The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) met today - Thursday, January 31, 2008 - for lunch at Country Club of the South for its quarterly meeting in the Johns Creek area. The highlight of the luncheon meeting was Mayor Mike Bodker's first official State of the City Address.

Mayor Bodker began his time on the podium with a few lighthearted remarks and words of thanks to those who have supported him during his first year in office, setting the tone for a short but informative "State of the City" Address which highlighted the accomplishments of 2007 and goals for 2008 for the new city.

The City of Johns Creek was named by Relocate-America in the Top 25 List of Places to go to School for 2007, a great an unexpected recognition for the city's first year in existence. Mayor Bodker thanked his staff and the city's professional support staff for making this possible.

Mayor Bodker listed 2007's top accomplishments as:

• #1 achievement is the city's very creation! Johns Creek is Georgia's 10th largest city!
• Establishing the foundations for city police and fire departments
• Taking the first steps in addressing road and traffic issues, including improving traffic light timing, resurfacing Jones Bridge Road, and finalizing plans to finish State Bridge Road
• Delivering on the promise of a transparent, responsive and fiscally responsible government

Mayor Bodker also highlighted two huge initiatives that have become a top priority for 2008. The first is the "Choose to Use Johns Creek" initiative, in which he is encouraging all residents of the Johns Creek area to use Johns Creek, GA, as their official mailing address. As of June 1, 2007, the United States Post Office officially recognized Johns Creek, GA, as a valid mailing address. The Mayor and his staff are working to push an initiative with the citizens to have "every bill and magazine" each citizen receives be switched over to the Johns Creek mailing address.

The second top priority initiative the Mayor is pushing for is for Johns Creek to be named "Georgia's First Heart-Ready City" by the American Heart Association. By campaigning for the funds to put a portable defibrillator in every fire truck, police car, first responder vehicle and even in our parks, Johns Creek could be come the first city in Georgia to be awarded this socially-conscious recognition.

2008 goals for the City of Johns Creek include:

• Complete roll-out of police and fire departments: April 2008 will see the official start of the Johns Creek Police force, with Chief Ed Densmore leading the charge; August 2008 will bring the official beginning of the Johns Creek Fire Department, led by Chief Joey Daniels.
• Continue to plan and execute transportation improvements
• Complete a comprehensive plan for the city by November 2008 to incorporate environmental awareness, neighborhood livability, economic growth and quality of life, with the input of the citizens of Johns Creek

In closing, Mayor Bodker said that his most important goal for the future is to "continue to implement initiatives that bring government closer to the people."The future looks bright for the City of Johns Creek, thanks to Mayor Mike Bodker and his capable staff. We at The Gebhardt Group are looking forward to being an integral part in the growth of our great city!

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