A group of former elected officials gathered at Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street Wednesday to voice criticism of Mayor Kurt Wilson and city council. Led by former Mayor Jere Wood, the group of 10 described the city as “in crisis,” pointing to the removal of 35 specimen trees at Mimosa Hall as the latest example of what they view as mismanagement. Some of the trees were believed to be as old as 150 years.
“The trees and gardens at Mimosa Hall have been lost forever,” Wood said, adding that he believes the public has been lied to. “I’ve lost my faith in Mayor Wilson and Roswell City Council.”
While 10 former officials appeared at the morning press conference, a total of 21 signed a letter addressed to Wilson and council, outlining broader grievances over transparency, sound decision-making, and budget priorities.
Former Mayor Lori Henry and former council members Matt Tyser, Matt Judy, Betty Price, Sally White, Nancy Diamond, Don Horton and Marie Willsey were among those who attended.
The tree removals have sparked public uproar. The 22-acre site is being transformed into an outdoor event space with support facilities. During a June public forum, city officials acknowledged that the scope of the tree removal and the number of trees affected was never clearly communicated to the public or even among council members.
On Wednesday, Wood, who is an attorney, said he believes Roswell violated several laws in the process, including the city’s tree protection and historic preservation ordinances.
“They didn’t follow the ordinance that requires architectural review,” Wood added.
The group is calling for a halt to further work at Mimosa Hall and for an independent, public review of what has taken place so far.
Roswell spokeswoman Julie Brechbill disputes Wood’s allegations and said the city did not violate any ordinances in the project.
“If he truly believes that the city violated the law, he could file suit. He would lose, but he is free to do so,” Brechbill said. “We understand that some people in the community are upset that we removed trees for the project, but then don’t make an allegation that the city broke the law … To take it to another step that isn’t true is not right.”
Councilman Allen Sells said he does not believe the former officials’ concerns reflect the views of the greater Roswell community. He said the city has invested $17 million in its historic assets over the past three and a half years, including the renovation of Mimosa Hall’s second floor.
“It was physically unsafe. It was structurally [dangerous],” he said. “We have been very active in trying to give these assets life.”
Sells believes the criticism is driven by politics and says officials such as Wood and former Mayor Lori Henry allowed historic properties and commercial sites around Roswell to linger in “blight.”
Canton Street business owner Jenna Aronowitz, who owns 1920 Tavern, expressed ongoing frustration with city hall over transparency, limited public input, and what she described as burdensome policies for small businesses. She said her business occupation tax has increased 500 percent, now costing nearly $5,000 annually. She added that a $100 fee has recently been added for the annual fire safety inspection.
When SaportaReport inquired with the city, Brechbill said that the occupational tax rates were adjusted to align with neighboring cities’ rates.
The fire safety charges began last January and are for administrative costs, Brechbill said.
Henry said residents have no idea where money is going. Mimosa Hall is one issue out of many, she said.
“This current mayor and council created revenue streams that do not exist … that will not realize in order to balance [the] budget,” Henry said. “I personally think that is a question for [Attorney General] Chris Carr at the state level.”
Roswell faces a lot of challenges as Atlanta becomes a less and less desirable metro area that was formerly driven by explosive growth. There’s no doubt many people want and would have saved something like Mimosa Hall. But when has that ever been the case? Real estate developers own this town, as everyone knows.
What I see is Roswell is attempting to do what it believes it must to keep from becoming like Marietta or what you see on Holcomb Bridge east.