For a petition that has been live for less than 24 hours, reaching nearly 40 supporters is a strong start. I’m not a social‑media expert, so your willingness to sign—and to share if you choose—means At the meeting on the 6th, one statement from Wellstar stood out: they claimed they have been in “constant contact with the communities around Kennestone regarding property values.” Many of us found that surprising, because our own community received no comparable outreach, no advance notice, and no meaningful opportunity to engage before this project moved forward. The contrast between what they say they do and what we have actually experienced is hard to ignore.

What made this even more concerning was the dismissive tone toward residents who raised legitimate questions. Representatives laughed off concerns, minimized the impact on surrounding homes, and treated the meeting as if it were their fourth community session—despite the fact that this was the first time many of us had even heard about the project.

Wellstar also emphasized their pride in being a Fortune 100 ~ nonprofit healthcare system. No one disputes the importance of healthcare access. What we question is why an organization with that level of resources cannot invest in building responsibly—reinforcing wetlands, choosing a location that does not tower over established neighborhoods, and respecting the people who already live here.

Our community has already lost several homes to the ongoing work along Highway 92, and many of us still have no clear understanding of what is planned for that area beyond a deep silt basin and an unmaintained median. Now we are facing the prospect of an eight‑story, 230‑bed hospital placed directly beside our homes—zoning‑exempt, meaning it could be placed in anyone’s neighborhood without the protections most developments must follow.

This facility is also expected to absorb overflow from the recently closed AMA and East Point hospitals—closures that did not happen due to lack of need, but due to decisions that disproportionately affected lower‑income communities. If overflow capacity is the true goal, there are large, open, infrastructure‑ready areas in Emerson and surrounding regions that would not displace or overshadow established neighborhoods.

Despite all of this, I’m encouraged by how many of you have already stepped forward. Too often, communities are presented with decisions after they’re already made, leaving us with no option but to accept the consequences. This time, we have a voice early enough to matter.

Thank you again for standing together. I believe this effort will continue to grow, and that our concerns will be heard—especially as Wellstar moves toward their June hearings. The closures of AMA and East Point, the scale of this proposed complex, and the pattern of decisions made under the banner of “non‑profit healthcare” deserve real scrutiny.

Wishing you all continued health and peace in your homes. For those who have lived here for decades and built a sense of safety and stability, I hope we can protect that together.