• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Milton City Council picks up a pair of newcomers

Photo

David Adams

Photo

Nancy Lader

Photo

Robert McLinn

MILTON — In a tight race for three seats on the Milton City Council, two new faces have emerged.

Two newcomers to the council, Nancy Lader and Robert McLinn, grabbed two of the three open seats Tuesday night.

Incumbent David Adams, the top vote-getter, retained the council seat he’s held since 2008. Incumbent Lynda Clark lost her seat in the election and trailed McLinn by just 24 votes.

Lader said she was surprised by the turnout. Lader, 64, a retired draftsman and apartment manager, said she walked two blocks to City Hall to hear the results announced. She said she’ll remember the exact time she learned she became a Milton alderwoman—8:03 p.m.

Lader said she can’t wait to learn all about her new responsibilities as an alderwoman and wasn’t ready to share her plans for the future.

“My husband, very gently, said, ‘You may eat your words,” Lader said. “I want to learn more about what the position entails, and I’ll formulate my goals from there.”

McLinn was surprised he won. Having lived in Milton for just three years, the 42-year-old JCPenney field manager is a relative newcomer to Milton.

McLinn said he’d like to see Milton become a regional showplace.

“It’s a great little town, but it can be even better,” he said. “We really need to look at those big communities up near Madison and show them that the little towns like Milton are here. We’re on the map.”

McLinn said that can start with economic planning to ensure the Highway 26 bypass doesn’t hold the city back.

“We need to really make sure we’re not left in the dust by that bypass. We can’t become a forgotten city,” he said.

Adams, 67, a retired engineer, has been an alderman since 2008. Adams said he’s glad the council has new blood.

“I’m looking forward to working with some new ones. I’m sure it’s going to be an education and a process for them just like it was for me the first time around,” he said.

Adams said he looks forward to learning more about Lader’s and McLinn’s perspectives.

“Having had five candidates is healthy for the city. It’s always good to bring in some new opinions,” Adams said.

As a re-elected council member, Adams said he’s interested in plans for a new Department of Public Works facility. But first he aims to push forward plans for a fire and police facility.

“Both projects need to happen, but fire and police have to do with more than storage,” Adams said. “I’d like to see that be the priority right now.”