While official results were still unavailable, supporters of creating the new cities of Johns Creek and Milton both say their numbers show incorporation winning overwhelmingly. Supporters of Milton who gathered at an El Azteca restaurant saw victory within their reach. Tallies at election parties for the two cities show each proposal passing with yes votes in the mid-80 percent range. "It's very gratifying to have your vision become a reality," said Johns Creek incorporation leader Mike Bodker said. "Now the work begins." Johns Creek volunteers planned to fan out after results were final, planting green "Welcome to Johns Creek" signs throughout the city.At the Milton party, supporters said they have heard that 85 percent of voters supported the new city, according to results from six of seven precincts. Supporters cheered each time someone updated results on a large sheet of paper.Then conversation would resume. It was more like a cocktail party than the celebration of a hard-fought victory. Buck Bell, 52, said he supported the creation of the city of Milton because he didn't think that people in Northwest Fulton County were getting their money's worth from the county government. "It had become obvious we were suffering from a lack of representation from Fulton County," he said. "I think we'll be ready for the next step. Most of the people here are business people and they know how to run a business. This shares the same traits these people possess. I'm optimistic." George Ragsdale, the primary force in creating the township of Milton, said most people at the party had all experienced a disappointment in the services provided by Fulton County, the same motivator that drove the creation of the city of Sandy Springs last year. "They had 30 years to get there so we feel pretty good," Ragsdale said. "This is is about self control, local representation, no tax increases and improved services. Sandy Springs led the way in dealing with Fulton County." He said he doesn't feel bad about the dismantling of Fulton County as a provider of municipal services. "They weren't willing to manage the hard issues," he said. - AJC.com
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