A citizen advocacy organization in Milton has issued a scathing critique of the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) for its handling of the Chang v. Milton case, which resulted in a devastating financial burden for Milton taxpayers.

Planning Commission Chairman Kurt Nolte Planning Commission Members City of Milton 2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004 Re: RZ23-10 – Bethany Bend Dear Chairman Nolte and Planning Commission Members: On behalf of Milton Families First, I am writing in opposition to the above referenced item. Earlier this year, we created Milton Families First, in part, to protect the quality of life we have come to know and love in this community. During the most recent local elections, there was near unanimity across Milton on one thing: keeping density and overdevelopment at bay. The overwhelming majority of citizens – and every candidate -- expressed vocal opposition to new projects that would undermine Milton’s rural character. The Bethany Bend project is the antithesis of what we desire in Milton. It converts AG-1 land, which requires no more than one unit per acre, into much denser zoning. The project contemplates 13 single-family homes on 3.133 acres at a density of 4.15 units per acre. In addition, there is no sewer on site, meaning an extension to this parcel. Nothing about this development is consistent with Milton. A departure from one-acre minimum lot sizes, which AG-1 requires. Increased traffic on an already congested roadway. New sewer service, which is the third rail in our community. We strongly encourage you to reject this requested rezoning and help us protect the city of Milton. Sincerely, Adam Hollingsworth President

Milton is a special place because of our beautiful, equestrian landscape and strong sense of green space and community. We need to keep it that way! We do NOT need or support overdevelopment, higher density projects, or sewer extensions. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Rick Mohrig has voted for time and time again. In 2016 Rick Mohrig voted FOR dozens of new homes to be built on smaller lots, more development on each lot and a sewer extension, all inconsistent with the character of our community. Milton’s Planning Commission opposed this intensive development. But Rick Mohrig voted YES on more development anyway. His vote is recorded here:

For Immediate Release August 21, 2023 Milton, GA — Following the launch of Milton Families First’s successful launch and announcement to engage in the upcoming elections, Paul Moore announced yesterday that he won’t seek another term. This represents a significant win for Milton Families First and the entire city of Milton. Following this news, Milton Families First President Adam Hollingsworth issued the following statement: “Paul Moore’s decision to step aside opens the door for new leadership and fresh thinking on the Milton City Council. We wish him and his family well in the days ahead. There is a new reality in Milton — and it’s called citizens’ demand for ethical, transparent, and accountable government. To that end, we encourage Milton residents and families to vote for Doug Hene on November 7. Doug is an honest, hardworking and exemplary community leader who will do a fantastic job serving every citizen on the City Council. Milton Families First will continue to serve as relentless advocates for our community, hold our elected officials accountable, and support candidates and causes that promote government accountability, public safety, and responsible growth.” To learn more about our mission and join our grassroots movement, click here.

This story originally appeared in the AJC: The city of Milton is cutting its voting locations from eight to three, a reduction in access since the city took control of this year’s local elections from Fulton County. The changes prompted a political action committee called Milton Families First to ask the State Election Board on Wednesday to intervene in what it called a “mismanaged” process. READ THE LETTER HERE City officials say they have responded to residents’ concerns by voting to add a third election day polling place in southeast Milton after initially planning just two. They say voters will continue to have adequate opportunities to cast ballots this November, with lower costs to taxpayers. The dispute over voting locations follows Milton’s decision to run its own municipal elections this fall after a feasibility study conducted by one of Georgia’s fake presidential electors, the president of a Republican Party group and city officials. Milton Families First questioned whether it was legal for the City Council to set polling places while its members are eligible for reelection. State law gives the election superintendent — in this case, the city manager — authority to set voting locations, according to the group. “ This process has been, at best, mismanaged — and, at worst, could be unethical and in violation of state statutes,” states the letter by Milton Families First, which is opposing the reelection of Councilmen Paul Moore and Rick Mohrig. “While our strong preference would be that Milton run its own elections, the City Council has lost the ability to avoid a real and perceived conflict of interest.” State Election Board Chairman Bill Duffey said he will look into whether the board has authority over the matter. Milton’s election consultant, Vernetta Nuriddin, said the city’s three election day precincts and one early voting site will be able to serve the city’s voters in this year’s municipal elections, when turnout is expected to be lower than in general elections. There are over 30,000 registered voters in Milton, and about 3,800 turned out for city elections two years ago. Fulton County will continue to operate Milton elections when federal and state candidates are on the ballot, including next year’s presidential elections. “We can handle it with the three locations, especially with three weeks of early voting,” said Nuriddin, a former vice chairwoman for the Fulton election board. “It’s going to be a light lift for the city if we can maximize the early vote.” Several voting rights groups have urged the city to add voting locations. “While we appreciate the limited resources the city has to manage elections, self-administering elections separate from Fulton County was a conscious decision made by the council, and as such, it is incumbent on you that your decision does not result in discriminatory and exclusionary access to the ballot,” states a May letter from Fair Fight Action, the New Georgia Project Action Fund, the Represent GA Network, Common Cause Georgia and All Voting is Local Action Georgia. In at least three other Georgia counties, polling locations have recently been closed or moved. Lincoln County reduced the number of voting sites from seven to three last month, and Floyd County last week decided on 19 election day precincts, down from 25. Troup County officials approved moving four voting locations currently housed in schools. Statewide, county election boards closed 214 precincts between 2012 and 2018, which amounted to nearly 8% of Georgia’s polling places, according to a count by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.