On Thursday, the State Planning and Community Development Committee of the Georgia House passed Resolution, HR21, a constitutional amendment to permit a vote by the citizens of North Fulton County authorizing the re-creation of Milton County. What a great event!

But, the biggest battle still looms before us, getting this issue on the ballot.

Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Milton) has proven our "Joan of Arc" (excepting the final scene) given the tremendous leadership she is providing on an issue that is so critical to North Fulton. In the committee hearing, she stood tall in the face of nefarious attempts to change the focus of the debate from economic efficiencies and good governance to something else. She courageously deflected a myriad of wayward arrows shot at her by opponents that had nothing to do with getting this initiative on the statewide ballot.

WHO'S IN CHARGE? NOT YOU

Jones addressed the real issues driving the reasons for separation. She pointed out our school district, divided into two parts, is the only one in the country which is not contiguous, divided by over 15 miles; that Fulton County is almost 80 miles long, greater than the distance from your home to Athens; our county population is greater than the combined population of over half of all the counties in Georgia added together; and by population alone, Fulton County is bigger than seven states.

These and other facts about the county are merely demographics. But, as Jones pointed out, the county government is too big and clearly dysfunctional. No one person, or group, is capable of instituting the changes necessary to make the governance of the county efficient and responsive to its citizens. We have seven commissioners, five of whom are elected within districts, and each concerned only about what they can achieve for their district, not what is best for the entire county. Although there is a person designated as Chairman, he has no greater say or control, as all commissioners have the same voting power. Therefore, no one has the authority to lead the board. In effect, you have seven leaders -- or really no leaders -- as each has equal power to decide what action the board takes, each can give direction to the County Manager and department heads etc. What a crazy way to run a business, much less a government. It’s expected to fail over time, and it has.

INCOMPETENCE AND INEFFECIENCY OF A FAILED GOVERNMENT DRIVES MILTON

As I pointed out at the hearing, it’s the failure of competent governance which is the fuel driving the engine to seek separation by the North Fulton Community from the rest of the county. As Roswell Mayor Jere Wood stated so eloquently, this is a divorce resulting from irreconcilable differences that can't be fixed. But, this could also present an opportunity for the future consolidation of Atlanta and the remaining area of Fulton County into one government, thus achieving greater efficiency and cost savings for all. 

WE'RE FOCUSED

Now, we in the House representing the North Fulton community need to perform the yeoman task of obtaining a two-thirds vote of the House members to pass the constitutional amendment and give the citizens of North Fulton a chance vote on the issue of re-creating Milton County. I assure you, the House Representatives of our area (Jones, Mark Burkhalter, Chuck Martin, Harry Geisinger, Joe Wilkinson, and I) are fully dedicated to seeing this happen. None can predict the outcome at this point, but just as creating our new cities required considerable time and effort, we will continue until we achieve our goal, and will accept nothing less.

 
My Capitol office number is, 404-656-5125, and email is: wkwillard@ house.ga.gov.