City official Rosemary Taylor fired over Cherry Blossom Festival photo controversy

A top official in the City of Brookhaven was fired over a comment she made about two teen models.

Nelson James was hired to take pictures for the city’s Cherry Blossom Festival. He says he had only snapped a test shot when then communications director Rosemary Taylor stopped him.

Jones told WSB-TV's investigative reporter Erica Byfield over the phone that Taylor referenced the models and said, ”They are not the type of people the City of Brookhaven want representing them.

Jones says their mouths dropped and, seconds later, another city official demanded he and the models leave.

Brookhaven’s leadership sent us this statement: "Rosemary Taylor was relieved of her duties as the city's communications director after she exhibited conduct unbecoming of a city employee at the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival last month."

This photo, taken for Brookhaven's Cherry Blossom Festival, led to the removal of a top official.

Byfield knocked on Taylor’s door, but she refused to open it. She was on the job less than a month.

Jones said he felt like Taylor made a racial remark and he is pleased that she is no longer employed with the City of Brookhaven.

The inteal investigation into what happened is ongoing.

We asked Brookhaven’s spokesperson about what exactly Taylor said about the models, but were told they couldn’t comment because the investigation is ongoing.

In the meantime, the city is actively looking for a new communications director.