I was encouraged to see that Georgia’s very own Senator Saxby Chambliss played golf with President Obama two weeks ago. This time spent walking the fairways follows up on a dinner with the President that our other Georgia Senator, Johnny Isakson, helped facilitate. I’m confident that these gestures are a genuine effort on both sides to look beyond partisan differences and to find common ground on the critical issues facing America today. As a supporter of the Campaign to Fix the Debt, I know that one area on which action is especially vital is reaching a bipartisan fiscal deal on our …

Dear Editor: The recent events in Connecticut have shaken us all, making us realize just how precious a young life is and how we have a great responsibility to protect it. This tragedy is a parent’s and an educator’s worst nightmare.  While parents have always carefully dropped their children off at school or to the bus stop, they may now hesitate, taking one last moment to hug or kiss their child before they send him or her along the way. School employees are now more alert and aware of unusual people and sounds, and law enforcement officers and first responders are extra watchful in …

On November 6, two-thirds of Roswell voted to approve the city’s borrowing $14.7 million dollars. [Wednesday] morning, I directed staff to begin the work to be funded by this loan – 400/Holcomb Bridge Road interchange improvements ($6 million), multi-purpose trails along Holcomb Bridge and Eves Road ($2.7 million), 4 athletic turf fields for our children ($2 million), a therapeutic pool for our seniors ($2.5 million), and replacement of the old fire station on Holcomb Bridge Road ($1.5 million). Despite a struggling economy and vocal opposition, the voters of Roswell approved these …

There has been an awful lot of energy expended by opponents of the Charter Amendment. The opposition to the Amendment claim that the state can “already” act as an appeals body for charter schools. Those supporting the Amendment wonder, if the state can already approve charters, why is the Education Establishment fighting THIS hard against affirming that on the ballot on November 6?  Most of the arguments posed against the Amendment are related to the enabling legislation, which establishes a Commission. The ballot question, however, ONLY reaffirms the state’s role in K-12 general education, …

After casting your ballot for President on Nov. 6, please vote to approve Roswell’s request to borrow $14.7 million. This loan will fund $6 million to reduce traffic congestion by improving the intersection of SR 400 and Holcomb Bridge Road, $2.7 million to build multi-purpose sidewalks on Holcomb Bridge Road and Eves Road so our children can walk to school and to the river, $2 million for turf fields for our children to play football, soccer and lacrosse, $2.5 million for a therapeutic pool for our seniors, and $1.5 million to replace the old fire station on Holcomb Bridge Road. This is the …

On Nov. 6, the citizens of Roswell will be asked to approve a 10 year, $14.7 million dollar debt, in the form of a bond. But according to Roswell for Fiscal Responsibility (RFFR), Roswell City Government has been selective with the facts and has not been transparent with the voters of Roswell.   After comparing the information provided by Roswell City Government to the research conducted by RFFR, I have compiled of list of findings that I believe should be considered by the voters of Roswell on Election Day. The Project List is Not Binding It may surprise voters to learn that the proposed …

On November 6th, the citizens of Roswell will be asked to vote for or against a 10 year, $14.7 million bond.  The stated purpose of this bond is to pay for “transportation, public safety and recreational improvements” throughout the city of Roswell.  If you ask Roswell City Government, they will tell you that “Property tax rates will not increase because of the bonds,” and “The City is able to make these investments in the community within the current property tax rate.”  But recently, I received an e-mail from Roswell for Fiscal Responsibility (RFFR) who claims the bond is “nothing more than…

Georgia is in the midst of an intense debate over a proposed charter school amendment that will be on the ballot in November. Whatever your position, you need to read my story. The polls predict this amendment will pass with flying colors, thanks to a misleading ballot question and a majority of funding from outside the state. If this amendment passes, politics and corporations will shape our schools. Groups with multi-faceted objectives are lining up to grab their market share. If a state controlled charter school comes to town, you will have no recourse if there is a problem.Why Local …

The Lead Committee of the North Fulton and Friends Tea Party (NFFTea) announces a recommendation to vote “NO” on the July 31, TSPLOST Atlanta Regional Transportation referendum. North Fulton and Friends Tea Party takes positions on selected local, state and national issues. This is done via assignment of members to investigate and recommend a position to the patrons and leadership. “After careful review by a sub-committee assembled to study the specifics of the Georgia Transportation Investment Act (TIA) legislation, as well as the Project List for the Atlanta Region, it is the position of …

Editor: Linda Schultz, the current school board president, is seeking reelection to the Fulton County School Board on July 31. We are fortunate to have this dedicated, talented, and experienced educational leader. For over 18 years, she has worked on behalf of children and their education. She diligently serves all of the schools, staff, students, retirees, families, and taxpayers. She works in collaboration with these communities 24/7/365. I have known Linda for many years. She is a proven trailblazer in many important educational arenas, focusing on sound budgeting practices, transparency, …

"On Thursday, April 26, the city of Roswell installed metal detectors at the southern entrance of Roswell City Hall. All visitors must pass through these metal detectors and submit to police inspection before gaining access to the building. The 600 or so city employees and elected officials who enter the building each day are not required to be screened. On Tuesday, May 15, city council will [discuss] whether or not to make the new security measures permanent [at a committee meeting]. I was out of town when the new security measures were implemented. I wanted to get a first hand look at the …

"The Groveway project exemplifies what happens when a neighborhood takes pride in responsibility for their community.   The planners responsible for designing the Groveway [zoning code] are some of the most talented city designers in the world. With the Groveway project, Roswell is positioned to be one of the most exciting, and yet historically preserved, cities the country. As a representative of the younger Roswell demographic, I am excited about possibilities of further preserving and developing this area. If passed, Roswell and its historic roots and rich history will be protected. I hope…

Letter to the Editor, During Mayor Jere Wood’s state of the city address to the Kiwanis Club last week he finally admitted to piloting Roswell’s ship of state with 88,000 aboard too close to the rocks and he will be unable to keep his ship from running aground financially. You can expect Mayor Wood and Roswell's City Council to begin throwing some tall tantrums challenging property owners with city employee lay-offs and reductions in service unless taxpayers open up their check books and bail out his administration with an injection of bond monies, thus placing Roswell property owners deeper …

The expansion of MARTA and the light rail system via a sales tax is the great destroyer of wealth. Any system which cannot produce a benefit that is greater than its cost is not an asset, but a liability. If a public transportation system is to be funded, then let it be funded by fare, not by a sales tax. Of course, it cannot be funded by fare because the cost of doing so would cause the fare price to increase such that the consumer would be confronted with a fare that is greater than the benefit of the service provided. Therefore, since the service is not self-sustaining (i.e. the costs are …

Reiko Donato doesn’t think of herself as a hero.  In fact, she didn’t even really want to discuss the concept.  She was too focused on explaining some of the latest advances happening right now in TSC research. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex—also known as TSC—is a genetic disorder that affects approximately 50,000 people in the United States and over a million people world-wide.  The disorder most commonly causes tumors to form in the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes, skin, and lungs.  Reiko is careful to point out that TSC is also the most common alleged genetic cause for autism and epilepsy—…

Being a U.S. Marine means everything to Roswell’s own Lance Cpl. Robert McCord. McCord, who is stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, is thrilled to be finding new challenges in his work saving lives. He shares a little of what his work is like in an interview sent to Roswell Patch by the military’s Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System. Q: What’s your job? A: I operate the hoses on the P-19 aircraft rescue firefighting vehicle. It is my job to suit up and put out the fires if an aircraft aboard the air station goes down. Q: What’s your favorite aspect of your job? A: …

Andrew Aldridge thinks of himself as a regular guy. You’ll find him shopping at a local grocer, walking his dog, and enjoying time with his wife and toddler. However, you’ll also find him ready to suit up and serve his country as a United States Army Sergeant who recently returned to Roswell after serving three tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. His classification is E5-Staff Sergeant. Aldridge is one of countless numbers of heroes in our community who are using their military experience to help shape the lives of others. He now works as a recruiter in North Fulton County’s U.S. Army recruiting …

Caitlin Cunningham brings to mind that old saying "Never judge a book by its cover." The bubbly seventeen year old, like most girls her age, enjoys hanging out with friends and the new found freedom her driving license has given her.  A junior at Roswell High School, Caitlin is an active member of her school's student council and also an active member of her local church, volunteering to work with the preschoolers most Sunday mornings and sharing her talents as a dancer on the church's dance team.  What you can't tell, judging Caitlin from the outside and the every-day normalcy of her life, …