Holiday Message from the Mayor
December 16, 2011
Every December, I find myself wondering where the time went, and at the same time looking forward to all the possibility that seems to present itself with the ringing in of a New Year.
On that note, in 2011 we will bid farewell to one of our founding Council Members, Dan McCabe. On behalf of our City, I would like to thank Dan, his wife Kristin and their two beautiful daughters, not only for his service to Johns Creek these past five years but for all his efforts, prior to 2006, in helping to establish our City. At the same, it is my pleasure to welcome our newest Council Member, Brad Raffensberger, who will be sworn in at our January 9 meeting.
2011 has certainly been an exciting time in Johns Creek. We were host to the 93rd PGA Tournament in August, which brought more than 200,000 visitors and an international television audience. The hard work and dedication of city staff and hundreds of volunteers minimized the impact of this huge event on the comfort of our citizens and businesses and the day-to-day operations of the City.
Similar efforts yielded a number of accomplishments for our City for 2011.
With increased traffic from the opening of all lanes of the McGinnis Ferry Road project, the debut of the Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) on Medlock Bridge Road, linked to the Traffic Control Center at City Hall, came not a moment too soon. In January, we are poised to hook up ITS on State Bridge Road. This system, with its refined timing of traffic signals and real-time adjustments, is maximizing road capacity and making life just a little easier for all of us.
This summer we all celebrated the long-awaited renovation of the historic Newtown School as it re-opened as Park Place, an adult activity center that has programs already bursting at the seams. Right next door you will find the all-new Newtown Dream Dog Park, attracting four-legged friends every day from sunup to sundown.
Just this month, we all enjoyed a week-long celebration that culminated in our 5th Anniversary Founders Day Parade. An estimated 10,000 people came out for the biggest birthday party of the year and enjoyed marching bands, floats, a race car and a host of other fun exhibitions.
On a more personal note, while the economy has presented challenges for all of us, I remain amazed and proud of the incredible outpouring of support we see every day in our community. The Johns Creek Police Department continues to be a leading supporter of the Georgia Special Olympics and the Johns Creek Fire Department has made a considerable name for itself with the Georgia Burn Foundation–all thanks to the hard work of those departments and the generosity of our community. From the Relay for Life in May to the Toys for Tots campaign in December, Johns Creek never falls short when it comes to reaching out to others in need.
Each and every year, I say that we have much to be proud of and thankful for–and 2011 is no different. In 2012, I know that we will face many difficulties and again be amazed at all we can accomplish as a community working through them together.
And so, as 2011 draws to a close, on behalf of myself, my fellow council members and the entire staff of the City of Johns Creek, I extend our warmest wishes for the happiest of holidays and a joyous new year.
Respectfully,
Mike Bodker
Mayor