Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
“Retirement” is better than ever …
Sunday, March 3rd, 2013
Retirement is a difficult word to describe. My kids look at my schedule and say, “Dad, you are busier now than when you were elected … or certainly when you had a real job”. True. I’m spending a lot of time these days focusing on PAL (Police Athletic League). We are preparing to move and the details seem overwhelming sometimes. I’ll have more on this next time.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
ATLANTA REALTORS SUPPORT JIM PAINE FOR MAYOR
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The Atlanta Realtors Political Action Committee announced today its recommendation of Jim Paine for election to the office of Mayor of the City of Alpharetta.
A candidate screening panel composed of members of the Atlanta Board of Realtors and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors concluded that Paine is the most qualified candidate to serve the citizens of Alpharetta in the next term.
Jim Paine has an impressive record of public service to the citizens of Alpharetta, where he has held the office of City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem. He led the way on several important initiatives in his legislative career, most notably in the policy areas of parks, recreation, and greenspace preservation.
“Jim Paine’s experience as a Council Member has prepared him well for the next level of leadership,” said Alan Joel, chair of Atlanta RPAC and principal of Joel & Granot Commercial Real Estate. “His support for low taxes, economic development of the downtown area, and the protection of property rights is perfectly aligned with our associations’ goal of making this community a world-class place to live, work, and play for our members and their clients.”
The Atlanta Board of Realtors and Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors are trade associations that together represent more than 7,500 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 21, 2011
CONTACT: Robert Broome, Governmental Affairs Director, robert@abr.org
Tags: Alpharetta
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Jim Paine Runs for Alpharetta Mayor
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
Name: Jim Paine
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired Business Owner
Political experience: 15 years on Alpharetta City Council, including nine years as mayor pro tem
Education: Georgia State University, major in Marketing
Family: Three grown children, six grandchildren
Election website: www.jimpaine.com.
Why I am running: I am running for mayor because I can offer our citizens a candidate with a solid record of accomplishments for 15 years as a council member. I can use these skills to build on our many strengths and continue to keep Alpharetta the choice location for families and businesses. I can make a full-time commitment to the mayor position and will always be available to our citizens and businesses.
I have had the honor of being chosen by my peers on council as mayor pro tem (similar to vice-mayor) for nine years, and I have represented the city in many regional capacities.
I plan to work for beneficial changes while still preserving our small-town character. Development and redevelopment should be considered carefully.
I am a strong advocate of our downtown enhancement plan. I can work effectively with other city and county governments to form partnerships to help solve regional problems we face such as traffic, water and legislative policy. As a member of the Milton County Legislative Advisory Committee, I will continue promoting the re-creation of Milton County.
I have a record of conservative fiscal principles and that will never change. Alpharetta’s tax rate is almost half what it was when I started on council. Our homestead exemptions have doubled during the same period.
For a prosperous future, Alpharetta must have a mayor that has a proven record of involvement, accomplishments and a passionate dedication to the city and its citizens. Jim Paine is that person.
http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2011-09-07-188868.114126-sub-Jim-Paine-Runs-for-Alpharetta-Mayor.html
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Downtown Alpharetta Restaurant Patrons Can Walk Out With Alcohol
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
Downtown Alpharetta restaurant patrons can now walk out of the businesses with a drink in hand without breaking any law.
An initiative backed by the Downtown Alpharetta Trade Association to allow patrons of restaurants in a downtown district to take a single drink with
them as they go walking and shopping within the district.
The beer, wine or liquor must be in a plastic cup provided by the restaurant that holds no more than 16 ounces. Cans, bottles and glasses are
prohibited. Each person is limited to a single cup. And it has to come from one of the restaurants within the district. So you can’t show up downtown
with a cooler full of beer and tailgate at the Farmers Market on Saturdays. All other city laws are still in effect, including prohibitions on DUI and public
intoxication.
Councilman Doug DeRito said this is “just one more step for us working with DATA and folks in the area, businesses to help I guess serve as a catalyst
to enhance business operations and attract visitors to the downtown area.”
Councilman Jim Paine agreed the measure will help downtown development. Just look a little bit farther south at what Roswell is doing with their Alive
After 5 events, he said. This amendment to the city’s alcohol ordinance will help create opportunities for Alpharetta to catch up with what Roswell has
done. The city’s downtown development project can help also, if it’s approved by voters.
The downtown district’s boundaries are:
North–Church Street
West–Canton/Roswell Street
South– Marietta Street extended east to Haynes Bridge Road
East–Haynes Bridge to its intersection with Academy Street, then westward along Academy to its intersection with Main Street, then north to Church Street.
Smokejack Restaurant and The Coffee Pot on South Main Street, 52 Bistro on Church Street, La Casa Italian Grill on Old Roswell Street and Pure
Taqueria at Roswell and Marietta streets are within that area. Other restaurants already opened or that will open in the future within this downtown area
could do this if they get a pouring license approved.
By Bob Pepalis
http://alpharetta.patch.com/articles/downtown-alpharetta-restaurant-patrons-can-walk-out-with-alcohol
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
JIM PAINE ANNOUNCES MAYORAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF EVENT
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Says Paine “In these times, we need experienced and conservative leadership that is focused on protecting Alpharetta’s Taxpayers and Neighborhoods, while looking out for our future.”
Jim Paine, a long time community leader and City Councilman in Alpharetta, announced last month that he is seeking the office of Mayor of the City of Alpharetta. His campaign kickoff event will be held at The Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub at 12650 Crabapple on September 8 from 6-8 pm.
“The campaign will be sending out additional details soon, we wanted to get the basic information out there now. We hope for a strong turnout,” said Paine. “It will be a great opportunity to get together and launch the campaign. This mayoral race will set the direction for Alpharetta for years to come.”“In my many years of public service I have been singularly focused on making Alpharetta a great place,” said Paine. “I believe in times like these we need a Mayor that will focus on building on our accomplishments, and maintain our hometown as a leader, not just in North Fulton or the region, but in Georgia. Alpharetta deserves a Mayor who is available at all times, and will passionately devote 100% of his time and expertise in leading your great City of Alpharetta”.
Paine has built a substantive, conservative record. On the City Council, he has consistently voted to keep tax rates low. He has worked to expand the tax base by helping to recruit new businesses to the city. His fellow Council Members elected Paine Mayor Pro Tem (Vice Mayor) for nine years of his fifteen years on Council.
He is also a leader in the movement to create Milton County. “I believe all governments should be accountable and closer to the people,” Paine said. Paine also has established solid working relationships with all North Fulton leaders in areas of regional impact, such as traffic, water and legislative policy. “Working together, our North Fulton Cities can address many of the problems facing us today. I am already involved in many of these initiatives”.
As Mayor, Paine says he will work on completing the new Downtown Development Center, making Alpharetta a leader in job creation and protecting the city’s neighborhoods. “My priorities all build on each other, completing Downtown, the right way, can help us attract new businesses and jobs, which grow the tax base and allow us to provide the highest level of service for our citizens, particularly in the area of public safety. These things don’t just happen by accident,” said Paine.
“I’m looking forward to the kickoff and the campaign, I really am,” said Paine. “We have all these great new ways to interact, so I’m out there on Twitter (@JimPaineMayor) and you can find me on Facebook, but none of these substitute for a good face to face conversation. I am going door to door to make sure I know what’s on people’s minds and so I can look them in the eye and ask for their vote.”
In addition to his service on the City Council, Jim served as Alpharetta’s Recreation Chairman, and he earned the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association’s “Volunteer of the Year” award. Also, he is an active member of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta, Ed Isakson YMCA Board Member and Board Chairman of Alpharetta PAL, a youth crime prevention program. For additional information, check out www.jimpaine.com.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Alpharetta Accelerator Offers Office Space, Access to Capital
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
Entrepreneurs looking to give their companies a jumpstart have a new opportunity with the opening of the Alpharetta Accelerator this week.
Managing partners Jim McNabb and Tarby Bryant formed the incubator, which had its grand opening at 221 Roswell St. in Alpharetta on Aug. 9, with plans to help 10-15 prospective clients.
Though it just opened on Aug. 9, the Alpharetta Accelerator already has six prospective clients, including one that Bryant had known about for the past two weeks.
“From the press release that came out on Tuesday, I’ve got about five more prospective clients that are interested in coming in,” he said.
The accelerator will serve North Atlanta and all industries.
Those prospects are working on their applications now.
Alpharetta Accelerator clients will have first class office space, furniture and access to the Atlanta Gathering of Angels, an angel investors group, Bryant said. It also
offers something many other accelerators don’t.
“It offers capital. Most accelerators offer office space and some coaching, but we offer coaching and access to capital,” he said.
That will be through the Gathering of Angels group and the seed capital fund the accelerator plans to start late this year. The seed capital fund will provide access to capital $250,000 to $2 million.
The $10 million side-by-side seed capital fund will provide capital for the young clients that are inside the accelerator, Bryant said.
“To make an application for entry, I need to see a full business plan, an executive summary, a 12- to 20-slide Powerpoint presentation and they have to fill out one of the application forms that is available online on the Web site,” Bryant said.
And what does he expect of the businesses that are accepted by the Alpharetta Accelerator?
“I expect them to be successful,” Bryant said.
Bryant assigns five members of the 73-member board of advisors to work with each young company. These advisors are charged with helping the companies grow, with coaching, counseling advising, opening up their own Rolodexes to the young firms and providing an introduction to capital.
The current economic conditions make this the best time to start up a company, Bryant said.
Al Nash, executive director of Progress Partners North Fulton, said he was excited about the opening of Alpharetta Accelerators. He attended the grand opening and will meet with Bryant on Aug. 11 to discuss how Progress Partners and the North Fulton Chamber can help.
Nash said this is “just another piece of evidence that illustrates what a strong market we have in technology and so forth. We do have a lot of entrepreneurs. I think this is going to be another tool in our toolbox to help companies expand.”
By Bob Pepalis
http://alpharetta.patch.com/articles/alpharetta-accelerator-offers-office-space-access-to-capital
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Alpharetta City Council Donates to the Police Athletic League
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Alpharetta City Council presented the Police Athletic League (PAL) with a contribution of $35,000 at Monday night’s meeting at City Hall. This donation is offered by the city every year and goes to support the non-profit organization which is a recreational-based youth crime prevention program.
According to the city’s Web site, the Alpharetta Police Athletic League “provides a variety of service to Alpharetta’s youth while establishing a bond of mutual respect, understanding and trust with the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.”
Council member Jim Paine, who is the PAL chairman, was grateful to receive the check from council.
“This is an investment in Alpharetta’s future. The future of our kids and this community,” said Paine.
Two alcoholic beverage applications were also approved at Monday night’s meeting, giving LaCasa Italian Grill Inc. on Old Roswell Street and The Coffee Pot on Main Street permission to serve liquor, wine and beer.
Glenda Jennings, owner of The Coffee Pot, said the process was not hard.
“The city was very easy to work with,” said Jennings.
While she did acquire some expenses, including having to conduct a survey to assure she was the required distance from bus stops, churches, schools, etc., she thinks it will be worth it and is hoping this will help draw a new crowd to her establishment.
“I’d like to attract the business crowd that’s looking for a place to meet up after work,” said Jennings.
For more information on Alpharetta City Council visit the city website here.
http://alpharetta.patch.com/articles/alpharetta-city-council-donates-to-the-police-athletic-league
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Alpharetta City Council Unveils its Plans for Downtown
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
The new plan includes a site for Alpharetta’s new library branch, a park and a new City Hall.
Alpharetta City Council unveiled its latest plans for a downtown development, which include a new City Hall and a new Fulton County Library branch, promising the plan could be realized without raising taxes.
The concept unveiled at City Council’s May 23 meeting includes the construction of a five acre community park, a one-acre town green, the new library branch and a new 47,000-square-foot City Hall, a 450-space parking structure and the repositioning of Haynes Bridge Road.
Haynes Bridge Road would be realigned to fit the project by shifting just north of its intersection with Old Milton Parkway to the east so that it intersects with Academy Street and Brooke Street. In this way, the area becomes more suited to pedestrians.
A variation on this plan had been brought up before, but was voted against mainly because of economic considerations.
“The downtown plan of old, Douglas DeRito and I saw, had serious economic flaws,” said Councilman D.C. Aiken, who admits being originally against the plan. “At that point, we didn’t give up on the downtown plan, it was ‘how can we do this and do it right?'”
Councilman DeRito emphasized the notion of new businesses coming to Alpharetta.
“We’re going to see some of the business sectors growing, even in the toughest economic time that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” he said.
Councilman Mike Kennedy echoed this viewpoint.
“We want to create a vibrant downtown where people can shop and eat. It might turn into boutiques, coffee shops,” he said.
Throughout the unveiling of the plan, the relevant theme was to make Alpharetta a more bustling, popular, lively town.
“We wanted to give this city a heart and a vibrancy, which it really has been missing,” said Councilwoman Cheryl Oakes.
By far, the most vital part of this project would be the new library, an idea that has been on the table for years.
“Early this month, your city and mayor decided to donate three acres of land for the library,” said Councilman Jim Paine. “About three years ago, we got involved in the process.”
Paine said that a library will be beneficial to making Alpharetta a current, social city.
“A library is a very central and important part of this development,” he said. “I hope everyone in this room has been to a library recently. It is not the same old, dusty room full of books that you remember as a kid. It’s exciting and dynamic. They have technology, the Internet, and are key to socialization. It’s exciting.”
Fulton County has yet to pick its library site or take the city up on its offer. The library branch would be built using funds from a bond referendum approved by county voters, not through city funding.
For citizens who are concerned that all of these changes will be costly, the assembly of officials tried to assure them that they need not worry. By keeping quiet about the situation, Alpharetta was able to purchase eight acres of land at a reasonable price–$4.5 million. Altogether, 22 acres of land will cover the whole plan. Because Alpharetta already owns the land for this project, taxes should not have to be raised for it to become a reality.
UPDATED: Public meetings and open houses will be scheduled, with more details revealed then, including cost esimtates on the project.
“A little patience will show off a long way when we can do everything we wanted and more without having to raise takes,” said Aiken.
The city has added pages to its web site on which citizens can view images of conceptual plans, get information on the proposed development, and share their thoughts and impressions. Visit www.alpharetta.ga.us/downtownproject for more information.
http://alpharetta.patch.com/articles/alpharetta-city-council-unveils-its-plans-for-downtown
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
