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Closing Words
Thank you for your interest in the issues in this mayoral race. Over the past two months, I have addressed Crime Prevention, City Spending and Taxes, Traffic and Transportation, Becoming More Business Friendly, Leadership, and whether Roswell needs a Strong versus a Weak Mayor.
In this last issues letter I will address secession from Fulton County and recreating Milton County. Then I will address some issues which my opponent waited until last week to raise.
Milton County
The citizens of Roswell want us to secede from Fulton County. They recognize that Fulton County is a dysfunctional government that treats Roswell as its cash cow. I have heard them.
For years, I have championed Milton County. I have spoken about the benefits of seceding from Fulton County. I have written articles in support of Milton County. I have publicly debated the benefit of creating a new county with John Eaves, Chairman of the Fulton County Commission. I have supported our State Legislators, Jan Jones, Mark Burkhalter, Wendell Willard, Harry Geisinger and Dan Moody in their efforts to form a new county. I have joined with all of the mayors in North Fulton County to transfer services from Fulton County to the cities to make it easier for us to form a new county.
David Tolleson is not ready to join us in the fight to secede from Fulton County. As always, he is waiting until all issues are resolved before taking a stand.
Veterans
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This week two of the people Mr. Tolleson listed as endorsing him sent out a letter accusing me of not supporting Veterans. This is a lie and a shameless attempt to discredit me. I have called both of my accusers, but they have refused to discuss the letter they sent out.
It is disappointing that Mr. Tolleson’s supporters are resorting to lies rather than debating the issues.
The Right to Bear Arms
Tuesday night at the debate, my opponent falsely accused me of opposing the right to bear arms. I support the 2nd Amendment and the right to bear arms. I have been a gun owner since I was 12 when my father gave me my first shotgun. Today, I own seven firearms, one of which hangs over my front door. I am currently lobbying the Council to approve a 24 lane indoor firing range to be built on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell. When questioned, my opponent did not admit to ever owning a firearm. Actions speak louder than words.
In a direct mail piece last week, Mr. Tolleson argued that I should not be re-elected because I changed my position on three issues.
1. Term Limits
Mr. Tolleson criticized me for running again because I have supported term limits in the past. When I proposed term limits to the council, Mr. Tolleson voted against my proposals. My decision to run again was based upon what I felt was best for our city. If I thought my opponent was qualified to lead Roswell, I would not have run this year. If he believes I should not run as a matter of principal, shouldn’t he have turned down his council salary as a matter of principal after he voted to eliminate it in June?
2. Development
My opponent criticized me for withdrawing my support for a development on GA 400 that included high-rise buildings after it became clear to me that the community opposed the development. As your representative, I believe it is my job to listen to you and accept the decision of the majority. My opponent went on to accuse me of supporting high-density development everywhere. There is no truth to this accusation. If that were true, how does he explain my veto of his vote to re-zone land on Hardscrabble Road from single-family homes in order to build townhouses? The plan he supported was contrary to the city land use plan, staff recommendations, and the wishes of the adjacent neighborhood.
3. Big Creek Park
My opponent accused me of first voting against the acquisition of Big Creek Park and then voting for the acquisition. He is wrong on the facts. I never opposed buying Big Creek Park. I did vote against his motion to spend $23,000,000 on property that we appraised at $16,000,000. I held out until we negotiated the price down to $19,000,000 saving the city $4,000,000.
Just this week Business Week Magazine recognized the City of Roswell as one of the three best places in Georgia to raise a family. If we are to continue on this positive course, Roswell needs a proven leader, not vague promises of change.
I would appreciate your vote this Tuesday, December 1st.
It’s all good.
Jere Wood
Vote to Re-Elect Jere Wood Mayor of Roswell on December 1st.
Click here for Mayor Jere Wood’s positions on Redevelopment; Preventing Crime; City Spending and Taxes; Traffic and Transportation; Helping Local Businesses, and other issues.