Milton earns top ratings for green space bonds

Standard & Poor’s has awarded Milton a AAA bond rating, and Moody’s Investors Service a rating of Aaa. Both are the highest possible bond ratings, timed for the sale of $25 million of green space bonds, city officials announced.

Milton has been working with the municipal advisory firm of Davenport & Co. on the ratings and bond sale. The bonds are to be sold this week, coinciding with the swearing-in of the seven-member Milton Green Space Advisory Committee.

Approved by voters last November, the bonds are to be used to preserve such open space as pastures, horse farms, wooded areas and large tracts of undeveloped land; protect wildlife habitat and water resources; and establish and connect trails for walking, biking and horseback riding. plants along several stretches of Peachtree Parkway, which is also Ga. 141. Among the areas targeted for beautification are the stretch around South Forsyth High School, plus segments near the Creekside North, the Orchards and Bridle Ridge South subdivisions.

Kristen Morrisey of the private group said the money coming from the county can be used to raise funding from other groups such as homeowner associations, stretching its impact further. She said the group has raised about $270,000 total so far.

Commissioners also approved similar roadway beautification projects along stretches of Mullinax, Castleberry and Bethelview roads in commission District 3, plus on Ga. 20 from Marketplace Boulevard to Samples Road in District 5. at least one year, for inspection upon request by the city manager, police chief or other authorized person.

Pet shops that offer dogs or cats for adoption also must post signs listing the name of the shelter or rescue group that provided the animals.

In March, the Canton City Council barred dog and cat sales at pet shops within its jurisdiction, but allowed animals to be offered for adoption.

Canton’s ordinance, citing the Humane Society of the United States, said 10,000 puppy mills produce more than 1 million puppies a year, that most pet shop dogs and cats come from such sources, and that abuses have been documented with these sources.

City Council gives $2 million to DDA

The Powder Springs City Council voted 3-2 Monday to give $2 million to the city’s Downtown Development Authority to renovate the downtown area.

In favor were Councilman Patrick Bordelon and Councilwomen Doris Dawkins and Nancy Hudson.

Opposed were Councilwomen Cheryl Sarvis and Patricia Wisdom who both wanted the matter tabled until June 5 since this intergovernmental agreement (IGA) was not posted on the city’s website until Monday afternoon.

Sarvis said this IGA “does not give the council any power thereafter to help determine the purchasing price of the properties.”

Since some of the DDA members “potentially stand to gain financially from some of these transactions, it is more prudent ... that the City Council retain some control over the spending of the taxpayers’ money on property.”

Joining them in opposition were former Mayor Pat Vaughn and Planning and Zoning Commission member Nancy Farmer during the public comment portion.