Every great city has its champions- those who serve, but also celebrate the place they call home.
David Johnson: Roswell City Councilman
When asked what inspires his love for Roswell, the answer is simple: it's the people. Connection began in his own neighborhood, where bonds with neighbors grew into friendships and a deep sense of community. Those early experiences inspired him to run for City Council, allowing him to extend that passion across the entire city. Today, he feels deeply rooted in Roswell because of the relationships and trust he’s built, a living testament to the city’s spirit.
Serving Roswell reveals just how much generosity thrives here. From organizations like Drake House, Family Promise, Groveway Community Group, and CDA, David witnessed firsthand how neighbors consistently step up for one another. Local businesses also play a vital role, places like From the Earth and Table & Main support numerous community causes. These connections demonstrate that Roswell is a tightly woven city, where giving back is part of everyday life.
Community is also celebrated around food and drinks. Bask Steakhouse stands out as one of David's favorite, bringing vibrancy to East Roswell and offering memorable moments, like enjoying a smoked Old Fashioned crafted by Elliot behind the bar. Date nights with his wife, Nicole, often start with a glass of wine at Deep Roots and finish with cocktails at 1920 Tavern—a treasured escape from the bustle of City Council duties and family life.
A perfect Roswell day combines the city’s best experiences, a lively Saturday morning at the Farmers & Artisan Market, brunch at Gracious Plenty or Fellows, family time at Garrard Landing Park, and a romantic evening at Bask followed by karaoke at Chaplin’s. For visiting friends and family, the river and Old Mill Park area are must-sees, with the Chattahoochee Nature Center as a standout hidden gem.
Supporting local businesses is part of that rhythm, too. Picking up flowers from Stems on the Move or enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine at Zama, David appreciates the people and places that make Roswell feel alive. In the end, the city’s charm isn’t just in its parks, restaurants, or shops—it’s in the way it nurtures relationships, fosters generosity, and creates a sense of home.
Trummie Patrick: Roswell Rotary President
When asked what inspires his love for Roswell, the answer comes easily: family and community. Roswell’s unique blend of history, tradition, and progress makes it more than just a city, it’s a home. Neighbors, coaches, mentors, and friends embody a spirit of service that reminds him daily why community matters.
Serving Roswell has only deepened that bond. Through Rotary projects, coaching little league, and neighborhood events, Trummie sees firsthand the generosity and resilience of its people. “Every chance to give back strengthens my love for this place,” he says, “and keeps me committed to investing in a city that’s given me so much.”
Food and fellowship are often at the heart of those connections. One favorite spot is Hugo’s, where he and his father shared countless Friday lunches of oysters and conversation. For craft beer, he supports fellow Rotarians at Gate City and Variant, while Deep Roots offers a cozy spot to explore new wines with his wife, Amy.
Trummie's perfect Roswell day blends service, family, and community spirit. Recently, it began with a Rotary 5K along the Chattahoochee benefiting the Fallen First Responder Program, followed by breakfast at Gracious Plenty, a fundraiser at Gate City, tennis with his kids, and an evening out with friends on Canton Street. “It was everything I love about Roswell rolled into one day.”
When welcoming visitors, Canton Street is always first on the list. Its vibrant mix of dining, shopping, and energy captures the very spirit of Roswell. Even a recent Rotary exchange student from Denmark was introduced to her first Southern meal of fried chicken and grits enjoyed under a Georgia night sky.
Supporting local businesses is another passion, from fellow Rotarians at Chattahoochee Animal Clinic to realtors and financial professionals who invest back into the community. And if Roswell has a hidden gem, it’s the schools—public and private alike—that create a nurturing, diverse environment for the next generation.
For him, Roswell is more than where he lives—it’s where he belongs.
Nick Porche: Business owner and City Council candidate:
When asked what inspires his love for Roswell, he states, Roswell has a charm all its own. The city’s unique blend of welcoming families, thriving businesses, and top-rated schools is what inspires love and keeps him rooted here. Roswell feels like a destination in itself—whether you’re raising children, building a business, or simply looking for a community that makes you want to stay awhile.
Nick's connection to the city has deepened through years of service. For seven years, he has been an active part of the Parent Teacher Organization at Sweet Apple Elementary, taking on multiple roles like PTO President. That time allowed him to help beautify the school, support teachers and staff, and—most importantly—see the smiles that come from serving others. Beyond school walls, his support extends to important local nonprofits like the Max Gruver Foundation, which works to prevent hazing, and the Foster Care Support Foundation, dedicated to helping children in need. Service has not only enriched Nick's life, but also strengthened his ties to Roswell’s wider community.
When it comes to dining, Grana holds a special place. From the signature meatball flight to the joy of seeing a fellow school parent bring one of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants to Roswell, it’s a place where food and community intersect. For drinks, Deep Roots is his go-to—a warm, welcoming space where sampling wines and sharing conversations feels a little like “where everybody knows your name.”
A perfect Roswell day blends food, shopping, and leisure. It begins with coffee and brunch at The Vick or Gracious Plenty, followed by a stop at Linen & Flax for home décor and wardrobe finds. An afternoon might include a frose at The Standard, a stroll through Vinings Gallery, and a visit to Roswell Town Square and Artisan Design Studio. The day ends with a family dinner on the patio at Table & Main, savoring Roswell’s charm.
When friends or family visit, Nick brings them to the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s River Boardwalk Trail—an ideal spot to catch up while surrounded by beauty. He also loves supporting local businesses like Buff City Soap, Findlay Rowe Gift Shops, and Stems on the Move. And when it comes to hidden gems? He insists that BASK is a must—an exquisite steakhouse perfect for a special night out.
Kurt Wilson: Roswell Mayor
Roswell has always been home for Kurt and his wife, Stacey. It's where they raised their four daughters, rooted in the city’s natural beauty and rich history. That deep connection fuels his leadership today: protecting what makes Roswell special while ensuring it thrives for generations to come and remains a vibrant, prosperous, family-centered community that honors the past and builds an even stronger future.
Serving as mayor has given him a front-row seat to the heartbeat of Roswell. Each conversation reveals what matters most: parents wanting safer streets, seniors seeking security and connection, business owners investing in growth, and volunteers calling for accountability. Listening to those voices has sharpened his focus on delivering results and building what he calls “the best family community in America.”
Food and gathering places are part of that story too. For more than 25 years, Alessio’s has been a go-to for Kurt and Stacey, a place woven into their family’s fabric. Amalfi, once known as Salvatore’s, carries the same sense of tradition. And with a smile, he admits he still misses Rhea’s, a burger joint he insists served one of the best hamburgers in the world.
When it comes to relaxing, he enjoys The Corkhaus across from City Hall, a spot where he can share a glass of wine, a cigar, and conversation with neighbors. For him, it's less about the ritual and more about perspective: staying grounded and connected to the community he serves.
A perfect Roswell day, he says, balances everything the city offers, breakfast at Fellows, a walk along the River Park trails, lunch on Canton Street, and ending the day with neighbors and friends. Soon, that will also include Roswell’s new Entertainment District, bringing fresh energy and pride to East Roswell.
When guests come to town, the river is always the first stop, followed by visits to Roswell’s historic treasures and landmarks that showcase the city’s heritage and charm. Local businesses like Brown’s Jewelers also stand out, a family-owned staple for generations and one that always makes Stacey smile.
Looking ahead, what excites him most is momentum. Long-delayed projects are finally moving forward. Jobs are coming. More people continue to choose Roswell as home. For Kurt, the future is about results, not rhetoric. It is about promises made and promises kept, and a city where every generation can feel connected, supported, and proud to call Roswell home.