Monday of August 31st, 2009 when I woke up that morning, I would’ve never guessed the people I would be meeting with that day. The day proceeded ordinarily and I was anxious for 3rd period to be over. When it finally did at 11:40pm I met with Lalit Janak, the other intern that I would be working with, with Mayor Wood. Lalit’s told me some of the stuff that he’s in charge of at the worksite and how much he enjoys it on the way to the interview. When we got to the Roswell city hall, we were let through the door that requires some sort of special authorization and I was already beginning to get excited.  I was then introduced to Brandon, Ms. Robyn Kenner, the chief assistant, and the mayor himself! (At this point, I gotta say, I’ve never known any mayors or even the names of them before and it was the coolest thing meeting with Mayor Wood!)

After Brandon and I were admitted and briefed on the information, as if meeting a mayor wasn’t enough for one day, we were already given a task of following Mayor Jere Wood to the reception for the GOP victory dinner at Westin hotel in Buckhead! The mayor personally took us to the place in his car, and during that 30minute drive we talked about random things and it made me feel intimate to the mayor already. At that time I had no idea what the reception would be like.

As soon as we got there, Mayor Wood started introducing everybody to us and never having been around so many influential people, I was dumbstruck. As we walked around and took time to be acquainted many, we were nervous to meet with Tom Price, and there he was, and soon I found myself shaking hands and taking pictures with him. However, due to the mayor’s scheduled council meeting back at the city hall, we had to miss out on the dinner.

Mayor Wood made us say few words at the meeting and we watched it till it was adjourned. I’ve lived in the U.S. for close to 7 years now, and this day might have been the most memorable day. I so excited and can’t wait till the next day of internship!

Mike Kim, Alpharetta High School

Hello everyone! My name is Brandon Adams. I am a senior at Centennial, and one of the new interns working for Mayor Wood! What an amazing and thrilling first week it has been! On Monday, I was in one of the most nervous states I have ever been in; I was meeting the most important person in the city that my father, and now myself, have grown up in, who was not only a politician, but also a UGA graduate and lawyer, all of which are my life goals. I sat waiting in Mayor Wood’s office with palms sweating, heart beat racing, and seemingly impossibly high expectations. While in the waiting room, I got to meet my two fellow interns for the first time, Mike and Lalit, with whom I immediately liked and was impressed by.

Then, the moment finally came: Mayor Wood came in, and from the start blew away my prior suppositions. He proved to be extremely intelligent, down-to-earth, and honest, the latter two of which seem very seldom in today’s politics. He also came bearing a magnificent surprise. We were going to go to the GOP Victory Dinner in Buckhead, at which U.S. Representative Tom Price and all of the other Republican movers and shakers in Georgia were at. I was besides myself with excitement to meet one of the most influential men in Congress, and I was even more ecstatic when I learned that the Minority Whip, Rep. Eric Cantor. All this excitement, and this was just the first day!

On Tuesday, we went to Roswell High School (who is going to be beaten mercilessly by Centennial in football this Friday) for Rep. Tom Price’s town hall meeting. Rep. Price was there to speak out against the health care plan offering a government run option currently circulating the House, and provide an alternative to it, which would “place the power with the patient.” There were many good commentaries by members of the crowd, and when I had to leave to get back home at 8:30, there was still a seemingly endless line of concerned constituents to go.

On Wednesday, I attended the Volunteer cookout at Mayor Wood’s law office. The event garnered an awesome turn out, making me confident that the people of Roswell know what is best for them and the city they love! And if this first week is an indication of how the internship will go, I’m in for the greatest experience of my life.

Stay Positive and Have Fun

Volunteer Cookout this Wednesday, September 2, at 6:00 p.m.  Roswell’s best hamburger chef, Jimmy of Rhea’s Takeout, will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs at my office, 1173 Canton Street.  Come and join me for Roswell’s best hamburgers.  Please R.S.V.P. by e-mailing me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com or calling my office at 770-641-1923. 

Qualifications

I will qualify to run for re-election as Mayor today.  I also expect Nancy Diamond and Betty Price to qualify for the two open City Council seats, and Jim Pollak to qualify to run against Councilman Igleheart.  I have not heard which seat Peter Vanstrom will be running for.  With all the good candidates for Council and a contested Mayor’s race, I expect a relatively high turnout of voters on November 3rd, which is good for my campaign. 

Upcoming Appearances

Monday, August 31st.  I attended the kickoff for the Homestretch Golf Tournament at Brookfield Country Club this morning.  Tonight I will be attending the reception for the GOP Victory Dinner in Buckhead and  returning in time for the open forum council meeting at City Hall, 7:30. 

Tuesday, September 1st.  I will be attending Tom Price’s town hall meeting at the Roswell High School auditorium.  We are expecting a large crowd; it should be interesting. 

Wednesday, September 3rd.  I will be greeting Senator Johnny Isakson at Roswell Rotary Meeting, Roswell Area Park, at 12:15 p.m.

Friday, September 4th.  I will be meeting with Tom Price to discuss transferring grant money for improvements to South Atlanta Street. Friday night I will be at Roswell High School,  rooting for both teams at Roswell High v. Centennial High varsity football game.   

Saturday, September 5th.   The Beatles are coming to town and will perform at Riverside Park starting at 7:30 .m.   Arrive early for a parking spot and bring a picnic dinner and lawn chairs.

Sunday, September 6th.  Huge fireworks display at Centennial High, sponsored by the City of Roswell and local merchants.  Hope to see you at at least one of these events. 

Yard Signs
Come and get ‘em.  You can pick up a yard sign from the breezeway at my office, 1173 Canton Street, or we will put one up for you upon request by e-mailing me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com, or by calling 770-641-1923.

Talk to your friends about the Mayor’s race. 

It’s all good 

Jere Wood

             For 32 years, beginning the year I married Judie Raiford, we have hosted a  bar-b-que at our home in October when the days are  clear and the leaves are turning . We  would stay up all Friday night to turn the pig and keep the coals hot,  and then on Saturday night serve bbq and dance to Hal and Brad’s rock and roll band.  When they took a break, we would award Hog Heaven medals and invite our friends to tell jokes.   Each year we tried something new and our guest list grew.  Jay  bought a smoker so we didn’t have to stay up all night, but we still partied till after midnight on  Friday.  We awarded a blue ribbon to the best desserts brought by our guests and attracted the best cakes and pies in Roswell.  Then, after thirteen BBQs,  Judie wondered why there were always a couple out of the five hundred guests who didn’t behave well — and she called it quits!

            We revived the BBQ  in 1997 for my Mayor’s race.  The next year my mother and sister came to me and volunteered to help me  continue the BBQ, provided we made it a charitable fundraiser.  We changed the name from the Hog Heaven BBQ to the Mayor’s BBQ Ball and moved it across the creek to Mother’s house.  At the first BBQ Ball, Robert Polatty, a fellow attorney, commented that the party was not as wild as it used to be, but I had a better class of guests.  We concluded that, like the practice of law, you get a better class of clients when you charge. 

            Last year I invited Dreamland, Shane’s Rib Shack, Spiced Right, Swaller in the Haller, Talk of the Town, and Fireman Tony Papoustis to compete against  Jay Barnet and me.   The result was the best bbq in Roswell.

            This year we will  hold the Mayor’s BBQ Ball on Saturday, October 17^th  at Hog Heaven on Stroup Road in Roswell to benefit the Star House.  You can buy tickets for the best BBQ of the year from Star House at www.starhousefoundation.org, or from my office at 1173 Canton Street, Roswell.  I hope to see you there.

Mayor Jere Wood

STAY POSITIVE AND HAVE FUN

The campaign is gaining momentum.

Mayor’s Roast

On  August 12th, over 150 people turned out for the Mayor’s Roast, and they contributed more than $10,000.00 toward our re-election campaign.  Jay Barnet, former mayor of Mountain Park, roasted pork, beef  and chicken; and Moby and the mayors of Johns Creek, Milton, and Mountain Park roasted me.  Joining them were Sam Olens, candidate for Attorney General, Dr. Betty Price, Margie Cooper, Robert Polatty, Randy Brannon, and the Reverend Malone Dodson.  Bobby and the Bow Ties sang a song for our campaign based upon the Kingston Trio hit, “Ballad of the MTA”.  We will post a video of the song as soon as it is available. Everyone had a great time.

Beacon Debate

Over 450 people  turned out for Thursday night’s debate at the Holiday Inn.  I had fun and based on messages I received afterwards, it appears we solidified our support and won over undecided voters.

Organizing

We are continuing to work on our web site and to build and organize our voter e-mail database.  This week I  hope to settle on a campaign slogan, create art work for new yard signs and campaign literature, and develop a budget for campaign expenditures.

Help Wanted

On Thursday 8/20, we need volunteers to help at Alive After Five.  We will set up a tent in front of Eclectic Finds, 1167 Canton Street, to collect  voter e-mails and hand out campaign info and yard signs.  We will be next to the “Free the Chickens” tent that  will have baby chickens for children to pet, which should attract their parents.   If you have half an hour to help between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m., please e-mail me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com.

Remember to talk to your friends and neighbors about the campaign.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com, or call 770-641-1923.

It’s All Good! 

Jere Wood

Thank you for volunteering to help in my re-election campaign. This is the first of weekly e-mails that I plan to send out to all volunteers between now and November 3rd, election day.

The next campaign event will be a fundraiser on Wednesday evening, August 12th, at 7:30 p.m. at my mother’s house on Stroup Road. We need help accepting donations, serving food and drinks, driving a shuttle van, and setting up and cleaning up. If you have time to help, please e-mail the campaign.

On August 13th, everyone is invited to a mayoral debate at the Doubletree Hotel on Holcomb Bridge Road, reception at 6:00 p.m., debate to begin at 7:00 p.m.

We have not settled on a slogan for the campaign. Below is a list of possibilities. If you have a preference or any other suggestions, please e-mail the campaign.

Build Roswell with Wood

Roswell Rocks

Roswell Runs Well

Roswell Runs Well / Wood Works

Roswell, Built by You with Wood

Roswell, Jere Wood, Just Solid

Roswell, Where You Make it Happen, Jere Wood for Mayor

Getting Better All The Time

Nobody Is Better

Wood Works

Wood - Proven, Sturdy Leadership

Wood - Proven Leadership

Wood Makes Things Better

Wood Makes Things Best

Wood Makes Things Great

Wood - The Best Is Yet to Come

Wood - Keeping Roswell Great

Great and Getting Greater with Wood

Build “Green” With Wood

Great + Wood = Greater

Best + Wood = Even Better

With your help, we will win this election and make Roswell an even better place to live.

Thank you for your comments and suggestions for a campaign slogan. We have a lot of good ideas but still have no consensus on what the slogan should be.

Chad Hagan has been making calls to volunteers to build our campaign team. Eddie Mathis, Bill Largin, and Jim Taudte have been working on our website and database. Lalit Janak, our intern, is back at Alpharetta High School, but he still has time to update my Facebook from time to time.

I met with Nancy Diamond, Peter Vanstrom, Jim Pollock, and other potential candidates to discuss the Roswell Council races.

Most of my time this week has been spent preparing for the Mayor’s Roast on Wednesday night and the debate on Thursday night. We are planning for 125 guests at the roast Wednesday night. Jay Barnett will be cooking barbecue, Bobby Fierman and the Bow Ties will be providing music, and Moby and the Mayors and other Roswell notables will be roasting me.

If you are coming to the Mayor’s Roast Wednesday night and have not R.S.V.P.’d, please do so by e-mailing me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com.

At Thursday night’s debate at the Holiday Inn on Holcomb Bridge Road just west of GA 400, starting at 7:00 p.m. sharp, I will be talking about my record and my vision for Roswell.

It’s All Good!

Jere Wood

RE: Re-Elect Jere Wood Campaign

Thank you for coming to the first campaign meeting and volunteering to help in my campaign. With your help, I will be re-elected as mayor and continue to make Roswell even better.

For photos and minutes of the of the volunteer meeting, you can go to http://www.mayorwood.com/campaign_info.cfm or click on Campaign Information in the side bar menu.     

As discussed, you can help in my re-election campaign by:

1. Encouraging your friends to consent to being added to my e-mail list by e-mailing me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com or by going to my website at www.mayorwood.com
 and clicking on the “Get E-mail Updates” link in the left side bar. 

2. Join my Re-Elect Jere Wood Facebook group page.  If you do not have a Facebook account, Bill Largin has volunteered to help.  You can contact Bill at bill.largin@gmail.com, or call him at 404-625-7468. 

3. If you do not already have a yard sign and you would like one, you can pick one up  at the campaign office.  Ask your friends and neighbors if they would allow us to put up a sign in their yard also.  You can also pick up signs at the campaign office, 1173 Canton Street, or we can put one up upon request addressed to yardsigns@mayorwood.com. 

4. More than anything else, talking to your friends and neighbors about Roswell issues and why you support my re-election is the most important thing you can do.  Word of mouth is the most effective tool in a campaign. 

 The next events will be a fundraiser in early August, a debate the evening of August 13th at the Doubletree Hotel in Roswell, and a second volunteer meeting in mid August. 

 If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at mayorwood@mayorwood.com or call me at campaign headquarters, 770-641-1923. 

 Thank you again for all of your help.

Beacon Debate August 13, 2009

Draft of Mayor Wood’s Opening

OPENING

Thank you for organizing this debate.

Thank you for coming tonight and for your interest in the Roswell Mayor’s race. It is up to you to pick who is best qualified to lead Roswell on November 3rd.

I have been active in Roswell politics for more than 30 years.

I followed in the footsteps of my parents, Roy and Tilly Wood. My father was a conservationist, and he helped found the Chattahoochee Nature Center. My mother was a teacher, and she started the first kindergarten in Roswell.

When I first ran for city council in 1978, I committed, above all else, to see that Roswell remained a good place to live.

I have kept my commitment.

When I first ran for mayor, my vision for Roswell was a city where families came first and where neighborhoods and the environment were protected.

I promised to preserve Roswell’s Historic District and to set aside land for parks and green space along the Chattahoochee River and its creeks.

I have kept my promises.

When I became mayor of Roswell, we adopted as our mission that “we would make our city a family-oriented, safe and attractive community that respected our natural environment, protected our historic character, and celebrated our culture.”

We have accomplished that mission.

Under my leadership Roswell has invested over One Hundred Million Dollars in new streets, sidewalks, fire and police stations, and six hundred acres of land for ten new city parks.

We have partnered with businesses and non profits to preserve our history, protect our environment, strengthen our neighborhoods, celebrate our culture, and improve our schools.

We have reduced the number of city employees per capita by 26 % and cut costs per capita by 5% (adjusted for inflation), allowing us to lower our property tax rate by 17%.

We have reduced the crime rate by 31%, making us the safest city in Georgia with a population over 75,000.

Under my leadership, Roswell has been recognized as being:

        In the top 3 best cities in the U.S. to raise a family ( Frommers)

        In the top 10 best cities in the U.S. to relocate. (Forbes)

        In the top 10 best places in the U.S. to Retire. (Black Enterprise Magazine)

        In the top 20 Safest Cities in U.S. (FBI Statistics - cities over 75,000)

We have been named as :

       The Best Place to Live in Metro Atlanta (Atlanta Magazine)

       The first bicycle-friendly community in Georgia.

       The first city in Georgia to receive an AAA bond rating.

       I am proud of what Roswell has achieved under my leadership.

My opponents have good intentions, but they cannot match my record of achievements.

CLOSING

Thank you for coming tonight.

I remain committed, above all else, to making Roswell an even better place to live.

If you allow me to serve as your mayor for another four years, I promise to:

*Improve mobility by creating more connections like the recently completed Mimosa Street extension and the proposed road and bridge over Ga 400 reconnecting East and West Roswell.

*Reduce congestion by building more roundabouts like that underway at the intersection of Warsaw and Grimes Bridge Road and the proposed “Bow Tie” roundabouts on either side of South Atlanta Street at the river.

*Continue helping local businesses by doing more promotions like the “Find It All, Roswell”campaign.

*Continue making Roswell more attractive by doing more street-scape improvements like Canton Street and the ongoing Midtown and Oak Street projects..

*Encourage redevelopment by working with neighborhoods and local developers on more projects like that mixed use development approved last year across from Roswell’s Historic Square.

*Continue working with Mayor Galambos, Mayor Bodker, Mayor Lockwood, Mayor Letchas and Mayor Steel to create a shared fire and police training center and a joint 911 emergency response system for North Fulton County.

*Continue working with Senator Moody, and Representatives Harry Geisenger, Wendell Willard, and Jan Jones to re-create Milton County.

*Continue working with Senator Johnny Isakson and Congressman Tom Price to secure more Federal Grants for Roswell.

Over the past twelve years I have proven that I have the Ability, the Passion and the Courage to make Roswell a great place to live.

I have proven that I am a leader who keeps his promises. 

If you elect me, I promise to make Roswell an even better place to live.

 I would appreciate your vote on November 3rd.

July 28, 2009

Dear Beacon:

I read with interest Lori Henry’s comments last week. Her self-proclaimed label of ‘fiscal conservative’ might ring louder if she were running for US Congress, but she is running for Mayor of Roswell – one of best fiscally managed municipalities in the country. The 2010 budget represents a decrease of $ 9.8 million or 8.6% vs. 2009 – a significant but responsible cut that reflects declining revenues due to a lousy economy. The city has a budget reserve of $27 million, $12 more than its reserve goal  – and way more than most cities, anywhere. The fact of the matter is, at the end of the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the city will still have a projected surplus, in its reserve fund, of $27 million. That is a surplus, not a deficit; therefore, her opponents are hardly ‘deficit spenders’ as she claims. Fiscal management is a non-issue in this race. The real question is, which candidate is best equipped to lead the city over the next four years, through the worst economy in our lifetime? Being Mayor of Roswell entails more than just voting NO to most zoning requests. What Roswell needs to take us through 2013 is someone who has demonstrated that they listen to all voters; can work with small businesses, large corporations, and community groups of all stripes; and be regarded as a peer by regional political leaders to advocate new ideas and get things done, such as solving our transportation problems.  That person would be our current Mayor, Jere Wood.

Bruce Peoples
Roswell