Jack Miller wins the HD47 runoff

Jack Miller Wins the HD47 Runoff

Jack Miller won Tuesday's Republican runoff for Georgia House District 47, the seat that covers most of Milton. With nearly all precincts reporting, Miller led Brian Cochran by about 63% to 37% in unofficial returns — roughly 2,900 votes to 1,700.

It caps a race that started closer. In the May primary, Miller finished first with 49% — just short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff — with Cochran in second. Tuesday's margin was wider.

The seat is open because Rep. Jan Jones, the House Speaker Pro Tem and Milton's longtime representative, is retiring. Whoever fills it speaks for the area under the Gold Dome on the issues we put to both candidates: property taxes, growth, and Birmingham Crossroads.

Miller isn't sworn in yet. He advances to the November 3 general election against Democrat Lindsay Defranco; the seat has been in Republican hands for years.

Want to see where Miller landed on the five questions? His answers — and Cochran's — are still posted, word for word and side by side, in our HD47 voter guide.

Sources: county returns via FOX5 Atlanta and Ballotpedia; totals are unofficial until certified.

What the Council Decided Monday

On Sunday we walked through Monday's City Council agenda. The votes are in now — and the headline is a 30-day pause on data centers.

The Council approved a temporary moratorium that stops the city from accepting any data-center applications — rezonings, permits, business licenses — for the next 30 days. It's a pause, not a ban.

The point is time. The city wants room to hold a public hearing and decide whether to extend the freeze while it weighs new rules for data centers in its development code, citing the strain such sites can put on power, traffic, noise, and emergency response.

Milton joins a growing list of Georgia communities that have hit the brakes on data centers this year to update their zoning before the next project arrives.

Two other items passed. The Council signed a three-year agreement with Alpharetta to house Milton's arrestees at Alpharetta's jail off Old Milton Parkway, at $165 per inmate per day — sparing officers the drive to downtown Atlanta and keeping more of them patrolling here. It also authorized Milton Fire-Rescue to apply for a FEMA grant to buy a mobile trailer that refills firefighters' air tanks at the scene.

One item didn't get a final vote: the FY2026 budget amendments had their public hearing Monday but come back for a decision on July 6.

Sources: City of Milton; Appen Media.

Fireworks, Meet Horse Country

With the Fourth of July around the corner, Milton has a fireworks rule that's pure horse country: don't set them off within 200 yards of any property that's home to horses — at any time, the Fourth included.

That restriction took effect last year, following state legislation. The reason is simple — a sudden boom overhead can send a horse bolting, a danger to the animal, its handlers, and the neighbors.

Everywhere else in the city, loud fireworks are allowed only a couple of days a year. The next window is July 3 and 4, 10 a.m. to midnight. After that, you're waiting until Labor Day.

New this month: if you live or work on a Milton horse farm, you can pick up a free yard sign at City Hall's Community Development window to post on your property — a heads-up to any neighbor who might be planning a backyard show.

Not near horses? Fireworks are legal those two days, but the city asks you to warn neighbors with animals — or veterans — for whom the booms land hard. To report illegal fireworks, call Milton Police's non-emergency line at 678-297-6300.

Source: City of Milton. Full rules at miltonga.gov/Fireworks.

Around Town

A new left-turn signal is coming to Arnold Mill Road at New Providence. In the next few days, GDOT will switch on a dedicated left-turn signal for drivers heading south on Arnold Mill (Highway 140) and turning onto New Providence Road — a spot that backs up at rush hour.

You'll get a green arrow for a protected turn, or a flashing yellow to go when it's clear. The catch: on weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m., you'll be able to turn only on the green arrow — no flashing yellow during the afternoon crush. The city lobbied for the change for years; GDOT handled it because it's a state route.

And if you've ever wanted a piece of the city fleet: Milton is auctioning off a retired Ford Expedition on GovDeals.com, the government-surplus site.

Sources: City of Milton.

One More Thing

Out and about tonight? The west-side shops of Crabapple Market host the Crabapple Summer Stroll, 5 to 7 p.m. — a shop-small evening with sips and apps at every stop:

→Ameline Shoppe — the Swedish Sisters and their candy cart
→For Something Beautiful — fresh flowers and unique gifts
→Poe & Company Bookstore — a children's-book author meet-and-greet
→Six Bridges Brewing — your favorite brew on the patio
→Whitetail Bicycles & Coffee — refreshing coffee drinks

Then the World Cup comes to the Green. On Friday, June 19 from 1 to 5 p.m., Georgia Soccer and the City of Milton host Goals on the Green at Crabapple Market — watch the U.S. men's national team take on Australia on the big screen, with giveaways at the Georgia Soccer booth. Bring the family.

And mark your calendar: Crabapple Fest returns Saturday, October 3.

Sources: Crabapple Market; Georgia Soccer; City of Milton.