This month I want to talk about all the sudden construction and development we're seeing around Milton. I know it seems like neighborhoods are popping up overnight, and I've been asked by many citizens why the city isn't stopping the growth. I've even had comments asking "if we need to vote in new folks on city council?"  

I wish it was that simple. If we had a magic button we could push and everything would stay the same, I, as well as city council, would!  

When I first moved to what is now Milton, it felt like we were way out in the country. We rode our horses up and down the street and through hundreds of acres that are now developed. I remember sitting outside and hearing nothing but the breeze and birds. Things have changed over the last 20 years, and I cannot do any of that now.  

The good and bad news is that Milton is a great place to live. We have quality schools, beautiful neighborhoods, proximity to good companies with great jobs, golf courses, horse farms, athletic facilities for our kids, etc. Believe me, I can go on and on.  

Milton was even named "best quality of life" in Georgia and ninth highest in the southeast by the Business Journals' On Numbers Survey. This kind of honor just fuels the desire of people wanting to move here, as we all have chosen to do so at some point.

    Read the entire message.

Perk up those ears for sleigh bells and pack the mittens, because the City of Milton will once again provide two holiday events for residents in December: the sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple on Saturday, Dec. 7 in partnership with the Crabapple Community Association (CCA); and the second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council on Sunday, Dec. 15.   

Sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple

Saturday, Dec. 7 is sure to have heaps of holiday cheer in Milton as the city, in partnership with the CCA, hosts the sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple from 2 to 5 p.m. in historic downtown Crabapple.

Again, Christmas in Crabapple will be a celebration throughout the Crabapple Crossroads. At Friendship Community Park there will be Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday music favorites, a holiday bounce house, funnel cakes, hot chocolate and holiday train rides.

In historic downtown Crabapple, the CCA is offering photos with Santa Claus at Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts, a bonfire and the return of the "North Pole Passport" program featuring local businesses.

Click here for directions to the park, located at 12785 Birmingham Highway between Crabapple Crossing Elementary and Northwestern Middle schools. Click here for directions to historic downtown Crabapple.

Second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council

In an effort to create the most welcoming, inclusive community in the state, every resident of Milton is again cordially invited to the second annual Mayor's Holiday Open House hosted by City Council Sunday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the home of Mayor Joe Lockwood on Dorris Road.

You read that right: The entire city is welcome to the informal holiday party, which will be held at the Mayor's home. All food and drinks will be donated by City Council and local businesses.

Shuttled parking will be available from 4 to 7 p.m. at Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway in Milton (click here for directions). Handicapped parking will be available at the home, 375 Dorris Road in Milton (click here for directions).

To RSVP, please e-mail rsvp@cityofmiltonga.us and include your name and address to verify you are a Milton resident. You will be sent an invitation to print out.

For more information on either of these holiday events, contact Special Projects and Events Manager Angela Thompson at 678-242-2530 or angela.thompson@cityofmiltonga.us.

The City of Milton Public Works Department and Milton Grows Green are offering residents a bulky trash amnesty day Saturday, Dec. 7, so gather your large items for disposal.

From 8 a.m. to noon, residents of Milton can bring items to the City of Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road in Roswell (click here for directions). Only City of Milton and Roswell residents will be served. Proof of residency will be required, and utility bills are preferred.

Also, bring your gently-worn shoes for a recycling and reuse program to help fund Milton's Community Wildlife Habitat Project (click here for more information on the project).

Some of the items accepted are (reusable items will be donated to Atlanta Furniture Bank): 

• tires - must be off the rim, automobile tires only; limit 4 per car
• sofas
• tables
• refrigerators
• chairs 
• washers 
• dryers 
• televisions 
• deactivated cell phones
• computer equipment and electronics
• mattresses and box springs
• grills
• lawnmowers (with fluids drained)  

The following items will not be accepted:  

• paint
• household hazardous waste 
• any fluids including motor oil and anti-freeze
• household batteries 
• construction and demolition materials 
• yard waste  

For proper disposal of these items, please contact either the Roswell Recycling Center at 770-442-8822 (motor oil and anti-freeze) or Chadwick Landfill at 770-475-9868 (construction and demolition materials).

Materials will only be accepted at the site on the day of the event and only during the hours of 8 a.m. and noon. Please note that the gate will close at noon.

A special thanks goes to the Young Mens' Service League for their continued volunteer support.

For more information, please contact Milton Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Eade at 678-242-2509 or cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.

Angel Tree 

During the holiday season, Senior Services North Fulton and our team of dedicated staff and volunteers spread cheer and gift-giving throughout North Fulton. The holidays are a lonely time for many of our seniors, especially those who live alone.  

The Angel Tree Giving program helps lift their spirits.  Seniors submit a wish list, which students, volunteers and organizations fulfill.  Many of the seniors in our program request gift cards to a local Kroger, Publix, Walmart, or Target to purchase personal items such body lotion and shampoo, or even groceries and medications. This year we are asking the community's help to fill the requests for gift cards. 

If you would like to donate a gift card from Kroger, Publix, Walmart, or Target to help a senior this Holiday season, please mail it to:

Ms. Deena Takata
Volunteer Manager
Senior Services North Fulton
3060 Royal Boulevard South, Suite 130
Alpharetta, GA 30022  

Community Gift Wrap Day  

On Dec. 16 the senior center will host a Community Gift Wrap Day. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. friends from the community can stop by and let seniors wrap Christmas gifts. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. 

Also, if you would like to donate supplies -- wrapping paper, gift bags, boxes, gift name tags, tape and Christmas cards -- we will accept them. Last year's left overs are perfect!  

To find out more information about The Angel Tree Program call 770-993-1906 ext. 230. For the gift wrapping day, contact Melinda Ross, Milton Senior Center manager, at 470-554-0758 or mross@ssnorthfulton.org.

Emma Harrison, daughter of Better Together member Teri Harrison, shows off two Thanksgiving baskets that will be provided to Better Together's sponsored senior.

Better Together, Milton residents looking for unique and fun opportunities to connect with neighbors, will be partnering with Communiteen in hosting its final event for 2014. The event will be held Dec. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Bethwell Community Center, located at 2695 Hopewell Road in Milton (click here for directions).  

Communiteen, a Better Together-affiliated organization of Milton-area high school students, encourages and fosters friendships among teens of all abilities.

At the event, participants will exchange gifts (limit $10), decorate cookies and collect gift donations for North Fulton Community Charities.

Ansley Bradwell, one of the founders of the Communiteen group, said there will be plenty to eat and drink.  Hot chocolate, pretzels and fruit will be served.

All Milton-area high school students are encouraged to attend this event.  If you plan to attend or would like more information, please contact Ansley Braswell ansley813@aim.com or Meredith Johnson meredithjdot@rocketmail.com.
 
Separately, in addition to participating in the Thanksgiving Senior Sponsorship program with North Fulton Community Charities, Better Together will also be helping a local family at Christmas by providing funds for needed food items.  

Better Together member Teri Harrison coordinated these activities for the group.  She said both are very rewarding experiences for Better Together and ones we hope to continue in the future.
 
All residents are invited to attend Better Together's twice-monthly meetings which take place at the Bethwell Community Center, 2695 Hopewell Road in Milton (click here for directions).

If you would like more information on Better Together or any of its activities, please contact Community Builder Wayne Boston at 678-242-2512 or wayne.boston@cityofmiltonga.us.

Once again, Casey Tree Company will donate their chipping services to Milton residents for "Bring One For the Chipper." This year's event will be held Saturday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations: 

• Scottsdale Farms, 15639 Birmingham Highway (click here for directions)
• Milton high School, 13025 Birmingham Highway (click here for directions) 
• Home Depot, 5300 Windward Parkway (click here for directions) 

Milton Thanks to the Young Men's Service League for their volunteer efforts! Don't want to deal with getting your tree recycled? Then let Boy Scout Troop 841 pick up your tree for a $15 donation. Send an e-mail to treepickup841@yahoo.com or call our voice mail at 770-667-6207 to schedule a pick up.

Children's Charities, a Milton based non-profit, will host ICEFEST 2014 Ice Carving Festival Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit the Early Autism Detection Unit for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

This event will take place at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road in Roswell (click here for more information). 

Ticket packages range from $10 to $45. Day pass includes access to the Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with  the Atlanta Ice Marvels sculptors, food truck alley from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., an ice sculpting competition, a magician and inflatables, a bonfire with s'mores and a live onsite broadcast from B98.5.

The reception and reveal from 6 to 10 p.m. is hosted by Jamie Bendall of the Punchline and includes a heated cocktail lounge, reveal of the 12-foot ice sculpture, lighting of the 10-foot ice torch, live music from the Stephen Lee Band, Farm fresh food by Harry's Farmers Market will be crafted by Chef Derek Dollar of Milton's Cuisine and Cocktails.

For sponsorship opportunities, visit www.childrenscharitiesga.org or call 404-217-4643. Purchase tickets by phone at 877-725-8849 or online at www.ticketalternative.com. Search: ICE FEST.

Citizens Government Academy 8

The City of Milton Communications Department has undertaken a monthly, video-on-demand Citizens Government Academy hosted through the city's YouTube page. 

Each month, Communications Manager Jason Wright will discuss a new topic in the two-minute videos. 

Soon, installments will cover virtually every aspect of the city's municipal operations, including sections reserved for hot topics that arise throughout the project.

To visit the City of Milton's YouTube page, click here.  

For more information, contact Communications Manager Jason Wright at jason.wright@cityofmiltonga.us or 678-242-2523.

Congratulations to Paige Norris, an eighth-grader from Mill Springs Academy, who won the Water Essay Contest for Fulton County.  

Norris' essay was one of hundreds received from sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties.  

Students were asked to write a 300- to 500-word essay about water conservation. A subcommittee of the Metro Water District's Education Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) came together to judge the essays. The district-wide winner and runner-up were chosen from the winners from each county.

Capt. John Cunningham, the City of Milton firefighter injured in a July explosion under his house, returned to C-Shift Saturday, Nov. 16. 

"John's recovery from his off-duty accident has been amazing to watch," said Fire Chief Robert Edgar.

Cunningham said he's very thankful for the outpouring of support from the community.
"I especially want to thank my fellow firefighter Fred Barnes," he said. "He demonstrated what the brotherhood is all about." 

Roadwork projects continue throughout the city in December.  

ROADWORK

Please note: All dates on roadwork projects are estimates and are based on weather conditions. Any road closures will be sporadic and announced well in advance.  

Ga. 140 at New Providence Road
In July, CMES, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 140 (Arnold Mill Road) and New Providence Road.  Plans include redirecting the intersection approach, adding turn lanes and installing a traffic light. 

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) awarded the construction contract to CMES, Inc. in the amount of $1,161,626.92. The job is expected to last one year. 

Ga. 372 at Providence Road/New Providence Road
In August, Bartow Paving Company, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 372 (Birmingham Highway) and Providence and New Providence Roads. Plans include redirecting the intersection approach and installing a roundabout.

GDOT awarded the construction contract to Bartow Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $2,576,297.45. The job is expected to last 18 months.   

Hopewell Road at Francis and Cogburn roads
In August, Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. also began intersection improvements at Hopewell Road at Cogburn and Francis roads. Plans include installing a roundabout.

The City of Milton awarded the construction contract to Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $786,606. The job is expected to last one year.  

Deerfield Parkway at Morris Road
In September, Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. began installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Deerfield Parkway and Morris Road. 

Milton awarded the construction contract to Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $339,955.52. The job is expected to last six months.  

For more information on these projects, visit http://miltonintersectionprojects.com or contact Angie Kapijimpanga, citizen responder for the City of Milton, at 678-242-2562 or angie.kapijimpanga@cityofmiltonga.us.

Online registration for Hopewell Youth Association's (HYA) Spring 2014 recreational baseball season is now open at the group's Web site, www.hopewellbaseball.org.  

To register and for full information on age cut off dates, volunteer coaching opportunities and league fees, click here. This page is also accessible by visiting www.hopewellbaseball.org and clicking on the "Register Online' link to the upper left.  

Please note the registration process is split into three parts: The first, for Milton residents only, is now open. The second, which begins Friday, Nov. 15, is for HYA veteran players who do not reside in Milton and city residents. The third, kicking off Sunday, Dec. 1, is open registration for everyone regardless of residence or previous league history.  

Registration will close Wednesday, Jan. 1. A $35 late fee will be charged for any registrations after this date. Each phase of the registration is open to all ages.

HYA, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, is a non-profit organization that schedules and programs the baseball activities at Milton's Bell Memorial Park through a joint agreement with the City of Milton. For more information about the programs, including a full schedule of fall baseball, visit the group's Web site at www.hopewellbaseball.org.

The Milton Police Department recently launched the MyPD app, putting a staggering array of crime suppression tools into residents' hands.

Now with one simple-to-use cell phone app, residents can ask questions, commend an officer, submit a tip or feedback with photos, and view wanted listings, crime maps, sex offender listings, and much, much more. There are 24 possible features and options for users, meaning a wide variety of vital information for Milton residents.

The app can be downloaded by searching for My Police Department or MyPD in the iPhone App Store or Android Market. There is no charge for the app and it is free of advertisements.

Once downloaded, the user can simply navigate to Milton's page by selecting the correct city and state. There are also options to follow neighboring police departments.  

As is the case with the City of Milton Police Department's e-mail, tip sites and social media, the app is not for any type of emergency situation. It is for routine questions and information sharing only. In an emergency, always dial 911.

For more information, contact the City of Milton Police Department at 678-242-2570.

In an effort to increase community safety and interaction with the City of Milton Fire Department, the agency recently launched its own Facebook page and Twitter feed.  

To see the Facebook page, click here. To see the Twitter feed, click here. Please note, you must be a member of Facebook and Twitter to view the pages. If you are not a member of either social media site, you will not be able to view the content.  

"Like" the Facebook page and "Follow" the Twitter feed to receive updates about upcoming events or classes, safety alerts and tips regarding fire prevention.

For more information on the Milton Fire Department's social media efforts, please contact Fire Administrative Assistant Jamila Jones at 678-242-2541 or jamila.jones@cityofmiltonga.us.

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.

Great Lakes Material Handling Services, LLC: 785 Colonial Lane

Givens Delights: 2170 Bethany Way

Outcomes Health Connections, LLC: 13010 Morris Road, Building 2

Korucu Technology International, Inc.: 12600 Deerfield Parkway

Middark Press: 12850 Highway 9 Suite 600-236

Duos Cajun Boucherie, Inc.: 435 Old Holly Road

NACL, LLC: 1833 Heritage Pass 

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