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Milton changes course, to add 3rd polling site By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
In the Milton Arts Council’s fifth annual Community Theatre production, actors perform in “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” July 23 at Mill Springs Academy. Standing from left are: Emily Estrada, Lauren Quesnel, Eddie Estrada and Marshall Cain. Christie Lee Fisher sits on the stage.
Audience travels back decades with ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live!’ By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — At Milton Arts Council’s fifth annual Community Theatre production, President Bill Purdie stepped out of a giant Magnavox television and welcomed an audience of about two dozen to a show filled with nostalgia and fun. The musical “Schoolhouse Rock
Live!” sent the audience back to 1973, the same year the animated educational TV series began. Held at Mill Springs Academy from July 21 to July 23, the show featured around 20 songs, performed by five voice-trained actors under the direction of Glenda Gray. The musical is about a teacher
See ROCK, Page 12
MILTON, Ga. — One by one, Milton councilmembers who had been against a third polling location in District 3 voiced a change in perspective July 24 — leading to a unanimous decision to add a voting site in the area. The item wasn’t listed on the public’s City Council agenda Monday night. City Attorney Ken Jarrard said the item was added because of the “time exigency” associated with adding another polling location. City Councilman Jan Jacobus, who was the first to switch positions, said he had voted for two polling locations “basically on cost.” “I mean, if I didn’t hear any comments, and it wasn’t of interest to people, I’d let it go,” Jacobus said. “But I’ve had too many people personally contact me on this issue where I haven’t heard from them at all on any other topic. Every now and then, you just got to belly up to the bar and just do what’s right. In this case, I think having the third [polling location] is the right thing to do.” Councilmembers Rick Mohrig and Paul Moore, who were both on the Milton Municipal Election Feasibility Committee, followed suit with the same sentiment. Mohrig also said the council shifted away from the Public Safety Complex
ELECTIONS
to another public facility because of the concerns with accommodation. But Milton City Manager Steve Krokoff confirmed the building would accommodate his original projections for Election Day voter turnout. Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho said the official vote on a third location could be held as early as the Sept. 6 City Council meeting. There’s a two-week requirement to advertise a change in polling locations, he said, and a 30-day requirement to advertise a change in precincts before final action can be taken. Consultant report Councilmembers accounted for the public outcry they’ve received. But their decision also comes in the wake of a recent report written by Milton election consultant Vernetta Nuriddin, former vice chair of the Fulton County Board of Registration and Election. The letter, dated July 17, had not been introduced at an open meeting. The work session, for which it was intended, had not been rescheduled. The report was pulled from an Open Records request. In the report, Nuriddin recommended adding a polling location in District 3, an area found to have the highest number of Black and brown voters.
See POLLING, Page 5
Accusations raised over election process
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