Former Milton Candidate Makes Good On Campaign Promise

By Temura Bly; Accessmilton.com

When long time resident Tim Enloe decided to run for a Milton, Georgia Councilman position this past July,he had a pretty good idea about how he was going to go about things. "I wanted to be different,"Mr. Enloe was quoted as saying,"and part of that approach was to run on my own dollar instead of asking for others to pay the way." With exception of a few folks who insisted, Enloe did exactly that. He knew the budget that he could spend. After that, he relied on word of mouth and phone calls. This unique approach worked well enough to land him in a run-off position with another candidate. "The other guy won," Tim says with a brief shake of the head and a smile. "Some say he out spent me, others say it was successful mudslinging. Either way, he has the seat. The people spoke and I respect that."

During the campaign, Tim channeled the few campaign contributions into a charitable fund at
Iron Stone Bank in Alpharetta to help the the future Milton Fire & Police. "When Tim lost, the company (Magnolia Media, LLC) decided to keep the account active and it is now part of our business model," stated Co-Founder and CMO Scott Thompson. (Please see http://www.accessmilton.com/Articles/CharitableFund.php)

While Mr. Enloe said he is unsure if he will run again, he has been very busy. He has focused his energies on various MVP groups; including MAC (Milton Art Committee), Milton History Committee, Milton Road Adoption, and a recent charitable organization set up to help provide equipment for the Fire & Police Stations that the city will be inheriting come May. "Anyone who knows me knows I am a big advocate of our Fire & Poice Departments; especially our North Fulton Veterans. To be able to help, even in a small way, is worth it to me," he said. "We had planned on letting my campaign contributions mix with whatever the company donated in January of '08. In seeing what all is needed before May, Scott and I spoke and we decided to use the monies generated from the campaign now." The result was the recent purchase of three DVD / VCR units.

"Thanks to this extremely generous donation, each of our three Milton Fire Stations will have a new VCR/DVD combo to use for training as well as recreational purposes. The City of Milton Public Safety Department, which includes both Fire and Police, will be most appreciative of this demonstration of support from the community, " stated organizer Jan Fowler. "When we went to the polls last November, one of the primary reasons the City of Milton referendum passed was a desire for more localized government and community involvement with that government. Projects such as this are proving that our citizens are willing to get involved with our city and support it in a variety of ways. "

The need for the DVD / VCR combinations is due to the fact that quite a bit of training material is still in the older VHS format.

Have an opinion? Post your thoughts on this story in our Milton Current Events Forum /

http://www.accessmilton.com/Forums.php today!

Council Begins Review of Proposed 5 year Improvement Projects

Plan identifies projects, costs and funding sources, helps decision-making.

Milton City Council members got their first look at the proposed five-year Capital Improvement Plan for the city that would begin in the 2008 fiscal year.

The CIP identifies projects, their costs, how the projects are to be funded and the year they would be funded. Carol Wolfe, Milton’s director of operations, said a capital project is defined as one with a useful life exceeding three years with an estimated cost in excess of $50,000. It also can be an improvement or addition to an existing capital asset such as a building.

Council updates and prioritizes the plan annually during the budget process, and it ultimately results in defining the annual capital budget appropriations, Wolfe said.

The CIP is a formal mechanism for decision-making that also provides an operational link to the city’s long-range plans, Wolfe notes. It also serves as a financial management tool as well as a communication and reporting mechanism.

“The Capital Improvement Plan focuses attention on the community’s goals and needs,” Wolfe said. “It helps build public awareness and consensus for projects and improves inter-governmental cooperation and communication. Perhaps most important of all, it ensures the city’s financial stability by allowing us to anticipate the financial resources we need to accomplish these projects.”

Now that council members have seen the number and scope of the suggested projects, staff will continue to refine projects’ scope, costs and operating impact. The next discussion on the CIP will take place at the May 10 council workshop.

The City of Milton, incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

Land Battle ends for Roswell, Milton

Two cities split properties, but deal's like a 'mess'

By PAUL KAPLAN, DOUG NURSE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 03/18/07

If you live between Roswell and the city of Milton in northwest Fulton County, you can come out of the house now. The war is over.The two cities have settled their differences and divvied up a three-mile stretch of unincorporated land that sits between them.

Coupled with last year's approval of the new cities of Milton and Johns Creek, the annexation deal between Roswell and Milton for the land south of Arnold Mill Road means the incorporation of north Fulton County is complete.The wheeling and dealing between the two cities ended with boundary lines that will make map makers dizzy.

"The border looks like a total mess over there, but that doesn't bother me," said Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta), who helped broker the deal. "The border between Roswell and Alpharetta looks like a mess, too, and nobody cleaned that up to make it look nice."The "mess" is the result of the two cities trying to grab the same land for their tax rolls. The process got so frantic late last year that Roswell and Milton both annexed several of the same properties, under differing annexation formulas.

The result was a stalemate, threats of legal action, and some bruised feelings.
In the end, however, they worked out a compromise — and split two of the most coveted properties.Roswell gets Ted Turner's 114-acre spread, a densely wooded tract tucked along a quiet back road.

Milton gets Union Primitive Baptist Church, a little red brick prayer hall built in the 1820s.
The small church property is significant because it connects Milton to several large tracts whose owners wanted to join Milton but couldn't have if the church had gone to Roswell.
A city only can annex land that's contiguous to it, and the church gave Milton contiguity to the larger tracts southwest of the church.

"We got most of what we wanted," Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood said. "We gave a little and they gave a little and we cut a deal."

Milton, Georgia: Start your Bloggin'!

By Temura Bly;

Magnolia Media, LLC

Accessmilton.com, the #1 website for all things Milton, Georgia, announced recently that they will be activating an open community forum with interactive blogs covering all aspects of city life; from zoning issues to crime. “The creation of this forum is part of a natural progression regarding Accessmilton.com and its community driven focus, “commented CMO Scott Thompson. “Citizens need to be heard and these blogs will give them that outlet.” The company plans on covering a large list of topics including but not limited to: zoning issues, speed control, fire & police, and schools. CEO Ginger Enloe stressed that new blogs of topic will be added on a regular basis, “Many folks in Milton are passionate and hold certain topics close to their heart. Provided the topic request is within reason, we have no problems in starting a new thread of discussion.” ‘Bloggers’, as those who comment are referred, will not be required to register. However, for those who look to take advantage of this freedom, Mr. Thompson has one word of advice, “If you think we can’t block a violator from abusing these privileges, think again.” The company looks to have this new section activated by Monday, March 19th.

Parent company Magnolia Media, LLC was founded in the fall of 2005. The company combines over eleven years of SEO and e-commerce experience. Magnolia Media partnered with web design company Ray of Light Media, LLC in early 2007 to enhance their already effective approach in creating helpful community websites at an affordable rate.

Access Milton Online Store Now Open!

Milton, Georgia Horse Tag: $14.99

For Immediate Release.


The Accessmilton.com Online Store opened officially on Monday, March 12th, 2007. The first item available for purchase is a "Milton, Georgia" license tag showcasing the website's horse logo created by Co-Founder Tim Enloe in 2005. "This is an exciting time for our company," he said. "We have many wonderful products yet to come that will showcase Milton's fantastic community pride. The best thing about it is that 10% of our company's profits go to local Fire and Police Departments (please see http://www.accessmilton.com/Articles/CharitableFund.php for more information.) Thus, not only can you share your pride about Milton, Georgia, you can also say 'thank you!' to those that keep us safe."

To be one of the first to own a Milton, Georgia License Tag for only $14.99 plus tax, you can contact the company directly at magnoliamedia@yahoo.com /subject line "Milton Horse Tag" or check out the online store at: http://www.accessmilton.com/Onlinestore.php

Time to Change your Clocks & Smoke Alarm Batteries

A home fire impacts the life of an American family every 85 seconds. By providing an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape, smoke alarms cut your family’s risk of dying in a home fire in half – but only if they work.

This Sunday, March 11, is the start of Daylight Saving Time – a change created by a 2005 federal law dictating that DST now begin three weeks earlier than before and extend a week later to the second Sunday in November. And when you change your clocks, the Milton Public Safety Department urges you to also make a lifesaving change in your household – change the batteries in your smoke alarms.

This simple habit takes just a moment, but is the best defense your family has against the devastating effects of a home fire.

In Milton, Traditional Gun Use Clashes with Suburban Life

By DOUG NURSEThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 03/07/07

Vince Pisano was jolted awake in November by a gunshot blast that sounded like it was just outside the window of his upscale suburban Milton home."I couldn't believe someone would be shooting near my home," Pisano said. "It was someone bird hunting. There's a lake 600 feet from my home. There's a deer stand 50 feet from my property line. I was shocked to learn it's legal. It's rural here, but it's not wide open."

Milton, which fancies itself as a pastoral retreat amid metro Atlanta, is facing a clash between public safety and America's love affair with firearms.
Most cities outlaw firing guns within their city limits except to protect life or property or both, but Milton's ordinances thus far are silent, except to ban the weapons from parks. State law prohibits firearms for deer hunting in Fulton County, and the use of guns in public areas, such as churches and schools.The gun issue came up briefly in a City Council discussion of a proposed noise ordinance, but no decision was made.

"I don't know enough about it to really have an opinion," said Mayor Joe Lockwood. "Where do you draw the line? If you're so many acres, it's OK; if you're so many, it's not?"Councilwoman Tina D'Aversa Williams said that while she's sympathetic to people worried about guns going off near their homes, she sees both sides of the issue and knows this new city will soon have to take up the issue.

"I don't want them going off around my kids either," she said. "We know we're going to have to address it. Half the people are in support of having the opportunity to bear arms, and half we say we're concerned."

It's no wonder the City Council isn't eager to take on the issue.
In 2005, a bow hunter mortally wounded a deer in Roswell, which staggered into a subdivision and died. Public dismay that people were hunting in woods where kids play prompted that city to address bow hunting. At the same time, the council considered tightening its gun ordinance to be in line with state law. The National Rifle Association jumped in, and the City Council was inundated with letters, calls and e-mails from around the country from gun rights supporters. Ultimately, the city backed off changing its gun ordinance, but passed a law regulating bow hunting in the city limits.

John Bowers, assistant chief of game management for the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, said state law prohibits cities from banning hunting, but it allows cities to prohibit shooting for public safety reasons.Bowers said if Milton takes on the issue, it should consider allowing deer hunting with bows.

"There's two ways to control a deer population," he said. "You can do it through responsible hunting or you can do it by hitting them with SUVs."Frank Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, said it's common for cities to adopt laws prohibiting shooting."When it's very rural, you can shoot and you don't have to worry about hitting anything," Rotondo said. "But when you start shooting and bullets are flying over roadways and houses, that's a concern."

On Feb. 2, a Newton County woman in the upstairs bedroom of a house was killed when she was struck by a stray bullet fired by men target-practicing about 150 yards away. Two men have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony.

Incorporated last December, Milton is half-developed, but most of its 20,000 residents live in suburbs, many of which are surrounded by raw land. Much of the undeveloped property is in horse farms, country clubs, and mansions with expansive grounds.Many of the old-timers and longtime hunters concede the days of stalking deer with the family rifle are long gone.
Ralph Rucker, 67, grew up hunting and fishing in the Crabapple area of Milton.

"I used to shoot rabbits, squirrels, quail, but the last time I hunted in Milton was 20 years ago," he said. "A .22[-caliber bullet] will go a mile, and chances are it's going to hit something. I don't like to say it, but no one needs to be hunting in Milton."

But others draw the line at giving up hunting and shooting altogether.
Steve Beecham, 47, who has lived in Milton since 1971, said shooting with rifles should be outlawed, but some provision needs to be made for pistols, small-bore shotguns, and bows.
"I'm a hunter but there are certain areas you don't need to fire a gun," he said. "It depends on how populated it is."

That's not good enough for Pat Martin, 72, who lives off Providence Road in south Milton.
She said there's a lake and creeks near her home and she gets nervous when her grandchildren visit for fear someone will be out there shooting. She said hunters frequent the lake and land behind her house.

"There are woods all around and the kids like to walk around in the woods," she said. "I don't feel like they're safe. There are other places to hunt."

Sawneee EMC Continues Maintenace Work

For Immediate ReleaseMarch 7, 2007Contact: Bill Doughty, APR; 678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)

Sawnee Electric Membership Corp. is performing right-of-way maintenance to its overhead electrical facilities within the City of Milton through March 26 in the areas of Nix, Dinsmore, Thompson and Reed roads. The work is being done by W.A. Kendall. Questions or concerns about this activity should be directed to Eddy Yarbrough, Sawnee EMC’s right-of-way specialist, 770.887.2363, ext. 7-149 or via e-mail at eddy.yarbrough@sawnee.com.

Rezoning request for Cox Road withdrawn
The proposed rezoning of 19.3 acres of land at Cox, Arnold Mill and Ebenezer roads from agricultural to commercial designation has been withdrawn. The proposed project was calling for construction 138,000 SF of office space in 15 buildings along with 7,200 SF of retail commercial.

Magnolia Media to Hire for Milton / Johns Creek Sites.

By Anderson Lee

Magnolia Media, LLC announced earlier this week that they have begun the hiring process for ‘licensees’ to sell for their various web sites including Accessmilton.com and Accessjohnscreek.com. "A Magnolia Media Licensee will have the ability to sell for any of our websites, "Co-founder Ginger Enloe stated, "However, we would prefer that they focus on areas they frequent and are familiar with." A licensee is basically set up along the same lines as today’s realtor. Individuals who pass a proficiency test on the company and product line are then licensed to sell. A licensee is compensated via an aggressive commission plan. "This phase is simply another step to the bigger picture of what Magnolia Media will eventually be known for, " commented CMO Scott Thompson, "Focused community and user friendly websites at affordable rates."

Should you be interested in working with Magnolia Media, you can contact the company directly at magnoliamedia@yahoo.com or 770 653 0552.

Legal Fees Put Squeeze on Milton.

NOTE: Accessmilton.com news comment section is now up and active.

Drains almost half of legal budget after three months

By DOUG NURSEThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 03/08/07

The city of Milton is blowing through its budget for legal advice at a rate that's causing some alarm.

The City Council set aside $110,000 for attorney fees but had spent $47,000 through mid-February. At that rate, by late summer the city won't have any money to fight lawsuits, draw up pending ordinances and pay for legal advice.

City Manager Aaron Bovos said that when starting up a city — Milton became a legal entity on Dec. 1 — legal bills are expected to be high. The city has to immediately approve scads of ordinances, and they have to be bulletproof. And that means lawyers.But some think the city might need more money for legal expenses.

"We may need to put another pencil to it," said City Council member Rick Mohrig.
Among north Fulton's other start-up cities, Sandy Springs budgeted $400,000 and Johns Creek put up $730,000 for first year's attorneys' fees.

Part of the problem for Milton may be that City Council members have been too quick to call the city attorney, Mark Scott, whenever they have questions. Scott bills $150 an hour, which is comparable to what Sandy Springs and Johns Creeks' lawyers charge. He estimates he spends 20 hours a week on city business, and said he hasn't even billed the city for much of the work he's done.

While Milton has been spared Johns Creek's and Sandy Springs' expensive court fights over adult entertainment, it has had some thorny legal questions to deal with, most notably annexation. The city has been dueling with Roswell over properties that were simultaneously annexed into both cities and has required a lawyer to help sort it out.

Council member Tina D'Aversa Williams said she believes legal expenses probably will start trending downward soon, but even so, she would like to see some sort of spending controls put in place."Most of our major ordinances have been developed, but independent of that, we need tighter controls and accountability for using the city attorney," she said. "I don't think we have that accountability at this point."

To help curb legal expenses, Bovos recently proposed having the city attorney report to him so all questions would have to be routed through him. That would allow him to more closely monitor how the money was being spent and the progress being made on various projects. By charter, the city attorney answers to the City Council.

The proposed ordinance was shot down 4-3, with council members Karen Thurman, Mohrig, Bill Lusk and Neal O'Brien opposed, and Mayor Joe Lockwood and council members Julie Zahner Bailey and Williams voting in favor of it.

"If I want to access people to do the job I was elected to do, I should be able to," said Mohrig. He suggested that if the council wants to save money, it should refrain from having marathon meetings where the city attorney has to attend. The city has been meeting at least once a week, and some sessions have lasted for four or five hours.

Local Teen Set to Make Milton Proud!

Accessmilton.com was contacted in the fall of 2006 by Miss Jaclyn Fleisher regarding her quest to represent our Milton as Dream Girls Miss Teen Georgia USA. Needless to say, she did us proud! We recently sat down with this fine young lady to see what she's been up to and where she is going! Please help support Jaclyn in any way you can!

"When I was a young girl I never thought I would be in pageants." Says Jaclyn Fleischer; now crowned Dream Girls Teen Miss Georgia USA, "When I was younger I wasn’t your typical pageant girl, I loved sports, horseback riding, dancing and singing. I never thought I would be a pageant queen."

On November 11th 2006, Jaclyn was in the Dream Girls Miss Teen Georgia USA pageant representing our City of Milton. "It was the first pageant I had ever done. I shocked so many people when they found out that I was going to be in a pageant. I’m not really sure why I wanted to be in the pageant, I just did! It later became a dream of mine." Jaclyn placed 16th out of 87girls. "For my first pageant I was really proud of myself. I thought I might have what it takes to win, but I was pleased with placing so high for my first pageant."

Jaclyn later tried out to be Dream Girls Teen Miss Georgia USA and she won! " I sent in my application and when I got an e-mail back, about two weeks later, saying that I was Dream Girls Teen Miss Georgia I was so happy! I got off the computer and ran to my mom, yelling ‘I made it! I made it!’ One of my dreams had come true! I am Dream Girls Teen Miss Georgia, I now get to wear the crown and sash, and I’m so happy!"

Jaclyn says this, "I may be a Pageant queen, but I’m still me! I still love to do everything I did before, I still have the dream of being the best horseback rider and dancer, it’s just that now I have another dream, the dream of being Dream Girls Teen Miss USA and a role model for girls of all ages. What’s wrong with having many dreams, right? ‘ Why do they say the sky’s the limit when there are footsteps on the moon?’ I really believe that you can go as far as you want to, with anything you want to do. ‘If you can dream it, you can be it"

Jaclyn is now going to the national pageant, at the end of May, representing Milton along with our state of Georgia. "I’m so excited to be going to Nationals! Its such an honor to represent our lovely state of Georgia."

Jaclyn is now trying to earn enough money to pay for nationals. "Its not cheap being Dream Girls Teen Miss Georgia but its all worth it! This is now one of my many dreams and its slowly coming true and I’m so excited!"

If you would like to support Jaclyn please e-mail her at jaclynhf@bellsouth.net. Thank you for all your support and helping Jaclyn make her dreams come true!

City Supports One-Cent Tax For Schools

Milton City Council recently approved a resolution in support of extending the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Fulton County Schools.

Voters go to the polls on March 20 to determine if the one-cent sales tax should be continued for another five years. SPLOST was first approved by voters in March 1997 and renewed in March 2002. It has raised almost $1 billion in revenue, which is used to fund capital improvements, with an estimated 40 percent of those funds coming from people who live outside of Fulton County.

The school system has used SPLOST revenue to build 29 new schools including four inside the City of Milton – Cogburn Woods and Summit Hill elementary schools, Hopewell Middle School and Milton High School – and additions at 18 other schools, including a science addition at Crabapple Middle School. SPLOST III would fund 14 new schools and classroom additions at 11 schools, as well as pay for technology updates, equipment and bus purchases, and debt relief

Mayor Gets Down In the Trenches-Literally!

Editor's Note: "In seeing Mayor Lockwood's actions here, it makes me that much prouder to be a Miltonian!" - Tim Enloe

March 1, 2007

Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;
678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)

Lockwood brings own tractor to help fix unpaved road

When Mark Davis e-mailed Mayor Joe Lockwood along with several Milton City Council members and city staff regarding the condition of unpaved roads in his area, he probably never expected the mayor to show up personally with a tractor to fix the problem.

After reading comments from Davis and other area residents about severe drainage problems, areas of washed-out roadway, and potholes, the mayor took his own tractor – complete with front-end loader attachment in front and box grader in back – out to the Brittle and Summit roads area on Feb. 26 to help city workers address the issues at no cost to taxpayers.

“It was really no big deal; I just went there to do an immediate, temporary fix while our public works folks could assess the situation for permanent repairs,” Lockwood said.

Although he does want not his actions to set a precedent going forward, the mayor said that in this situation the conditions were serious and warranted immediate attention. Plus he wanted to send a message.

“That’s what it’s all about in Milton – local government representing and working for the community,” the mayor said.

An appreciative Davis certainly heard that message loud and clear.

“I saw the tractor out there and thought, ‘wow, that’s the fastest government response I have ever seen,’” Davis said. “I didn’t realize it was the mayor on the tractor.”

“I never intended for my e-mail to get this kind of special attention; I realize there are much bigger issues he has to deal with,” Davis continued. “Never the less, I think that has to set a new standard for the most involved, in-the-trenches mayor on record.”

Pritchard Mountain - Where is it?

ReleaseFeb. 28, 2007
Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;
678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)

That's what several recipients asked regarding an earlier message about plans by the Fulton County Public Works Department to hold a public information meeting at Milton City Hall at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 6 to discuss construction of an elevated water tank on Pritchard Mountain. The purpose of the tank is to provide improved water pressure for the surrounding communities.

Pritchard Mountain is located west of Freemanville Road near the intersection of Mountain Road in the northern part of the city, close to the Cherokee County line.

Fulton Holding Meeting on Pritchard Mountain Water Tank

ReleaseFeb. 28, 2007
Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;
678.242.2492 (office) or
678.577.8152 (cell)
=
The Fulton County Public Works Department is sponsoring a public information meeting at Milton City Hall on Tuesday, March 6 starting at 7 p.m. to discuss construction of an elevated water tank on Pritchard Mountain. The purpose of the tank is to provide improved water pressure for the surrounding communities.

Milton City Hall is located in the Deerfield Professional Centre, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107, Milton, GA 30004. The meeting takes place in the city council chambers. For more information call Mike Rachelson, project manager, 404-612-0877.

The City of Milton is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

Nurse Volunteer Needed for Milton Applicants!

• Hello!
  
  The Fire and Police Department are looking for a nurse volunteer who would be able and willing to read TB tests for all applicants who are tested. If one of you have that capability or know of someone who does and would volunteer their services, I would appreciate hearing from them. Please contact me and I will put you in touch with the right person for details, etc. Many Thanks!
  
  Linda M. Blow
  Project Coordinator
  City of Milton, Georgia
  13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100
  Suite 107B
  Milton, Georgia 30004
  678-242-2489 Direct
  www.cityofmiltonga.us

Ludlow Porch visits Alpharetta!

Saturday, March 3rd.

Ludlow: 11am-1pm

Book Sale: 10am-4pm

at the Alpharetta Library / 138 Canton Street

Ludlow will be meeting and greeting folks during the March 3rd Friends of the Alpharetta Library monthly book sale. He'll be happy to sell you one of his 13 published books, sign one of his books that you already own or just tell you a rambling yarn or two!

Reminder: 1st Town Hall meeting is Monday Feb 26

Feb. 25, 2007

Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;

678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)


Bi-monthly sessions begin with overview of council, departments

A reminder that the first Town Hall meeting hosted by Mayor Joe Lockwood and Milton City Council members will be held tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The inaugural session will provide an overview of Milton city government, including introductions of City Council members who will briefly discuss their respective districts as well as department heads who will review the roles and responsibilites of their areas. The Mayor also will share the council's top priorities for the year.

A number of handouts such as district maps, contact information for council and staff, and schedules of regular meetings will be available.

We hope you will share this information with your friends and neighbors, and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening.

Future town hall meeting dates and topics include:

April 23 Public Safety
June 25 Community Development/comprehensive land use plan
Aug. 27 Community Services (transportation/parks & recreation/public works)
Oct. 22 Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Presentation (tentative)
Dec. 3 Year in Review

The City of Milton is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

Push to split Atlanta's Fulton County draws cries of racism

Fox21.com / ATLANTA

A dispute over a proposal to break Fulton County in two is producing claims of racism in the so-called "city too busy to hate."Legislation introducted by members of the Georgia Legislature's Republican majority would split off Atlanta's predominantly white, affluent suburbs to the north from some of the metropolitan area's poorest, black neighborhoods.

The legislation calls for amending the Georgia Constitution to allow the return of Milton County, which succumbed to financial troubles during the Depression and was folded into Fulton County in 1932.

Supporters say it is a quest for more responsive government in a county with more than 900-thousand people. Opponents say the measure is racially motivated and will pit white against black, rich against poor.

Senator Vincent Fort, an Atlanta Democrat and member of the Legislative Black Caucus, bitterly opposes the plan. He says as much as some would like to think it is not racial, it is difficult to draw any other conclusion.

The former Milton County is now mostly white and Republican and one of the most affluent areas in the nation. Atlanta and its southern suburbs are mostly black, are controlled by Democrats and have neighborhoods with some of the highest poverty rates in America.
The plan's chief sponsor, Representative Jan Jones of Alpharetta, says Fulton County is too large and dysfunctional to be considered truly a local government.

Jones, a former marketing executive, cites the county's troubled library and public transit systems and a jail that was taken over by a federal judge because it was filthy and unsafe. He denied the move is racially motivated.

Milton County would have a population of about 300-thousand -- instantly making it Georgia's fifth-largest county. Those resident represent 29 percent of the county's population of 915-thousand but pay 42 percent of its property taxes, according to a local taxpayers group. A split would lead to the loss of 193 (m) million dollars in property taxes alone for Fulton County.
Opponents of the split say that loss would be devastating. They also warn that a breakup of Fulton could harm Atlanta's international reputation as a progressive city and hurt its appeal as a business, entertainment and convention destination.

Milton County Sponsor Wants Public Hearing

By PAUL KAPLAN The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 01/24/07

The author of a bill that would split Fulton County and recreate Milton County on the Northside now plans to ask for a public hearing on the controversial measure during this legislative session.
Originally, Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) did not expect to have public hearings until 2008, when the General Assembly is expected to vote on the measure, but she now says it would be helpful to "lay more of the issues out on the table" this session, before a feasibility study is done on the potential impact of a split.

House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta) is seeking legislative funding for the feasibility study.

Jones' enabling legislation — House Resolution 12 — has been assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton). Jones said she, Burkhalter and Scott are "discussing the possibility" of a public hearing, probably in a governmental affairs subcommittee.

Asked whether it's due to heavy controversy over the Milton County bill, Jones said no.
"I'm not finding it that controversial down here [at the Capitol]," Jones said. Jones knows how much support there is for the measure in north Fulton, and she said it would be helpful to hear perspectives from south Fulton and Atlanta, "to see if they have constructive suggestions."

*Traffic Alert!*

Paving work is planned for the intersection of Bethany Bend and Cogburn Road from Feb. 28 through March 2, weather permitting. Expect delays in the area between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Milton City Council Builds Bridges with Cherokee Commission

By Doug Nurse Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 04:42 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Milton City Council is traipsing up to Canton today to call on the Cherokee County Commission at its regular meeting ideally to build bridges for future discussions.

“It’s just a friendly introduction,” said Council member Julie Zahner Bailey. “We’re interested in developing a positive, collaborative relationship.”

Some council members are concerned about possible spillover effect of projects in Cherokee County into the city of Milton, such as Ruby Forest, a large multi-use development in Cherokee County that could end up sending hundreds of vehicles into Milton each day.

The need for cross-border comraderie was made plain in November when Zahner Bailey approached the Forsyth County Commission about postponing a decision on a Development of Regional Impact on the border with Milton. The commissioners said they were sympathetic to the city’s concerns, but approved the project anyway.

There isn’t any particular agenda for today’s meeting between the two governing bodies, Bailey said. City leaders met with Fulton County Board of Education officials last week, and city staff is working on setting up meetings with elected officials with Forsyth County and Johns Creek.
“We’re all in this together,” said Council member Tina D’Aversa Williams. “We should all try to listen to each othter. We can learn a lot.”

***ACCESSMILTON.COM ALERT***

Accessmilton.com:

Please forward to your friends and neighbors in the area and stay safe!

Steve Beechum / Hometown Mortgage

Missing Teenager from Alpharetta

17 year old JereLyn Faber was last seen on January 17, 2007 at her residence in Alpharetta. JereLyn is a student at Chattahoochee High School and is believed to still be in the local area. We ask that if anyone has seen JereLyn or knows any information pertaining to JereLyns location to please contact Alpharetta Police Department Detective Chris Free at 678-297-6324 or email cfree@alpharetta.ga.us.

Here is the information on JereLyn:

DOB: Oct 30, 1989
Missing: Jan 17, 2007
Age Now: 17
Sex: Female
Race: White
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Hazel
Height: 50" (152 cm)
Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)

Council Makes Board; Commission Appointments

Feb. 16, 2007
Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;

678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)


Mayor Joe Lockwood and Milton City Council members made their appointments to a variety of boards and commissions at the Feb. 15 council meeting.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is an advisory board which reports its findings and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council. The commission is charged with upholding the policies of the City of Milton Comprehensive Plan when reviewing rezonings, use permits, concurrent variances, and any changes to the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance, associated zoning map and comprehensive plan. The mayor’s nominee can reside anywhere within the city and each council member appointee must reside within his or her council district. Member’s terms run concurrently with the mayor and each council member. Appointees are:

Mayor Joe Lockwood Paul Moore
Karen Thurman, District 1 Paul Hackman
Julie Zahner Bailey, District 2 Curtis Mills
Bill Lusk, District 3 George Ragsdale
Neal O’Brien, District 4 Fred Edwards
Tina D’Aversa Williams, District 5 Cary Schlenke
Rick Mohrig, District 6 Bob Maheb

Northwest Fulton Overlay District Design Review Board

The NWFDRB reviews all non-residential plans for development within the Northwest Fulton Overlay Zoning District and all plans for development including single-family residential properties within the Crabapple and Birmingham Crossroads Overlay Districts for compliance with the standards within the Zoning Ordinance. The board makes recommendations to the Community Development Department prior to the approval of a land disturbance permit, building permit or primary variance within all of the above overlay districts. Each council member’s designee must be residents, own land, be a business owner, professional architect and /or land planner, who either maintains primary residence and/or business within his or her respective council district; the Mayor’s designee must reside or own a business anywhere within the city. Member’s terms run concurrently with the mayor and each council member. Appointees are:

Mayor Joe Lockwood Eddie Moore
Karen Thurman, District 1 Appointment pending
Julie Zahner Bailey, District 2 Kathi Cook
Bill Lusk, District 3 Alex Paulson
Neal O’Brien, District 4 Buck Bell
Tina D’Aversa Williams, District 5 Michael Stevens
Rick Mohrig, District 6 Thorton Kirkland

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides on requests for relief from the provisions of the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance. The BZA also considers appeals of any decision or interpretation made by the Community Development director. The mayor’s nominee can reside anywhere within the city and each council member’s appointee must reside within his or her council district. Member’s terms run concurrently with the mayor and each council member. Appointees are:

Mayor Joe Lockwood Gary Willis
Karen Thurman, District 1 Marcia Parsons
Julie Zahner Bailey, District 2 Scott Kilgore
Bill Lusk, District 3 Walter S. Rekue Jr.
Neal O’Brien, District 4 Linda Kelly
Tina D’Aversa Williams, District 5 Sandy Jones
Rick Mohrig, District 6 Heidi Souder

Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals

The Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals is charged to grant variances to the adopted building codes/construction materials and techniques. Appointees are:

Mayor Joe Lockwood Don Lee
Karen Thurman, District 1 Robert Coates
Julie Zahner Bailey, District 2 Appointment pending
Bill Lusk, District 3 Steve Creek
Neal O’Brien, District 4 Appointment pending
Tina D’Aversa Williams, District 5 Paul Norfleet
Rick Mohrig, District 6 Appointment pending

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics develops and adopts written procedures, is authorized to administer oaths, conduct hearings to review specific cases in which a violation of the Ethics Ordinance is alleged, and submits an annual report to the Mayor and City Council. The board also establishes process for evaluating all significant aspects of the administration and implementation of the Ethics Ordinance. Members must have been a resident of the city for at least one year preceding the date of taking office and remain a resident during their term. Members shall not be elected officials, persons appointed to elective office, full-time appointed officials (whether exempt or non-exempt) or city employees and shall hold no elected public office nor any other city office or emplacement. No person may serve more than two consecutive terms. Appointees are:

Mayor Joe Lockwood Carol M. Lane
Karen Thurman, District 1 Susan Campbell
Julie Zahner Bailey, District 2 Joe Whitley
Bill Lusk, District 3 Clint Johnson
Neal O’Brien, District 4 John McMillan
Tina D’Aversa Williams, District 5 Todd Ashley
Rick Mohrig, District 6 Jackson (Skip) Gray

The City of Milton, incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

Council Appoints First Judges to Municipal Court

Feb. 16, 2007
Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;
678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)

Chief Judge, associate judges named; court begins mid-March

Milton City Council has appointed Barry Zimmerman as the city’s first Chief Judge of the Municipal Court, and Brian Hansford and Daniel Phelan as associate municipal court judges.

Council members approved the appointments at their Feb. 15 meeting and Mayor Joe Lockwood swore the three men in.

Zimmerman has been practicing law in the metro Atlanta area for 31 years and currently heads Zimmerman & Associates, a general law practice with a focus on criminal law, domestic relations, personal injury and corporate law. For the past 27 years he has served as both a part-time municipal court judge and magistrate court judge. During that time he has sat on the City of Atlanta Municipal Court, City of Atlanta Traffic Court, City of Alpharetta Municipal Court, City of Roswell Municipal Court, and the Fulton County Magistrate Court. Zimmerman earned his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and his law degree from the University of Georgia.

Hansford has been a partner in Patterson & Hansford in Cumming since 2001, where he performs all areas of litigation primarily in the areas of criminal and domestic law. Prior to that, he spent a year as an assistant solicitor general in Forsyth County and two years as an associate attorney in the office of Jennifer D. Patterson. Since 2004, he has served as assistant prosecutor for the City of Alpharetta Municipal Court. Hansford earned his B.S. in criminal justice from North Georgia College and State University and his J.D. from John Marshall School of Law.

Phelan is currently chief executive officer of MR Default Services, a newly formed business processing company supporting the mortgage banking industry, as well as partner with Atlanta-based McCalla, Raymer, where he is head of operations for the firm’s foreclosure, bankruptcy, eviction, litigation and REO departments. Prior to joining McCalla, Raymer in 1988, he spent 10 years as attorney and partner with Kurzman, Phelan and Liblang in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Phelan earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Michigan State University and law degree from the University of Detroit.

City officials expect to begin Municipal Court operations in mid-March.

The City of Milton, incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

Citizens Investigate Graffitti Vandalism

The intersection of Bethany and Providence Road in Milton, Georgia is normally known for being surrounded by quiet horse farms and picturesque views. However, that all changed in late January when vandalism in the form of graffitti was found on street signs and pavement.

Local citizens were not amused. "Milton is known throughout the metro area for it's beauty,"commented Eddie Moore. " These type of acts have no place within our unique city." Friend and neighbor Tim Enloe agrees, " Why any one would want to do this in any area is beyond me. People just need to treat people the way they want to be treated. When folks go against this, you have to look for ways to rectify the situation. "

Both men plan to meet with the city council and public safety director to look at ways to insure that such acts do not occur in the future. To date, the graffiti has not been removed.

Milton 101: Town Hall Series Offers Insight Into New City

Feb . 15, 2007
Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;
678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)


Bi-monthly sessions kick off Feb. 26 with overview of council, departments
Since officially entering cityhood on Dec. 1, 2006, Milton residents have posed plenty of questions to their elected officials and city staff. To help answer some of those questions and expand communication with citizens on topics of significant interest as the city moves forward in its development, Mayor Joe Lockwood and Milton City Council members are hosting a series of town hall meetings that kick off Feb. 26 with an overview of city operations.

The town hall meetings will be held every other month throughout 2007. Each session runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall.

“We realize that people have lots of questions about what they need to do now that we are an independent city, who they need to contact to get things done, and generally where we’re going in the future,” said Mayor Joe Lockwood. “The town hall series is just another way to reach out to and communicate with our residents.”

In the initial Feb. 26 meeting, the Mayor will introduce his council colleagues, who will each speak briefly about their respective districts. City Manager Aaron Bovos will introduce department heads who will talk about the roles and responsibilities of their functional areas. The Mayor also will share the council’s top priorities for the coming year.

“This is the opportunity for citizens to meet the people who serve them and learn what they do,” Lockwood said. “Our philosophy is to be as open and transparent as possible.” The mayor added that there will be a number of handouts such as district maps, contact information for council and staff, and schedules of regular meetings.

Future town hall meeting dates and topics include:

April 23 Public Safety

June 25 Community Development/comprehensive land use plan

Aug. 27 Community Services (transportation/parks & recreation/public works)

Oct. 22 Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Presentation (tentative)

Dec. 3 Year in Review

The City of Milton is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

***ACCESSMILTON.COM ALERT***

30004usa.com brings the following to our attention from a neighbor. Please call 911 if this transpires in your neighborhood:

"Dear 30004usa.com:

My 12 1/2 year old child came home on her bus yesterday from school as she typically does. I was not home at the time, I was picking my other child up at his school. She is a student at Northwestern Middle School. We live on a street and not in a subdivision and the bus stop is at the end of our driveway. When she got off of the bus yesterday she noticed an old white truck parked on the other side of our street. When she started coming up the driveway the men in the truck started yelling for her to come over to them. She was naturally scared and quickly came up our driveway and typed in our gate code for our gate to open. The men in the truck followed her into our gated area and proceeded up to where our house is continually calling for her. She was extremely panicked and started to run to get away from these men. Thank God she jumped over our fence into our backyard to safety. She called 911 but unfortunately they did not ask enough questions nor did they ask how old she was. She then saw my neighbors car come into their driveway and she told the operator that she was ok. She then called me extremely upset and crying. I was back home within about 3 minutes or so. I immediately called the police back to come to my home to get more details from my child about this occurrence. This truck was white and had writing on the side. The men she thought were Hispanic. Please just keep your eyes open and be very aware of your surroundings. You do not want this to happen to your child. Please lets all work together to keep all of our children safe.

Thank you"

Governor's Proposed State Budget

Friends and Neighbors-

I analyzed the Governor's proposed 369-page state budget for next year to gain broader perspective. I'd like to share it with you.

The House will continue to review and revise the budget before taking a preliminary vote and sending it over to the Senate. The two houses must agree on changes before forwarding the budget on for the Governor's signature.
How does Georgia tax its citizens?

Eighty percent of revenues are raised through the 6 percent state income tax and 4 percent state sales tax. Another 10 percent is raised from lottery ticket sales and the motor fuel tax on gasoline. The remainder comes from tobacco settlement proceeds; tobacco, alcohol and insurance taxes; fees for drivers services and so on.
How does Georgia spend its tax dollars?

- 39 percent - K-12 education
- 15 percent - Low income medical care (Medicaid, PeachCare, etc.)
- 12 percent - Colleges and technical schools
- 10 percent - Corrections, courts, safety, juvenile justice, state patrol
- 5 percent - Bond payments for construction of public schools, college/technical schools, prisons, some roads
- 4 percent - Transportation
- 3 percent - HOPE scholarship
- 2 percent - Pre-K for 55% of 4-year-olds
- 10 percent - Everything else, including economic development, environmental protection department, state parks, driver services, agriculture

How much will state revenues increase from the previous year?

Total state revenues for next year are projected to be $20.2 billion. The increase from the previous year would be $1.4 billion, excluding motor fuel and lottery revenues.
When evaluating the state budget, I exclude motor fuel and lottery revenues from the analysis because they are dedicated for specific uses by state constitution. Motor fuel taxes can be spent only on road and bridge improvements by the Department of Transportation.

Lottery proceeds can be spent only on higher education HOPE scholarships and 4 year old Pre-K classes. (Actually, lottery proceeds could be used for educational technology, but funds have not been allocated for this purpose for five years. HOPE and Pre-K consume all current lottery revenues. More higher education students are choosing to remain in-state and Pre-K enrollment is increasing above the population rate. HOPE or Pre-K will likely need to be further rationed in the future.

How will the $1.4 billion increase in general tax revenues be spent?

1. K-12 education - $650 million
- 2.65% higher student enrollment, 3% pay raises for teachers and other education employees, higher health insurance premiums.
- The state will increase its share of health insurance premiums for all state employees. Still, employees will pay 10 percent higher premiums. Without the increase in the state's proportion, though, employees would have to pay 35 percent higher premiums.
2. University system and technical schools - $165 million
- Higher enrollment and facility construction to serve an increasing student population
3. Medicaid and other low income healthcare benefits - $123 million
- Higher consumption and increased enrollment (not higher benefit levels
4. Pre-fund future state employee retiree health benefits - $100 million
- New federal accounting rules require states to pre-fund future state employee retiree health benefits (when a state offers the benefits)
5. 3% salary increase for non-teacher state employees- $80 million
- 70 percent of state salaries are K-12 education. This amount pays for the remaining 30 percent.
6. Increase state's portion for (non-teacher) state employee health care benefits - $71 million
- See note under #1. This covers the other 30 percent of state employees.

These six categories would account for 86 percent of the projected increase in state revenues for next year.

Think about it: 86 percent of the increase would be spent only on increased student enrollment, state employee raises and benefits and increased low-income healthcare consumption.
The remaining 14 percent would pay for increased prison space, additional DFACS caseworkers, immunizations for uninsured, services for disabled Georgians and dozens of other programs. Every proposed program increase is subject to scrutiny and reduction during the budget process.

Next update: I'll go into more detail about the budget for K-12 education and higher education.
As I work on the budget and legislation this session, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve in the Georgia General Assembly. Each day I walk into the Capitol, I strive to make decisions in the best interests of my district and Georgia as a whole.

The issues can be complicated. Differing interests compete for attention, funding and legislation. Unintended consequences loom. But a better Georgia lies in the balance if we make wise decisions. Pray for me to make wise decisions.

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

Sawnee EMC Performing Right Of Way Maintenance

Feb. 9, 2007 Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;

678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)


Trimming, pruning, clearing work expected to be complete by April

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation has informed the City of Milton that crews have begun performing right-of-way maintenance activities to its overhead electrical facilities within easements inside the city limits.

“Sawnee EMC must regularly maintain its overhead right-of-way in order to provide safe, reliable electric service to its members,” said Chet Blackstock, vice president of operations. “Trees, undergrowth and other objects near overhead power lines must be managed in such a way as to prevent contacting the power lines and creating a power outage.”

Sawnee EMC has retained the services of a licensed right-of-way contractor, W.A. Kendal, to trim, prune and clear the right-of-ways within the City of Milton and other areas. Sawnee anticipates that the work will be completed by April.

Specifically, Kendall will be performing these activities in the following areas:
Redd Road
Brittle Road
Bethany Road
Freemanville Road
Henderson Road

Sawnee officials say they have made a conscious effort to contact all of the affected members in these areas via postcard notice. Additional questions or concerns about this activity should be directed to Eddy Yarbrough, Sawnee EMC’s right-of-way specialist, at 770.887.2363, ext. 7-149 or via e-mail at eddy.yarbrough@sawnee.com.

The City of Milton, incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

Cox Rezoning Deferred

Feb. 9, 2007

Contact: Bill Doughty, APR;
678.242.2492 (office) or 678.577.8152 (cell)

Rezoning petition deferred for 60 days

The rezoning petition affecting Cox, Arnold Mill and Ebenezer roads originally scheduled to be heard by the Milton Planning Commission on Feb. 22 has been deferred for 60 days by request of the applicant.

The petition seeks to rezone 19.3 acres on Arnold Mill Road from AG-1 (agricultural) to C-1 (commercial). The proposed project would include 138,000 SF of office space within 15 buildings and 7,200 SF of retail commercial space.

The revised schedule for this petition is as follows:
Community Zoning Information Meeting – Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m.
Planning Commission – Thursday, April 19, 5:30 p.m.
City Council – Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m.

All meetings are held at Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Building 100, Suite 107. For more information, contact Planner Robyn MacDonald at 678.242.2540 or e-mail her at robyn.macdonald@cityofmiltonga.us.

Neighbors Cry Foul Over School Noise

"Good Neighbors are quiet."

Milton, Georgia

By DOUG NURSE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Anderson Lee of Magnolia Media, LLC contributed to this article.

Milton High School has been a source of noise complaints from neighbors. On Monday, its principal met with the Milton City Council to hammer out a noise ordinance.

Principal Ron Tesch requested the meeting to discuss the ordinance and how it might affect the school, a city official said.

"I wanted to show them the schedule and the operation so they could make an informed decision," Tesch said. "This isn't an effort to proselytize them. I want to ensure that our students are able to have a high school experience. We want to do the right thing and be good neighbors."

The city is considering an ordinance that would give the city great flexibility in trying to regulate noise. Unlike in some other cities, it would not set measurable limits on noise, but would leave it to police to decide what's too loud. The ordinance also could set limits on times of day certain noise-producing activities were allowed.

Many within close proximity of the school question the principal's efforts, "Being a good neighbor means being quiet. It also means not kicking folks out of their homes because you refused to plan ahead," commented thirty year resident Tim Enloe. "That, in effect, is what Principal Tesch and his Board of Education did. Funny that he claims to be worried about his students, but could care less about those families (who lost their homes) and how the ill-placement of that school would affect longtime residents. He simply didn't care. They didn't maintain the original facility so they twisted the system and spat in the face of Public Trust. One has to wonder if he'd be ok with a government entity kicking him out of his home...and how about noise so defening that you leave your residence on the weekends to get away from it?"

Councilman Rick Mohrig has said the ordinance is not directed specifically at the school and will have some exceptions for school gatherings. A draft ordinance produced by the city staff basically says it would be unlawful to make noise that would bother a reasonable person with normal hearing in his or her home.

"There should be no grey area to the law," continued Mr. Enloe. "It should apply evenly to all; citizen, business, and school alike. They should have thought about the noise factor before slamming that school in there. Everyone should have someone to answer to... even the Fulton County Board of Education."

Milton County Update

Friends and Neighbors-
Please note I changed the provider that distributes my legislative updates to allow you to send comments back by clicking on Reply to Sender. If you replied to a legislative update in the past five months, I may not have received it from the previous provider. My other email addresses have not changed and remain janjones38@bellsouth.net and jan.jones@house.ga.gov. As always, I welcome your input on legislative issues.

MILTON COUNTY

If you want to read the legislation I introduced last month that would amend the Georgia constitution to allow a historically merged county to be re-created (like Milton County), go to www.legis.state.ga.us and click on Legislation. Enter HR 12. At the website, you may also read other legislation under consideration this session by the Georgia General Assembly.An AJC article several weeks ago implied the Georgia House "applied brakes" to the above legislation with new committee rules. Many have asked what changed, including a north Fulton legislator. The answer is: absolutely nothing.

As always planned, I introduced the legislation last month. Again, as always planned (and previously reported in the AJC) and consistent with new House committee rules, no legislative action on a new government will take place for one full year to allow for thoughtful study and planning. If passed by a 2/3 vote in the House and Senate next winter, the legislation will require a statewide ballot vote in a general election to amend the Georgia Constitution. The next general election is November 2008.The upcoming months are important in this quest for real change - and much must be accomplished. Representative Mark Burkhalter and I intend to commission a study with the University of Georgia. Currently, we expect the study to evaluate primarily a proposed Milton County, but also a possible consolidation of Fulton County and Atlanta, the potential re-creation of Campbell County (south Fulton) and other related issues. In 2008, we intend to move forward with the constitutional amendment, HR 12. If successful, we would introduce Milton County charter legislation in January 2009. Viva La Freedom!

NEXT UPDATE - State Budget
What's up next? Making sense of the Governor's proposed state budget.
How much of next year's revenue increase must be allocated to pay for increased enrollment in public schools (2.65 percent more students statewide) and public colleges/technical schools? What amount would go towards paying for proposed 3 percent pay increases for teachers and other state employees? What portion would pay for the expected increase in Medicaid consumption (not an increase in Medicaid benefits, which is not proposed)? How fast is Medicaid consumption rising and can Georgia continue to pay out so much for so many? What new federal accounting rules will lead Georgia to earmark $100 million for future retiree health insurance premiums? The information may surprise you.

As Chair of Appropriations-Education, most of my time will be devoted the next several weeks to working on the Pre-K and K-12 public education portion of the state budget. I will chair two special meetings this week to provide background to fellow House members on how, and how much, the state funds Pre-K and K-12 students. Next week, we'll delve into the Department of Education's central office budget, capital construction monies for new school construction and other issues. I'll try to synthesize some of this information into legislative updates for you as well. Separately, last week I was named Chair to the House Income Tax Subcommittee. I look forward to a spirited debate and exchange of ideas on state tax issues - and participating in future tax reform.

All the best-

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

City Seeks Board, Commission Nominees

Candidates need to submit names by Feb. 8

The City of Milton is seeking residents interested in serving on one of several boards and commissions.

Candidates are needed for the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Board, Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals, and the Board of Ethics. Interested persons should contact Erika Sherman in the city’s Community Development Department, 678.579.9449. Starting Feb. 5 when the new city hall opens, that number changes to 678.242.2534.

Deadline to submit your name for consideration is Feb. 8. The Mayor and Council members will make their appointments at the Feb. 15 regular meeting. Appointees to the Planning Commission, Design Review Board and Board of Zoning Appeals must go through a training session on Saturday, Feb. 17 starting at 8 a.m. at City Hall, located in building 100 of the Deerfield Professional Centre, 13000 Deerfield Parkway.

Here is a synopsis of the duties, responsibilities, qualifications and meeting schedules of the various boards and commissions.

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals consists of seven members and meets on the third Tuesday of each month. The meeting time will be determined once the board is seated. The purpose of the BZA is to hear and decide on requests for relief from the provisions of the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance. The BZA also considers appeals of any decision or interpretation made by the Community Development director. The Community Development staff provides the application submitted by the applicant with any supporting documentation. The staff does not make any recommendations to the BZA. The BZA will vote to approve, deny or defer the request if additional information would be helpful in making the determination. There are no specific qualifications for the BZA other than residency within the city, citizenship or legal residence and be a minimum of 21 years old. The terms of the members will run concurrently with the Mayor and each Council member. The Mayor’s nominee can reside anywhere within the City and each Council member’s appointee must reside within his or her council district.

Northwest Fulton Overlay District Design Review Board

The NWFDRB consists of seven members and meets once a month. The day and time of the meeting will be determined once the board is seated. The DRB reviews all non-residential plans for development within the Northwest Fulton Overlay Zoning District and all plans for development including single-family residential properties within the Crabapple and Birmingham Crossroads Overlay Districts for compliance with the standards within the Zoning Ordinance. The board shall make recommendations to the Community Development Department prior to the approval of a Land Disturbance Permit, Building Permit or Primary Variance within all of the above overlay districts. Each Council member and the Mayor will nominate his or her designee for one of the seven positions on the DRB. Each of the Council member’s designees shall be residents, own land, be a business owner, professional architect and /or land planner, who either maintain primary residence and/or business within his or her respective council district; the Mayor’s designee shall reside or own a business anywhere within the City. Citizenship or legal residence is required and the nominee must be a minimum of 21 years old. The terms of the members will run concurrently with the Mayor and each Council member.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission consists of seven members and meets on the fourth Thursday of every month. The meeting time will be determined once the board is seated. The PC is an advisory board which reports its findings and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council. The commission is charged with upholding the policies of the City of Milton Comprehensive Plan when reviewing rezonings, use permits, concurrent variances, and any changes to the City of Milton Zoning Ordinance, associated Zoning Map and Comprehensive Plan. There are no specific qualifications for the PC other than residency within the city, citizenship or legal residence and be a minimum of 21 years old. The terms of the members will run concurrently with the Mayor and each Council member. The Mayor’s nominee can reside anywhere within the City and each Council member appointee must reside within his or her council district. The first meeting of the Planning Commission will be Thursday, Feb. 22.

Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals

The construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals is a seven-member board charged to grant variance to the adopted building codes/construction materials and techniques. This board meets only as needed, but must meet within 30 days of the Community Development Department accepting an appeals application. There are no requirements for board members, but one would expect the members to be knowledgeable in the field of construction and be familiar with construction techniques and materials. Appropriate members would be architects, builders, tradesman including plumbers, electricians and mechanical contractors. Each Council member and the Mayor will nominate his or her designee for one of the seven positions.

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics consists of seven members whose terms shall run concurrently with their nominating Council member or Mayor. Members shall have been a resident of the city for at least one year preceding the date of taking office and remain a resident during their term. Members shall not be elected officials, persons appointed to elective office, full-time appointed officials (whether exempt or non-exempt) or city employees and shall hold no elected public office nor any other city office or emplacement The board shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson. No person may serve more than two consecutive terms. Members are volunteers and shall receive no compensation.

The board shall develop and adopt written procedures, be authorized to administer oaths, conduct hearings to review specific cases in which a violation of the Ethics Ordinance is alleged, submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council. The board shall also establish process for evaluating all significant aspects of the administration and implementation of the Ethics Ordinance. The board shall determine their meeting frequency as necessary to perform their duties.The Board of Ethics meets only as needed.

The City of Milton, incorporated on Dec. 1, 2006, is a community of some 20,000 residents in northwest Fulton County. With its numerous horse farms, family-friendly neighborhoods and limited commercial development spread out over 23,000 acres, Milton offers a rural, small-town atmosphere that still affords easy access to the big-city amenities of nearby Atlanta.

Milton may muffle high school's noise

By DOUG NURSE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Anderson Lee of www.accessmilton.com contributed to this article.
Published on: 01/25/07

Joe Creamer was sitting in his living room one July evening, feeling the noise pulsing against his body. The windows were rattling with every beat from the rap song blaring from the oversized speakers of Milton High School stadium about 100 feet away.

And it wasn't the first time. He marched to the control room where a parent volunteer was jamming out and asked him to turn it down.The parent said no, the speakers belonged to the school district and he was in his rights to use them. Moreover, Creamer says the parent threatened to have him arrested for trespass if he didn't leave.


Milton High School; Rude Neighbor.

"When they started the new school, they promised it would only be for five home games, but there's five varsity games, five JV games and five freshman games," he said. "The noise is deafening. The whole house shakes. It comes through my house. There's no place you can hide."

Creamer's house predates the school, which opened in 2005, by about 12 years. School District spokeswoman Susan Hale said the school has tried to work out a mutually satisfactory agreement.

"We have not turned a deaf ear to his complaints," she said. "We have been very responsive to his request."

Creamer disagreed, and has turned to a sympathetic City Council, which is now drafting an ordinance that would say no to noise. The City Council will take up the issue on Feb. 1.

Creamer is not alone in his point of view. Thirty year resident Tim Enloe, who was raised and still resides one street over on Bethany road, support Creamer's efforts.

"Many of us attended various meetings with the Board of Education relaying multiple concerns including noise. This was before the school was even constructed and those seven families still had their homes. Our points fell on a deaf ear,the families were removed, and all the negatives that we predicted have become reality. It is time that this government entity had someone to answer to and I believe that someone is the Milton City Council."

Councilman Rick Mohrig said the ordinance will make reasonable allowances for school activities, but said residents need some protection.

"I think people expect a level of peace and quiet where they live and work, especially where they live," Mohrig said. "If people won't be considerate, their neighbors should have an option."

Milton's proposed noise law is based on one the city of Lilburn adopted in 2001. The ordinance differs from many others in that it doesn't set specific scientific limits for noise. Instead, it basically it says if a reasonable person with reasonable hearing can hear the noise inside his home, then it's too loud.

"Only chronic violators who refuse to respect the rights of others are issued citations," said Lilburn Public Safety Director John Davidson. "Usually, if you ask people to turn it down, they will."

He said even though the ordinance is based on such vague terms as "unreasonable noise" and "abnormally high," the ordinance hasn't been challenged in court. Mark Scott, the city's attorney, noted that laws based on noise meters can be challenged, too.

"It's difficult to keep decibel meters calibrated, and they are easily challenged on this basis," he said in an e-mail. "It is based on what a reasonable person would objectively perceive to be offensive. That is the standard that a court must apply."

The council is debating what exceptions should be allowed in order to accommodate things like celebrations, public gatherings and construction projects.

Council member Tina D'Aversa Williams said she favors some objective standard for measuring noise levels, and when and where higher levels of noise will be tolerated. She also would like the ordinance to be fairly limited in its exceptions.

"We can't leave everything to be subjective," she said. "But there are times when variances need to be granted."

Will Roswell or Milton get Ted's spread? And the castle?

By PAUL KAPLAN / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 01/23/07

One's a billionaire media magnate, the other's a retired truck driver.
One owns enough land to fill Rhode Island, the other has two acres near Roswell.

Man's castle is home: Rudy and Ruth McLaughlin live in this miniature castle, but they don't know whether it will have a Roswell or a Milton address. The McLaughlins, who are known for their abode, and Ted Turner (known for other things) get to decide on towns.

But Ted Turner and Rudy McLaughlin have two things in common: Both are eccentric, and neither has decided whether to be annexed into Roswell or the new city of Milton.
Their properties are part of a three-mile strip that's one of the last pieces of land not gobbled up in north Fulton. That strip was omitted from Milton's boundary because residents there hadn't decided between the new city and Roswell.

Now all of those several hundred landowners have picked sides — except for Turner, who's known to do things his own way, and McLaughlin, who wouldn't be known at all if he hadn't decided to make his home a castle — a real one.Turner's property is the big prize for the cities. It's a densely wooded 114-acre spread tucked along a quiet back road.

Both cities have made pitches to Turner's representatives, but the CNN founder and former Atlanta Braves owner hasn't responded. Turner owns nearly 2 million acres, mostly in Montana and New Mexico, so a "little" slice of Georgia might not be high on his to-do list. Turner's reps did not return repeated phone calls for this article.

The new layer of municipal taxes that will come due when he joins either city should not be a factor for Turner, said Karen Thurman, a Milton councilwoman.
"It doesn't matter to him if his taxes go up a thousand dollars, or two thousand," she said. "It's pocket change to him."But not to Rudy and Ruth McLaughlin.
"I don't want to go in either city," Ruth McLaughlin said. "Cities don't do nothing for you except send you a tax notice."

Both suburban cities boast good schools, recreation areas and neighborhoods, so making a choice may just come down to whether a resident feels attached to 150-year-old Roswell or the upstart Milton, created last year from part of unincorporated north Fulton County.

Thirty years ago, the McLaughlins built their dream home on two unincorporated acres at the intersection of Arnold Mill and Cagle roads. Rudy McLaughlin's ancestors had a castle in Scotland in the 1600s, but he couldn't afford his own on a trucker's salary. So the McLaughlins built a miniature castle. It's 1,700 square feet of stone, surrounded by a miniature moat and traversable only via miniature drawbridges.

Their home has been one of the most gawked-at structures for a generation of Northsiders.
Folks stop and take pictures of the place every day, said Ruth McLaughlin, a cheerful sort who's 75 years into a deep Southern accent. And if she happens to be outside, they'll pepper her with questions about her little castle in the suburbs.

What do they ask? "Same things you're askin'," she said. There's no deadline for the McLaughlins or Turner to make a choice about which city they want to belong to. But if they can't decide in the next few months, Roswell and Milton will hammer out a deal to see who goes where.

Milton County

Creative Loafing just published a short and interesting article about Milton County. Of course it is from the view of Atlanta. Read the comments to see how the regular Atlanta readers feel about Milton pulling its tax revenue out of the city.
Milton County article

***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.

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."

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."

Your Thoughts on Neal O’brien and Bill Lusk’s Successful Campaigns!

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