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Milton opts for 2 Election Day polling sites City leaning toward hand-counted ballots By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Some Milton residents may have to travel farther to cast their votes for the municipal general election in November. In a split vote May 1, the Milton City Council voted to operate two polling locations for this year’s municipal election. Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison, and councilmembers Juliette Johnson and Carol Cookerly cast the dissenting votes. The approved resolution calls for Election Day voting at Milton City Hall and the Milton City Park and Preserve. Advanced voting has already been established, set for one location — City Hall. Before the vote, Jamison criticized the resolution in a written statement and argued that three locations would allow for greater accessibility for Milton residents used to having more options when Fulton County operated municipal elections. Jamison argued it is the responsibility for elected officials to represent all citizens and highlighted the “recurring theme” of integrating the Ga. 9 area into the fabric of Milton. The City Council has made progress in enhancing engagement in that corridor, Jamison said. “However, the resolution before us today does not only take us a step
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AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Carolyn Bell, founder of Fortitude Farm, speaks on an agenda item related to zoning variances for her property at the Milton City Council meeting May 1. Her application sought a cover for her riding ring and 14 additional horse stalls.
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison reads a prepared statement advocating for three Election Day polling locations. While his motion drew support from councilmembers Carol Cookerly and Juliette Johnson, it fell short of passage. The council majority opted for two polling locations, one at City Hall and the other at Milton City Park and Preserve. backward, but potentially several more, which concerns me as it may unnecessarily create division within our community,” Jamison said. Voter participation Jamison said the Ga. 9 area, which lies in District 3, has had as many as three voting locations under Fulton County-operated elections, and it deserves the same treatment as Districts 1 and 2. In previous years, Fulton County implemented eight polling locations. “As elected officials, it is our duty to provide them and every other resident of Milton an equal opportunity to exercise their
fundamental right to vote,” the mayor said. Following Jamison’s motion to add a third precinct with the Milton Public Safety Complex as its voting location, Cookerly joined the mayor, saying every election is about access. “If we don’t provide access, perhaps where there are the least participants, then we are not helping to grow participation,” Cookerly said. District 3, which Jamison said is the “highest density” area in Milton, has a lower voter turnout. In a proposed precinct map, presented by Milton City Manager Steve Krokoff at
See ELECTIONS, Page 10
Polling decision draws division Pages 10-11
Horse operation clears city hurdle to update facility By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — More than 20 people cheered in favor of Carolyn Bell, founder of Fortitude Farm on Wood Road, after the City Council approved zoning variances for the property. The council granted Bell the path forward May 1 to update her 13.25-acre farm to allow for a covered riding area and 14 additional stalls. Bell has owned and operated an equestrian facility with training on the site, zoned AG-1, since 2002. But the property, with existing facilities, has operated as a horse farm since 1994. Bell said she has had to lease
See FARM, Page 4