Fulton County Commission’s efforts to reach north shrugged off

North Fulton County residents have complained for more than 30 years about a county commission that’s unresponsive, uncaring and sometimes hostile to them.

They’ve formed three new cities to minimize the role of this county government in their lives.

And, there’s a drive on to form a new county to sever ties altogether.

Commissioners, though, have a new plan to patch things up — holding the occasional commission meeting in north Fulton so residents can have easier access to meetings, which can be a 40-mile hike from far north Fulton to Atlanta.

The board has approved a single meeting for August in both north and south Fulton at the urging of Commissioner Robb Pitts, who feels it’s an important gesture at a critical time.

“Hopefully, they’ll choose to participate,” Pitts said.

The idea is being greeted with a mixture of genuine appreciation and open ridicule.

Mark Irle, a Sandy Springs resident, said it’s too little too late. He won’t be there.

“The opportunity to be doing this was 20 years ago,” Irle said. “It’s a pathetic attempt to try to mend fences.”

Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) welcomes the board to his city for the meeting in August.

“We need to look at whatever we can do to improve the relationship,” Willard said.

Yet, with all the distractions of daily life — exacerbated by the summer vacation season and, by then, back to school transitions — there’s the question of who really cares?

Even Pitts concedes getting anyone to attend a meeting not driven by a burning controversy will be difficult. Attendance has been sparse at commission meetings since new cities have taken over the most visible front line services like police, fire and parks.

The biggest hot button issue that used to draw crowds — zoning — has also been ceded largely to the cities.

Recently, Chairman John Eaves and Commissioner Lynne Riley each held community meetings in north Fulton, which drew about 10 residents between them. Annual budget hearings around north Fulton can pass without any comments.

Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), the House speaker pro-tem, dismissed the idea as unwelcome political theater by a commission that’s fearful of a new county further eroding its power.

“I don’t see how there will be any redeeming value for the county or the voters if they want to take their circus act on the road,” Burkhalter said. “Certainly, the people of north Fulton see through this late and disingenuous effort to reach out.”