City Refuses To Share Liberty’s Law With Citizens.

By Accessmilton.com


Milton Georgia, the city which places pictures of horses on everything from city vehicles to letter head, has refused to include a Liberty’s Law notice in their monthly e-newsletter.

Numerous examples can be given where staff has included causes and notices not officially sanctioned by the city within the periodical, going completely against the link referenced below. Yet when it comes to sharing a notice promoting an ordinance to protect horses from abuse and harassment, the request falls on deaf ears.

With the City of Milton Georgia continuing to turn it's back on Liberty's Law, one can only wonder if the "rural" claim and the use of horse images throughout are more about image than action.

In a world of edit filled media, it is best to share the complete email discussion, as opposed to certain highlights:

From: Tim Enloe
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 8:16 AM
To: Jason Wright
Subject: Hello Jason from Tim Enloe

Good morning, Jason.

Liberty’s Law, a proposed ordinance to protect horses from abuse and harassment, continues to gain support. As of today, Liberty’s Law has over 600 signatures on our online petition. Please go to http://libertyslaw.blogspot.com/ for more. It is also being picked up by various organizations and more notices are set to run in local Georgia newspapers moving forward.

I enjoy the city’s monthly newsletter about the goings on in our rural community. To help us in the promotion of Liberty’s Law, we would like to be included in the city’s July e newsletter.

Please let us know what content is needed.

Together, we can protect horses from abuse and harassment.

Best,

Tim Enloe
770 653 0552
____________

From: Jason Wright
To: Tim Enloe
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 8:42 AM
Subject: RE: Hello Jason from Tim Enloe

Tim, thank you for contacting me.

I’m sorry, but I cannot include this in the city’s newsletter. By policy, the monthly newsletter cannot be used to advocate for legislation, policy or political candidacy. It exists solely to highlight city government business and citizen accomplishments.

Jason Wright
Communications Manager
13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107A Milton, GA 30004
_____________

From: Tim Enloe
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 8:54 AM
To: Jason Wright
Subject: Re: Hello Jason from Tim Enloe

Jason:

I am confused.

We have accomplished quite a bit with the promotion of Liberty's Law and the support continues to grow. What better way to embrace Milton's rural character and equestrian lifestyle than Milton Georgia citizens leading the charge to protect horses from abuse and harassment?

Would you reconsider?

Best,

Tim Enloe
770 653 0552
_____________

From: Jason Wright
To: Tim Enloe
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 9:31 AM

Subject: RE: Hello Jason from Tim Enloe

Your concern is noble, but I am being clear and concise: Citizens cannot use the newsletter to advocate for legislation, policy or political candidacy.

It is vital, as this is a staff-created and taxpayer-funded document, that the newsletter remain wholly neutral and disconnected from the advocacy of issues decided by elected representatives. Otherwise, it could unduly influence the democratic process by means utilizing taxpayer dollars, which violates both the state and city ethics ordinances.

This decision is endorsed by the City Manager and Mayor, and they are aware of your request.

For historical proof, here is the archive of newsletters stretching back to the service’s launch in November 2008: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs074/1101538339397/archive/1107970170764.html

Jason Wright
Communications Manager
13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107A Milton, GA 30004
___________

From: Tim Enloe
To: Jason Wright
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: Hello Jason from Tim Enloe

Jason:

I have seen the city promote numerous causes advocating for everything from charity causes to legislation, but I digress.

Best,

Tim Enloe
770 653 0552