ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin announced Wednesday his candidacy to seek reelection in November.

Gilvin said he wants to continue the positive momentum which he and the city council have worked to build over the last year. "A year ago today, the citizens of Alpharetta elected me to serve as their voice in the mayor's office because I promised to work with our residents and my fellow council members to preserve the delicate balance that makes Alpharetta such a great place to live and do business, Gilvin said. "That's exactly what we have done and what I hope to continue for the next four years if given the opportunity."

One of Gilvin's top priorities for the past year was to give residents more of a voice in determining

Alpharetta's future, he said. "Over the last year, our council has deliberately worked to do a better job of considering the impact new development has on congestion and our residents' quality of life as outlined

in the city's comprehensive land use plan," he said.

Gilvin also stated that he is proud that he and fellow city council members have been able to "implement millions of dollars in tax cuts that make Alpharetta a more affordable place for homeowners and seniors to live." "In less than a year our council has been able to work with dedicated members of our staff to

offer Alpharetta homeowners substantial tax cuts in addition to supporting the floating homestead exemption that helped counter the damage done by Fulton County's sudden property tax assessment increases last year," Gilvin said. "With your support this November, we can lower taxes even more by voting to increase the city's homestead exemption while still maintaining Alpharetta's low millage rate and 'AAA' credit rating."

Congestion relief projects have also been a major focus of Gilvin's first term, with the Rucker Road project finished in a few months. The city is working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation on major projects for Hwy. 9, Ga. 400, McGinnis Ferry Road and Old Milton Parkway, as well as local projects for Windward Parkway, Kimball Bridge Road, Webb Bridge and Academy Street, he said.

"For the first time in decades there is real hope that Alpharetta businesses and residents will finally see progress in relieving congestion soon," Gilvin said.