Have you heard of Milton county?
If not, you soon will. State lawmakers have introduced several bills which are all different versions of the same measure that calls for the division of Fulton county and the creation of Milton county.
Republicans argue the new county is needed because the growth of north Fulton has left its citizenry under-represented and overtaxed. They also contend that there has been a track record of dysfunction and mismanagement in Fulton county that has cost taxpayers a lot of money, partly because Fulton county government is too big, unresponsive and poorly managed.
The new county would include the three new cities as well as Alpharetta, Roswell and Mountain Park to include a population of more than 310,000.
Democrats contend the move would be politically and racially divisive — Atlanta is majority black while north Fulton is predominantly white — and could sap vital financial resources from Atlanta and Fulton county.
“It’s a bad idea,” democratic state Sen. Vincent Fort has told reporters. “If Democrats can’t stop this, there’s no reason to have a Democratic Party in Georgia,” as reported in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
There is a strong push to stop the creation of Milton County and its potential effects. A meeting will be held this week:
When: Saturday, February 19, 2011
Where: East Point Public Library
2757 Main St.
Atlanta, GA 30344
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves said Milton County proponents have misled North Fulton residents into thinking the new county will lower their property taxes and lead to providing better county services.
Click the link below to see video of Chairman John Eaves:
http://www.11alive.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=738233018001#/Milton%20County%20Deal/738233018001
A bit of history—
Georgia lost two counties in 1932 when Milton and Campbell counties were consolidated into Fulton as a cost-saving measure. Milton County was absorbed into Fulton County as it was facing bankruptcy during the Great Depression.
Of the 180 member House, Republicans currently hold 112 seats (62% of the vote); only 8 votes shy of a two-thirds majority.
Of the 56 state Senate seats, Republicans currently hold 35 (also about 62% of the vote). This leaves Democrats with 21 seats and Republicans short of two-thirds majority vote by only 2.
The measure must pass both chambers with a two-thirds vote.
Again, there is a strong movement to stop this by the many concerned citizens of the Atlanta metro area. There will be a meeting held on this important issue this week:
When: Saturday, February 19, 2011
Where: East Point Public Library
2757 Main St.
Atlanta, GA 30344
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
1. Why is there a need to split up the counties.
2. Why is everything has to be somewhat racial.
3. We are now in a recession, will that make a different.
4. I feel that this should be left up to the people and not the politicians.
5. Milton cty is unknown to me, because i was not born when it was in existance and
i was still not born when it wasn’t, so what the what?
6. Why would you change Fulton CTY., it not going to change the fact that the state has been unresponsive and poorly manage.
7. The state and county need to worry about what God is going to do.
This is my question to the lawmaker and the people. Make a change in your lives and pray that Jehovah doesn’t take it out on you. We have been irresponsible in our lives and lifestyle. So don’t get made when your not around to enjoy everlasting life and paradise. May Jehovah be with you when the time comes. Think about it.
I say let them go but leave the jobs they have in Atlanta (Fulton Co.) for those who want to be part of Atlanta. Those who have a problem with Fulton, shouldnt work there after they’ve benefitted from the income they “earned” in Atlanta. I’m sure those in Atlanta would gladly take them AND stay in Atlanta/Fulton Co.!