South Fulton is still here!

The naysayers had South Fulton running scared if we didn't form a city or get annexed. We're still here. Is the financials as rosy as they should be - no. We're still here though.

We are facing an incredible downturn in the economy. It's nothing short of the perfect storm. The mortgage crisis is choking the housing market to a large extent. Homes at certain price points are still selling in South Fulton. Gas prices are on the rise again along with just about everything else. Spending has slowed.

This downturn comes at a bad time for us here in South Fulton. We were facing a bright future with the growth on the residential and commercial side to a point. Now we are all hoping for the best.

Will we get to keep the tax money we generate? We'll see.

The legislation that effects us all is the one that will increase the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 over a number of years. What advocates don't understand is that will have an impact of services county-wide. In particular, Senior Services, Arts and Libraries. If those are your sacred cows then get ready to lose them. You should let your legislator know the homestead exemption increase could be more trouble than its worth.

Happenings in South Fulton, GA

It's already February and a lot has happened and in happening in South Fulton...

• Can we do this again on Super Tuesday! Go VOTE!!!!
• The Superintendent Wilson is retiring in June... He was the third or forth Fulton Schools Super in a three year period...That's gotta be some kind of record. For the record Wilson did an admirable job under the circumstances. He'll be missed.
• There's a new Publix shopping center on Hwy 92 and the Parkway; getting very busy...The package store next to the Little Gym play center is rather odd though.
• "South Fulton Citizen" is shutting down; didn't know it existed until December, no circulation in the unincorporated areas that I could see... We'll keep on trying to keep folks informed through South Fulton Living.
• Cascade Road McDonald's has new owners; why is the notable? The staff was predominately black teens now it's predominately Hispanic; new Hispanic manager brought in his "own" crew; someone recently said that the influx of immigrants is not taking away jobs for blacks well I beg to differ. Young black folks should be allowed to earn a paycheck in their own community. I can careless what happens in other places.
• A few legislative matters that may effect South Fulton...HB900 could give us our LOST dollars...don't count on it, it's sponsored by South Fulton House delegation. The majority isn't in the mood to give favors to South Fulton. Interesting enough there is a bill that would require Fulton County to give the Special Service District reserves from 2006 to the north Fulton cities. "It's good to be king!"
• HB925 could create townships which would bring about local control and election for town supervisors this could be real interesting. There's also a companion House Resolution 1079 which would do the same. Last year, a Senate bill died in the House. Probably will pass, has majority support from my understanding.
• Fulton County passed its budget; nothing striking that I can recall. Oh yeah, the South Fulton Arts Center phase II should be ready by June and the amphitheater is breaking ground this year.
• If you have cable keep any eye on channel 25 Fulton County is taking over the channel through it Public Access Board of Directors. AT&T has filed a state-wide franchise application which means they could be offering service in the coming year or so to our area. I suspect north Fulton and Cobb will get first dibs.
• I've got to say something about the $70 million budget deficit facing Atlanta... How? From listening to the Finance Committee meeting there are no controls in place. Departments routinely overspend their budgets and the CFO has no say so? Oracle is not going to change mismanagement of funds and sloppy bookkeeping. The culture of the Atlanta city government has to change. How do you forget to fund Underground Atlanta? I suspect the deficit is much larger. Atlanta just recently start paying all employees on the same day. There's a lot of problems Shirley fixed but somehow she missed on this one. Job cuts have to be on the table. My heart goes out to those that will be caught up in this mess.
• Everyone dumps on Fulton County and its finances. Let me make this clear. Fulton County is in total control of its finances, department can't overspend their budgets. For almost the last ten - twelve year Fulton has had a surplus at the end of the year.

• Oh yeah, theres a vote coming up...time for a change...yes we can....vote Obama!
• Those are my thoughts. What's yours?

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New Year for South Fulton

What are your expectations for South Fulton County? The housing market has slowed and growth has slowed. New schools are in the works. Are there any new parks in the works to help relieve the overcrowded parks? Work is underway to get the youth crime under control.

Rep. Roger Bruce has dropped a bill that will allow unincorporated South Fulton to keep its Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) contributions. That could put another $10.5 - $12 million in South Fulton budget. Otherwise, the money benefits the rest of Fulton County through the General Funds budget.

WalMart of Hwy 92 in South Fulton?

Of all the uninspiring things that could have been thrown at us in South Fulton is another WalMart. There are two others in South Fulton, Old National Hwy and Union City. Now with in it's infinite wisdom Union City strikes again. This time by approving the zoning for another one across from the Parkway Village on 92 and the Parkway. Now tell me why we need another Sam Walton store in South Fulton?

Unincorporated South Fulton!!!

Now that we've voted to remain unincorporated how do we improve upon what we have?

Incorporation Fails

The effort put forth to form a city of South Fulton went down without much of a fight in the end. What happened? Let's talk about it.

South Fulton -- Decision Time

With the passage of HB725 and SB301 South Fulton residents are poised to cast their ballot for or against incorporating a new city and opening up Fulton Industrial Blvd. Unfortunately the vote will not take place until this fall. Thanks to the governor. Several scenarios could play out.

1) If the city and Fulton Industrial district are approved there's going to be a race for mayoral and council. At that point old and new leadership may emerge to carry forth the birthing of the new city. The learning curve will be steep.

2) If the city vote fails FIB is supposedly off the table.

3) If the city vote fails will annexations eat up what remains of unincorporated South Fulton County.

It's close to decision time in South Fulton County. What do you think?

Incorporation is the way to go

If you believe in creating two new cities in South Fulton County this is where you can have your say.

Remaining Unincorporated

The future of South Fulton is remains up in the air. There is one thing we know for sure, Chattahoochee Hills will not create its own city. They are asking to be annexed by Palmetto. For areas not adjacent to any city annexation may not be an option. The remaining options are voting for incorporation of a new city in June of 2007 or no voting for a new city and remain unincorporated. Remaining unincorporated has become the option most folks don't want to talk about. There are various opinions on what happens if South Fulton remains unincoroporated. What are your thoughts?

Schools in South Fulton

For a number of years parents in South Fulton have fought with the Fulton County Board of Education over the treatment and lack of resources that are allocated to the schools in South County. As the BOE continue to pay lip service to serving S Fulton they are planning to come to us to support a third Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST III). Last year, they turned down a Lease Purchase funding option that is typically used by larger schools systems like Gwinnett. Lease Purchase is a loan process where the board pays off the lease of the schools over a number of years. At this point would you support a SPLOST III for more construction of schools or would prefer the board go back to review and adopt the Lease Purchase option?

South Fulton Blog

South Fulton is facing major changes in the next 18 months. I'm inviting you in to talk about those changes and what you think of them. Whether you're an annexation advocate, cityhood champion or for remaining unincorporated I would like to hear from you.