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Planning commission denies conservation law Heads next to council ►►PAGE 4
Bell Park build progresses Nears September completion ►►PAGE 13
Homestretch’s BBQ, music Non-profit holds Chukkar fundraiser PAGE 12
July 1, 2015 | miltonherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 10, No. 26
Milton enacts sign moratorium
REMEMBER AND RIDE ON »
Cycling community airs worries
MILTON, Ga. — The city of Milton adopted a moratorium on sign permit applications at a special called meeting June 24. The moratorium holds applications for permits and bars signs that do not require a permit for 30 days, except for temporary standard information signs. The moratorium was enacted in response to the June 18 Reed v. Town of Gilbert Supreme Court ruling, which restricts government sign regulations. The city has to examine its sign ordinance to make sure it complies with the ruling, said City Attorney Ken Jarrard. “There is language in sign codes that attempt to restrict the message to at least some sort of objective. Perhaps Mil-
A bicycle memorial stands where Jason Young was killed in Milton. A driver hit him April 29 while he biked on a local road. Local cyclists are concerned about their own safety on roads.
Awareness key to safety of drivers, cyclists By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – When 42-year-old Jason Young got on his bicycle April 29 in Milton, he never could have known he would not return home. He was hit and killed by a driver head-on and a fellow rider was injured in the crash. The driver was charged with vehicular homicide. The bicycling community takes such news seriously. Since May, several cyclists have been killed on Georgia roads. Jason Young’s case is unique in that motorists are rarely charged in bike-related accidents, say advocates.
If you want to get away with murder, kill a cyclist.” MICHAEL HOROWITZ Alpha Bikes
“If you want to get away with murder, kill a cyclist,” said Michael Horowitz, of Alpha Bikes. “Few drivers are ever charged in a bike crime. What are the consequences of killing or maiming us?” As cycling becomes an ever-popular hobby and sport, more cyclists take to the roads, mingling with motor vehicles and sharing roadways. Still, the danger is always there. For
See CYCLING, Page 3
There is language in sign codes that attempt to restrict the message to at least some sort of objective. Perhaps Milton has that as well.” KEN JARRARD City Attorney ton has that as well,” Jarrard said. “So what is considered to be the most appropriate response to that? Place a moratorium on your code. Go back and look at it, see if it needs to be modified.” Signs that are permitted can be up to four square feet. —Shannon Weaver
New fireworks law goes in effect July 1 Local fire departments urge safety BY JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Georgians will no longer have to drive across state lines to buy and bring back fireworks, even
if it was illegal. Georgia House Bill 110 allows the sale and use of fireworks in the state, and it went into effect July 1. This has local officials on guard not just for the July 4 holiday but for the foreseeable future.
See FIREWORKS, Page 24
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