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Friday, January 26, 2007
What’s behind the Milton County push?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A proposal to re-create the old Milton County by breaking off north Fulton has ignited cries of racism and class warfare.
State Rep. Jan Jones, an Alpharetta Republican, is the chief sponsor of the Milton proposal. It would require two steps — approval of a constitutional amendment making it legally possible to revive the old county, which merged in to Fulton in 1932; and a second step with the Legislature setting up a referendum asking voters to approve the change.
No action on the first bill is expected until next year, although Jones said this week she may ask for public hearings this year.
In a story by The Associated Press, a lawmaker from Atlanta is quoted arguing that the motivation behind Milton County is racial.
The story, by reporter Doug Gross, says in part: “Supporters say it is a quest for more responsive government in a county with a population greater than that of six states. Opponents say the measure is racially motivated and will pit white against black, rich against poor.
” ‘If it gets to the floor, there will be blood on the walls,’ warned state Sen. Vincent Fort, an Atlanta Democrat and member of the Legislative Black Caucus who bitterly opposes the plan. Fort added: ” ‘As much as you would like to think it’s not racial, it’s difficult to draw any other conclusion.’ “
Jones sees Fulton County as too large to effectively govern, and she and other supporters also make some the same arguments that led to creation of the city of Sandy Springs and two other cities — that Fulton County has not been responsive to residents in north Fulton.
There’s no escaping the racial differences between north and south Fulton. As the AP story noted, north Fulton is largely white and Republican. Atlanta and south Fulton are largely black and Democratic.
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What do you think: Is the Milton County plan is based on race?
