Former Roswell Council Member Enters Post 4 Race

ROSWELL, GA -- A former Roswell City Council member is looking to get back into local politics through elected office.

Lori Henry on Tuesday announced her bid to run in the March 21, 2017, special election to fill the Post 4 seat on the council.

Henry, who served on the Council from 2001 to 2009, is seeking to replace Kent Igleheart, who resigned last month following his arrest on child sex charges.

“Roswell has a need for leadership, particularly on the issue of redevelopment of our commercial corridors," Henry said of why she's running. "While maintaining the character of existing neighborhoods, we need to diversify our tax base, strengthening both our commercial and business development. The recent announcement of Target’s pending closure in East Roswell, and the departure of the nearby Kohl’s, drives home this point. We need to think outside the box and get ahead, not behind the curve.”

A small business owner and long-time Roswell resident, Henry says she has deep roots in both the east and west side of the city. Her experience, he added, gives her a "unique perspective and ability to unite our residents."

With what she's dubbed as a #OneRoswellNow campaign, Henry said she seeks to address a "dysfunctional divide" in Roswell between its residents and City Hall.

“Progress has been made over the last year, creating protections for our existing neighborhoods, correcting the UDC (Unified Development Code) that jeopardized the character of so many," she continued. "But that progress is fragile, and there is still more work to do. As such, we need to start focusing on Roswell’s number one need – the revitalization of our commercial corridors.”

Henry has long been interested in adaptive reuse, and recently facilitated a workshop on the topic at The Georgia Planning Association Conference.

“This is a crucial time for our city, with major decisions pending on projects like the Southern Skillet, Mimosa Hall, City Green, Seven Branches and the development of infill along our commercial corridors," she added. "We need to focus on a sustainable economic development model that helps ensure the health of our corridors and attracts new business here instead of it going to neighboring communities."

Henry and her husband, Karl, have raised their adult daughter, Scottie, in Roswell. She is the owner of H and B Promotional Products, which is located near the city's Historic District.

In the coming weeks, you can visit Lori Henry’s website at www.lorihenrynow.com for more information on her plans for leadership and service to Roswell.

Image via Lori Henry