MILTON, Ga. — In a unanimous vote and without discussion, the Milton City Council fired its elections consultant Vernetta Nuriddin.
Lavania White, who had been hired as one of three poll managers for the city’s November municipal election, will take her place as part of a $12,500 contract that ends Dec. 31.
In an email, City Manager Steve Krokoff, who also serves as the city’s elections superintendent, said terminating Nuriddin’s contract was “for convenience” and was rooted in a “commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome for the city.”
“Our focus has shifted from high-level planning to the crucial phase of polling preparation, where we are fortunate to draw upon a wealth of experience within our new team,” Krokoff said.
Krokoff hired Nuriddin in late May, following a number of personal requests from City Councilman Rick Mohrig that he interview her. In an interview with Appen Media, Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne also confirmed her support for Nuriddin as Milton’s election consultant.
While Nuriddin holds election-related certifications and served on the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections as its vice chair, she did not meet the city’s minimum qualifications which includes experience as an elections superintendent.
Nuriddin came before the council Monday evening and said she had found out about her termination only hours before the meeting. In her comments, Nuriddin expressed disappointment in the agenda item and described a tenuous relationship with Krokoff.
“My biggest regret is that me and Steve actually couldn’t get to a place where we could work together,” she said.
Nuriddin also tossed in a few criticisms, such as the City Council’s May 1 resolution to implement two polling locations, rather than three. She says she reported City Attorney Ken Jarrard Aug. 15 to the…
Read the full article here
