Roswell City Hall will soon open more of its doors — nearly all of them — to the public.
Three months after installing a metal detector and limiting public access to a single side entrance, city leaders adopted a new plan Monday they say will broaden access and ensure security at little additional cost.
The building went into clamp-down in April after city officials received threats following the death of Andrew Wordes, the so-called "Chicken Man" who took his own life in a fiery explosion a month earlier.
Wordes devoted the last three years of his life battling to keep livestock on his property. By the time of his death, he had accumulated a half-dozen code violations, jail time and a large chip on his shoulder against the city.
City spokeswoman Julie Brechbill said initial reaction to Wordes' death drew some local criticism, although officials vehemently denied they had targeted Wordes for any special attention. The calls became more virulent after some syndicated radio talk shows picked up the story, Brechbill said.
Some residents lodged complaints about the clamp-down, pointing out that taxpayers had shelled out $12 million to build the edifice with its grandiose rotunda in 1991, only to now be herded through a side door into a narrow hallway.
"A lot of residents recognized that this was something we were working through," City Councilman Rich Dippolito said.
The new plan, adopted unanimously by the City Council, calls for four security cameras at different areas. It also includes four video kiosks with directories and service information.
The total cost is $9,800.
In addition, plans call for having a police officer with administrative duties on the ground floor and a receptionist stationed in the first-floor rotunda to greet visitors. No new employees will be hired.
"I'm satisfied with the mayor and council's ability to work through this issue and come to a consensus," said resident Jake Lille, who had spoken out in April against the limited access. "I think it adds value through customer service, and it allows all the citizens to use all the doors they paid for."
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