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Dear Citizens of Milton,
When I decided to pursue the office of mayor, I did so with the hope of
engaging you, the citizens of Milton, in a collaborative effort to
create a community that is financially sound and the envy of North
Fulton. Today, I envision a Milton that protects and represents its
citizens in the best possible light. I envision a Milton that old and
young will be proud to call home. You elected me because you too
believe in this vision. We are well on our way. We've had successes and
we have had challenges. I am proud of our accomplishments, grateful for
the education from our challenges, and above all else, excited and
optimistic about our future.
I write you to ask for your support in overcoming the three biggest
threats to our vision.
We must first control the cost of living. Property taxes and the
overall cost of living increased for many of us this year. While actual
property tax amounts are controlled by Fulton County through assessed
values, the city can take steps to protect your overall costs. We had
the opportunity, and some pressure, to increase millage rates this past
year, and chose not to. My vision includes a "city center"
located in an appropriately zoned location, which will be chosen by our
citizens through public participation in our Comprehensive Land Use
Plan. This will promote business and business tax revenue, provide a
vibrant walking and meeting place for our residents, and help establish
our city's own unique identity. The resulting business tax revenue will
help fund the acquisition of land for trails and parks, and reduce the
burden on Milton's citizens to carry the entire financial costs of
running our city.
Secondly, increased traffic congestion threatens our quality of life.
Our two lane roads bear traffic loads for four lanes. Our commute to
the grocery store, parks, school, church, and work seem to grow with
every new subdivision. As a resident of Milton, you should not have to
wait 10 or more minutes just to back out of your driveway. I will work
with the new council to quickly implement responsible growth through
the Comprehensive Land Use plan. We have already begun the process of
improving many of our intersections. Our residents will see the benefits
in the near future.
Finally, our identity as a city is threatened. To me, being a part of
Milton means being part of a special area with roots dating back nearly
100 years. It means having a strong downtown district with a city hall
and libraries within our city limits. It means protecting and
celebrating our historic sections while creating crime free
neighborhoods for our new residents. It means preserving our farms and
open land as much as possible. It means making Milton unique and
distinct from our neighbors. It also means overcoming the negative
press from the Atlanta Journal Constitution and USA Today
based on the personal agendas of certain city council members.
These are just a few reasons that the AJC characterized the city of
Milton as having a "dysfunctional council":
- Four council members pushed
forward a resolution to remove a Mayor's Assistant position from
our budget, knowing full well that if they had been successful, it
would have negatively impacted customer service response and
resolution intervals for our citizens in this crucial first year.
- Four council members decided
to hire an "organizational psychologist" at taxpayers'
expense against the will of the mayor, staff and other council
members.
- Political
appointees/associates of certain council members continue to bring
frivolous ethics complaints against me, other council members, and
our appointees. It has costs the city thousands of your tax
dollars.
- Four council members
supported, and allowed the passage of key, behind-the-scenes
changes to our city's charter without any previous discussion with
the mayor, staff or other council members.
- Highly valued, key employees
have left the city's staff due to politics.
Among other things, these political antics have cost us time,
productivity, and considerable tax dollars. I need your help to put an
end to this. I need your help to focus our energies and financial
resources on moving forward, responsibly and aggressively, towards our
mutual vision for the City of Milton. I am concerned with and opposed
to extending sewer in Milton. The groups requesting it earlier this
year have filed a request to re-open the issue just after this
election. Julie Zahner Bailey, Burt Hewitt and Alan Tart share my
concern and will work with me, on your behalf to implement our vision.
Please stand with me by casting your vote for Mrs. Bailey, Mr. Hewitt
and Mr. Tart on November 6. Vote for the principles of responsible
growth, reduced congestion, and a positive local identity. Vote for
keeping control of our future in our hands, not in the hands of special
interest. Vote for candidates who will work to reduce crime, preserve
our lifestyle, and who hold high the virtues of character and
professionalism.
Milton needs Julie Zahner Bailey Alan Tart, and Burt Hewitt on our
City Council.
Milton needs you and your vote on November 6. Let's move forward!
Respectfully,
Joe Lockwood, Mayor
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