House GOP leader: ‘My goal is to end Fulton County’
When the Legislature passed new maps for the state House and Senate last year, Republicans gave themselves extra slices of certain counties.
Earlier this month, House Speaker pro tem Jan Jones of Milton bluntly explained the merits of the tactic to a group of north Fulton voters. From Neighbor Newspapers:
In January, according to Jones, there will be a north Fulton majority in both the House delegation and the Senate delegation.
Which means, “we can cut Fulton County down to size until we get Milton County,” she said.
“My goal is that we reduce the thumbprint … of Fulton County on your lives and your pocketbooks such that in a very few years, Atlanta and south Fulton will not fight us on recreating Milton County because Fulton County will be insignificant,” she said. “We will begin that process next year.”
Jones said she actually thinks splitting Fulton into three counties would be in the best interest of all citizens.
“My goal is not to re-create Milton County. My goal is to end Fulton County and bring government closer to the people,” she said. “But it will take convincing.”
Jones’ comments, reported last week, are only now circulating within the city of Atlanta. They explain the motives behind HB 1052, which would have given the power to appoint two of three Fulton County representatives on the MARTA board to municipalities in north Fulton, said state Rep. Rashad Taylor, D-Atlanta.
“The strategy is to chip away at any power that Fulton County has. One of the greatest powers the county has is the appointment of representatives to the MARTA board,” Taylor said.
Taylor has invited Jones to a town hall meeting in his neck of the woods – on any Saturday in the next two months — “so that my consituents and others not in north Fulton may have the benefit of your views.”
***
Over in the editorial department, my AJC colleague Kyle Wingfield reports this bit of news:
Multiple GOP districts last month voted to propose that a ballot question about ethics reform be put to voters in July’s Republican primary. This and other potential ballot questions will be weighed tomorrow as the party begins its annual two-day convention in Columbus.
A question about ethics reform is a slam dunk at the ballot box, if opinion polling is any sign. In a statewide poll before this year’s legislative session, 82 percent of self-identified Republicans said they supported a cap on gifts from lobbyists to legislators — the central plank in this year’s stymied ethics reform bills.
***
The New York Times has two articles worth your time today. The first is about groundwork being laid for a $10 million Republican effort to redefine President Barack Obama in harsh terms:
A group of high-profile Republican strategists is working with a conservative billionaire on a proposal to mount one of the most provocative campaigns of the “super PAC” era and attack President Obama in ways that Republicans have so far shied away from….
“The world is about to see Jeremiah Wright and understand his influence on Barack Obama for the first time in a big, attention-arresting way,” says the proposal, which was overseen by Fred Davis and commissioned by Joe Ricketts, the founder of the brokerage firm TD Ameritrade. Mr. Ricketts is increasingly putting his fortune to work in conservative politics.
A new study released by the Brookings Institution argues that Mitt Romney’s Mormon religion is unlikely to hurt him at the polls in November.
The researchers based the conclusion on an experiment in which people were asked whether they planned to vote for Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama. Some of the respondents were first given information about Mr. Romney’s religion – and in some cases, quite detailed information – while others were given none. Those who received the information first were no less likely to support Mr. Romney.
***
Over at the Savannah Morning News, Larry Peterson has this on the Republican race to challenge U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Augusta:
A 12th Congressional District hopeful is ducking an opponent’s claims that he broke federal election law.
Rick Allen says Wright McLeod didn’t fully report expenditures, took donations larger than allowed and stole campaign donor information.
***
Members of the executive and state committees of the Democratic party on Wednesday received this note from Russell Edwards:
”While I intended to stay on board as the Treasurer to help finalize a budget and provide information to Committee members until my replacement was elected, the situation has changed due to circumstances beyond my control.
“My access to the Party’s financial information was terminated last Monday, effectively cutting off my ability to perform my duties. After unsuccessfully attempting to reinstate my access to perform my job for the State Committee, I am left with no choice but to resign immediately.”
The party’s April financial report is due on Monday, which will give everyone a peek at the party’s financial situation.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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177 comments Add your comment
td
May 17th, 2012
10:05 am
I posted this comment on Kyle’s blog about so called ethics reform:
totally disagree with Kyle and most of my fellow conservatives on this issue. What a politician takes from a lobbyist or a constituent is between that politician and the people the voters of his/her district/county or state. All I ask for is fast and full disclosure that is available to the voters to view (according to Kyle we have this now). If the voters of politician think it is OK for their representative to go to a Falcons game for free or take a trip to Europe on a lobbyist dime then so be it. The voters get exactly what they vote for and they need to take responsibility for their own votes.
rodney
May 17th, 2012
10:10 am
Looks like he got a beef with the southside. Can’t we all just get along.
We you needed Atlanta to prosper, but now?
May 17th, 2012
10:17 am
Sad times and I’m a Republican.
sally
May 17th, 2012
10:19 am
OK. But while we are at it, let’s get rid of Dekalb County too. When you misuse the power given to you by the voters, you lose it. One way or the other.
Look before I leap...
May 17th, 2012
10:20 am
So, no matter how crooked a rep is, as long as his constituents continue to send him back to the Gold Dome, it’s ok?
No matter that said crook can enact or promote legislation that far exceeds the boundaries of his district under corrupt circumstances and cost the taxpayers millions where they have no direct say in electing him?
Caveat Emptor – that is your solution to ethics reform?
LawDawg
May 17th, 2012
10:20 am
Good. Anyone who has interacted with Fulton County or City of Atlanta government know it cannot possibly get worse. I deal with Clerk’s Offices nearly everyday, and unlike every other county, Fulton seems to employ only brain damaged toddlers. It is really, really pathetic.
Here is hoping that if it become three counties at least one or two will elect moderately competent individuals who can begin fixing the government.
Centrist
May 17th, 2012
10:21 am
@ td – As you may have noticed, I dropped in on that Kyle Winfield blog this morning (I only do that maybe quarterly since I usually agree with him), and totally agreed with him today. You and I (politely) diverge some issues – in the past mostly about religion, womens’ rights, and taxes.
rodney
May 17th, 2012
10:22 am
Next, he’s going to put a gate around Milton and only let those inside who know the secret handshake. Never trust a man named Jan.
We you needed Atlanta to prosper, but now?
May 17th, 2012
10:22 am
When you needed Atlanta… typo!
It appears I cant type and walk this morning!
*Maybe that law that passed on Texting and walking has solid ground. LOL!
double
May 17th, 2012
10:23 am
Caps will result in more under table Deals.
JP
May 17th, 2012
10:26 am
@rodney – Jan is a woman. FYI.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
10:26 am
Let the racist white folk have what they want and give S. Fulton the airport.
Centrist
May 17th, 2012
10:27 am
@ td – As you may have noticed, I dropped in on that Kyle Winfield blog this morning (I only do that maybe quarterly since I usually agree with him), and totally agreed with him today. You and I (politely) diverge some issues – in the past mostly about religion, womens’ rights, and taxes.
Double Zero Eight
May 17th, 2012
10:27 am
The last thing Georgia needs is another county.
Let North Fulton be annexed by Forsyth County
if they are determined to leave Fulton.
We already have too many school systems. superintendents,
sheriffs, police chiefs and fire chiefs. What a waste of taxpayers
money!
Ron Burgundy
May 17th, 2012
10:30 am
Fulton county govt is an absolute joke. Anyone ever been to the fulton county govt court building? Talk about a travesty?
Ron Burgundy
May 17th, 2012
10:31 am
I went to the fulton county building on central ave recently and ask a security guy on the way in where the possessory office was and gave him the T400 number and he pointed to the opposite directiom. Guy did not know where a main office was.
The people in wage garnishment are pointless. An old lady who knows nothing and moves like a snail.
Not true
May 17th, 2012
10:33 am
@td -
The reality is that things are not openly disclosed. The trip to Europe that you speak of wasn’t disclosed until media found out about it and looked into it.
DannyX
May 17th, 2012
10:36 am
“whatever liberal issue (think T-SPLOST)/candidate (think Beach) they push creates even more backlash.”
That is a bit strange Centrist. You say those are liberal issues yet TSPLOST is a Republican initiative, and candidate Beach is a Republican.
rodney
May 17th, 2012
10:37 am
jp,
Oops! My bad. Although, I still stand behind the premise that you should never trust a man named Jan.
Roekest
May 17th, 2012
10:37 am
Why should the tax burden of South Fulton be on the shoulders of many of those who live in North Fulton?
Tardy for the Tea Party
May 17th, 2012
10:38 am
Sad, short-sighted, pathetic little Jan Jones. When will these small-minded people learn that without Atlanta, Georgia is basically Mississippi.
sansho1
May 17th, 2012
10:39 am
I’ve had business at the Fulton County courthouse for a decade, and have found the employees there to be generally helpful. There are exceptions (the probate court clerk desk is chief among them), but overall I like it there.
Bobby
May 17th, 2012
10:39 am
Legislators and government officials should be banned from accepting any gifts, including meals from lobbyists. There is no way such gifts do not affect legislation.
Rhett Butler
May 17th, 2012
10:42 am
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Danny O
May 17th, 2012
10:43 am
Re: hostility to Fulton County:
All these small government types sure seem to be fans of more government. They create more cities, and then they get all uptight when the company they contract with to run the city sends them a big bill.
Mark my words: If Milton County is ever brought back from the dead, it won’t be two years before a bunch of folks in North Fulton start whining about how poorly run it is, or how they’re paying too much for the services they receive.
Parade of Knuckleheads
May 17th, 2012
10:43 am
Georgia already has 159 counties,
more than any state except for Texas.
Bobby
May 17th, 2012
10:44 am
The problem with Fulton County is they have indeed misused their power as has Dekalb to a lesser extent. What you are seeing is a revolt when one group abuses their power. Just as in the past whites abuses power when they were in control, blacks were no better controling abuse when they came to power. The result is cities splitting off from the counties and the distrust of people against county governments. I will say that in Dekalb the government itself – courts, sanitation, car tags, etc is run very efficiently. The CEO’s office in Dekalb, not so much.
Tom
May 17th, 2012
10:44 am
Listen to the Ed Klein interview with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Enlightening stuff.
LMAO
May 17th, 2012
10:47 am
N Fulton was paid for by Fulton Industrial Blvd in South Fulton and the bigots know that. Sandy Spring owes its existence to FIB. Its simple you cant control the commission so you gerrymand your self a majority in the legislature. What balls Jan Jones (I know shes a “lady”) to announce it to world. Its high time our legislature come under investigation for crimes against the people of Georgia. Idiots go ahead and kill Fulton and Atlanta you think they are planning to tax you to death through the state now just wait. The influence of the people in Fulton can make OWS look like a Sunday picnic.
For the dum arses who think S Fulton dont pay its share. READ THE COUNTYS BUDGET DOCUMENTS.
You guys will fall for anything.
DannyX
May 17th, 2012
10:49 am
I wonder if the same folks up in north Fulton are going to fight to form their own state? All the things they accuse Fulton County of is happening at the state level too.
Transportation for example, the state of Georgia is totally incompetent. You think MARTA is bad? The state DOT is broke, incompetent, and now dominated by cronyism.
Unfair taxation? 35% of all gas tax revenue the state collects is siphoned off to other parts of the state. The method in which the state divides federal transportation is just as bad.
When do we create the new US state of Milton?
Danny O
May 17th, 2012
10:54 am
@ Roekest:
Why is Milton no more? Because Fulton bailed it out when it was on the brink of bankruptcy. Your taxes won’t be any lower if Milton is formed. The only difference is that you’re anti-community ire will be be bouncing around in a new echo chamber that is smaller and further north.
MRJ
May 17th, 2012
10:54 am
Atlanta is vital to Georgia’s prosperity, obviously. But why do we keep pretending that South Fulton and South Atlanta are the reasons for Atlanta’s success? Would the Braves be better off on the north side? Of course. Would travels around Hartsfield generate more tourism if it upgraded from College Park? Yep. I once worked around Peachtree Center, and frequently tourists would stop me and ask if there were nicer parts of the city. They are sold a bill of goods that simply doesn’t deliver.
Be honest, race is the undercurrent and nobody will talk about it. But it is on both sides. Why else would we invest millions in Auburn Avenue, an area the huge majority of tourists have only limited or single-visit interest in? It is a self-affirmation by Atlanta leaders that downtown is still the draw. How many thousands of people a week are dissuaded from spending money at Turner because any MARTA trip goes through Underground? So why direct it through such an awful place? Wake up, folks, your blind loyalty to declining areas is killing us all.
Contractor
May 17th, 2012
10:55 am
Truth,
The residents of South Fulton and the elected government there could not run an airport. It would get run down and expire just like College Park, Forrest Park, Clayton County, and the rest of southwest Fulton County. Those districts are just proven that they can not handle the responsibility due to the crime rates and run down towns they occupy. Statistics prove my entire point.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
10:56 am
South Fulton has the corporate headquarters of Chick-Fli-A and Delta. In addition, there are numerous industrial parks and the WORLDS BUSIEST AIRPORT. N. Fulton ain’t supporting ISH when it comes to South Fulton. Mitch Skandalakis started that nonsense to get elected and you dummies who fell for it took it for face value without ever looking into it. He even had people thinking S. Fulton got trash removal for free.
Marlboro Man
May 17th, 2012
10:59 am
Good luck with the constitutional amendment Miltonheads.
JP
May 17th, 2012
10:59 am
@MRJ – Well said.
Phil Lunney
May 17th, 2012
10:59 am
As a resident of North Fulton (Roswell, GA), I have a few questions:
1) Atlanta and Fulton County rescued Milton County and assumed their debt after the Civil War, with the accumulated interest, how will Milton repay that debt.
2) Milton County will need a new Board of Education. Will they buy the existing schools from the FCBOE? They will need to create a whole new school system bureaucracy.
3) Who will own the parks in the new county?
Ron Burgundy
May 17th, 2012
11:00 am
Has anyone ever noticed the lack of diversity in the Fulton buildings?
Danny O
May 17th, 2012
11:01 am
Please don’t fall for this ruse that leaving Fulton county will equate to lower taxes. Power-driven people in North Fulton simply want a fiefdom for which that they don’t have to share control. That’s all it is, pure and simple.
ByteMe
May 17th, 2012
11:02 am
“The world is about to see Jeremiah Wright and understand his influence on Barack Obama for the first time in a big, attention-arresting way,” says the proposal, which was overseen by Fred Davis and commissioned by Joe Ricketts, the founder of the brokerage firm TD Ameritrade.
Waste of their money. We’ve already had enough of Hannity pushing this nonsense. We have had Obama for 3+ years, the hit squads have had more than enough time to dig up dirt and this is the best they can do? And doesn’t it mess with the whole “he’s a muslim” meme the crazy nuts have going?
When the right-wing crazy talk, the independents move away… to the left.
Tea party Nut and some GOP Clown
May 17th, 2012
11:02 am
when you can’t have your way change the rule. you are playing with fire!! The GOP rule book!
Danny O
May 17th, 2012
11:02 am
@Contractor:
You have not provided any statistics.
d
May 17th, 2012
11:04 am
Simple solution – Let’s go back to the pre-merger lines – recreate both Milton and Campbell Counties and send Roswell back to Cobb.
DannyX
May 17th, 2012
11:04 am
“Would the Braves be better off on the north side?”
How is that taxpayer funded fiasco of a minor league stadium in Gwinnett working out? The north can’t even get a minor league operation right, what makes you think anything would be better off in the north?
You then complain about MARTA, the suburbs want no part of rail. There would be no rail to your suburban stadiums. Plenty of car traffic though, you certainly didn’t plan for cars up there, no way, the developers wouldn’t allow it.
windu
May 17th, 2012
11:05 am
“Why should the tax burden of South Fulton be on the shoulders of many of those who live in North Fulton?”
Yeah, and why should the tax burden of the south part of North Fulton be on the shoulders of north North Fulton? And then, why should the tax burden of the east side of north North Fulton be the burden of the west side of north North Fulton? And so on, until your only burden is your house and yard and the 30 feet of street in front of your house. You’re arguing for anarchy ultimately. When your next door neighbor refuses to let the power company run cable across his land to yours and you’re all paying separately for garbage pickup and he turns the street in front of his house into a toll road, maybe you’ll start to get a clue.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
11:06 am
Forest Park and Clayton county are… guess what… CLAYTON COUNTY! Racism is the reason Sandy Springs, Milton, and Johns Creek exist. GIVE THEM THEIR OWN COUNTY SO THEY CAN SHUT UP!!! Native Fulton County residences have heard this nonsense for years. Give the bigots what they want!!!
Contractor
May 17th, 2012
11:06 am
It is Delta and Chick-Fil-A that make South Fulton worth a crap. It’s not South Fulton that makes them worth it. You can’t just simply relocate an airport and Chick-Fil-A would move if they could, because their core values are the exact opposite of what their surroundings stand for and everyone knows that. South Fulton is corrupt, full of crime, poverty, and no one wants to travel there because of the more than likely implications. Say all you want to support South Fulton from 40-50 years ago, but it’s a shadow of its own self and is not nearly as productive as some want to make it, with the exception of Hartsfield.
TomS
May 17th, 2012
11:07 am
Good! I’d like to have my neighbors as incompetents and crooks rather than an entire structure and culture that is so anti-northside. Maybe we could get some attention, integrity, honesty, and responsibility. Just look at the city of Sandy Springs to see how well different races and cultures can work together for the common good. Atlanta will never ever be a genuine community until the race issue is no longer the defining characteristic of every decision.
Danny O
May 17th, 2012
11:08 am
@USMC:
What are you talking about? Why does a report about the comments of a prominent legislator about a controversial issue equate to bias?
N. Fulton Mom
May 17th, 2012
11:09 am
It’s refreshing to hear people like Jan Jones representing the true feelings of the Milton clique: They only care about themselves, and see no point in pretending to care about what’s best for anyone not in their little clique. They want what they want, and what it might cost others simply never was, nor ever will be, a concern of theirs.
They imagine that Milton is an awesome place to live because they’re there. Never mind that it would be nothing but weeds and cow patties if not for the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and the thriving metro that build up around us. Never mind that their standard of living is derived from economic opportunities afforded them because of the neighborhoods they scorn, and the low-lifes from which they wish to segregate themselves entirely, at the earliest possible moment.
I hope the pastors and ministers of Milton are taking note. “LOVE thy neighbor? Are you kidding? KEEP THAT SCUM AWAY FROM US!”
Nice going, Jan Jones! Honesty is a virtue.
Marlboro Man
May 17th, 2012
11:09 am
Wimps go around the system, winners use the system. Babies cry about the system.
DannyX
May 17th, 2012
11:10 am
“Has anyone ever noticed the lack of diversity in the Fulton buildings?”
You mean like Gwinnett? One minority elected to county wide office even though less than half the population there is white, from the school board, county commission, and state offices. One minority department head in county government. Whites dominate the school system front office.
Of course you were going to get to Gwinnett too, weren’t you Ron. Cobb is almost as bad.
Contractor
May 17th, 2012
11:10 am
Danny O,
Do I need to waste my time on Foreclosure rates, crime rates, poverty rates, government assistance rates? The statistics prove my points and I would advise you to do a tad bit of research instead of just asking the simple question and making someone do it for you. Have some respect and a little due diligence.
Right
May 17th, 2012
11:11 am
Maybe we should just get rid of Georgia and make it a part of Florida….especially since our elected officials want to act like goofy Floridians. People it’s time to realize our votes have consequences.
td
May 17th, 2012
11:13 am
Look before I leap…
May 17th, 2012
10:20 am
So, no matter how crooked a rep is, as long as his constituents continue to send him back to the Gold Dome, it’s ok?
You are making it sound like I approve people getting away with illegal activity. We are talking about taking trips or going to Falcons games or getting wined and dined. This is not illegal and IMHO is the business between the representative and his/her voters that put them in office.
atlpaddy
May 17th, 2012
11:14 am
Let them have their Milton County – and then sell each and every former Fulton County piece of property to the highest bidder – schools, roads, parks, waste-water treatment facilities, all of it. Future Miltonites can put their money where their mouth is. How’s that for free-market capitalism?
Contractor
May 17th, 2012
11:15 am
Truth,
South Fulton is a run off of Clayton County! They are one in the same. Why is it racism that Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, and Milton are so successful? There are black people in those communities. You demonize them because they are tired of being grouped with the takers and losers in society. It’s so easy for you to label them racist, but that name calling holds no water and is played out. Try working up an argument that supports your claims instead of making you look ignorant and pathetic.
jarvis
May 17th, 2012
11:17 am
@Phil Lumney, I imaging the folks in N. Fulton would argue that the post-civil war debt has been repayed 10-fold.
Billy
May 17th, 2012
11:17 am
Revive the old Milton and Campbell counties and then take what’s left of Fulton and have DeKalb annex it into their county. Fulton came from DeKalb in the 1800s anyway. Maybe even throw in Clayton for good measure.
All the counties in south Georgia should be combined into large counties. Texas is the only state with more counties than GA; the old rule that you should be able to ride your mule to the county seat in one day’s time has outlived it’s usefullness, wouldn’t you say?
Cutty
May 17th, 2012
11:17 am
As long as Milton pays Fulton back for the schools, parks, infrastructure, water, et al. they can do what they want. To think their going to secede from Fulton without paying a dime makes the pro-Milton crowd look like a bunch of lemmings.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
11:18 am
Contractor is obviously not from here. I SAY GIVE HIM AND ALL THE OTHER RACISTS WHAT THEY WANT! LET THEM HAVE THEIR OWN COUNTY!!!
trixie
May 17th, 2012
11:19 am
Hey Jim,
Did you invent the “Jump To Conclusions” mat?
td
May 17th, 2012
11:20 am
Not true
May 17th, 2012
10:33 am
@td -
The reality is that things are not openly disclosed. The trip to Europe that you speak of wasn’t disclosed until media found out about it and looked into it.
If that is true then it was an illegal act and the lobbyist should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and immediately ban from lobbying at the state house forever.
Pizzaman
May 17th, 2012
11:21 am
Did you expect anything less from a state that elected a crook as it’s Gov just because he’s a Repub? Of course not. People in mega-red states will vote for a convict over a law abiding citizen because of party. No wonder the whole Country’s in trouble.
jarvis
May 17th, 2012
11:22 am
@atlpaddy, Don’t think they haven’t already considered all of that. If the prices from F. County exceed what Milton can build new facilities for…what do you think will happen?
td
May 17th, 2012
11:22 am
Centrist
May 17th, 2012
10:27 am
I saw you on Kyle’s board this morning and I go over there from time to time also.
Lucy
May 17th, 2012
11:22 am
The leftists only support Obama because he is black (ok. only part black) and having a black president is far more important to them than having a capable president.
RexDogma
May 17th, 2012
11:23 am
Why do all the white folks complain about Fulton & DeKalb Co. I am not African American, but there are plenty of white republican counties that are ran poorly too!! Oh, but that is OK!!! I guess?
Danny O
May 17th, 2012
11:23 am
@Contractor:
There is nothing disrespectful about my statement towards you. You cite “statistics,” but you provide none. I’m not making anyone do anything for me, I’m just saying that if you base your argument on something, you should be willing to back it up. I appreciate civility on these blogs and try to practice it myself.
THE INFAMOUS DK
May 17th, 2012
11:24 am
Boy people sure are showing their true colors.
Toes The Line
May 17th, 2012
11:24 am
Better idea – get rid of Jan Jones.
Contractor
May 17th, 2012
11:27 am
Truth,
Once again your true intelligence rears its ugly head. I was born at DeKalb General Hospital and lived in DeKalb and Rockdale Counties my entire life basically. It’s unvelievable the transformation both of those places have taken over the past 28 years. You can read the writing on the wall and it wreaks of South Fulton and Clayton mentality. Call me a racist all you want, but a Realist is more like it. Whine and cry about your poor little community, but with the success that lives in Milton, I have a hard time believing it’ll be as run down as the airport and the surrounding areas. I gotta get back to that little thing called work, Truth, so get a clue and have a good day.
THE INFAMOUS DK
May 17th, 2012
11:29 am
The record shows Obama is more capable than Bush on any level. It was Dubya who got him elected, so you can thank him. See the one thing we know.. In order to be apart of the system we have to be 10 times better and smarter than ya’ll will ever be just to get in the door. We dont have the benefit of nepotism or my friends father runs the company. We have to do it on merit and intelligence alone. So Obama is surely more capable than Bush on many levels.
I will make Georgia howl
May 17th, 2012
11:30 am
Why don’t we just go back to pre-Civil War times in Georgia? Let’s resurrect the plantations, get rid of cars, buggies and horses for all. It seems that is all some very ignorant people want in this backassward state.
td
May 17th, 2012
11:33 am
DannyX
May 17th, 2012
11:04 am
I do not live in Fulton county so I really do not have a dog in the fight but since you and other south Fulton people want to bash north Fulton so much for not doing their share then why do you not just let them go? Would you all not be happier with everyone like minded running the show in Fulton county?
Moe
May 17th, 2012
11:35 am
Who died and made Jan the boss.
milton pig
May 17th, 2012
11:37 am
You can put lipstick on a Sow, but at the end of the day she’s still a oinker.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
11:37 am
Clayton county has NOTHING to do with South Fulton. LOL!! I guess because Black folks live next to each other they are one in the same, huh? Just like all Black folks look alike! You want proof. Go back and look at Mitch Skandalakis campaign in the mid 90s (I know you probably didn’t live in the community back then). Then spend a day in an elementary school in S. Fulton and one in N. Fulton. Yeah, there is a lot of leaching going on. LOL! I SAY GIVE ALL THE RACISTS THEIR OWN COUNTY!
LMAO
May 17th, 2012
11:40 am
Contractor don’t lump me in with Clayton County! South Fulton paid for the infrastructure in North Fulton. You folks don’t want to hear the truth of the matter. Your egolected officials have sold you a bad bill of sales. South Fulton is and has been pulling its own weight for quite sometimes.
By the way, the worst part of all this is North Fulton Schools were built from South Fulton money. Ya’ll don’ want to discuss that disaster do you? It took 15 years before a new high school was constructed in South Fulton after all the schools were consolidated. In the meantime, four or five high schools were built in North Fulton.
North Fulton is going to be allowed to walk away with all the schools etc. without paying a dime because the legislature is going to make sure South Fulton is short changed. I smell a lawsuit in the making.
josh stinger
May 17th, 2012
11:41 am
Let North Fulton keep our money! We are the people who work and pay taxes for a living. Let Atlanta enjoy the airport and the great communities in South Fulton that drag down the North Fulton populations. South Fulton citizens need to stop hating the Northside. If they want nicer things IT IS CALLED WORK!!! I’m not talking about part time either. Good luck South Fulton. God Bless North Fulton and may we have our own County VERY Soon before Atlanta and South Fulton County bring the North Fulton communities down to their level. South Fulton can’t even make a decision on their CTP plan!!! My tax dollars are ready to stay in my community!!
RAMZAD
May 17th, 2012
11:42 am
I have been saying it. Black people are making themselves irrelevant in America- except when the contention is a new prison, and white folks are only too delighted to help and oblige them.
Look out black people, your ghetto facilities are slowly being transformed into plantation chic. Congratulations your are earning it.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
11:42 am
I live in Buckhead now. I guess I moved on up! I’m also Black and didn’t vote for Obama. Kinda destroys your stereotype, huh…. Growing up in Fulton I know right from wrong and I also know the history of the county. Knowing that history is vital in understanding the issue. But heck, we have a klansman in the Governors mansion so that tells me all I need to know about Georgia’s mentality. Also, Dekalb county is not Fulton. I guess they didn’t teach geography in Conyers.
tigerguy
May 17th, 2012
11:44 am
Well I don’t currently live in Fulton, but I did live in north Fulton for a brief moment of time. All this splitting/ending Fulton is dumb. It’s far better to work the problems out since history has a way of repeating itself. Most cities of any significant size tend to have this situation where one side of town is the “new kid on the block” where all the businesses are moving, the better houses are, and etc. The other side of town is the side in decline where poorer people move in and where things in general aren’t as good. Over time though the new area hits that critical point and then the tide starts to turn and gentrification of the less desirable area begins. Before you know it the former bad side is now the “new kid on the block” and the other side of town is now in decline. That’s just how cities tend to work. Deal with it and the problems that come with it or move far out in the country where you’ll likely never have to worry about city issues.
Buh bye
May 17th, 2012
11:45 am
Let them go and then slap a hefty commuter tax on them. They want to come to the big city to work, then they have to pay to get here.
JohnnyReb
May 17th, 2012
11:48 am
Fulton County government has been a train wreck for too long. Here’s good luck and best wishes to the effort to either eliminate or greatly restrict Fulton so its disfunction affects as few as possible. If the citizens that remain in a smaller/restricted Fulton really want things to improve, vote Republican. As to non-believers; just how many more years of failure will it take before you let go of Democrats?
hombre
May 17th, 2012
11:48 am
Blacks and Whites had their chance, let’s put the Mexicans in charge.
Contractor
May 17th, 2012
11:51 am
LMAO,
It’s not me lumping y’all together, it’s your neighboring communities that overflow into each other that are doing the lumping together. Once your side of town starts showing examples of not being the same as Clayton County, then there won’t be an issue. And I don’t wanna hear about tax payer dollars, because more people DON’T pay taxes than do, and of you’re receiving tax refunds for more than you spend, then uou’re not a tax payer.
Truth,
You’re the voice of reason. No wonder people have such high opinions of you on these boards.
Need More of Them
May 17th, 2012
11:53 am
Cobb County should hire more police officers. Yesterday, at 1:30 pm I saw 4 Cobb County cop cars sitting along side I-75 southbound between the I-285 interchange and the Chattahooche River bridge. Don’t it appear to be a “speed trap”. Yes, we need at least 4 more of those cops in that area!!!
Someone's mother
May 17th, 2012
11:57 am
If Milton wants to become their own county, let them. However, unlike Sandy Springs becoming their own city with money from Fulton County, Milton would be immediately cut off financially. Start all services from scratch. All FC employees would immediately lose their salaries. Sink or swim! Last Dec an article was written in the AJC about Milton High School using funds that were earmarked for South Fulton schools! Their reason…an oversight!! It was only discovered because an audit was requested. Let them leave…but first a complete financial audit.
Double Zero Eight
May 17th, 2012
11:58 am
Lat time I checked, Sandy Springs was the “media
darling” for violent crime coverage in Fulton County.
It’s ironic that this happened after it was incorporated.
Gwinnett County has its share of corruption. In addition,
you will see a big drug bust, or murder almost every
day on the local news. .
Taipei Personality
May 17th, 2012
11:58 am
hombre, LOL! Seriously, couldn’t do any worse than our string of corruption in ATL from both parts of the oreo…
Dirty Dawg
May 17th, 2012
11:58 am
Seems to me that if they split off ‘North Fulton’ then the majority of the tax burden for what’s left will fall on Buckhead…or are you planning on yet another county for them as well? Tell ya folks, this ‘thing’ that’s happening to us…this selfishness and hate-driven behavior will be the death of us all. Just like this country we are a diverse people and we are only strong if we accept that reality and work together to improve not to ‘divide and conquer’. I mean what if every state in the union were to say that they wouldn’t commit to any money they contribute to the Federal government being spent to benefit another state? Most of the US would be in piss-poor shape. Or maybe you want it that way…which is the saddest part of all..the realization that we have become completely overcome with fear, hate and greed. God help us, cause we are sure not helping ourselves.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
12:00 pm
I wish I was one of those non tax payers. I had to write a NASTY check to the IRS. Saying S. Fulton bleeds into Clayton is like saying it bleeds into Fayette and Cobb. More people live on the Fayette border than Fulton. You gonna compare those folks to Fayette next? I don’t come on these boards often. Only when ignorance needs to be called out!
909
May 17th, 2012
12:05 pm
FACT:
There will be WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY fewer than 159 counties in Georgia in 5 years.
Marlboro Man
May 17th, 2012
12:05 pm
Fear and greed are the politians toolbox.
Only in Fulton County: A jail with locks that don’t work | Kyle Wingfield
May 17th, 2012
12:08 pm
[...] stories like this one as you read about Georgia Republicans’ plans to shrink Fulton County’s impact on residents’ lives on the way to breaking it up. The [...]
Intowner
May 17th, 2012
12:09 pm
Whew. Lots of hate spewing back and forth. As an intowner, with a corporate job, paying taxes, in SW Atlanta, and white, I say simmer down both sides. I have relatives in North Fulton who pull the “we want to keep our money” card. Fine, do so. City of Atlanta, let’s put up tolls on every major highway coming into the city. You want to use our roads, our attractions, our sporting venues, our shopping, our restaurants, our airport, our festivals, etc., you pay the piper. It seems that I see more traffic is coming into the city from North Fulton in the morning than there is going out? Same thing in the afternoon?
I will say the sheer number of counties is weird, and just adds more layers of government. I lived in San Diego for about 5 years. You never head bupkis about San Diego county, you heard about local city governments. Why? Because all of San Diego and many of the surrounding suburbs are in one county. Not saying they are doing things right in CA, because they obviously have their issues, but the number of local governments in GA is staggering. Do we really need all these counties? Who won’t let us pare that number down? Ah yes, local politicians.
Let Milton go, let them buy the parks and schools, but charge them to drive into the city. And city of Atlanta and south Fulton, stop bickering and pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Lots of people, black and white, are moving back into the city. Let’s clean this place up!
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
12:11 pm
First of all, the taxpayers in North Fulton have paid for the infrastructure that exists within their communities through the years, so selling them something that they have already paid for seems illogical. Second, the SPLOST paid for the construction of the schools, not South Fulton as someone asserted and their location and timing was determined by the school board based on population growth.
And finally, calling the governor or anyone else a Klansman or worse only shows your ignorance and racial bias, which makes your other points worthy of dismissal.
Taipei Personality
May 17th, 2012
12:11 pm
909…huh? even most extreme ocean rise scenarios would only swamp a handful of counties. would you like to give us some idea what donkey trail you’re headed down here?
LMAO
May 17th, 2012
12:14 pm
Contractor you are an idiot. You wouldn’t know South Fulton if it slapped you in the mouth. South Fulton is rural and beautiful. Clayton County is more urban. South Fulton has nothing to do with Atlanta. We pay as much if not more in taxes. Somehow the crooks representing you have gotten you to buy into stereotypes. Get a life!
South Fulton built North Fulton go back and read the history that your crooked politicians have hidden from you. The truth hurts. You guys rode to your success on the back of Fulton County and now you’ve gotten to big for your britches as they use to say.
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
12:15 pm
Hey Intowner, roads are mostly built with Federal funds and gasoline taxes. Fulton County doesn’t own them.
JP
May 17th, 2012
12:16 pm
Why do so many of you think the only jobs that exist are in the city of Atlanta? Have you seen how many corporate headquarters are located outside the city limits?
Go ahead with the pathetic “commuter tax” (not that it will ever be passed). Won’t cost me a penny.
JREV
May 17th, 2012
12:17 pm
It will cost ALL taxpayers millions if they create Milton County. It costs a lot of money to change signs, maps, and also all of the various databases/software that would need updating. It’s not as simple as a vote.
Dia
May 17th, 2012
12:19 pm
I keep hearing how the main reason for the demand of separation is racism at play. However Sandy Springs, Roswell have large black communities and Alpharetta,Ga has a large Indian one. Also as a Black person I have to talk to others in our community and they feel the same way. The North Fulton pays the majority of the taxes and we don’t see it reflected back into our communities. I just wish it hurry up and separate cause they have been going over this forever.
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
12:19 pm
LMAO – tell me how a mostly rural and beautiful South Fulton had the revenue money to build North Fulton. Are you confusing South Fulton with Fulton and the City of Atlanta?
Dirty Dawg
May 17th, 2012
12:20 pm
Instead of creating more why not consolidate? Instead of dozens of city and county government organizations why not one ‘metro-wide’ hierarchy with ‘community of interest’ zones with elected representation and with a charter that ‘ensures’ they receive a minimum of services in relation to their population/revenue generated.. Many metropolitan areas around the country have gone to that form of governing, and although it still may have its challenges, at least there’s a mechanism in place that forces people work them out together. It’s like a Russian Doll…if you’re constantly getting smaller and smaller you become midgets, but if you’re getting larger and larger, you become giants.
JP
May 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
Oh, one more thing about this “commuter tax”…
The idea of Milton County is so we NEVER have to go into Atlanta again for any services. There’s not much in Atlanta we want or use. You can have all your “great” services and venues. I’ll pass.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
Tweedle Dee. Prove me wrong….. Again, being a native GA resident I know the history of all lawmakers coming from that region of the state. You should educate yourself on the same. Of course nobody will ever come out and say it. The fundamental flaw of the GOP is their failure to realize racism is alive and well and as strong as ever.
Devil's Advocate
May 17th, 2012
12:26 pm
Why do the good hard working folks want tourism and stadiums in the northern suburbs? Where do you think crime tends to go?
Truth
May 17th, 2012
12:26 pm
South Fulton hasn’t been rural since the 60s. C’mon son! I guess you want to say Fulton Industrial is Altanta, huh? lol! Dang transplants!!
luangtom
May 17th, 2012
12:26 pm
I second that motion……eliminate or restrict the governance of an inept system. Start over, on a very smaller scale.
Truth
May 17th, 2012
12:28 pm
JP, GOOD! I am an advocate of the RACIST MITLON/SANDY SPRINGS/ J CREEK FOLKS HAVING THEIR OWN COUNTY!
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
12:34 pm
Truth – so I am left to assume that long-time Atlanta representative Billy McKinney wasn’t a racist? so I am also left to assume that the current Fulton County Commission Chairman isn’t racist? And also to assume that the majority of the Fulton County Commission isn’t racist (Emma Darnell, Bill Campbell, etc.)? Is there an elephant in the room?
Jesus Christ crushes NWO, DBMs
May 17th, 2012
12:35 pm
The incompetence in Fulton County government is a reflection of the rot and decay throughout the majority of institutions within its confines…e.g. Asians are envied and deliberately underserved because they are generally regarded to be smarter than most Americans, especially African Americans. Their culture compels them to adjust and not complain.
Americans commonly enter employee files and destroy the unfavorable records of other Americans for the purpose of ensuring their employment with other agencies in the future etc. Asians won’t object because of their general respect for others. And except for a few exceptions, African Americans are silenced because their employment is contingent on sheer loyalty rather than competence.
When Rafael Warnock countered Newt Gingrich’s comment and said African Americans know what a work ethic is…I was one of the first to challenge his fantasy. Like many pseudo spirituals, pseudo intellectuals, and automatons, time has passed them by unawares. Presently, we are living in a time of utter rot and decay. Fulton County government is a reflection of it.
Amen?
Rockerbabe
May 17th, 2012
12:35 pm
It is up to the citizens of the respective counties, if they want the change or not. The GOP has little to do with it, other than running their mouths.
I live in Dekalb County, and I do not have a problem with our governments [Clarkston, Decatur, Stone Mountain, Tucker, etc]. The country CEO, Mr. Ellis is fine with me.
I used to work in Atlanta/Fulton County and the problems they have are more the making of the citizens of the surrounding counties who come in for work, make all sorts of demands, then leave at the end of the day. Face it GOP, Atlanta is the economic engine that makes north Georgia what it is, a hub of economic well-being that everyone depends on. AND, this hub has a black politican, who is trying to fix all of the problems, most of which are not of his making. Atlanta and Fulton County as well as Dekalb Count are surprisingly quiet, clean, driveable and enjoyable when all of the suburbanites leave for the day and the weekends.
GOP – stay out of Fulton and Dekalb county politics; the citizens will do with our politicans, what we think is best. Your crap is not wanted, needed and most likely, will not be tolerated.
josh stinger
May 17th, 2012
12:37 pm
atlanta only owns the crappy local roads that pot holes and drive by shootings happen on they do not own the highway mr INTOWNER WHO LIVED IN SAN SIEGO. Move back to California if you want to pay higher taxes. Do away with Fulton county. Break North Fulton away. WE are the best part of FULTON and always will be. It might have something to do that our kids finish high school and go to COLLEGE and work for living!!!! South Fulton can never catch back up with North Fulton. Don’t be jealous just cut us loose so you can count your change. NOBAMA LOL
Carole
May 17th, 2012
12:40 pm
Rex Dogma
Why do all the white folks complain about Fulton & DeKalb Co. I am not African American, but there are plenty of white republican counties that are ran poorly too!! Oh, but that is OK!!! I guess?
+++++++
Let’s not forget the governor and nearly entire State legislature is Rep. We’ve had a Repub governor for 10 years. Our schools aren’t any better. Our unemployment rate isn’t exactly receiving high marks. Our Speaker of the House uses his power to delay court cases. Finally, the folks who scream the loudest about less government and fiscal responsibility have increased the State government and don’t want to have limits on gifts from lobbyists. Most of our legislators have done three things in the past few years: changed the letter behind their name from D to R; gotten meaner, and greedier.
hombre
May 17th, 2012
12:40 pm
white developers from the grandfathered good ole boy network raped and pillaged the streets of buckhead.
JP
May 17th, 2012
12:41 pm
Thanks, Truth. Appreciate the support!
RAMZAD
May 17th, 2012
12:42 pm
It does not take a rocket fuel chemist to figure out that the MO for a predominantly African American government does not work for white people. It never did.
White folks look at the next decade. Black folks look at next week. White folks look for transformations. Black folks look for changes. White folks try to eliminate trash. Black folks buy new trash trucks. White folks take the bus to the Board meeting. Black folks have two Mercedes- none paid for. White folks sit on the floor and take notes. Black folks call the police to clear the podium for themselves. White folks work out conflicts and move along. Black folks turn the conflict into the issue. White folks hire competence. Black folks hire friends and family. White folks have a strategy. Black folks have a self serving tactic. White folks want to be heroic. Black folks want to be seen. White folks talk about organization design and dynamics. Black folks talk about who is under whom. White folks want sidewalks and bike paths and dog crossings. Black folks want dirt paths through the ravine and jay walking. Who is surprised that white folks do not want to be governed by black people?
Truth
May 17th, 2012
12:43 pm
Isn’t Bill Campbell in Florida somewhere? McKinney? Yeah, he probably is racist. However, we are talking about N. Fulton. Not them. Isn’t one of the signs you are winning a dedate when someone brings up an unrelated topic to try to make a point?
Leaning left
May 17th, 2012
12:44 pm
and what about people who abuse of the system….
LMAO
May 17th, 2012
12:44 pm
Tweedle DUMD… Fulton Industrial Boulevard is in UNINCORPORATED SOUTH FULTON. Not Atlanta! As the largest and most profitable industrial park east of the Mississippi in the late 60’s 70’s, & 80’s. FIB put untold millions into the coffers of the county you and your kind want to kill. That money was spent to pave the roads and build the infrastructure of Unincorporated North Fulton which now includes Miton, Sandy Springs and Johns Creek. The money wasn’t used for South Fulton cause it remains as rural as it ever was you ninny.
Also, I’m sure you know the once thriving County of Milton was bankrupt before being annexed into Fulton. Your knowledge of this area is very telling.
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
12:46 pm
Rockerbabe – yeah, like just being a Democrat makes everything ok. People move to the surburbs to escape crime (which is rampant in downtown Atlanta), have good schools (can you say APS scandal), and effective, efficient government (which doesn’t exist in Fulton County). Your comment about surburbanites coming into Atlanta and causing all of the problems that Atlanta/Fulton County face is laughable at best. What are you smoking?
Truth
May 17th, 2012
12:47 pm
RAMZAD, how many competent people did the klansman governor hire when he took over? The good ole boy network is alive and well.
Joe Rational
May 17th, 2012
12:49 pm
As a City of Atlanta resident tired hearing the whining and complaining from both ends of the county I wonder if the equitable thing to do is have Milton county just pay back the debt Fulton must have incurred by absorbing the bankrupt old county- with interest of course.
HDB
May 17th, 2012
12:52 pm
RAMZAD
May 17th, 2012
12:42 pm
Your statement is indicative of the excrement that many on North Fulton are spreading!! You’re looking for a scapegoat….and we ain’t buying it!!
honested
May 17th, 2012
12:54 pm
As another ITP Dekalb resident, you folks fight amongst yourselves and know that we don’t really want any part of it.
Rumor had it earlier in the year that the latest stupid city plan in North Dekalb was part of an eventual plan to form as part of a ‘new’ county, a rumor which was quickly denied by the unnecessary city crowd.
What is wrong with small minded people who can’t get along and work together unless they have a guarantee of being in charge?
As for North Fulton as it exists, there is nothing north of 285 that I need, use or ever spend money on. Do what you will, just leave me (and my pocket) alone. Your idea of ‘Shangri La’ is bogus.
Leaning left
May 17th, 2012
12:54 pm
I say let them take their ball and go home… just as long as the rest of sulton does not have to foot the bill for their transition. Duces!
RAMZAD
May 17th, 2012
12:55 pm
HDB; I am not asking you to buy anything. Look at the difference between Cobb and DeKalb and you will have your purchase, and you can eat it too.
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
12:55 pm
LMAO – so Fulton Industrial hasn’t been revelant since the 80’s? And, again, roads are built with mostly Federal funds with the State contributing gasoline taxes. Fulton Industrial most like didn’t contribute a dime but I am sure that the many industrial businesses you cite created a lot of potholes, which no one fixed.
And Joe, North Fulton has paid taxes all of these years, money that was spent on parks and schools, etc., so it is doubtful that anything further is owed.
Miltonian
May 17th, 2012
12:58 pm
I live in the city of Milton and am ambivalent about this issue, mainly because I have never seen any study that calculates, in dollar terms, the benefits and costs. Is there such a study?
ol swayback mule
May 17th, 2012
12:59 pm
look…..it’s because you’re black…
CT in CP
May 17th, 2012
12:59 pm
Do these guys know where their constituents work? Bankrupting Atlanta will send those jobs North… to North Carolina.
Leaning left
May 17th, 2012
1:00 pm
I would not mind at all if this was truley the will of those people living in north fulton… but when you attempt to realize your emancipation by altering voting districts… thus diluting what little voice we have in not only state politics but national… you must be stopped. So leave our votes and our pockets alone and leave. You can put a nice new fence around “Milton County” and we’ll see you at the Braves game… just as soon as you pay your toll on 400.
hombre
May 17th, 2012
1:02 pm
This appears to be a extension of the souther whities plantation day’s. They send their children to college and then encourage them to join sororities/fraternities to keep isolated from the undesirables. Milton wants to be a frat/sorority for like-minded adult whitey.
Leaning left
May 17th, 2012
1:04 pm
So tired of the politics of “scorced earth”.
Leaning left
May 17th, 2012
1:05 pm
That’s it…. Im moving to Conyers.
Mr. KnowitAll
May 17th, 2012
1:05 pm
The blatant racist commissioners, (police dogs/fire hoses/burned churches) Eaves, Bill (”they ain’t going to take away our money”), and Emma (Mean-spirited Ego-Afro-Queen of the Blabbermouths) Darnell have dug their own graves. Now…they must lie in them.
The abuse and condescending attitudes against the golden goose, N. Fulton, is finally coming to an end.
honested
May 17th, 2012
1:07 pm
Leaning left,
Quite correct.
I just wish the instigators would take a second and realize that everyone (them included) gets burned.
ATLien
May 17th, 2012
1:07 pm
I see some people would like to bring back segregation if they really had their way. Stop with the pie-in-the-sky talk of relocating airports and corporate headquarters, it sounds silly. Kinda of like calling Obama a Muslim or Bush a genius.
For all those who think Obama is incompetent, where were you when Bush (who had a C- average in college and no professional studies) damn near ran the country off a cliff and dropped us in 2 wars the crippled us financially. If you want a Mormon flip-flopper, have at him, but it will be after Obama’s 2nd term. Right-Wingers are delusional and really in a bubble. A democracy only works when both sides are willing too, the left didnt fight Bush when he was in office (all though we damn sure should have), but that’s all the right does because it never acknowledges when they are wrong. Like they were wrong on civil rights and how they are wrong on Gay-Marriage (and no I’m not Gay). The right has done the most atrocious things to people in this country (see Oklahoma trail of tears if you need a refresher course), the country that was built on the backs of African-Americans and Hispanics and all immigrants, even some of you who forget that your ancestors weren’t born on this soil.
Although I’ve been a victim of racisim, I still see the need to work together. Only together can we all achieve our goals.
I was born in Northside Hospital, raised in East Point/College Park, went to high school at North Springs (in Sandy Springs/Roswell), went to Morehouse College, then Ga. Tech, then brought a home in Atlantic Station and have rental property in BOTH north & south Fulton. All that to say, I am a product of the ENTIRE city of Atlanta. I’ve lived, worked and invested in all corners of our great city and I am prayerful that we can (one day) put the bigotry behind us and work for the common good.
JOSH STINGER
May 17th, 2012
1:08 pm
sororities/fraternities put together a group of the population that learn what it means to work hard. My wife is a doctor and she was in AOP @ UGA and then finished top of class at EMORY. This is all because of soority and leadership skills learned at Milton High School. We have large pockets up here because we work hard and stay out of trouble. People in Atlanta and South Fulton do not give a crap about anything except for where the cheapest 40oz is and where they can roll there dice. Long live the South!!
honested
May 17th, 2012
1:09 pm
Mr. K…
So how is N. Fulton a ‘golden goose’?
Reggie
May 17th, 2012
1:09 pm
Yea instead of having one entity perform services we will now have 3?? Yep that makes it more efficient. BassAkwards!!
Buckhead
May 17th, 2012
1:13 pm
Fulton Industrial Boulevard is still and always will be the largest contributor to the County and County Schools general fund.
Reggie
May 17th, 2012
1:13 pm
LOL,
Georgia is the new
Bama!!!
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
1:17 pm
ATLien – I agree that we should put bigotry behind us and somehow in reading your blog think that a good place to start is looking in the mirror. And, by the way, the Afgan war is Obama’s war, not Bush’s.
The Truth
May 17th, 2012
1:20 pm
People decided to move and develop N Fulton KNOWING how the money would be distributed through out the county. Go whine someplace else. Every county in the area has bad government, everyone has to pay property taxes and see the money spent on wasteful projects, everyone has to suffer with an incompetent school system. You can pull away and become Milton County, but you will not solve the problems mentioned above. You may have different names running the asylum, but at the end of the day, it is still an asylum.
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
1:23 pm
Buckhead (or LMAO or whatever) – do you honestly think that businesses pay sales taxes? This is what builds schools, right? As a matter of fact, businesses pay no tax. What seems to be lost of most of you (and apparently ALL Democrats) is that taxation is a cost of doing business, which is passed on to the ultimate consumer, which means you and me. So, the rant of taxing the big mean ‘ole businesses is self-inflicting taxes upon yourselves. Wake up.
Jason
May 17th, 2012
1:24 pm
@Miltonian, there have been plenty of “studies” but the quality of them are quite poor. They usually focus only on residential property taxes. The problem with this is that almost nowhere in the country do residential property taxes cover the cost of services provided to the property. Commerical property tends to make the government authority a bit more money than the government uses to provide services. The gold mine is in industrial property taxes. The difficultly for the area that was once Milton County is that it has very little industrial property. There is a reasonable amount of commerical property but nowhere enough to subsidize the huge amout of residential property.
There seem to be two groups of politicans in north Fulton who are pushing for the recreation of Milton. The first are those who simply are power hungry and don’t like sharing power with the rest of the county. Recreate Milton and they believe they’ll personally be in total control. And they might be right. The second are those who don’t truly want Milton to be recreated, they just want an issue they can use to get elected over and over again. It’s like the Republicans who for years pushed for the State of Georgia to confiscate the airport from the City of Atlanta. But when the Republicans actually got control of the legislature and were in a position to make it happen, the issue disappeared. Same with Milton. Many who had been pushing for it are now in a bit of a panic because it looks like it might actually happen and bring all kinds of unintended consequences down on them. Plus they’ll lose the ability to finger point and blame all their failures on the rest of the county. The real question is why people like LMAO don’t want to let Milton shoot themselves in the foot? Yes, Milton will be bad for metro Atlanta overall but the rest of the county would be better off making the whiners up there actually take care of business instead of flopping around blaming everything on “those people”.
Tweedle Dee
May 17th, 2012
1:27 pm
Truth – No, we don’t have to stand for bad government, wasteful projects and incompetent schools. But that is all that we get with Fulton County. Wouldn’t mind trying our own hands at it for a while. You seem to have lost all hope and impact, which is just what the asylum managers want.
honested
May 17th, 2012
1:32 pm
Tweedle Dee,
As Jason so eloquently stated, the consideration of ‘wasteful projects’ won’t be a concern, because the tax base won’t support them and you guys are too cheap to pay for anything anyway.
LMAO
May 17th, 2012
1:37 pm
Tweedle Dumb are you stupid or just ignorant? Which North Fulton school gave you a diploma cause you definitely didn’t earn one? Roads in North Fulton were built with tax dollars from FIB. The school were built with tax money from FIB which is in S Fulton. Federal money where? State of Georgia? Don’t make me laugh. I guess the street scape in Sandy Spring came from Slo Frank Harris. Man you make blondes look extremely bright.The parks which you speak of don’t exist in South Fulton. The vast majority of the parks were built in North Fulton as were the schools.
Marlboro Man
May 17th, 2012
1:42 pm
South GA gets to vote on this one.
Kris T.
May 17th, 2012
1:48 pm
Can anyone in the Georgia legislature spell ethics reform?
Denise
May 17th, 2012
1:49 pm
So much hate…it’s so sad. Come quick Lord Jesus.
KrystalsBalls
May 17th, 2012
2:06 pm
You will all go down together, because that’s where this whole thing is headed. Enjoy!
Tea party Nut and some GOP Clowns
May 17th, 2012
2:34 pm
control freaks I got to have the power of control. Please can we get alone. when will this end. let’s work together!! we all lose if we keep fighting. Jan please!!
hombre
May 17th, 2012
2:59 pm
where would jesus live? the real one, not my cousin….
The Truth
May 17th, 2012
3:07 pm
So Tweedle Dee you are magically going to vote in the most wonderful, spend thrift, government in the nation? You are delusional. Once a politician gets their hands on the tax dollars you pay and are directed by special interest groups and lobbies, they forget who they represent. It happens on the local, state, and federal level. Why do you think people spend thousands locally and millions of dollars in state and federal elections to get into office? It is not to be a public servant, it is the allure of power, the ability to control, the perks that come with the office, the immediate respect the politician believes they gain, but does not earn. Government is no longer for the people, it is for the politician or the political party.
Connie
May 17th, 2012
3:15 pm
Milton sounds like a neighborhood association filled with the most annoying peeps eva’
hiram
May 17th, 2012
3:19 pm
How many hours did Jim enforce his new rules? It’s like trying to herd cats…
hahahaha
May 17th, 2012
3:32 pm
I mean who are we kidding here. The issues is Black and White. Plain and simp What we need are license plates that depict north or south fulton, so I can know when the bigots are on my side of town.
Intrepidt
May 17th, 2012
3:37 pm
Bobby… I totally and whole heartedly agree! It should be law that NO public “servant” (i.e. any elected official in any capacity, at any level) can accept ANY “gift” from lobbyists, etc. The only reason a lobbyist gives “gifts” (fancy word for BRIBE) is to buy that person’s support for their own special interest…which many times, if not all, has nothing to do with the wishes, or are in the best interest, of the general public who is directly affected. Even the smallest “gift” immediately makes the public “servant” beholding to that lobbyist and the bigger the “gift” the more beholding. This practice totally cheapens the roll of the politician and eventually guarantees their demise as they become more and more greedy. You cannot tell me some folks, perhaps not many, actually get involved in politics just to see what perks they can garner for themselves. So indeed, I agree…NO GIFTS of ANY kind from lobbyists to politicians and if they are found to have accepted these bribes (that is all they are) then they are banned, permanently. Period!
N-GA
May 17th, 2012
3:53 pm
….and all the overhead that goes with another county: county education, board of commissioners, sheriff’s department, water/sewer, yada, yada, yada…….
JF McNamara
May 17th, 2012
4:24 pm
I couldn’t run Fulton. If the majority in that area wanted a Milton county, it would already be in existence. If you don’t want to be here, then we don’t want you. So long as they don’t gerrymander the money for themselves and did it geographically, they can hit the highway.
After they left, I would put a commuter tax on people living in Milton. If you love it so much there, work there. My guess is that they would see the benefits of Fulton to their life then…
red herring
May 17th, 2012
4:27 pm
agree with kyle on the issue of ethics reform. very little ethics can be found in the legislature and
the people elect their legislators to do their bidding not the bidding of the companies/interests who are funneling money/gifts/travel/meals to the legislators to get them to take stances in opposition to their constituents best interests. same with big pharma and doctors—finally the likes of JAMA and the lancet have taken a stance that says that relationship is too cozy….and more importantly not in the best interest of the patient.
Old Glory
May 17th, 2012
4:41 pm
Let everyone in South Fulton pay for their own services and those in North Fulton will pay for their own services. How does that sound?
EN
May 17th, 2012
4:59 pm
I wonder what the ripple effects of this strategy will be for the infrastructure of the city of Atlanta, and in turn the foot print of Fortune 100 companies who call Atlanta their home.
Proud White Clayton County Resident
May 17th, 2012
5:07 pm
What is with all the Clayton County bashing? We do not have a dog in this hunt, so please leave us alone. There are many good things about Clayton County: affordable housing, nice libraries, and friendly people are just a few. Some other points about the Campbell/ Milton county things: 1. Once you cross Campcreek Parkway South Fulton really is “refreshingly rural” 2. The Tri-Cities area around the airport (Hapeville, College Park, and East Point) do have their problem areas, but parts of all three are really going through some intense renewal. I also think it unfair to bash them (having the noise of the world’s busiest airport next door could deter some upscale developers) and 3. Granting Hartsfield/Jackson to South Fulton/Campbell County is laughable because not only is it a wholly owned appendage of the City of Atlanta, it is also 2/3 in Clayton County.
Finally, while I admit that we in Clayton do have our problems, I must point out that I can have a rich full life without EVER entering Milton County (shopping on Upper Peachtree, attending concerts and sporting events, getting a university education, flying to various international and domestic destinations from the airport) but potential Milton County residents would have a very difficult time doing the same without coming into Atlanta proper, South Fulton and yes Clayton County (North Point is no Lenox/ Phipps, there is no international airport or state university in North Fulton) Please consider all crass uneducated future comments and above all leave all of us happy Claytonites out of your rangling. :0)
Rockerbabe
May 17th, 2012
6:19 pm
Tweedle Dee: I do not smoke, never have. I live in Clarkston, Dekalb County and I can tell you without one second thought, that anytime after 7 pm and the entire weekend, Dekalb for the most part is a pleasant place to be. One can drive easily without delays to most destinations.
I used to work in mid-town Atlanta for seven long years. I often worked until 7 pm, so as to avoid all of the traffic from the outlying counties. The weekends in Atlanta proper are quite nice and the traffic is quite manageable. Stop badmouthing the city and Dekalb County. I wouldn’t live anywhere else in metro Atlanta.
Electric_Pink
May 17th, 2012
6:31 pm
The formation of Milton County would be a disaster put on “simmer.” Watch. For those who don’t want any part of Fulton County because they think it’s run incompetently, don’t want to share power, or don’t want to be under a majority black government, so be it. Let them go and screw up in a new county we don’t need and create even more government. Yep, makes perfect sense. White flight and the exodus from anywhere that black people are is nothing new. White people want to control their exposure to blacks and have contact on their terms. Working with them is not really a big deal as long as they don’t have to report to one. Eating the same food at the same restaurants, breathing the same air even. They’ll be entertained by blacks, sure. But they don’t want to live around or worship with them. No laws of integration are going to tell whites who they can be around when they can control the circumstances. I tell you what. Anywhere that black people are not wanted stirs a compulsion for said black people to come right on through. I don’t care if Milton County is formed, if black people want to be there, that’s where they’ll eventually be. The neighborhoods will change, as will the face of government over time. When you try to keep someone under your thumb and out of your neighborhoods, eventually they will push back and you’ll end up with a broken thumb sitting in your little integrated “country club” county wondering what the heck happened. Next thing I know, all the white people will leave metro Atlanta period and form an exclusive government on the moon. But who are going to be your suppressed people?
James
May 17th, 2012
6:39 pm
@Old Glory, that’s been the law for years. North Fulton and south Fulton are in different service districts. It is illegal to transfer funds between them. Interesting that since that law went into effect the people in north Fulton have whined and complained ten times as much about not getting the services they feel entitled to. Wonder why north Fulton suddenly found itself short of funds once the service district laws went into effect?
People, stop trying to talk the Milton wannabes out of having their own county. They’re parasites, ungratful ones at that. Let them destroy themselves.
honested
May 17th, 2012
6:59 pm
Electric Pink and
James
Thanks for thoughtful and accurate information.
Jack in Sandy Springs
May 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Fulton County is 50% white yet the county workforce is less than 20% white. Why is this? Racism plain and simple. Why doesn’t the AJC do a story on this, all they have to do is request the county’s own monthly EEO reports that break down the employee population by race. The % of white employees has been declining steadily the last 20 years. How many white department heads are there? How many were there 10 years ago? Fulton was best run when Skandalakis was boss and he had that taxpayer assistance lady staffer and the sharp young guy who ran his office. Now I can’t get any info or help and my commissioner should retire and the chair too busy traveling on the taxpayers’ dime.
This is Mrs. Norman Maine
May 17th, 2012
10:15 pm
Where have I heard this end Atlanta/Fulton talk before?
What was his name?
Mitch?
Was it Mitch Skandalakis?
What did he say? Was it “Atlanta, we’re going to kick your @ss”?
How did that work out?
fire eater
May 18th, 2012
7:11 am
The re-creation of Milton County should be a legislative priority of the upcoming 2013 Georgia Legislature. It is CRIMINAL that the tax PRODUCERS of “North Fulton” are being looted by ghetto Democrats of Atlanta for their vote-buying boondoggles.
Black leaders are essentially correct in screaming it’s about race…yep, you urban politicians are about to be forced to fund your schemes from your own constituents. Some justice here with White liberals intown getting a drastically increased tax bill; my advice to them: “ENJOY!”
“North Fulton” and Lower Fulton have as much in common as Sweden does with Somalia.