April Opinion Of The Milton: Chris Bloor!

 1. How long have you lived in Milton?

 My wife, Priti, along with our son and I moved to our home on Birmingham Rd in 1999.  While we were just a family of three at that point, today we are  a family of five!

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space?

 What Milton needs is more access to the park space that we have.  We have a beautiful piece of land that is 200 acres that is currently unused.  Allowing access to that area would allow Milton to continue to be one of the best places to live in all of Georgia.

 I believe that park space and areas for children and their families  use is key to any city.  Places for children to play, run around, participate in sports makes an area a home.  Park areas that provide multi use activities can help us to continue to prosper as a city and a community.  While we have a few park areas today, it is clear that Milton can help serve our community more by utilizing the park space available to us.  2. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit?

With state of georgia laws as they stand, I believe that we should see a 35mph speed limit on all city streets with the exception of our gravel roads.  These roads, given their nature, should not exceed 25mph. 

4.     Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?

The more of us that can get involved in our community, the better we will all be.  I believe that many people feel this could be just attending the city council meetings.  There are so many ways to participate, wheather it is one day a month or one day a year.  If all of us gave a little back to our community, it would be an even more fantastic place to live.

 

 Traffic continues to be one of the greatest threats to Milton.  While I am aware that not many options exist given our budget constants, I believe that we need to try and find innovative ways to put solutions in place. 

 I am thrilled with the steps that our city and the people behind it have taken to have us remain one of the best places to live in Georgia. 

5.      Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

March Opinion Of The Month; Gordon Hunter!

1.How long have you lived in Milton?

My wife Brooke and I have lived in Milton for 26 years. We moved to our home at 14680 Wood Road in March of 1983.

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space?

Yes, I believe that one of the high points of any community is a good and plentiful park system. We have very limited park space at our present time. What we have has been inherited from Fulton County and we have been short changed by them for many years. I know. I served on the Fulton County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for many years. All the attention and money went to the south part of the county.

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit?

I would support a city-wide speed limit of 15 mph on gravel roads, 35 mph on city roads, and 45 mph on state highways. Even if most of the roads are unenforceable due to state requirements for sight distance and grade, I believe that 35 mph signage would set a community standard and would be obeyed by most of our citizens. The commuter traffic is another situation and an improved police presence on our main roads might intimidate those speeders.

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?

Two of the most important political campaign platforms in past elections in Milton have been to 1. improve traffic flow through Milton, and 2. create more parks and recreation facilities. Our city budget is very tight with modest revenue and prospects don’t look good to address these issues at any time soon. However, the city needs to look at ways to increase revenue and to plan ahead to address these two issues and to get some plans on the table.

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

In many ways I feel that we are better off as citizens of the City of Milton than as citizens of Fulton County alone. We are better served in public safety by our own city police and fire. I like being able to get permits and business licenses right here in our community instead of having to drive to downtown Atlanta. I like the fact that all local discussions of zoning and planning can be made by community members that we either elected or were appointed by our elected officials. However, I have experienced some downsides and difficulties in adjusting to our city’s control of our lives and I know others who feel the same way. There has been more negativity than I would have expected. Our city has a reputation among many as not being very “user friendly”. I have had some run-ins with a few public safety personnel that were not very courteous. There is no excuse for that. There has been a more strict enforcement of codes than by county personnel. The city adopted most of our codes and ordinances from Fulton County and they need to be reviewed and adjusted to meet our local needs as a rural/residential community. The enforcement of codes has been more by the letter of the law than by the spirit of the law. Our city staff is primarily composed of people who have been assigned to our city by the management corporation that our city has contracted with. Sometimes I feel that they are not part of our community and don’t have a good understanding of what our desires are. They have a tendency to follow codes and ordinances to exactness without using common sense. Some would say that they are just doing their job. However, it would be nice if our city government had a friendly small town atmosphere where you could sit down with local staff and work out plans or problems instead of having to feel like you are going to battle. Perhaps the city should look into hiring more local people. I have also been very disappointed by a minority of elected city council members who in their effort to protect the city from “development” have been so narrow in their views that they have discouraged the city from developing and supporting a business community in designated areas that we very much need for revenue. They have also created a fear of expansion of sewer service in our community as if it were a disease and equating it with high density development when local zoning should control that. There have been times when they have embarrassed our community with their divisiveness on the city council. Despite this tempestuous past, I believe that we still have much upside potential. As citizens we need to stay active and elect responsible city council members in the future that will change the personality and competency of our local government for the better. I believe we can.

 

September Opinion Of The Month: Jim Bell!

1.How long have you lived in Milton?

Over 30 years.

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space?

Yes and I hope my new Green Cemetery will be well received and help the City fund more Green Space.

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit?

Yes, 35 MPH.

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?

I believe we have a very unique opportunity in Milton to maintain some of our rural character, but I think flexibilty and open mindedness are the key to our success. We need to balance growth with preservation in a positive way.

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

The push/pull between controlled growth and preservation sometimes becomes fractious and inflexible and I believe it can become an enormous drain on all of our resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

July Opinion Of The Month: Laura Bentley!

1.How long have you lived in Milton? 

 

We have lived in Milton for 2 years.

 

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space? 

 

Yes, while many of our residents have acreage, we need to plan common use areas for all of our citizens.  I believe these spaces will serve to unite our community by providing gathering places for recreation, relaxation and special events.  

 

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit? 

 

I feel strongly that we should enforce our city speed limits and perhaps reduce them. 

 

I am embarrassed to say that when we were transferred to Germantown, Tennessee 10 years, both Rob and I got speeding tickets during the first month we lived there.  Guess what?  We realized that we were not in Atlanta anymore and that this city was different with strict penalties for speeders.  We changed our behavior.  Five mph over the limit was not okay in Germantown.  I think having a no nonsense speeding policy is well worth it.  We can make our city safer for pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and motorists while generating revenue from folks that just can’t help but speed through our fair city.  Speeders should know that in Milton you will get a ticket.    Most of all, saving lives should be reason enough to support strict enforcement of our speed limits.

 

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live? 

 

Like so many other Milton residents, I would like to see our city remain the unique rural community that it is.  Perhaps one way to do this is via the use of  State programs like Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA).  Programs such as this encourage working farm owners via a reduced tax structure to keep their acreage rather than sell for development.  I would like to see our city become rich with CUVA properties.

 

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

 

Our elected officials are doing a great job and are continuously asking for citizen input.  I have never felt more involved in a community.  Our strength as a new city is the passion that each of us has for our unique lifestyle.  If there is a threat, it is communicated and action is taken.  Our city can be different, we will have to fight for what we want but that will be worth it!

 

Opinion Of The Month: Kim Horne!

 

1. How long have you lived in Milton? 

 

10 years.

 

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space? 

 

Yes, if financially feasible more park space would be a positive asset for Milton.  We currently have Bell Memorial Park,  the undeveloped Birmingham Park (to include both passive and active elements) and hopefully Providence Park when the EPD gives the approval to reopen the 40 +  acres. 

 

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit? 

 

There is no doubt that lowering speed limits would decrease the number of accidents, but changing the driving habits and enforcement is the bigger issue.  The Milton Police have been diligent in their speed enforcement especially in the school zones, kudos to the Milton Police in keeping our children safe.  Milton has a  wide variety of road types thus a city wide speed limit would be difficult to determine until thorough studies can be done.

 

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?    

 

I applaud the Mayor, City Council, Staff, Fire and Police for their tremendous efforts in putting forth quality ordinances and upholding the policies that will truly keep Milton a unique place to live and work . By maintaining the no sewer policies, one unit per acre minimum and three acre minimums off gravel roads Milton can remain the unique small-town rural community incorporated just 17 months ago .  

 

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?     

•  Milton should uphold the No Sewer Policy and No Interbasin Transfer Policy, I support current effort and analysis to clarify and strengthen No Sewer Policy.  
• The City is moving in the right direction in their recent resolution to create a committee to serve as the Citizen’s Participation Group for potential revision to the Milton Tree Preservation Ordinance, a strong Tree Preservation Ordinance is critical to our community. 
• As a member of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee I encourage the community to attend the important upcoming Community meetings on: Wednesday, May 14th-Milton Survey Results Presentation and Thursday, May 29th or Saturday, May 31st Community Visioning meetings.

 

March Opinion Of The Month: Jon Carroll!

  

1. How long have you lived in Milton?

9 years.

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space?

I think Milton could always use more park space. However most of the acreage we already have is either closed due to environmental hazards or it is simply undeveloped. I’d prefer that we concentrate our resources on better utilization of the land we already have.

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit?

It would be hard to set a city wide maximum speed limit due to the diversity of Milton’s roads and their usage. However if one were to be set I would think it would be 45 miles per hour due to the rural nature of our roads. Some roads would then need to be lowered to 35 based on usage and residents’ desires.

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?

I think more community events like the Milton round-up and the community get togethers sponsered by AccessMilton are a great way to bring the city together. Also more citizen involvement in the city council meetings would help ensure that the city continues to head in the right direction. If you’re not there to express your opinion, the city employees have to guess at what you want. Sometimes they guess wrong!

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

Our town went through some growing pains and at times the city government seemed to get sidetracked on personal issues. This still crops up from time to time but has gotten better. I’m still concerned about how our city will develop and worry that sprawl may ruin what makes Milton special. I have hope that a vigilant community (and a housing slowdown) can limit the damage and keep Milton a place where we all want to live.

Opinion Of The Month: Miltonian Patti Silva!

 

1. How long have you lived in Milton?

5 years, 1 month, 11 days

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space?

Absolutely.  You can never have too much green space, in my opinion.

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit?

Yes, I do.  On some streets, a maximum speed limit of 45 mph seems appropriate; However, Georgia law does not allow traffic police to pull over drivers for speeding unless they are traveling 10+ miles over the posted speed limit.  So, until this law is changed to protect communities and not speeders, I wish we could change our maximum speed limit 35mph within City limits.

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?

I have a few ideas to KEEP Milton a better place to live.  But you don’t want to get me started.  Suffice to say, I didn’t leave my heart in San Francisco; it came here with me and never wants to leave.  

(Until the sewer pipes roll in and density is increased. Then, my heart will break.)

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

Save the Trees, the Green Space, the Horse Pastures and the Old Barns.  Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.Wave to your Neighbors.  Get involved in Community Issues.  

January Opinion Of The Month!

 

Miltonian Terry Allen.

1. How long have you lived in Milton?

36 years.

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space?

Where is the park now? BellPark or closed ProvidencePark. I believe that families with young children would like to see additional park space developed.

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit?

35mph to 40mph and enforce the speed limit when it appears there is a blatant disregard for the posted speed limit.

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?

Keep the minimum lot size One (1) acre.

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

Traffic, with the opening of the new shopping area at Old Milton and GA400, more traffic will be heading East / West on Rucker, Mayfield & Providence Roads; Is there any plans in the works to handle the increased traffic?

November Opinion Of The Month: Marty Lock!

1. How long have you lived in Milton?

I moved my family to the Milton area 13 years ago. The city of Milton was unincorporated Fulton County at the time, and we lived just outside the future city limits at the corner of Bethany and Mid-Broadwell Roads in Alpharetta. We bought our home on Freemanville Road three years ago and now reside in the middle of Milton.

2. Do you believe Milton needs more park space?

I don’t believe any community can have too much park space, so the simple answer is yes. Having said that, we do have an incredible 200 acre piece of property on Birmingham Road that will someday be a beautiful park for our city. Budgets being what they are, I would rather see our existing park space developed into usable parks for our residents before buying more undeveloped property for future parks.

3. Do you believe in a city wide maximum speed limit? If so, what limit?

I don’t believe there is a road in Milton that should have a speed limit in excess of 45 mph, and this is probably warranted for the major arteries passing through our city. On the smaller, side roads 35 mph is appropriate. I don’t believe the posted speed limit is the source of our traffic problem, it is the speed people actually drive through our city. Stricter enforcement of our existing speed limits would slow drivers down and make our roads safer.

4. Do you have any suggestions that you believe would make Milton, GA a better place to live?

I think we all agree that Milton is a special place to live. Our challenge is to keep it special by fighting diligently to preserve what we have. Any special place will attract all types who have their own ideas for what is best for the area. We need our residents to be aware of what is going on, be involved with city activities and be heard on key issues involving the direction the city is taking. This all starts with a Land Use plan the residents are involved with developing and believe in, a mayor and city council that truly represent the residents’ position, and the strength to stick to a position when the almighty dollar clouds objectivity.

5. Do you have any concerns or points about Milton that you would like to share?

I do have some points and concerns about Milton that I feel are worth sharing. First, I think we are off to a great start! Major Joe Lockwood and the city council have worked very hard and accomplished a tremendous amount in the past 11 months; for that our city should be proud. We also established our own public safety department in record time and it appears to be vastly improved over our previous Fulton County service.

The Board of Education is attempting to put a new high school and middle school complex on Freemanville Road. This will represent thesecond high school and third middle school in our city of 22,000 residents.Most of our children will attend the new Birmingham HS on Freemanville, while the existing Milton HS will be filled with Alpharetta Students. We do not need another high school with all the ramifications – increased traffic,noise, disrupted land use – in Milton. If the BOE has determined that the area needs another high school, put it where the students are and the infrastucture can support it.

On the concern side, there is far too much internal bickering and in-fighting for a government the size of ours. Last year’s elections are over and the campaign biases and allegiances should be dropped. Already on a tight budget, our new city has had to deal with several frivolous ethics charges, a clinical psychologist session and key personnel turnover in its first year! All of this to the chagrin of Milton and all of its residents.