Politics & Government

Michael Cross Announces Plan to Run for Alpharetta City Council

Development Authority chairman seeks seat being vacated by Jim Paine, whose term ends this year.

Michael Cross, a member of Alpharetta's Development Authoirty, formally announced his candidacy for City Council.

“I believe we have a great city - one that I believe offers opportunity for those who seek it and offers promise for our children,” said Cross in his announcement.  “We live in a place that has wonderful neighborhoods, schools, job opportunities, and more, but I know we can make it even better, and I believe I can help.”

Cross, who with his wife Laurie have four young children, commented on how his family impacted his decision to run for office.  “From the moment our children are born, we parents begin to imagine the life they will lead and the persons they will become. I want to make sure I do my best so that, when our kids are grown, they will have the opportunity to stay here in Alpharetta – and that they may want to stay.  That means we must work together to ensure we have good neighborhoods, great jobs, and all those things that are meaningful and desirable in a city.”

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He’s served on the board of directors and as president of an Alpharetta homeowners’ association, is one of the founders of the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation, and serves on the board of directors of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

“I live and work in this community. This is where our kids go to school, where we go to church, where our sons and daughters play sports, take dance lessons, and more.  I feel I’ve been blessed to live here, and I think I have an obligation to help wherever I can,” he said.

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He has been n Alpharetta Development Authority member for five years, serving as its chairman during the past two years. He helped guide the creation of the city’s new economic development plan and attract investment in the area. He also coaches youth baseball, has received the Harry Rucker Volunteer of the Year award from the Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta.

As a lawyer, Cross also has had the opportunity to work with many members of our community.

“I think it’s incredibly rewarding to help people who are starting a business and seeking to achieve the American Dream,” he said.  “I believe my training as a lawyer and my desire to see families succeed will be an asset as a member of the City Council.”

For the past 11 years, Cross has served as an adjunct professor of business law, ethics, and leadership at Reinhardt University.  He also frequently serves as a lecturer at continuing legal education seminars on matters involving business, tax, professionalism, and ethics.  For the past six years, he has participated in the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism, a volunteer effort to teach ethics and professionalism to students entering law school.

“I believe it’s important that those who have had some success invest their time in stressing the importance of ethics and professionalism.  There’s a right way to do things.  That’s why I make multiple trips to Emory Law School – the school from which I received my law degree - each year, and it’s why I’ve focused on ethics issues during each of the more than 60 courses I’ve taught at Reinhardt.”

“The City of Alpharetta is doing a great job in many areas, as evidenced in part by the award our parks department recently received. I believe it is imperative, however, that we elect people to office who have a strong working knowledge of the city, who have a history of seeking input from others and working productively together, and who understand how our citizens desire to address issues such as transportation and jobs.”

Cross, together with family and friends, will be at City Hall on Monday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. to formally qualify for Alpharetta City Council, Post 5. Jim Paine, who plans a mayoral run, holds the post. His term expires at the end of the year.


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