Alpharetta, Milton Election 2019: Candidates Talk City Problems

ALPHARETTA/MILTON, GA — Georgians will take to the polls next Tuesday to vote in local elections, including in Alpharetta and Milton.

The Alpharetta City Council election will take place Nov. 5. Incumbents Mayor Jim Gilvin, Post 4 Councilman John Hipes and Post 5 Councilman Jason Binder are unopposed. Incumbent Councilman Dan Merkel will face residents Clifford Martin and Abu Jalloh for Alpharetta City Council Post 6.

The Milton City Council election will take place Nov. 5. Incumbents District 1, Post 2 Councilwoman Carol Cookerly and District 3, Post 2 Councilman Rick Mohrig are unopposed. Residents Judy Burds and Paul Moore will vie for Milton City Council District 2, Post 2.

Patch has invited each candidate in contested races to participate in our election profile series. We will continue to update this story with links to responses to our questionnaire.

Part one of the candidate questionnaire dives into who the candidates are, why they want to run and what their long and short term goals are.

• Alpharetta Election 2019: Candidate Seeks Former Quality Of Life
• Milton Elections Guide 2019: Candidates Plan To Keep City Rural

Part two showcases what candidates say is the biggest issue that the city faces, how they want to combat that and why people should vote for them.

The Alpharetta incumbents did not answer the questionnaire, neither did Post 6 candidate Abu Jalloh.

Who's Running in Alpharetta?

Mayor: Jim Gilvin (incumbent)

Post 4: Councilman John Hipes (incumbent)

Post 5: Councilman Jason Binder (incumbent)

Post 6:

Councilman Dan Merkel (incumbent)

Clifford Martin www.votecliffordmartin.com

Abu Jalloh

Who's Running in Milton?

District 1, Post 2: Councilwoman Carol Cookerly (incumbent)

District 3, Post 2: Councilman Rick Mohrig (incumbent)

District 2, Post 2:

Judy Burds www.Burds4Milton.com

Paul Moore www.mooreformilton.com

Alpharetta Questions 4 and 5: What is the biggest issue you think citizens in Alpharetta face? How do you plan to combat that issue?

Clifford Martin: I view traffic and congestion as the biggest problem. Fixing the problem isn’t something that Alpharetta can do alone. We need a unified plan with the adjoining cities (Milton, Johns Creek, Roswell) and counties, state transportation departments, local public mass transit, and in conjunction with the area’s large employers to develop a transportation master plan and implement it. I will say that current plans by the Alpharetta Public Works dept and the Georgia DOT to reduce the width of certain road vehicle travel lanes from 12-14’ wide down to just 10’ wide is a move I feel that will only make things worse and not better. I will oppose removal of currently existing pavement.

Road projects on the books for the area for the next 5-10 years will create a transportation nightmare for our residents and workers coming in and out of the city, while the construction is in process. We have to do better planning and implementation than what was done for the Rucker Road project, which is now over two years in process and with at least another six months to go. The city needs to learn from the mistakes that happened during the Rucker Road project and take actions to prevent them from happening on future projects.

The city also needs to stop blocking off main streets, such as Milton Avenue, for festivals and events that can easily be held in nearby locations that won’t block traffic on a major street. I plan to introduce an ordinance that would limit the number of times per year that a main street, such as Milton Avenue, could be blocked off from traffic, to be used to hold a festival or event.

Alpharetta Question 6: Why should people vote for you?

Clifford Martin: I care what happens to this area and the people who live here. As a longtime resident, I know the history of the area and I am willing to listen to the average resident and speak out about issues where it might not be politically correct to do so. Since I’m retired, I have the time to devote to doing the job, researching problems and finding the best answers. I won’t take campaign contributions from developers, real estate people and lawyers, so those groups won’t be able to influence me to approve things that aren’t in the best interest of the residents of Alpharetta. I plan to best represent the will of the people, like an elected official is supposed to do.

Milton Question 4: What is the biggest issue you think citizens in Milton face?

Judy Burds: Traffic due to insufficient advance planning for roads and infrastructure and traffic safety

Paul Moore: Milton is a popular place to live, so we must be smart in the way that our young city matures. I oppose rezoning to higher density and all schemes to circumvent our one home per acre minimum. Milton has limited commercially zoned areas, so we must attract business that serves our citizens, enhances our community, and contributes to our unique character without over development. I will continue to welcome these businesses to Milton and help them achieve success.

Milton Question 5: How do you plan to combat that issue?

Judy Burds:

• Proactively work the City of Milton to prioritize and budget for smart infrastructure planning and increased collaboration with GDOT so that we can anticipate changes in traffic and bring ideas to design and construction implementation in a timely manner
• Consult with Milton police, public works and communications on ways to encourage and enforce safe driving practices

Paul Moore: I have a strong voting record as Chairman of the Planning Commission, and have consistently demonstrated my commitment of a strict adherence to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. With the Plan as our guide for planned growth, we have delivered a healthy balance of desired commercial foundation that contributes to our tax base and provides necessary services without changing the complexion of Milton. I will always uphold these principles to ensure the best outcome for Milton.

Milton Question 6: Why should people vote for you?

Judy Burds: I offer a fresh voice and a fresh perspective for Milton. I will study all aspects of each issue, solicit and listen to citizen concerns, and work with multiple points of view to develop creative solutions. I am committed to preserving the quality of life in Milton and want to work hard on your behalf to protect our charm, green space, and zoning to allow for smart growth, with prudent spending as a top priority. I believe that I am the right person at the right time. I offer a real choice for Milton.

Paul Moore: Experience means results. Milton faces challenging pressure from growth, traffic, and preservation, all rolled into one. My time-tested track record of preserving Milton’s unique “sense of place,” smart growth decisions for the betterment of the community with right-sized and right-placed development, support of individual landowner rights, and a deep understanding of the community voice with a willingness to listen to all of our citizens clearly establishes me as the best person for the job.