NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Roswell city leaders approved spending more than $80,000 to put new artwork in a fire station.
Roswell Mayor Jere Wood says several citizens want the city to take money being spent on capital improvement projects to create works of art.
According to Wood, the city is hiring an artist to create those works of art inside a new firehouse being built to replace the Holcomb Bridge Rd. firehouse.
However, some residents told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik the spending plan isn't sitting well with them.
Firefighters who spoke with Petchenik, but wouldn't go on camera for fear of retaliation, say the city should be spending that money on firefighter raises and training.
Sarah Passons is critical of the fire department after her daughter, Brennan, died in 2011 from an asthma attack.
"I pulled into the fire station, and my 12-year-old son at the time was knocking on the doors," said Passons.
Firefighters weren't there, and an ambulance parked behind the firehouse didn't hear the calls for help.
Since her daughter's death, Passons has been fighting for changes and more training.
"To see they're spending money on art objects, and not improving upon response times at fire station one in the heart of Roswell, that's really hard," Passons said.
Wood tells Channel 2 Action News spending on the art is not in lieu of public safety spending.
As for raises, Wood says firefighters got a raise last July.
WSBTV
