Does anyone remember the constitutional Amendment battle last year? The battle where our Republican leadership wanted us to pass an amendment which expanded the role of government in Georgia and removed local control by giving it to an appointed State Charter Commission? We bought that one hook, line and sinker. Republicans convinced Republicans – some, not all – to forget about the other part of the party platform that talks about limited government and local control. The same group is back at it in the legislature trying to pass more bills which will eventually destroy our open public …

As a 24-year resident of Alpharetta, I am very pleased with most of the new ideas surfacing in our city.  I love that new restaurants are deciding to locate in our community, even though I am disappointed that some previous ones have not been able to “make it”.  I am happy to see that there is talk of focusing city events outside the basic downtown historic district, and would like to see it extended up the State Hwy. 9 corridor to Windward Parkway and perhaps across Haynes Bridge Rd. to near the NorthPoint Mall area.  Hopefully City Council will give some credence to these suggestions. As …

On January 23, the Milton City Council unanimously approved rezoning a small parcel of land on the east side of Hopewell Road, just north of Vaughn Road, from AG-1 (agricultural) to NUP (neighborhood unit plan). This development of 24 homes (original plan was for 29) will be squeezed on a sliver of land of less than 7 acres located between a 130-unit retirement community currently under construction at Hopewell and Vaughn, the established Southfield neighborhood and the busy Hopewell Road. This was approved despite the City of Milton’s Planning Commission unanimous recommendation, after a one…

Dear Editor, I feel that it is time to speak up for Amendment One as a parent and citizen of Georgia. My child attends Pataula Charter Academy in Edison, GA and, I fully support the amendment to the constitution for charter schools. I hate that outright lies are being spread to make people vote no for this amendment.  This is my child’s education on the line and I don’t want to stand by anymore without pointing out specific facts and addressing these lies. Please do not believe that for-profit companies are going to come in and open up charter schools. The ballot question specifically says …

Dear Editor,I am writing as both a parent of students who attend a charter school and a teacher who works at one. The school I speak of is Pataula Charter Academy (PCA) located in Edison, Georgia. This is one of the controversial schools that was created by approval of a state commissioned board rather than the local school boards. Now we are in danger of having our doors closed unless an amendment to the constitution is approved in the November election stating that it is legal for a state commissioned board to approve charter schools when local boards refuse. I am urging everyone reading …

By Autumn Smith My name is Autumn Smith. I am a 7th grade scholar at Ivy Preparatory Academy at Kirkwood. I recently attended the Georgia Black Caucus-Annual Legislative Conference.  As the meeting began, I had respect for all of the adults there; I looked up to each and every one of them. Sadly, I have to say my perspective changed. First I’d like to tell my story. I live in a neighborhood where the behavior, education, and parent resources aren’t up to the standards I have been taught to expect. Therefore, I went in search of a good school. I found Clifton Elementary, which is a technology …

  The City of Milton is coming up on its sixth birthday, and looking back at all the issues we’ve encountered, there’s one that continues to linger, despite our best efforts: residents not realizing they live in Milton. Don’t get me wrong – it’s getting better every day. But still, there are a number of reasons for the confusion: being surrounded by long-standing and popular communities; the inability for mapping software and widely-used address databases to keep Milton as a location over Alpharetta or Roswell (due in part to year scrubbings of the data, we’re told);  and the simple fact that…

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Gomes submitted this letter to Alpharetta City Council prior to its Monday, June 4 meeting. During public comment at the meeting, he was told it was not a time for Q&A, and that the city doesn't own the property. Prospect Park's years of neglect were mentioned, and the homeowner representative said that's just what his community fears as he reiterated his community's concerns. I am writing to ask you to support the protection of the homeowners of Westwood Park and the overall landscape aesthetics of the city of Alpharetta in regards to a development project off the Georgia …

Awhhhh, Poor Baby! Welcome to our world! Your constituents have been putting up with this kind of no service for years. It does not matter if it is Comcast, Charter or whoever; they have been granted monopolies and take full advantage of it. They know the only way to get truly fast internet service or TV without unsightly dishes or weather outages; crucial to today’s modern lifestyle, communications, and business needs, your only resource is cable. (And how do you install satellite when you are on the wrong side of the building in an apartment or heavily wooded subdivision and your …

In a stunning show of power the State Charter Board using a little known and surprising procedural maneuver moved up the vote on FSA Middle School from June 14th  to today.  State School Board members stated that if FSA Middle School were granted a charter it would set a negative precedent for the education system and therefore it is believed that they will likely vote to deny a charter to FSA Middle School tomorrow. This was clearly a win for State and local educational bureaucrats who wish to deny parents of Georgia Educational freedom.  It was clearly a show of power that while the …

At a time of great adversity and challenge I would like to thank the FSA MS Governing Board from my heart for the heroic efforts you have put forward for our community, for our school, and our children. I would like to thank you for your time and the hundreds of unpaid hours you have given selflessly to ensure that our children can continue to receive the best possible education.  I would like to thank-you for your dedication, the sleepless nights, and willingness to do what it takes to keep our school open.  I would like to thank you for your energy as you have given your all to make the …

I support North American Properties' proposal per their requested stipulations including the 'for rent' units. I feel that the argument for or against the project should not be reduced to a renting vs owning debate as it was framed in Planning. Avalon has too much to offer the city to be reduced to this oversimplified analysis. The current 2030 Comprehensive Plan suggesting an 85/15 split between owned vs. rent is largely pie in the sky wishful thinking. The city's own report states that it would take 35 years to achieve this ratio. You risk killing a mixed use, smart growth concept over a …

EDITOR'S NOTE: Elizabeth Hooper sent this letter to Alpharetta City Council, and prepared her own comparison of what she knows about Avalon to Americana at Brand and Santana Row. Dear City Council Members, I am urging you to heed the recommendations made by the Planning Commission at their April 5th meeting regarding the Avalon proposal. I am specifically referring to the requirement that NAP purchase developer rental zoning rights to cover their planned 250 rental units. My concerns are as follows; 1) The Planning Commissioners feel that it is their responsibility to uphold the 2030 …

By Tony Roberts, President of Georgia Charter Schools Association and resident of Alpharetta Senator Vincent Fort, State Representative for Atlanta and East Point, has written an op-ed opposing HR1162 entitled: “Democratic Senator Opposes Charter Schools Measure.”  Sen. Fort says HR1162, which calls for a constitutional amendment, is not about charter schools and is not needed.  He is half-right:  it is not just about charter schools, but it is actually needed for the well being of ALL our public schools.  He also creates the fear that if HR1162 passes, our public schools will suffer, taxes …

In a few short months Dr. Avossa has accomplished what no other Superintendent has done nationwide ---  He has denied a charter for the only nationally acclaimed school in his district. He has denied a charter for the top Math and Science school in Fulton County and one that ranks in the top 5 in the state. He has belittled the efforts of the parents, students, faculty, and staff saying in public forums including Rotary and Community Meetings that this Nationally Ranked and Award Wining school is not special and in fact is just average and mediocre. He has refused to participate in mediation …

Fulton Science Academy Middle School may be looking through a swollen black eye delivered by a sucker punch from recently appointed Superintendent Robert Avossa and the Fulton County School Board, but the small school and its strong community are still alive, well, and far from a knock out. Much like the beloved Philadelphia fighter, Rocky Balboa, FSA has found itself the underdog in the ring against a dominant opponent.  But, similar to the Pride of Philly, FSA believes that “when it’s over, they will still be standing.” With legislative support from all of the representatives and senators …

Early this morning, my sons’ school was denied the opportunity to purchase the 5905 Windward property, which would have provided for perfect alignment with the school’s educational platform, purpose, and mission which is providing excellence and leadership within the scope of expeditionary learning. As a business professional and current MBA/ MPA candidate, I understand the intricacy and legitimacy of private and public concerns. However, I am saddened—not for my sons or the school—but for the Windward area. Our request for the Conditional Use Permit, or CUP, and the eventual variance to the …

Dear Fulton County Board Members, Let me share with you some of the reasons why we are so passionate about Fulton Science Academy Middle School. I wonder how many of you have attended a school tour at FSA MS.  As far as I know, none of you have taken the 30 minute tour and have therefore missed out on learning why parents and students are so passionate about this school.  Principal Sener shares stories about the school and personalizes the tour by regularly inserting memories that have taken place over the school's 10 year history.   He tells of how this unknown school, housed in an ugly, old…

Having my name appear on the ballot in our recent election was arguably one of the best experiences of my life.  Kaye and I really enjoyed the 75 day campaign and all of the folks that we had the opportunity to meet for the first time.  I want to thank the one thousand, nine hundred, and ninety-nine voters who thought that I would do a good job in representing them on City Council.  I will forever be grateful for their endorsement.  I really thank all of our friends who came out and worked so diligently on election day.  My candidacy allowed me to discuss several issues that are very …

As a long-time member of the Alpharetta Planning Commission, and a former member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Windward Community Services Association, and the Windward Homeowners Association, and an active member of Alpharetta and the Windward Community, I feel it necessary to speak out on the up-coming election. Our local elections could well be called “The Mean Season” because of things otherwise sane and upstanding citizens and their supporters are driven to do in search of an elective office.  In the past, I took very active roles in mayoral and council races.  This election season…