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Candidates Mayor of Milton, Georgia

City of Milton Campaign Leader George Ragsdale Announces
Campaign for Mayor

(THE CITY OF MILTON, GA) -- George Ragsdale announced today he will qualify to run for mayor of the new city of Milton. He chaired the City of Milton Committee, which organized the citizens' effort to evaluate and pass the referendum creating the new city.

An 11-year resident of northwest Fulton, Ragsdale has been involved in numerous community efforts. His accomplishments include:

-10 years on the White Columns Neighborhood Association Board

- 4 years on the White Columns Country Club Advisory Board

- Appointed to Birmingham Crossroads Steering Committee

- Appointed to Rural Preservation Steering Committee

- Appointed to Focus Fulton Comprehensive Planning Committee

- Appointed on the Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate Fulton

County services and recommend changes

"I'm running for mayor because I want to assure the city of Milton reflects the desires and interests of the 20,000 residents that chose self-government on July 18," Ragsdale said.

"I intend to help create an efficient, responsive government that does a few things very well, including providing strong police, fire and 911 services, superior and careful planning, more recreational offerings and road improvements. I expect Milton to live within its means and to squeeze every penny out of every dollar, he added.

"The committee and I worked very hard to bring this opportunity to northwest Fulton. Now I am committed to seeing it through," he finished.

State Representative Jan Jones appointed Ragsdale to head up the City of Milton Committee in 2005.

"I asked George to serve as chair of the citizens committee because he has integrity, a sharp intellect, a balanced perspective and a deep commitment to public service. He's worked tirelessly for the past year to bring northwest Fulton residents this incredible opportunity for self-government, " Jones said.

Ragsdale is an attorney for Georgia Pacific. He graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in chemical engineering. He earned an MBA and law degree from Widener University. He and his wife, Eleanor, have been married 26 years and have two children.

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Joe Lockwood announces and, has qualified to run, for the
office of Mayor for the new City of Milton

As a 17 year resident of North Fulton County, Lockwood has seen the area change immensely, both in good, and some not so good ways. His care and concern for the future City of Milton is what prompted him to seek this position.

" I have a genuine passion for this community, and desire to make it the best place we can live and raise our families," he says.

Lockwood plans on using experience he has gained through ownership and management of his local construction business for the past 19 years, to "build a team of the best possible people to run this City, and make it a place that everyone can be proud top call home".

"I see this as a chance to start from a clean slate, put the team together, including all of the people that have worked so hard in the past to get us to this point, and through the hard work of all involved, including the community, build a great City. This includes Fire and Police services, parks and recreation for our children, and road improvements."

"Also, I believe that my professional experience will be valuable in helping to ensure that we have smart, but managed growth, based on previous and future plans for the area, and what makes sense for the majority of our residents." "I am a big proponent of preserving the history and character of our existing community, as well as our future progress". "I want to be proud of how our City looks as we, and others from different places, drive through our streets and neighborhoods."

Lockwood believes that with his experience in running a small business, he will help run our City much more efficient than a big government, without all of the wastes we might have experienced in the past. "Let us spend our tax dollars wisely," he added.

"One of my best assets", says Lockwood, "is my skills in dealing with people, both individually, and as a group, and the ability to work through problems and situations to find an outcome that is reasonable and fair." "I want citizens to be able to have direct access when they have needs or concerns, and the ability to get answers or communication when they do have a problem."

Joe has been married to Dawn for 18 years, and they have three children, a daughter, Morgan 14, and two sons, Evans 12, and Charlie 6.

They are active members of Birmingham United Methodist Church, where Lockwood has been actively involved, and in charge of the design and construction of the Church's beautiful new facility at the Birmingham Crossroads.

Lockwood, age 42, is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, and in addition to his business, he boards and raises horses on his property and also owns an Assisted Living Facility in the area, as well served on the board for three years of Senior Services North Fulton, and has worked with North Fulton Community Charities.

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