Each year around this time, I'm asked to take a look into the future and report on what the City of Milton will be up to throughout 2012. 

In municipal government, goal setting exercises are especially important, because these guideposts help chart the path of a large organization responsible to taxpayers. 

And this upcoming year looks good: Just days before I was asked to write this letter, Milton was recognized as having the best quality of life in the state and ninth in the South by Business Journals, Inc. I suspect that quality of life will only increase, because after a few tough years, the economy seems to be picking up, both here in Milton and across the United States. 

With that in mind, here's what you can expect from the City of Milton government over the next 12 months: 

Read the entire message.

Get those lights off and stock up on tie downs, because Saturday, Jan. 7 the City of Milton and Milton Grows Green (MGG) will once again offer Christmas tree recycling as part of Georgia's "Bring One For The Chipper" program.

This year residents may take Christmas trees to multiple locations:  Milton High School's Birmingham Road entrance, located at 13025 Birmingham Highway (click here for directions) and Home Depot, located at 5300 Windward Parkway (click here for directions), offer assisted drop-off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 7.  Scottsdale Farms, located at 15639 Birmingham Highway (click here for directions), will offer extended drop off Dec. 26 through Jan. 7. 

Milton residents will be able to get a free dogwood or redbud seedling compliments of the Alpharetta Rotary Club when bringing a Christmas tree for recycling on Jan. 7. Thanks to the Alpharetta Rotary Club for their generous donation!

Additionally, Milton Boy Scout Troop 841 will pick up trees and recycle them for a donation of $10. To schedule a pick-up, e-mail treepickup841@yahoo.com. 

For more information, click here.

The second meeting of the Crabapple Overlay Zoning District Form Based Code Project stakeholders will be held Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in City Council chambers. 

This meeting will be spent learning about the concept of transfer of development rights (TDR) and how it might be used in Crabapple as well as other selected locations in Milton.

The presenter/consultant for this presentation will be Rick Pruetz, a national expert on this topic.  Our goal, as we develop the Crabapple Overlay Zone, will be explore the feasibility of incorporating the TDR concept into it.

For more information on this process, contact Milton Community Development Director Kathleen Field at 678-242-2555 or kathleen.field@cityofmiltonga.us.

Milton public and private schools are invited to participate in the Evergreen School Program and all interested teachers, administrators and parents may attend free informational seminars (five meetings per year with different topics).

The next meeting will be held Jan. 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Johns Creek Environmental Campus, 8100 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell GA 30022 (click here for directions). The program topic is "Utilizing Art in Environmental Education."

For more information, please contact Kathy Johnson, chairwoman of the environmental education committee for Milton Grows Green at mgg@cityofmiltonga.us.

The University of Georgia Radon Education Program is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families. In your community, Cooperative Extension locations will have information available about radon testing during National Radon Action Month in January.

There is overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second cause for those who smoke. Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. 

To obtain a radon test kit, contact the Fulton Cooperative Extension at 404-332-2400 or visit http://UGAradon.com.

Online registration continues for a co-ed recreational volleyball league for children ages 6 to 18.

To sign up at Overkill Volleyball's Web site, click here. After filling out the registration, click here to pay online. For more information on the program, click here. 

This program will take place at Hopewell Middle School thanks to an intergovernmental agreement with the Fulton County School System. Cost for residents is $150 and $225 for non-residents. That price includes a uniform and 90 minute, once-weekly practices and games for a six-game season, plus an end-of-season participation award.

Evaluations will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 (by age group - times posted Feb. 1) and practices begin Feb. 20. The first game will be held Feb. 25, with the season finishing up March 31. Please be advised that dates are subject to change. 

For more information about this program, visit Overkill Volleyball's Web site, www.overkillvolleyball.org or e-mail info@overkillvolleyball.org.

Nico Leis, center, with Erin Bolling, left, and Stephanie Sosebee, right.

Hopewell Middle School student and Jr. Beta Club President Nico Leis recently won the John W. Harris Leadership award after being nominated by his two Jr. Beta sponsor teachers, Erin Bolling and Stephanie Sosebee. Click here to read their nomination essay.  

He was one of just 25 Jr. Betas out of 420,000 members.  He also received a full tuition scholarship to attend the Broyhill Leadership academy held every summer by the Beta National Association.

Leis received the award in front of 5,000 Georgia Jr. Betas Nov.  18 at the Georgia Jr. Beta Convention in Macon, Georgia. It was presented to him by Judy Cummings, the National Jr. Beta Sponsor.

Leis said he is most excited about the recognition because it has brought attention to his current charitable drive for the Family Haven Shelter in Cumming. He is collecting paper towels, toilet paper, diapers of all sizes and laundry detergent. 

To donate, e-mail familyhavendrive@gmail.com.

Sure, April 22 is the "official" date that Earth Day is celebrated around the globe. But here in Milton we will host the third annual Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 21.  

Once again, the celebration will be held at pristine Birmingham Park, located at 750 Hickory Flat Road behind Fire Station No. 43 (click here for directions).  

"This will be an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy this beautiful 200 acre park and to check out the latest ideas for environmental sustainability," said Jack Lindon, co-chairman of Milton Grows Green (MGG), the city's environmental citizens committee.

Last year the event boasted an animal show, Easter egg hunt, entertainment, kids activity area, vendors showcasing environmental products and services, a horse drawn carriage ride and free food samples.  

"Our plan is to enhance the vendor area of the event, with the objective of bringing Milton residents the latest information on making their homes and businesses more environmentally sustainable," said Jon McPhail, co chair of MGG.

There are many ways to be involved in this annual event which last year drew 500 visitors: businesses may sign up for sponsorship and advertising benefits beginning at $250; companies with an environmental product or service to offer may obtain booth space; restaurants can showcase their favorite food samples; and groups can volunteer to help in many aspects, including planning, which begins immediately. 

For more information, please contact Cindy Eade, sustainability coordinator for the City of Milton at cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us or call 678-242-2509.

By Capt. Shawn McCarty, Milton Police Department 

By Kolleen Riddick, CorePhysique founder

It is that time of year when I start hearing from numerous people ready to start their fitness resolutions. They are ready to commit to a new and improved body. They want to know how they can start exercising regularly and eating healthy. Everyone wants to look and feel better and this is the time of the year when everyone gets another chance.

The best way to start a fitness resolution is to be realistic: Understand that it takes about 12 weeks for you to notice a difference in your body. Eating a proper diet will also be a big factor in losing those extra pounds. Start by writing down a daily food journal. This is always a great learning tool.

Schedule your workouts into your calendar. Pick classes or times that fit with your schedule. Be careful not to over schedule your workouts. One of the biggest mistakes I see my clients make is that they say that they are going to work out every day, and when they can't meet that goal, they fall off the band wagon and give up completely. Start with three days a week for anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.

Find a support system. Workout with a buddy or find a class where the instructor holds you accountable. At City of Milton/Core Physique camps we are committed to our clients and follow up with weekly emails and texts. We hold monthly contests that take attendance into account in order to qualify as a winner. And for all newcomers, we're offering a week of free camps. There's never been a better time to give it a try.

Most importantly, have fun! Be sure to pick a program that works for you. Commit to something that you look forward to doing three days a week: biking, swimming, running, boot camps, the list can go on and on. Pick what works for you. The best part of exercise is that it can be free.  Enjoy it, and you'll find yourself coming back to it again and again.

This list is compiled from business license records kept by the city's Community Development Department. If a new business receives a license within the month proceeding the newsletter, it will be listed.

The appearance of a business on this page is not intended, nor should it be construed, as the City of Milton's or Milton City Council's endorsement, sanction, promotion or advertisement of any particular business. Identification of businesses on this list is for informational purposes only. Citizens interested in retaining or conducting business with any of the companies or agencies listed in this item should conduct their own review and investigation of that business.

Off Broadway Expressions 2969 Commonwealth Circle Milton, GA 30004
Green Acres Realtors 980 Birmingham Road Suite 606 Milton, GA 30004
Tags & Titles Inc 13010 Morris Road Bldg 1 Suite 600 Milton, GA 30004
Grace Finance Consulting 3204 Chipping Wood Court Milton, GA 30004
Plastic Solutions Inc 15800 Birmingham Hwy Bldg 500 Milton, GA 30004
Changing Faces & Places in the Community 14116 Triple Crown Drive Milton, GA 30004

For a continually updated list of current businesses in Milton via the city's Web site, click here.