Mayor Wants Residents To Get Involved In Shaping City's Future

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker on Friday outlined the future of the city, and focused on an initiative to make the city a health and medical destination during the 11th annual State of the City Address.

The theme for this year’s event, “See the Future,” encouraged residents to not only remain engaged with the process of planning for the city's future, but to encourage others to be more involved as well.

“When we invited you to join us this year, we did so with the intent of inviting you to do exactly that, see the future,” Bodker said. “My hope is that you will leave here this morning with a desire to share your vision of the city’s future with us, and to remain engaged in the process to build on all that we have already accomplished together.”

Bodker noted that since the city's incorporation in 2006, Johns Creek has gained a strong reputation for a highly acclaimed school system, premier residential living, and as one of the safest cities in the state.

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The city is currently in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, a document that seeks to preserve and protect residential neighborhoods, and carefully manage future development growth. Bodker also stressed the importance of residents remaining engaged with this planning process to ensure Johns Creek will be in a position to sustain the success it has achieved.

“The same deliberate planning and focus that was used to build this exceptional city will also be required to ensure that Johns Creek remains that premier residential community well into the future,” said Bodker. “This is our town, and it will take a collective focused effort to sustain the path of success we have forged together.”

The mayor also pointed to a key initiative, “I Heart Johns Creek,” which the City Council approved in February, to create an as a Health and Wellness destination for metro Atlanta in the health and medical industry.

“With Emory Johns Creek’s medical campus and the world’s largest manufacturer of contact lenses, Alcon, along with many other health and wellness businesses already in place, I Heart Johns Creek creates a focused effort by the city to attract this industry to Johns Creek,” said Bodker.

He added that the city is postured to pull together existing healthcare and wellness businesses in and around the city in a more collaborative approach, which will help move this initiative forward. Overall, Bodker viewed the state of the city as good and noted his optimism for its future.

“The pride and love for our city that our residents continuously display energizes me each and every day, and I hope it will do the same for all of you,” said Bodker.

The event, which included a flash mob comprised of Chattahoochee High School students, and a special video appearance by America’s Got Talent Runner Up, Angelica Hale, can viewed here.

You can read Mayor Bodker's speech as prepared by visiting the city's website.

Image via city of Johns Creek