Real Estate Report Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20
For Valentine’s try Brasstown Blue Ridge Mountains make ideal getaway ►►PAGE 12
Schools to get tougher testing State vows will raise bar on assessments ►►PAGE 4
Chamber Gala goes ga-ga Business folk let their hair down ►►PAGES 30 – 31
February 5, 2015 | johnscreekherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 19, No. 6
Public comment sought for JC’s future
Arts Center celebrates black women artists Johns Creek Arts Center Director of Programs Althea Foster stands with an untitled batik painting by Tina Dunkley. Batik is a process of using an Indonesian method of wax-resist dying on cloth to produce a work similar to pointillism. The work is part of the JCAC exhibition “Re-imagining: Female Artists from the Hammonds House Museum.” Read more, Page 34.
Kick-off meeting Feb. 10 for revitalizing Central Business Planning District By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. –The public is invited to weigh in on the city’s proposed 20-year project with no less a goal than to secure the economic viability of Johns Creek. The first of what will be a series of public meetings about the 728-acre central business district, or simply The District, will be at City Hall 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10. Urban Design Associates, the Pittsburgh-based com-
STEVENS
BODKER
pany specializing in urban design and renewal, is leading the city’s efforts to create a master plan to transform
See FUTURE, Page 5
Stopping child trafficking in the ‘burbs HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Final redistricting map up for review Jones-Huff, director of planning for the Fulton County School System. “These changes were made at the elementary and middle school levels based on feedback received during the review period, but were previously vetted at a prior meeting.” During the school board’s
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – It takes a good reason to get Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan out on an early Saturday morning. The chance to talk to more than 300 people who want to learn how to stop child sex trafficking in Georgia tops his list. That is why he came as the guest of Perimeter Justice Team to Perimeter Church to spread his message that the fight against child sex trafficking begins locally. Speaking Saturday morning,
See MAPS, Page 33
See TRAFFICKING, Page 10
Changes impact about 4,000 students in North Fulton By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Parents whose children’s schools may be impacted by the current redistricting process are encouraged to view the map under final review by the Fulton County School Board. School planners said some changes have been made to the
See the maps, Page 35 maps since the last time the public saw the draft plans at a Dec. 10 meeting. “Changes were made, as they typically are, from the third round to the final recommendation,” said Yngrid
By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com
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Lobby Day
What: Opportunity to lobby members of the General Assembly Who: Anyone wishing to talk with members of state legislature Why: Make your voice heard Where: Historic Freight Depot, Atlanta, 65 MLK Jr. Dr. Atlanta 30334 When: Thursday, Feb. 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Information: www.street grace.org/lobbyday2015 404-656-3850