HR 21 Re-creation Milton 2/26/09

I attended a meeting of the Creekside/Westlake Cluster Advisory Council (PTA meeting) at Sandtown Middle School with other educators and parents last week. The headliners for the meeting were Rep. Virgil Fludd, Rep Roger Bruce, and Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards. There were many topics of discussion but one that was on the minds of many parents was HR 21 which is currently making it's way through the GA Assembly at a rapid pace. HR 21 is yet another piece of a big "master plan" puzzle to separate Fulton County. Historically around the 1930s Milton County existed in what is now North Fulton County, GA. Fulton County was in the middle, and then there was Campbell County, which is what is now South Fulton County. Milton County was failing financially and so it merged and later Campbell also to what is today Fulton County.

Present day concerns are how tax dollars are allocated in Fulton County for schools, roads, and other areas of government. The majority of the tax base for Fulton County is located in North Fulton County. If the county split, then South Fulton schools would be greatly impacted by a significant loss in revenue. The school system is currently facing $58, -$62 million dollar deficit for the FY 2010 budget. School board leaders are already scrambling to rearrange funding sources now that they are realizing losses from homeowner taxes due to the increase in home foreclosure. So to think that in a few years we could see a complete severing of the tax base is alarming to say the least. When I say "master plan," I'm referring to the North Fulton areas such as Dunwoody, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs which have recently broken away from Fulton County to form individual cities. I imagine they are struggling financially in their own right but there may be a brighter light for them at the end of the tunnel someday. If Milton County were recreated then I'm sure it wouldn't be too long before due to financial problems, Dunwoody, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs would just merge into North Fulton County and everything would be lovely. But down here in South Fulton County, schools would struggle. I am adamately opposed to this resolution. The Representatives who were present stated that it should be watched, and that they have polled other legislators about HR 21 and it is likely to fail. They went on to say that several pieces are legislation are introdcued, but never make it to law. I appreciate and understand their knowledge and respect what they are saying. However, I launced an email campaign with members of the PTA at Stonewall Tell Elementary to all legislators both Democrats and Republicans asking that they not support this piece of legislation. Commissioner Edwards stated at the meeting that "if you want services then you have to pay for them and your taxes will go up." Later we heard from Linda Bryant who is the District 4 representative of the Fulton County school board. She describes the situation as not imminent. I just want to encourage all citizens, parents and educators to contact the legislators today concerning HR 21 and let them know your feelings. It seems on face rather insignificant but I promise you that it is piece of a bigger plan and we need to act today.