Milton Mayor Announces Re-Election Bid

MILTON, GA -- Milton's first and only mayor has announced his plans to seek another four-year term leading the young North Fulton County city.

Joe Lockwood said wants to continue the work to make Milton one of the most sought-after communities in the region. As a committed "servant leader," Lockwood said in a press release that his desire to build on the city's successes remains at the forefront of his goals.

“We’ve done so many great things over these past eleven years that have helped make Milton ranked as highest quality of life in the southeastern United States,” Lockwood added. “When you couple our quality of life with our designation as one of the safest cities in the state, I know we’re on the right path.”

Mayor Lockwood has been instrumental in leading the city’s efforts to preserve its rural character through efforts like the greenspace bond, while ensuring residents have access to world class parks like the recently completed Bell Memorial Park. The recently completed Milton City Hall opened on time and under budget, "which is a true testament to his leadership and fiscal responsibility," the press release notes.

“We have such a special place here in Milton," the mayor notes. "Ensuring that we deliver a world class city government, which is transparent and responsive to our citizens, is paramount for our continued success. This has always been about making Milton a great place to live, work and play. I’ve been a part of this community for over 25 years and I want to continue to work together to create a community we can all be proud to call home."

Recognizing there's still work to do, Lockwood said he wants to ensure Milton is ready for smart, sustainable growth that protect its character. Likewise, focusing on transportation infrastructure in ways that will relieve congestion will be critical component of the city’s ability to maintain its quality of life.

“We have to ensure our transportation infrastructure is designed in way that will relieve congestion and allow residents to get home to their families in a timely fashion,” Lockwood states. "Milton has always been about community, and we need to deliver a transportation network that connects us through improved intersections, walkable city centers and trails that allow us to enjoy our rural character.”

Lockwood has owned and operated JK Lockwood Construction Company since 1989. The mayor was previously past president of the North Fulton Mayor's Association and served on the Senior Services North Fulton Board of Directors. He's a current board member of WellStar North Fulton Hospital and is an active member of Birmingham United Methodist Church. Lockwood enjoys traveling on his motorcycles, spending time with wife, Dawn, and their three children, Morgan, Evans and Charlie.

Milton celebrated its 10th birthday in 2016, which Lockwood said is a sobering reminder of just how young the city is. When he was first elected, the mayor had a vision for what Milton could be and said he was committed to seeing that dream realized on behalf of the city's residents.

"And when I look at what we have done together, through partnership and collaboration with our city Council, dedicated professional staff, our city boards and committees, hundreds of volunteers, and most importantly our citizens, I am proud and amazed," he notes. “While work remains to be done, I remain as committed and energized as my first day on the job. I have been honored and humbled to serve as your Mayor, and hope Milton residents will give me the chance to serve for one last term.”

Image via city of Milton