle
...justly titled if applied to Milton City Councilman Neal O'Brien's e-election campaign.
Folks, let's take a minute to digest what has happened today to Mr. O'Brien's campaign...
Yet another person has apparently gotten upset over Mr. O'Brien's use of their good name, this apparently isn't the first occurrence, and more than likely not the last before next week’s elections...
Knowing Travis Allen, I find him to be a fairly upstanding citizen who is concerned about our community.
Having said that, I’m not convinced that his response to Mr. O’Brien’s using his good name was conniving, underhanded, or inappropriate at all, as Mr. O’Brien has suggested.
Is it that farfetched that the 2 of them would have spoken about shared interests such as Historic Preservation and College Football?
Perhaps Mr. Allen just found it convenient that a city council member had expressed interest in Historic Preservation, something that Mr. Allen has stated that he is an advocate of….perhaps Mr. O’Brien misread this as support…who are we to know?
But the point is that Mr. O’Brien has lost yet more of his perceived support; people may make mistakes once, but are a little more cautious the second time around. Just ask any of Mr. O’Brien’s main supporters from last year’s election.
Mr. O’Brien has suggested that Mr. Allen was only mining him for information…NEWSFLASH!!! You don’t need to dig for gold when it’s laying on top of the ground…any information about Mr. O'Brien is easy to come by, one just needs to look.
Mr. O’Brien is a shady individual who will let nothing stand in the way of his badmouthing someone….just look at how Tim Enloe was treated during last year’s run-off campaign…Mr. O’Brien can feign ignorance all he wants, but everyone knows who was behind the character assassinating website.
Also, does Mr. O’Brien think for one minute that any of us believe that his citing the support of Mr. Allen was all just a ruse?...that he was just trying to provoke Mr. Allen into revealing that he wasn’t a supporter…please…don't insult our intelligence...
Neal, you may be licensed to carry nuclear weapons, but someone else deciding not to support you wasn’t quite a bombshell.
Everyone just needs to take a look at how Mr. O’Brien responded to get a good sense of what we would have if this man were to be re-elected…
Although a Historic Preservation Ordinance would certainly benefit the community, Mr. O’Brien has all but threatened to not back such an ordinance just because of his dislike of one individual?
And this coming from someone who appointed developers to city committees…can someone please try to justify his remarks and actions…I certainly can’t!
Neal O’Brien has done so little but taken so much credit that I fear even he is beginning to believe his own lies...
Where is the Parks Authority that Neal created?
Where was Neal at the Tax Information Session?
Where is the Tax Moratorium that Neal promised?
Does Neal even know where Milton is?
To paraphrase Neal’s response to Mrs. Chambers regarding Mr. Allen’s non support:
Good one Neal, you really had us going. If these kind of tactics work, I hope at least some good comes of it.
-M. Eagle
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