MILTON, Ga. — Emotions stirred the Milton City Council meeting Dec. 18 as councilmembers Paul Moore and Rick Mohrig bid farewell to their official roles in the packed room.
With service that pre-dates Milton’s incorporation in 2006, both councilmembers received standing ovations with about two dozen supporters joining them as they held a plaque of recognition in front of the dais.
“I think we all know when you take public office … you sacrifice time away from work. It’s a big, big deal,” Mayor Peyton Jamison said to the retiring pair. “I appreciate everything that y’all have done for this community. You’ve made it a better place.”
Moore had been a Planning Commission member for 13 years before he was elected to the City Council in 2019. His District 2 seat will go to Doug Hene next year.
Moore recalled his first itch of community advocacy in 1998 when two 100,000-square feet grocery stores, Kroger and Publix, were proposed for Birmingham Crossroads.
“I never imagined that my passion would turn into what it has over a postcard…” Moore said.
He thanked his wife for her steadfast support, saying the last two years were “particularly challenging.” While he filed his declaration of intent to run for re-election this year, Moore pulled back. In a Facebook announcement Aug. 21, he cited a “new reality” in Milton that had taken a toll on his family.
“Whoever would have guessed that my best efforts at making sure Milton stayed Milton would find itself in the crosshairs…” Moore said at the meeting.
Councilman steps down
A member of the Milton Organizing Committee, Mohrig was elected to serve as a councilmember on Milton’s first City Council in 2006. He returned to the role in 2013.
In addition to his official city role, Mohrig served on a number of school councils and helped form the Bethany Area Residents…
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