Letter to the Editor

Mayor: 'Roswell's Future is Bright'

Roswell Mayor Jere Wood has instructed city staff to begin work on projects that will be funded by the bond approved by voters on Tuesday.

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 investments by a wide margin in every precinct across the city. The regional sales tax for transportation failed to pass earlier this year because the voters of…

• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor

Op-ED: Charter School Amendment - Money and Control

An Op-ED by Kelly Cadman, the Vice President of School Services at The Georgia Charter Schools Association, and a former founder of a charter school/

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, so why the nasty battle against the Amendment? At the heart of the argument employed by the school districts and affiliate associations who earn their …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor

'Say Yes to Investing in Roswell Through the Bond'

Roswell Mayor Jere Wood explains why he believes the upcoming bond referendum is vital to the city.

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 second time in the 15 years I have served as Mayor that I have asked the citizens of Roswell for approval to borrow money to invest in their hometown…

•  23 Comments
• Photos (3)

Lee Fleck

8:46 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012

Just read the bond question and you will realize that not one item on this fact sheet above is spelled out nor the associated investment. This is a "One Category" bond question and Council can spend the money as they see fit per the City Lawyer. It is English.   more ›

Letter to the Editor

'7 Reasons I'll Vote No on the Roswell City Bond'

Local resident Jake Lilley recounts a recent informational meeting as further reasoning on why he will vote no to the upcoming bond in Roswell.

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. It may surprise voters to learn that the proposed project list, as advertised by Roswell City Government is not binding. This is a general obligation bond and as such, if the bond is approved then Roswell city government will have the …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (2)

Lee Fleck

8:12 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012

A $6 million investment to beautify the GA400 / Holcomb Bridge interchange that is projected to save the average driver 10 seconds twice a day is not remedial. It a waste of property owners money!!   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Local Resident Explains Why She's Voting Schultz

Send your own Letter to the Editor submissions to christine.foster@patch.com.

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, and innovative student achievement initiatives. Linda, also, is committed to using your tax dollars efficiently and effectively. Fulton County Schools…

•  11 Comments
• Photos (2)

Parent Says Call for Charter Vote Today Shows Contempt

The North Fulton resident asks taxpayers to vote for local school board members who are pro-taxpayer and pro-educational freedom.

"In a stunning show of power the State Charter Board using a little known and surprising procedural maneuver moved up the vote on FSA Middle School from June 14th  to today. State School Board members stated that if FSA Middle School were granted a charter it would set a negative precedent for the education system and therefore it is believed that they will likely vote to deny a charter to FSA Middle School tomorrow. This was clearly a win for State and local educational bureaucrats who wish to deny parents of Georgia Educational freedom.  It was clearly a show of power that while the Governor and Elected officials may support educational freedom  --- the education system does not. It shows the contempt that entrenched educational …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: 'Remove Metal Detectors at Roswell City Hall'

Roswell resident Jake Lilley gives his take on why the city should remove the metal detectors recently placed at the entrance to city hall.

"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 new procedures, so I visited Roswell City Hall on the afternoon of Monday, April 30. What I saw was quite a spectacle - orange barricades, roped-off …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor

'Why the Groveway Project is a Win for Roswell'

Former Roswell City Council candidate Adam Braund urges local residents to support the Groveway Zoning Overlay Code, which comes before council for a second approval tonight.

"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 the city council can appreciate not simply the design and hard work put into restoring the Groveway, but also the timing and the necessity of passing…

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Martin Howell

7:53 am on Friday, April 13, 2012

Aaron, Unfortunately the problem is not access to data and reports. As i detailed above, for example, I have studied in detail all of the reports regarding transportation infrastructure in Roswell. The problem is that not one of these reports anticipates any specifc growth from Groveway and thusly recommends no traffic countermeasures.   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: 'Boot the Bond'

Roswell resident and former city council candidate, Lee Fleck, gives his take on the upcoming bond proposed by city leaders.

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 in debt. This is the same group of financially irresponsible elected officials who spent $30 million more than the city received in revenues over the …

•  5 Comments
• Documents (1)

Michael Reissig

4:26 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012

It really bothers me when someone whom remains anonymous throws in a random comment. It truly shows your intelligence level when you say such comments without even looking at the budget. For your information I fully understand how Roswell's budget works, and how they have been pissing through money ever since Rich Dippolito took office. I graduated with honors and have my degree in project …   more ›

Letter to the Editor: Proposed Pedestrian Bridge is 'Wasted' Money

Chuck Rann is against building the approved pedestrian bridge that will soon link Roswell with Sandy Springs.

I read about the proposed pedestrian bridge across the Chattahoochee River in several Roswell news sources and I am appalled that anyone is considering such a project. I am a bike rider. I enjoy the parks. I have been a city of Roswell taxpayer and voter for almost 30 years. Four reasons not to build the bridge: 1) We have enough bike paths and parks in the city of Roswell and they are not suffering from over capacity use. Some people within city government may have an obsessive compulsive need for more paths and access points to other cities' future bike paths, I do not. I am interested in the services that I get for the tax dollars that I pay. I don't need more and more seems to be a real problem in today's government. 2) The bridge will…

•  7 Comments
• Photos (1)