Jim Boff working for Forsyth's District 5

Jim Boff hardly had the time to move into his new office before he was working with constituents. The new District 5 commissioner recently took office at the first of the year.

Boff said the staff has been "fantastic" in welcoming him to the position.

"People have been wonderful and supportive of me," he said.

However, Boff had to hit the ground running as local residents started demanding action on various local issues. One such issue has been residents demanding a traffic light at Turner Road because they feel it is unsafe.

"I have received quite a lot of e-mail over this small road," he said. "All of the comments have been very well thought out, established arguments."

Since the job provided a very short time span to learn about local issues and procedures, Boff said he felt very fortunate the commissioners allowed him to attend the meetings following the elections.

"Since the elections," he said, "I have been able to see who the players are and learn about the issues. I have been amazed at the variety of points of view the commissioners all have on different subjects. They are all very well considered positions."

Boff said one issue he would like to tackle is the importance of water, an issue he said would require some "education" on his part.

"How much we rely on Lake Lanier as a source of water has a massive implication on this county," he said. "Governments outside of Georgia have an enormous impact on the fate of that lake. I would like to look at a second source of water and study those options."

Boff said he would also like to continue looking for opportunities for transportation improvements and business development.

During the December training of new commissioners held at the University of Georgia in Athens, Boff said he attended with new District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell. The training lasted four days with nearly 160 elected officials.

"The training was very, very good," he said. "I have found it to be absolutely indispensable."

More importantly, Boff said, was the time spent with his new colleague.

"Patrick and I learned a great deal about one another," he said, "and I look forward to working with him."
- www.northfulton.com

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