OFFICE OF FULTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIDGET THORNE DISTRICT 1 | |
DISTRICT 1 2025 RECAP
Serving District 1: A Year of Impact and Investment
| | As we begin a new year, it is important to reflect on the progress, challenges, and accomplishments that have shaped our community. The District 1 office is proud to share highlights from the past year and the meaningful moments that defined our work together. Thank you for your continued support and trust—we look forward to another successful year ahead. | |
District 1 Town Halls
Each year, we host two town halls to keep North Fulton residents informed and engaged—one in the spring and one in the fall. In 2025, we also held several virtual town halls on timely topics, including property taxes and water billing concerns. We were grateful to welcome guest speakers from various county departments to help answer residents’ questions and provide valuable insights
Spring 2025 Town Hall Speakers:
- Senator Shawn Still & Representative Scott Hilton - Legislative Update
- LaTrina Foster - Behavioral Health
- Fulton County Elections
- Fulton County Youth Commissioners
October 2025 Town Hall Speakers:
- Mayor of Johns Creek, John Bradberry - Welcome
- Representative Scott Hilton - Legislation regarding Seniors
- Michael Fitzgerald, Tax Assessors Board - Tax Bills
- Lashandra Little & Julie Adams, Registration & Elections
Water Billing Virtual Town Hall Speakers:
- David Clark - Director of Public works
- Jaunius Simokaitis - Utility Billing Manager, Public Works
Property Tax Town Hall Speakers:
- Roderick Conley - Chief Appraiser, Tax Assessors Office
- James Whitman - Deputy Chief Appraiser, Tax Assessors Office
- Michael Fitzgerald - Tax Assessors Board Member
Stay tuned for our next Town Hall in April 2026 at the NEW North Fulton County Health and Human Services Center!
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STUDENT LEADERSHIP NORTH
Student Leadership Johns Creek hosts Government Day twice a year, giving bright and motivated students the opportunity to visit the Fulton County Government Center and learn about the inner workings of local government. This event is a wonderful way to engage young leaders and inspire their interest in public service.
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March 2025
Student Leadership North Class of 2026 Green Team
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November 2025
Student Leadership North Class of 2027 Blue Team
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FULTON COUNTY YOUTH COMMISSIONERS
The Fulton County Youth Commission (FCYC) empowers high school students to serve our community while advocating for youth issues. By volunteering on projects and learning about local government, these young leaders make a meaningful impact across Fulton County. Each year, we celebrate their achievements at an induction ceremony and provide opportunities for them to meet with their District commissioner. We also enjoy having FCYC members speak at our town halls to share their work with residents.
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2025 SUMMER INTERNS
This year, we hosted our third annual Summer Internship Program for high school and college students interested in local government. The program gives students the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that serve the citizens of Fulton County, and District 1 in particular. This summer, interns contributed to a wide range of initiatives, including developing an app to support Meals on Wheels drivers, creating a children’s book about county government, engaging with veterans’ groups, and volunteering with local nonprofits. Their dedication to learning about local government and becoming active, engaged citizens is an essential part of building a strong and healthy democracy.
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HOMETOWN HEROES AT SHAKERAG ELEMENTARY
In May of 2025, I had the honor to attend the Shakerag Elementary School's Hometown Hero Celebration. I was joined by so many heroes in Johns Creek like Mayor, Johns Creek Police, Johns Creek Fire, Fulton County School board members, and more. We got the chance to visit Kindergarten and 2nd grade classes to explain to them what a county commissioner does.
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EAGLE SCOUTS
This year, we were proud to present proclamations to several Eagle Scouts of Troop 2000 at their Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony! One of our staff members and Eagle Scout, Daniel White had the honor of congratulating these young men.
Congratulations to Eagle Scout Honorees:
Avaneesh Jadhav Faelyn Davis
Akilan Gansean Arjan Sanjay
Vaideesh Kudumuri Sam Ansley
Keven Zhang Shana Suhanthan
Nivedhana Sadish Faelyn Davis
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DIVERGENT HACKATHON
In April of 2025, we were invited to speak at the Divergent Hackathon, a youth-focused innovation event for high school students to collaborate, learn, and build tech projects addressing real-world challenges.
Empowering youth and developing their skills for the good of the community means a lot to me.
This is why we chose to procure some of our interns from this program, where we gave them a platform to use their skills as interns for our office, coding an app for The Meals on Wheels to help people in need. Innovation is powerful when paired with compassion and public service.
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Economic Mission Trip to Coimbatore, India
February 2025
I was invited to participate in a strategic trade delegation to Coimbatore, India, hosted by the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, with the clear intent of strengthening international partnerships and bringing new business and investment opportunities back not only to Georgia, but specifically to Fulton County.
I was grateful for the opportunity to experience Indian culture firsthand and to engage with the communities and businesses that already play a significant role in our local economy. In my district, approximately 10% of businesses are Asian-owned and another 10% are Indian-owned, making it the most diverse district in Fulton County. Understanding these communities is essential to serving them effectively and ensuring they continue to thrive.
During the visit, we participated in industry tours, one-on-one business meetings, and in-depth discussions with global leaders in Coimbatore—often referred to as the “Detroit of India” due to its strong manufacturing base. These conversations underscored how international collaboration can drive shared economic growth, expand global awareness of Fulton County, and create real opportunities at home.
As a result of this delegation, we successfully brought back four Indian companies interested in expanding their footprint in our region, reinforcing the value of these trips in elevating Fulton County’s global profile and fostering meaningful economic development.
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Economic Mission Trip to Czech Republic
November 2025
I was invited to participate in a Georgia delegation on an economic development mission to the Czech Republic focused on building partnerships that create jobs and investment for Fulton County.
A highlight of the trip was showcasing PBS Aerospace, a Czech-based company that opened their first North American Headquarters in Roswell in 2025 and committed to a $20 million investment in our community. In December 2025, we were proud to honor PBS Aerospace with a Fulton County proclamation recognizing their investment and impact. PBS Aerospace manufactures precision turbojet engines for advanced aerospace and defense applications, bringing high-quality jobs to our region while strengthening Fulton County’s economy and the U.S. defense industrial base.
During the mission, we toured PBS’s facilities abroad and met with business leaders and government partners, including time at the U.S. Embassy in Prague, to further strengthen relationships and promote Fulton County as a premier destination for global investment.
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1st Annual Indian Community Association Forum
March 2025
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Chicks In Charge Women's Leadership Conference
Keynote Speaker
Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce
This annual event brings together leaders from across our community to share real stories of leadership, resilience, and growth. It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with local business professionals and discuss the importance of transparency, efficiency, and integrity in public service—while encouraging the next generation of women leaders to lead with confidence and purpose.
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Making Room For Her Womens Conference
Keynote Speaker
Fulton County Information Technology
It was an honor to serve as a keynote speaker for Fulton County Information Technology’s Women’s History Month Celebration, “Making Room for HER.” This meaningful event focused on Women Supporting Women—Who Helped You?, highlighting the power of mentorship, allyship, and strong networks that help women lead and thrive. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the impact of women in our community and encourage continued support and collaboration across all industries.
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2025 Community Service Partners Recipients
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2025 Contracts For Services Recipients
- Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra
- Alpharetta City Band
- Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
- Song of Atlanta Show Chorus
- The Atlanta Wind Symphony
- Computer Museum of America
- Perfect Harmony Health
- Choral Guild of Atlanta, Inc.
- Roswell Arts Fund
- Atlanta Workshop Players
- Atlanta Festival Academy
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Fulton County Citizen Commission on the Environment District 1 Winner
Keep Roswell Beautiful
The FCCCE is a citizen-led environmental advisory body appointed by the Board of Commissioners to examine environmental issues, recommend policy solutions, and promote public awareness and engagement. Its annual awards honor individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional environmental stewardship, service, or education throughout Fulton County.
Keep Roswell Beautiful engages and educates the community on litter prevention, recycling, and neighborhood beautification, while collaborating with the City of Roswell on initiatives such as Adopt-A-Road, Adopt-A-Stream, Storm Drain Marking, Bring One for the Chipper, and Rivers Alive. The organization has received numerous awards in recognition of its impactful work.
| | District 1 Board Appointments | |
Non Profits
Community Service in Action
| | Featured: Warrick Dunn Charities, Stella Love, City of Refuge, House of Cherith, Auntie Angie's House, Sadie G Mays, Chattahoochee Nature Center | | |
We are proud to work alongside the incredible nonprofit organizations that make a real difference in our community every day. From supporting families and seniors to expanding access to education, health services, and essential resources, these organizations are the backbone of compassion and service in our area. I am grateful for the partnerships we have built and remain committed to supporting their missions through collaboration, advocacy, and community engagement as we continue working together to strengthen and uplift our district.
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Veterans
Remembering, Honoring, & Supporting
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NACo Operation Green Light
November 2025
NACo Operation Green Light is a nationwide initiative led by the National Association of Counties that highlights counties’ commitment to supporting veterans. Participating counties light their buildings green to raise awareness of the challenges veterans face and to promote county programs and resources available to support veterans and their families. Fulton County
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City of Alpharetta Memorial Day Tribute
May 2025
The City of Alpharetta’s Memorial Day Tribute is a heartfelt ceremony presented by the City and the Rotary Club of Alpharetta to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. The program included patriotic readings, the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, a keynote address, and the solemn playing of “Taps,” providing a powerful moment of reflection and gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy
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Johns Creek & Roswell Commemoration Ceremonies
September 2025
It was an honor to attend both the City of Roswell’s 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony and City of Johns Creek’s Patriot Day observance. These meaningful events provide an important opportunity to remember the lives lost, honor the first responders who served with courage, and reflect on the unity and resilience that continue to strengthen our community.
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Johns Creek Wreath Laying Ceremony
December 2025
I was honored to attend and speak at the Johns Creek Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk as part of the Wreaths Across America program. This meaningful event brought together community members and volunteers to honor fallen veterans by laying wreaths and speaking their names aloud. It was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and of our community’s shared commitment to remembering and honoring those who served.
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Arts
Fueling Creativity in our Community
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Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
February 2025
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Fulton Films Master Class Conversation
April 2025
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The Spotlight at North Point Mall Launch Event
May 2025
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Contracts for Services Mixer
August 2025
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Georgia Latino Film Festival
October 2025
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Atlanta Indian Film Festival
October 2025
| | Economic Growth & Community Wins | | |
Medley Johns Creek Groundbreaking
January 2025
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Fulton County Health & Human Services
North Sledgehammer Ceremony
February 2025
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Chattahoochee Nature Center Front Entrance Ribbon Cutting
April 2025
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Boston Scientific Ribbon Cutting
May 2025
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Roswell Downtown Parking Deck Groundbreaking
August 2025
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PBS Aerospace Grand Opening
September 2025
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Johns Creek Address Change
September 2025
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Fulton County Health & Human Services North Hard Hat Tour
November 2025
| | Accomplishments/ Key Moments | | |
Atlanta Regional Commission- Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2025
I’m grateful to have completed the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Regional Leadership Institute (RLI), an experience that significantly expanded my understanding of our region’s complexities. The program fostered meaningful connections with leaders from across the region to advance innovative solutions and transformative progress, with an opportunity for even deeper focus on the region’s more recent history.
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NACo Presidential Appointments
This year, I have been appointed to two national committees with the National Association of Counties (NACo):
🌍 International Economic Development Innovation Council
🏙️ Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Steering Committee
These appointments provide an opportunity to help shape national policy on economic growth and urban community development while ensuring Fulton County’s priorities and perspectives are represented at the national level.
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Ethics Complaint Dropped
October 2025
The Fulton County Board of Ethics has dismissed the complaint filed against me by Commissioner Dana Barrett, determining that there was no probable cause to move forward. The Board reviewed statements I made concerning GOP nominations to the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, including my comment: “If Jason and Julie did anything that was illegal or harmful or falsely removed anybody, I’d be the first person to correct them. And they would take that correction.”
Commissioner Barrett alleged that this statement suggested improper influence or a conflict of interest. After careful review, the Ethics Board concluded that my remarks did not constitute a conflict of interest, improper influence, or even the appearance of impropriety. I appreciate the Board’s application of the law and its finding that the complaint was without merit.
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Elected Chair on Atlanta Fulton County Water Resources Board
The Atlanta–Fulton County Water Resources Board provides oversight, guidance, and policy recommendations related to water resources and infrastructure serving Atlanta and Fulton County. The Board works to support the protection of water quality, promote sustainable water management, and ensure reliable water and wastewater services for residents and businesses. Through collaboration with local governments, utilities, and stakeholders, the Board helps address current and future water challenges while advancing responsible stewardship of the region’s water resources.
| | Our office is here to support you—feel free to contact us with questions and concerns anytime. | | |
Edward Leidelmeijer
Chief of Staff
edward.leidelmeijer@fultoncountyga.gov
Daniel White
Special Assistant
daniel.white@fultoncountyga.gov
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Gracie Hogg
Director of Communications
gracie.hogg@fultoncountyga.gov
Patton Zamojski
Director of Community Affairs
patton.zamojski@fultoncountyga.gov
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