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Thursday, November 30, 2006
Milton’s historic day: No all-nighter here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like Johns Creek, Milton officially became a city Friday. Unlike Johns Creek, Milton’s leaders decided to go to bed early. No 12:01 a.m. meeting here in northwest Fulton County.
The Milton City Council met earlier Thursday and approved a $12.7 million budget to carry the city through until Oct. 1 when its first full fiscal year starts. They plan to meet again Friday at 9 a.m.
Much of the agendas will deal with nuts and bolts issues, such as franchise agreements with cable companies, trash haulers, adopting building codes and so on.
The timing of the meetings is being dictated by the law and by the desires of the residents. For example, residents of both communities have insisted city leaders make planning and zoning a priority. So as soon as the two cities become functional, the city councils will begin the process of taking over land use decisions. Both will freeze planning and zoning applications until their ordinances are in place and legal, probably in a couple of weeks.
They also will be approving agreements with Fulton County to continue providing some services, such as police and fire protection, which are being contracted out until Milton and Johns Creek can launch their own departments. Milton hopes to have its own public safety department in place by May 1 while Johns Creek plans to wait until next year. Other services, such as water and sewer will continue to be provided by the county indefinitely.
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Historic day in Johns Creek: Opening day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Johns Creek City Council listens intently to a presentation Thursday night by attorney Scott Bergthold about how adult entertainment is accompanied by such negative effects as declining property values, crime, and litter. Shown are (from l-r) Randall Johnson, Karen Richardson, Mayor Mike Bodker, Liz Hausmann, and Bev Miller.
Despite the hour and despite the tedium of some of the issues, Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker felt buoyant when gaveled to a close the first City Council meeting since the new city became fully functional.
“I was tired when I came in at midnight, but now I feel exhilarated,” Bodker said. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to go to sleep.”
Applause ends midnight meeting Read the full story.
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Are you happy with Sandy Springs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s been a year. Are Sandy Springs residents happy with the quality of service they’re getting from their new government.
Here’s what six-year resident Maria Maragh said was working:
•Law enforcement: “That’s taking the drug dealers off the streets — I don’t see them anymore.”
• Beautification: “They’re beautifying the city. The apartment complexes are being painted, which is good. Now Sandy Springs is coming back to where it used to be.”
•Maintenance: “They’re repairing the roads.”
And here’s what she said needed improvement:
•The earlier bar closing time: “It was good at 4. Why stop at 2 — we’re grown.”
•Finances: “How are they squeezing the money out? I know they are going to run out. What will they do when they need to add more resources? My rent has already gone up.”
For neighborhood leader Don Huffner, the what’s working list was as follows:
•Structure [things like the tree ordinance and other laws]: “I think they are really doing a lot of things to make Sandy Springs a great community.”
• Police: “When it was [unincorporated] Fulton County you saw a police officer, it was one every three or four months. Now, I pass one to three police officers all the time and it gives you a good feeling. …”
• Fire: “Using the defibrillators and having a training program provides a service but also builds a feeling of community — that’s an important aspect of community.”
And here’s what Huffner said needed improvement:
• Development: “The city has identified certain areas [they want developed]. They need to focus on those areas and not get lost in the push for growth. They need to keep refocusing and put it through a filter of what’s good for the community and always use that filter.”
• Confidence: “They need to be a bit more bold in some action and have confidence in what they’re doing. And if they’re going to make a mistake, err on what’s right and what’s good for the people.”
NorthSide.Talk would love to hear from you. What do you think is working in this now one-year old city and what do you think could use some improvements?
Read more neighborhood voices
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