Final Passage of the Social Responsibility and Accountability Act.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

ATLANTA (March 30, 2012) – The Social Responsibility and Accountability Act received final passage in the Senate on Sine Die and is now traveling to the Governor’s desk for final approval. The bill requires recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to undergo a drug test to receive welfare benefits.



Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) spearheaded this legislation in light of evidence that shows drug abusers are less likely to maintain employment and, as a result, remain on welfare-related programs for longer periods of time. In a study surveying New Jersey TANF recipients, individuals who abused drugs stayed on welfare for an average of 12 years, compared to less than six years for those who did not.

“Final passage of the Social Responsibility and Accountability Act would not have been possible without collaboration from my House colleagues – Rep. Michael Harden, Rep. Jason Spencer and Rep. Ron Stevens,” said Sen. Albers. “The dedicated teamwork from members of both chambers helped produce a strong piece of legislation that will safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure that we are offering citizens a ‘hand-up’ and not a ‘hand-out.’ The Social Responsibility and Accountability Act will help revolutionize how our welfare system functions and better serve those in need while being proper stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

Sen. John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.

Green vendors needed for Earth Day Festival.

Are you an environmentally friendly business or service looking for a great opportunity to connect with like-minded customers and Milton families? Then you need to be a part of the Fourth Annual Earth Day Festival, held at Milton’s Birmingham Park April 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This festival, organized by Milton Grows Green (MGG) and City of Milton, is part of Milton’s efforts to increase environmental awareness in the community and will include entertainment, horse-drawn carriage and pony rides, inflatable hamster balls, a rock wall, one-of-a-kind crafts and unique environmental games.

As a green vendor, you’ll be joined by similar businesses and services and receive free food from local eateries. Already signed up as vendors are:

Action Specialty Carts
Alpharetta Outfitters
Atlanta Audubon Society
Boy Scout Troop 3000
Canine Assistants
Children’s Healthcare of Forsyth
Clean Air Campaign
Comfort Zone/Dumpster Co.
Core Physique
Costco
Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA
Electric/hybrid Car Club
Energy USA
Enviroscape
Girl Scouts of the USA
Greenstone Recycled Stone Products
Home Depot: Green Products
Home Depot: Children’s Building Project
Karate Atlanta
Milton Chiropractic and Massage
Milton Garden Club, sponsored by Scottsdale Farms
Milton Horse Council
Northwestern Middle School
North Fulton Department of Voter Registration and Elections
Norwey Enviro Products
Optech
Red Wheel Farm
Republic Services
Roswell Pediatrics
Solar Energy USA
Tower Garden and Juice Plus
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers
Verizon: Hopeline Program

“We are participating again as a sponsor this year because we thought it was a great community event, said Paige Monette Anderson of Optech, which is also a partner with the City of Milton. “Last year, our company volunteered time to drive the tractor. Hundreds of families came out to enjoy all the great activities Milton Grows Green and the city coordinated to celebrate Earth Day.”

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor, please click here to download a packet of information.

For directions to 200-acre, rustic Birmingham Park, click here.

For more information, contact Cindy Eade, environmental Sustainability Coordinator, at cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us or 678.242.2509.

The Third Annual Earth Day Festival is sponsored by the Peggy Still School of Music, Optech, Republic Services, Comfort Zone Portables, Walmart, Home Depot, Verizon Wireless, Children's Healthcare of Forsyth and Action Specialty Carts.

Milton FD now conducting hydrant maintenance.

By Accessmilton.com

Milton Fire Chief Robert Edgar would like to alert residents the department’s semi-annual fire hydrant maintenance is now underway.

Edgar said the city-wide maintenance effort will last into mid-May. During testing, firefighters flow the water in the hydrants and check to make sure they are in working order.

Please note: depending on hydrant placement in the water main system, this may inadvertently cause sediment to be loosened in the lines. As a result residents may see temporary discoloration in water coming from their faucets, showers, washing machines or dishwashers, said Edgar.

If this happens, please call the City of Milton at 678-242-2570.

“We’ll be happy to come out and flush the line,” said Edgar.

'Liberty's Law' Gaining Traction Locally & Abroad.

By Accessmilton.com

Support for "Liberty's Law" a proposed Milton Georgia ordinance which would protect horses and other animals against abuse and harrassment, is growing quickly.

Advocates are coming in from North Fulton as well as other areas of the country and over seas. With over 270 "friends" on Facebook and 125 signatures on "Liberty's Law"'s Gopetition thus far, momentum is increasing daily.

"Liberty's Law" has spawned from the torment of a thirty year old mare named "Liberty" by local youths. Within the last seven years, she has been shot with paint balls, fireworks have been shot into her pastures and above her, and the same offenders have been caught on video yelling at her trying to scare her and intentinally directing noise in her direction. The end result is a horse that now refuses to graze without supervision and spends the majority of her time standing on a back patio or within a carport.

Even with eye witnesses, video, and physical evidence, Milton authorities claim there is no evidence and have done nothing to the offenders.

Some supporters are quite upset about Liberty's dilemma. After Alexandra Ward of Roswell signed the petition in support, she had these comments to share on the petition; "This makes my blood boil!!The police must enforce all of the laws not just the ones they personally feel are worthwhile. What does this say about Milton with police who do nothing to protect their weakest denizens and citizenry who think it's fun to scare the hell out of animals? Not a place I'd want to live in & not a place I'd want to visit. This town needs to ditch the horse emblem and go with dollar signs or a brick, something without a soul or emotions that accurately reflects Milton."

We encourage you to get involved and support "Liberty's Law".

No horse or any other animal should have to endure what Liberty has.

Roswell 'Chicken Man's' Final Resting Place To Be In Milton.

by Accessmilton.com

Andrew Wordes, otherwise known as "The Roswell Chicken Man", passed away earlier this week.

Mr Wordes gained local fame for his fight with the City of Roswell to keep chickens on his property in a small residential neighborhood.

Long time Milton resident Jim Bell, owner of the environmentally friendly cemetery "Milton Fields", has donated a plot in Mr. Wordes honor.

The service will be held this Friday at Milton Fields located off of Birmingham Road. Time is 10:30am. Please keep Mr. Wordes and his family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Body found in house fire ID'd as Roswell ‘chicken man'

By Alexis Stevens and Patrick Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The body found inside a charred Roswell home was identified Tuesday afternoon as that of "chicken man" Andrew Wordes.

"The Fulton County Medical Examiner has made a positive identification on the body found in the residence at 335 Alpine Drive. It is the body of Andrew Wordes. There is no cause of death at this time," police said in a statement.

The battle between one man and the city of Roswell that started over his keeping of chickens ended Monday afternoon in a fiery explosion. Investigators believe that rather than be evicted from his home, Wordes poured gasoline throughout the house and set it on fire.

"There was an initial explosion and subsequent fire," Lt. James McGee with Roswell police said during a news briefing.

A body was found inside the home, but a positive identification could not be made Monday due to the condition of the body, Capt. Paul Piccirilli with the Roswell Fire Department said.

In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last month, Wordes blamed the city for all of his woes that helped land him in foreclosure. Wordes apparently had fallen behind on his mortgage payments while in jail for violating various property codes.

"I'm still trying to get this resolved, but it doesn't look like it's going to be happy," Wordes had said.

On Monday, Roswell spokesperson Julie Brechbill said the whole city was saddened by the man's apparent death, but the events surrounding his pending eviction were tied to his failure to keep up payments on his house and did not involve the city.

Neighbors and friends of Wordes, known by many as "the chicken man," stood behind yellow crime tape Monday afternoon, shocked at the day's developments. Later in the evening, officers removed the crime tape, giving neighbors a closer look at what remained of the home.

John Cherok, who lives across the street from Wordes' two-story home, told the AJC he had just seen his neighbor Monday morning.

Wordes had helped Cherok over the weekend clearing tree limbs and piling them by the curb, and the two men discussed Monday whether the debris would be picked up by the local trash removal service.

"He said, ‘Today's going to be the day, anyway,' " Cherok told the AJC. "Obviously, he planned to end it this way."

Patti Silva, a Milton woman who befriended Wordes a couple of years ago and helped him through his recent troubles with the law, agreed.

“He planned this,” she said in a phone interview with the AJC.

Silva said she suspected Wordes had turned desperate after learning his property was set for seizure last month. She even shared her concerns with police, hoping to defuse a potentially dangerous situation.

Marshals informed the 53-year-old Wordes three weeks ago that he would be evicted, and they arrived at the home on Alpine Drive about 10:45 a.m. Monday, Antonio Johnson with the Fulton County Marshal's Office said.

Wordes refused to come out or allow anyone entry, officials said. Officers tried to speak to Wordes through the closed front door and a window. During the two-hour standoff, Wordes was in contact with Channel 2 Action News reporter Mike Petchenik, who was outside the residence.

Petchenik said Wordes called him Monday morning and told him to come to the home, and with the Channel 2 truck sitting outside his home, Wordes told Petchenik to tell the marshals to get off his property.

"Once he advised us to leave his property, we retreated," Johnson said. "And that's when the explosion happened."

Among Wordes' last words to Petchenik were, "I appreciate everything, brother. I appreciate everything you've done."

"I can't tell you" what's going to happen, Wordes said. "It ain't pretty, though."
Moments later, an explosion rocked the house.

Wordes began raising chickens on his .97-acre homestead just off Alpharetta Highway in 2005.

In February 2009, the city cited him for raising livestock after a neighbor filed a complaint.

Wordes fought back, winning over many residents when he took to the streets, handing out 500 chicks, to promote his cause. Supporters wore yellow T-shirts and "I Love Chickens" buttons to his court appearance.

His fight drew the attention of former Gov. Roy Barnes, who represented him in court and persuaded Municipal Judge Maurice Hilliard in May 2009 to throw out the city ordinance.

Neighbors told the AJC that financial troubles began for Wordes that September, when much of the man's home was flooded during epic rains that doused the metro Atlanta area.

Stacey Gervickas, who lived next door to Wordes for several years, said he couldn't afford to repair his home and take care of the animals he cherished.

"He kept picking at the city, and they kept picking back," Gervickas said. "And it's a house that nobody wants. It's so wasteful."

In December 2009, the city council approved a new ordinance banning roosters and using lot size to determine how many chickens a resident can keep.

Since then, Wordes' life has been a scrapbook of mishaps and scrapes with the law: repeated citations for code violations, nuisance complaints and traffic tickets.

Last summer, about a third of the birds on Wordes' property died mysteriously.

In November 2010, he pleaded guilty to violating city codes. He was arrested in August for violating his probation related to that citation and recently finished serving 99 days in jail.

After his release, he staked out as his home, waiting for authorities to arrive and remove him.

Silva, who was hosting an informal gathering of Wordes’ friends Monday, said the fight with the city took its toll.

Alpharetta resident Cindy McEntire went further, saying she blamed part of Wordes’ condition on harassment from Roswell.

“Andrew gave as good as he received, but there were a lot of citations and traffic stops on him,” she said in a phone interview. “After the flood, everything went downhill.”

-- Staff writer Joel Provano contributed to this report.

The ‘chicken man' of Roswell: A timeline.

Courtesy ajc.com

February 2009 -- Roswell Code Enforcement officers cite Andrew Wordes for violating the city's ban on raising livestock by having close to a dozen chickens on his nearly 1-acre property.

March 2009 -- Former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes joins the fray by agreeing to represent Wordes in municipal court.

May 2009 -- Municipal Judge Maurice Hilliard dismisses the case against Wordes after Barnes argues that the city code relating to livestock is too vague.

December 2009 -- The City Council approves a new ordinance that bans roosters and uses lot size to determine how many chickens a resident can keep.

July 2011 -- Wordes tells police that someone broke into his home, accessed his pens and poisoned his poultry. About 30 of approximately 100 chickens and turkeys die. Lab tests are inconclusive.

August 2011 -- Wordes is ordered to spend three months in jail after Municipal Judge Maurice Hilliard finds him guilty of probation violation. Wordes had been granted probation for having too many vehicles on his property and for grading backfill without a permit.

February 2012 -- Wordes receives word that he is to be evicted from his home for failure to pay his mortgage. He tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he doesn't see a "happy ending" to the matter.

March 26, 2012 -- Marshals arrive at Wordes' home to serve eviction papers. Wordes responds with threats, and an explosion follows, destroying the house. A body is found but has not yet been identified.

ROSWELL | Fatal fire at home of "Chicken Man"

AM NOTE: With the City of Milton claiming "rural" quite often and utilizing pictures of horses and a borrowed horse logo, we thought the following story might be of interest.

Courtesy 11alive.com


Fulton County marshals arrived at the home of Andrew Wordes at 335 Alpine Drive with an eviction notice Monday morning. Wordes warned them to back off, according to Marshal Antonio Johnson.

"We didn't go in showing force or anything," said Fulton Co. Marshal Antonio Johnson. "We just went to the door and tried to comjunicate with him regarding the eviction."

Shortly before the explosion, Wordes called a reporter to find out if his lawn was clear of law enforcement personnel. In a recording of the conversation, Wordes warns "it's not going to be pretty." The explosion took place moments later, blowing debris into the front lawn.

Investigators are trying to figure out if Wordes detonated the explosion purposefully.

According to Deputy Chief Paul Piccirelli of Roswell Fire and EMS, a body was recovered from the house. A medical examiner was expected to officially determine whether it was that of Wordes.

Friends say Wordes drained his resources fighting city hall over the chickens and other code infractions. A bank had foreclosed on his house, forcing the eviction attempt Monday.

As the controversy dragged on, Wordes became more publicly militant. HisFacebook page calls him "Andrew AKfortyseven Wordes." The site lists his favorite quote as "sometimes I think violence is underrated."

Crabapple to have new zoning overlay.

Courtesy Neighbor Newspapers

The city of Milton is considering a new zoning overlay for the Crabapple area in order to keep the style and feel of the area consistent.

“Last May there was a community effort to essentially develop a master plan for the Crabapple area,” said Milton Community Development Director Kathleen Field. “Since then the city council adopted that master plan and asked the staff of community development to develop a new zoning overlay to implement it.”
Field said along with a stakeholder committee including business owners, principals and citizens, the city has developed a new zoning concept to create a Crabapple “village” feel.

Caleb Rasicot, senior principal at Tunnell, Spangler and Walsh, told citizens at an informational meeting March 21 that his firm has created a form-based code reform to help in this effort.

“It’s a kind of zoning that will truly allow you — the greater Crabapple community — to realize your vision from the master plan,” he said.

Form-based codes focus on the physical character of development to create a more unified city area, he said.

The model the city would use is called SmartCode, a form-based code to make a walkable community from rural to urban areas.

The new plan would also incorporate transferable development rights to target growth areas.

“It’s a market-based tool that works within the community’s code — in this case the Crabapple code — and its goal is to voluntarily encourage the redirection of growth away from places that a community wants either less or in some cases no development into places that are appropriate for more development,” said Rick Pruetz, FAICP.

Density could be “sold” from sending areas — natural areas or farm areas — to receiving areas, which are areas appropriate for more development. Developers in receiving areas who gain these TDRs would have bonus development abilities depending on their zoning.

The presentations will be available on the city’s website.

Information: www.cityofmiltonga.us.

Help identify a burglary suspect.

Courtesy Milton Police Department

The City of Milton Police Department and Crimestoppers Atlanta are asking for help identifying a suspect who broke into the Dollar Tree on Ga. 9 in February.

Police are offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect. He is described as a middle aged white man, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, weighing about 230 to 250 pounds.

This suspect is wanted after being caught on security footage breaking into the Dollar Tree at the Deerfield Place shopping center on Feb. 11 at 11:20 p.m. He cut into the store’s safe with what appears to be a Makita brand reciprocating saw and took all the cash inside.

Please see above for a still image from the store’s security camera.

This same man is wanted for an almost identical crime earlier in the year at the Dollar Tree in southern Forsyth County, which is also on Ga. 9 in the Grasslands Plaza shopping center.

Any information on the case can be submitted to anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online at www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting “CSA” and the tip to CRIMES (274637). You do not have to give your name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000.

The “Not so Hot” GA 400 Toll Lane Idea.

By Senator John Albers

ATLANTA (March 22, 2012) – There is only one roadway in the entire state that features a fixed-rate toll - GA 400. This 24-mile stretch of interstate, which connects North Georgia to metro Atlanta , was funded entirely through a combination of toll revenues and state and federal bonds. In 1991, the State Roadway Tolling Authority (SRTA) Board approved the sale of $96.1 million in bonds to build GA 400. Despite the fact that these bonds were paid off last summer, SRTA decided to extend toll collections for another decade, causing motorists to foot the bill for additional infrastructure projects.

This is unacceptable during a time when unemployment is still high and Georgians are looking for ways to cut spending. With gas at an all-time high heading into the summer months, the last thing Georgia taxpayers need is to be saddled with an additional tax increase.

The ongoing debacle of the toll road was further exasperated when the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) initiated a feasibility study, which is estimated to cost taxpayers roughly $2.8 million. This study was designed specifically to determine whether the public is receptive to the idea of incorporating additional managed toll lanes. With the recent implementation of HOT lanes along the I-85 corridor, motorists are still unsure about the significant cost incurred from using these lanes, which has skyrocketed to upwards of $4 during peak traffic hours. If these high occupancy lanes were put into place on GA-400, commuters would still have to pay a fee to fund the expansion, plus an additional fee on top of it to use the road. The 85 HOT lanes have already cost a lot of money to convert - this would be even more of a blow to taxpayers. Can we really afford to spend more money on infrastructure that hasn't been proven successful on other roadways around the state?

The 85 HOT lanes cost taxpayers nearly $60 million to build – just to convert a lane within the pre-existing infrastructure. The Georgia Department of Transportation’s proposals for GA 400 include the addition of an entirely new lane, which would ultimately be much more expensive than converting a lane.

As part of the recent feasibility study, state transportation officials are currently holding public hearings throughout the GA 400 corridor to discuss the possible creation of electronically-tolled express lanes. Although I’m pleased to hear that state transportation officials are seeking input from North Georgia commuters, I believe we are leaving out one of the major cities along this busy corridor – Alpharetta. With five exits along GA 400, the City of Alpharetta should be directly involved in determining the fate of future toll projects.

GDOT notes in its presentation for the upcoming open houses that if the study does move forward into development of a proposed project, there currently is no funding identified for right-of-way acquisition and construction. Even with the tolling component, there may be insufficient funding to build any improvements.

We all agree additional capacity is needed on GA 400, but not at the expense of those living within the GA 400 corridor. Where is the mandatory toll for I-75, I-20, I-85 or GA-316? Why do our communities have to pay for their road and nobody else in the state?

The extension of the toll in 2010 was an unconscionable breach of public trust which is paramount in these discussions. The extension occurred months before I took office in 2010 and I was disappointed that I was unable to stop it sooner. The answer is simple – remove the GA 400 toll, then we can have a good discussion about adding capacity and options for funding our transportation needs all over Georgia .

SUPPORT LIBERTY'S LAW!

By Accessmilton.com

Milton loves to use the borrowed horse logo all over everything city related; from the Milton Police Cars to "Milton Grows Green." If you go to the city website at http://www.cityofmiltonga.us/ , you will find countless pictures of horses as well.

There would be no problem with this if the image portrayed was backed with action and protection. No horse or other pet in Milton should be abused and harrassed without repercussion to the guilty party. Unfortunately, city authorities have allowed the offenders of such to get away with the abuse and harrassment of an old mare named "Liberty" who was was born and has lived on Bethany Road for over 30 years to date.

Thus, the need for "Liberty's Law" ; a proposed ordinance to protect the innocent. We encourage your support! Help us spread the word and please sign the petition here.

March 19 City Council regular meeting notice.

Monday, March 19, 2012 Regular Council Meeting Agenda 6:00 p.m.


INVOCATION - Dr. Ollie Wagner, Pastor at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.


CALL TO ORDER


1) ROLL CALL


2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Led by the Mayor)


3) APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA (Add or remove items from the agenda)

(Agenda Item No. 12-055)


4) PUBLIC COMMENT


5) CONSENT AGENDA

1. Approval of the February 13, 2012 Special Called Regular Minutes.

(Agenda Item No. 12-056)

(Sudie Gordon, City Clerk)


2. Approval of the February 13, 2012 Work Session Minutes.

(Agenda Item No. 12-057)

(Sudie Gordon, City Clerk)


3. Approval of Financial Statements for the Period Ending October, 2011.

(Agenda Item No.12-058)

(Stacey Inglis, Finance Director)


4. Approval of Financial Statements for the Period Ending November, 2011.

(Agenda Item No.12-059)

(Stacey Inglis, Finance Director)


5. Approval of a Contract with the Firm Davey Tree Expert Company for the Purpose of Providing Professional Services for the City of Milton.

(Agenda Item No. 12-060)

(Kathleen Field, Community Development Director)


6. Approval Indication of Roundabout Support and Lighting with GDOT for the

Intersection Improvement at SR 372/Birmingham Highway at McFarlin Lane and at DR

372/Crabapple Road at Crabapple Chase Drive.

(Agenda Item No. 12-061)

(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)


7. Approval of a Professional Services Agreement between City of Milton, Georgia and

Universal Engineering Sciences, Inc. for a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and

Geotechnical Evaluation for 15155 Hopewell Road.

(Agenda Item No. 12-062)

(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)


8. Approval of a Consent to Assignment of Drainage Easements between Paul and Maura Demit and the White Columns Community Association, Inc. and Siobahn and Robert Schaffer and the White Columns Community Association, Inc.

(Agenda Item No. 12-063)

(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)


9. Approval of a Survey Agreement between the City of Milton, Georgia and Onsite Civil Group, LLC for a Boundary and Topographic Survey for 15155 Hopewell Road.

(Agenda Item No. 12-064)
(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)


10. Approval for the Execution of a Contract Agreement with the Georgia Council on

Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) to Receive Grant Funding for the Real Communities

Milton Project.

(Agenda Item No. 12-065)

(Chris Lagerbloom, City Manager)


11. Approval of a Parks and Recreation License Agreement between the City of Milton and YMCA to Offer an 8 Week Summer Day Camp.

(Agenda Item No. 12-066)

(John Rebar, Parks and Recreation Director)


12. Approval of a Contract between the City of Milton and Ed Castro Landscape, Inc. for the Construction of a Park at 12785 Birmingham Highway, 12-PR01, in the Amount of

$160,000.

(Agenda Item No. 12-067)

(John Rebar, Parks and Recreation Director)


6) REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

1. A Proclamation Recognizing March for Meals Awareness Month.

(Presented by Mayor Joe Lockwood)


7) FIRST PRESENTATION (None)


8) PUBLIC HEARING (None)


9) ZONING AGENDA

1. RZ12-01- To Amend Article VI, Division 2-AG-1 (Agricultural District) as it Relates to Allowing Structures Housing Animals within the Front Yard and Fencing Along

Public-right-of-ways.

(Agenda Item No. 12-033)

(First Presentation at the February 6, 2012 Regular Council Meeting)

(Discussed at the February 13, 2012 Work Session)

(Deferred at the February 22, 2012 Regular Council Meeting)

(Kathleen Field, Community Development Director)


10) UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Approval of an Ordinance Restating the City of Milton's Defined Benefits Pension Plan.

(Agenda Item No. 12-048)

(First Presentation on February 22, 2012)

(Sam Trager, Human Resources Director)


11) NEW BUSINESS

1. Approval of a Resolution and Contract for Acquisition of Right of Way for Project

HPP00-0005-00 (448) State Route 372/Birmingham Highway at CR27/Providence

Road/New Providence Road.

(Agenda Item No. 12-068)

(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)


2. Approval of a Request for the Abandonment of the Public Right-of-Ways within The

Highlands at Echelon Subdivision.

(Agenda Item No. 12-069)

(Carter Lucas, Public Works Director)


3. Approval of a Resolution to Adopt the Personnel Policies of the City of Milton.

(Agenda Item No. 12-070)

(Sam Trager, Human Resources Director)


12) MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS


13) STAFF REPORTS


14) EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)


15) ADJOURNMENT

(Agenda Item No. 12-071)

New Poll Up! / Old Poll Results!

All:

We have a new poll up. It asks:

"Should another middle school be built in Milton?"

Have your say in the right margin today.

Past poll results are here=>

Meet Ara Baronian, Community Outreach Officer.

Courtesy Milton Police Department

City of Milton Community Outreach Officer Ara Baronian’s motivations are simple and clear: “I got into police work to help kids,” said the three-year Milton policeman and father of two.

“My passion is getting involved with as many kids’ programs as possible, because at this age you can impact them with just one phrase,” he said. “On patrol, you’re limited in the amount of time you can spend on a call because there are always other requests coming in. But now I can create programs catered toward them.”
And in his new position he’ll be doing just that. Baronian, a Canadian-born former pharmaceuticals representative, will now head The City of Milton Police Department’s Community Outreach programs, including interaction with schools, appearances at special events and maintaining the popular Milton Police and Citizens Together (MPACT) Neighborhood Watch program. He has already transitioned into the new role after three years of patrolling Milton from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. and said his experience is serving him well.

“That’s a big advantage when meeting with resident groups and homeowners associations during MPACT meetings,” said Baronian. “Their biggest concern is what’s going on at night around their home. And when everyone else was sleeping, I’ve been out knowing what was going on.”
Click here for more information. >

Community Forums set to discuss middle school overcrowding relief options.

The Fulton County School System is hosting two meetings this month to receive community input on how to relieve overcrowding in North Fulton middle schools.

SPLOST IV, which was approved by voters in November 2011, calls for either a new middle school in the North Fulton area or adding classrooms to existing schools. The meetings will allow parents and other community members an opportunity to share their thoughts.

The forums, both beginning at 6 p.m., are set for March 19 at Taylor Road Middle School and March 26 at Elkins Pointe Middle School. The same information will be presented at both meetings so community members only need to attend one meeting. In addition, comments will be collected via the Operational Planning’s web site at www.fultonschools.org/redistricting , beginning March 19.

Crowded middle schools: Fulton Schools leaves redistricting option up for parent debate.

By D. Aileen Dodd
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Fulton County parents are being asked to help decide whether redistricting is necessary to relieve overcrowding at the middle school level that is expected to worsen as the district grows in the next seven years.

Enlarge photo Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com Senator Vincent Fort, of District 39 representing Fulton County, disputes the proposed redistricting maps in the Georgia Senate at the State Capitol Thursday afternoon in Atlanta, Aug. 18, 2011.

Schools officials announced at a school board workshop Tuesday that the district’s K12 enrollment is projected to rise by a projected 6,000 new kids to nearly 99,000 students by 2018-19 thanks to the rebounding housing market in North Fulton and slow growth countywide. As the rosters swell, North Fulton middle schools are expected to be among the hardest hit.

Planners are giving parents a choice: The district could either use penny sales tax dollars to build a new North Fulton middle school and rezone kids or funds could be spent to expand existing campuses.

“We typically start the process with redistricting,” said Yngrid Huff, executive director of operational planning. “But we wanted to understand what the desires of our parents are.”

Huff said 53 additional classrooms are needed in North Fulton middle schools. Expanding some existing schools could minimize shuffling, she said.

Every North Fulton Middle School is on the table for consideration.

The construction will be paid for by Fulton's Special Local Option Sales Tax IV, which is expected to generate about $822 million through 2017.

The focus is on middle schools first because of the crowding issue and the interest parents have expressed in having direct links between middle and high schools. Elementary schools also will be built under the new SPLOST. The county has caught up to its enrollment needs in high schools so no new campuses are being planned, Huff said.

Two community meetings are scheduled this month for parents to share their ideas on growth in Fulton's middle schools. Hundreds are expected to attend and weigh in on the discussion.

The first forum is set for Monday at 7 p.m. at Taylor Road Middle. The next will be held on March 26 at Elkins Pointe Middle.

“It is great to get parent feedback first because we are the first line of defense for our children,” said Samantha Brown of Johns Creek who has a fourth grader at Shakerag Elementary. “Personally, I would rather see them make the schools and class sizes larger and increase the staff at middle schools.”

Suggestions made by parents at the community forums will be shared with school planners and board members.

“Most of our middle schools are sized to accommodate additional classrooms,” said Patrick Burke, chief operations officer for Fulton Schools.

Burke said staff is beginning to identify some possibilities, but wants to hear from parents first. A new middle school typically costs about $32 million, he said.

Additions don’t have the same construction costs, but can impact extra space in cafeterias and media centers, he said.

South Fulton is also expected to benefit from SPLOST dollars. A replacement school is planned for McNair Middle in College Park. It is slated to open in the fall of 2014.

Special needs financial planner to speak March 22.

Norm Plotkin, a financial planner with Ashford Advisors, will share his expertise with parents and family members of those with special needs March 22 as part of the Milton Disability Awareness Committee (MDAC) Community Link series.

Plotkin’s presentation, “Wills, Trusts and Legal Planning for Special Needs Families” will take place at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Milton’s City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107E. Everyone is invited, and there is no RSVP required.

“Parents and families with special needs children have a number of tough questions to answer, with the most pressing among them being: What happens when I am gone?” said Kennard Woods, MDAC chairman. “Norm’s presentation covers how to prepare for the eventuality that your child will have other care takers, and how to ensure your child has the proper financial and legal backings to lead a fulfilling, comfortable life.”

Among the topics covered during Plotkin’s presentation will be:

•Government benefit eligibility for SSI and Medicaid.
•A review of guardianship, conservatorship, and client self-determination and advocacy issues.
•Determining which type of Special Needs Trust is suitable.
•Determining appropriate funding vehicles to guarantee quality of life, including life insurance.
•How to pass on all of your special knowledge about your child to his or her future caregivers.
•How to provide for your family’s and special child’s financial future.
For more information on this program, contact MDAC at mdac@cityofmiltonga.us or call 678-242-2500.

Click here for more information.

GA Business Owner Reportedly Threatened With Fines & Jail Time for…Flying American Flag.

Courtesy The Blaze.com

An Albany, Georgia, business owner probably thought he was merely exercising his rights and exemplifying his patriotism by flying an American flag outside of his business. But when he received a ticket and was threatened with jail time, what started as a simple display of pride for one’s country has now become a legal conundrum.

Apparently Tom Gieryic’s flag, which had been outside of his automotive repair shop for more than three decades, was in violation of the city’s sign ordinance. An enforcement officer apparently told Gieryic that his flag wasn’t up to code. The issue unfolded, he says, when a group of retired Marines offered to put up a new flag at the shop. WALB.com has more:

A group of retired Marines retired his old flag and placed a new one on the pole Friday, when four hours later, code enforcement showed up concerning a 311 complaint about a small sign in the front of his business.

It wasn’t his and was taken down, then Officer Ruth Lewis raised issues with the flag. “She told me my American flag was a non-conforming or illegal flag, placed on the city’s right of way.”

“I was shocked, man – a complete loss for words. I told [the enforcement officer] I wasn’t going to be moving my flag,” he said in an interview with FOX News. “She stomped off to her car, got her ticket book and demanded my license. She wrote me a ticket for flying my American flag on the city’s right of way.”

Gieryic claims that the officer said he could face a $1,000 per day fine and up to 60 days in jail if he refused to comply. But rather than buckling under the pressure and purported threats, he says he stood firm and kept the flag where it was. He decided to take the issue up with city officials and the ticket was subsequently reduced to a warning. Still, officials would like the flag moved by one foot.

“I’m boiling on the inside. They didn’t demand that I move it. They suggested I do it as a gesture of good will,” Gieryic explained.

The business owner isn’t shutting his mouth or backing down, as he says he’d like the law changed. Lawyers and people in the community, too, are joining him and pledging support.

“My local city manager has been more than fair,” he said. “He stands behind me, but the law is the law and his hands are tied.”

Gieryic is angry over the government‘s involvement in issues he believes shouldn’t concern officials. He claims that he‘s an American and that he should have every right to fly the nation’s flag wherever he wants, so long as there is no safety issues associated with doing so.

“That flag represents my dad to me that’s no longer with us, it represents our freedom, everything good about our county,” he also said.

Calling All Milton Georgia Horse Advocates!

Do you own horses in Milton Georgia? Does your child ride in one of the beautiful farms amongst the city? Do you enjoy seeing horses graze throughout the city? If so,we want to speak with you!

Please contact Tim Enloe at 770 653 0552 or email direct at tim.enloe@yahoo.com

Thank you!