February 06, 2008
JOHNS CREEK -- Judy Webb remembers talking to Margaret Krueger over the telephone several times before meeting her in person in the early 1980s. And, she knew she loved Krueger just by their lengthy chats about community issues and current events.
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"She had an energy that came through a telephone and then meeting her in person she was everything I thought she was and so much more," said Webb, co-president of the Autrey Mill Board of Directors and friend of Krueger.
It was that energy that helped drive Krueger to become the spirit of Johns Creek, giving the area an identity and a voice.
"Everything was her greatest contribution -- I called her the founding mother," said Webb.
Krueger, founder of the Johns Creek Community Association (JCCA) and avid Autrey Mill activist, died Jan. 30. She was 70.
"From helping establish the Johns Creek Community Association, to preserving Autrey Mill and creating the Nature Center and Preserve, to her years of public service…Margaret is truly one of this city's historical founders," said Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker.
Krueger moved into a home on Buice Road in 1980 with her husband and three children. Nearly a year later, Krueger was involved in her first zoning case -- a proposed mixed-use development on the old Moccasin Hollow farm. The case could have set a precedent of including commercial use within subdivision settings and Krueger wanted to protect her family's 10 acres of property.
It was that case that helped Krueger start the JCCA, along with Bob Waite, Don Mairose and Rene Childress.
Through zoning cases, Krueger discovered that not enough available land had been considered for park space. She stepped in and founded the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve Association in 1988 to save the property for community park land. Fulton County was to blast the creek bed of Sals Creek to install a sewer line for a nearby residential development.
Today, the 46 acre park is home to historic buildings, winding trails and community activities.
"I just know that she was a wonderful example of being courageous and kind and really good," said Cheryl Bowlin, vice president of the Autrey Mill Board of Directors. "She was that sneaky good, too -- you wouldn't know what she did – and it almost killed her to have people find out her good deeds."
In a Jan. 14 interview with the Johns Creek Herald, Krueger said she wanted to save Autrey Mill because it was in a crisis.
"I kind of tested God with Autrey Mill," said Krueger. "I told him, 'I think you'd be interested in a nature center and I need to make it happen. He has done above and beyond for me."
Bowlin said Krueger worked so hard for the better of the community.
"She was a gentle person, but with a back bone of steel when ever anything threatened Autrey Mill or one of her other causes," said Bowlin. "She was adored by us all; and Autrey Mill, Johns Creek, and Georgia have all lost a very great friend."
Krueger was also seen as being responsible for registering a large percentage of North Fulton voters -- more than 15,000 people -- in the 1980s and was awarded for her service with the Certificate for Outstanding Community Service for Voter Registration, presented by Coretta Scott King, and the Voter Registration award by the Georgia House of Representatives.
In 1986, Krueger helped found the Chattahoochee Republican Women's Club and in 1987, she was elected chair of the 23rd House District Republican Party.
In the early 1990s, Krueger labored to amend IRS practices that affected women and subsequently the Innocent Spouse reforms, which protect divorcees from lost taxes, passed in Congress.
She also received the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Volunteer Serves for the Citizens of Johns Creek last year at the Mayor's Ball.
In October, the Fulton County Republican Party awarded Krueger the Connie Russell Midura Legacy Award.
Kruger was honored on Jan. 14 by the Johns Creek Rotary Club and was nominated her for the club's Jean Harris Award.
Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley said she remembers meeting Krueger around 20 years ago and has been a role model to her ever since.
"Margaret has been a constant," said Riley. "She's been a constant, steadfast in the quality of life in what is now Johns Creek. She was the cohesive bond that kept everybody inspired even in the tough times.
According to Webb, Krueger was a deeply religious woman who put that first in her life.
"This was a woman who was ready to meet her maker," said Webb.
According to Bodker, Krueger is on the "express elevator" on the way to heaven.
"What I was so touched by with Margaret was the fact that I am probably one of over 1,000 people that honestly believe that I had a unique and special relationship with Margaret," said Bodker. "Every person that I talk to can tell me in a different way how they had a special and unique relationship with Margaret – and they did. I find it amazing that in her own way, she was able to have that kind of an impact on all of those individuals."
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