SUPPORT LIBERTY'S LAW!

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

***Milton, GA Homestead Excemption!***

Milton homeowners have until May 31, 2007 to file for city homestead exemptions. Only those homeowners seeking senior, senior additional, senior full value and/or disability exemptions need to file with the city. These exemptions only apply to City of Milton taxes, not to the Fulton School Board or Fulton County portion of property owners’ tax bills.


Homeowners who have already filed for the basic exemption with the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s Office do not need to take any action. The $15,000 deduction from the owner-occupied property’s assessed value is automatically renewable. Homeowners who qualify for the basic exemption and have not applied must apply through the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s Office.


Categories and eligibility requirements for the City of Milton exemptions are:

Senior exemption – age 65 or older

$15,000 deduction from assessed value
65 or older before Jan. 1 of the tax year.
Owner occupied.
Automatically renewable after initial application.

Senior additional exemption – age 65 or older, income requirements

$10,000 deduction from assessed value.
65 or older before Jan. 1 of the tax year.
Income limitations as defined by the IRS.
Owner occupied.
Automatically renewable after initial application; however, income verification may be requested.

Senior full-value exemption – age 70 or older, income requirements

Full value exemption of assessed value.
70 or older before Jan. 1 of the tax year.
Income limitations as defined by the IRS.
Owner occupied.
Automatically renewable after initial application; however, income verification may be requested.

Disability exemption

Full value exemption of assessed value
Doctor’s certification of disability.
Owner occupied.
Automatically renewable after initial application.

Friday, December 22, 2006

180 Year Old Church Prize in Annexation Battle

Courtesy -> PAUL KAPLAN The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 12/22/06

For most of its 180 years, Union Primitive Baptist Church stood in the middle of nowhere in a rural corner of what is now northwest Fulton County.

For the last few months, it has sat in the middle of a hissing match over land. The little red brick church is being pulled in opposite directions by a pair of cities that want it for their own.It's not the church they're enamored with. That's just an old two-room prayer hall that turns no heads and pays no taxes.

What the cities want is bigger than Union Primitive Baptist Church, a lot bigger.By a geographical quirk, the church sits on a thin strip of land that connects two large tracts that both Roswell and the new city of Milton covet. They want it so badly, in fact, that both cities have annexed it. "It's nice to be wanted, " Pastor Marty Smith said.

This kind of border dispute has become more common since Sandy Springs won permission to become a city last year. Now all of north Fulton is incorporating, and the church, just north of Roswell, is in one of the last remaining uncommitted areas.

Back when Union Primitive was founded, in the late 1820s, land disputes like this were often settled with guns. Today it's mostly lawyers and politicians firing the volleys. Both sides in the dispute have tried hard not to step on the church, which sits on a couple of quiet acres and has more headstones in its small graveyard than members, who number fewer than 100. But Union Primitive, a conservative congregation, could not be kept out of the dispute.

"That church is the connecting piece, so we didn't really have a choice," said Joe Lockwood, the mayor of Milton.Property owners south of the church, have expressed a preference for joining Milton. That area is surrounded by Ros- well, however, so unless Milton gets the church property, it can't have the tract south of it, because a city only can annex land it's connected to.
So whoever gets the church gets the big prize with it.

Both cities were able to stake a claim to the church by using different annexation formulas covering different geographic areas. Milton wants Union Primitive so badly that it annexed it twice, under two different formulas.For its part, the church didn't care which city it joined, Rev. Smith said. "Both cities are good cities," he said.

But it had to pick one or the other, because Fulton County will not serve the area much longer. The series of incorporations, which added Milton and Johns Creek this year, took the county out of most day-to-day operations on the Northside.The church is inside a three-mile strip of land that was omitted from Milton's boundary because residents there hadn't decided between the new city and Roswell. The competition for the last significant piece of Northside land has been very aggressive — and reminiscent of the fight Roswell had with Johns Creek over the Newtown neighborhood. Roswell lost that battle, and it seemed to add a sense of urgency to its current squabble with Milton.

There also have been skirmishes in south Fulton over annexations into Palmetto and Union City, and in neighborhoods south and west of Atlanta. Those were sparked by a proposal to create a new city of South Fulton. When it came time for Union Primitive to choose sides, its deacons picked Milton. It was mainly because neighbors of the church generally preferred the new city, which will initially have a lower millage than Roswell. Some neighbors asked the church to join Milton so they could join it too."That dominated the discussion with the deacons, how we'd be most helpful to the folks around us," Smith said.

All of this could end in one of three ways: in court, in the General Assembly, or in a room where the two sides cut a deal.Both cities would prefer the latter method, and they are in negotiations.
"I said, 'Make us an offer, and I'll take it to the City Council," Roswell Mayor Jere Wood said.
What if they can't make a deal?"It would be nice to see our preference honored, but if not, we won't take to the streets," Smith said. "There are some things worth fighting for, but this isn't one of them."

So the little church caught in the middle is keeping its head down and meeting for lunches every other week after Sunday services — sausage, yellow rice, sliced ham and lots of good cheer. The last thing these folks wanted was to disappoint either side in the land dispute.

"We've lived peacefully here for years," said Ted Walker, a member of the church for more than four decades. "We didn't want to be the linchpin for problems."Walker had a 12-acre spread up the road from Union Primitive back when the area was rural. He sold it all when the area started getting crowded, and he moved farther out, to Cherokee County.

The area around the church remains knitted together by meandering two-lane roads, but housing developments are springing up all along those roads, including several near the church. The house directly across the street from Union Primitive has six bedrooms and three fireplaces, and it's yours for $900,000.

Big money, big disagreements.

"We didn't realize this was going to be controversial," said Jere Jones, a deacon at the church. "It got a little difficult."

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

New Cities Look for Parkland Paths for Cyclists, Walkers

DOUG NURSE The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 12/12/06

John Byers of Johns Creek objects to the idea of having to drive someplace to ride his bicycle.
"There's no safe place to ride," he said. "You're taking your life in your hands if [you] go on the road. When my family rides, I have to load the bikes and go to Big Creek Greenway."

But Georgia Tech is working on a plan to fix that. Using $250,000 in state grant money, the university is doing an inventory of possible parkland and mapping out possible bicycle routes for the new cities of Milton and Johns Creek.

About half of Milton, home of horse farms, golf courses and two-lane roads, is undeveloped, giving it a better chance of finding additional park space although it has inherited 301 acres from Fulton County for its 20,000 residents.

Johns Creek's neat subdivisions, and brick and stone shops take up about 85 percent of its land, and it only has about 200 acres of parks for its 60,000 residents."Johns Creek has a significant need for new parkland," said Bill Drummond, the Georgia Tech associate professor heading the project. "They're overcrowded or people go to other cities' parks. Or they don't go out as much."
Inspired by a dream of being able to ride from Milton to Roswell or Alpharetta and maybe to Johns Creek or Forsyth County, state Rep. Jan Jones (R-Milton) sponsored the bill that set aside the grant money in 2004. The funds were rolled over until 2007.

"I want to connect neighbors with places to go," Jones said. "We should be able to ride to school, library or the park." Drummond said Milton's long roads may lend themselves to bike lanes, although that could be expensive. Johns Creek, however, might be better served with wide multiuse paths next to its busy streets.The study also will estimate costs and break the acquisition and construction into phases to make it more feasible, Drummond said.
After the initial study is complete, it will be presented to citizens' committees in each city for their reaction and suggestions.

After incorporating citizens' proposals, it will be forwarded to the city councils. Drummond said that having the parks and bike paths will make both cities better places to live. "It makes destinations accessible," he said. "I expect it will increase social interaction and cut down on isolation that occurs in suburbs."

David Deutsch, 46, of Milton said his three teenage children would use a connected path to visit friends in other neighborhoods, and he would use it for long-distance rides.
"I definitely support it," he said. "Cars are not a big fan of bikers."

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

A "Thank you!" from District 4 Candidate Tim Enloe!

9:00am / Tuesday / December 5th, 2006

All:

I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who has been so kind to me and my family during both the regular campaign and run-off. This experience has exposed me to many wonderful folks who share my sincere sentiments about the place we all call home. You have truly shown what the true meaning of "community" is all about. Regardless of what happens at the end of this day, I do thank you for your friendship, your kindness, and your faith in me.

Please keep in touch.

Tim Enloe
13005 Bethany Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004
770 653 0552 / tmenloe@aol.com

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

***PRIORITY NOTICE FROM MAGNOLIA MEDIA,LLC***

All:

Since we required registration earlier this year, the forums have been far more proactive. However, some are using aliases for screen names which disolves the effectiveness of open discussion. We now require that when a comment is sent, you must include your name and email which will be listed along with your post. Your email will also be used to confirm that you were the initial party that sent the response prior to activation. It is our hope that this approach will make future topics even more effective and responsible.

On a side note, to "N.I.D." and your district 4 comment that was sent at 4:30pm this past Monday, we are happy to clear your message but we must have an email and name to validate.

Best regards,

Scott Thompson
Co-Founder
Magnolia Media, LLC

Monday, November 27, 2006

Your Thoughts For Discussion!

Milton, GA Citizens:

As with any incorporation, questions arise. Thus, Accessmilton.com has opened up the forum floor for topics that you would like to address and discuss. Please send them as one would normally and we will post them as received. Thanks for your continued input and support of Accessmilton.com!

Best regards,

Scott Thompson
Co Founder
Magnolia Media, LLC.

Library System Includes Milton Branch

By PAUL KAPLANThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution


A major library in the new city of Milton's Birmingham community is part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System's 10-year expansion plan.The library system is asking the County Commission to approve eight new libraries, with seven of them in Atlanta or the southern end of the county. It also is asking for renovations at 28 library branches, five of which are on the Northside.


Roswell had offered to donate a prime piece of land in east Roswell if the board would build a library branch at the site, but the offer was turned down.Major renovations are planned for Sandy Springs ($1.9 million), Roswell ($1.7 million) and Northeast Spruill ($1.5 million). Smaller renovations have been recommended for Alpharetta ($668,000) and Robert E. Fulton, formerly Ocee, in the new city of Johns Creek ($145,000).But the big winner on the Northside is the Birmingham community of Milton."We need one; the population has exploded up here," said Tiffany Santi, who lives in the Birmingham area.


Santi has two children, ages 11 and 14, and when they need a library they use the little one at their school because the nearest library branch is in downtown Alpharetta.Milton has only about 20,000 residents, but they're spread out over 44 square miles, which means most residents have to travel long distances to get to a library.


"There is a very large geographic area and a decently sized population north of Alpharetta that is not currently served by a public library," said library director John Szabo, who led the effort to draw the master plan. Szabo said his $112 million plan would likely require a bond issue approved by the voters.Under the plan, two major new libraries would be built, both 25,000 square feet and costing $12.5 million apiece: one in Milton, the other in the Chattahoochee Hills community of unincorporated south Fulton.


The other six new libraries would be smaller branches in Atlanta or south Fulton. The biggest projects are not new libraries, however. They are a proposed $20 million expansion of the Auburn Avenue library in northeast Atlanta and a $21 million renovation of the system's central library in downtown Atlanta.


"The central library is a significant part of our system," Szabo said. "This plan aims to make the central library relevant to everyone, from Alpharetta to Palmetto. I don't believe the central library serves the entire community like it should."


East Roswell residents have to travel to the west side of the city for a library, and they will be disappointed not to be on the list of new branches — but they shouldn't give up trying, said Roger Wise, who lives in Horseshoe Bend, one of east Roswell's major neighborhoods.


"We should not take no for an answer," Wise said. "Plans can be modified, and we should encourage the library authority to take advantage of free land and put a library here."

Friday, November 24, 2006

Thanksgiving Vandals Hit Bethany Road

By Anderson Lee; Magnolia Media, LLC

Bethany Road homeowners woke up to an unexpected sight Friday morning. "When I was walking the dog about 7:30am, I noticed them missing, "resident Cherilyn Allen stated."It is very frustrating that people think they have the right to trespass on private property and take someone's personal items." The personal items Mrs. Allen is referring to are Tim Enloe & Marty Locke campaign sign for the run-off election slated for December 5th.

District 4 Candidate Tim Enloe agrees, "I always encourage folks to vote regardless of who they are supporting. However, I wish they would channel these energies into their candidates of choice instead of these type of actions. Milton, Ga needs to be about visions and ideas; not blind assumptions and vandalism."

The thefts were reported to North Fulton Police. "This is theft by taking and is punishable by fines or even jail time, " stated Lt. Farran. "My officers have been made aware of this situation and are on the lookout."

As of the writing of this article, the other candidates signs in this area were still in place.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Alpharetta Officer Lagerbloom Named Milton Public Safety Director.

CMH2 Hill and the Milton City council has named Christopher J. Lagerbloom as its Public Safety Director. Lagerbloom has spent the past 11 years in the police force at the City of Alpharetta. While there, he worked his way up from a police officer in the Uniform Patrol Division to Police Sergeant as a Crime Prevention Unit Commander and an Administrative Division Commander.
Most recently, he returned to the Uniform Patrol Division as a Police Captain.

"I am enthused and humbled to have been chosen as the first Public Safety Director for the City of Milton. Our new department will be unique,” says Lagerbloom. “We will build a public safety organization designed to deliver extraordinary service utilizing the talents of extraordinary people."

While at Alpharetta, Lagerbloom oversaw the police department’s national accreditation and state certification processes, which collectively encompass more than 475 individual standards covering the areas of administration, operations, planning and budget. He also re-established the city’s bicycle patrol and expanded the city’s neighborhood watch program, which grew to be one of the largest in north Fulton County.

"What an amazing opportunity to be trusted with one of the most precious things each citizen and visitor to the City of Milton enjoys: their safety,” Lagerbloom adds. Last year, Lagerbloom completed his master’s degree in public administration at Columbus State University in Columbus, Ga. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Lagerbloom will be sworn in at the next meeting of the city council, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 at Hopewell Middle School, 13060 Cogburn Road. All council meetings are open to the public.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Bouyant Johns Creek, Milton Convene as Cities!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Former Candidate Sam Bottoms Endorses Tim Enloe for District 4!

"I think that Tim Enloe would be the best candidate for District 4 of the city of Milton, I believe that he represents my best interests and those of the community environmentally, politically and socially. I feel that Tim captures the spirit of the new city quite well and urge everyone to support him. Vote for Tim guys! " - Sam Bottoms.

You can email Sam at: wiserat@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Rep Jan Jones Annouces Milton, GA's First City Council Inauguration!

Friends and Neighbors-The Milton City Council inauguration and swearing-in will be held tonight, Tuesday, at 6 p.m. at Milton High School. The public is welcome.The mayor and four city council members will be installed. They are Joe Lockwood, Karen Thurman, Julie Zahner Bailey, Tina D'Aversa-Williams and Rick Mohrig.The remaining two positions will be filled after the run-off election, which will be held on December 5. Post Three candidates Marty Locke and Bill Lusk and Post Four candidates Tim Enloe and Neal O'Brien will meet in the run-off.Immediately after tonight's ceremony, the city council will conduct its first city council meeting. Come out to see history made!

Jan JonesState Representative - District 46(Serving northwest Fulton, including Milton, Roswell, Alpharetta and Mountain Park)

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

***PRIORITY NOTICE FROM MAGNOLIA MEDIA,LLC***

***ATTENTION MILTON, GA CITIZENS***

Magnolia Media, LLC has noticed an unfortunate trend regarding the option for Milton Citizens to post comments pro-actively here. In speaking with those running, we have decided it would be best to change the requirements regarding posting. You are now required to register. It should be noted that Magnolia Media, LLC does not sell our users information in any shape, form, or manner. This adjustment is simply meant to create a more responsible forum for all of those involved. In closing, please realize that all candidates are running with the goal of making Milton, GA the very best it can be. These individuals have taken time away from their families as well as money out of their pockets. Please consider this before posting.

Thank you,

Scott Thompson
Co-Founder
Magnolia Media, LLC

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Tell Us What You Want Milton to Become

What do you want the new City of Milton, Georgia to become? Do you want it to stay the same or change? Let us know and leave your comments below!

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Cityhood first step toward fleeing Fulton
Backers say 'political tide' favors county breakup
By ANNA VARELAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/23/06

For the leaders who helped forge two new cities in north Fulton County, success at the polls Tuesday was just one step toward a much bigger goal — breaking off a large swath of north Fulton to form an independent county.
They are targeting 2008 for a serious push to create the county of Milton, taking in all of the land from Sandy Springs to the north, and complete with its own school system.
Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta) said he thinks most voters who went to the polls in unincorporated north Fulton on Tuesday knew they were doing more than voting on cityhood.
"I think people generally understand that this is a first step toward true and complete independence," said Burkhalter, who has introduced bills several times in the past to try to carve out a new county.
Milton County boosters have several big legal and political hurdles to clear:
• The Georgia Constitution caps the number of counties at the current 159.
• The state constitution also states, "No independent school system shall hereafter be established."
• Supporters of MARTA and Grady Memorial Hospital — both funded largely by tax dollars from Fulton and DeKalb counties — would probably fight any move that could take a large, wealthy area out of their tax base.
• The Fulton County school board also wouldn't be likely to sit back and watch some of its richest communities and highest-achieving schools defect from the system.
Milton County supporters say they are studying ways to get around these issues.
"The hurdles are only as high as the politics," said Burkhalter, speaker pro tem of the House. "The reality is it's not an easy process but it's certainly one that can be achieved given the political tide that's changed."
That "political tide" is a reference to Republican control of the Legislature.
The Republican majority made it possible for supporters of the city of Sandy Springs to get a vote on incorporation last year, after decades of being foiled by Democrats representing Fulton County's interests. The creation of Sandy Springs, which started operations
Jan. 1, has given hope to others in north Fulton.
The area will gain two more cities — Johns Creek in the northeast and Milton in the northwest.
Johns Creek will have a population of a little more than 62,000 and Milton will have about 20,000 residents. Add Alpharetta (about 35,000) and Sandy Springs (roughly 86,000) and some say that's plenty of people to support a new county.
In fact, more than 70 years ago, Milton was an independent county with Alpharetta as its seat. But it struggled financially during the Great Depression. In 1932, it merged with Campbell County and they were absorbed into Fulton, creating the current, oddly-shaped boundaries.
Many in north Fulton argue that it's past time to break off from a county government with a reputation for scandal in the Sheriff's Department, at the jail and in the tax assessor's office.
As for the schools, Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) issued an open letter a few months ago voicing her support for incorporating the Milton area and working toward a new county. "A separate county would mean a highly focused, scaled-down local school system, one that could more efficiently and effectively serve north Fulton students' needs and desires," Jones wrote.
Reagan Ferguson, who runs a plant nursery and lives in the area that will become the city of Milton, said that forming a new county is a logical next step.
"I think it makes perfect sense," Ferguson said. "One reason it should work up here is there's a rather wealthy tax base."
And residents of north Fulton don't feel like they have much in common with residents of the south end of the county, he said. "You don't talk about Fulton County. You talk about north or south Fulton."
Northside resident Thomas Mulroy agreed.
"The thing everyone wants is a county of our own," said Mulroy, 40, who case his ballot Tuesday in favor of cityhood. "We want to control our schools, our parks, zoning. This is a first step."
Staff writer Doug Nurse contributed to this article.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Miton is now a City

Milton is Now a City


The citizens of Milton, Georgia came together and made it happen! They created a new city. 85% of voters approved the new City of Milton.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILTON GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

VOTE FOR MILTON !!!

Message from Gregory Mishkin on Milton's big day::

Dear Milton Supporters:
Voter turnout has been extremely low so far this morning. This makes it more important then ever that you cast your YES vote for the City of Milton.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS! With low voter turnout your vote has never been so important. I urge you to make sure that you get out today and vote before 7:00pm. Please encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to vote as well.
A new day is upon us… a day where we will take control of our own destiny. Viva La Independence!!!

Take care,

Gregory Mishkin
Communications Chair
City of Milton Committee

Monday, July 17, 2006

Message from Jan Jones

Below is an email sent by Representative Jan Jones of District 46:

Friends and Neighbors-
I'd like to further clarify the city of Milton's promising financial future with no property tax rate increase for northwest residents. I encourage you to forward this information to your friends and neighbors that live in the northwest area.


1. THE NEW CITY TAX REPLACES AN UNINCORPORATED COUNTY TAX

In Fulton, when a city is formed and takes over local service delivery, a special property tax only paid by unincorporated residents is eliminated and replaced with a new city tax. The county tax can be found on your property tax bill designated as the Special Service District (SSD) tax. The current rate is 4.731 mills. The legislation allowing for the creation of Milton caps the property tax rate at 4.731 mills. It can only be increased by a voter referendum.


2. THE HIGHEST PER RESIDENT PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IN COUNTY - AND THE STATE!

With an identical city property tax rate to the SSD unincorporated tax rate, Milton will collect the highest per resident property tax revenue of any of the 13 cities in Fulton County - and any city in GA. It is because the area has the highest average home values by a significant margin. This more than compensates for a lower-than-average commercial base for your average city, which generates fees, fines and permit revenue.

Additionally, Milton will receive sales tax revenues (that are currently spent elsewhere by commissioners) to make service and infrastructure enhancements. In Fulton, only cities qualify to receive a share of sales tax revenues, although all residents pay the additional one-cent tax. These additional revenues will bump current spending levels in northwest Fulton by a third after Milton incorporates.

You may have read recently that Fulton County commissioners voted to set a precedent by transferring to the city of Sandy Springs all park land for $1 per acre. Additionally, fire and police stations will be sold for $5000 each. This means the city of Milton will start off with numerous assets, as it should because its taxpayers already paid for them.


3. THE PROBLEM IS WHO IS DOING THE SPENDING - AND FOR WHOSE BENEFIT

The level of tax revenues in northwest Fulton have never been the problem. It's who is doing the spending, how, and for the benefit of whom. Currently, government spending policies are set by an Atlanta-majority county commission more interested in jobs programs than efficient, responsive service delivery in northwest Fulton.

After incorporation into the city of Milton, how residents' tax dollars are spent, and for the benefit of whom, will no longer be a problem. Your hard-earned tax dollars will be managed by elected friends and neighbors and remain local to make needed infrastructure and service delivery improvements.

4. UGA STUDY SHOWED SURPLUS WHEN MILTON BENCHMARKED TO SIMILAR CITIES

Last year, I obtained approval for a $175,000 grant from the state to fund a UGA study of the proposed incorporations of Milton and Johns Creek. The UGA study did not evaluate the efficiency in Fulton County's profligate spending habits. The authors emphasized this point in their report. The report evaluated Fulton's expenditures on services, not costs, which (as any businessperson knows) are two very different things.


The study also evaluated how Milton's tax revenues would compare to three similarly-sized suburban Georgia cities and whether Milton could match up in service delivery. In this section of the study, Milton showed a surplus in every instance, which could be used to increase service delivery levels or make infrastructure improvements over time.


5. FULTON WASTES OUR TAX DOLLARS

Separately, I benchmarked Fulton's expenditures to nearby cities and counties for city-like services (to Milton) and expenditures for general services countywide. I was appalled.

For example, Fulton County has the distinction of spending 100 percent more per resident on libraries than the state average. It's circulation service level, though, is less than the state average. Similar findings are true at every level and in every department.


This is the county that manages to tax and spend more per resident for general services than any other Georgia county, but offers less in roads improvements, jail or courtroom security or tax assessor integrity. The fact that Fulton spends more per resident doesn't mean it costs more to deliver services. Fulton's expenditures bear no relation to actual, efficient costs.


6. FINALLY

Creating the city of Milton means financial and land-use independence from Fulton County, which a good and needed thing. Fulton has forgotten who should be government's master and who should be its servant.


Viva la independence on July 18. I encourage you to vote.

Best-
Jan Jones - janjones38@bellsouth.net

State Representative - District 46

Saturday, July 15, 2006

A lot of our visitors have been asking for a map of Milton, Georgia. If the voters approave the creation of Milton, Georgia it will look a lot like this map of Milton, GA from the AJC. The map is an Adobe file and you will need the Adobe Acrobat reader to view it.


Friday, July 14, 2006

Milton Georgia

Don't forget to vote on July 18. If you are not sure where you need to go to vote for the proposed City of Milton, GA then you can find out at the Sec. of State website here.
If you want to find out the latest news about Milton, Georgia then check out Access Milton.

AM Reader Says No to New Milton


Everyone is not in favor of a new Milton, Georgia and we like to share all points of view. Here is an email from Access Milton reader Joan:

I LIKE living in Alpharetta-having an Alpharetta address. I like that the city has a history that goes back hundreds of years. I moved here 10 years ago and lived right in Alpharetta until a few years ago. I feel really connected to the city of Alpharetta and want to keep that address. I don't want to come from a city that started last week, and that no one has ever heard of.
I wish I could be annexed by Alpharetta, but I understand that they would not. I am in favor of splitting Fulton County into a new county, but not making a new city. Sandy Springs and Johns Creek have had those names attached to them (especially Sandy Springs) for years. This area has never been referred to as Milton so it's hard to embrace it.Another reason that is more of a nuisance, is having to change my address on everything once we become a new city. It's a hassle and it will be expensive.
As far as what a new city would mean, I guess I don't have any problem with the way things are now for me. I don't know of any services that I am not getting. A few months ago after the tornadoes we had, I had to call the fire department and they came within minutes of my call. I am concerned that 20,000 citizens would not be able to support the size fire and police department that I feel safe with and if they do, it will make my taxes will go up. I am worried that we will not be able to pay the salaries that the other cities can and will not get experienced fire and police protection. I feel certain after the required period that taxes are supposed to stay the same, they will go up in the new city.
I don't believe that this new city will give me any larger voice than I have now. A few highly place individuals in the government structure of the city will be the ones making decisions for the city, just as they are now for Alpharetta and Atlanta.
Basically, I can't see the advantages for me and that's why I am choosing to vote NO on July 18th. My vote may not make a difference, but at least I will feel good about it.


Thursday, February 02, 2006

POST YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PROPOSED CITY OF MILTON, GA!