Today, I am posting the sixth and last installment of a six-part series debunking Rick Mohrig’s defenses of his terrible record.  This post debunks Mohrig’s allegations of campaign collusion.  Following is a link to Mohrig’s “Facts Matter” campaign web page.

Mohrig’s Facts Matter

False Assertion #6:  Through pure innuendo, Mohrig implies Cranmer is beholden to Milton Families First, an independent committee, and to MFF’s founders.

This is a serious charge with NO substantiation, only innuendo . . . which seems to be a common theme in Mohrig’s campaign and in his surrogates’ anonymous communications.

Milton Families First (MFF) is an independent committee (not to be confused with a PAC) that was formed in July.  The operative word is “independent.”  Legally, Cranmer’s campaign and MFF must operate independently; they cannot coordinate.  Cranmer has NO control over MFF.  However, MFF and Cranmer do share a common goal of thwarting Mohrig’s re-election . . . a goal shared by me, most of council, and (I believe) a large majority of citizens.  So what?

It is TRUE that Cranmer has accepted campaign contributions from two of MFF’s officers, acting in their capacity as private citizens and participating in the political process . . . as is their right.  These contributions are legal and in no way tie Cranmer to MFF.  Like MFF itself, these two private citizens desire to thwart Mohrig’s re-election bid . . . again a goal they share with Cranmer, myself, most of council, and (I believe) a large majority of citizens.  So what?

Mohrig has accepted a few $1000+ contributions.  I am quite sure he would like more such contributions but hasn’t inspired donors to generously contribute.

Regarding MFF, citizens should judge MFF by its actions.  So far, MFF has enunciated three short-term goals:  to oppose Paul Moore’s candidacy; to oppose Rick Mohrig’s candidacy; and to expose/protest Milton’s corrupt elections design/planning process.  I support all three of these short-term goals . . . as do many Milton voters . . . a large majority, I believe. Longer term, if MFF acts in the furtherance of better governance in Milton . . . if MFF acts as a principled government watchdog . . . then MFF can be force for good in Milton. Again, MFF should be judged by its actions.

A vote for Cranmer and Cookerly is a vote AGAINST innuendo-driven smear campaigns.

Citizens, this post is the last installment in my six-part series debunking Mohrig’s defenses of his record.  As Paul Harvey used to say when signing off . . . now you know the rest of the story.  I am cautiously optimistic that Milton will soon be rid of Mohrig and his dishonesty.  I am confident voters will put Milton’s last political dinosaur out to pasture.

Speaking Truth to Power,

Tim

Note 1:  I am including a pdf file that provides my refutation of all six of Mohrig’s defenses of his record on land use, elections, and campaign collusion.  I urge readers to circulate this file to family, friends, and neighbors.  We must NOT let Mohrig get away with distorting his record and smearing his opponent. You can also click the following link to go to a web page that provides the same information:  Refuting Mohrig’s Two New Campaign Website Pages: Facts Matter and Highway 9

Note 2: I was tempted to get wonky about independent committees and talk about notions of political power distribution. In a nutshell, I am an advocate of checks and balances in government. I am an advocate of shifting power to citizens. Currently, nearly all local power is concentrated in Milton City Council . . . in just seven politicians. I am a fan of entities inside city government (like Milton’s recently gutted Charter Commission) or outside city government that can act to check government overreach. My blog and the Milton Herald have served in this capacity. However, individuals are limited in what they we can do. To really exert pressure on government, citizens must organize and spend money . . . and that legally requires registration as an independent committee . . . there is no way around it. Believe it or not . . . just two individuals purchasing a single sign advocating for/against a candidate that they wave at an intersection meet the definition of an independent committee and are legally required to register as an Independent Committee. I believe this is not just, but currently it is the law in Georgia. I believe Georgia’s law governing independent committee is violative of First Amendment freedoms of speech, assembly, and protest. And the current law certainly discourages citizens from organizing and thus concentrates power in government and politicians, while limiting citizen engagement with politics and government.

Today, I am posting the fifth installment of a six-part series debunking Rick Mohrig’s defenses of his terrible record.  This is my second post about Mohrig’s elections misbehavior.  Following is a link to Mohrig’s “Facts Matter” campaign web page.

Mohrig’s Facts Matter

False Assertion #5:  Milton’s election prep has been free from wrongdoing, and Rick Mohrig had no interference or improper influence.  (directly quoted from his web page)

This allegation is super easy to refute . . . like shooting fish in a barrel (as the saying goes).  The following is from Mohrig’s website:

Both Mohrig and Moore have asserted that the City Attorney’s response (attached below) to three separate complaints to the Georgia state elections board “exonerates” (their word) them from charges of elections misbehavior.  This is laughable and indicative of Mohrig and Moore’s assumption that voters are morons . . . are you sensing a theme here?  The City Attorney is the city’s defense lawyer.  Of course, he is going to assert that the city did nothing wrong . . . that is his job!  Obviously, defense attorneys cannot exonerate their clients.  If they could, our prisons would be empty.  Nevertheless, both Mohrig and Moore have been using the City’s Attorney letter (to the state elections board) as a blanket excuse for their elections misbehavior. 

Unless a voter has been living under a rock, he/she knows that Milton’s elections project has been a complete and utter disaster . . . Mohrig’s signature failure.  That is why Mohrig never boasts or even talks about it . . . unless he is forced to.  Milton will be paying MUCH MORE FOR MUCH LESS.  Costs for Milton to self-run its elections will be at least double the cost Fulton County would have charged . . . for much lower service levels:  fewer polling locations; fewer voting days/hours; no option to early vote outside Milton.

A vote for Cranmer and Cookerly is a vote AGAINST council member interference in elections.

Advocating AGAINST council member interference in THEIR own elections,

Tim

Note:  I am including a pdf file that provides my refutation of all six of Mohrig’s defenses of his record on land use, elections, and campaign collusion.  I urge readers to circulate this file to family, friends, and neighbors.  Voters must NOT let Mohrig get away with distorting his record and smearing his opponent. You can also click the following link to go to a web page that provides the same information:  Refuting Mohrig’s Two New Campaign Website Pages: Facts Matter and Highway 9

Today, I am posting the fourth installment of a six-part series debunking Rick Mohrig’s defenses of his terrible record.  This post and my next post debunk Mohrig’s false elections assertions.  Following is a link to Mohrig’s “Facts Matter” campaign website page.

Mohrig’s Facts Matter

False Assertion #4:  Rick recommended the 2nd polling location be in District 3 when he supported the Committee’s 2 polling location guidance.  (a direct quote from his web page)

To support this especially bold false assertion, Mohrig dishonestly cherry-picks a few initial statements he made in an April 10^th city council regular meeting and later in an April 17^th city council working session.  However, he conveniently and dishonestly omits his final position (and the only position that matters) on polling place locations expressed in the last few minutes of the April 17^th working session.  In the final three minutes of the April 17^th working session, Mohrig states THREE times he is “good” with the recommendation that District 3 be denied a polling place.  This recommendation formed the basis of a motion made two weeks later by Moore, SECONDED by Mohrig, and PASSED by council in a 4-3 vote, with Mohrig providing the DECIDING vote AGAINST—yes, AGAINST–a District 3 polling place.

At the April 17^th city council working session, at 2:33:38, Jan Jacobus first recommends the switch (from a District 3 polling location) to the Milton Park and Preserve (District 2).  Mohrig expresses no opposition and (at 2:33:40) states “I’m good with that.”  Council Member Moore (2:34:00) then provides his support for the switch.  Moore appallingly justifies denial of a District 3 polling location by stating that District 3 has the lowest percentage voter turnout . . . implying District 3 voters do not deserve a polling place.  In response to Moore’s recommendation Mohrig (2:35:00) states “I would be good with that.”  Mohrig concludes the council discussion with a few additional comments, ending by saying (at 2:35:48):  “I’m good with those two voting locations.”  In the span of slightly more than 2 minutes at the conclusion of the April 17th working session, Mohrig states THREE times that is he is “good” with Milton City Hall and Milton Park and Preserve as the two day-of polling locations, leaving District 3 without a polling location.  Following is a link to the video.  Forward to 2:33:35 (and listen for 2 ½ minutes):

The next regular city council meeting occurred on May 1^st.  This is the meeting where council discussed and voted on the number and location of the day-off polling spots.  I suggest watching the entire elections discussion and council vote, which ONLY lasts 9 minutes.  Mayor Jamison ardently argues for a third polling location.  Mohrig is clearly annoyed (about the suggestion for a District 3 polling place) and clearly does not understand basic voting protocols . . . amazing given his long tenure on council.  NEVER does Mohrig recommend the second polling location be in District 3.  NEVER does Mohrig object to District 3 being denied a polling location.  In fact, Mohrig provides the DECIDING VOTE AGAINST adding a District 3 polling location (in a 3-4 vote).  To add insult to injury, Mohrig then SECONDS the follow-on motion for 2 polling locations:  one at Milton City Hall and one at Milton Park & Preserve.  And finally Mohrig provides the DECIDING VOTE TO APPROVE (in a 4-3 vote) an election design that DENIES District 3 a polling location.  His opposition to a polling location in HIS OWN district could not be clearer.  Following is a link to the video.  Forward to 3:31:00

Two weeks later, in the wake of bad publicity over the decision, Mohrig’s radical mob appeared at council to blast the council members who favored the third polling location.  It was gratuitous and disgusting.  Milton’s Conservative mayor was cursed as “woke” and even “Marxist” for daring to advocate for equal voting access in Milton.  What was the point?  The Lunatic Fringe had prevailed.  Council designated only 2 polling locations; District 3 was denied a polling place.  I attribute this outburst to Moore and Mohrig spiking the football and flexing their political muscle.  Fortunately, their maneuver backfired.  They overplayed their hand and citizens rebelled.  This was the last straw for Phil Cranmer, sealing his decision to run for council.  Following is a link to May 15^th general public comment.  Forward to 11:30. These are the people who will be controlling Mohrig if he is elected . . . think about it!

Only because of overwhelming public pressure (stimulated by this blog) did Mohrig reluctantly vote to add back a District 3 polling location at the July 24^th regular city council meeting. 

However, it gets worse. At his “Facts Matter” web page, Mohrig goes beyond denying his pivotal role and lamely tries to shift the blame to City Manager Krokoff and Mayor Jamison for the denial of a District 3 polling location.  He extracts and quotes completely out-of-context (three) sound bites from Krokoff and Jamison.  Anyone half paying attention knows that Krokoff and Jamison were steadfast in their advocacy for three polling places . . . to include a polling place in District 3.  But don’t trust me . . . watch the suggested video clips from April 17^th, May 1^st, and May 15^th.

A vote for Cranmer and Cookerly is a vote for Election Integrity, for Equal Voting Access, and for restoring political sanity to Milton.

Advocating for Election Integrity and Voting Rights,

Tim

Note:  I am including a pdf file that provides my refutation of all six of Mohrig’s defenses of his record on land use, elections, and campaign collusion.  I urge readers to circulate this file to family, friends, and neighbors.  We must NOT let Mohrig get away with distorting his record and smearing his opponent. You can also click the following link to go to a web page that provides the same information:  Refuting Mohrig’s Two New Campaign Website Pages: Facts Matter and Highway 9

Today, I am posting the third installment of a six-part series debunking Rick Mohrig’s defenses of his terrible record.  (This post is my last installment on land use; my next two posts will debunk Mohrig’s claims about elections.)  Following is a link to Mohrig’s “Facts Matter” campaign website page.

Mohrig’s Facts Matter

False Assertion #3:  Through pure innuendo, Mohrig implies Cranmer is beholden to developers

Let me be direct.  It is TRUE that Phil Cranmer has accepted contributions (totaling $4,000) from TWO developers.  However, Mohrig conveniently and deceitfully leaves out 2 critical FACTS.  First, both developers LIVE in Milton so they are private citizens—just like you—participating in the political process.  Second and more importantly, both developers have NEVER developed in Milton (since it became a city) nor ever intend to develop in Milton (and I suspect if either came before council, Mr. Cranmer would recuse himself . . . or else vote against their proposals.)

One of the developer-contributors is Charlie Roberts (and his wife), who contributed $3,000 to Cranmer.  I have never met Mr. Roberts, but I know him by reputation.  He is well regarded as a man of integrity and vision. For several years, Roberts served on Milton’s Design Review Board.  In that capacity, Mr. Roberts took the lead in developing the highly acclaimed District at Mayfield (DaM).  He invested significant effort to lead a year-long, citizen-informed concept plan for 22 contiguous properties south, east, and west of the Milton Library.  This 18-acre concept plan will preserve historic homes and bring a unified Milton-centric vision to an important area of Crabapple.  Hallelujah! Thank you Mr. Roberts!

The DaM concept plan was approved unanimously by city council in June 2023.  (Note:  Mohrig was on the phone during this meeting but dropped off . . . so he did not vote on the DaM . . . just as he failed to show up for the 2021 vote on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.  Milton needs council members who SHOW UP for important land-use votes.)  Following is a city government link that provides more information about the District at Mayfield.

Milton City Government District at Mayfield Website

It is despicable that Mohrig’s cronies have conducted a smear campaign against Roberts, who has applied his development expertise and experience to craft a cohesive, attractive, and Milton-centric sense-of-place in Crabapple.  Roberts should be applauded rather than vilified. Perhaps Mr. Roberts contribution to Cranmer’s campaign merely reflects a sensible and informed perspective that a similar approach should be applied to the increasingly blighted District 3 (Highway 9-Deerfield-Windward) area, which Mohrig has ignored even though he resides there . . . and which Phil Cranmer has pledged to revitalize.

It is even more despicable that Mohrig implies that Cranmer’s acceptance of money from two respected resident-developers somehow makes him an agent for developers.  This smear campaign is clearly meant to distract voters from Mohrig’s own terrible record on land use described in my previous two posts.

Interestingly, Mohrig also implicitly criticizes Cranmer for the numerous large contributions to the Cranmer campaign.  However, Mohrig’s whining can be attributed to sour grapes.  Mohrig supporter Lisa Cauley hosted a big donor event that failed miserably.  Cauley spent nearly $1000 to raise (no more than) $4000 . . . a dismal outcome for such an event.  Note that rich sponsorships were requested . . . but not coughed up.

It should be noted that the sanctimonious Mohrig has hypocritically accepted a few $1000+ contributions.  He would certainly welcome more large contributions but obviously hasn’t inspired donors to contribute much to his lackluster candidacy.

Advocating Against Innuendo-based Smear Campaigns,

Tim

Note:  I am including a pdf file that provides my refutation of all six of Mohrig’s defenses of his record on land use, elections, and campaign collusion.  I urge readers to circulate this file to family, friends, and neighbors.  Voters must NOT let Mohrig get away with distorting his record and smearing his opponent. You can also click the following link to go to a web page that provides the same information:  Refuting Mohrig’s Two New Campaign Website Pages: Facts Matter and Highway 9

Today, I am posting the second installment of a six-part series debunking Rick Mohrig’s defenses of his terrible record.  Following is a link to Mohrig’s campaign web page dedicated to Highway 9.  In a nutshell, Mohrig preposterously contends nothing much can be done about a metastasizing blight in his district (SE Milton) and provides a menu of excuses for his lack of results.

Mohrig’s Highway 9 Facts

False Assertion #2:  Little or nothing can be done about the ballooning commercial blight in the Highway 9/Deerfield/Windward corridor.

Mohrig has hoisted the white surrender flag regarding blight in SE Milton.  Of course, Mohrig’s assertion that Milton’s hands are largely tied is absurd.  The District at Mayfield in Crabapple (discussed in a future post in this series) is proving otherwise.  The truth is that Mohrig has been mostly AWOL in efforts to re-invigorate Southeast Milton.  His focus has been elsewhere . . . on election interference and on HOA minutiae. He has ignored his own district.  To avoid blame for his gross negligence, Mohrig’s all-to-typical fallback is to offer flimsy excuses.  Following is an extract of Mohrig’s Highway 9 campaign web page.  Rather than man up for the blight in his district, Mohrig provides a litany of excuses.  Read Mohrig’s explanation in his own words and ask yourself:  Is this really the person Milton needs leading efforts to reinvigorate Milton’s largest commercial area? Yes, that was a rhetorical question!

Phil Cranmer has pledged that he will restore District 3’s commercial vigor.  Let’s give Phil that opportunity.  Vote for Phil Cranmer to re-vitalize District 3’s commercial sector.  Cranmer will pull down Mohrig’s white flag of surrender and charge forward to revive SE Milton’s commercial area.

Advocating For Visionary and Aggressive Action to Reverse District 3’ Commercial Blight,

Tim

Note:  I am including a pdf file that provides my refutation of all six of Mohrig’s defenses on his record on land use, elections, and campaign collusion.  I urge readers to circulate this file to family, friends, and neighbors.  We must NOT let Mohrig get away with distorting his record and smearing his opponent. You can also click the following link to go to a web page that provides the same information:  Refuting Mohrig’s Two New Campaign Website Pages: Facts Matter and Highway 9