Milton County (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell: relocation, hospital, property)

[backfist]

For some, it may not matter. For others, it may be a factor in your relocation decisions.

Many residents in north Fulton County (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek) along with many of their elected political representatives, are intent on breaking away from Fulton County and becoming their own: Milton County. Technically, it wouldn't be a "new" county, but an old one that had dissolved during the depression era. Still ...

A county split often means many things, as much as impacts many people. In this instance, if a Milton County were to be formed out of the north part of Fulton, the wealthiest within Fulton would take their tax base, along with much needed resources, and leave. The poorest would have no such luxuries. Schools in the south and central of Fulton would be impacted by drained funds, while schools in the new Milton would get even more funding. Transit, namely MARTA, would be de-funded until it eventually became useless. Traffic would, in turn, get worse (if you could imagine that). And any progress that had been made in the last 30 or 40 years in terms of integrating Fulton's communites, would be turned back. There'd be more hostility and tension than ever.

So if you're considering Alpharetta or Roswell or Johns Creek, this may appeal to you, and you'll know that you're neighbor is probably like-minded. Or it may not appeal to you, in which case, you may want to consider elsewhere.

[LLD]

interesting.... thanks for posting this

[tiiaaa]

I have been wondering about that lately. There's something hostile and aggressive about the proposed secession. I read in the papers it could cost upwards of a billion dollars in legal fees, studies, restructuring etc for the proposed Milton county. What is the sense in that? Why would the residents of those cities go through such great lengths to break away from Fulton county. I still don't understand their reasoning, and I really would like to before I decide if they have legitimate reasons or if they just want to be exclusive.

[xxman777]

Its ridiculous that this is even being discussed still. The entire purpose of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Milton incorporating was to achieve independence. There is no reason why they need to further break away from Fulton County to gain independence. Furthermore, the plan isn't fiscally responsible and puts the future health of the Atlanta region at risk so a few property owners can save a few bucks on their taxes. Very short sighted.

[jxu66]

The reason given is that North Fulton (Milton) paid 41% of revenue and only received 29% of service. Also there is case of Grady hospital and MARTA. Both entities cost a lot of money for Fulton. A lot of north Fultoners don't want to pay for them, specially Grady that is so far away from North Fulton.

Anyway, I not am saying that I agree with that. Those are reasons given in ajc.

[merlin70]

Personally, Georgia needs LESS counties, not more. All of Atlanta metro should be probably 2-3 counties, not 13 or whatever it is. When driving around, you cross into a new county every few minutes it seems.

Then again I'm from San Diego, where the county contains the entire metro area and is something like 150 miles long and 100 miles wide.

[backfist]

Originally Posted by xxman777

Its ridiculous that this is even being discussed still. The entire purpose of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Milton incorporating was to achieve independence. There is no reason why they need to further break away from Fulton County to gain independence. Furthermore, the plan isn't fiscally responsible and puts the future health of the Atlanta region at risk so a few property owners can save a few bucks on their taxes. Very short sighted.

Short sighted is exactly what it is. And what's ironic is that the head of the Fulton County Taxpayers Association (or something like that) is opposed to it.

But what's frightening is that most of the everyday folks in central and south Fulton have absolutely no idea that this is going on. That is, until MARTA limits its service; police services are cut back; and Grady hospital shuts half its operations down. At that point, Atlanta really would become "Detroit". And it seems to me that many of the pro-Milton folks want just that.

My gosh; I feel like I've just stepped back into the '60s.

[nrgpill]

Originally Posted by merlin70

Personally, Georgia needs LESS counties, not more. All of Atlanta metro should be probably 2-3 counties, not 13 or whatever it is. When driving around, you cross into a new county every few minutes it seems.

Then again I'm from San Diego, where the county contains the entire metro area and is something like 150 miles long and 100 miles wide.

Yes - and add Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Riverside county and that just about covers the entire So Cal.

[Tdiddy0027]

Atlanta and south Fulton don't need north fulton to validate them anymore. They're doing fine on their own.

[backfist]

And I would probably agree. But the Milton Rebels wouldn't be happy with just leaving. They would do their best to drain as many Fulton resources as possible to take with them.