The Creek Campaign, Part 1 with Mark Burkhalter

The Creek Campaign, Part 1 with Mark Burkhalter

Author: Appen Podcast Network July 21, 2026 Duration: 55:32

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Before Johns Creek became one of Georgia's largest and most successful cities, it was simply a collection of neighborhoods with a shared identity - but no city government to call its own.

In Part 1 of The Creek Campaign, we journey back to the origins of the municipalization movement that transformed northeast Fulton County. Joined by former Georgia Speaker of the House Mark Burkhalter, we explore the area's explosive growth, mounting frustrations with county government, and the community leaders who began asking a simple but consequential question: Would Johns Creek be better off as its own city?

Drawing on Burkhalter's firsthand perspective and deep knowledge of the legislative process, we examine the political climate of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the challenges that sparked the movement, the grassroots organizing that brought neighbors together, and the first efforts to turn an ambitious idea into political reality.

The Creek Campaign is a special two-part series from The Georgia Politics Podcast, chronicling the people, politics and pivotal moments behind the creation of Johns Creek, Georgia.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast, HERE.

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol


Since its start in 2019, The Georgia Politics Podcast has served as a steady guide to the political landscape of the Peach State. This isn't just a surface-level recap; it's a focused dive into the mechanics and personalities shaping policy where it happens. You'll hear detailed analysis of the latest from under the Gold Dome, breaking down complex legislation and the political maneuvers driving the news. The conversations go beyond the capitol steps, however, connecting statehouse decisions to their real-world impact on communities from the mountains to the coast. Produced by the Appen Podcast Network, each episode prioritizes clarity and context, whether the legislature is in session or not. Tuning in means getting a clearer picture of how Georgia's House and Senate operate, the key figures involved, and why their actions matter. For anyone curious about the forces directing one of the country's most politically dynamic states, this podcast provides an essential, grounded perspective. It’s designed for engaged citizens who prefer substance over soundbites, offering a reliable narrative of how Georgia's government functions, fights, and finds its way forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Georgia Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux on the City's Proposed Tax Increase [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:44
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Roswell Mayor Mary Robichaux joins the show to discuss the city's proposed property tax increase and the debate surrounding the decision. Robichaux explains why the city is consid…
Inside South Fulton County Politics with Steven Dingle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:21
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! South Fulton politics takes center stage as we sit down with Steven Dingle for a wide-ranging conversation about the people, issues and political dynamics shaping one of metro Atl…
Candidate Profile: Dr. Michelle Schreiner and Michael Garza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:44
In this episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, we sit down with two candidates running for local office in Georgia. Dr. Michelle Schreiner, who is running for Georgia House District 45, joins us to discuss her campaign…
Remembering Tim Curry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:31
Tim Curry's unmistakable voice, magnetic presence and fearless performances made him one of the most memorable actors of his generation. Following his death at 80, we take a look back at Curry's remarkable career and the…
RE-RELEASE: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (and RIP Dolly Parton) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:24
In light of the death of Tim Curry at 80, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes from our series marking the 50th anniversary of 1975: a celebration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the unforgettable performan…
Georgia's 7th Congressional District Debate (Dawson County) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:49
In this episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, we present a debate for Georgia's 7th Congressional District, held in Dawson County. Democratic candidate Tony Kozycki was on hand to answer questions about the issues fac…
1976, Part 14: Stanley Forman and his Pulitzer Winning Photographs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:41
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we take a fascinating detour into the world of photojournalism with legendary photographer Stanley Forman. Forman sits down to discuss his remarkable career, the…
The Kennedy Obsession with Dr. John Hellmann and Preston Thompson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:47
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Few American families have captured the public imagination quite like the Kennedys. From politics and presidential power to tragedy, celebrity and scandal, the Kennedy name has be…