In just a few months, Roswell will have a new mayor.
A judge ruled weeks ago that incumbent Mayor Jere Wood had violated term limits, and while Wood is appealing that ruling so he can finish his current term, Roswell's mayor for two decades will not seek re-election.
Qualifying for Roswell’s upcoming municipal election ended on Friday, and five residents qualified to run for mayor, while several others filled out the necessary paperwork to run for posts on the city council.
The mayor's race will feature two council members in Lori Henry and Donald J. Horton, activist Sandra Sidhom, pastor Lee Jenkins and Michael Litten — the man who filed the lawsuit against Wood which led to the judge's ruling.
Jenkins, who serves as pastor at Eagles Nest Church on Mansell Court, was the last candidate to qualify, doing so on Aug. 24. Jenkins is an Atlanta native, the founder of his church, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee where he played football and was later drafted by the New York Giants.
Henry, who held the Post 4 seat on Roswell's council, previously unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2009 and the Fulton County Commission in 2010. She was a councilmember from 2001 to 2009 and is the owner of a small business.
Horton was the Post 3 councilman and served as the Mayor Pro Tem. He has lived in Roswell since 1986 and holds two degrees from the University of Michigan.
Sidhom is a lifelong Roswell resident and a graduate of the University of North Georgia. She has experience working in project management and real estate.
Litten has lived in Roswell for more than 30 years and has more than 40 years of experience working in health care.
READ: Driver Services relocating to new N. Fulton facility
READ: What's happening to the Target building on Holcomb Bridge Road?
In the city council races, Andrew Leonardi, Meg McClanahan and Marie Willsey will compete for the Post 4 seat. In the Post 5 race to succeed incumbent Jerry Orlans, Keith Goeke will face Matthew Tyser. For Post 6, Gus Hadorn, Matt Judy and Karen Parrish will battle to replace Nancy Diamond.
Because Horton qualified for the mayor's race, Roswell will hold different qualifying dates for that post. The mayor and city council will vote on dates and fees for the qualifying during their meeting on Monday. If approved, qualifying for that post will be held Sept. 6 to Sept. 8.
Election Day in Roswell is set for Nov. 7. Fulton County will hold early voting from Oct. 16 to Nov. 3.
MORE N. FULTON NEWS...
About the Author
