John Fredericks / Staff

Alpharetta Councilman David Belle Isle, candidate for state senate (D-56) and Buckhead Republican Edward Lindsey are old friends. But this week they took on opposite sides of a fevered phone war ahead of the planned General Assembly vote on a resolution that's the first step to re-creating Milton County.

Though the Milton resolution never actually came up for a vote, a gubernatorial candidates vying for a spot in the GOP run-off is working on Milton too.

Belle Isle organized a spirited phone bank initiative from his law offices in Alpharetta that ahead of Friday's planned Milton vote. The local councilman said he had 25 volunteers calling uncommitted house Democrats, urging them to vote to put the possible recreation of Milton County on the state ballot this November.

"We're closing the gap and we are now closer than we ever have been in getting this amendment passed," said a hopeful Belle Isle.

GOING ALL OUT

Belle Isle said his phone bank volunteers represented a cross section of local residents, some supporting his state senate candidacy and some not. "This is a non-partisan effort," the candidate, known for his ties to Tea Party-oriented Republicans, added. He says his volunteers have a general script to follow, "but we have encouraged each of our volunteers to speak from their heart, and share their personal experiences -- and frustrations -- with Fulton County, with the House members they are talking with," Belle Isle's phone bank organizers say they made over 850 phone calls so far and sent e-mails as well.

ERIC JOHNSON VISITS NORTH FULTON, WEIGHS IN

Republican gubernatorial candidate, former state senator Eric Johnson, visited North Fulton County last week for a fundraiser in Alpharetta. Johnson reiterated his staunch support for the amendment; reminding those in attendance he was a co-sponsor of the effort in the state senate last year. Johnson said the resolution should be allowed to go to a statewide vote in November. "It's about conservative principles," Johnson said. "It brings citizens closer to their government."

LINDSEY COUNTERS WITH PHONE BLITZ PLEA OF HIS OWN

State Rep. "Buckhead Ed" Lindsey, meanwhile, spent the week in fierce opposition to the initiative. He lent his name to a blast e-mail sent out to his Buckhead constituents urging them to call house members to voice their opposition. In the email, Lindsey cited financial data he maintains would be devastating to what would remain as Fulton County. But House Speaker Pro-Tem Jan Jones (R-Miilton) has disputed Lindsey's allegations, countering that massive studies have been done by both the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech that clearly shows each county would be financially viable once Milton is re-created.

Last week, Jones' supporters were livid that Lindsey hit his leader with a missile in the form of an amendment to allow all of Fulton County to vote on the new county, in lieu of just North Fulton. Lindsey said a north-only vote is contrary to state code.  Legislators said his decision not to give Jones a "heads up" violated caucus leadership protocol. The North Fulton legislative team supporting HR 21, termed the "Magnificent Seven" include: Jones, Representatives Mark Burklhalter, Wendell Willard, Harry Geisinger, Chuck Martin, and State Senators Dan Moody and David Shafer. 

NO MORE BOSS MAN

In one of those bizarre twists of fate, Belle Isle said Lindsey was his first boss when he graduated from law school. But now they're dueling on opposite sides of an issue that has galvanized the north side. And it'll certainly be part of the north side politicos' strategy and tactics for the coming year.