My family and I had a great time at the end-of-summer party at Twelvestones neighborhood.  We appreciated their hospitality, and my daughter enjoyed the pool until her lips turned blue!

Twelvestones is located across the street from the just-approved site for a new 350-foot-tall public safety radio tower.  They first learned about the tower from a blurb in The Roswell Neighbor.  A massive project that will have massive impact on their daily lives and property values – and they learned about it in the media rather than through honest, open, direct outreach from their government.

Upon learning about the plans for the tower, Twelvestones mobilized.  They did serious legwork and thorough research, uncovering a host of questions that should have been asked by council and answered by the city.  Gaps in radio coverage for first responders are unacceptable, and something needs to be done.  But is this the right thing to do?  Even given past history in which the county has been less than responsive, should cities in North Fulton spend $16 million on a new system when the county is spending $19 million on one – should Roswell taxpayers be paying twice?  How many alternative sites and tower heights were considered?  The representative from Milton on the North Fulton Regional Radio System Authority refused to allow towers taller than 150 feet in his city, citing their height ordinances.  Why aren’t our representatives protecting our interests in a similar manner?

I heard at Twelvestones a refrain I’ve heard from so many people: they felt dismissed and ignored by the city and the council.  Perhaps the best alternative is for Roswell to join with our neighbor cities in the North Fulton Regional Radio System Authority and pay for a separate system from Fulton County.  Perhaps the tower site next to East Roswell Park, behind the yet-to-be-built new library, looming over a new art building, and across the street from Twelvestones is the absolute best site for a tower that absolutely has to be 350 feet tall.  If so, then the taxpayers and residents deserve to be told as much, and why – because there are serious and justifiable doubts and concerns.

An afternoon of swimming and chocolate chip cookies!

Cases like this one fuel residents’ perception that the city is going to do what it’s going to do, regardless of what we ask, say, or need.  That needs to change.  We need to rebuild trust.

It was a privilege to spend time with the Twelvestones neighbors, and I am eager to hear from other Roswell residents about issues that are important to you.  Remember: it’s your voice.  Your vote.  Your Roswell.