Forsyth Herald, January 28, 2015

GOAL semifinalists announced Forsyth local one of four ►►PAGE 35

Increased funding for schools Gov. Deal announces budget plans ►►PAGE 6

High flying fun Delta Flight Museum next stop on Georgia Getaways ►►PAGE 23

January 28, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 5, No. 18

‘Taking the easy way out’ Investigatory panel puts Sexton impeachment case in Georgia Attorney General’s lap

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — A panel that was to decide the possible impeachment of Councilman Rupert Sexton instead advised the City Council to punt the issue to the Georgia attorney general.

This marks the second time in five weeks that the attorney general has been drawn into city of Cumming matters.

Sexton said it’s just another way to embarrass him.

“I’ve not done anything and they’re trying to use legal maneuvers to force me to resign or get me off the board,” Sexton said.

The potential impeachment arose after Sexton was accused of releasing the personal financial and health insurance information of Cumming city employees on Facebook, including Mayor H. Ford Gravitt’s girlfriend, Angela Mullinax. Sexton has denied this.

The revelation that Mullinax, who is not a full-time employee of the city of Cumming, receives city health insurance has caused a stir in Cumming and prompted a protest before a special called meeting Jan. 20, in which the investigatory panel discussed the next step in the impeachment process.

“I heard that the mayor’s girlfriend

See IMPEACHMENT, Page 4

Councilman Rupert Sexton watches the protestors, who rallied in his defense against a possible impeachment.

Photo by Kathleen Sturgeon

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2 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Horses released from rescue group

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — According to a police report from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, two horses somehow escaped from a horse rescue and rehabilitation barn Jan. 12.

A woman reported criminal trespass to the sheriff’s office after a neighbor told her one of her horses got out and was hit by a car on Ga. 369. She told the officer someone had

POLICE BLOTTER All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Disappearing wallet returned to owner FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Forsyth woman’s wallet made the rounds before it was turned into a Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputy on Jan. 11.

A deputy was approached by a taxi driver with a wallet given to him by a customer the day before. The driver said he checked the license inside and remembered giving that person a ride Jan. 9, but the address was incorrect.

The deputy took the wallet and ran the license number to find the owner’s correct address. The woman it belonged to was out of the country in early January and has been looking for her wallet since it went missing after her wedding.

She said there was $450 in cash missing from her wallet, and that she didn’t use this taxi service.

The deputy called the taxi driver to ask who gave him the wallet, but the driver said he has a lot of customers he doesn’t keep up with.

Fight ensues over gold Pokémon bar FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A sheriff’s deputy reported he was called to a residence Jan. 8 in reference to an assault.

The report stated two men were involved in the incident, in which one accused the other of taking a gold in color Pokémon bar and then punched the other man in the chest and twice in the face when he came to his house to return the gold bar. The report said the two began yelling at each other about the incident and eventually began fighting. The puncher allegedly told the sheriff’s deputy he only punched the

been in her barn, because she checked each stall and fence earlier that night and all the horses were secured.

She said that she rescues injured and mistreated horses, which she said makes some people mad. She said she doesn’t know who would have let the horses out.

She located all of her horses, but two had abrasions.

man because he hit him with a bat.

A warrant was taken out for the puncher for aggravated battery.

lobby and asked for his driver’s license.

After running the license through dispatch, the officer had the warrant confirmed for the 26-year-old.

He was placed under arrest.

Suspicious individuals visit jewelry store CUMMING, Ga. — A Cumming Police officer was dispatched to Lance Jewelry, 1705 Market Place Blvd., in reference to a silent hold up alarm.

Upon arrival, three officers made contact with employees and started looking for a car similar to one reported by employees that had three black males and one white female traveling inside.

One of the officers reported that two employees said three black males and one white female came into the store to have a link taken out of a watch band.

The employees reported all of the potential suspects started case the store for a robbery, as they all appeared to be looking at the cameras. They then split apart and were in different areas of the store.

The employees that spoke to the officer said they felt uneasy, as if they were about to be robbed, and that’s why they activated the silent alarm.

The officer said store surveillance video showed the subjects taking photos of the store and videotaping the camera system.

After the officers cleared the area, one called the man getting his watch repaired, who confirmed he had been at the store.

A report was generated to give a lookout for the subjects in case there is a robbery.

Wanted person found CUMMING, Ga. — A Cumming Police officer was dispatched Jan. 13 in reference to a wanted person located.

Upon his arrival, he said he was notified the alleged suspect was standing in the lobby of Georgia Probation. He made contact with the individual in the

Mothers-in-law upset each other CUMMING, Ga. — Two mothers-in-law harassed each other through text messages Jan. 14.

A Cumming Police officer was dispatched in reference to harassing communications. The complainant reportedly said she had been receiving text messages from her son-in-law’s mother.

The son-in-law and the complainant’s daughter both live with her, and she described them as lazy and not having a job. She also reported she babysits their child every day while they sleep all day.

The complainant and her son-in-law had a verbal confrontation earlier in the day where she said he needed to get a job and support his family. His mother heard of the conversation and started to text message the complainant.

The complainant contacted the son-in-law’s mother at her place of employment, at which point she said she would call the police and told her “don’t bother me anymore.”

The officer reported the text messages were not threatening in nature, so there was a report written for informational purposes only.

Drunken man becomes unruly at multiple Cumming locations CUMMING, Ga. — According to a police report, a Cumming Police officer was on patrol Jan. 14 when he was dispatched to Mia’s Pizza, 911 Market Place Blvd., in reference to a person laying in the parking lot.

See BLOTTER, Page 3

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PUBLIC SAFETY

DUIS & DRUGS All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

DUI arrests ►► Seth Terrell Bennett, 28, of

Timberland Drive, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 12 on Timber Lake Trail in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Diane Elizabeth Piersante, 31, of Traywick Chase, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 11 on Majors Road in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to

Blotter: Continued from Page 2 When the officer arrived, he reportedly found a crowd of people surrounding a man lying in the parking lot, at which time he could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the man.

The officer tried to have a conversation with the man, but the man became upset and started to curse at the officer.

The man eventually told the officer his first name. The officer then recognized the man from an earlier incident at Walmart, 1500 Market Place Blvd., where the officer had been looking for him.

The man reportedly asked the Walmart pharmacist what he should use for his teeth that hurt.

She told him to gargle hydrogen peroxide, but instead he chugged a whole bottle in front of her. She told him he needed to spit it out, and he allegedly spit all over the pharmacist counter.

The pharmacist then told a supervisor, who told the man she was going to call the police if he didn’t calm down.

The man responded that she could, “Call the police, call the military, call the Navy, I don’t

maintain lane and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Brandon W. Brown, 27, of Hickory Ridge, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 11 on Buford Dam Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Inna Markovna Kleyman, 27, of Duluth was arrested Jan. 11 on Peachtree Parkway in Suwanee for DUI. ►► Jon Kevin Shutters, 58, of Wildwood Drive, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 11 on Lanier Beach South Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Victor Manuel SalazarBarrera, 33, of Oak Grove Drive, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 11 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI, following care!”

At that time, the man’s nephew grabbed him and took him out of the store. The Walmart supervisor called the police, but they were unable to find him until later at the pizza restaurant.

The man was arrested at the pizza restaurant and charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and two counts of public drunkenness.

Tracker points finger at worker ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A stolen phone potentially implicated a hotel employee in two thefts Jan. 5.

According to police, a resident of the Extended Stay Hotel on Old Milton Parkway reported his iPhone missing.

This occurred a few weeks after a $120 watch was also found missing from the room.

In both cases, the victim claims the items went missing about the time the room was cleaned. The GPS locator on the iPhone allegedly reported it was near Whitestone Place, which is off Old Milton Parkway.

Management told police the cleaning staffer who would have cleaned the victim’s room lives on Whitestone Place.

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too closely and no license.

►► Kyle K. Gilmore, 26, of

Victoria Walk, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 10 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI and speeding. ►► Charles Devan Cottrell, 22, of Clermont, Georgia, was arrested Jan. 10 on Keith Bridge Road in Cumming for DUI and hit and run.

Drug arrests ►► Perry Wayne Willoughby,

29, of Valley Stream Drive, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 13 on Keith Bridge Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug-related items and possession of heroin.

Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 3

►► John L. Sullivan, 45, of

Fowler Hill Road, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 12 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for possession of marijuana, expired license and windshield violation. ►► Robert Ryan Lutz, 28, of Canton was arrested Jan. 11 on Post Road in Cumming for possession of marijuana and failure to maintain lane. ►► Roann J. Bell, 63, of Overton Circle, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 11 on Overton Circle in Cumming for possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamines, possession of a synthetic narcotic and possession of drug-related items. ►► Manuel Pineda, 27, of Pirklewood Circle, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 7 on

Pirklewood Circle in Cumming for possession of a schedule I controlled substance and possession of drug-related items. ►► Evan Nattiel Nix, 22, of Lexington Farms Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 4 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ►► Jayrel C. Collins, 26, of Dassow Court, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 6 on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and expired tag. ►► Julian Wayne Gallemore, 39, of Old Dogwood Road, Roswell, was arrested Dec. 28 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and expired tag.

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4 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Timeline of events

PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN STURGEON

From left, Keegan Donegan, Nydia Tisdale, Ann Adams, Terry Sweeney, Robert A. Rorke, Chris Coleman and Scott Lyttle gathered Jan. 20 to protest the mayor’s girlfriend getting health insurance from the city.

• Dec. 16, 2014: Councilmen hold City Council meeting, discuss insurance policies. Later on that night, city employees’ health insurance document is leaked on social media.

• Dec. 23, 2014: City holds special called meeting regarding leaked document and possible impeachment of Councilman Rupert Sexton. Votes to create investigatory panel.

• Jan. 13: Investigatory panel interviews Mayor H. Ford Gravitt, Councilman Lewis Ledbetter, Councilman Ralph Perry and Human Resources Director Phil Higgins.

• Jan. 20: Protest over Angela Mullinax getting health insurance through the city, prior to special called meeting in which panel brings findings to council. Decides to ask Georgia’s attorney general for legal opinion.

Impeachment: City turns to Ga. Attorney General Continued from Page 1

HOTOS ON EP

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FOR

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city’s impeachment process is fair, providing appropriate due process for Sexton; and was getting free health care, so whether the release of the emI was wondering if I could too,” ployees’ information violated said Suzanne Chapman, prostate and federal privacy laws test organizer. “The problem is in OCGA Section 50-18-72(A), that the mayor’s embarrassed Subsection 20 through 21 or that he’s been found out. the Health Insurance PortabilSexton is the whistleblower, and they’re going after him and ity and Accountability Act of 1996, HIPPA. [trying to] impeach him when The council discussed the he did nothing wrong.” panel’s recommendation and The investigatory panel, ultimately voted to ask the atcomprised of City Attorney torney general for an opinion.

Dana Miles, former Forsyth The panel was discharged of County Commissioner Patrick further duties.

Bell and local businessman This is not the first time Steve Page, first met Jan. 13 to the state attorney general has assess impeachment allegabeen involved with the city of tions against Sexton. At the Cumming recently.

Jan. 20 meeting, the panel An investigation was reported their findings to the sparked by a letter from Cumming City Council.

Sexton to Assistant Attorney Miles read the report and General Kelly Campanella, in recommendation of the panel, which Sexton alleges the and said the panel is Cumming City Counconcerned with two cil held an illegal legal issues. Prior meeting on or to any further about Dec. 16, action being 2014 to distaken in the cuss revising impeachment Center QR code in white space how spouses process, so that the black edges of the code receive health Miles said overlap the blue crop marks benefits. the panel has Campanrequested an ella responded opinion from Jan. 14 by saythe attorney ing “without furgeneral of Georther information or gia or a declaraevidence to bear out tory judgment action the claims of an improper in Supreme Court. meeting. The matter appears to At issue is the question amount to a scenario of duelof whether Section 51 of the ing faction accounts. As such, city charter dealing with the

HER ALD

.

Suzanne Chapman and her mother, Una Harrel. Chapman organized the protest. this office is not in a position to litigate or otherwise pursue the matter further.”

Now the attorney general will be asked for an opinion again. Sexton said the panel was taking the easy way out.

“They put everything in the lap of the attorney general,” Sexton said. “They should have already cleared everything before now.”

Miles was asked Dec. 23, 2014 about contacting the attorney general for an opinion on the impeachment case, but he said he hadn’t at that time because it’s “not his obligation to contact the attorney general’s office about it.”

Sexton said he believes the attorney general has “already basically decided on those two questions,” but he wouldn’t reveal his source.

“I have information that if they go forward with an impeachment, the attorney general will step in,” Sexton said.

Sexton said there is no doubt the impeachment charge is retaliation for the release of the list. While recently in the hot seat, Sexton said it’s nice to have people supporting him.

“I feel pretty good,” Sexton said.

The council is waiting to hear back from the attorney general.

NEWS

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 5

Cumming sets qualifying GSU-PERIMETER CONSOLIDATION: Merger leaves future of dates for city elections

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — At the Jan. 20 Cumming City Council meeting, Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and the council approved the qualifying dates and fees for the 2015 city elections.

The approved dates are Aug. 31 at 8:30 a.m. until Sept. 2 at 4:30 p.m. The three spots that will be open are City Council Posts 3, 4 and 5.

Anyone who wants to sign up will be required to pay a $180 fee per person.

City Clerk Jeff Honea said this is the same as it has been in previous years.

The council also unanimously approved the rehiring of city employees, reappointed committees and boards.

The councilmen unanimously voted to place Ralph Webb as the demand services provider for general repair and construction. Gravitt said Webb will be replacing Phil Holbrook.

The council also unanimously voted to give authorization to proceed with new building design for Cumming

The council reappointed the: • Planning and Zoning Board: Ralph Webb, Randy Murphy and Brent Otwell • Recreation Board: Alvin Fowler, Ricky Sexton and George Pirkle • Housing Authority: Joel Webb, Sara Jane Purcell, Dennis Ingram and Richie Neville • Health Board: Mayor is permanent member as set forth by the state and Doug Sorrells City Park.

Greg Little, the recreation director, said the original bid of $3.24 million was too high and was more than they originally budgeted for.

“We came up with some ideas for how to cut costs, and I think we’ve been able to do that,” said Little.

They were able to lower the estimated costs down to $2.65 million.

campuses in Alpharetta up in air

By SHANNON WEAVER shannon@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA — With the Jan. 6 announcement that Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College will be consolidating next year, many are wondering what the merger will mean for students and communities such as Alpharetta, which is home to campuses for both schools.

The presidents from Georgia State and Perimeter hosted a Jan. 13 town hall meeting to answer questions concerning their consolidation, which was approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

The new institution will have the Georgia State name and is scheduled to go into effect in the fall of 2016.

This will be the sixth merger in Georgia in three years, the most recent of which involved Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University.

Georgia Perimeter Interim President Rob Watts said GPC has historically been the largest feeder to Georgia State.

Approximately 1,300 GPC students transfer to GSU every year.

“Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University have had a close relationship that goes back decades,” Watts said. “The two institutions know one another very well, which will certainly be helpful during the consolidation process.”

The GSU campus in Alpharetta, 3775 Brookside Parkway, is adjacent to one of GPC’s that has been shared by both institutions.

The area has about 600 GSU students and 2,000 GPC students enrolled this semester. The future of these campuses is yet to be determined.

“As part of the consolidation process, both institutions will be reviewing their opera-

tions and academic offerings in Alpharetta to determine how best to meet the needs of students and the Alpharetta community in the future,” Watts said.

The Alpharetta GSU campus offers courses in business, criminal justice and social work as well as graduate programs for a professional MBA and the Executive Master of Science degree in managing information technology. The GPC campus next door offers a wide variety of day and evening classes including social sciences, humanities, science, mathematics, computer science, business and physical education.

“This consolidation, though it is not the first one in the his-

See MERGER, Page 37

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6 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

SCHOOLS

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Gov. Deal proposes increase in state school funding Reduced ‘austerity’ cuts fuel much of increase

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – Only in politics is holding back less money heralded as a budget increase.

But in the world of education funding, that is good news for schools, which should be seeing more state money flowing into their budgets this year.

In announcing his budget plans for fiscal year 2016, Gov. Nathan Deal last week said much of the increase in state revenues and spending will go into education, with the intent of helping systems restore a 180-day school calendar, end furloughs for staff and provide staff raises.

A significant portion of the revenue increase will come from a reduction in “austerity” cuts, which will be at the lowest level in nearly a decade.

Beginning in 2003, with the economic downturn following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the state began withholding a portion of state funds earned by school systems, labeling them as “temporary austerity cuts.”

In 2010, the cuts became permanent. The end result is more than $7.5 billion in state funds earned by school systems has been withheld by the state since 2003. “[This year] the austerity cuts

totaled $746 million, which would have gone into our schools – an average of $439 per student,” said Claire Suggs, senior education policy analyst with the non-partisan Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. “But that is DEAL actually an improvement over the past five years.”

She noted the austerity cuts totaled $1 billion each year beginning in 2010.

“That is simply a lot of money that is not going into the school systems,” said Suggs, who spoke at a Jan. 9 forum hosted by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Since 2002, state funding per student has fallen an average of 12 percent each year, shifting more and more funding responsibility to local governments.

“In 2002, the state provided 56 percent of education funding in local school systems. In 2013, that number had fallen to 51 percent,” said Suggs.

In the Fulton County School System, less than 40 percent of the budget comes from state sources, with the rest coming from local taxpayers. The federal government contributes less than 1 percent.

The austerity cuts have hit the

[This year] the austerity cuts totaled $746 million, which would have gone into our schools – an average of $439 per student. But that is actually an improvement over the past five years.”

CLAIRE SUGGS Senior education policy analyst with the non-partisan Georgia Budget and Policy Institute

system hard, with more than $330 million withheld since 2003. This is in addition to the ongoing $150 million reduction as part of the “fair share” requirement, which redirects state funds from wealthier districts to less wealthy ones.

Still, Fulton Schools is financially robust, thanks to conservative spending practices and targeted cuts during lean years.

According to financial staff, Fulton Schools has been spending 97 cents of each dollar budgeted, resulting in a healthy reserve fund.

During a school board meeting last week, board members approved new spending as a result of an additional $16 million to the FY15 budget.

The increase in mid-year revenue

comes primarily from local tax revenues, with a small increase in state revenues.

Local schools will see much of the new funds, receiving an additional $50 per pupil in flexible spending, which can be spent this year or carried over to next year.

High schools will also be sharing in $4.5 million for upgrades to their media centers.

Other mid-term expenditures include musical instrument replacement ($4M), building assessments in anticipation of SPLOST V ($3M), increase in school-based security budgets ($100K), additional day for high school assistant principals ($60K), additional day for data clerks ($211K), communications department interns ($10K) and other expenses.

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SCHOOLS

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 7

New state school chief ready to work

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – Just days away from assuming his position as the state’s top school chief, Superintendent-elect Richard Woods shared his thoughts on education in Georgia and said he was eager to get to work.

“It’s been a month and a half [since the election], and I feel like I’ve been riding in the backseat of someone else’s car.

I finally get to take the wheel come Monday [Jan. 12] and see what the car can do,” said Woods, who spoke at a media forum Jan. 9 hosted by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Emerging as the primary election winner from a group of nine Republican candidates, Woods faced a strong Democratic candidate in Valerie Wilson before riding the Republican wave in the general

election.

As the state school superintendent, his goal is to open up lines of communication between his office – the WOODS Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) – and top elected leaders after months of strained relationships.

Wood’s predecessor, John Barge, rocked the education boat when he announced a run for governor halfway into his four-year term. That decision created tensions that lasted through the re-election of Gov. Nathan Deal, and stalled or slowed many initiatives championed by Barge.

Woods said it is time now for a period of collaboration between the entities that control

the direction of education in Georgia.

“We’re in the process of repairing relationships and building new relationships again,” said Woods, a former teacher and small business owner from Tifton. “Since winning the election, I’ve reached out to the governor’s office, the members of the General Assembly and our educational partners throughout the state, and I think we’ve had some good dialogue.”

Woods noted the “bridge” also has to be extended to everyone involved in education

across the state, from school system superintendents and school boards to teachers, parents and students. One of Woods’ early initiatives is to have focus groups, town hall meetings and listening sessions throughout the state.

“We have to listen to the concerns, and we have to make sure the individuals in the field have everything they need to teach our kids,” said Woods.

Woods backed off from his hints on the campaign trail to do away with the Common Core standards, taking a more neutral stance on the state’s

curriculum base.

“My views are well-known on the issue, but we are going to move forward,” said Woods.

“I think [Deal], the state board and myself are committed to the very best education system and the best standards to follow.”

He said he will never support “education fads” and will ensure all standards will be “Georgia grown and Georgia owned.”

“We will control our standards in this state,” said Woods.

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Board of Ed. seeks to hire four new principals

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Education announced four open principal positions Jan. 15 at their monthly meeting.

Three of the spots are from principals who are transferring into the administration division of the county, which will start June 1.

The administration’s teaching and learning department will now include Principals Rebecca Johnson of Shiloh Point Elementary School and Connie

Stovall of Little Mill Middle School.

Transferring to director of human resources will be Beth Hebert from North Forsyth High School, said Jennifer Caracciolo, a spokeswoman for the district.

Kathy Rohacek, Vickery Creek Middle School’s principal, will be retiring June 30.

Caracciolo said the district hopes to have the spots filled in February, and the district began accepting applications in late 2014 for general principal postings, as it does each year.

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OPINION

Shining a light on Georgia government A citizen’s guide to open government in Georgia The usually quiet city of Cumming has been forced into the spotlight recently with the potential impeachment of Councilman Rupert Sexton. He has been accused of releasing a document with the health insurance information of city employees’, something that the city argues is private information.

Sexton has said time and time again that he is innocent. He has denied releasing any such documents. On top of that, he argues that this information is all part of the Open Records Act, so any citizen can obtain the documents.

Last week, the city asked the state attorney general about the issue to get a final ruling once and for all.

But until that is decided, now is a good time to brush up on the rights every citizen has regarding the government.

As a reporter, I frequently think about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and our First Amendment rights as U.S. citizens.

The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

That simple phrase allows me to do my job and get the information needed to tell the whole story to keep the public informed on government affairs.

What most citizens don’t

KATHLEEN STURGEON Forsyth Herald Reporter kathleen@appen mediagroup.com

know is that they too have the right to investigate and request records.

Georgia’s Sunshine Laws are something every citizen should know about in order to dig deep.

These laws are divided into two major sections, Georgia’s Open Records Act and Georgia’s Open Meeting Laws.

The open records process is not too difficult.

The form you need to fill out when requesting documents can be found by doing a simple Google search with the name of the jurisdiction for which you are seeking information.

Whoever is asking for the information will need to make their request either through written submission, which is not required but is highly recommended, or verbally, which can result in disputes as to what exactly was requested or when the request was made.

Try to find out to whom you should submit the document, because an agency can require the requested documents go to a specified records custodian. This person must be identified on the agency’s website, if it has one.

In your request, be sure to be as specific as possible as to the information you are seeking. After the request is made,

What most citizens don’t know is that they too have the right to investigate and request records.

Georgia’s Sunshine Laws are something every citizen should know about in order to dig deep.

the agency has three business days to reply. If they are not able to provide it within the time limit, they must reply explaining why there will be a longer delay or why they cannot give you the information at all.

Depending on where or from whom you get the records, you may have to pay for the copies of the requested documents; but it usually doesn’t cost more than 10 cents per page.

Open meetings are easier to follow since you don’t have to fill anything out.

Georgia’s Open Meetings Laws “requires the state and local governmental bodies conduct their business so citizens can review and monitor their elected officials and others working on their behalf.”

Besides having to let you in to public meetings, the government has to let you know about the meetings in advance.

A few types of open meetings include city councils, county commissions, regional development authorities, library and school boards, planning commissions and zoning boards.

Georgia’s Open Meetings Laws “applies to nearly every group that performs any function of a government entity.”

There are exceptions to this law as well, including personnel matters, legal actions and certain conflicts of right-to-know, such as real estate sales.

It’s important to know which meetings are open and which are closed, in case something similar to what happened to citizen blogger Nydia Tisdale occurs. Tisdale was kicked out for trying to video record a Cumming City Council meeting in 2012 – an open meeting.

While this case was a good example of Open Meetings Laws, the recent health insurance scandal may soon be a good example of the Open Records Act. With taxpayers footing the bill for any illegal actions regarding the Sunshine Laws, it’s important to know your rights.

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Response to the State of the Union Local lawmakers in Washington responded to the president’s annual State of the Union Address on Jan. 20.

To view the president’s 2015 State of the Union speech, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/ sotu.

U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) represents Georgia’s 7th Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

His district WOODALL includes much of Forsyth County. He issued the following statement regarding the president’s State of the Union Address. Prior to the speech, Woodall hosted a telephone town hall meeting to hear from constituents. For more information, visit www. woodall.house.gov.

“President Obama spoke a great deal about the importance of building the middle class while reiterating many of his administration’s failed biggovernment policies as the way to do so.

A robust economy – not a new government program – is the best way to empower and improve opportunities for hardworking taxpayers. In fact, much of the burden being felt by hardworking taxpayers has come from the government expansion, regulatory expansion and more spending that the president continued to defend tonight. The first two weeks of this new American Congress have seen the House pass multiple common sense bills to unburden taxpayers, free job creators and grow the economy. If we can find a partner in the president for these initiatives, all Americans – and particularly the middle class – will be the better for it. Efficient, effective and accountable government is what Georgians are asking for, and I intend to deliver.”

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson Johnny Isakson is a Republican senator in his second term representing the state of Georgia in the U.S. Senate. He is the ISAKSON chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, and is also a member of the Sen-

ate Committee on Finance, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He issued the following statement following the president’s speech to the nation. For more information, visit www.isakson.senate. gov.

“I am very disappointed the president has chosen to lower expectation and raise taxes on the American people just at a time when we are beginning to recover. His plan is like pouring cold water on small businesses and employers. It is time to lift overly burdensome regulation and have a tax policy that’s fair and equitable to all Americans.

I’m also disappointed there wasn’t much of a talk about foreign trade and about trade promotion authority from the president which Congress needs to act on quickly. We have three pending trade agreements which are important for American business: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and the African Growth and Opportunity Partnership. All need to be reauthorized or initiated, and they need to be done this year.

I am happy the president mentioned cybersecurity, which is the No. 1 threat to our country and I pledge to work with him to find those ways we can to track those who would come to America and do harm to our people.

May God bless the United States of America.”

U.S. Sen. David Perdue David Perdue was elected to the U.S. Senate to represent the state of Georgia in November 2014. He was recently sworn-in to ofPERDUE fice and serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Budget Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Judiciary Committee and the Special Committee on Aging. He posted this statement on his Facebook page the day after the president’s State of the Union. For more information, visit www. perdue.senate.gov.

“Last night’s State of the Union sent a clear message to the American people ... President Obama is more concerned with his failed agenda than your family.”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Generation Opportunity, a national, non-partisan youth advocacy organization, released its Millennial Jobs Report for December 2014.

The data is non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) and is specific to 18- to 29-yearolds: • The effective unemployment rate for 18- to 29-year-olds, which adjusts for labor force participation by including those who have given up looking for work, is 14.4 percent.

The unemployment rate for that age group is 8.5 percent.

• The declining labor force participation rate has created an additional 1.847 million young adults that are not counted as “unemployed” by the U.S. Department of Labor because they are not in the labor force, meaning that those young people have given up looking for work due to the lack of jobs.

• The effective unemployment rate for 18- to 29-year-old African-Americans is 21 percent; the unemployment rate is 16.1 percent.

• The effective unemployment rate for 18- to 29-year-old Hispanics is 14.8 percent; the unemployment rate is 8.7 percent.

• The effective unemployment rate for 18- to 29-year-old women is 12.1 percent; the unemployment rate is 7.5 percent.

“The innovative spirit of our genera-

If politicians want to unleash our creativity to the fullest, they should rethink their priorities.”

CORIE WHALEN STEPHENS Spokesperson for Generation Opportunity tion is slowly starting to produce benefits for the broader economy, in spite of policies that hamper it. It’s always great to see job creation, though much of the growth we saw this month was among part-time and low wage jobs,” said Corie Whalen Stephens, spokesperson for Generation Opportunity. “If politicians want to unleash our creativity to the fullest, they should rethink their priorities.

“Laws such as Obamacare have created a part-time work force with falling wages, and are unfairly enriching well-connected big businesses at our expense. Let us thrive without these roadblocks, and you’ll see job numbers vastly better than these.”

Generation Opportunity is a national, non-partisan organization advocating for economic opportunity for young people through less government and more freedom. For more information, visit generationopportunity.org.

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Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 11 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Members of the Forsyth-Cumming and Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Clubs accepted a resolution from the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proclaiming Jan. 15 as the Forsyth County Day of Optimism.

Forsyth County proclaims Day of Optimism FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognized the county’s two Optimist Clubs last week by proclaiming Jan. 15 as the Forsyth County Day of Optimism.

The proclamation urges all citizens to “take a moment to think about how they can help the youth of this community.”

The clubs are the SawneeCumming and the ForsythCumming Optimist Clubs.

The proclamation lauded the clubs for providing “an avenue for the local community to offer programs specifically designed for children,” and acknowledged that the charitable service organizations “help further the goals of Forsyth County.” It cited some of the events and activities hosted by the two clubs, such as the annual essay and oratorical contests, junior golf tournament and track and field day.

Commission Chairman R.J. (Pete) Amos read the proclamation during the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners meeting that evening.

“The Board of Commis-

sioners of Forsyth County recognizes the efforts of the Forsyth-Cumming and Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Clubs and does hereby proclaim Jan. 15, 2015 as the Forsyth County Day of Optimism so that all citizens will take a moment to think about how they can help the youth of this community,” Amos read from the proclamation.

“There is a reason why Forsyth County is a premier location to live in the United States and Georgia,” said Russell Thomas, optimist district governor and Cumming resident. “It is because the Forsyth County government and citizens all share common beliefs, values and optimistic attitudes. We are grateful to the Board of Commissioners, led

by Chairman Pete Amos, for recognizing our local Optimist Clubs through this proclamation. This is a proud day for all Optimists and the leadership of Forsyth County. The motto of the Optimist Club is Bringing Out the Best in Kids. Our goal is the well-being of children and promoting optimism in the community.”

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Animal shelter considers updating policies

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — Pet owners who adopt from the Forsyth County Animal Shelter will have to abide by updated polices after the Forsyth County Animal Control and Shelter Advisory Committee changed its adoption and safe and humane animal treatment policies.

At their Jan. 21 meeting, the committee decided the adoption policy needed to have a few tweaks, including the restriction on people releasing animals.

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The current policy states, “persons releasing their animal to the shelter will not be permitted to adopt from the shelter for two years.”

“The way it was written, an aggressive animal’s owner wouldn’t be able to adopt for two years,” Deputy Sheriff Erin Long said.

The committee discussed the different circumstances that a person might release their pet to the shelter.

“My problem is how did the dog become aggressive — from the person?” Lance White, committee member, said. “Is

two years enough, or should they be banned any further?

Not all puppies are aggressive and mean; they have to be taught that way.”

They agreed on adding an exemption that if the animal is returned within 30 days, due to specific cases such as allergies, then the family is not included in the ban.

The refund policy was also largely discussed, with the committee agreeing to let the new owner have 15 days to get the animal to the vet, instead of 10, and after three returns in a year, a family may be cut

off from adopting for the rest of that year.

The limiting of three adoptions a year per person brought up the issue of rescue groups.

“As long as they take care of the dogs, they can adopt,” Dr. John McGruder, chairman, said.

It was decided that rescue groups may be exempt from the limiting policy, but not after a previous incident of a rescue group getting denied was brought up.

“It’s my belief that we have to leave our shelter manager with some discretion,” said McGruder. “Otherwise, the rescue groups start running the shelter.”

Tim Merritt is a member, and he said he would bring the updated polices back to the committee in March to vote.

Fees and abandonment were two more issues the committee discussed.

Currently, there is an impound fee of $25, a shelter processing fee of $60 and a daily boarding fee of $15. Long said it was too much money and she was afraid owners would leave their pets behind if they had to pay that amount.

Committee member and Commissioner Todd Levent said the shelter should go a

My problem is how did the dog become aggressive — from the person? Is two years enough, or should they be banned any further?”

LANCE WHITE Committee member couple of months with the current fees to track the information to determine how many paid it and how many would not.

The shelter is currently tracking the fee policy, which was adopted in November, for 90 days before deciding if it works.

The numbers for December 2014 were discussed at the meeting, including a 15 percent euthanasia rate, which is down from the 20 percent in November 2014 and 25 percent in October 2014.

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SCHOOLS

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Dudgeon appointed Enrollment up; elementary schools leading to Education The Board of Education set up goals Reform Commission • Attain Board of Education (BOE) professional

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com

27th District, which includes Forsyth County. “I believe my background as a former school board member, an entrepreneur, and my openness to new models of funding and educational delivery will help the commission succeed in its mission to implement education reforms where it’s needed in our great state.”

Deal said the commission’s work will help him achieve his goals for education in the state.

“Georgia families depend on our classrooms, and now it’s time we take the responsibility in full to provide the high-quality, technologically advanced education they so deserve,” Deal said. “I fully anticipate this commission will help bring my vision to reality and I’m grateful for the members’ willingness to serve.”

The commission will send their recommendations to Deal by Aug. 1.

—Joe Parker

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — State Rep. Mike Dudgeon (RJohns Creek) has been appointed to the Education Reform DUDGEON Commission

by Gov. Nathan Deal. The commission will study the state’s education system and provide recommendations to Deal for possible improvements.

The commission will review funding, increasing access to early learning programs, recruiting and retaining effective educators and expanding school options for families.

“My primary focus throughout my eight years as an elected public official has been to help public education in Georgia,” said Dudgeon, who represents the

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Enrollment in the Forsyth County School System is up nearly 200 students above projections at the halfway mark of the 2014-2015 academic year, but most of the newcomers are in the county’s elementary schools.

The Forsyth County Board of Education announced the enrollment numbers at its monthly meeting Jan. 15.

Superintendent Jeff Bearden said the district has grown to 42,466 students, or 184 more than expected.

Bearden added high schools are under projections by 312 students, and middle schools are below by one.

Bearden, who was appointed to Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Advisory Board of superintendents in 2014, reviewed what he learned there.

He said Deal hoped to increase about $1 million in funding to kindergarten through 12th grade public schools over a two-year period, with high-achieving systems receiving increased flexibility and funding.

“Obviously, it’s a move in the right direction in terms of

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• Cultivate leadership and continuity development of district and school level administrative staff.

• Strengthen collaboration with governmental agencies to support a healthy and involved community.

• Engage in community and school events to enhance connections with stakeholders. increased funding,” Bearden said.

Bearden said another point of discussion was leading state takeovers of low-performing schools, which would require a constitutional amendment.

The report came after the

board and Bearden attended an annual retreat, which was held in Dahlonega this year.

The board agreed on goals for the year, which included engaging in community and school events to enhance connections with stakeholders.

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forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 15

Construction resumes on Ga. 20 bridge over the ’Hooch SUGAR HILL, Ga. – Georgia Department of Transportation construction resumed Jan. 15 on the Ga. 20 bridge replacement project over the Chattahoochee River.

Construction stopped on the bridge in late September 2014 because a construction permit had to be modified due to a change in the way the bridge would be built. The project was originally permitted for the contractor to use barges as a working platform from the river for bridge construction and demolition. Because of the daily water releases from the Buford Dam, barges can’t be used.

The water levels change too quickly and too frequently. Stone jetties will now be used. The change to jetties has required complex interagency coordination between GDOT, the National Park Service, Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The required permit was approved Jan. 14.

“On Jan. 15, crews will resume working on the concrete structures that support the new bridges on land,” said Brent Cook, Georgia DOT district engineer serving Northeast Georgia.

“By Jan. 19, work in the river will

begin. You will start seeing daily work on the bridge until April.

Because the river is a National Park Service Recreation Area, no work is allowed in the river from April 1 to Oct. 31 annually.

Only one jetty will be in place at a time. The jetty will be removed during peak recreation season because jetties change the water flow.”

The 1.07-mile-long project widens Ga. 20 from James Burgess Road in Forsyth County to Burnett Trail in Gwinnett to a four-lane divided highway with sidewalks, and includes new bridges over the Chattahoochee River at a contract cost of $10.2 million.

C.W. Matthews Contracting of Marietta is the contractor. The project completion date is May 31, 2016. The project is behind schedule.

The Ga. 20 corridor from Samples Road in Cumming across the Chattahoochee River to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard is under construction in three separate projects totaling 7.53 miles.

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By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – All companies should have an action plan for data breaches, because the number of cyberattacks is growing, a panel of industry experts told business leaders last week.

From 2005 to 2013, at least 613 million records have been compromised in the United States, Ralph Pasquariello of Snellings Walters Insurance Agency said at the monthly Tech Forum of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

“The cost of global cybercrime annually is $114 billion,” he said. “The average organizational cost of a data breach … is $5.4 million, and each compromised record costs a company $188.”

Pasquariello was one of seven experts from law, insurance and technology to provide insights to the crowd of about 50 people gathered at the Marriott in Alpharetta.

Greg Freemyer, senior consultant at IAC Forensic Services, said that because of the costs and legal liabilities associated with data breaches, all companies should conduct a security audit. He said a SANS Review, offered by the SANS

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The number of data breaches in the United States is growing. From 2005 to 2013, at least 613 million records have been compromised.

Institute, or an International Organization of Standardization audit (called an ISO 27002) can help businesses lay the groundwork for establishing a security system.

Implementing an in-house data security system is costprohibitive for most companies, he said. And, even when implemented, it wouldn’t protect against new methods hackers are developing to invade networks.

“There’s so much going on, and no one has the magic bullet that’s going to make you

secure,” he said.

Another step companies have been taking to increase security is to link up with a cloud service, said Gerry Baron, chief marketing officer at Cirrity.

Most organizations cannot invest the same amount of money and resources into cyber security as a cloud service can, he said.

Cloud services have fulltime technicians working with the latest equipment to provide data security, he said.

Debbie Risher, a CPA with

Smith & Howard, said it’s often difficult to tell when a breach has occurred. If a company has the proper software in place, she said, security breaches can be flagged in most cases through logs.

“If you don’t have those, then you’re kind of at the mercy of the outside world,” she said. “It could be customer complaints. It could be a third-party vendor. It could be law enforcement after they’ve gotten complaints from a customer.”

Another indicator could be

an increase in spam or malware on a company’s network, she added.

Thomas Foxx, a cyber-specialist with Travelers Technology Products, said all organizations are the target of hacking activity. Right now, the larger companies are receiving all the attention, but it’s likely all the mid-sized organizations have already been hacked, he said.

“We’ve found that the majority of the small and midsized organizations – more than 50 percent of the ones we surveyed – were breached,” he said. “That’s why we push for some type of risk mitigation.”

The most important thing a company can do to protect itself is have an action plan in place to handle cyber-attacks.

And one of the first steps in that plan should be contact a skilled attorney, said Gina Ginn Greenwood, an attorney with Baker Donelson.

“First of all, I think you need a good lawyer and a good consultant and a good forensic examiner,” she said. “You need to have a good emergency preparedness plan.”

Greenwood said companies should have these emergency personnel on speed-dial, on call at any time. Sometimes, calling an attorney first can ensure that the investigative process can be covered under attorney-client privilege.

“It amazes me when we get calls at how many companies really don’t even understand what laws apply to them,” she said. “They’re in the middle of a huge breach, and they’re not even sure which laws apply.”

Submit your business news & photos to businessnews@appenmediagroup.com

Do you get excited when a customer accepts your meeting request, only to find out when you meet with them that they are not interested?

Are you taking the time to qualify your customer’s interest and motivation to buy before committing your valuable time to meeting with them?

Qualifying opportunities to do business with new customers can save you time and allow you to focus on more customers who are qualified buyers.

It’s no mystery that top performing sales professionals know how to qualify their customers, and are good at asking the right questions to make sure their investment in time is worth it.

Conversely, sales professionals who don’t do a good job in qualifying opportunities with their customers typically come back to the office empty-handed.

Determining if a potential customer is interested in your product or service, that they have the ability to make a decision and that your efforts in working with them will produce a sale is critical to managing your portfolio of customers.

This includes understanding your competitors and the decision-making process each customer will use.

By qualifying an opportunity with a potential customer before the sales process starts, you improve your odds for success.

Just because you were able to secure a meeting, even with a decision-maker, doesn’t mean you have a qualified opportunity.

Asking the right questions to the right people at the right time will help you better qualify your opportunities with your customers, and this will lead to more sales success.

Dick Jones is the Founder & President of Jones Simply Sales.

60,000

Atlanta Home Inventory: Price Point Breakdown

FRANK NORTON JR.

$750+ $400 – 749 $250 – 399 $150 – 249 $0 – 149

CEO and Chairman The Norton Agency

To everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose…and the Georgia real estate market is no different.

The residential development and brokerage industry has been battling the cyclical nature of its business models for decades. Over time, the market vitality has been tempered with better construction timetables, winter inventory reductions and brokerage firms’ internal sales and listing contests to either sell off year-end inventory or build up inventory, whichever is dictated by that current cycle.

Thankfully our seasonal adjustments are routed in psychological consumer patterns, dominated by the noise of the holidays and not arctic winds and snow drifts impeding construction. In fact in some national markets, the construction season is only six or seven months in length versus the metro Atlanta area, which tracts only an average of 21 bad weather days from November to March.

ers or widgets, but consumer consciousness or holiday unconsciousness overrules technological productions.

“The winter dip,” however, can be a productive time. It’s the time builders analyze the year’s sales results, understanding product mixes, home buyer preferences and develop hot new construction floor plans. A time to figure out what worked and what did not work. It is also a time for the home buyer to scan through the latest home magazines and planning books to dream forward to their own spring construction. A time to explore vacant developed lots or acreage tracts for potential construction or constructionperm custom initiatives.

The winter is “snakeless,” which is a perfect time to walk in the woods and dream of a “human scale” new nest. Winter – with the naked hardwoods and dead underbrush, is a terrific time to see property’s terrain, landscape features and of course, views. For generations, winter sales on Lake Lanier soared because traditionally astute buyers can see all the best that a property has to offer and all the warts at the same time.

A time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted So the quick forecast for the Atlanta real estate market (new construction and resales) is that the overall market will slow in December, January, February and early March. It will reenergize itself around March 20 or 21 (spring) only to ignite a storm of new construction and summer of heavy migration and relocation to the New South mecca...Atlanta.

The national builders build huge supply and demand computer models in order to deliver housing inventory like “just-intime” automobile manufactur-

Expectations for the 2015 real estate market • Overall home inventory will remain at historic lows in most metro Atlanta micro markets. Expect 3.5 to 4.8 months of home supply throughout 2015. The low supply is most likely with our market until the feds relax current constraints on regional and small town banking, allowing the resumption on speculative home builds.

• The national builders will continue to dominate the new home sector because of their external source of capital. By the end of 2015,

The strongest markets are driven by school zones.

Hot demand in public education at the elementary school level is driving the market inventory.

45,000

Editor’s note: Beginning this week, Appen Newspapers will run serialized excerpts from Frank Norton Jr.’s “Norton Native Intelligence Report for 2015.” The report, which reflects and synthesizes the views from more than 500 individuals surveyed and economic vital signs recorded, is replete with facts, figures, charts and commentary from one of the state’s premier market experts focusing on the north Georgia economy and real estate. The presentation was made Jan. 15 at the Gainesville Civic Center.

30,000

Founder & President Jones Simply Sales

Enjoy winter rest before home market heats up

Total number of homes

DICK JONES

Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 17

15,000

Qualifying opportunities with your customers

BusinessPosts

0

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Source: GAMLS/FMLS – 22 COUNTIES INCLUDED: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Jackson, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton.

we predict 50 percent of all homes constructed will be by Atlanta’s Top 10 builders.

• The strongest markets are driven by school zones. Hot demand in public education at the elementary school level is driving the market inventory.

• Expect the 22-county region to permit slightly over 20,000 new housing units, single-family and condos in 2015 – nowhere near our peak of 62,000 (2006) but more than doubled the annualized activity of our low year of 8,600 (2009) units.

And, as in the last five years, 52,000 to 55,000 homes will trade hands through FMLS

and MLS in 2015. Normal activity with average people with average credit buying average homes.

• Residential growth begets commercial retail development. Commercial retail development begets medical and service sector office growth. Medical and service beget new jobs and business industrial expansion, and jobs and business industrial expansion beget new residential. In 2015, it (the cycle of Atlanta life) starts again.

To everything there is a season, a time to sell and a time to buy. AMEN

GNFCC hosts Lunch Connection Feb. 4 ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce will hold its Lunch Connection monthly networking and interactive workshop Feb. 4 at 11:30 a.m. at The Metropolitan Club, 5895 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. The meeting is an opportunity to network and gain exposure for local businesses.

If you go What: Lunch Connection When: Wednesday, Feb. 4 11:30 am Where: The Metropolitan Club 5895 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta

18 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

PEOPLE »

Ciara Rubin named director of operations ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce has appointed Ciara Rubin as director of operations. Rubin will lead the chamber’s day-to-day activities and manage staff and communication with members. She will report RUBIN to Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Hans Appen.

Prior to her appointment, Rubin served as the chamber’s director of member services and communications.

“Ciara has been an invaluable member and leader of the chamber these past eight months,” Appen said. “Since she has joined the chamber, membership has grown 230 percent and our programming and member benefits have reaped the benefits. I am thrilled for our members in what they are getting with Ciara at the helm.”

Brady Ware hires new team accountant ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Brady Ware announced that Sharon Marcela has joined the firm as a team accountant. Marcela has 15 years of experience in accounting and will be working with Brady Ware clients to perform tax services and bookkeeping duties.

Daughter joins Worley family Re/Max real estate business MILTON, Ga. — Art and Polly Worley, a residential real estate team at Re/Max Town and Country, have hired their daughter, Dana Worley McCall, to serve as a licensed assistant. McCall will work with her parents, focusing on obtaining listings and working with buyers in the north Atlanta area.

A native of Alpharetta/Milton, MCCALL McCall attended Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Northwestern Middle and Milton

BUSINESS COMPUTER PROBLEMS? “Carmichael manages our IT. I have never worked with a more client-centric business before – ever. They return calls fast.

They listen exceedingly well. They know what they are doing. They are honest, professional, and local. They are partners with Appen Newspapers / Appen Media Group in the truest sense of the word.”

– Ray Appen, Publisher Appen Media Group Appen Newspapers

BusinessBriefs High School, graduating with honors from the University of Georgia in 2006. She has spent the last eight years in IT sales and recruiting. She lives in Roswell with her husband Brendon and 9-monthold baby girl, Wren.

Greater Alpharetta Tech Network appoints new board members ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Greater Alpharetta Tech Network (GATN) announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors.

GATN’s new Board members are Nathan Ottinger, Atlantic Capital Bank senior vice president, Chad Osgood, Premier Logic CEO, and Kimberly Little Sutherland, identity management strategy senior director of LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

For more information, visit www.gatnconnect. org.

Fifth Third Bank names Kessler to management position ATLANTA — Adam Kessler recently joined Fifth Third Bank’s Georgia affiliate as vice president/commercial relationship manager, focusing on middle market companies with annual revenues up to $500 million. He is responsible for facilitating new commercial banking relationships and focusing on added value solutions to help companies KESSLER reach their goals.

Kessler has nine years of experience in the financial industry and was previously a vice president with JP Morgan Chase Bank in Atlanta.

A native of Alpharetta, Kessler is involved with the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.

David Orr joins Harry Norman Atlanta North JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Harry Norman, Realtors welcomed David Orr as a real estate agent in its Atlanta North office. Orr and his wife live in Suwanee.

He can be reached at 678-525-7870, david.orr@harrynorman.com or www.davidorr.harrynorman.com.

UTILITIES »

– Tyler Jones, Principal

678-224-8000 • www.CarmichaelConsulting.net

Road near Vickery Creek Elementary School.

Legacy Village at Vickery Creek will include 31 studio and one-bedroom assisted living suites. It will have another 32 units dedicated to The Harbor, a nationally recognized memory care unit serving those with Alzheimer’s or other memory care disorders that features an electronic storyboard and drug-free, memory stimulation and behavior management system in each apartment.

TECH »

Agilysys deploys new version of business intelligence service ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Agilysys, a hospitality software solutions and services provider, recently announced general availability of the latest version of its business intelligence solution, Agilysys Analytics.

The system is a comprehensive reporting, auditing and predictive analysis service for the hospital industry.

Available as a subscription service, Agilysys Analytics is accessed from a web browser.

NEW LOCATIONS »

Practice owners Drs. Michael Palmer, Melissa Thomas Durand and Leslie McGuinn Davis helped cut the ribbon at Lanier Dental’s ceremony.

Lanier Dental Partners cuts Forsyth ribbon CUMMING, Ga. — Lanier Dental Partners held its ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Cumming location, 360 Dahlonega St., Tuesday, Jan. 13. Lanier Dental’s second office is at 2390 Thompson Road in Dawsonville.

Sawnee EMC to retire $9 million of patronage capital

Mitnick Law Firm opens new office in Alpharetta

CUMMING, Ga. — Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation announced that it is preparing a general retirement of patronage capital to 72,000 eligible members for the years 1994 through 1997. This action will provide a refund of about $9 million to members that received electric service from Sawnee during this four-year period, with varying refunds averaging $103.

Patronage capital is an allocation of revenue in excess of operating costs and expenses and is required by Georgia law.

For more information, call 770-887-2363 or email customerservice@sawnee.com.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The Mitnick Law Firm recently moved from its Mansell Road location to an office at 3180 North Point Parkway in the Gates office park, less than a mile from Old Milton Parkway.

The father-and-son team assists clients with most legal issues.

Daniel, who has been in practice since 1994, concentrates chiefly on contested divorce matFrom left: Jared and ters and personal injury Daniel Mitnick cases.

Jared, in practice since 2008, has special education in DUI defense and handles most of the firm’s traffic cases, bankruptcies and all aspects of family law matters. Daniel said the new office preserves the firm’s commitment to providing smallfirm personalized service with the experience and expertise of a large firm.

For more information, visit mitnicklaw.com or call 770-408-7000.

REAL ESTATE »

Legacy Village at Vickery Creek to open in Cumming Call today for your free IT assesment.

Submit your business news & photos to businessnews@appenmediagroup.com

CUMMING, Ga. — Legacy Senior Services announced it will break ground on a 63-unit senior living community in Cumming, to be named Legacy Village at Vickery Creek.

The 50,000-square-foot facility will have an equestrian look, keeping with the character of the surrounding community, and will be located on Post

CALENDAR

EDITOR’S PICKS

Submit your event online at forsythherald.com

Send

AT L A N TA

me your event...

JUSTICE CONFERENCE DO SOMETHING • DO JUSTICE

SHANNON WEAVER

Calendar Editor FOLK ART FRENZY shannon@ appenmediagroup.com A Trifecta of Fabulous Folk

Submit your event to northfulton.com or email with photo to calendar@northfulton.com.

For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.

Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 19

“PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGAMABOBS”

Artists, at the Wild Hope Art Gallery, Holcomb Bridge Rd Suite 120 in Alpharetta. Opening Night Party Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:30 9:00 pm; show in gallery till Feb 4. Gallery hours: Tue - Sat, noon to 6 pm. Free opening night.Visit wildhopeartgallery.com for more info.

ART:

ATLANTA JUSTICE CONFERENCE Join us as we gather as a city to confront the exploitation of the vulnerable in our state at Perimeter Church, 9500 Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek.

Saturday, Jan. 31, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit perimeter.org for more info.

Roswell Fine Arts Alliance biannual Invitational Juried Art Show opening reception at Art Center East in East Roswell Park, 9100 Fouts Road in Roswell. Saturday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free. Visit rfaa. org or contact Betty Walser at betty1w@bellsouth.net for more info.

Alpharetta When: Saturday, Jan. 31 Hours: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. check-in, begins at 12:45 p.m.

Cost: Free Online: fbca.com

THEATER: HISTORY IN THE MAKING

SHELLTON LABRON ART EXHIBIT INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLORS AND COLORED PENCILS

What: Join Johns Creek Art Center instructors to learn the basics of watercolors and/or colored pencils.

Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch Library, 9560 Spruill Road in Alpharetta When: Saturday, Jan. 31 Hours: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to the public Info: Register by Thursday, Jan. 29 at noon. Supplies provided.

Contact: karen.swenson@ fultoncountyga.gov or 770-360-8820

What: A conceptual and abstract artist who utilizes all mediums, Shellton Labron explores innovative methods of delivering intriguing pallets of expression that are energetic and colorful.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street When: Monday Feb. 2 Hours: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cost: Free Contact: (770) 594-6232

EVENTS:

‘THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.’ What: Roswell Showstoppers presents “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.” The Roswell Showstoppers cast contains approximately 38 middle school-aged students led by Artistic Director Leslie Kelley and Choreographer/Managing Director Nancy Whitehead.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street When: Saturday, Jan. 31 Hours: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Cost: $12

A stage play based on the African American history here in the Groveway Community at Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 Advance, $15 at the door, $5 children 12 & under. Call 770-993-4245 for more info or to purchase tickets.

SPORTS: FREE THROW CONTEST

What: Knights of Columbus Council 12942 Basketball Free Throw Contest Where: Dobbs Creek Recreation Center, 1115 Dahlonega Highway in Cumming When: Saturday Jan. 31 Ages: Boys and Girls 9 to 14 years old.

Hours: Registration starts at 1 p.m Cost: Free.

Online: kofc12942.org Contact: Charlie 770-830-6773

COOKING LIGHT: WINTER’S BOUNTY

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT AT

What: Trying to watch your weight after the holidays? Try on this menu for size: delicious winter dishes that are sure to expand your repertoire and not your waistline!

Where: Publix Apron’s Cooking School 4305 State Bridge Road in Alpharetta When: Friday, Jan. 30 Hours: 7 p.m.

Cost: $40 Online: bit.ly/1BXl3a5

SPECIAL NEEDS RESPITE

What: Respite care program designed to enhance family functioning by giving caregivers a break from their duties, while reaching out to special needs participants in a safe, loving environment.

Where: Alpharetta First Baptist Church, 44 Academy Street in

HONK! THE MUSICAL

What: Cambridge High School presents Honk! Based on the story of the Ugly Duckling, this delightful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fable is a quackingly good time.

Where: Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend in Milton When: Thursday, Jan. 29 Hours: 7 p.m.

Cost: $15, $12 for Cambridge students Contact: cambridgetheatre@gmail. com Online: showtix4u.com Info: Runs through Feb. 1

FORSYTH FLIGHT TRYOUTS

What: We are seeking a group of talented 7th grade boys ready to take their game to new heights through a competitive travel basketball environment.

Where: Dobbs Creek Rec Center, 1115 Dahlonega Highway in Cumming When: Saturday, Jan. 31 Hours: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Cost: $5 facility fee Online: forsythflight.com Contact: Craig Justice, 770-366-3155

20 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

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22 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Ludwig Symphony hosts Valentine’s concert Roswell singer part of starstudded event ROSWELL, Ga. – The Ludwig Symphony Orchestra will present “A Romantic Valentine’s Day” gala with a “Wee bit o’ the Irish” on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. The evening’s performance features sensational Mexican violinist Anabel Ramirez performing the Paganini Violin Concerto No. 2 “The Bells” and local Atlanta bass Ben Polite interpreting arias of Wagner and Rossini.

Caitlyn Cleary, a student at Roswell High School and winner at the 2014 All-Ireland Competition in Sligo, will sing two Irish tunes. John Lemley of WABE will be master of ceremonies. In keeping with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, every woman will be given a rose.

Ramirez is one of the most exciting young violin talents on the music scene today. Possessing a soulful heart-rending tone and a fiery personality, her formidable technique enables her to play one of the most difficult works ever written in the violin literature.

If you go What: Ludwig Symphony Orchestra’s “A Romantic Valentine’s Day” gala When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell Tickets: Adults, $22; seniors, $19; students, $12 Info: 770-623-8623, www.ludwigsymphony.org Ramirez began her violin studies at age 6 in Mexico City with Russian violinist Gari Petrenko.

She has appeared as soloist with major orchestras including the National Symphony of Mexico, the Orchestra de Mineria, San Antonio Symphony and has performed internationally at the Mozarteum of Salzburg, the Aspen Music Festival and the Musicorda Festival. She won the American String Teachers Association Award as well as the Mozart Medal (2002). Ramirez has been a core member of the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet orchestras since 2008.

Polite, bass vocalist, has built up a substantial follow-

Violinist Anabel Ramirez will join a star-studded performance for Valentine’s Day Feb. 14. ing in Atlanta because of his magnificent voice and powerful presence. Called “the Paul Robeson of our times” by critics, Polite is a graduate of Florida State University and has worked with such notable conductors as Arthur Fagen, Enrique Diemecke and David Ott and directors that include Jasmine Guy and Chaz RadeSchieber. He has appeared as

Roswell singer Caitlyn Cleary will perform as part of the Ludwig Symphony Orchestra Feb. 14 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.

Dr. Bartolo in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” and Don Basilio in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” He will interpret “Mogst du, mein kind” from Wagner’s “Flying Dutchman” and “La Calunnia” from Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.”

Maestro Thomas Ludwig, former music director of the New York City Symphony and resident conductor for the

American Ballet Theatre with Mikhail Baryshnikov at the Metropolitan Opera House, will lead the 80-piece orchestra in a varied and colorful program that also includes the majestic Tannhauser and Die Miestersinger Overtures of Wagner and the capricious and lighthearted “Italian” Symphony No. 4 of Felix Mendelssohn.

– Jonathan Copsey

COMMUNITY

Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 23 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

GEORGIA GETAWAYS:

Delta is ready when you are!

The Delta Flight Museum is a can’t-miss experience for any aviation buff, but it has something for almost everyone.

Although Delta is a familiar name to everyone here in its hometown, even my Navy pilot son did not realize it had started out as a crop-dusting operation.

Old-timers will enjoy seeing the first DC-3 that flew her maiden voyage Christmas Eve 1940.

Young flight fans will be amazed at the 21-passenger aircraft considered state-ofthe-art by their grandparents.

Check their website for dates they hold tours of the DC-3 and sales of posters and surplus in-flight items and other cool stuff.

After surrendering ID to security, you are greeted in the forecourt by an awning held up with retired nose gear, complete with four powerful landing lights.

Those of us of a certain age will well remember standing on the tarmac, subjected to all the exciting sights, sounds and

JEMILLE WILLIAMS

Senior contributor on TripAdvisor jemille@bellsouth.net

If you go What: Delta Flight Museum Where: 1060 Delta Blvd.

B-914 Atlanta, Ga. 30354 404-715-7886 Hours: Monday – Saturday (closed Wednesday) 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sunday noon – 4:30 p.m.

Gift shop open till 5 p.m.

Tickets: $12; free to those with military ID More info: deltamuseum. org. smells of an aircraft’s arrival.

Today’s kids have been insulated from the full-bore airport experience by jetways, so it kicks off this hands-on

The Spirit of Delta in restoration hangar. museum’s appeal from the get-go.

The huge hangar houses the 767 Dreamliner, with space to spare for four other full-size aircraft and the fuselage of an L-1011, which has been the set of several movies, television shows and commercials.

“Passenger 57” was one movie of note you may remember. It is an intriguing venue for special events, with tables set up all around the enormous aircraft.

It’s a great activity for wet, hot or cold weather. Little ones can run around to their heart’s

BLURRED REN FROM STONE MOUNTAIN, USA - THE SPIRIT OF DELTA

content while grown-ups read the display copy.

It was even fairly exciting for this middle-ager to walk under The Spirit of Delta to actually see how big those “little” red lights you see in the sky are and how huge those little tires are up close and personal.

The most fun for me were the displays of campy flight attendant uniforms and memorabilia inside the L-1011.

But the gift shop is entertaining in and of itself. It hosts a wide range of offerings that will greatly appeal to flyboys and flygirls from aspirees to retirees.

Note: The museum is closed on Wednesday, but they will cheerfully accept your money for purchases in the gift shop if you’ve made the drive down there. The gift shop has a generous assortment of items in all price points, so you can pick up things for under $5 to keep the kids happy.

The simulator is not included with admission. You’ll need to make an appointment and prepay $395 if you want to take advantage of it.

Also good to know: they offer free admission to those with military ID.

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24 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

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Forsyth gets first HS Red Cross Club

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — After Drew Ridings saw a movie poster that said all proceeds would go to the American Red Cross, the West Forsyth High School junior got curious.

“I always knew what it was, but I didn’t know the specifics of it,” Ridings said.

He decided to look more locally into the Red Cross. When he found out there were no clubs at any of the Forsyth County high schools, he decided to start one.

Ridings and the executive board had to plan events and write a constitution before they could become an official club. They completed all requirements on Jan. 23, and the West Forsyth High School American Red Cross Club was created.

Their club is under the jurisdiction of the Northeast Georgia chapter in Gainesville, which is getting ready to celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2017, said Tammy Nicholson, the interim-volunteer specialist for that chapter.

“When you start a club like this, the students and advisor have to own responsibility from A-to-Z, and that’s exactly what I’ve seen them do,” Nicholson said.

The club will work closely with Forsyth County Fire Department Capt.

Rick Hamilton, who said it’s a great idea and something he’s wanted to see

PHOTOS BY KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF

From left are West Forsyth HS teacher and Red Cross Club sponsor Matt Adams, Madison Dabney, Red Cross volunteer Jody Sergienko, Rachel White, Drew Ridings, Red Cross volunteer Tammy Nicholson, Spencer Miller, Forsyth Fire Department Capt. Rick Hamilton, Tanner Traulsen and Red Cross volunteer Millicent Reed. in high schools.

“I personally believe everyone should have some type of first aid or CPR training to graduate high school,” Hamilton said. “I think this is a won-

derful idea. I hope there’ll be a lot of kids interested in joining.”

The fire department uses some of the same methods, including CPR, taught through the Red Cross, Hamil-

ton said. The department gets recertified for CPR every two years.

“We use CPR and some basic first

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About 20 West Forsyth HS students make up the Red Cross Club.

Forsyth:

Continued from Page 24 aid just about every day when we respond to medical emergencies and injuries,” Hamilton said.

Time is one of the biggest enemies the fire department faces, Hamilton said, especially with sudden cardiac arrest.

“If people are at the scene when sudden cardiac arrest happens and they know CPR, they can immediately start CPR,” Hamilton said. “That’ll give a greater chance of survival for the victim. If the CPR’s not being done, in about four to six minutes the brain

cells start dying, so it’s very important for immediate CPR.” Having the skills to help people is just one of the benefits Ridings hopes to get out of the club.

“I hope a lot of people will be able to learn worldly skills,” Ridings said.

“You hear stories all the time of kids at school who are choking, and someone does CPR and saves their life. If you can get people in a club who all know CPR or any other skill, then they could possibly end up saving someone.”

The club is already planning a CPR clinic for March, which is Red Cross Month.

To learn more about the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org.

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 25

26 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

COMMUNITY

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Civil, human rights still major issues 50 years of civil rights impact today

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – It is just as important to remember the Civil Rights era today as it was 50 years ago – and 50 years from now.

That was the message from Doug Shipman, chief executive officer of the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, as he spoke to the Roswell Rotary Club Jan. 15.

The Civil Rights era, 50 years ago, is at the perfect age to have a museum. Fifty years is enough time for the events to be remembered but not forgotten, and for several generations to have their own stories.

On the 50th anniversary of World War II – 1995 – Shipman said a flurry of movies, books, TV shows and the Washington WW II memorial came out.

“World War II wasn’t just about events in the 1940s, but

about everything that came after,” he said.

Similarly, the Civil Rights movement has shaped the past 50 years and successive generations.

“It’s not an accident that people are trying to figure out what [the Civil Rights movement] means today,” Shipman said.

People born after 1970 make up the majority of the American population. They have no memories of the events of the 1960s. Everything they know about the era is either

There are freedom movements around the world and people fighting for their freedom. These stories are alive.”

DOUG SHIPMAN CEO of the Center for Civil and Human Rights

through stories or school. Yet, the actions of those people in the 60s shaped not just the American perception of rights and revolution, but the global images.

When the Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989, the revelers chanted “We Shall Overcome,” a prominent Civil Rights song.

When the Egyptian Revolution during the Arab Spring toppled its government, protesters waved signs that said, “I am a man,” a famous sign held up by black Americans in the face of oppression.

“The whole world looks at this history as inspiration,” Shipman said.

The museum makes an ef-

fort to connect the very human issues of the Civil Rights era and Martin Luther King Jr., to the events of today as human rights – slavery, human trafficking and economic development of the Third World.

“There are freedom movements around the world and people fighting for their freedom,” he said.

“These stories are alive.”

For more on the stories the Center for Civil and Human Rights has to show, visit them online at http://www. civilandhumanrights.org/. The center is located at 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, between the World of Coca Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

COMMUNITY

Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 27 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

MLK March draws hundreds Community honors King’s memory, message

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – As the nation remembered the life and message of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Jan. 19, the congregations of North Fulton communities gathered together in a single service, culminating with the area’s first “unity march.”

Beginning at the St. James United Methodist Church on Webb Bridge Road, hundreds of people marched along Academy Street to the tune of “We shall overcome,” ending at Alpharetta City Hall and the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.

Pastors of St. James UMC, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church and St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church addressed the congregation during a service beforehand on the message of peace, love and brotherhood for which King was known.

“Today is not just a day where we celebrate his life, but celebrate his dream,” said the Rev. Doug Thrasher, the district superintendent of the North Georgia United Methodist Churches. “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me today.”

The words of Micah, in the Old Testament, were repeated often during the sermons – Chapter 6, verse 8 – “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly.”

The sermon was given by the Rev. Gerald L. Durley, for-

humbly.

“We are marching against Ferguson, but not for the 400 kids killing each other in Chicago?” he said.

“We need to stop blaming other Hundreds of people take part in a unity people and look march in Alpharetta Jan. 19 for Martin Luther at what we are King Jr. Day. doing.

“If you stay with God, you don’t have a divided mind,” he merly of the Ebenezer Baptist said.

Church in Atlanta, where King used to serve. Durley told the congregation how he met King and became a youth in King’s growing civil rights movement of the 1960s.

He grew up in California and Colorado, becoming a star basketball player. He then went to Tennessee State University to play and was immediately met with the segregated South. He suddenly had to sit in the back of buses and drink from certain water fountains. He was about to quit and go back west when he attended a function with MLK and other leaders of the era that changed his mind.

“He believed in making things right, not just for black people, but for America,” Durley said.

“Today we remember, today we celebrate and today we act.”

King was 39 years old when he was killed, April 4, 1968.

He cautioned about the country dividing and people allowing it.

With recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York prompting rioting and unrest, Durley said the nation needs to come together and address its problems openly, honestly and

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

St. James UMC pastor, the Rev. Michael T. McQueen, welcomes several denominations into his congregation to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

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Hayes speaks to Legion Post 307 about benefits CUMMING, Ga. — Cynthia Hayes, manager of the North Georgia Veterans Service Office, spoke to Forsyth County veterans, spouses and guests Jan. 12.

Hayes, a retired Army E-7 with more than 20 years of service, answered questions concerning benefits available for veterans and spouses, including benefits for which many do not know they are eligible.

These include compensation for injuries and illness due to military service, pension benefits to assist in home health care or assisted living/nursing home expenses for the veteran or widow, education benefits, Veterans Association home guarantee certificate, access to two Georgia Veterans Association homes if a five-year resident of Georgia, free driver’s licenses and license plates and free medical care and medications.

With the opening of the expanded Veterans Association clinic in Oakwood, some veterans can receive medical attention there instead of going to Decatur.

Visit American Legion Post 307’s website at www.americanlegionpost307.org for more information.

Hayes can be reached at the Veterans Service Office, 311 Green St., Room 405 in Gainesville, or by phone at 770-5316060.

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Hamstead tapped as Cancer Society lead MILTON, Ga. – Milton resident Brenda Hamstead was appointed the new state lead ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (CAN).

Previously, Hamstead served as an ACT lead for the 6th Congressional district working with Rep. Tom Price.

She has been active with the North Fulton, Roswell, Johns Creek and Alpharetta Relay for Life events. She is beginning a two-year appointment to the position.

Eight years ago, her father

was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer, Hamstead said. He endured five difficult years as he fought the disease – 21 surgeries, cheHAMSTEAD motherapy, radiation and 20 clinical trials. As a family, she said they were united and by his side at each procedure – wherever that may have taken place.

“The American Cancer

Society treated my father and my family with such great care and dignity as he fought so bravely,” she said. “As I reflected upon our family’s five-year battle, I knew it was time for me to give back to ACS for all of the good that had been given so freely to him and to my family. I wanted to use my voice to help find a cure and lessen or eliminate the devastating effects of cancer upon those who have been diagnosed with the disease and their family and friends who love them.”

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or forgotten as they battle any chronic illness, she said.

Hamstead is taking over from longtime State Lead Ambassador Deborah Riner, of Brunswick, Georgia. Riner served in that role for six years and was an ACT lead for the 1st Congressional District before that.

Currently, she serves as the president of the Georgia Public Health Association and is chair of the Glynn County Board of Health.

For more about the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, visit www. acscan.org/about.

—Jonathan Copsey

Rep. Cantrell receives committee assignments for legislative term FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments named state Rep. Wes Cantrell (R-Woodstock) to the Education, Juvenile Justice and Small Business Development committees. Cantrell’s district includes parts of Forsyth County.

“I am very excited about these committee assignments,” said Cantrell. “These three committees represent some of my core values. As a former educator, serving on the Education Committee is critical to me. As a former youth pastor, juvenile justice is an issue that is also near and dear to my heart.

“And, since small business is the backbone of Geor-

gia’s growing economy, I am thrilled to work on enhancing the already robust economic environment we have in this state to allow small businesses to thrive and grow,” he said.

“These appointments make me more eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work for Georgians.”

The House Committee on Assignments, chaired by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), is charged with making all House committee assignments for the members of the Georgia House of Representatives.

For more information and a complete list of all House committee assignments, visit http://www.house.ga.gov/enUS/default.aspx.

COMMUNITY

Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 29 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Northeast Georgia Medical Center marks 2,000th robotic surgery GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) recently reached a significant milestone – the completion of its 2,000th robotic procedure utilizing the da Vinci Surgical System.

Fifteen specially trained surgeons on staff in NGMC’s robotic surgical program have successfully treated patients across a multitude of specialties, including gynecological oncology, urology, colorectal and bariatric surgery, gynecology and general surgery cases.

The system allows surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through tiny incisions with breakthrough vision, precision, dexterity and control. In some cases, surgeons are utilizing the robot to perform single site surgeries, meaning the surgeries are performed through one port – the patient’s navel, resulting in virtually no scarring.

“Benefits for the patient are tremendous,” said Dr. Andrew Green, a gynecologic oncologist and medical director of

Robotic surgery often translates to lower blood loss, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stay and, in general, a quicker return to normal activities for our patients.”

DR. ANDREW GREEN Gynecologic oncologist and medical director of the robotic surgical program at NGMC

the robotic surgical program at NGMC. “Robotic surgery often translates to lower blood loss, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stay and, in general, a quicker return to normal activities for our patients.”

Mock trial competition to be held Jan. 30-31 FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is hosting a regional High School Mock Trial Competition put on by the State Bar of Georgia Jan. 30-31.

In the competition, high school students play the roles of attorneys and witnesses, and professional attorneys and judges serve as the presiding judges and evaluators.

Approximately 120 area high school students will be competing and 72 lawyers will be volunteering as evaluators during the two-day event, which will be held at the Forsyth County Courthouse, Forsyth County Administration Building, Cumming City Hall and the Stone Building. The top three teams will advance to the district competition in Athens, Georgia.

The eight schools scheduled to participate are North Forsyth High School, Forsyth Central High School, West Forsyth High

School, South Forsyth High School, Lambert High School, Milton High School, Cambridge High School and Centennial High School.

Round one of the competition will be held Friday, Jan. 30. Registration is from 5 to 5:30 p.m. and orientation follows from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Round one will begin at 6 p.m.

Round two of the competition will be held Saturday, Jan. 31. Orientation for round two is from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. Round two will begin at 9 a.m.

The final round is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The public is invited to attend this event.

For more information about competition locations and times, contact Melissa Banker, the regional mock trial coordinator for the Cumming region, at 678-513-5555.

–Kathleen Sturgeon

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Residents of the Arbor Terrace at Crabapple assisted living community sing their hearts out at a concert in Roswell Jan. 18. They performed at the Atlanta Workshop Players stage, on Holcomb Bridge Road.

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ROSWELL, Ga. – Two dozen seniors joined with members of the community and high school students Jan. 18 at the Atlanta Workshop Players, on Holcomb Bridge Road, to take part in that one activity everyone enjoys – music.

With an eclectic collection of old and new songs – everything from Lionel Richie to Taylor Swift – the seniors from Arbor Terrace at Crabapple sang their way through an afternoon concert while their families cheered them on.

This was the second concert by the “Crabby Apples.”

The families of the seniors

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“We have residents in the last stages of dementia, and they still tap their knees to music,” Mock said.

The music is provided by the George Center, which offers music therapy to the Arbor Terrace residents.

“They rocked it out,” said Hannah Seger, a music therapist with the George Center.

“It’s so out of their element and they leave their community to do it. They really like it.”

Arbor Terrace at Crabapple is online at at-crabapple.com.

For more on the George Center, find them online at thegeorgecenter.com. For more on the Atlanta Workshop Players, visit them online at atlantaworkshopplayers.com.

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were as busy taking photos and filming the event as if it were a kindergarten play.

The seniors are as old as 90. Joining them were students from Roswell and Milton high schools.

Stephanie Mock, the engagement director for Arbor Terrace, said the seniors practiced for six months for the event.

“The residents and their families really enjoy it,” Mock said.

Many of those taking part suffer from memory loss in various stages. Music and rhythm are some of the last activities they can perform, even after losing the ability to speak.

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Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 31 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Honor ceremony dedicated to Col. Hiram Parks Bell CUMMING, Ga. — One of Forsyth County’s most distinguished and prominent figures in its history was honored in a ceremony Jan. 19 at the Cumming City Cemetery.

Col. Hiram Parks Bell, whose statue stands next to City Hall as a testament to his influence during the 19th century, was an educator, lawyer, author and statesman. A delegate to the State Secession Convention called in 1861 to determine if Georgia would remain in the Union or leave it to join what would became the Confederate States of America, he voted against secession. Yet when the state did indeed break from the Union, he assumed what he believed to be his duty and joined the Confederate Army, serving alongside his Forsyth County neighbors in the 43rd Georgia Infantry Regiment.

Rising to the rank of colonel and commanding officer of the regiment, he led his men through combat until he was severely wounded in battle, ending his career as a soldier.

After returning home, Bell continued to represent the Forsyth County region when he was elected to the Second Confederate Congress in 1864. Following the Civil War, he served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, one term in the Georgia House of Representatives and one term as a state senator.

In recognition of his service in the Confederate Army and as a tribute to his life of service to his community, state and country, an Iron Cross of Honor was installed at his gravesite by

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Col. Hiram Parks Bell’s descendants and relatives are, from left, Laura and Don Braswell, Linda and James W. “Buddy” Bell, William “Woody” Bell, Melanie Roper, Jo Ann Martin and Nancy Thompson.

Col. Hiram Parks Bell Chapter 2641 United Daughters of the Confederacy in cooperation with Col. Hiram Parks Bell Camp 1642 Sons of Confederate Veterans. SCV Commander Michael Dean gave an informative address on the life and accomplishments of Bell.

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nel were present and participated by unveiling the Iron Cross and placing a traditional wreath of magnolia leaves at his grave site.

Following the dedication ritual led

by UDC President Lynn Briggs, a military rifle salute was given by the Hall Light Guard of Honor. Commanded by

Capt. Ralph Mills, the re-enactment unit bears the same title as Col. Bell’s old command – the 43rd Georgia Infantry Regiment.

The ceremony was held on Bell’s birthday, Jan. 19, which coincidentally is also the birthday of Gen. Robert E. Lee.

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FLYING HIGH:

AHS student covering the world of aviation news Writing featured on Fox News

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta High School sophomore Benjamin Bearup is gaining national recognition for his coverage of aviation news, including an article that was featured by Fox News covering the final days of AirTran in December 2014.

Bearup claims that many of his friends call him a “plane

nerd,” and his interest in aviation began at a young age.

“My passion for aviation is a natural passion. Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated with airplanes. While at the airport I would keep my eyes peeled on the windows to see all of the airplanes moving around,” he said.

Bearup’s relatives also helped cultivate his interest in aviation. Bearup’s great-uncle

was attorney Stewart Speiser, who successfully represented the families of those who were killed on PanAm 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland, as well as Korean Air 007, which was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1983. Another of Bearup’s great-uncles was Col. Robert Ruddick, an Air Force One pilot during the tenures of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

In 2014, Bearup began writing for Airline Geeks, a blog site managed by teenagers who

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Alpharetta High School sophomore Benjamin Bearup has created a promising career as an airline journalist. His article on the last days of AirTran was picked up by Fox News. share a passion for aviation.

Having gained experience writing for Airline Geeks, Bearup began to seek a larger audience and to work with industry professionals. In July 2014, Bearup began writing for Airways News, a magazine covering aviation and airline news. Bearup now writes multiple stories a week for the publication.

“Roughly 95 percent of my writing comes from home. It is the other 5 percent that make the memories, however,” he said, referring to the travel opportunities the publication affords him.

At only 16 years old, Bearup must balance his schooling at AHS along with his writing and travel.

“Balancing school, my social life and writing can be challenging at times,” he said.

“School definitely comes first.

My social life and writing often interfere with each other. I will often have friends over when aviation news breaks. When this happens, I just quietly pull out my laptop and start researching and writing away.

Many of my friends call me a ‘plane nerd.’”

Bearup’s age is also a factor in how he is treated in an industry devoid of young writers.

“My age has been a touchy subject during my time as a writer,” he said. “A large amount of people have supported me during my writing career. Many at first do not expect someone at my age writing.

“At the same time, I have had my fair share of critics,” he said. “There are people who

disagree with the fact that I write. People have questioned my credibility in reporting on the aviation industry. There have been several times in which I have been denied access to industry events solely due to my age. I just look past these missed opportunities and move on to the next project.”

However, Bearup claims the Airways News has been a very positive experience where any questions of his age are concerned.

“The staff at Airways News has been nothing but constant professionals,” he said.

“I rarely think they view me as different. At the end of the day, we share the same goal of bringing quality and reliable content to our viewers.”

One of Bearup’s recent articles covered his experience traveling on AirTran’s last flight from Milwaukee to Atlanta on Dec. 28, 2014. The article was then picked up by Fox News.

Although Bearup has shown a proficiency in writing, he is not necessarily seeking a journalism career. Instead, Bearup claims, “My dream is to become an executive at either Boeing or Airbus.”

For now, Bearup is certainly enjoying his role covering the world of aviation as he looks toward a future in the skies.

“The most rewarding thing about covering aviation is the people I meet and the places I visit,” Bearup said. “As I started my journey, I never imagined I would travel the country by myself taking such amazing journeys.”

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Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 33 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Dog of the week: Aiden Cat of the week: Tiger CUMMING, Ga. — A little sad. A little lost. Confused. That is how Aiden has been acting since his brother Adam was adopted a few days ago.

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It would be great timing to consider making Aiden a part of your family.

Meet Aiden at the Humane Society of Forsyth County, 4440 Keith Bridge Road. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

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34 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

‘DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN’

Alpharetta develops recommendations for city center

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Much has changed in Alpharetta over the past few years. More people, businesses and development have all occurred, and the city has a renewed focus on its downtown as a “hometown” place to be.

This has spurred the city to look at redevelopment of its city center in coming years. A draft plan is in the works.

The results come after several public meetings that gathered responses and preferences for what residents seek for the downtown district. More than 500 residents took part.

The area of focus stretches from Wills Park in the west to Avalon in the east (Avalon is not included).

In the north is Vaughan Drive along Ga. 9 and south to Devore Road.

The questions put to Eric Bosman and his team at Kimley-Horn Consultants are what do the residents want to the city to look like, and how does the city make that happen?

“There is a high level of consensus,” Bosman said.

“People want a small town feel

Master Plan review and adoption schedule Jan. 26 – City Council presentation Feb. 5 – Planning Commission meeting Feb. 23 – City Council meeting in building scale and height, with enhanced walkability.”

In keeping with the way the housing and building industries are moving, this translates into “mixed-use” uses.

Mixed-use is just as it sounds, typically a mix of uses.

Office, commercial, retail and housing are all next to each other or even atop one another, instead of the traditional zoning where everything is separated by use.

This leads to commercial uses on the ground floors and townhomes above, or different uses next to each other.

One effect of this is an increased focus on walkability – the need to live life without a reliance on using a car to get everywhere.

Bosman suggested several changes to the city’s plan for the downtown area. Increased

Priorities issues and challenges • “Small town feel” in building scale and height • Compatibility with historic character • Enhanced walkability • Pedestrian and bicycle connections • Address parking and traffic congestion • Enhanced landscaping and design • Provide a network of small open spaces • More housing in and around downtown • Openness to a greater mix of uses density and a greater mix of uses could replace singlefamily homes and shopping centers.

“What does [the city’s future vision] look like in the next 5-10 years?” Bosman asked. “What regulations need to be implemented? We focus on where that needs to occur.”

Metered parking is suggested along Ga. 9 and the historic district. This is an effort to force parking turnover. With

so few parking spots available downtown, having employees of business owners occupy prime parking spots all day discourages customers.

Bosman said the city should wait to implement this until the effect of the new 450spot parking deck is determined.

With so much new development, the city hopes to keep plenty of greenspace in the downtown.

“Don’t expect anyone to build a new, large park in downtown,” Bosman said.

“Smaller parks are more likely.”

These smaller parks – pocket parks, really – would ring the downtown and could be connected to each other by bike and walking paths.

To help traffic flow, new roads are proposed, cutting through current neighborhoods or even buildings to create a more grid-like network of streets.

“Ga. 9/ Main Street is the only north-south main road,” Bosman said. “One important aspect of the roadway plan is to slow the speed while keeping the amount of traffic. Expect future roadways to be part of future developments.”

He was clear that any new roads, paths, parks or sidewalks would be part of future development and not forced on current landowners.

Bosman also said these developments would be future building, and nothing would be imposed on current homeowners.

“If someone is interested in redeveloping, this is how it may be done,” said Deputy City Administrator James Drinkard.

Further, he said Alpharetta, by policy, does not allow eminent domain.

“The governing authority does not impose things on the community,” said Alpharetta Planning Commission member Francis Kung’u. “There is a vision process for the master plans and comprehensive plan.

These are always dynamic and nothing is static.

“This is not going to happen today, tomorrow or a year from now,” he said.

Instead, it is a long-range plan for how the city could develop in the coming decade.

More public meetings will be held on the plans for downtown in the coming month before a final plan is approved and implemented.

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Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 35 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Lanier Tech names semifinalists for GOAL award OAKWOOD, Ga. — Four Lanier Technical College students have been selected as the college’s semifinalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), said Kari Register, coordinator for Lanier Tech’s GOAL program.

Chosen as semifinalists are: Karen Ballew, a healthcare science student from Barrow County, James “Caleb” Hammond, a welding and joining technology student from Barrow County, Caitlin O’Hara a horticulture student from Forsyth County, and Tonya Sheets, a cosmetology technology student from Dawson County.

GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students.

GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 23 technical colleges as well as one Board of Regent college with a technical education division.

All Lanier Tech GOAL winners will compete in regional judging in March, which will include students from the other colleges.

In April, all college winners will travel to Atlanta where the nine regional finalists, three finalists from each of the three regions, will be announced and compete at the state level.

One student will be named

as the statewide GOAL winner.

“The purpose of the GOAL program is to spotlight the outstanding achievement by students in Georgia’s technical colleges and to emphasize the importance of technical education in today’s global workforce,” said Register.

A screening committee of administrators at Lanier Tech selected the four semifinalists from a list of students nominated by their instructors.

“The next step is for a panel of business, civic and industry leaders from the community to interview and evaluate these four students and select one to be the college’s 2015 GOAL winner,” said Register. “The one judged most outstanding will compete in the North regional judging. Three finalists from the North region will be named and will compete in the state GOAL competition in Atlanta on April 23, and vie to be named as the 2015 statewide GOAL winner.”

The state GOAL winner becomes the student ambassador for the Technical College System of Georgia and receives a grand prize of a new car provided by Chevrolet, the statewide corporate sponsor of Georgia’s GOAL program.

For more information about Lanier Technical College, visit http://www.laniertech.edu or phone 770-531-6300.

Pictured, from left, are Caitlin O’Hara, Karen Ballew, James “Caleb” Hammond and Tonya Sheets.

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36 | January 28, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

SPORTS

GIRLS BASKETBALL:

Fellowship girls in position to make state Multi-sport athletes key team’s success

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – The Fellowship Christian Lady Paladins are in line for a state tournament berth in basketball with a team that largely consists of players whose primary sport is not basketball.

Senior Kelsey Royalty, a four-year starter and the team’s top player, is headed to Samford on a softball scholarship. Starters Abigail Freemyer, Megan Hudgens and Olivia Karam are soccer players.

Two others were members of the FCS volleyball team that reached the state semifinals.

“We have some athletes,” head coach Clay Price said, “but not necessarily basketball players.”

That fact is occasionally evident on offense, where the Fellowship girls have at times struggled. Last week’s key Region 6-A South win over Mount Pisgah was a case in point, as the Paladins managed to score a 20-18 victory despite a dreadful shooting effort.

Fellowship held Mount Pisgah to two points in the final period and pulled out the

win with the aid of two threepointers in the fourth quarter.

Hudgens, a point guard who started last year, connected with a little over four minutes to play to pull the Paladins within a point, and Karam hit a corner three with 3:10 on the clock.

Both teams committed several turnovers after that, and neither scored. Fellowship hung on for the win. The Paladins (5-2 in the sub-region and 11-5 overall) began the week 15th in the Class A private school power rankings. They were likely to move up thanks to the win over the Lady Patriots (4-4, 10-9), who were ninth in the rankings and likely to drop a few spots after losing for the sixth time in the last seven games.

The top 16 teams at the end of the season qualify for state, and the Paladins are looking to be one of the 16, despite the lack of scoring.

“Defense has been a constant,” Price said. He pointed to his team’s effort against the Patriots’ Paige Peterson, who scored 23 points against the

See PALADINS, Page 37

SarahCare hosts fall and fire prevention training class CUMMING, Ga. — SarahCare at Johns Creek will offer a free educational opportunity through a Forsyth County Fire Department class to help older adults reduce falls and fire risks.

Attendees will also learn about resources that are available to seniors through the fire department and sheriff’s office.

This free class is open to anyone who provides care for older adults in the community.

The location and time of the training are SarahCare, 4265 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite B, on Jan. 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you go What: Fall and fire prevention training class Who: SarahCare at Johns Creek When: Jan. 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 4265 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite B To register: Email LLColeman@ForsythCo.com To register, email LLColeman@ForsythCo.com or call SarahCare at 770-476-8400.

Light refreshments will be served.

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

SPORTS

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | January 28, 2015 | 37

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Patriots shoot for state; Team winning despite late start, key injury

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – As far as the Mount Pisgah Patriots are concerned, the 2014-15 basketball playoffs are already under way.

The Patriots are battling for a spot in the state Class A private school tournament, and their late-season schedule is filled with games against teams that have either locked up a playoff spot or are in a similar situation to Mount Pisgah.

Coming into last week’s games, the Patriots were 13th in the power rankings (the top 16 qualify for state), with a key game last weekend against fellow playoff contender King’s Ridge. Two of Mount Pisgah’s last five games are against two other teams battling for one of the 16 spots, along with games against St. Francis (No. 1) and Whitefield Academy (No. 8).

“We’re in the playoffs now,” Mount Pisgah coach Matt Petersen said after a 41-31 victory last week over Fellowship Christian.

After that win, the Patriots were 4-4 in Region 6-A South and 10-8 overall. They had games left against King’s Ridge (15 in the power rankings), Walker (19), Providence Christian (10) and Hebron Christian (14), along with

Paladins: Continued from Page 36 Paladins earlier in the season in a 37-32 win over FCS. Peterson was held without a point in last week’s win and the Fellowship coach said his team was determined to prevent a repeat of the previous meeting.

“We did not allow her to spot up and we needed that effort,” Price pointed out. The Paladins

Merger: Continued from Page 5 tory of the university system, actually is somewhat unique from some of the others, in that it’s based on two institutions with a very long, very productive history of working together,” said Georgia State President Mark Becker at the town hall meeting.

Decisions over specific details, such as facilities, staffing and finances have not been made, but Becker said that the mission of the campuses will remain unchanged, with tuitions based on the degree program.

“The model we’re looking at is one university, multiple campuses,” Becker said. “Georgia State University will not be the first major research university to have multiple campuses, and many of those

the two against the sub-region’s top two teams.

This is Petersen’s first season as the team’s head coach, and he and his players have had to overcome several obstacles to put themselves in position for a postseason run.

The Patriots were one of the last teams in the state to start their season, beginning Nov. 29 against Blessed Trinity, which was playing its sixth game. With three of the team’s starters also starters in football, a late start was necessary. The basketball season began the night after the football team lost in the second round of the state playoffs.

Mount Pisgah lost its opener to BT, a state-ranked Class AAA team, but the Patriots’ biggest loss that night was an injury suffered by 6-foot-7 senior center Jesse Deloach, one of the starters who doesn’t play football. Deloach, who will play at Western Carolina on a scholar-

ship, hyper-extended his knee in the game and hasn’t played since.

Petersen hopes to get Deloach back in early February. If the Patriots’ center is close to full strength, the team could be a dangerous playoff opponent, considering how they have played in his absence.

The 6-foot-7 Deloach is the team’s lone post player, with the Patriots going 10-7 since his injury while starting a lineup Petersen says effectively consists of “five guards. We have nobody taller than 6-foot-3.”

Without Deloach, who provided a strong rebounding and shot-blocking presence, the Patriots are vulnerable against taller, stronger opponents. But starting five perimeter players also “causes some matchup problems with those teams,” Petersen points out.

The Deloach-less Patriots are led by seniors Aaron Winchester and Ben Miller, the all-state football quarterback and his leading receiver.

Miller, several inches short of six feet, leads the team in scoring with more than 15 points a game, and gives the team a dangerous long-range shooter.

Miller also directs the offense with some help from Winchester, who is averaging more than 12 points a game and leads the team in steals and re-

bounds with the athleticism he displayed on the football field.

Connor Richey, the third football starter, averages 9.5 points and at 6-foot-3 is the tallest active player. The three football players combined for 36 of the team’s 41 points in the win over Fellowship, with Winchester leading the way with 16.

The Patriots have gotten a lift from freshman Brandon Younger, who averages 8.5 points. Kevin Ginty, a 6-foot-2 junior, has moved into the lineup in Deloach’s absence, with freshman Brandon Pope, sophomore JonErik Alford and junior Will Custis contributing off the bench.

After playing without Deloach almost the entire season, Mount Pisgah will have to make an offensive adjustment when he returns. But Petersen doesn’t think that will be a problem, as the team’s veteran players have played with others previously.

Even with the late start for the football players, getting acclimated to a new coach and the injury to Deloach, the Patriots came back from the opening loss to win their next three games, and have positioned themselves to make some late-season noise.

“We’ve got an opportunity,” Petersen said. “We’ve just to get everybody healthy.”

have begun playing more zone defense of late, and Price said, “The zone has been very good for us. It’s helped us rebound.”

Royalty, a versatile player who can run the offense or use her 5-foot-10 height to play inside, has been the team’s one consistent scoring threat, but has gotten offensive help from a variety of teammates.

Karam, Hudgens, Freemyer, Cameron Swartz and Rebekah Mann have all had double figure scoring games this season,

and Price said, “We need to share the basketball for us to be successful.”

Royalty “has not taken as many shots this season as she’s taken before, but has made some outstanding passes,” Price said, with the senior managing just one field goal against Mount Pisgah.

She missed three games earlier this season, with the Paladins losing two of them by narrow margins.

“I think that made us a

little better,” Price said. “We learned from those close game situations. Even though we were not successful, we turned them into a positive when Kelsey came back.”

The Paladins won two close games shortly after that in a tournament at Fannin County, and Price said that was where, “I could see us grow up collectively as a team.”

Fellowship returned nine players, with Royalty and Freemyer, who also started

last season, the lone seniors and the other seven all juniors.

Swartz, a freshman, had a key three-pointer against the Patriots after the Paladins went scoreless for more than sixand-a-half minutes to start the third quarter.

The Paladins last made the playoffs in 2008, Price’s first season as head coach, but a return to postseason play is within reach with just a handful of games remaining before the region tournament tips off.

campuses as two-year or access institutions.”

Becker listed Emory’s Oxford campus, Pennsylvania State University and University of South Carolina as examples of similar institutions.

“The downtown campus will continue to be a premiere urban research university, with highly selective, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs,” Becker said. “With this consolidation with GPC, we pick up additional sites – sites that historically have an access mission, that provide mostly associate and certificate programs, and we intend for that to continue.”

At the town hall meeting, the future of undocumented students who attend GPC campuses was brought up.

GPC admits undocumented students, but they are explicitly not eligible for admission at GSU.

“Undocumented students do enroll at the GPC campuses, and they will continue to do so,” said Shelley Nickel, the head of the consolidation effort and the university system’s vice chancellor for planning and implementation. “They do not enroll at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and we anticipate that will remain the same.”

On its website regarding the consolidation, the University System of Georgia explains, “Georgia State will continue to admit students into its bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs under its current standards as a national research university.

The Georgia Perimeter campuses of the proposed consolidated institution will continue to fulfill their access mission and admit students to associate’s and certificate programs.”

As such, they “anticipate

the policy [regarding undocumented students] for the respective campuses will not

change.”

For more information, visit consolidation.gsu.edu.

DEATH NOTICES Winnifred Dorene Bergan, 74, of Cumming, passed away January 16, 2015.

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Edwin Donald Gravitt, 75, of Cumming, passed away January 20, 2015.

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Douglas Besen, 76, of Cumming, passed away January 14, 2015.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Lonnie Junior McBrayer, 78, of Cumming, passed away January 13, 2015.

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John Cecil Duncan Sr., 74, of Cumming, passed away January 19, 2015.

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Dorothy Jean Ogletree, 87, of Cumming, passed away January 19, 2015.

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Katherine Marie Hendrix, 90, of Woodstock, passed away January 17, 2015.

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