I am delighted to be the purveyor of some great news for the Milton community! Attached is the press release for the newly formed Milton Families First (MFF). Following are MFF’s Facebook and website links. (Note: I am not connected with MFF in any way.)
Milton Families First Facebook Page
Citizens should be ecstatic about the advent of an advocacy group, Milton Families First, that has as one of its goals: holding local government accountable. It is just what the doctor ordered. You can see from its website and Facebook page that MFF is a well-funded, professional entity with expertise and (I understand) legal resources. MFF promises to be a (positive) game-changer in Milton’s politics and government.
MMF is long overdue. For too long, basic accountability has been lacking at City Hall. Quite simply, local government often does the wrong thing . . . because it can. Unethical conduct and gross incompetence are routinely ignored; there is no consequence for failure or bad behavior. Some city council members pursue personal agendas and are beholden to special interests. Staff bends too readily to pressure from council members. Strategic priorities are ignored to focus on minutiae. A lack of transparency makes it difficult for citizens to see into city government and to meaningfully engage.
Now, with MFF, an organized group with money, expertise, and legal firepower will be watching and engaging when needed. MFF intends to provide a platform for citizen awareness and engagement. MFF intends to focus on ensuring Milton has a government that is as good as its people (to paraphrase Jimmy Carter).
One of MFF’s founders is Tony Palazzo. Palazzo is the White Columns (WC) subdivision HOA president and a successful local business owner (with offices in Milton). I have written extensively about Palazzo’s terrible ordeal at City Hall, where he was treated disrespectfully, dishonestly, and unfairly. (Please read my earlier blog posts.) Rather than surrender to the City, Palazzo engaged in a David-vs-Goliath struggle for justice . . . and has prevailed so far. Recently, Paul Moore finally abandoned his legal appeals to overturn his conviction (see Bits & Pieces page at the blog) on 3 ethics charges—a unanimous decision by Milton’s three-attorney ethics panel. By his own admission, Mr. Moore spent $100,000 on attorneys but to no avail. However, Palazzo’s quest for justice is not over. Palazzo has firsthand experience with the misbehavior and dysfunction at City Hall. He has seen behind the curtain and is bound-and-determined to ensure no other citizen endures the rotten treatment he experienced. You have to admire his courage and determination. MFF represents another important step in the quest for justice and more importantly good governance in Milton. I am happy to have a powerful ally in my endeavors! Welcome to the fight . . .
My understanding is that MFF’s near-term focus will be on turning Council Members Paul Moore and Rick Mohrig out of office. However, I am told that MFF is also committed to the long-term success of Milton and will continue to engage in politics and government after the 2023 elections. MFF will be a force to be reckoned with. I wish MFF rousing success in achieving its noble goals. It seems MFF is off to a great start. I encourage citizens to check out MFF’s website and to support MFF in its endeavors. Citizen support and engagement is critical . . . I believe that we get the government we deserve.
Don’t forget about my Bits & Pieces (B&P) page at the blog. My latest B&P post is about 4 negative articles that have been published in the Milton Herald since July 24th. In all 4 articles, Council Members Mohrig and Moore play a central and villainous role. And unfortunately, these two council members have been constantly at the center of government dysfunction and misbehavior for the past 15+ months, diverting local government from strategic priorities. Every week, it seems there is another unflattering news story about bad governance in Milton that stars Moore and Mohrig. It is past time for the curtain to close on these two bad actors. Following is a link to Bits & Pieces, as well as the 4 recent Milton Herald articles:
Accusations of Election Tampering Raise Questions of City Council Purview
Milton Officials Backtrack and Add Third Polling Site
State Court Closes Book on Milton Councilman’s Ethics Saga, Denying Appeal
Consultant: Milton Erred in Removing District 3 Polling Place
Advocating For Good Governance, Election Integrity, and Voting Rights
Tim
Milton Coalition 