Help A Young Pup Find A New Home!

Free to good home. Female lab mix approx. 1 ½ years old - housebroken. We are being forced to move and can not keep her. Sunny is a very sweet girl. Updated on shots and spayed. Please call Ashley 770-733-6084. We are located in the Macedonia/ Cherokee co. area and would be glad to drive her to her new home or meet you half way. Thank you for your consideration.

Accessmilton's June Person Of The Month

Linda Blow

To see Milton Projects & Events Coordinator Linda Blow in action is to witness a person truly happy in their work. She is always planning well in advance for the five city sponsored events she leads; from the Milton Round Up each Fall to the July 4th citizen parade and everything in between - all with a smile on her face and a go get 'em attitude.We recently sat down with this busy lady to find out a little more about her history, how she came to Milton, and where all that passion comes from.


Linda was raised in a small town of 5,000 in Pennsylvania. When college time arrived, she attended Corning Community College in Corning, New York. Her first job out in the world was with the French's Mustard Company out of Rochester. "I started working on a switch board as a switch board operator," she recently shared.


Linda would eventually make the move to Atlanta. Then about twenty years ago she attended night classes to become a paralegal. After graduation, she worked with various law offices and plaintiff firms. Due to the demands of the job, she would end up mastering the art of multitasking and how to make every hour of each day count. “When we worked on different cases we have to learn different areas of things. We have to learn parts of a car…medical things, we had to become well rounded.” Such experience would end up benefiting her as she made the transition from law to working in government.


About four years ago, she had an itch to try something different. Recent press had come to light about the incorporation of Sandy Springs; an area in which Mrs. Blow was currently living. “I heard that they were looking for an executive assistant to the manager and city manager,” Linda shared. Recent Milton City Manager Aaron Bovos was working at Sandy Springs at the time as the Deputy City Manager and would end up interviewing Linda. Things went better than expected, “Aaron and I hit it off and he hired me and I loved it.”About a year later when Bovos made the move to Milton as the City Manager, Linda was right behind. “When he came up here to Milton I said ‘Aaron I want to come and work for you’ and he said that if I did, I could work with the volunteers. That was it for me. If I could work with people, that is what I wanted. I have met the most wonderful people here in Milton.”


Since her arrival two years ago, Linda has helped bring a lot of happiness and memories to Milton Citizens. From the hot air balloons at the “Milton Round Up” to live reindeer and tasty s’mores around a cozy fire at the “Christmas In Crabapple” event, she harbors a keen sense of what the average family will enjoy and readily promotes it to reality.


She is also a regular fixture at the many city hall meetings; even when her attendance isn’t required, “I go and have had people ask me why do you go to these meetings (when it isn’t required)? Well, because I want to be a part of things and want to know what is going on. I just feel that I would miss something if I didn't go. I try to go to as many as I can.” Linda is also an active member of MDAC (Milton Disability Awareness Committee) and attends every meeting. Talk about being committed to your work!


Experiences have been a plenty when you are as busy as Linda Blow. When pressed for a unique event based story, Linda smiled for a moment and then offered up the following. “I had this very nice man who came in and filled out his application to be part of the memorial day event. God bless him he called me a couple of days before the event and he said 'Linda, I drove by city hall - my name is not out there on those markers.' I said 'Mr. Wall, you don't want your name on there any time soon. I said you have to passover.’ He said "what?’ I said ‘You have to die!’ And he laughed - he said "oh, your right - I guess I don't!’"


As the interview came to a close, she made sure to touch upon some additions to the upcoming Milton Round Up. “We just added the Milton Mayor's Race - a 5k, a 10k a fun run, walk, whatever you want to do. It will start at 9 o’clock that day.” For inquiring minds, the Milton Round Up is scheduled for Saturday, October 17 and will be held at the public schools in Crabapple. Any final words, Projects & Events Coordinator? "I have the best job at Milton City Hall…I just love what I do!" We don’t doubt it, Linda, and thanks for the memories!

Milton’s Cocktails & Cuisine treats you
like a ROCKSTAR on Thursdays with LIVE MUSIC!

Drop in and receive a $8.50 coupon for Food and Drink!

Doors open at 5. Music starts at 7.

To find out more about Milton's, click here=>
http://www.accessmilton.com/Advertisers/Miltons.php

New Poll Up.

All:

We have a new poll up. It ask:

Will the lowering of speed limits slow people down?

Have your say today in the upper right hand corner.

The past news poll asked:

Who do you side with regarding the manure issue?

Results:

Cynthia Chandlee - 62%
Neighbors Ricky & Kym Crittenden - 37%

Dashcam Video Shows Chase, Crash

Courtesy wsbtv.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Police have released dashcam video of a high speed chase Sunday that led to a fiery crash.

Authorities said it all started when Milton police spotted a stolen black Cadillac Escalade.
SLIDESHOW: Stolen SUV Chase Ends In Fiery Crash

Alpharetta police, who have a partnership with Milton police, said the SUV was taken during a home invasion robbery at about 7 a.m. on Club Court in the Enclave at the Golf Club of Georgia subdivision. Authorities said the area is known for its million-dollar homes.

Alpharetta police said three masked men broke into a home and stole electronics.
Then, authorities said, the same gunmen went to another nearby home, broke in and were confronted by the homeowner. Police said the family was held at gunpoint while the men stole TVs, jewelry and cash.

“The family was held at gunpoint for 30 minutes,” said Alpharetta police representative George Gordon.

Police said two of the gunmen fled in the homeowner's black Cadillac Escalade, while another trailed behind in what appeared to be a personal vehicle. The family was not hurt. “We’re grateful that this ended the way it did,” said Gordon.

Police said the suspects, identified as Jamal Grier Damarkus, 18, and Demarcus Graham, 21, both of Atlanta, led authorities on a 25-mile chase down Georgia 400, hitting speeds in excess of 120 mph.

RAW VIDEO: Alpharetta Police ChaseDIANA DAVIS: Police Chase Ends In Crash

“They thought Sunday was going to be a slow day for police, but we’re let it be known that we are fully staffed all the time,” said Gordon.

Police said the suspects later crashed the vehicle at the intersection of English Avenue and Bankhead Highway in northwest Atlanta, where it burst into flames.
“They lost control … hit an iron fence,” said Gordon.

Investigators said the third suspect was still at large Monday and police were closing in on his whereabouts.

“This robbery group was well organized …they’ve done this type of crime in the past,” said Gordon.

When asked whether the long chase put other drivers in danger, Gordon responded “We’re going to chase them and make them face justice. Our officers are trained in this particular type of driving.”

Milton Garage Sale Coming Up.

Neighborhood/Multi family gargage sale this weekend, Saturday June 6th from 9am-2pm, in the Sunvalley Subdivision located about one mile east of Highway 9 in Milton. Lost of toys, children items, furniture, household items, books and so much more.. Come visit us - You won't be disappointed.

Speed Limits Lowered in Milton

Motorists need to be aware that speed limits on portions of 11 roads within the City have changed effective today, May 29. Milton's Public Works Department, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Transportation, made the following changes:

· Bethany Bend from SR9 to Hopewell Road (1.49 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Bethany Bend from SR9 to McGinnis Ferry/Morris Road (1.37 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Bethany Road from Mayfield Road to Providence Road (1.5 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Bethany Road from Providence Road to Hagood Road (0.5 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Birmingham Road from SR372 to Freemanville Road (0.75 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Cogburn Road from Bethany Bend to Webb Road (1.41 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Cogburn Road from Bethany Bend to Francis Road (1.34 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Francis Road from Cogburn Road to Forsyth County Line (1.54 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Freemanville Road from Mayfield to Providence Road (1.74 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Green Road from SR 140 to SR 372 (0.5 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Hagood Road from Bethany Road to Redd Road (0.49 miles) from 45 mph to 40 mph.

· Mountain Road from Freemanville Road to Hopewell Road (1.64 miles) from 35 mph to 40 mph.

· New Bull Pen Road from Birmingham Hwy to Cherokee County Line (0.78 miles) from 35 mph to 40 mph.

· Ranchette Road from SR140 to New Providence Road (0.6 miles) from 40 mph to 35 mph.If you have any questions, please call Milton City Hall at 678-242-2500 or visit the City Web site.

News from Karen Thurman, Milton City Council Member

Dear Neighbors,

We at the City of Milton are constantly working to make traveling in Milton safer for all of us. Over the past year we have worked with city staff to pursue several different venues to achieve this goal. These included the reduction of speed limits on roadways within Milton, the application of a Safe Routes to School grant, the creation of an Intersection Improvement Committee to look at two specific intersections, and traffic calming alternatives for roads within subdivisions in Milton.

Based on the letters and emails we received from Milton residents, the city applied for and received approval from the Georgia Department of Transportation to lower the speed limit on several roads within Milton. This included lowering the speed limit on all or parts of Green Road, Bethany Road, Freemanville Road, Francis Road, Cogburn Road and Bethany Bend Road to 40 mph. The speed limit on Ranchette Road was also lowered from 40 to 35 mph.

I am also very excited to share some news I learned yesterday. The city of Milton was successful and has been awarded the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant money for our District by the Georgia Department of Transportation. Although the exact details of the amount awarded and the actual projects that will be included is still not known, this is very positive news for all of us in Milton and will help to insure safe travel around two of our school zones.

The City, in partnership with Crabapple Crossing Elementary School, Northwestern Middle School and Summit Hill Elementary School, applied for a grant through the Safe Routes to School program, a program created in 2008 by the federal transportation bill. The Program's goal is to increase the number of children who bicycle and walk to school. Benefits of the Program include: reduced congestion and increased safety near participating schools; reduced air pollution in route to and near participating schools; and increased physical activity of children.

Milton's actual grant application was for approximately $500,000 and covered installation of new sections of sidewalk along Crabapple Road which will complete the sidewalk from Crabapple Crossroads to Green Road; installation of a new section of sidewalk on Birmingham Highway across from Northwestern Middle School; installation of new sidewalk on Kensington Farms Drive; raised crosswalks at Northwestern Middle School; safety signage for both Crabapple Crossing and Summit Hill; a gravel trail on Providence Road connecting existing sidewalk in front of Summit Hill Elementary to Cowart Road; a gravel trail connecting Freemanville Road to Summit Road; and a gravel trail on Redd Road connecting existing sidewalk on Thompson Road to Brittle Road.

In addition, the Intersection Improvement Committee was established in December 2008. This seven-member committee was formed to provide input and recommendations on plans for the intersections of Birmingham Highway at Providence Road and Arnold Mill Road and New Providence Road. The committee will be working with a consultant, Street Smarts Inc., in development of concept plans for the improvement of both of those intersections.

In January the City Council met with citizens from our open-road neighborhoods to discuss traffic calming on those roads. At our May work session, the Mayor and City Council explored various traffic calming alternatives for subdivisions requesting traffic calming for specific streets within each subdivision. We discussed the parameters that will be used to determine qualifications and to assess and prioritize the needs for each street. We look forward to implementing this program in the very near future.

The City Council, along with our city staff continue to work to make traveling in Milton safer for everyone. This includes all modes of transportation: walking, biking, horseback riding and automobile travel. Please check the city of Milton website at www.cityofmiltonga.us for further updates on the SRTS grant, the Intersection Improvement Committee's meeting schedule and traffic calming initiatives for both subdivisions and open-road neighborhoods.

If you have ideas of concerns about Milton and and our efforts to ensure your safety while travelling within our city limits, please write me at thurman4milton@yahoo.com. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and the needs of our community. It is an honor and a privilege to do so.

Sincerely,

Karen C. Thurman

As I See It From Tina D'Aversa

Dear Milton Neighbor,

I am proud to formally announce my intention to seek re-election as your City Council Member from District 5. It has been my honor to serve you the last four years. In 2006, I served as the Parks & Recreation Chair for the city steering committee. I have served from November 2006 to present as your District 5 City Council Representative and was appointed Mayor Pro Tem in January 2008. Thank you for your many notes requesting and encouraging me to continue my service to the City of Milton. I appreciate the support very much. I love the city of Milton and all that the city vision represents.

promise to continue to serve you proudly, always be accessible and always do my best to ensure a fiscally responsible, safe community while preserving the unique rural and equestrian character that is Milton.

Throughout my life, I have been a public servant. I enjoy volunteering and take I take pride in the community initiatives I have accomplished over the last 20 years (City of Milton Bio).
My tenure as chairman of the North Metro Miracle League gave me the opportunity to learn so much about our neighbors with disabilities. I have coached dozens of youth sports teams and served on many recreation boards but nothing gave me the feeling accomplishment as seeing children of all abilities play baseball.

The first year as a city council member, I help to create the Milton Disability Committee (MDAC) in Milton. Since that time, we have accomplished many tremendous efforts leading the charge for an inclusive community accessible and enjoyed by all citizens. See below for the next committee meeting and join us to learn more about our goals and successes.

Save The Date

Please join me, Joe Lockwood and Milton City Council Members at the Old Blind Dog in Crabapple - Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM!
We want you to help kickoff our 2009 Re-Election! Stop by and enjoy a taste of Milton at the Old Blind Dog.

News and Information

Milton Receives Safe Routes to School Grant
The City of Milton applied for the Safe Routes to School Grant last December and received a portion of the requested $500,000 to be used to increase safety for school children who are biking and walking to school in Milton. The funds will be used to create safe passages, sidewalks and pedestrian crossing areas in and around the Crabapple Crossing Elementary School, Northwestern Middle School and Summit Hill Elementary School zones.

Details will be available from the city soon.

Possible uses of the federal funds include: installation of new sidewalks along Crabapple Road from Crabapple Crossroads to Green Road. The city also plans to install a new section of sidewalk on Birmingham Highway across from Northwestern Middle School and on Kensington Farms Drive. The grant may also fund raised crosswalks at Northwestern Middle School; safety signage for both Crabapple Crossing and Summit Hill; a gravel trail on Providence Road connecting existing sidewalk in front of Summit Hill Elementary to Cowart Road; a gravel trail connecting Freemanville Road to Summit Road and a gravel trail on Redd Road connecting existing sidewalk on Thompson Road to Brittle Road.

New Speed Limit for Bethany Road

The City of Milton Public Safety Department has been successful in having the State Department of Transportation approve the speed limit reduction on Bethany Road. The speed limit is reduced from 45 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour. This is a good first step as we strive to reduce speeding throughout the city. The signs will be installed this week. The city manager and public safety department is continuing to work with citizens to ensure that speed limits are reduce on all Milton roads.

Milton County

One of the reasons we incorporated the North Fulton Cities was to ensure that we move closer to creating Milton County.

Although discussion on the possibility of a reformation of Milton County has been tabled for the current legislative session, a viability study was released in March 2009 by the Georgia State University Fiscal Research Center and the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The study is available for download Milton County Study www.cviog.uga.edu/miltoncounty

I appreciate the opportunity to serve you and the citizens of Milton and look forward to all that the future holds.

Tina D'Aversa
678-242-2498 Direct
www.tinadaversa.com

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead

Meetings and Events

Click on the event title for additional information or the Calendar link below.

City of Milton May Meeting Calendar of the City Boards and Commissions

City Council Meeting June 1, 2009, 6:00 PM
City Council Meetings are scheduled three Mondays a month at City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Milton, Georgia 30004

Milton Milers Walking Club

Milton walkers meet at Starbucks at Bethany Bend and Highway 9 each Sunday at 3:00 and walk for health wellness and neighborly conversation

Disability Awareness Committee Meeting June 3, 2009, 7:00 PM, Milton City Hall

City Council Meeting June 8, 2009, 6:00 PM

Comprehensive Plan (CPAC) Meeting City Council Meeting June 15, 2009, 6:00 PM

Highway 9 Design Review Committee Meeting June 28, 2009, 4:00 PM, Milton City Hall.

Memorial Day Service At City Hall.

Milton Councilman & Vietnam Veteran Bill Lusk Officates.

LTG Roy Beauchamp; USA Ret. - Guest Speaker.

Presentation Of Colors: Fulton County Sheriff's Office Color Guard.

"God Bless America" -

Sung By Members Of The Milton High School Choral Group.

Some Of The Veterans Remembered.

Never Forget!

Veterans Marker Information

The City needs your help creating a database of area-related veterans, both living and fallen, who served in the armed forces. Information on fallen veterans will be used to create markers that will be on display along major thoroughfares in the City during Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays. Any deceased veteran of a Milton family is qualified to be honored with a marker. Information on living veterans will be used for recognition purposes.

To find out more click here=>
http://www.cityofmiltonga.us/forms/online/veterans.html

Milton High students learn about marketplace opportunities

By Bob Pepalis

Courtesy Appen Newspapers

May 21, 2009 Alpharetta – Did you know it is a local company that puts a voice to many of the Businesses consumers call for customer service?

The success of GM Voices, which continues to grow during the recession, has Marcus Graham, its founder and CEO, passing along a message of opportunities and entrepreneurship to local high school students.

One night last week six Milton High School students in entrepreneurship classes visited the company, which records messages for major companies, like Dell Computers, HP, McKesson, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport's shuttle rail line, Delta Airline's gate announcements, and even those voices heard on many GPS units.

Graham decided in 1983 that he wanted to be a voice talent, but he found he wasn't good enough to get hired. However, he noticed the recordings on business answering machines were low quality. Graham picked up the phone and called a telecommunications director and told him he could do a better job.

"So that's how this got started. It kind of grew from there," he said.

He moved into the company's first office above the Roxy in 1985. At first he did everything – writing the scripts, recording the voices and editing the recordings. As the company grew, Graham started slicing off components, hiring a production person, a writer and administrative people.

"But I was having fun. I had been doing it a number of years before I realized it was the work and career I was going to have," Graham said.

He realized some potential customers weren't happy with his voice, so he started hiring voice talent, professionals who are paid by the hour to record those call center recordings, business presentation narrations and Webinars. The timing was right as the technology for automated company phone systems took off.How that happened was a matter of timing, opportunity and being ready to take advantage of that opportunity, Graham said.

When digital voice technology was first being offered, those companies attended conferences in the telephone network world. And GM Voices was there with exhibits of its work."The guys who started doing GPS early came to those shows. That's how we met," Graham said.The business that started out in his basement grew to 29 employees and $4 million in annual sales. Some of his sales people are earning $100,000 a year.Approximately 500,000 words a month are recorded by GM Voices now.

Recording sessions are done all over the world, as most professional voice talents have their own recording studios in their homes. ISDN lines are used to link the company with the talent while still retaining recording quality. Recordings are made in more than 30 languages."We are going to save them a lot of money. Our business is ahead of where we were last year," he said."You are going to see opportunities as you are out there in the marketplace. Michael Dell started a business in his college dorm," Graham said. "Fifteen years from now, you can have a story like that."

Milton High students who participated in the event included: Ryan Gula, C. Van Heest, Eric Nail, Brian Richards, Thomas Buscemi and Phillip Speer. Each student had a chance to work as a "voice talent" and as an audio engineer.

Milton Track & Field Athletes Excel at State Championship Meet

Courtesy Neighbornewspapers.com

Milton High School was well represented at the GHSA State Track & Field Meets held the previous two weekends.

At the boy's state meet contested in Jefferson, GA, Milton had two athletes competing. In the 800 meter run, senior Fraser Reade ran 1:56.92 to eventually place 8th in the AAAAA competition. That time was a new Milton school record, the old record was 1:59.64 from 1967! Also competing for the Eagles was junior Peter Flaaen. Peter was in two events and placed 12th in the high jump and 15th in the long jump.

At the girl's state meet, contested in Albany, GA, the Lady Eagles had two competitors. Sophomore Samantha Becker in the Pole Vault and junior Chelsea Weiermiller in the 3200 meter run. Samantha placed 8th in the pole vault competition and Chelsea had a breakthrough race, passing 3 runners on the last lap to finish in 6th place, running a 11:39.98, breaking the school record in the process.

Study shows Milton School System fiscally viable

by Candy Waylock / Appen Newspapers

May 18, 2009

The issue of restoring Milton County resonates far beyond the city governments, judicial systems and assets that must be considered.

A lingering question, and one that affects the 90,000 students in the Fulton County School System, is how financially sound would a Milton County School System be? And more critically, what would the Fulton County School System look like after North Fulton revenues are removed from its coffers?

Fulton School Board member Ashley Widener says a smaller school system would benefit both North and South Fulton and better meet the needs of each.

"Families live in Johns Creek, Milton, Alpharetta for our schools, [and] they value their child's education and demand excellence," said Widener, who represents Johns Creek. "Splitting the county and the school system allows for smaller governments. This will benefit both north and south county. Each school system will be able to respond to the wants and needs of its stakeholders. Right now we have a one-size-fits-all system."

Widener pointed to the success of Milton and Johns Creek, which both broke away from Fulton County and are now thriving.

The Fulton County School System is reviewing the findings of a report that looked at the fiscal viability of a Milton County School System – one that would encompass that area of Fulton County north of the city of Atlanta, which includes Sandy Springs, Roswell, Milton, Alpharetta and Johns Creek.

Fulton Schools would revert to those areas south of the city of Atlanta, including College Park, East Point, Chattahoochee Hills and Hapeville.

Using statistics from 2007, the researchers at University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Georgia State's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies concluded what many had already suspected – the Milton School System will be among the wealthiest districts in the state.

The study found that just over 75 percent of local tax revenues for the Fulton County School System is generated in North Fulton. However, the vast majority of funding for special programs, such as Title 1 and federal aid for the nutrition program, are directed to South Fulton.

While Fulton County will lose the North Fulton revenues if Milton County were to form, nearly all of the special funding would remain in place to offset some of the loss.

According to the study, the amount of funding per student would catapult Milton to 16th in the state out of 180 school systems, with an average $9,500 per student based on revenue. Today, the Fulton School System is 28th among all systems.

Based on the 2008 SAT scores, the regular high schools in a Milton School System would have an average SAT score of 1647 - nearly 200 points higher than the state average of 1453.

That would make Milton far and away the top performing school system academically in the state by far.

The study also found the proposed Milton County School System will draw 65 percent of the students enrolled in the Fulton. Based on 2007 numbers, the Milton system would have 52,500 students; a smaller Fulton just over 28,000.

That would mean Fulton Schools would lose its status as the fourth-largest school system, dropping down to 12th behind Forsyth, Henry and Cherokee counties. Milton, on the other hand, would take over the fourth spot, behind only Gwinnett, Cobb and DeKalb school systems.

Researchers maintain state funding for each school system will be relatively even, despite the enrollment gap. As a wealthier district, Milton would be a donor system and have to send up to 5 mils to the state to be redistributed to less wealthy districts through the equalization formula. Fulton would become a recipient of state equalization funds.

In addition, researchers said while Fulton will have the majority of economically disadvantaged students — thus qualifying for federal funding — Milton will have the lion's share of students enrolled in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). It would also qualify for some federal assistance.

The question of how to split assets would be an issue, although most of the assets are fixed facilities and therefore impossible to move. The report did show the majority of properties owned by Fulton Schools are in South Fulton, including the administrative center.

With land values in North Fulton at nearly four times the cost of land in the south, the parcels located in Milton (135 total) are valued at $276.6 million, compared to the 160 parcels located in South Fulton worth $126.6 million.

One other finding of the viability study assessed the certified teaching staff, noting "there is little, if any, difference in the aggregate levels of training and experience of the teachers in the two areas of interest [a proposed Milton School System and a proposed Fulton School System].

"The issue of restoring Milton County is now before the General Assembly and is being championed by North Fulton legislators who occupy some of the top positions in the legislature. The final decision, most likely, would be a statewide referendum to allow Fulton County's division.

If there were a Milton School System
Enrollment: 52,500
Per student spending: $9,500
State rank spending: 16th
Scholastic rank: 1647 SAT average,
No. 1 in stateS ystem population: Fourth largest
Land value: $276.6M

Teen driver charged in fatal Milton crash

By LARRY HARTSTEIN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

An 19-year-old driver who crashed his pickup truck last week, killing a Milton High senior, has been charged with vehicular homicide, DUI and reckless driving.

Andrew London (photo right) turned himself in early Tuesday at the Alpharetta jail and was scheduled to be arraigned today.

The early-morning, May 12 wreck on New Providence Road near Dorris Road killed Adam Stephens, 18, and seriously injured London’s 16-year-old brother, who remains hospitalized. The 16-year-old is expected to recover fully.

Police say Andrew London lost control of the 1972 Chevy pickup as the roadway curved, and the truck slammed into a telephone pole before flipping. Police say London was driving about 80 miles per hour, and that they found beer cans in the truck.

“It happened on a straightaway that goes into a pretty good turn,” Milton police Capt. Shawn McCarty said. “The vehicle kept going straight and didn’t go into the turn.”

MBA To Meet This Thursday Night / 6pm

MBA meeting is this Thursday the 21st at 6pm at the Olde Blind Dog.

To find out more about The Old Blind Dog Irish Pub, Click here->

http://www.accessmilton.com/Advertisers/OldeBlindDog.php

Don't forget the traffic in downtown Crabapple during rush hour. Use the cut through at the high school for easier access. You can also cut through the new subdivision to get to the parking lot of the Olde Blind Dog. The menu for the evening is Thai Chili Lime wings,Guinness BBQ wings,Smoked salmon,Pub club sandwiches,Reuben sandwiches,Fish and chips,Bread pudding,Sticky toffee pudding. WOW! $5 cover charge, cash bar.Guest speaker Jan Jones will be speaking at 7pm.

See you there!

Lauren Holmes
Managing Broker, MMDC, e-PRO, ABR
Office: (678) 240-2201

Cell: (770) 365-5800

direct Fax: (678) 906-4348
lauren.holmes@crye-leike.com
http://lauren.crye-leike.com/
Roswell - Crabapple
282 Rucker Road

Alpharetta, GA 30004

Milton News From Julie Zahner Bailey

Dear Milton Citizens, Friends and Neighbors -

May has been a busy month and continues to be as the end of the school year approaches. I wish all students good luck on their finals, fun during this weeks Field Days and a heart felt congratulations for those graduating whether that be from elementary, middle school, high school or college. Our youth are the future of our community and we are proud of all of you!On the City front, there are important meetings taking place this week in an effort to engage citizens before they travel for Memorial Day or early summer trips.

Please take special note of the Community Visioning Meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, May 20 at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. This interactive planning session is tied directly to the Comprehensive Land Use Update Plan which will help chart the course for the future of our Milton community; how it will look and feel for years to come. The Visioning Workshop will include a review of the planning process to date, a presentation of new data collected, Milton's character areas and a visioning exercise. This is a public input forum to discuss the comprehensive plan policies, issues and opportunities, likes and dislikes.

Your participation is vital. Other important meetings this week include Monday's May 18 City Council meeting and Tuesday's, May 19 Special Called meeting dealing with our Parks & Recreation planning initiatives. Details of all of these meetings and others are outlined in the right margin of this release.The City of Milton also will be hosting the second annual Memorial Day celebration at City Hall on Monday, May 25 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to participate as we gather to honor our great veteran's and war heroes for whom we all are so thankful. Use this link for more details regarding this special service:

http://www.cityofmiltonga.us/community/2009/042209_Memorial_Day.html

In closing I want to thank all those who participated in the Great American Clean-up and a Day of Service on April 25 to help clean-up some of the most beautiful parkland of Milton. This event -- co-sponsored by Milton Grows Green and the Church of Latter Day Saints - resulted in the following:

350 volunteers coming together for the benefit of all of Milton, Five dumps removed,
1.5 miles of barbed wire fence removed (times four strands), 3/4 mile roadway right-of-way cleared, Six acres of pasture bush-hogged and cleared of excess tree growth, House on site cleaned inside and out, roof and back porch repaired. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers that span so many initiatives throughout Milton. Without the hundreds of folks that contribute their time, energy, talents and care each and everyday, Milton would not be the very special place that it is.

It is an honor and privilege to represent you and your family. Please let me hear from you with any questions or comments. Your input matters to me very much.Please be safe.

God bless you all!

All my best -

Julie Zahner BaileyMilton City Council770-664-5529 (home)404-310-6344 (cell)Julie4Milton@mindspring.comJulie4Milton.com

Upcoming Rezonings/Use Permits

U09-01/VC09-01,

Frank Schafer, 13120 Arnold Mill Road (Deferred from 4/27/09 to the 5/18/09 Council meeting)Requesting a use permit for a landscaping business on 1.74 acres at a density of 3,908.04 square feet per acre (Article 19.4.27). Applicant is also requesting a 3-part concurrent variance: 1) To delete the 50' buffer and 10' improvement setback along the west property line from the right-of-way for a distance of 140' (12H.3.1 Section C.1).2) To delete the 50' buffer and 10' improvement setback along the east property line from the right-of-way for a distance of 140' (12H.3.1 Section C.1).3) To allow a sign located less than 10' from the right-of-way (Article 33 Section 21.C).

Use these links to view the two analyses prepared by staff on this case. The first link provides the initial staff analysis followed by a changed analysis as found in second link.Staff analysis of 2/24/2009Staff analysis of 3/24/2009

U09-02/VC09-02,

Rob Nestor, 15150 Birmingham Highway/Taylor Road, (Deferred to June 2009)Requesting a use permit for a landscaping business on 3.926 acres at a density of 387.92 square feet per acre (Article 19.4.27).Applicant is also requesting a concurrent variance to allow access from a local street (Article 19.4.27.B.1).Use this link to view the Staff analysis

The UPS Store in Milton is under new ownership!

They are located in the Birmingham Village (Publix) Center at the intersection of Birmingham Hwy (372) and Birmingham Road. The new owners, Kim and Ken Mitchell live locally.

This is their second UPS Store. For the last 5 years, they have proudly offered personalized customer service at their original UPS Store located close by in Canton. “As a one-stop shop for shipping, postal, document, and business services, we look forward to serving Milton and the surrounding community” said Owner Ken Mitchell.

Their UPS Store is celebrating its Grand Re-Opening with specials for a limited time including: Color Copies and Prints for only $.19; and 6 Months Free Mailbox Service, with a new 1 year Mailbox agreement.

Stop by The UPS Store for all your personal and business needs, and welcome Kim & Ken. For further information call them at 770-619-9424.

New Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee

Many thanks to J.D. Easley / House Communications Specialist GA General Assembly for providing this information. The below press release was originally sent out on May 6th, 2009.

ATLANTA - Representatives Mark Burkhalter (R- Johns Creek) and Jan Jones(R-Milton) announced today an initial Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee. The Committee will assist and advise Representatives Burkhalter and Jones as they proceed forward with historic legislationto allow the re-creation of Milton County.

Rep. Burkhalter first introduced legislation to facilitate Milton County's re-creation over 15 years ago. This January Rep. Jones authored House Resolution 21 to allow the re-creation ofpreviously-merged counties. Rep. Burkhalter and other north Fulton representatives co-sponsored the resolution.

Two counties remain that were merged in the 1930s, Milton County in north Fulton and Campbell County in south Fulton. North Fulton legislators will push to bring HR 21 to the House floor for a vote inthe 2010 Georgia General Assembly session.

"The Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee will evaluate,collaborate with and make recommendations to the north Fulton delegation," said Rep. Jones. "I look forward to working with the Committee to addressing issues identified in the recently-released study performed by the University of Georgia and Georgia State University on the re-creation of Milton County."

The primary areas to be evaluated by the Committee relate to separating the counties' functions, establishing a new school system and addressing judicial services and tax concerns. The Committee will serve through March 2010.

The Committee will consult and engage north Fulton citizens with expertise in specific areas being evaluated. It will also serve as a conduit for information and input with other north Fulton elected officials, including school board members, judges, mayors and city council members.

The Committee will be composed of: Tom Campbell, Fulton County Superior Court Judge; former State Representative Randall Johnson, Johns Creek City Council MemberJim Paine, Alpharetta City Council Member, Mayor Pro TemRusty Paul, Sandy Springs City Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem; former State Senator Robert Proctor, Tax Attorney, north Fulton resident Katie Reeves, Fulton County School Board Member Lynne Riley, Fulton County Commissioner Ashley Widener, Fulton County School Board Member Ex Officio Mark Burkhalter, State Representative, Speaker Pro TemEx Officio Jan Jones, State Representative, House Majority Whip.