Dorvee For Mayor

Thanks to you!!

Thank you for your help

Thank you for your help

As we head into runoff elections to determine who will be our city’s leader for the next four years, I wanted to take a moment to express my wishes for Roswell.

First and foremost, I want to warmly welcome and congratulate the three newly-elected councilmembers. I look forward to working with each of you to prioritize Roswell’s future. It goes without saying that I thank their predecessors for their hard work and commitment to the position. I speak from experience when I say this isn’t an easy job or just a title: it’s often thankless work and long meetings with the promise of a better tomorrow.

As with the November election, I will not endorse a specific candidate because my responsibility is to work with whoever the people of Roswell choose. However, I want to outline the qualities I hope to see in our next mayor as well as the incoming Council. Above all: leadership must be grounded in mutual respect that is earned from peers, constituents, and staff, and consistently offered in return.

I have witnessed the erosion of shared respect firsthand at City Hall. I was originally inspired to run for my position when I was told by the current mayor that I “do not speak for the people of Roswell” when I gave comments as a resident because I didn’t hold an elected position at the time. I’ve personally been belittled in front of my fellow elected officials and senior staff whe I was told that the “only power I have is what was given to me by the mayor” and that I should “be ashamed” for how I represent the city. I have previously been excluded from key discussions, communications, or access to information. I have witnessed residents, business owners, partner organizations, and staff members berated for their positions or perceived slights. Although we have collectively come a long way since the current mayor sent an email to our City Administrator before even taking office, stating, “I am going to be frank with you … you have given me great pause for concern as to your ability to be the kind of professional I and the City Council need to run this city.” This tone set before a first meeting reflects the broader culture of dismissal and distrust that we must move past. We must do better.

I hope regardless of who wins the mayoral race, respect remains the priority. Our city’s mayor should respect their fellow peers, residents, and business owners by listening, understanding, and including them in fundamental decisions which impact Roswell. Our mayor should respect staff for their vocation of service and demonstrate that respect through regular investments in budgeted pay increases, training, and meaningful support. Our mayor should respect the future of our city by taking a collaborative approach to decision-making.

𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲𝘁𝗵. 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲.

We, at Roswell Truth, have received multiple emails noting a few individuals are waving campaign signs in front of East Roswell neighborhoods saying Roswell’s mayor is strongly opposed to constructing any new apartments, while suggesting his opponent (Mary Robichaux) is very pro-apartment.

We decided to look a little further into this matter and this is what we’ve discovered thus far.

The city’s ongoing Hill Street Redevelopment Project was originally slated for 98 multi-family apartments. As the project has gone through several iterations, it’s present design now calls for 146 multi-family market rate apartments as well as 14 for sale townhomes.

Granted, while the present design has incorporated a land-swap making the project’s overall footprint larger, the city’s newly created Hill Street overlay district has allowed the developer to increase the number of multifamily apartment units where the city’s previous zoning was far more restrictive.

The newly created overlay district allows the city, and more importantly the developer, to ignore the area’s formerly restrictive zoning.

Traditionally, overlay districts are created to provide more restrictive zoning and are commonly created to help a city protect a historic or other unique character area. In the case of Roswell’s overlay district, the new zoning has seemingly been designed to circumvent previously restrictive zoning requirements, making the area far more developer friendly.

The November 12, 2024, Committees of Council agenda addressed the “Redevelopment Plan to establish Tax allocation District (TAD) #1, known as the Roswell East-West Connection TAD”. For a more detailed explanation of TADs, we’d recommend you read our “What is a TAD” article posted on our page on April 5, 2024.

The plan explains how the TAD will turn the area “into a dynamic and vibrant mixed-use district” where it’s primary vision is for a “Roswell Entertainment District, a hub of community facilities, office spaces, retail outlets, and multi-family housing, as a part of an exciting destination venue”.

The TAD anticipates the redevelopment of “two key projects within East Roswell”, the first being “the planned creation of a Roswell Entertainment District” (RED) which likely incorporates the mayor’s oft discussed 15,000 seat soccer stadium / concert venue.

The RED will potentially add 120,000 square feet of new retail space, 100,000 square feet of new office space, “and 1,000 market rate multi-family units”.

A projected redevelopment near the Studio Movie Grill may add new retail space “in addition to up to 400 market rate multi-family units”. Further redevelopment along the TAD’s Holcomb Bridge Corridor may add additional retail and office space along with “300 multi-family units”.

The TAD’s proposed Roswell Town Center redevelopment suggests the addition of nearly 230,000 square feet of new retail and office along with “70 townhomes and 305 multi-family units”.

Additional redevelopment opportunities noted in the plan address “unspecified parcels along the Alpharetta Highway Corridor” and suggest the potential of new retail and office space along with “300 multifamily units”.

So in total, Roswell’s newly created TAD proposes the potential creation of 2,405 multifamily apartment units and 205 townhomes.

1. 1,000 new multifamily apartments and 135 townhomes in the “Roswell Entertainment District” purportedly centered about the proposed 15,000 seat soccer stadium / concert venue.

2. 400 new multifamily apartments in the Studio Movie Grill Redevelopment.

3. 300 new multifamily apartments in the Holcomb Bridge Corridor Redevelopment.

4. 305 new multifamily apartments and 70 townhomes in the new Roswell Town Center.

5. 400 new multifamily apartments noted for “Additional Redevelopment Opportunities”

So the Truth is, under the current mayor, the new Hill street overlay district zoning and the city’s new TAD, will lead to the possible addition of 2,551 market rate multifamily apartments and 219 for sale townhomes. This seems contrary to the mayor’s current “Keep Roswell Suburban” reelection campaign, a few neighborhood sign wavers, and what a couple social media posts are attempting to make you believe.

If you appreciate the Truth, please share our articles with friends and neighbors, like, and follow our page. We also welcome your confidential contributions which allow our team to continue promoting the Truth about our community. Email us in confidence at [email protected]

We, at Roswell Truth, have been contacted by multiple individuals expressing concern over who actually pays for the multitude of bonds which have been, or are in the process of being approved and issued. While we’re not privy to all the behind the scenes maneuvering regarding the potential bond issuances, here’s is a little of what we do know.

Very quickly, General Obligation (GO) bonds are repaid by increased property taxes levied on residents and as a result, always require a vote by residents. Revenue (R) bonds are supposed to be repaid by revenue generated by a specific project, and as a result, never require a vote by residents.

However it’s key to note, in the event a R bond funded project doesn’t generate enough revenue to repay the bond’s principal and interest, the city increases residential property taxes to cover any shortfall.

Roswell residents previously voted for 3 GO capital improvement bonds, agreeing they’d be repaid by increased property taxes. Those bonds were $107MM for Recreation and Parks projects, $52MM for Public Safety projects and $20MM for the Parking Deck currently being built between Alpharetta Highway and Green Street.

Fast forward to June 2025, when the city announced its intent to purchase the 24-acre Edwin and Nelda Spruill property for $7.5MM. To cover this purchase, on August 6, 2025, the city implemented and signed an Intergovernmental Lease Agreement (IGA) between itself and its own, recently created, Public Facilities Authority (PFA).

Under the terms of the IGA, the PFA will issue $10MM in R bonds to acquire the property, but since the property won’t generate any revenue, the city will repay the bond’s principal and interest “from its General Fund or from the proceeds of a tax levied on all taxable property located within the corporate limits of the city”.

Separately, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is issuing a $25MM R bond for a parking garage to be constructed within the Hill Street Project. The city, under its IGA with the DDA, “will agree to pay the Authority amounts sufficient to pay the debt service and to levy an ad valorem property tax (if necessary) not to exceed 3 mills per dollar…on the assessed value of all property in the city subject to such tax”.

Normal R bond issuance require an independent bond feasibility study to assess a project’s ability to generate enough revenue to repay the bond’s principal and interest. However, through the use of IGAs, those feasibility studies are bypassed, and the city issues GO bonds (without any residential voting), but neatly packaged as R bonds.

Bond financing secured by city repayments under intergovernmental agreements is sometimes referred to as “back-door” GO bonds. This means the city is essentially obligating its residents to repay the R bond’s principal and interest but is doing so without ever securing its resident’s (voter) approval.
Effectively, the “revenue” needed to repay the bonds is money taken directly from the city’s General Fund or acquired by way of increased property taxes.

The city explained “a feasibility study is not required for both (the $10MM and $25MM) R bonds”. They went on to explain, “the city has pledged mills (tax increases) as a backing for the R bonds…pursuant to the development authority law which allows municipalities to pledge up to 3 mills for an economic development project”.

On August 8, 2025, Roswell’s DDA and the Hill Street Commercial Owner, LLC initiated a lease agreement, allowing the DDA to issue $30MM in purported R bonds. On the same date, Roswell’s DDA and the Hill Street Apartment Owner, LLC, initiated a separate lease agreement, allowing the DDA to issue an additional $60MM in purported R bonds.

Why the DDA is choosing to issue bonds benefiting a major real estate developer, one who could certainly raise funds on their own, is unknown. The purpose of these two additional R bonds and where funds needed to repay these bonds will be acquired from, also remains unclear.

So, the Truth is, Roswell residents voted for 3 GO capital improvement bonds totaling $180MM. However, since that time, by way of various PFA and DDA IGAs, several additional R bonds (“back door” GO bonds) totaling an additional $125MM, are being issued without any residential input or vote. Purported R bonds, for which revenue streams have not been clearly identified, publicly reviewed, or supported by any independent bond feasibility studies.


If you appreciate the Truth, please share our articles with friends and neighbors, like, and follow our page. We also welcome your confidential contributions which allow our team to continue promoting the Truth about our community. Email us in confidence at [email protected]

This is not an example of fiscal conservatism.

We, at Roswell Truth, have been contacted by multiple individuals expressing concern over who actually pays for the multitude of bonds which have been, or are in the process of being approved and issued. While we’re not privy to all the behind the scenes maneuvering regarding the potential bond issuances, here’s is a little of what we do know.

Very quickly, General Obligation (GO) bonds are repaid by increased property taxes levied on residents and as a result, always require a vote by residents. Revenue (R) bonds are supposed to be repaid by revenue generated by a specific project, and as a result, never require a vote by residents.

However it’s key to note, in the event a R bond funded project doesn’t generate enough revenue to repay the bond’s principal and interest, the city increases residential property taxes to cover any shortfall.

Roswell residents previously voted for 3 GO capital improvement bonds, agreeing they’d be repaid by increased property taxes. Those bonds were $107MM for Recreation and Parks projects, $52MM for Public Safety projects and $20MM for the Parking Deck currently being built between Alpharetta Highway and Green Street.

Fast forward to June 2025, when the city announced its intent to purchase the 24-acre Edwin and Nelda Spruill property for $7.5MM. To cover this purchase, on August 6, 2025, the city implemented and signed an Intergovernmental Lease Agreement (IGA) between itself and its own, recently created, Public Facilities Authority (PFA).

Under the terms of the IGA, the PFA will issue $10MM in R bonds to acquire the property, but since the property won’t generate any revenue, the city will repay the bond’s principal and interest “from its General Fund or from the proceeds of a tax levied on all taxable property located within the corporate limits of the city”.

Separately, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is issuing a $25MM R bond for a parking garage to be constructed within the Hill Street Project. The city, under its IGA with the DDA, “will agree to pay the Authority amounts sufficient to pay the debt service and to levy an ad valorem property tax (if necessary) not to exceed 3 mills per dollar…on the assessed value of all property in the city subject to such tax”.

Normal R bond issuance require an independent bond feasibility study to assess a project’s ability to generate enough revenue to repay the bond’s principal and interest. However, through the use of IGAs, those feasibility studies are bypassed, and the city issues GO bonds (without any residential voting), but neatly packaged as R bonds.

Bond financing secured by city repayments under intergovernmental agreements is sometimes referred to as “back-door” GO bonds. This means the city is essentially obligating its residents to repay the R bond’s principal and interest but is doing so without ever securing its resident’s (voter) approval.
Effectively, the “revenue” needed to repay the bonds is money taken directly from the city’s General Fund or acquired by way of increased property taxes.

The city explained “a feasibility study is not required for both (the $10MM and $25MM) R bonds”. They went on to explain, “the city has pledged mills (tax increases) as a backing for the R bonds…pursuant to the development authority law which allows municipalities to pledge up to 3 mills for an economic development project”.

On August 8, 2025, Roswell’s DDA and the Hill Street Commercial Owner, LLC initiated a lease agreement, allowing the DDA to issue $30MM in purported R bonds. On the same date, Roswell’s DDA and the Hill Street Apartment Owner, LLC, initiated a separate lease agreement, allowing the DDA to issue an additional $60MM in purported R bonds.

Why the DDA is choosing to issue bonds benefiting a major real estate developer, one who could certainly raise funds on their own, is unknown. The purpose of these two additional R bonds and where funds needed to repay these bonds will be acquired from, also remains unclear.

So, the Truth is, Roswell residents voted for 3 GO capital improvement bonds totaling $180MM. However, since that time, by way of various PFA and DDA IGAs, several additional R bonds (“back door” GO bonds) totaling an additional $125MM, are being issued without any residential input or vote. Purported R bonds, for which revenue streams have not been clearly identified, publicly reviewed, or supported by any independent bond feasibility studies.


If you appreciate the Truth, please share our articles with friends and neighbors, like, and follow our page. We also welcome your confidential contributions which allow our team to continue promoting the Truth about our community. Email us in confidence at [email protected]

A SPECIAL INVITATION to meet Mayoral candidate Mary Robichaux!

Come, cut through all the noise and talk with her in a low-key setting.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY to hone in on transportation initiatives and issues in our city!

TOMORROW- 11/16!

*******
You are invited to meet Mary Robichaux, candidate for Roswell Mayor.

Where: the home of Michelle and Mike Liebergesell, 9335 Indian Springs Drive, Roswell
When: Sunday, 11/16 from 2-4 pm.

Let's talk about the Gateway(known as the reversible lane on Hwy 9 project) and Riverside Rd projects!

Thank you, Mike and Michelle Liebergesell
For hosting!

RSVP to [email protected]

Mary for Roswell

Please come and please share the invite!

Thank you

Join us for Community Event #2 of the Comprehensive Growth Plan 2045 on tomorrow, November 6 at East Roswell Park Recreation Center (6–8 PM).

We’ll be reviewing existing conditions and discussing economic opportunities in Roswell’s activity centers.

Don’t miss this important conversation!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/IKVS50Xj0zM