July 19, 2017
Author: Tim Becker
Citizens:
Today, we want to give Council Member Thurman the floor so that she can make her case about the re-drawing of District 1’s boundaries. We are providing the following (in order):
- July 10, 2017: Video of Ms. Thurman’s address to Council from the citizens’ podium in advance of the publication of the Milton Herald article.
- July 12, 2017: Milton Herald‘s story about redistricting. (Link provided.)
- July 17, 2017: Video of Tim Becker’s public comments to Council and Ms. Thurman’s immediate reaction.
- July 17, 2017: Video of Ms. Thurman’s later reaction to public comment from citizens, including Tim Becker (at City Council meeting).
- July 19, 2017: Milton Herald Letter to the Editor from Ms. Thurman.
- July 13, 2017: Open Records Request from Council Member Thurman for all communications from all members of Council, the Mayor, and the member of 5 commissions/committees for the past 2 years with Tim Becker
We are providing these items so that you can decide about the redistricting issue based on Ms. Thurman’s own words and actions.
These items are provided with explanations, but without any editorial comment, so that you can make an informed decision about the redistricting and Ms. Thurman’s conduct. However, we offer the following questions for your consideration. After reviewing all of the provided items, ask yourself:
- Who is being hostile, negative, and hateful? Who is the bully? Citizens or Ms. Thurman?
- Who is focused on policy and who is focused on personal attacks? Who is focused on good governance? Citizens or Ms. Thurman?
- Is Ms. Thurman’s approach to citizens appropriate? Is it respectful? Is it receptive?
- Is Ms. Thurman’s conduct conducive to citizen participation in government? Would you be afraid to challenge your City Council?
- Will citizens be more or less eager to volunteer for commissions and committees because of Ms. Thurman’s words and actions?
- Does Ms. Thurman’s conduct encourage or discourage exercise of First Amendment freedoms? Freedom of speech? Freedom of assembly? Freedom to “petition the government for redress of grievances”?
- How would you like to have an Open Records Request like the one below submitted on you? Are you more or less likely to correspond with City officials knowing that a Council Member might submit such an Open Records Request?
- Do you feel better or worse about your local government after reviewing the below videos, stories and documents?
- Does this redistricting matter motivate you to work to change and to improve our government in Milton?
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July 10, 2017 Video Excerpt From City Council Meeting.
On July 10, 2017, Ms. Thurman requested to speak during general public comment at the City Council meeting. She descended from the council dais to address council from a podium normally used by citizens, staff, and others with business before Council. These comments were made 2 days in advance of the Milton Herald publishing its story about the redistricting.
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July 12, 2017 Milton Herald Story About Redrawing of District 1’s Boundaries
On July 12, 2017, the Milton Herald published an story, written by Pat Fox, about the redrawing of District 1’s boundaries in 2015. Following is a link to the story.
Milton Herald: Group Questions Motives Behind Milton Redistricting
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July 17, 2017: Video of Tim Becker’s public comments to Council and Ms. Thurman’s immediate reaction.
On July 17, 2017, Council discussed an agenda item relating to whether the City should respond to the Milton Herald‘s story about the redistricting. 30+ citizens were in attendance. The public was allowed to speak in advance of Council’s discussion. Four speakers came to the podium and provided remarks. Tim Becker was one of these citizens. Ms. Thurman’s request to immediately respond to Mr. Becker’s comments was denied.
To watch the full video of the redistricting discussion, click on the following link, download the MP4 file, and queue to 37 minutes.
City of Milton: Watch A Meeting
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July 17, 2017: Video of Ms. Thurman’s later reaction to public comment from citizens, including Tim Becker (at City Council meeting).
Following is Ms. Thurman’s response to citizens’ (mostly Tim Becker’s) public comments. Please note the reactions of other Council members and citizens in the audience. Council decided against an official response from the City.
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July 19, 2017: Milton Herald Letter to the Editor from Ms. Thurman.
Today’s Milton Herald published a Letter to the Editor from Ms. Thurman. It is similar to Ms. Thurman’s general public comments delivered from the citizens’ podium on July 10, 2017. It is nearly 1100 words in length. Click on the following link:
Milton Herald: Milton Councilwoman Thurman Responds to Black Box Story
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July 13, 2017: Open Records Request from Council Member Thurman for all communications from all members of Council, the Mayor, and all members of 5 commissions/committees for the past 2 years with Tim Becker
On July 13, 2017, Ms. Thurman submitted an Open Records Request to the City of Milton requesting all communications (i.e., email and texts) with Tim Becker for a 2 year period with all members of Council and five committees/commissions. This request was sent to all 6 Council Members, the Mayor, and about 35 volunteer citizens. There is significant time and money expended to fulfill such a request. This request requires all these individuals to provide their personal and company e-mails/texts from/to Mr. Becker. The City will provide e-mails to or from City-issued e-mail accounts; only Council members have such accounts. This request is being processed by the City Attorney’s office by a staff attorney. The staff attorney ensures the emails fall within the scope of the request and redacts certain personal information for reasons of privacy.
Milton Coalition 