Roswell mayor battling term limit provision

ATLANTA — Roswell Mayor Jere Wood is battling a lawsuit to oust him as mayor.

Wood was elected to a fifth term in 2013. House Bill 1299, which the state legislature approved in 2010, dictates that no one “shall hold the office of mayor for more than three complete terms.”

However, Wood contends that law does not apply to him as the incumbent mayor, but would apply to successors, according to published reports. Wood is facing a legal challenge from Michael Litten, a one-time candidate for mayor, WSB reported.

“The legal action challenging the ability of Mayor Wood to continue serving in office is currently before a judge and it would not be prudent to comment on an on-going legal matter,” State Rep Betty Price, R-Roswell, said in a statement.

“That said, the term limit provision in the city’s charter was adopted in 2010 when I was a member of the City Council only in the interest of sensible, limited government and at Mayor Wood’s request,” Price added. “That measure was not aimed at any particular office-holder or potential candidate.”