Johns Creek Herald, February 26, 2015

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Middle school lines drawn School board approves new attendance zones ►►PAGE 6

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February 26, 2015 | johnscreekherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 19, No. 9

Commissioners choose new county manager Atlanta corporate exec Richard Anderson tapped to provide new leadership

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – The Fulton County Board of Commissioners has announced a respected Atlanta executive as its “single finalist” for the position of county manager, ending – at least for now – a tortuous vacuum at the top.

Richard “Dick” Anderson had a long executive career with BellSouth/AT&T before taking the position of chief operating officer of the Federal Reserve System. He was later appointed by Gov. Sonny

HAUSMANN

EAVES

Perdue as executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority.

Anderson arrives at a trying time for the county. The

See ANDERSON, Page 4

EDUCATION LEGISLATION – 2015:

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

Johns Creek Veterans Association vet Jim Williamson, left, signs up a new recruit David Kuwamata, right, as JCVA member Ed Nolan looks on.

VETERAN-TO-VETERAN:

Sharing a common bond Johns Creek Veterans Association offers fellowship, brotherhood

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A gray drizzly Sunday afternoon may seem like a bad day to schedule a membership drive for the Johns Creek Veterans Association, but it is no

problem for such a low-key organization.

Most of the members are retired military or just retired.

Jim Williamson, Ed Nolan and Wayne Kidd take it all in stride. They order pizza and hang out at Park Place at Newtown Park, where the

veterans gather three Wednesdays a month to socialize.

The main purpose of the JCVA is to provide a reason for the men to gather, socialize and reminisce about old times. Military service is the tie that binds, but this not a VFW or an American Legion post. There is little formality associated with the group.

They mostly shoot the

See BOND, Page 42

Opportunity districts, AP History on legislators’ radar

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA – In a legislative session consumed mainly with transportation initiatives in Georgia, a few education issues are making headlines under the Gold Dome. Hot topics include a plan for state control of low performing schools and spirited debate surrounding revisions to the Advanced Placement U.S. History (APUSH) curriculum.

Gov. Nathan Deal made good on his pledge to create an Opportunity School District (OSD) in Georgia composed of the lowest performing schools

in the state.

The idea models the Louisiana Recovery District, which has been in place since 2003 and now includes the majority DEAL of schools in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Sen. Butch Miller (RGainesville), Deal’s floor leader, introduced legislation for the OSD, which requires not only bipartisan legislative support but a constitutional

See EDUCATION, Page 21

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2 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

Alpharetta man guilty of drug, weapons charges

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GAINESVILLE, Ga. – An Alpharetta man is among two dozen members of a motorcycle gang found guilty for drug-dealing and weapons offenses.

Howard Haney, 44, Alpharetta, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Haney was sentenced to 10 years in prison as part of a long-term investigation of motorcycle gangs in North Georgia suspected of drug trafficking and illegal gun and explosives offenses.

Beginning in mid-2010, the FBI conducted a long-term undercover investigation in North Georgia into allegations that members of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club, the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club and other motorcycle clubs were engaged in various forms of criminal activity, including drug distribution and illegal firearms and explosives offenses. An undercover agent posed as a drug dealer from Florida who was looking to expand his drug dealing into North Georgia.

He was introduced to members of the motorcycle clubs by a

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.

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A 15-year-old Cumming resident was charged with felony terroristic threats after a local synagogue received a threatening and distasteful phone call Feb. 3, prompting the day school to go into lockdown.

A voicemail was received about 5:20 p.m. from what sounded like a young man, police report. The boy claimed his name was “Adolf� and that he wanted to deliver some furnaces and poison gas to the school.

He then said he would “murder them all,� according to the police report.

At the time of the call, there were about 45 children in the building, prompting the school to go into lockdown.

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Correction In the article “Agilysys receives ‘Gold’ status from Microsoft program� (Jan. 15), a photograph unrelated to the brief ran with the article.

$BTI PS $IFDLT 0OMZ

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.

â–şâ–ş Justin Fulton Wall, 32, of Saddle

See BLOTTER, Page 42 TWITTER

DUIS & DRUGS

DUI arrests

Teen charged in synagogue threat

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club member who was working as an informant for the FBI. The undercover agent conducted actual and ruse drug deals in which he either bought methamphetamine from motorcycle club members or recruited club members to assist him in moving what they were led to believe were significant quantities of methamphetamine or cocaine from North Georgia to Tennessee. The undercover agent also obtained firearms from convicted felons and engaged two defendants in discussions about making an unregistered explosive device for him.

Twenty-two defendants were arrested Aug. 16, 2012 on drug, firearms and obstruction of justice charges. Six other defendants were arrested later. Since then, 20 defendants have pleaded guilty to various charges, two defendants were convicted after jury trials and five defendants were acquitted at trial. The final defendants were found guilty in February 2015.

Creek Lane, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 23 on Rucker Road in Roswell for DUI. â–şâ–ş Katia R. Ramos-Echevarria, 24, of Norcross was arrested Jan. 24 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. â–şâ–ş Sonangel Garcia Valdivia, 23, of Dacula was arrested Feb. 2 on McGinnis Ferry Road in Johns Creek for DUI and speeding. â–şâ–ş Ivan I. Kononchuk, 29, of Mount Ranier Way, Alpharetta, was arrested Feb. 3 on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI, open container, too fast for conditions and taillight violation. â–şâ–ş Torie Celeste Zachary, 26, of Dunwoody was arrested Feb. 5 on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI and driving within a gore. â–şâ–ş Carson Ballentine Smith, 28, of Harris Commons Place, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 24 on Alpharetta Highway in Roswell for DUI and following too closely. â–şâ–ş Julius J. Edmondson, 32, of Raintree Drive, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 25 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI, failure to maintain lane and possession of marijuana. â–şâ–ş Primitivo Escorcia-Ramos, 46, of Huntington Place, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 25 on Alpharetta Street in

Roswell for DUI, expired license, failure to maintain lane and wanted person. â–şâ–ş Nathan Franklin Gibbs, 28, of Norcross was arrested Jan. 25 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI and improper stopping on roadway. â–şâ–ş Haske Antunez, 23, of Mableton was arrested Jan. 25 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI, speeding and expired tag. â–şâ–ş Mark Thomas Longenecker, 53, of Oldsmar, Florida, was arrested Jan. 29 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. â–şâ–ş Haley Ostrom Franz, 21, of Laurel Grove Drive, Milton, was arrested Jan. 30 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI and open container.

Drug arrests â–şâ–ş Adrian Delarance Borders, 32, was

arrested Feb. 5 on Deerfield Parkway in Milton for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related items and failure to maintain lane. â–şâ–ş Tquantis Jemons Grant, 33, of Atlanta was arrested Jan. 27 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of methamphetamines and possession of marijuana. â–şâ–ş Shaborn F. Johnson, 25, of Norcross was arrested Jan. 27 on Saratoga Drive in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. â–şâ–ş Nathan L. Cain, 22, of Houze Way, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 29 on Alpharetta Street in Roswell for possession of marijuana and expired tag.

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Roswell Rotary works to Domestic abuse call tackle human trafficking turns out to be false

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – Human trafficking is alive and well in metro Atlanta.

That is the message Dave McCleary gave to Roswell Rotary Feb. 12, as an update on the state of the group’s efforts to halt the trafficking trade.

“A lot of the time, the community is not engaged,” he said. “Rotary can change the world. We’ve done it before.

We eliminated polio and spread AIDS awareness. We can do anything.”

McCleary said the girls involved in human trafficking are not just poor or from rough families.

“She’s your neighbor and your daughter,” he said. “Any child can be at risk. We’ve seen it all happen.”

When McCleary first got into the cause of stopping human trafficking, he met a girl who grew up in Roswell.

She would babysit for Rotary members. Then she became mixed up with a man who turned out to be a pimp. She spent years on drugs and prostituting herself before she

was able to break away.

She now speaks out against the trade.

McCleary has taken the cause to heart and now helps lead Rotary International’s efforts to stop human trafficking.

“They aren’t somebody else’s problem, they are our problem,” he said.

The average age of girls in the sex trade is 13, he said.

Older “boyfriends” stalk and flatter the girls, befriending them before separating them from their families and friends.

Ultimately the girl is enticed or forced into prostitution.

Atlanta is a major hub of human trafficking. It is in the top 13 cities in the world for the slave trade, largely because it is a transit hub.

But it also has a lot of money, especially on the north side of the city.

The sex slaves go where the money is.

Gov. Nathan Deal has created a task force to tackle the issue.

The efforts are widespread.

Some of it is simply raising

They aren’t somebody else’s problem, they are our problem.”

DAVE MCCLEARY Director for the Americas, Rotarians Against Child Slaves

awareness, such as educating hotel staffers on the warning signs of a trafficked person.

The General Assembly is working on a bill to reduce trafficking in the state by 50 percent within five years and is looking at laws decriminalizing the trafficking victims.

“This is only the beginning of the movement,” McCleary said. “We can combine to change the world.”

To learn more about human trafficking and efforts to stop it, visit www.endHTnow. com.

CUMMING, Ga. — A neighbor on Oakland Street called the Cumming Police Department Feb. 5 after witnessing what she thought was a domestic abuse situation.

The complainant reportedly said she heard around 4 a.m. arguing and banging in the apartment below her and it was loud enough to wake her up.

She said she then heard arguing out in the breezeway below her and stepped outside with her phone, where she said she captured video of a man choking a woman. When the couple noticed her, they ran back inside their apartment.

The officer watched the video and then went to talk with the couple. The woman reportedly said her husband had been drinking and that they were cleaning up when he slipped and hit his head on the kitchen counter. The

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wife said she wanted to take her husband to the hospital but that he didn’t think it was necessary. She reported she was going to get the car ready when her husband followed her outside, put his arms around her and told her there was no reason to go the hospital. When they noticed they were being taped, the couple said they went back into their apartment.

The officer reported he did not notice anything unhealthy or unsafe for the children or any other tenants, and the couple was in good spirits.

Both their infant daughter and 5-year-old son were asleep. No marks or injuries, other than the bump on the husband’s head, were apparent. Both were laughing during the investigation and said they were embarrassed. They said they would make sure to keep the noise down.

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4 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

ROUND ‘N’ ROUND WE GO:

City looking at roundabout sizes, costs Sargent Road due for another; neighborhood wants it to be bigger

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The verdict is in on the Lexington-Wingate subdivision roundabout: It does the job it was supposed to do. But the Wellington community up the road is due for one at its entrance, and the City Council is hearing they would like it to be a little bigger.

The diameter of the Lexington roundabout is 80 feet. At 80 feet, the city did not have to purchase right of way, buy any easements or replace any monument signs.

Anderson: Continued from Page 1 announcement came on the heels of the dismissal of interim County Manager Patrick O’Connor last week, who had also been the county finance director.

Since 2012 with the resignation of County Manager Zack Williams, Anderson will make the fifth person to hold the job either as permanent or interim county manager. That is not counting the appointment last Thursday of Sharon Whitmore as the latest interim county manager. Whitmore had been interim finance director, taking over for O’Connor in that department.

O’Connor had served as acting county manager since the firing of his predecessor Dwight Ferrell last October.

At a meeting of the South Fulton Community Improvement District (unincorporated South Fulton), O’Connor made some remarks that were dismissive of the Fulton Commission and Ferrell’s leadership.

Those comments had been recorded, and when aired on the television news, it cost O’Connor his job. Officially, he is suspended and on leave of absence.

Anderson’s presumptive appointment has the commis-

Charged with making a comparison of costs versus effectiveness, the Public Works Department gave a preliminary report at the Feb. 23 City Council workshop.

Public Works Director Tom Black said he has been getting some comBLACK plaints that the Lexington roundabout does not work and backs traffic up too much. Meanwhile, the Douglas Road roundabout has a 110-foot diameter and works well.

sioners almost giddy with the new hire.

Chairman John Eaves used the word “ecstatic” about the hire.

“What I like about [Anderson] is he is extremely experienced with strong, solid credentials from Bell South to the Federal Reserve. He also brings strong personal relationships to the table, having served as president of the Metro Chamber of Commerce,” Eaves said.

“He genuinely wants to use his private experience within the public arena,” he said. “The timing could not have been better. We have been looking for someone of Dick’s caliber.”

The hire brings instant credibility to the county, he said.

This should maintain the momentum the commission began with the new year when it passed a balanced budget with no tax increase.

Eaves called the newly redistricted board “more collegial” and willing to work together.

Commissioner Bob Ellis of Roswell said Anderson was presented as a “talented candidate and a unique opportunity” for the position.

“And to be a Fulton County resident is even better,” Ellis said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to get him as our top exec. He’s the real deal.”

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“But from a staff point of view, the Lexington roundabout does 100 percent of the job it was designed to do,” Black said.

The Lexington roundabout was built for about $125,000, including landscaping. As the diameter increases, the costs can quickly ratchet up. Black estimated a 110-foot diameter at Lexington would have cost $600,000 to $800,000, because there are facing subdivisions that would have driven up those costs.

Black said the complaints about the Lexington roundabout were not com-

See ROUNDABOUT, Page 31

I am looking forward to working with him as we move toward financial stability. With the blend of experience he has, the contacts he has are a plus. He has a deep background in bringing coalitions together.”

LIZ HAUSMANN Fulton Commissioner Anderson was not so much looking for a job as offering his talents as community service.

“We’ve been needing some permanency in that role for quite some time. Obviously the past three years have been pretty tough. It has had an impact on the rest of the organization,” Ellis said.

Several top staff positions have been “sitting in limbo” due to the lack of stability at the top spot.

Eaves said there is a reason for the logjam of unfilled department head positions.

“We wanted to wait until we had a county manager in place and have a part in building his team. We could have filled positions, but that may not have necessarily been good for the development of a team that is usually expected when a top exec comes into an organization,” Eaves said.

Commissioner Liz Hausmann, representing Johns Creek, said they interviewed several candidates locally before entertaining a national search, and Anderson was “far and away” the best candidate – so much so the board tendered him an offer.

Hausmann cited his experience, both in the corporate world and government agency experience that makes him an outstanding candidate. And it is a big plus that he is a Fulton resident.

“I am looking forward to working with him as we move toward financial stability,” Hausmann said. “With the blend of experience he has, the contacts he has are a plus.

He has a deep background in bringing coalitions together.”

Anderson at this point in his career was not necessarily looking for a new job.

“He is technically retired, but he told me he feels like he has good years left and was looking for a challenge. I think leading Fulton County would fill that bill,” Hausmann said.

One of the first orders of business Anderson will face is filling the vacuum at the top.

There are many department head and other positions that are operating with interim personnel leading them.

Eaves estimated about 10 interim positions have been kept open to make that part of the county manager process.

That will become a top priority for Anderson when he comes in.

The caliber of candidates for these positions should also be better, given the credibility and vision with Anderson working with the board.

“I think this is a more balanced board, and a more bipartisan board,” Eaves said.

Anderson’s appointment is expected to be confirmed by the Board of Commissioners at its first meeting in March.

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NEWS

6 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

School Board OKs new middle school attendance lines New elementary lines on hold after community objections

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – The Fulton School Board approved new attendance zones at area middle schools for next school year, but tabled any changes to elementary school boundaries for further evaluation after strong community reaction.

Last month, planners with the Fulton School System presented a map for revised middle and elementary school zones, but received pushback from both the community and board members over elementary lines they believe unnecessarily tinker with current lines.

Board member Linda Schultz of Roswell questioned the need to adjust lines where none were needed, impacting too many schools and students, and asked Superintendent Robert Avossa to take another look at the map.

“I’m not as pleased where we ended up, and I am asking [Avossa] to take one more look at a couple of issues from a philosophical standpoint,” said Schultz, during the Feb. 19

are currently not overcrowded?” she asked.

She said the site of the new school is “perfectly situated” to relieve overcrowding at Mimosa, Roswell North and Hembree Springs elementary schools, but lines at Mountain Park and Sweet Apple were adjusted as well.

Schultz said a map that only affected the overcrowded schools was never presented, and could possibly mean moving the fewest number of students.

“Instead, the final proposal creates a chain reaction,” she said. “Students are moved from [school to school]. Sweet Apple and Mountain Park are not overcrowded, so students are shifted in and some are shifted out to keep the enrollment essentially the same.”

Schultz acknowledged she had received both support and opposition to the recommended maps, so she refrained from making any changes from the board table; leaving the issue instead with school system staff.

Julia Bernath, a board member whose district also covers large parts of Roswell, said she supports the redistricting process in use by the school system for more than a decade, but recommended fur-

board meeting.

Prior to the board meeting, four people spoke out against the elementary school changes as part of the public comment section of the meeting.

Redistricting of schools in North Fulton is necessary with the August opening of a new elementary school in Roswell on Highway 9, along with additions at three middle schools. The new middle school zones will take effect in August, but elementary lines will not change till 2016, giving the board more time to review the lines.

Three rounds of community redistricting meetings were held last fall, gathering thousands of comments used to create new attendance zones across North Fulton. While the finished map impacts fewer students than in past redistrictings that involved high schools, Schultz felt there were changes that did not need to be made.

“According to our policy, we revise zones to reduce overcrowding and to set attendance zones for new schools, so why are we impacting schools that

Approved changes to North Fulton middle school attendance zones The new lines impact the following middle schools: Autrey Mill, Haynes Bridge, Holcomb Bridge, Hopewell, Northwestern, River Trail, Taylor Road and Webb Bridge. No high school zones are affected.

Northwestern MS to Hopewell MS: All the area south of Bethany Road in the current Cambridge HS district, including Evergrace, Providence Oaks, Providence Square, Oakmere West, Spence’s Field, Hook Road, the Orchards at Hopewell, Milton Glen, Mayfield Circle, Lynne Circle, Burnett Way, Nathan Circle, Park Lane, Wills Commons, Georgian Townhomes, Magnolia Place Apartments and Victoria Square Webb Bridge MS to Taylor Road MS: Areas east of Douglas Road including Calument, Concord Hall, Douglas Road Park, Hartsmill Pointe, Highland Park, Kensington Oaks, Laurel Park, Leeward Walk, The Vicarage, Woodland Cove and Wyngate; Areas north of Kimball Bridge Road and west of Jones Bridge Road including Fox Glen and Wellsley Townhomes River Trail MS to Taylor Road MS: Cambridge and Wellington subdivisions River Trail MS to Autrey Mill MS: Areas south of Parsons Road including Eaton Manor, Myers Park and St. Ives Holcomb Bridge MS to Haynes Bridge MS: All areas north of Holcomb Bridge Road between Ga. 400 and Old Scott Road including Terramont, Centennial Ridge, The Overlook at Centennial, The Highlands at Centennial, Centennial Walk and Walton Centennial; All areas northwest of Scott Road including Nesbitt Lake and Nesbitt Ridge. ther review to ensure parents at the epicenter of the changes

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8 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

OPINION

Submit your opinions to news@appenmediagroup.com

Winter blues remind us why we’re here Ice, snow, bitter cold wind whipping around my legs – these are the reasons this true Son of the South will never leave home.

Last week was a reminder why I never want to get farther north than Cumming in December, January or February.

All week, the news has been showing the same scenes from New York and Boston. Snow on the streets piled higher than your head.

The news is full of endless video footage of cars sliding around on icy roads as if trapped in some giant pinball machine.

I just shake my head. Life is too short to shovel snow.

Yes, in the South it gets hot.

Really hot. But you can deal with that. You can still walk on a white sandy beach barefoot and let the waves lap at you.

You can lie in a hammock swinging gently in the breeze.

Look at all the pleasant ways there are to cool off. You can go rafting in the Chattahoochee and be refreshed. Lie beside the pool with something cool and frosty in the cooler.

Sit in the shade as the sun retires below the skyline.

What can you do for the cold? Bundle up. Turn yourself into a walking mummy. How romantic is that?

There’s a reason you never see a model waltzing down the runway in the latest designer parka.

Oh, I’ll grant you winter is great weather for hot soup and chili. But that is about all. But people get so full of cabin fever

HATCHER HURD

Executive Editor hatcher@ appenmediagroup.com

Then there’s the notion we can’t drive on ice down here. That’s true.

But they can’t drive on ice up north either. No one can. they go out and do the craziest things. For instance, they ski on the mountains.

Growing up in South Georgia, I only ever saw skiing behind a boat. These people go up on a mountain just to slide off it. That’s if an avalanche doesn’t get them first. And I never saw anybody break his leg falling off water skis.

The thing about when it’s hot, you can get away from it. You just go inside and turn on the AC. Up North, you can’t ever get away from winter. You have to shovel it, drive in it, scrape it off the windshield and sometimes go knock it off the roof.

Then you get up the next morning and do it all over again.

So I’m not surprised when I hear some of the more recent

immigrants complaining how we all can’t drive down here, there is no decent transit system down here and a little ice and snow brings everything to a standstill.

I just point out a few observations to those grousing about what Southerners can’t do around here.

First, most of the “us” around here are not from around here. And we welcome them. They make life great here. But every region has its little quirks and ways of driving (like staying in the fast lane just because they think no one should go faster than they).

But when you jumble them all up together, it gets to looking like Daytona out on Ga. 400.

Then there’s the notion we can’t drive on ice down here.

That’s true. But they can’t drive on ice up north either. No one can.

But they try. That’s why we get all those TV news clips of Demolition Derby on the New Jersey Turnpike. We just stay home for a day or two and everything is fine again.

Now we could spend $100 million on salt, trucks and manpower every year like they do. But we don’t have to. They have to. We can afford to take two days off and everyone hums along fine. Our northern brethren can’t afford to stay home for January and half of February.

Then I ask these newcomers who complain how we drive so badly if they would like to move back where they came from.

They all say the same thing: “Never.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Special election recap: The fall of mighty House District 50 From the dueling campaign literature, our recent special election pitted Pinocchio gal versus shady glasses guy – ah, the high road of politics.

The election may be over, but the long road back to any semblance of power has just begun. Get ready fellow citizens, it’s to the back of the power line for us.

Remember the days when we were in the front of the power line? Remember when all legislation ran through District 50? Remember when District 50 was a powerful district run by powerful people with a powerful say over Georgia public policy?

For over a decade, we had the speaker pro-tempore [Mark Burkhalter] with an office in the State Capitol who rolled up huge majorities, commanding over 17,000 votes (2008) with the governor’s office down the hall, the house speaker on line 1 and a rolodex that could reach anywhere in Georgia.

Local initiatives got funded. Local preferences got handled. Even thereafter, we had an established political operative [Lynne Riley] who had the governor’s ear – so much so that he plucked her from our district and made her his revenue commissioner to keep an eye on the

money. Now that is power.

Now? Well, truth be told, we all know the glory days are long gone.

It’s hard to turn out the vote when whoever won was going to put us at the very back of the power line with no experience, no seniority, no access and no influence.

Oh, how the mighty District 50 has fallen. Not his fault, but our current representative was elected with a grand total of 1,510 votes. That’s 1,510 not 15,100.

Has any person ever won a House seat with a lower vote total in the history of modernday Georgia elections? Hard to imagine so. By comparison, Paul Troop, the Democrat who was trounced by Lynne Riley in 2014, garnered 3,872 votes in that loss – more than twice as many as the winning total for Mr. Raffensperger.

But hey, a win is a win, so wish Mr. Raffensperger well and have patience as our freshman legislator takes his place in the back of the power line. [Now] begins the long journey to restore District 50 from political Siberia to political ascendancy.

J. ROBB CRUSER, Johns Creek

Mr. Can’t-Fix-It Something magical happens to people when they are confronted with a problem in the home. They grab their toolkit, set out to find and fix the problem, and before you know it, they’ve made the problem much, much worse.

I am one of these people.

If I attempt to fix, build or install anything that involves tools of any sort, I can guarantee you one thing; something is going to get broken.

It’s not that I am a brute or have no attention to detail, I just have a severe and absolute lack of any skills related to anything that involves hammers, screws or saws.

It’s good I have never found my way into the construction business.

But I apparently forgot my complete ineptitude at mending things and attempted to build a bookshelf.

Now, when I say “build,” it should be noted that this bookshelf was of those that comes in a large box with all the materials you need. All you, the “builder,” need to do is apply a few screws here and a little dab of glue there.

After two- and-a-half hours of what would have taken any other person who could even say the word “hammer” 20 minutes, I saw the fruits of my labor. The backing was on backwards, two of the three shelves were upside-down and I had managed to smash the top board into three pieces. I would have come out better if I had decided to light a $20 bill on fire using my still attached leg hair as flint.

So obviously I had no success in building a bookshelf, however, I now have a wonderful piece of modern art I’m going to call, “Frustrations in particleboard.”

My father, who is perhaps the most skilled person I’ve ever met when it comes to building or mending things, says that handyman skills are acquired.

JOE PARKER

Appen Intern news@appenmedia group.com

So obviously I had no success in building a bookshelf, however, I now have a wonderful piece of modern art I’m going to call, “Frustrations in particleboard.”

Well, so is the ability to fly an aircraft, but just as you wouldn’t want me flying you to Chicago, you should also never ask me to help you mend something.

My fiancée’s mother has attempted to improve my abilities in mending/building things by purchasing me tools for my birthday and this past Christmas. The thought is very nice and I appreciate it very much, but it seems akin to giving a pyromaniac an unlimited supply of lighter fluid; bad things are going to happen. For now that I have the tools to build (read: destroy) things, I know that I will become one of those guys that gets the sudden, uncontrollable urge to set out, grab the toolkit and build something.

To the woman whose home I rent, I’ll pay for the damages.

COMMUNITY

Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 9 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Johns Creek Foundation still working to improve city Elects 2015 officers

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in Johns Creek since 2007, although most people don’t even know about it.

Foundation President Wayne Carrel, president and chief executive officer of A ClearView Corp., said he is as energized as ever to raise money for the foundation.

The foundation was created to support local nonprofit groups in their goal to improve the city’s recreational and cultural growth.

“They saw right away the power that a foundation creating an endowment and raising funds for these groups in the city in the form of regular grants,” Carrel said.

They have begun first by regularly supporting the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, the Johns Creek Symphony and the Johns Creek Arts Center.

“But there a lot of folks who help those entities, so we look for other local 501(c)3 organizations – especially in our schools – that we reach out to as well,” Carrel said.

This might be helping school video projects or Scouting activities.

The largest gift made to date was $8,000 to Autrey Mill for some timely projects.

But the JC Foundation is not just a “bank” for a certain few nonprofits.

The have a number of criteria they use.

When the city was looking for an opening act to dedicate the Newtown Amphitheater, the JC Foundation paid for

the Johns Creek Symphony to perform.

Carrel, a board member for the past three years, has been instrumental in the fundraising and success of the annual gala. He wants to “up the ante” in seeking grants from larger foundations, and said they will explore seven-figure foundation grants and larger.

James Saffell, a retired BellSouth Corp. executive, will serve as treasurer. Saffell has been a member of the board for the last two years and brings a strong community background to the foundation’s vision.

Both are longtime residents of Johns Creek and have served in many other nonprofit and civic organizations.

They are joined on the board by members: • Vicki Templet • Sandeep Vohra • Rob Anderson • John Bemont And ex-officio members • Mayor Mike Bodker • Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Broadbent The foundation will hold its annual gala Nov. 6 at the Atlanta Athletic Club. This gala will raise funds from individuals and businesses and grant them into the community as a rallying point for “giving back” in Johns Creek.

In the last seven years, the foundation has invested more than $125,000 into the community through programs like the summer arts camp at Johns Creek Arts Center and the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Foundation.

For information on the Johns Creek Foundation and a complete list of its beneficiaries, or to be a donor, visit www.JohnsCreekFoundation. org.

Johns Creek Foundation Board members for 2015 are from left, Wayne Carrel, John Bemont, Rob Anderson, Councilman Steve Broadbent and Jim Saffell.

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10 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald

COMMUNITY

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Gwinnett Tech seeks to capitalize on business needs Dean, superintendent give updates

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – When the new North Fulton campus of Gwinnett Technical College opens for classes in early January 2016, it will bring with it space for nearly 1,100 students of all ages – from elementary-age children at summer camp to adults looking to further their education.

The North Fulton dean for Gwinnett Tech, Jeremy Bennett, said the campus is open to filling whatever needs the North Fulton community demands.

“What the community asks for, that is what we are going to do. We want to fill the jobs that are needed,” he said.

He made his remarks at the Feb. 19 meeting of the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce at the Alpharetta Athletic Club.

The key in the school’s offerings, he said, is a need from the business community of North Fulton.

“If there is a large enough need, we will develop a program,” Bennett said.

He explained how every eye doctor in the state needs

For more about the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce, visit them online at alpharettachamber.com. trained ophthalmic technicians, however there is no school in the state offering degrees or training. Except Gwinnett Tech.

“If you tell me there will be 60-100 [new] jobs in the next year, I can develop programs for them,” Bennett said.

For college students, the course offerings will be business-oriented (such as logistics), information technology, cybercrime, criminal justice and early childhood education.

More offerings will be added in the future, as demand dictates.

Beyond college-age students and adults, Bennett said the school hopes to appeal to high schoolers and younger students.

Starting next summer, the campus will offer summer camps for children grades 3-8.

These camps will teach the students everything from coding to robotics, with capacity

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Gwinnett Tech North Fulton Dean Jeremy Bennett, center, spoke at the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce breakfast Feb. 19. With him are Alpharetta City Councilmember Jim Gilvin, Alpharetta Chamber Chairman Fergal Brady, Bennett, Chamber General Manager Ciara Rubin and Chamber President Hans Appen. for up to 1,100 campers.

The college will begin offering early college academy in fall of 2015, allowing students in high schools to earn college credit, or even graduate high school with an associate’s degree.

Gwinnett Tech’s North

Fulton campus is expected to open this November, with students going to class in January 2016.

“I am very pumped up right now,” Bennett said.

Also speaking with Bennett was Fulton County Public Schools Superintendent Robert

Avossa, who gave an overview of the school system.

With 90 schools and 100,000 students, the Fulton County School System is large.

Fulton is the largest noncontiguous school system in

See NEEDS, Page 45

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COMMUNITY

Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 11 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

JC Business Association increases scholarship offerings Deadline for applications March 6 JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Seniors at Chattahoochee, Johns Creek, Lambert and Northview high schools have a few more days to apply for the Johns Creek Business Association 2015 Scholarship Awards.

This year, the JCBA has increased funding so that each school will have a dedicated $1,500 scholarship awarded to the top student applicant. Students have until March 6 to submit their paperwork.

“The Business Association has always appreciated the role that our schools play in the economic development of our region. Our students are some of our best ambassadors, and we are proud that this year we are able to expand the scholarship program to give back to their families,”

said Denise Wagner, JCBA president.

Member businesses have been funding the program since 2009 and over that time have awarded 19 scholarships.

Applications are available at www.johnscreekba.com and need to be received by March 6 in order to be considered for 2015.

This is the first year that a student from each of the high schools will receive funding.

The JC Business Association is launching a major regional membership drive for 2015 in the hopes of encouraging businesses in the South Forsyth and Centennial High School corridors to join the networking group and establish opportunities at those schools.

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Established in 1997, the Johns Creek Business Association is a nonprofit organization of businesses in and around the city of Johns Creek. It assists businesses, new and established, to connect to the local economy.

Its signature event is the monthly networking meeting the third Tuesday of each month.

For information and meeting location go to johnscreekba.com.

Essay contest asks students to become mayor ATLANTA – Sixth-grade students throughout the state can now enter the Georgia Municipal Association’s “If I were mayor, I would…” essay contest.

The essay will give students a chance to learn about city government, the role government plays in communities and leadership responsibilities.

The essay must begin with the words, “If I were mayor, I would” and contain no more than 350 words.

Entries may be typed or

handwritten, but must contain the student’s name and school.

Any student in the sixth grade may enter the contest.

Entry forms can be downloaded at www.gmanet.com.

Entries must be submitted by March 6.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of city officials from each of the GMA’s 12 districts. Winners will receive a $250 check, other small prizes and be invited to a luncheon in Atlanta.

– Joe Parker

UPCOMING EVENTS Come Join Us! February 28, 7:00pm - 9:00pm Make Your Mark – Free Teen Event Print Making g With Aaron Artrip

Johns Creek area high school students come together for Open Mic Night, Poetry Slam, Printmaking, Trivia Contest, & Refreshments.

TThis event is free and open to area high school students. Due to limited seating, please register online: www.johnscreekarts.org

Made possible by a grant from

March 19, 7:00pm - 10:00pm Timeless Art – Fresh Flowers Join us for Art In Bloom, Thursday March 19th at Gallery Events located at 10700 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022.

Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased online at www.johnscreekarts.org. For more information call 770-623-8448.

April 6 - 10, 9:00am - 3:00pm Passport to Art Spring Break Camp 2015 is from Monday, April 6 – Friday, April 10, 9:00am till 3:00pm. Passport to Art is for grades K-5.

For more information call 770-623-8448.

Allison and Peter Kloster Direct: 770-594-4928 • Office: 770-594-4900 www.TheKlosterGroup.com

May 26 - August 7 Experience EARTH Summer Camp 2015 is from May 26 – August 7. For more information call 770-623-8448.

Johns Creek Arts Center 6290 Abbotts Bridge Rd., Bldg. 700 Johns Creek, GA 30097

www.johnscreekarts.org 770-623-8448

Johns Creek Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering classes, camps and workshops in Sculptural and Functional Ceramics, Visual Arts, Photography, Jewelry, Mosaics, and Theater for youth and adults.

12 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald

COMMUNITY

Dara is a happy dog looking for a home.

Fulton Pet of the Week: Dara NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Meet Dara, a happy girl who is 1 year old and loves to play.

Dara is sweet, affectionate and a super ball player. She’ll fetch almost anything you throw to her, and she also enjoys racing around the shelter’s play yard with her friends.

This pretty female has a beautiful, rustcolored coat and a wonderful smile.

She’s also the perfect size, weighing in at only 31 lbs. She would be perfect for an active family or someone who needs a walking buddy.

Come in and meet Dara today and pay an adoption fee of only $14. If she is adopted during February, this price includes her vaccines, spay and microchip. To meet her, email adoptions@fultonanimalservices.com or call 404613-0357.

To view dogs or cats available for adoption, please visit the shelter at 860 Marietta Blvd.

NW, Atlanta, 30318 or go to www.fultonanimalservices.com/adopt.

All potential adopters will be screened to ensure the animals are going to good homes.

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Roswell ‘Daughter’ donates Civil War book CUMMING, Ga. — Roswell resident Paulette Snoby, a member of Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War (DUVCW) and author of the Civil War book “April’s Revolution,” recently donated a copy of her book and other Civil War non-fiction books to the Bell Research Library, located in the Historic Cumming School, 101 School St. Frank Clark and Clark Rye of the Bell Research Library showed Snoby the shelves containing 6,000 books and artifacts from the Civil War, World War I and World War II. The library focuses on local history and genealogy of the southeastern states from colonial times to the present.

“Today, people are separated from their history,” said Clark. “We want everyone young and old to know and appreciate their roots.”

Use of the research center is free as a public community service open to all, including DAR, Colonial Dames, UDC and DUVCW members looking for ancestral ties.

The museum and library is dedicated to the South’s history and culture with the

Frank Clark and Clark Rye observed artifacts. collection and maintenance of original and reproduction artifacts and printed materials. The library is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is sponsored by volunteers from the Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp No. 1642.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 13

Autrey Mill ‘Unplugged’ features storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin performs in historic Warsaw Church JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Spend an evening enjoying the nearly lost art of storytelling, one of the many talents of nationally known Andy Offutt Irwin at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center’s “Unplugged” concert.

Irwin performs Saturday, Feb. 28, in the historic Warsaw Church in the preserve’s Heritage Village.

Irwin will perform at 8 p.m., with a pre-concert gathering with refreshments starting at 7 p.m. in the Sum-

If you go What: Autrey Mill ‘Unplugged’ Concert featuring Andy Offutt Irwin, storyteller, humorist, musician When: Saturday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m.; pre-concert at 7 p.m.

Where: Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek Cost: Tickets are $20 or $14 for Autrey Mill members and Johns Creek residents Phone: 678- 366-3511

merour House. Wine, beer, coffee and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

A native of Covington, Irwin is a storyteller, humorist, singer, songwriter, musician, whistler and a walking assortment of sound effects and dialects.

His most famous storytelling subject is his 85-year-old aunt, Dr. Marguerite Van Camp, a lively, newly widowed physician, who changes those around her with her lively, loving personality.

Irwin was awarded the 2013 National Storytelling

Network’s Circle of Excellence Award, and all five of his storytelling CDs have won storytelling awards. He has been a guest artist at LaGuardia High School of Art, Music and Performing Arts in New York – better known as the “Fame!”

School.

Tickets cost $20, or $14 for Autrey Mill members and Johns Creek residents.

For information and to purchase tickets, visit Autrey Mill’s website at www. autreymill.org. Autrey Mill is located at 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek.

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Virtuoso Strings!

March 7, 2015 Saturday 8:00pm The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Featured Strings Perform Bach, Bartok, Tchaikovsky and Copland

Be prepared to be amazed!

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Purchase on-line Adults/$30, Seniors/$25.00 • Students/$15.00 Group Rates Available • All credit cards accepted

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14 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Johns Creek Symphony presents ‘Virtuoso Strings’ All-strings concert features variety of best composers

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra Virtuoso Strings will present an all-JCSO strings concert at its March 7 concert at Johns Creek High School.

The Virtuoso Strings, 21 members of the JCSO string section, will be featured in a potpourri program featuring composers John Ireland, J.S. Bach, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Aaron Copeland and Bela Bartok, among others.

This is special in that it will feature only the strings. That not only creates a concert of a different sort, but is a challenge in a way.

Maestro J. Wayne Baughman said the first task is to play something the audience will find entertaining.

“We want to have something for everybody among the five selections,” Baughman said.

“It is all very listenable. That is No. 1 in any concert I plan.

We don’t play for some kind of high-brow, sophisticated audience at Harvard University. We play for someone like me who wants to be entertained.

But he does not call the

concert “Virtuoso Strings” without reason.

“It is probably the most difficult program when you take all the music into consideration that we have ever played.

I wanted to challenge the orchestra,” Baughman said.

“It will cover the entire gamut of string techniques that are found in any music.”

Soloists will feature concert master Adelaide Federici and principal violinist Sheri Peck together in J.S. Bach’s “Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor.”

“The biggest factor that enters into the selections is that I really like the music,” Baughman said. “I am probably not very different from a lot of conductors in that I can’t put my heart and soul into music I don’t really care for.

“And I like all this music,” he said. “It has a lot of variety, and I think it brings out the best in me.”

The list is the cream of more than 50 pieces he had under consideration when he began putting this concert together last summer.

Other elements of the program include Bartok’s “Rumanian Folk Dances.” Folk music

If you go What: JCSO Virtuoso Strings When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7 Where: Johns Creek High School theater, 5575 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek 30022 Tickets: Adults/$30, seniors/$25, students/$15 More info: Go to www. johnscreeksymphony. org, call 678-7485802 or email info@ johnscreeksymphony.org. has long been a source of inspiration for composers, and Bartok uses them famously.

American composer George Walker is the only living composer represented among them (he’s 92). His “Lyric for Strings” presentation is from his First String Quartet (1946), which he composed while a graduate student at the Curtis Institute.

Also included in the concert is Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings in C Major.” Composed in 1848, it shows Tchaikovsky at his full powers as a composer.

JCSO Maestro J. Wayne Baughman will lead the all-strings performance at Johns Creek High School.

“The four movements contain extended passages of great intimacy as well as towering moments of grandeur,” Baughman said in his notes on the concert. “In the Finale, a single sustained note taken from the final chord of the Elégie serves as a ‘bridge’ leading to the introduction of the Russian

theme skillfully developed by Tchaikovsky, until the opening statement from the first movement returns as a closing stroke of genius.”

Baughman also has one more composer he is saving as a surprise, but it is sure to please. After all, he only conducts what he likes.

March 6 thru March 29 Photography courtesy Mike Glatzer Photography

ACT1 Theater presents

“Jerry Finnegan’s Sister”

A romantic comedy by Jack Neary.

The clock is ticking for twenty three year old Brian Dowd. If he doesn’t face his fears and speak up right now, he will lose the girl next door forever.

For reservation and information go online to www.act1theater.com, or call 770-663-8989.

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COMMUNITY

Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 15 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Poetry, art connect with Atlanta Pisgah senior makes Top 20 Science Festival contest in Georgia Youth Leadership ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The 2015 Atlanta Science Festival is accepting entries through Feb. 27 for its “Art and Poetry of Science” contest, which invites students to capture their favorite science and technology inspiration by writing a poem and illustrating it.

The contest is open to students in grades K-12 who attend school within 10 miles of the Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State UniversityAlpharetta campuses. Entries can be submitted either by an individual or team of two.

All poems can be no more than 40 words, but can be presented in a variety of styles.

The rules and entry forms are at http://sites.gpc.edu/gpcatlsf/.

“We are very excited about this contest and look forward to enjoying all of the entries.

Capturing the beauty and wonder of science in words and art…it just doesn’t get any better,” said Dr. Laura Whitlock, GPC’s Alpharetta science chair and co-coordinator of the contest.

The top three entries in each age category will be invited to “Mugs on Milton” event Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m.

The entries will be set up on

The Art and Poetry of Science contest Submission due

by Feb. 27. More info at http:// sites.gpc.edu/ gpcatlsf/ easels for everyone to enjoy, and there will be refreshments and conversation with science faculty.

“At the end, the winners will be announced and given some awesome prizes,” says Whitlock.

The selected entries will each receive $25, plus a selection of gifts donated by local businesses. The winner’s and finalists’ names and entries will be posted to the contest website. For more information, contact Whitlock at scienceartsongs@gpc.edu Deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 27. Submissions for the contest can be dropped off at: GPC Illustrated Poem Contest, 3705 Brookside Parkway, Room 1600, Alpharetta, Ga. 30022.

—Jonathan Copsey

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Mount Pisgah Christian School senior Connor Ford was recognized Feb. 26 at the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards.

As founder and creator of Spirit App LLC, this young entrepreneur is quickly gaining recognition for his creativity and ingenuity.

Spirit App is an online and social portal that allows schools to post events. Student members can accumulate “spirit points” as they check-in at events.

Ford developed the app because he saw a need to improve school-to-student communication and liked the idea of providing a way to boost school spirit.

The app is designed for public and private schools, as well as colleges and universities.

The students can connect with their school community and even compete with their peers, classes or grade levels for “spirit points.”

The Georgia Youth Leadership Awards are sponsored by 21st Century Leaders, a collaboration of business and professional leaders inspiring high school students to take on leadership positions.

16 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

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Emory Johns Creek Hospital expands services up 141 corridor JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Emory Johns Creek Hospital is expanding services to patients in South Forsyth.

The hospital has opened two new centers in Cumming that will specialize in wound treatment and diagnostic imaging.

“Our new locations allow us to provide extended access to existing imaging services and provide new treatment options to meet the health care needs in Johns Creek and surrounding communities,” said Marilyn Margolis, chief executive officer of Emory Johns Creek.

The new Emory Johns Creek Hospital Hyperbarics and Wound Care Services Center is on the second floor of the Physicians Immediate Med building at 2575 Peachtree Parkway, at the intersection of Mathis Airport Road and Ga. 141.

The 3,000-square-foot facility provides treatment for patients with complex or non-healing wounds caused by diseases, such as diabetes and vascular disease.

Hospital officials said the need for severe wound care treatment has grown in the past decade as a result of an aging population and higher incidences of diseases that cause these types of wounds. Patients undergoing cancer treatments can also develop wounds and lesions that are difficult to heal.

“When we pair our superior wound healing services and advanced modalities with a compassionate interdisciplinary approach, we do so much more than treat wounds,” said Carolyn Davidson, program director of the new center. “We truly believe in what we’re doing here to make people whole again.”

The Johns Creek center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and is one of four such centers in the Emory Healthcare Network. Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown also offer hyperbaric and wound care treatments, as does Emory affiliate Southern Regional Medical Center.

The hospital has also opened a satellite imaging center at 634 Peachtree Parkway in Cumming to offer expanded access to general diagnostic imaging services and CT scans. The 2,299-squarefoot Emory Johns Creek Hospital Imaging Center, which previously operated under Saint Joseph’s Hospital, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The 2,299-square-foot Emory Johns Creek Hospital Imaging Center in Cumming offers expanded access to diagnostic imaging services and CT scans.

“Our new location not only provides a convenient outpatient imaging location for patients in South Forsyth, it also provides additional access to imaging for our physicians,” says Chrystal Barnes, director of imaging services at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

— Patrick Fox

Emory Johns Creek Hospital has added a wound care center in the second floor of the Physicians Immediate Med building in Cumming.

BusinessPosts

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Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 17

More big, bold ideas to usher in prosperity Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of 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, has been used to chart the North Georgia economy and real estate for more than 25 years.

Last week, we spoke of turning North Georgia into a second-home mecca, drawing on the region’s natural beauty and proximity to Atlanta to bring added prosperity. It was one of several “big, bold, bodacious ideas” that we proposed in our annual Native Intelligence Report for 2015.

Here are a couple more: Refocus our definition of ‘work’ Coupled with moving North Georgia’s marketing from the one of tourist to the 10-timeper-year second homeowner is an opportunity to refocus our industrial recruitment efforts.

The reality of getting a major industrial user, manufacturer, assemblage or distribution center in downtown Cleveland, Clayton, Ellijay and Dahlonega is slim to none. The era of remote assemblage, weaving or cut and sew operations is GONE, and industrial recruitment machined to attract those industries and those locations is just “whistling in the wind.”

The rusting hulks of former big industrial users must be thoughtfully repurposed.

Today’s sophisticated industrial user is all about logistics, transportation or accessibility to national (interstates/ rails) if not global market places (via Savannah ports). We see a big distribution laser focused on I-85 in Jackson County but the new era dynamics is that they will build or lease 500,000 to 1 million square feet and hire maybe 40 employees. The facility is simple – one giant

W o m e n

FRANK NORTON JR. CEO and Chairman The Norton Agency

computerized conveyor belt with sky-high stacked storage ready to be robotically picked and shipped. The employees are programmers, pickers or logistics, and the warehouse management is a computer in Hackensack.

What we have in our region is an alternative. We’re not Atlanta with its glimmering urban glass tower, and we’re not Raleigh with its sprawling meadows filled with R&D. We are a quality workforce in an environment.

The same things that will attract second-home residents will attract small entrepreneur business seeking a business climate set inside a lifestyle.

Small R&D, small service, small technology. Executive base entrepreneur owners are our best chance to diversify and strengthen our business base. Companies like Pro Therapy, Mansfield Oil and Select Labs take advantage of the close proximity to public and private air transport, adjacent to a metropolitan market but capitalize on the incredible lifestyle (housing, education, health care and recreation) for recruitment.

Yes, we should continue to try to get more Kubota’s, Toyota’s, Home Goods along our transportation corridors but also pick off the next generation companies seeking our lifestyle.

Time to talk ‘collaboration’ As Norton Native Intelligence travels the hills and valleys of our region, we are amazed at the flashes of greatness, brilliance of ideas, en-

ergy, intelligence and creativity but dismayed at the “turf-dom” that has been created between local governments, which bogs down intelligence and creativity.

We are no better than the scattered feudal hill towns across Tuscany, each with its own walled perimeter to keep marauding invaders out and isolation or progress in. Only in modern history have we seen the power in unification, not necessarily in Italy but Germany, England and other more progressive nations.

Imagine the progress that could be made in Dawson with combined Dawsonville/Dawson County collaboration. The struggles in Stephens County could be overcome with strong unification/collaboration between Toccoa and Stephens County. Why does Hall County have nine collective governments, Jackson nine and Barrow eight?

That means government on steroids, duplication of services; fire, police/sheriff, emergency responders, clerks, administration and general overhead.

But sure, it’s OK because they all have the revenue to support themselves. But, wait a minute. That revenue is ours.

Taxes, fees, assessments are what have built these governmental albatrosses and built on the backs of individual and business taxpayers.

Many would say “Norton” should mind its own business…but it is our business.

We have operations in 19 locations, sell property across 59 counties and deal with them all.

Imagine the power, if not the test scores, that a combined Gainesville/Hall County School System might have. The duplication of services and personnel is even more rampant in three separate systems: Jackson, Jefferson and Commerce schools. Keep the same

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of pooling time, talent and resources across 18th century geopolitical districts.

What terrific economies of scale you would get through inter-jurisdictional planning departments, purchasing and public works.

The efficiencies enacted by private businesses over the last seven recessionary years have had profound effect on corporate and small business’ bottom line.

It’s been the survival by the fittest not of the fittest. Call it what you want, but collaboration should be on the mind of everyone as we move forward in the new economy.

Generating interest from your prospects Are you doing a good job in generating interest for your products and services from a potential customer?

After speaking with a new prospect, are they motivated to move forward in either evaluating what you have, or making a buying decision?

Generating interest from your prospects is critical to winning new business, and if you can do a good job in doing that, your sales efforts will be a lot easier.

Anyone in a sales role knows and understands the importance of the so-called “elevator speech.” You are only in an elevator for a short time, and you have just about the same amount of time to create interest from a new prospect. So, what can you say that will create interest?

A common mistake is talking about how good your product or service is, how many other people or companies use it and how great you think it would be for your

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potential customer. Instead of creating interest, it actually promotes a disinterest in listening any further.

Conversely, talking about how the potential customer will benefit from your product or service, how it will save them time or make them money is a completely different scenario. Generating interest with a prospect has to be about the value to them.

Getting good at a simple but powerful elevator speech that conveys the value the prospect will receive is not only a good way to generate interest from your prospects, it’s the only way!

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Collaboration and unification have great success stories: Northeast Georgia Medical Center plus Lanier Park, Athens plus Clarke County and Columbus/Muscogee are now blowing past Macon in economic vitality energy and new business recruitment. Collaboration should also be extended across imaginary lines on a map between counties.

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BusinessPosts

18 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald

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SBA loans: a good start for start-ups Sometimes starting a small business or expanding an existing one can be a difficult proposition to finance. To help rectify that, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has designed a number of loan programs for business owners who may have trouble coming up with a large down payment or qualifying for a traditional bank loan.

Many banks and lending institutions participate in the programs. The SBA loan application is structured so that the loan is eligible for the SBA guarantee. A traditional lender participates in the loan process, and SBA guarantees a portion of the loan to the lender in case of default.

Recently, I spoke with Jon Kaye, regional sales manager for Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo has been the No. 1 lender in the nation for SBA loans for six

BRIAN PATTON

Capitol Realty Advisors www.capitallistings.com

straight years in terms of dollars loaned through the program.

When asked why someone should consider the SBA loan, Jon said, “It’s about capital preservation. The SBA program allows borrowers to put less money down and lower monthly pay-

ments.”

There are two main types of SBA loans in which Wells participates. The SBA 504 loan is for owner-occupied purchase of real estate or heavy equipment. The borrower can put down as little as 10 percent and finance the remainder. The SBA’s portion, 40 percent, is a 20-year fixed rate. Right now, that rate is around 4.6 percent. The bank would finance the remainder 50 percent at a negotiated rate and terms.

A borrower can do some really big projects with this loan. The SBA limit is $5 million, but the bank’s traditional side can go up higher, yielding around $13 million in financed funds.

The second loan, SBA 7a, encompasses a lot more business needs. Real estate and business acquisition, partner buyout, working capital, leasehold

improvements and equipment purchases are among the items the loan will finance. Most lenders require 10 percent down for this program. There is a $5 million maximum for the loan, and typically the traditional lender provides 90 percent of the financing.

The advantage to the bank is that the SBA guarantees up to 75 percent of the loan. The advantage to the borrower is that, because of this guarantee the bank has less risk; and therefore, can pass along the reduced risk in a more affordable loan.

The SBA program continues to grow and provide more opportunities for small business owners. As Jon Kaye said, “We are encouraged by the way things are going...more and more borrowers see the advantages of SBA and are requesting financing.”

BusinessBriefs PEOPLE »

Cucchino joins Harry Norman as marketing coordinator CUMMING, Ga. — Harry Norman Realtors Forsyth/Lake Lanier office has added Jeff Cucchino as marketing coordinator.

Cucchino has a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in illustration and has spent the past 20 years in advertising, marketing and graphic design. As marketing coordinator, he is responsible for the design, CUCCHINO print and distribution of press releases, brochures, flyers, invitations and other marketing materials for agents. In addition, he is in charge of the optimization of social media sites, individual agent web pages and other advertising items as agents need them.

Sean Brown hired at Young Entrepreneurs CUMMING, Ga. — Sean Brown, a junior at the University of Georgia and graduate of West Forsyth High School, has been hired as a branch manager for Student Painters, a sector of Young Entrepreneurs Across America.

Brown is running his own branch in the Cumming area. He is responsible for conducting every BROWN aspect of the business, which includes marketing the company, managing a crew of painters, and selling paint jobs.

For more information about Student Painters, visit southeaststudentpainters.com.

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Lennar Atlanta adds three home consultants ROSWELL, Ga. — Lennar Atlanta has welcomed three new home consultants to its staff to concentrate on Cobb, Forsyth and Cherokee counties as the company continues to expand.

“Since we opened in 2010, we have built more than 1,200 homes in more than 30 residential communities throughout the metro Atlanta area,” said Ginny Bryant, director of sales and marketing.

Anne Kriebel has worked as a general real estate agent in Atlanta for 15 years, including two years on site at Brookhaven at Johns Creek, an active adult community.

Donna Brown has extensive real estate experience and has been honored with both the Re/Max Platinum Award and the Phoenix Multi Million Award.

She previously worked in new home sales with John Wieland Homes.

Alicia Sipsy, a native of Cobb County, has more than 10 years’ experience in new home sales with Edward Andrews Homes and Harry Norman Realtors, and has worked with various builder groups throughout Paulding and Cobb.

AWARDS »

Law firm receives magazine’s top rating ALPHARETTA, Ga. — U.S. News & World Report has listed Alpharetta law firm Morgan & DiSalvo on its Tier One list of Best Law Firms for 2015. Firms included in the list are graded on professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

The 2015 rankings are based on the highest number of particiDISALVO pating firms and highest number of client ballots on record. To be eligible, a firm must have a practice listed in the Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top 4 percent of practicing attorneys in the country.

Morgan & DiSalvo was one of only 10 firms in the Atlanta area to receive the Tier One designation in the practice of trusts and estates.

UPS honors Georgia drivers for 25 years of safe driving ATLANTA — UPS announced 71 elite drivers from Georgia were among 1,445 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving. Georgia boasts 366 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 10,392 years of accident-free driving.

“My thanks go to all of them for their dedication and focus, and for the countless lives they’ve saved,” said Dwayne Meeks, president, UPS South Atlantic District.

Georgia drivers inducted this year include Jonathan Elrod and Michael Wroblewski of Alpharetta and Charles Gordon of Cumming.

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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 19

Welcome To Alpharetta!

calendar

Autumn Leaves at Windward 3300 Webb Bridge Rd

Belle Marisse 11175 Cicero Dr, Ste 100

Boneheads 5815 Windward Pkwy

Credo Financial Services 11175 Cicero Dr, Bldg 200, Ste 575

Exhale 5192 Avalon Blvd

Fidelity Bank 5015 Windward Pkwy

Humble Pie Pizza Company 869 North Main St

Sunrise Detox 4500 North Point Pkwy

TOM+CHEE OM+CHEE 815 W indward PPkwy kwy 5815 Windward

To schedule your ribbon cutting contact Ciara Rubin at 404-277-4930.

CALENDAR

EDITOR’S PICKS

20 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald

Submit your event online at johnscreekherald.com

Send

me your event...

SHANNON WEAVER

Calendar Editor calendar@ HOMERS appenmediagroup.com

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.

A female sportswriter must decide if a homer can ever really leave home. World premiere presented

by Georgia Ensemble Theatre at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street in Roswell.

Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m.

Tickets range from $25 to $35.

Visit get.org for more info.

EVENTS:

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

Spring is right around the corner. Let us bring you on a journey from darkness into light with music. at Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend in Milton. Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $30. Visit georgiaphilharmonic. org for more info.

Come hear choirs from several area churches at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 888 Zion Circle in Roswell.

Saturday, Feb. 28, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Visit roswellroots.com for more info.

PASTRY & PERFORMANCE

What: Sweet treats provided by Panera Bread and sweet sounds provided by guitarist Chuck Beckman, harpist Lorretta Marks and others.

Where: Northside Hospital Forsyth, 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive in Cumming When: Sunday, March 1 Hours: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $10 donation per ticket Contact: 770-888-9212 or nancymack.cello@gmail.com

MEAL & MEMORIES WITH DAD

WINE AND DINE IN ITALY

What: Come be a part of this class as we tour this great country and some of its offerings.

Where: Publix Apron’s Cooking School, 4305 State Bridge Road in Alpharetta When: Saturday, Feb. 28 Hours: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cost: $45 Web: awesomealpharetta.com

UNITY CONCERT

CHALK PAINT DEMO

What: See how easy it is to rescue, restore and redecorate a piece of furniture using Amy Howard’s One Step Chalk Paint.

Where: Ace Hardware Crabapple, 12350 Arnold Mill Road in Alpharetta When: Saturday, Feb. 28 Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Cost: Free

What: Share a delightful day out with your daughter, with a delicious meal, games, and make a keepsake picture frame craft together.

Where: American Girl at North Point Mall, 1202 North Point Circle in Alpharetta When: Friday, Feb. 27 Hours: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cost: $38 per person Web: americangirl.com

RACES & BENEFITS: MILTON MAYOR’S RUN

What: Jog for a Cause 5K, a Peachtree Road Race qualifier benefiting childhood cancer organizations and Milton Parks and Rec. Where: Freedom Park, 13200 Deerfield Parkway in Milton When: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 a.m.

Cost: $25 Web: active.com

30 UNDER 30

Show featuring local artists Payton Wood, Devin Hunter and Ryan Benefield, all under the age of 30 at Sedgwick Gallery, 61 Roswell Street in Alpharetta. Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Visit sedgwickgallery.com for more info.

Village.

Where: Warsaw Church, 9770 Autrey Mill Road in Johns Creek When: Saturday, Feb. 28 Hours: Pre-concert gathering at 7 p.m., performance at 8 p.m.

Cost: $20, $14 for Autrey Mill members and Johns Creek residents Web: autreymill.org Oklahoma! Presented by Roswell UMC’s Acting Up. When: Saturday, Feb. 20 Hours: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cost: $10 general admission, $25 reserved seats Info: Friday night only Web: rumcactingup.webs.com

MUSIC:

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT AT

GREENHOUSE OPEN HOUSE

What: CNC is inviting all to come visit their Greenhouse where they grow native plants. Attendees will learn about spring plantings, focusing on plants for backyard habitats including witchazels, buckeyes and azaleas.

Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Wileo Road in Roswell When: Saturday Feb. 28 Hours: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost: Free Online: www.chattnaturecenter.org

THOMAS MARRIOTT QUARTET

ANDY OFFUTT IRWIN

What: Spend an evening enjoying live music during Autrey Mill Nature Preserve’s “Unplugged” event as Andy Offutt Irwin performs at Warsaw Church in the preserve’s Heritage

What: Trumpeter Thomas Marriott is one of the most exciting musicians to emerge on the national jazz scene in more than a decade.

Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta When: Friday, Feb. 27 Hours: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cost: $22 Web: thevelvetnote.com

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

SCHOOLS

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 21

Education: Legislative session aims to improve schools Continued from Page 1 amendment approved by voters. Miller indicated the goal this session is to develop the enabling legislation, which outlines how the district will be governed and operated, and to place the amendment on the ballot in 2016.

Under the OSD, the state will temporarily step in to help chronically underperforming schools – those schools that score below 60 on the College and Career Performance Index (CCRPI), for three consecutive years.

The CCRPI is an annual state measure of a school’s effectiveness based on a number of variables. The schools would remain in the OSD for at least five years, but no longer than 10 years before returning to the local school district.

In Fulton County, seven schools, all in South Fulton, would qualify to become part of the Opportunity School District based on their sub-60 scores on the CCRPI for the last three years.

Details of who would govern the district, how local control would be maintained and how the district would be funded are still being formulated, but education leaders welcome any support for struggling schools.

“I applaud that the governor is looking at bold, innovative ways to help struggling schools,” said Robert Avossa, superintendent of the Fulton School System. “There’s no silver bullet answer, so my hope is that it will start a conversation in our legislature that brings new ideas to light and refocuses the discussion on how we can work together to improve public education for all children.”

He noted recovery districts in Tennessee and Michigan are relatively new programs with little data available to show effectiveness, but Louisiana has seen some pockets of improvement through charter management organizations and startup charters.

A spokesman for the Georgia PTA noted supporters of the OSD point to success in Louisiana and are optimistic of success in Georgia.

“Parents outside the [Louisiana] districts are asking how their children can get in,” said Tyler Barr, legislative policy specialist with the Georgia PTA. In a piece of legislation that may be more bluster than muster, Senate Resolution 80 seeks to demand the College Board either use the previous curriculum in the AP U.S.

History courses or revise the current test with an “emphasis on America’s founding principles and the uniqueness of America’s role in the world.”

Supporters maintain the recent revisions to the APUSH curriculum “minimizes discussion of America’s Founding Fathers, the principles of the Declaration of Independence [and] the religious influences on our nation’s history” while presenting a “radicalized revisionist” view of American history.

The resolution is sponsored

by Sen. William Ligon (R-

Brunswick), who last year unsuccessfully fought the battle to eliminate the Common Core Curriculum Standards in Georgia. While it has the support of State School Superintendent Richard Woods, it likely will go nowhere since taking AP courses is optional for students and is nationally directed.

The College Board, which administers the AP program as well as the SAT, said the revised curriculum is in use across the country and has broad support of educators, as well as support from the American Historical Asso-

ciation, the Organization of American Historians, the National Council for Social Studies and the National Council for History Education.

If the College Board does not acquiesce to Georgia’s demands, the resolution says state funding to support APUSH will be withdrawn. Approximately 14,000 students take the APUSH exams each year.

The House and Senate were scheduled to meet in a joint hearing last week to discuss S.R. 80.

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22 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

Sponsored Section

Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015

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

Do you have balance in your life?

Our average life expectancy is increasing and our ability to enjoy an active and independent lifestyle well into our later years will depend, to a large degree, on how well we maintain our personal fitness level.

Most of us equate quality

of life in later years to being active, independent and pain free. “There is strong scientific evidence that regular physical activity produces major and extensive health benefits in older adults… in addition, physical activity is associated

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(World Health Organization, 2010) One of the major concerns of older adults is falling and lack of balance. More than 1 in

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Five skills needed for proper balance: 1. Ability to walk and turn the head at the same time.

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If you are having concerns about your balance, please contact your doctor and/or physical therapist. There are comprehensive programs that focus on improving balance.

Make sure that you are taking

More than 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 fall every year.

Maintaining balance is the result of a complex interaction of many systems and subsystems of the human body. care of yourself now so that you will have a long, healthy, and active life.

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Threats to Brain Health: Some health conditions can negatively affect your brain.

Heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes can alter or damage blood vessels throughout your body, including the brain.

Some medications and combinations of drugs, as well as alcohol use, may affect thinking.

Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia harm the brain, too. While no one knows how to prevent dementia, many approaches that are good for your health in other ways, like exercise and a healthy diet, are being tested.

Actions That Help Your Brain: • Get regular health screen-

ings.

• Manage diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

• Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the medications you take and any possible side effects.

• Try to maintain a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats (including fish and poultry), and low-fat or nonfat dairy products. Monitor your intake of solid fat, sugar and salt and eat proper portion sizes.

• Drink moderately, if at all, because avoiding alcohol can reverse some negative changes related to brain health.

• Be physically active be cause doing so may improve connections among your brain cells. Older adults should get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week.

For more information and a free brochure containing strategies to promote brain health, call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 or visit www. eldercare.gov.

Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section

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Exactly,….. BIG DEAL! Inflammation is not something to take lightly. Let’s put it this way, if you came across a smoldering fire in your house, you wouldn’t just walk away... would you?

I suspect that you would consider this an important matter to tend to, because you know that even a small smoldering fire could quickly become a big rip roaring fire that could burn your house down.

Your thought process might be something like, “don’t panic, just put the fire out; and put the fire out fast.!” You might even say “Whew, I am glad I caught that fire while it was small, and thank God that I just happened to walk in here and see this.” Yeh, it would be an emotional and financial disaster to lose your home. So what if we were talking about your life? All it takes is ONE fire to cause an event i.e heart attack and stroke.

There are many causes of inflammation that can ultimately cause your arteries to be fragile. The arteries can suddenly rupture as plaque pushes through the wall like a volcano. A clot is formed,

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FAQ – Bladeless Cataract Surgery What is a cataract and what is cataract surgery?

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40 and today cataracts affect more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older. At some point in our life, we will all develop a cataract.

The natural lens of the eye yellows and becomes cloudy with age as a result of biological changes of the proteins inside the lens. The function of the human lens is to focus incoming light onto the back of the eye. As your lens ages, light from the outside worlds

becomes more and more distorted as it enters your eye.

Difficulty reading, needing more light to read, experiencing glare and haloes at night and, even poor sleep patterns can be explained by cataract formation.

The treatment for cataracts involves an almost painless, 10 minute surgery to remove the “clouded lens” or “cataract” and replace it with a man made intraocular lens implant. It is the most common surgical procedure in the US and around the world and is considered to be an extremely

successful and safe procedure with a success rate approaching 99.5%.

What is laser cataract surgery?

With traditional cataract surgery, all the steps of the surgery are customarily performed “manually” by the surgeon using handheld tools. Laser cataract surgerythe next evolution of cataract surgery with the Ziemer Z6 laser generally offers a greater amount of precision, predictability and safety to these steps leading to potentially improve visual outcomes and

Is Seeing the Crossword Puzzle Harder than Solving It? Could be Cataracts.

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more precise targets. With the Ziemer Z6 Laser System, your surgeon has the potential to offer you unmatched accuracy and a more predictable and customized cataract procedure.

Based on your medical history and pre-operative evaluation, you and your surgeon will discuss the options available for your desired visual result.

Together you can discuss a treatment plan which may include using the LDV Z6 to create the laser incisions in the cornea along with an advanced lens implant that may allow for improved near, intermediate or distance vision. This tailored treatment may reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery.

How is laser cataract surgery different from traditional cataract surgery?

In traditional cataract surgery, incisions in the cornea are made using handheld instruments including blades to access the cataract. Your surgeon will then use a surgical device to manually create a circular opening in the lens capsule of the eye that holds the cataract. The Ziemer Z6 laser can be used to make the corneal incisions precise and the opening in the lens capsule as circular as possible, in the right location, and sized to fit the replacement lens.

Your surgeon can also use the laser to break up and soften the hard cataract. Softening the lens with the laser enables your surgeon to then remove the cataract more gently and with significantly less ultrasound energy than is used in traditional manual cataract surgery.

What are the benefits of laser cataract surgery?

• A highly customized treatment • A treatment with little or no discomfort • A potentially more precise and predictable treatment • By and large, a gentler and easier cataract removal • Generally, a more rapid visual recovery due to reduced inflammation • The opportunity to receive tailored treatment with advanced technology multifocal lenses, which may reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery Am I a suitable candidate for laser cataract surgery?

Your surgeon and you will decide whether you are a suitable candidate based on your eye anatomy, type of cataract and type of lens implant that you desire. Most patients are candidates for having some of the steps of cataract surgery performed with the Ziemer Z6

laser.

How long has the procedure been performed?

Thousands of cataract procedures have been successfully performed using femtosecond laser systems, and femtosecond lasers have been used in eye procedures for decades.

The most familiar use of femtosecond laser technology is LASIK. Femtosecond lasers represent an advanced standard in precision laser cataract surgery and the Ziemer Z6 platform was FDA cleared in 2013.

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

Your day in surgery should be no different than a routine cataract case. The Ziemer Z6 laser is positioned next to the surgeon and is utilized seamlessly during the cataract surgery process. You will be given mild IV sedation that will likely keep you pleasantly unaware of the goings on in surgery. Not only is it potentially painless, there are no needles or stitches as part of the procedure.

What should I expect after surgery?

After surgery, you can generally expect your vision to be improved within 24 hours.

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Slight scratchiness of the eye is common and they prescribed eye drops will help with any of these symptoms. Many patients return to work or normal activities the next day and even drive themselves to their postop day one appointment!

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You can expect to be at our center for about 2 hours, and you will be in the procedure room for only 20-25 minutes.

Please call 678-688-4575 or visit our website at milaneyecenter.com for more information on how to schedule your Cataract evaluation at Milan Eye Center where compassion meets excellence in eye care.

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Doctor’s Hearing Center offers exceptional hearing care Diabetes linked to hearing loss Brought to you by North Fulton Ear Nose & Throat Associates A link exists between adults with type 2 diabetes and hearing loss. In diabetic people age 60 or older, high blood sugar causes tiny blood vessels in the inner ear to break, disrupting sound reception. Diabetes often results in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The link between CKD and hearing loss has been known for decades. The kidney and the Stria Vascularis of the cochlea share physiologic, ultrastructural and antigenic similarities and therefore, the link between diabetes and hearing loss may be indirect but does exist.

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With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Robin Andrews has helped thousands of your Georgia friends and neighbors hear again. Dr. Andrews continues to have a passion for what he does. His own personal experience with hearing loss helps him empathize and sympathize with the challenges of a hearing loss. He is a board-certified doctor of audiology, or AuD. This means he can help you with more complex hearing problems, which is why so many area doctors refer patients to him.

At Doctor’s Hearing Center we strive to help our patients by taking an interest in how their hearing impacts their daily activities. We are independently owned and operated and not part of a chain.

We take the necessary time with each patient to accurately diagnose the problem and educate them about the best course of treatment. We are good listeners and problem-solvers who take a consultative approach to giving you care that is in your best interests, not ours.

We’ve been welcomed by many physicians to show them how we can provide expert hearing help to complete the whole health of their patients. The

recent research shows how common diseases like diabetes and heart disease can effect hearing. Also, some community organizations have asked us to help educate their patrons on hearing loss and hearing solutions.

ANDREWS We hope we will continue to hear, “You’re the best Audiologist I’ve ever had.” A married couple admit, “It’s so nice to hear each other.”

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At Doctor’s Hearing Center we strive to help our patients by taking an interest in how their hearing impacts their daily activities.

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Cumming requests review from attorney general — again

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com

Timeline of events

CUMMING, Ga. — In a game of legal tag, Cumming City Attorney Dana Miles has once again sent a letter to Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, asking for legal opinion about the possible impeachment of Councilman Rupert Sexton.

This letter, from Feb. 11, is a request for review of written legal opinion and conclusion of counsel for the city of Cumming. It is the second such letter the city of Cumming has sent Olens since late January.

Olens withheld an opinion on the first letter, saying the issue was a local one and it would be inappropriate for his office to get involved at this point.

Miles has decided to ask Olens again for his help in determining the next step.

In his second letter, Miles said he hopes “this letter will help to clarify this matter and, once clarified, you will reconsider your decision to withhold your opinion.”

An investigatory panel that was to decide in January whether Councilman Sexton should be impeached instead advised the City Council to punt the issue to Olens.

The potential impeachment

• 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: Council 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. arose after Sexton was accused of releasing 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.

Miles said Jan. 20 the panel is concerned with two legal issues. Before they were to take

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

• Feb. 4: AG responds, saying he is unable to provide the requested review.

• Feb. 10: Higgins appears before grand jury in response to subpoenas for information about Mullinax, Miles and Gravitt.

• Feb. 11: Miles returns a letter back to the AG asking for a review on same initial issues.

any further action in the impeachment process, Miles said the panel requested an opinion from the attorney general of Georgia or a declaratory judgment action in Supreme Court.

At issue is the question of whether Section 51 of the city charter dealing with the city’s impeachment process is fair, providing appropriate due

process for Sexton; and whether the release of the employees’ information violated state and federal privacy laws in OCGA Section 50-18-72(A), Subsection 20 through 21 or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, HIPPA. But on Feb. 4, Olens responded saying it’s inappropriate for his office to weigh in on the local matter.

Regarding the city’s impeachment process, Olens said it’s “a matter of only local concern that requires familiarity not only with local laws, but with specific facts to which this office is not privy.”

Miles responded to this by saying he “respectfully disagrees that this is a matter of only local concern, for it is quite common for local governments to adopt Roberts Rules of Order by reference when their local ordinances do not provide for every situation.”

Olens went on to say, in his original response, given the nature of the question and the likelihood of litigation, “It would be inappropriate for my office to weigh in on this matter at this time.”

For the second matter regarding potential privacy law violations, Olens said, “It is clear that any attempt to

answer the questions posed would necessitate a specific factual review of the circumstances surrounding the type of information collected and maintained by the city, the reason for doing so, the specific information that was released and the circumstances surrounding that release.”

Miles responded by asking Olens to read the original request and if necessary, he will attempt to provide any additional specific information.

Another issue Olens had with giving a response was the issue of the federal investigation currently taking place.

“To my knowledge, there is no federal investigation as to whether the disclosure of information by a member of the city of Cumming City Council violated the Georgia Open Records Act,” Miles wrote. “I cannot imagine why any federal investigation would concern itself with issues related to the state statutes related to record production.”

Miles asked Olens to “reconsider his decision to withhold guidance from the state’s law department on these issues which, doubtless, have far reaching impact for their application of state law to local government institutions.”

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Both St. Francis teams win state openers ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Both St. Francis basketball teams advanced to the second round of the state Class A private school playoffs with victories on their home court Saturday.

The St. Francis girls defeated subregion rival Mount Pisgah 57-30, with the Lady Patriots getting the 16th and final spot in the tournament field after initially being rated 17th in the power rankings.

Mount Pisgah, which finished the season 15-11 after not qualifying for the region playoffs, lost to St. Francis 71-28 the final weekend of the regular season.

St. Francis (25-3), the No. 1 seed in the tournament bracket, plays at home in the second round against Mount Paran. The Lady Titans defeated Mount Paran 57-46 in the Region 6-A finals.

The winner of that game will play Saturday at Kennesaw State against either Tattnall Square or Stratford Academy.

Kasiyahna Kushkituah led St. Francis with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Maya Dodson added 14 points and Teja Cummings, who had been sidelined by a recent injury, added 13. Paige Peterson had 12 points for Mount Pisgah, which trailed 26-13 at the half.

The St. Francis boys (26-3) also opened the playoffs as the No. 1 seed and began their state title defense with a 103-59 romp over Lakeview Academy of Gainesville.

Malik Beasley paced the Titans’ attack with 32 points, hitting 14 of 16 field goals including all three of his three-point attempts. Kobi Jordan-Simmons had 27 points and six assists.

Kaiser Gates contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Chance Anderson added 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Titans led 55-24 at the half and 92-43 after three periods. St. Francis was scheduled to host Aquinas in the second round Wednesday. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday at Kennesaw State.

In other Class A private school first round games, the Fellowship Christian girls lost 58-45 to Eagle’s Landing Christian, and the Mount Pisgah boys were eliminated by unbeaten Athens Christian 91-48.

Kelsey Royalty led FCS (15-9) with 20 points, and Cameron Swartz added eight. The Lady Paladins led 17-12 after one quarter, but were outscored 16-7 in the second period and trailed 42-36 entering the fourth quarter.

ELCA was the No. 7 seed and FCS No. 10.

Mount Pisgah’s boys finished 1513 after drawing the No. 3 seed in the first round. Athens Christian (28-0) is considered one of two teams in Class A most likely to challenge St. Francis for the state championship.

– Mike Blum

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Titans drop close game in 2nd round Gladiators, Knights Last-second 3-pointer misses at buzzer HOGANSVILLE, Ga. – The Blessed Trinity Titans played back-to-back state tournament games last week that went down to the buzzer, with BT winning the first and losing the second, both by twopoint margins.

The Titans won their Class AAA opener 32-30 at Washington County, but lost 58-56 Saturday at Callaway. They finished with a 24-6 record in their first season under head coach Patrick Hughes, who took over for Brian Marks, the coach who started BT’s program.

Blessed Trinity trailed 13-8 after a defensive-oriented first half against Washington County, but outscored the Hawks 24-17 in the second half. The Titans held on down the stretch by hitting their free throws, leading by five before the Hawks hit a late three.

Jackson Svete had eight points for the Titans, and Cameron Johnson and Cody

Roundabout: Continued from Page 4 ing from Lexington-Wingate residents. The roundabout lets them exit their subdivisions, and the oncoming traffic is slowed enough that they feel safe in exiting their subdivisions.

The Wellington roundabout could be much more expensive because of the costs associated if it were made larger than the 80-foot diameter of Lexington’s.

It would require the purchase of right of way and would likely require the cost of replacing the entrance monuments.

While there is no facing subdivision on Sargent Road across from Wellington, there is a berm that would require a retaining wall. How much of a retaining wall would depend on the diameter and height of the cut necessary for the wall.

“As the slope goes up, the deeper the cut and the higher the wall,” Black said.

A 110-foot diameter roundabout similar to the one at Douglas Road leaps to a cost of $600,000 to $800,000. A 90foot diameter might be a better starting place, however.

“That works best. We’ve learned a lot as we’ve gone along,” Black said. “A 110-foot diameter has been suggested, but that is just too big. The beauty of the smaller one is it is cheaper and just as effective.”

Mayor Mike Bodker said his concerns were that the original goals of the roundabout: • Minimize the need for left

Pelitera added seven each. The Titans limited Washington County standout A.J. Gray to 11 points and helped avenge losses the last two years in the state football playoffs to Gray and the Hawks.

In their next game, the Titans faced a team coach Hughes said was “the most athletic team we faced this season. They are a relentless pressure team.”

Callaway (20-4) reached the final four last year and is one win from another semifinal berth this season.

The Titans withstood Callaway’s defensive pressure to lead by four at the half, but the Cavaliers went to the front in the third quarter, leading by as many as nine points before BT battled back. The game was tight down the stretch, with the Cavaliers inching ahead at the foul line.

Down two with about 10 seconds left, the Titans had time to set up a play and almost pulled off a gamewinner, narrowly missing a turns on Sargent Road • Return Sargent to a more residential character • Create a continual flow of traffic “The problem I see is the roundabout does not hold many cars,” Bodker said. “The Wellington folks want a bigger roundabout. The Lexington and Wingate folks are saying they would like theirs a little bigger also.”

Some Wellington residents have told Bodker the subdivision is willing to donate the right of way and forgo the replacement of the entrance monuments since they would need replacement due to wear anyway.

Councilman Steve Broadbent said the Lexington roundabout could be termed as “good, but not great.”

“It achieved its purpose,” he said.

Bodker said the issue is how to balance cost and effectiveness.

“Traffic and calming is the No. 1 job,” Black said.

Widening the LexingtonWingate diameter, in addition to two entrances, also would have required dealing with an irrigation system.

The City Council charged Black with getting some estimates of some larger diameter roundabouts.

After the meeting, Black said he would see if there is “magic number” for a diameter that would allow for more cars “in the circle” without raising costs dramatically. He should report back at the next city workshop.

corner three at the buzzer.

“I am unbelievably proud of the effort,” Hughes said.

“There was nothing more I could have asked out of my team. But it’s upsetting you lost this close a game.”

The Titans got a big offensive game from Svete, who scored most of his 25 points from long range. Svete is one of two returning starters for the Titans, who graduate seniors Johnson, Pelitera and Keishawn Binion.

lose openers

MARIETTA, Ga. – In other first round AAAAAA boys’ games, Johns Creek lost 70-57 to Pope and Centennial fell to state No. 1 Wheeler 64-37. Both games were played in Cobb County.

Johns Creek trailed 15-5 after one period, but after closing within five points in the second quarter, Pope went on an 8-0 run and maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the way. Roderick Whitlow led the Gladiators (14-15) with 22 points, and Mark Lancaster and Miles Clay scored 12 each.

Clay contributed eight rebounds and five assists.

Wheeler took an eight-point lead against Centennial with a 13-1 run in the opening period, but the Knights (16-13) closed within 24-20 at the half.

Wheeler then started the third quarter with a 12-0 run and outscored Centennial 40-17 in the second half.

Adam Saeed scored 13 points to lead the Knights, while Wheeler standout Jaylon Brown led the Wildcats with 26.

– Mike Blum

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32 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

SPORTS

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

The senior Raider boys, from left, are Roy Winston, Aaron Thomas, Devontae Cacok, Jaylon Gamble, Afam Maduka and Mark Eze.

ALPHARETTA WINS, ROUND 1:

Raiders roll past Eagles in state opener Cacok sparks strong second half effort

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The Alpharetta Raiders broke open a tight game in the second half to defeat Milton 71-52 last Wednesday in the first round of the state Class AAAAAA basketball playoffs.

The Raiders scored the last eight points of the second quarter to take a 29-27 halftime lead, but the Eagles came back with a 9-0 run in the third period to go ahead 36-31.

The game turned when Chris Lewis, Milton’s standout center, missed an open dunk

and Alpharetta center Devontae Cacok scored at the other end. Cacok also made two free throws on the play after an intentional foul call against the Eagles.

A Cacok dunk and two free throws by Greg James gave the Raiders a lead they would not relinquish. The Eagles missed four straight free throws as Alpharetta moved out to an eight-point lead. Milton was just nine of 24 at the foul line for the game and managed just one three-point field goal.

With Cacok asserting himself on the inside and Milton continuing to misfire from

outside, the Raiders pulled away in the final period, outscoring the Eagles 23-10 in the quarter.

Cacok led the Raiders (245) with 21 points, 14 in the second half. Lewis kept Cacok in check into the third quarter, but the 6-foot-6 Alpharetta senior went to work on the offensive boards in the second half.

He keyed the Raiders’ defensive effort in the final two periods against the 6-foot-8 Lewis.

Lewis finished with 13 points, but managed just three free throws in the second half, as the Eagles (17-12) were unable to effectively get the ball inside to him.

Alpharetta coach Fredrick Hurt credited Cacok for his

NOW OPEN

work against Lewis, especially in the second half.

“That’s definitely what we were looking for,” Hurt said.

Hurt also enjoyed watching his team pull away down the stretch, as the Raiders did not back off offensively in the closing minutes.

The Alpharetta coach said his response to some of the team’s shots in the closing minutes were, “No. No. Good shot. We stayed aggressive with the lead.”

Senior guard Jordan Burrow led the Eagles with 17 points, Alex O’Connell added 11 and Quarte Sapp 10. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 62-60 during the regular season, with O’Connell scoring

23 points including a gamewinning three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime.

But the sophomore guard struggled with his outside shot last week against the Raiders.

Burrow’s slashing drives to the basket were Milton’s only effective offensive weapon in the rematch.

While four Milton players combined for 51 of the team’s 52 points, the Raiders had six players score at least six points.

Jaylon Gamble added 16 points, and Mark Eze sparked the team’s late surge and finished with nine points.

Reserve Carlos Carriere contributed eight and James finished with seven.

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SPORTS

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 33

ALPHARETTA WINS, ROUND 2:

Raiders escape with wild overtime victory Defeat McEachern to reach quarterfinals

By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. – Alpharetta and McEachern staged one of those games last Saturday night that make high school state basketball tournaments such a treasured aspect of American sporting life.

The game included all manners of twists and turns, with the Raiders battling back in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime. They then held on for victory despite almost letting an eight-point lead in overtime slip away.

The Raiders won 70-69 in a second round Class AAAAAA game, surviving a final 3.4 seconds in which the Indians almost turned a three-point deficit into a victory. Alpharetta committed several turnovers and an offensive foul, and missed three of four throws in the closing seconds, but still had the lead when the Indians, trailing by two, missed an open three-pointer.

Leading 70-67, Alpharetta could have clinched its victory, but Mark Eze missed the second of two free throws, giving McEachern one last chance.

The Indians’ A.J. Jones pulled a step or two inside the midcourt line and launched a desperation shot, which rimmed out after nearly banking into the basket.

But the game was not over, as the Raiders were called for fouling on the shot, sending Jones to the three throw line with .3 seconds on the clock. Jones missed the first, made the second and tried to miss the third. But this time be banked it in, and the Raiders escaped with a stirring victory that left fans from both teams shaking their heads in amazement after the helterskelter finish.

“That was a wild game,” Alpharetta coach Fredrick Hurt said. He admitted he was “nervous” as Jones’ last-second shot “almost went in. Then they still had a chance to tie.”

Hurt was relieved that

his team overcame its shaky performance in the final minute, as well as the game-long struggle of center Devontae Cacok, the team’s top player.

McEachern constantly harassed and frustrated Cacok on the inside, and he finished with just one field goal and five points. Cacok helped carry the Raiders to many of their wins during the season, but this time his teammates stepped up and shouldered the load as their star struggled.

“We have other guys who stepped up and made plays,”

Hurt said.

Greg James led the Raiders with 19 points, connecting on five three-pointers, two of which he converted into four-point plays after fouls. His second four-point play tied the game 59-59 with 2:45 left in regulation. The Raiders forced overtime when freshman guard Alex Jones scored on a floater in the lane with one minute to play, and Alpharetta played unyielding defense in the closing seconds.

The Raiders’ first six points in overtime came at the foul line. When Eze, who connected on three of them, scored on a fast break dunk, Alpharetta led 69-61 with a little over a minute to play.

Alpharetta led 31-28 at the half on the strength of six three-pointers, two each

by James and reserve Carlos Carriere. Afam Maduka connected on a late three to give the Raiders the lead going to intermission.

The Indians went ahead with a 9-0 run in the third period and took a 50-47 lead

Alpharetta (245) plays in the quarterfinals Wednesday at Shiloh (263), which is undefeated this season against teams from Georgia. to the fourth quarter. The lead reached seven before Carriere scored on a floater to start the Raiders’ comeback. Jaylon Gamble, who finished with 14 points, made a tremendous block and then scored on the inside to cut McEachern’s lead to three before James’ fourpointer tied the game at 59.

Alpharetta (24-5) plays in the quarterfinals Wednesday at Shiloh (26-3), which is undefeated this season against teams from Georgia.

34 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

SCHOOLS

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Taylor Road MS robotics team tops in state Head to St. Louis for World Championship

By JULIA SHIN Special JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Taylor Road Middle School eighth-grade robotics team, the Atomic Bubbles, brought home the first place Champions Award Saturday, Feb. 7 at the state First Lego League championship at the University of Georgia.

This year’s season started in the fall with 521 registered teams in Georgia and culminated in two state championships, one at UGA and one at Georgia Tech. The Atomic Bubbles and the first place winner from Georgia Tech will represent Georgia at the World Championship April 22 – 25 in St. Louis.

Every year, 265,000 children age 9 through 16 from 80 countries participate and compete in over 700 First Lego League qualifying and championship tournaments.

Each challenge has three parts, which include robot game/design, the project and First Lego League core values. Challenges are designed around topics where participants are exposed to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) principles.

As part of the competition, each team is challenged to come up with an innovative solution to the question/problem posed for that year. This year’s theme is “World Class Learning Unleashed.”

Taylor Road Middle School’s Atomic Bubbles captured first place in Georgia’s First Lego League state championships.

From left are TRMS Principal Ed Williamson, Rithik Doddla, Sakshi Kakkad, Tyler Shin, Pavana Karthikeyan, Eshan Bhojane, Sindhu Tunki, Maanas Purushothapu and technology teacher Jeff Bachus.

For the competition, Atomic Bubbles posed a question of how to better help students, especially those with ADHD, learn to organize their schoolwork?

For their solution, they created the OMG, Organizational Management Guru, application that teaches users to efficiently organize their schoolwork.

OMG’s first feature is a lesson plan/ survey that gathers data to generate a

custom lesson plan.

The second feature is similar to “Khan Academy” where the user can look up videos and tutorials.

The third feature is folder organization that allows users to store and organize documents.

The fourth feature is an online agenda where students enter work and the dates they are due. The agenda

automatically notifies students every two hours to complete the work. OMG provides structure, routine and organization for those who need it.

Members of the Atomic Bubbles team include Pavana Karthikeyan, Rithik Doddla, Vibhu Mocherla, Tyler Shin, Sindhu Tunki, Sakshi Kakkad, Maanas Purushothapu and Eshan Bhojane.

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Clemson University CLEMSON, S.C. – The following local students have enrolled in the fall semester at Clemson University. Joseph T. Arlotto, Roswell, environmental and natural resources; Matthew Lytle Beatty, Roswell, general engineering; Kathryn L. Bishop, Alpharetta, nursing; Madison P. Boyk, Alpharetta, psychology; Grant William Brown, Alpharetta, pre-business; Kennedy K. Chambers, Cumming, animal and veterinary science; Amanda M. Cochran, Roswell, nursing; Kenneth D. Cornwall, Johns Creek, graphic communications; Diana L. Davidson, Johns Creek, English; Karina Chandler Delbeau-Charles, Milton, biological sciences; Leland J. Dunwoodie, Milton, pre-professional health sciences; Jeremy Ryan Fedrigon, Milton, general engineering.

Claire Brown Gagnier, Cumming; Katherine C. Gerlach, Milton, pre-professional health sciences; Caleb Phillip Gloster, Alpharetta, general engineering; Ryan Haslam Grady, Alpharetta, pre-business; Alaina M. Grant, Roswell, food science; Eric John Hagens-

tad, Johns Creek; Cordasia Henderson, Alpharetta, psychology; John P. Jackson IV, Roswell, general engineering; Kristina M. Johnson, Johns Creek, elementary education; Dacia Moreh Fitzgerald Jones, Roswell, biological sciences; Garrett A. Kliphouse, Cumming, environmental and natural resources; Andrew N. Koster, Johns Creek, general engineering; William C. Kramer, Roswell, general engineering; Nicholas M. Krauter, Roswell, general engineering; Alexander Timothy Lee, Alpharetta, pre-business; Jonathan Joseph Luppino, Johns Creek, general engineering; Victoria K. Martin, Roswell, animal and veterinary science; Allison Bouchard McHugh, Johns Creek, secondary education; Haley Coit McKay, Alpharetta, communication studies; Jonathan Robert Moore, Alpharetta; Margot R. Murray, Johns Creek, secondary education; Cameron A. Petrovich, Cumming, general engineering; Nicholas Paul Queen, Roswell, general engineering; Patrick James Russell, Alpharetta, general engineering; Jon R. Shingleton, Duluth, general engineering; Audrey E. Smith, Alpharetta, pre-business; Trevor Nicolas Torres, Cumming, pre-business; Alec Vitale, Alpharetta, general engineering; and Anna Dunneah Young, Roswell, general engineering.

SCHOOLS Bucknell University LEWISBURG, Pa. – Tyler Whitehead of Alpharetta graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bucknell University.

Cornell University ITHACA, N.Y. – The following local students made the spring 2014 Dean’s List at Cornell University: Haritha Aribindi of Alpharetta, Swetha Aribindi of Alpharetta, Ivan Kang of Johns Creek, Linda He of Johns Creek, HaeSoo Cheon of Cumming and Hailin Liu of Duluth.

St. Bonaventure University ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Jaisree Iyer of Duluth made the 2014 Dean’s List at St. Bonaventure University.

Armstrong Atlantic State University SAVANNAH, Ga. – The following students were named to Armstrong Atlantic State University’s Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester: Christina Beasley, radiologic sciences, Suwanee; Michael Beaton, information technology, Suwanee; Jasmine Dias, theater, Johns Creek; David

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 35 Jones, business economics, Suwanee; Karisa Reihing, health science, Alpharetta; Jessica Schlender, psychology, Alpharetta; and Hayley Thacher, nursing, Alpharetta.

Eastern New Mexico University PORTALES, N.M. – Stefanie Fugarino of Suwanee graduated from Eastern New Mexico University on May 10.

University of North Georgia DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The following University of North Georgia students were initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi: Lori Hansen, Cumming; Ashley Hamby, Milton; Ellie Purdy, Cumming; and Jennifer Gilley, Cumming.

Lisa Scott of Suwanee was recently inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Scott current attends the University of North Georgia pursuing a degree in history.

Creighton University OMAHA, Neb. – Yongchan Gil of Duluth was named to the 2014 spring semester Dean’s List at Creighton University.

Westminster School SIMSBURY, Conn. – Lauren Boures of Johns Creek earned the Westminster School Academic Honor for the spring 2014 semester.

University of Delaware NEWARK, Del. – Jason Derene of Milton and Laura George of Alpharetta both made the spring 2014 Dean’s List at the University of Delaware. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a grade point average of 3.3 or better.

Brenau University GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Nina Chanel Jackson of Alpharetta was recently selected as the American Society of Interior Designers’ National Student of the Week. This honor is only presented to four students nationwide. Jackson is currently a senior and studies interior design at Brenau University.

Also at Brenau, local students participated in the fall production of “An Evening of Dance: Unspoken Truths” at the university’s Pearce Auditorium Nov. 7 and Nov. 8. Rachel E. Lange of Alpharetta and Kelly Rayborn of Suwanee performed.

Both are majoring in dance.

See VARSITY, Page 38

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36 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

COMMUNITY

Parents Robert and Kathleen Avery congratulate their son Ryan Avery for his DAR Citizenship Award.

Pisgah student wins DAR Citizenship Award JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Fort Peachtree chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has chosen Ryan Avery of Mount Pisgah Christian School for the DAR Good Citizen Award. He is the son of Robert and Kathleen Avery of Alpharetta.

Each year, one senior class member is selected in an accredited high school by its faculty and students to be the DAR Good Citizen.

Each student chosen must exemplify the qualities of a good citizen, which are dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their home, school and community.

Once chosen, the student enters DAR’s Good Citizen Scholarship Contest. First, the student writes a description of how he or she is an example of

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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 37

Wesley McPherson displays the winning Medlock Bridge ES yearbook cover that he designed.

Wesley McPherson wins yearbook cover design contest JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Medlock Bridge Elementary School recently conducted a contest for students to submit artwork to determine the cover of the 2015 yearbook, and chose fifthgrader Wesley McPherson’s submission.

Students were given the opportunity to view

all of the yearbook cover submissions and then vote for their favorite. McPherson, a student in Stephanie Woods’ class, won the contest.

In appreciation for his design, McPherson will receive a complimentary copy of the yearbook.

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38 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

SCHOOLS

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Varsity:

Georgia Southern University

Continued from Page 35

STATESBORO, Ga. – Renee Nance of Alpharetta was named to the Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team.

Nance is a junior at Georgia Southern University.

Georgia College

State Bridge ES students make blankets for homeless JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Fourth-grade students at State Bridge Elementary School make fleece

blankets for the homeless during their Dec. 16 winter party celebration.

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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Natalie Mau of Alpharetta was named a finalist for the Margaret Harvin Wilson Writing Award at Georgia College and State University. Mau read an excerpt from her work “The Garden” on Nov. 11 at the award ceremony. This award is granted annually to undergraduate students at Georgia College.

BirminghamSouthern College

Hofstra University HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The following students graduated from Hofstra University in the class of 2014. Ohad Amram of Alpharetta graduated with a bachelor’s degree in film studies and production. Paul Bruckner of Alpharetta graduated with a bachelor’s of business administration degree in management.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mattie Gereben of Alpharetta has made the spring 2014 Dean’s List at Birmingham Southern College. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 average on a 4.0 scale.

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SCHOOLS

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 39

Bearup contender for Prudential award ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta High School sophomore Benjamin Bearup has been nominated for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. He also writes for a national magazine called Airways magazine. Over Christmas break, he was flown by AirTran to Milwaukee to cover the airline’s final flight into Atlanta before becoming part of Southwest Airlines. Bearup’s article, “Onboard the last AirTran Flight” was picked up by Fox News.

BEARUP

Former Congressman J.C. Watts named Pisgah graduation speaker Eight Alpharetta High School band members headed to JanFest Honor Band Clinic. In back, from left, are Christian Culloty, Daniel Gelber, Henry Gilelach and Eric Tam. In front are Carlee Woodring, Elizabeth Cohn, Izzie Vezeau and Dharani Balakumar.

AHS band members invited to UGA Honor Band Clinic ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Eight Alpharetta High School band students were selected recently and participated in the University of Georgia JanFest Honor Band Clinic.

Christian Culloty, Daniel Gelber, Henry Gilelach, Eric Tam, Carlee Woodring, Elizabeth Cohn, Izzie Vezeau and Dharani Bala-

kumar participated in the prestigious event and were selected among 1,000 other high school students from around the Southeast to take part. They auditioned and earned high placement in their respective honor bands and performed impressive concerts to earn their spots.

River Trail MS announces geography bee winners JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – River Trail Middle School in Johns Creek conducted its school geography bee Jan. 15.

The first place winner this year was Alejandro Lim. Second place went to Sheri Zhang. Lim will now take the National Geography Bee test, which will determine if he will represent RTMS at the Georgia Geography Bee. Prior to the school-wide event, each RTMS student participated in a classroom bee.

Pisgah’s Searcy to serve on art education board JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Mount Pisgah Christian School visual arts teacher Tiffany Searcy has accepted a board position as the North Georgia co-chair for independent schools with the Georgia Art Education Association.

It is her goal to bring Georgia’s private school art SEARCY teachers together by making connections through the GAEA as well as to promote art advocacy in schools.

Searcy will serve as one of two voices for independent school art educators in Georgia.

In addition, she will work alongside the South Georgia co-chairperson to increase membership in the GAEA. This is an appointed position based on current and past board members’ nominations.

Prior to Searcy’s acceptance of this posi-

tion, independent school art educators have been underrepresented at state level due to their low membership in GAEA. As a byproduct of this, limited professional development opportunities are available for non-public school teachers at the state conferences.

By taking on this new role, Searcy plans to make the necessary connections to increase independent school membership in the GAEA with the hope this will lead to additional opportunities for private school teachers to access workshops and professional development.

Searcy said she is excited about this honor, which provides the opportunity to serve the Georgia community.

“I can only imagine the possibilities this opportunity will bring to me, to Pisgah and to our students. Making these valuable connections will help to strength what we do in our visual arts program,” she said.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Mount Pisgah Christian School announced that former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts will be this year’s commencement speaker.

Watts was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the 4th District of Oklahoma in 1994. In 1998, he was elected by his peers to serve as chairman of the Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking leadership position in the majority party in the House. He currently serves as chairman of the J.C. Watts Companies, a multi-industry holding company headquartered in Washington, D.C., with operations in Texas and Oklahoma.

Watts works with clients to implement business development, communications and public affairs strategies. He advises numerous Fortune 500 companies and serves on the Board of Directors of Dillard’s Department Stores.

In addition, Watts has successfully worked on major civil rights issues to ensure voting rights and alleviate global poverty and HIV/ AIDS in Africa and elsewhere.

He is a frequent guest on national and international news shows and has been widely quoted in major newspaper articles, both in the United States and abroad.

While serving in Congress, Watts authored legislation to create, and then he later served on, the House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

He also served on the

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as the House Banking Committee.

He led two congresWATTS sional trade missions to Africa. He co-authored the American Community Renewal and New Markets Act, which President Bill Clinton signed into law in 2000.

He was the author of President George W. Bush’s faith-based initiative, the Community Solutions Act of 2001. He also developed legislation with Rep. John Lewis to establish a Smithsonian Museum of African American History. Watts has continued his public service by leading a U.S. delegation to Vienna, Austria, at the request of Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell, to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Conference on Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia.

He joined Bush on his historic trip to Africa in 2003.

He co-founded and co-chairs the Coalition on AIDS Relief in Africa. He also created the J.C. and Frankie Watts Foundation to focus on urban renewal and other charitable initiatives.

Mount Pisgah Christian School will celebrate the class of 2015 at commencement on May 23 at 10 a.m. in the North Campus sanctuary.

[U.S. Rep. J.C.] Watts has successfully worked on major civil rights issues to ensure voting rights and alleviate global poverty and HIV/ AIDS in Africa and elsewhere.

40 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald

COMMUNITY

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Alpharetta High students compete in county science fair ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta High School participated in Fulton County Science Fair, Jan. 30, at Westlake High School in Atlanta.

More than 100 projects from both high schools and middle schools in Fulton County were presented.

All seven participating projects from Alpharetta High won in their respective categories.

• First place finishers include Eric Kim, Hithardhi Duggireddy, Rick Saha, Josh Saha and Rajiv Reddy.

• Second place finishers include Jonathan Williamson and Shubhom Bhattacharya.

• Third place were Susan Lee, Avni Ahuja, Justin Chu, Josh Seides, Dhakshi Balakumar and Dharani Balakumar.

All first and second place winners from Alpharetta High will participate in the Georgia State Science Fair (GSEF) in Athens in March. ­–Adam Barth

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE Fulton County and the City of Johns Creek will be hosting a free Fair Housing Public Workshop on Tuesday, March 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Park Place at Newtown School located at 3125 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, 30022.

Representatives from Atlanta Metro Fair Housing will present on housing law and programs available to Georgia residents. Representatives from Fulton County and the City of Johns Creek will be on hand to answer any questions.

For further information or assistance, please email: cdbg@ johnscreekga.gov or linda.callaway@fultoncountyga.gov

Alpharetta High School students participate in the Fulton County Science Fair.

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NORTHSIDE WOMAN

Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 41

WHITELAKE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

Saving our lives ScrapRoom creator Blayne White perseveres in the name of preservation

By KIMBERLY BROCK Blayne White is a vivacious photography enthusiast and longtime professional photography studio owner (Whitelake won Best Photography Studio for 2014) who loves photos and the stories they tell of our lives.

So it makes sense that she also has a passion for scrapbooks.

That passion led her to create a new tool to make sure the cherished moments of our lives are captured and never lost to time.

“Telling our family’s stories – good and bad – is a way of not only remembering, but also learning as we go through this crazy life,” White explained.

“It’s a way to slow down and appreciate what’s going on.

You can call it scrapbooking, art journaling, therapy – it’s all our lives.”

While there’s a lot to be said for the convenience of digital photography, White believes that it’s changing how we view, save and share our photos.

“We used to drop a roll of film off at the lab, shop for an hour and pick up our prints,” she said. “Now, we post to the infinite universe of social media and never really ‘see’ our photos again.” White’s concern is validated by concerns brought to her by clients and fellow scrapbookers, who are trying to learn digital photography and all the technology that goes along with it.

“No one understands ‘the cloud,’” she said. “And we have no idea how to get our photos off our devices and back into our lives. Our moments and memories last for a few seconds on Twitter and are gone.

I believe a generation of photos is about to be lost because we are all overwhelmed and think

we’ll deal with it later – then a hard drive dies, a computer crashes, and poof – gone forever.”

From those conversations, an idea sparked that set White on a course she would have never considered before.

“I realized that there is really no real software that is created for how we want to store and share our photos,” White said. “I was stomping around the house one night and griped to my husband about this, and his response was, ‘Then why don’t you just do it yourself?’ I thought, ‘Well, that’s impossible, right?’ Turns out, it’s not!”

Even with the excitement of seeing a dream being realized, White admits the process of designing and developing the software was incredibly hard.

She questioned herself every day.

“I went through three groups of developers – turning one down because they couldn’t see my vision. One we had to sue for taking our money and failing to deliver, and this last one – well, they got it done, but it was two years overdue,” she said.

“Four years of my blood, sweat, tears and more than a few chosen bad words, ScrapRoom Software is finally launched.”

She is proud of her accomplishment, if a bit surprised.

“It’s patented, and the only all-in-one software written specifically for photo enthusiasts and scrapbookers, by a scrapper,” she said. “I am the first person in either of our families to get a patent – and certainly the only female entrepreneur.”

White isn’t resting on her laurels when it comes to ScrapRoom Software. She’s far

Photographer and ScrapRoom creator Blayne White. from done.

“I have plans for a mobile app, to make recording your story much easier and spontaneous, as well as a photo organizational-only product that will be marketed more toward the photo enthusiast, rather than the scrapbooker,” she said.

Her zeal is inspiring. White is a woman on a mission.

“With ScrapRoom, I want to teach others how to organize their photos, get their stories written down – even if it’s just in the computer, and back up everything to save it for future generations,” she said.

In going after something that mattered deeply to her, White believes her product will change lives. But perhaps it’s by her perseverance that White, and so many around her, have already been changed.

“I want to be an example to my kids that you can stick

WHITELAKE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

WHITELAKE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

with something and make it work, even when it’s so hard you want to quit,” she said.

“And, this is something that is just for me. I worked with my husband for 20 years and felt the urge to do something that I knew, but that was totally my

own.”

You can learn more about ScrapRoom here, in this short commercial: http://goo.gl/ v3We1n.

Or here, in a longer demo: http://youtu.be/XlHJSKMxkFE.

42 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald

Bond: Continued from Page 1 breeze about old times in foreign places. But when they make up their mind to something, they undertake it with enthusiasm. One of their first projects was the videotaping of veterans’ war experiences to create an oral history of ordinary soldiers.

Copies were sent to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and an archive was begun in Johns Creek.

For the past two years, they were quite busy with their signature project, the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk that was completed last Novem-

JCVA Membership The Johns Creek Veterans Association invites veterans of any branch of the U.S. military who live in or near Johns Creek to join the organization.

For information, email johnscreekvets@gmail.com or contact Kirk Franz with the Park Place Groups/Newtown Park at 678512-3200.

Blotter: Continued from Page 2 Police say they were able to track the phone call to a 15-year-old Cumming boy,

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ber. The members raised $300,000 for the 4-acre memorial in Newtown Park.

When they decide to do something, they don’t think small.

“We are just some guys who enjoy getting together swapping stories and socializing,” said Williamson.

Kidd, who is the JCVA president, said socializing is the No. 1 function of the group.

“We have a lot of stories between us, and it’s a chance to tell them. Of course, you have to listen to the other guy’s tall tales also,” Kidd said.

The group meets three Wednesdays a month now, and also arranges outings such as dinners with the wives and shooting outings. There is talk of a trip to Vegas.

“But our main focus is guys getting together,” said Nolan, a former Navy man.

On the second day of their membership drive, a couple of former military men showed up who clearly fit the JCVA profile.

David Kuwamata spent 13 years in the Army and is retired now. His wife is still working.

“My wife said I need to get out and do something, so I searched the Web and found the [JCVA],” Kuwamata said, who grew up in Hawaii.

Now a Johns Creek resident, he said

who thought it was a prank.

Police charged the boy and notified the juvenile court system.

“We felt it was appropriate,” said George Gordon, spokesman for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

What the vets do best is socialize. New member Ron Doberstein, center, talks with JCVA members Wayne Kidd, left, and Ed Nolan. this just the sort of group he was looking for.

“I’m a vet, and I like talking with brother vets,” he said.

Ron Doberstein saw a JCVA flyer and decided to check it out. He signed up right away and paid the $35 annual dues. He said joining a veterans group was “something it was time to do.”

2015 and charged with felony shoplifting.

Getaway driver put away

Wrong place at the wrong time

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – An unknown man made off with a half-dozen purses Dec. 1, 2014 and got away in a waiting car.

The suspected driver was recently arrested.

Police report that a man entered the T.J. Maxx store Dec. 1, 2014 and began to look at purses.

He then picked out five or six and fled the store without paying for them.

Employees chased him to a waiting car that sped off.

Employees were able to get the tag of the car.

The owner of the car, Britnay Ganea Woods, 25, of Decatur, had a warrant out for her arrest since the incident.

She was found Feb. 10,

MILTON, Ga. – A man was arrested Feb. 9 on outstanding warrants, after he was spotted simply standing around.

According to police, an officer was finishing up a traffic stop near Camden Apartments on North Point Parkway about 8 p.m. when he saw a man standing at the entrance, apparently watching the officer and regularly checking his phone.

The officer noted a group of people stealing cart parts will use lookouts to watch for police.

The officer approached the man, Stephen M. Kaira, 21, of Alpharetta who said he lived at the apartments

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“I also want to learn more about veteran benefits and senior living,” Doberstein said. “I wanted to hear more speakers on veteran affairs.”

Kidd said they planned to do more of just that.

JCVA also instituted a third Wednesday meeting at the behest of members. It will be “War Movie Night.”

It’s a guy thing.

“If he was an adult, he would have been arrested.”

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and was waiting on a friend to pick him up. A check of Kaira’s ID showed he had two outstanding warrants – one for theft and for forgery of a credit card. He was ar rested.

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Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 43 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

50 YEARS LATER…

Bailey Johnson state champs recall victory N.F. black school ran around competition

By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenemediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Come Feb. 27, 2015, it will be 50 years to the day since the team from Bailey Johnson Public School won the state championship in basketball.

There were 12 members of that team in 1965. Six of the surviving members gathered Feb. 18 at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Roswell to reminisce about their shining moment five decades ago.

The men went to Bailey Johnson, the only all-black school in segregated North Fulton. It featured grades 1-12 school, it only had about 100 students. It schooled black students for all of North Fulton County as far south as Dunwoody.

“This team was a machine,” said team member Almond Martin. “We were all spark plugs. If one of us sputtered, it didn’t run.”

They were coached by Jerry Hobbs, a former college football player who taught physical education as well as math.

For a basketball team, they were small guys. Averaging in the upper 5-foot range, they were dwarfed by their competition. But that didn’t matter.

They had speed on their side.

“Coach would make us run over and over for so long,” Martin said, laughing as he called it “abuse.”

Hobbs would have them run every day he could, around town and in gyms, for hours on end. And when they were done, they would run some more.

The guys laughed and joked as they reminisced about just how much Hobbs made them run, building up stamina so they could run down the other teams’ players.

The team was nicknamed the “Running Runts.”

“Our speed would run them to death,” said Jimmy Taylor.

“We couldn’t match them on height.”

But the team from Bailey Johnson knew height wasn’t the only way to win the game.

“We could outrun them. By the second half, the game was ours,” said Charles Grogan.

The tactic worked that year.

The team ran around their competition, going 14-2, with some very one-sided games along the way.

And they gained a reputation.

The 1964-65 basketball team from Bailey Johnson HS, the former all-black North Fulton black school in what is now Alpharetta, went 14-2 to win the state championship. Front row, from left, are Aubrey Manning, Arthur Manning, Leroy (Charles) Grogan, Almond Martin, David Taylor and Larry Strickland. Back row are coach Jerry Hobbs, Jimmy Taylor, Melvin Peters, James Emerson, Claude McCan, Willie Brown and Larry Wells.

“We tried to play Milton [High School] all the time,” said Martin. “We begged them to play us. But they wouldn’t do it.”

He recalled a time when the all-white Milton team watched the Bailey Johnson team play one night. After that, Martin laughed, they realized “nobody on their first string could even play against our second string.”

Given all the running, it should be no surprise that the team were also state champions at track.

Some liked it; others only wanted to play basketball.

They took their running game all the way to the state championships.

“When we went to Butler [in Roberta, Georgia], we went in a Trailway bus. People asked us who we were going to play, we told them ‘Butler.’ They told us to go home, we wouldn’t win,” Grogan said. “We beat them 81-71.”

After that, the team had fans who followed them everywhere they went.

“We beat the favored team and then we ran 100 points on the next teams,” said Grogan. “They told us we can’t win, and then they were all for us.”

The team went 14-2 for that season, eventually crushing Bruce Street [DeKalb County] in the state championship, 85-49.

The guys got into sports by playing in their backyards, those were their only places to play.

“Up here, you wanted something to do,” Taylor said.

“We used to play in backyards.

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

The state champion Bailey Johnson basketball team gathers to celebrate 50 years since their big win. Front row, from left, are Charles Grogan, Almond Martin and David Taylor. Back row are Jimmy Taylor, Melvin Peters and James Emerson.

There were no organized sports for blacks. Most of those sports started in sixth or seventh grade.”

Despite the segregation in the schools, the boys would often play with white children in the fields around the area.

“If somebody was bouncing a ball, we were there,” said Taylor.

“We were not allowed to play organized sports,” Grogan said, “so we played our own things.”

A basketball was always bouncing and baseballs thrown. Grogan said they even created a makeshift track field in a backyard, complete with

pole vaults and hurdles.

They cleared out an overgrown field to create their own field to play on. That field eventually turned into Waller Park, once the city of Roswell took it over.

In the intervening five decades, five members of the team have died.

Martin was the only one who continued playing after high school. He played college basketball at Rio Grande College in Ohio for two years.

He still thinks his high school team was the best.

“This was the best-conditioned team I ever played with,” Martin said. “No one was ever

taken out of a game because they were exhausted.”

What lessons do these former players have to the generation (or two) who have followed them?

“Always listen to your teachers and your coach,” said Taylor. “In order to play, you have to listen to your coach.

They can help you in the long run.”

Melvin Peters said,“Be willing to get in shape. There is no substitute for hard work.” .

Some artifacts from the team are on display at Roswell City Hall as part of Roswell Roots and Black History Month.

44 | February 26, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com

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City of Johns Creek Board of Zoning Appeals, Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. City of Johns Creek Council Chamber 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300 Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 The following Variance proposals located within The City of Johns Creek are scheduled for Public Hearing as stated above.

Case Number: Petitioner: Present Zoning: Property Location(s): Variance Request:

V-15-001 Maria Manzanero C-1 5700 Block of State Bridge Road To allow two wall signs on the same wall area

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza (new City Hall), Alpharetta, Georgia.

Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday March 30, 2015 commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza (new City Hall), Alpharetta, Georgia. a. CLUP-15-01/MP-15-01/Z-15-01/V-15-01 KB 400 Master Plan 1699 Land Company, LLC Consideration of a request to rezone approximately 12.4 acres from O-I to CUP in order to develop 59 single family homes and 37 townhomes. A variance from CUP acreage and lot regulations is requested. A Master Plan amendment to allow Single Family attached and detached homes is requested and a request to change the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from “Corporate Campus Office” to “High Density” Residential. The property is at the southeast corner of Kimball Bridge and North Point Parkway. The property is located within Land Lots 807, 808, 849, 850, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. b. MP-14-09 Parkway 400/Hotel Consideration of a request to amend the Parkway 400 Masterplan in order to allow a Hotel as a permitted use on Building Sites 7 and 8. The property is located on Kimball Bridge Road. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lots 801 1st District, Second Section, Fulton County, Georgia. c. PH-14-20 UDC Changes, Climate Controlled Storage.

Consideration of a change to the Unified Development Code in order to add the definition for climate controlled storage and add permitted zoning designations for the use. d. CU-14-07/V-14-30 CK Spacemax LLC Consideration of a conditional use to permit a climate controlled storage facility on property located at 11505 Morris Road on the south side of Old Milton Parkway as well as a variance to the parking requirements. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lot 856, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. e. CLUP-15-02/Z-14-13/V-15-03 Spruell Subdivision Consideration of a request to rezone approximately 5 acres from AG to R-8D in order to develop 21 single family detached homes. A request to change the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from “Low Density” Residential to “High Density” Residential is also requested. The property is located at 3500 Spruell Circle and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 7, 1st District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 South Main Street.

ADVERTISEMENT INVITATION TO BID CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, FOR CISCO COMPONENTS ITB #15-010 The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for the purchase of CISCO COMPONENTS. The ITB document, including project scope, specifications, and bidder requirements, is available online at www.alpharetta.ga.us, select Online Services then Procurement (Bid) Opportunities. Bids are due Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.

For information, please contact Stephanie Cochran at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us.

ADVERTISEMENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, FOR CITY OF ALPHARETTA FINANCIAL AUDITING SERVICES RFP No. 15-108 In accordance with Georgia Law on Local Government Audits, O.C.G.A. § 36-81-7, the City of Alpharetta (City) requires an independent annual audit. The City is therefore issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish a contract for the professional services of a qualified Certified Public Accountant (the “auditor”) for financial and compliance audits performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) as set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and performed in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS) issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

The RFP document, including project scope and offeror requirements, is available online at www.alpharetta.ga.us, select Online Services then Procurement Opportunities.

Proposals are due Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 10:00 AM, at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009.

The City’s contact for this RFP is Debora Westbrook, at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us or (678) 297-6052.

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Needs: Continued from Page 10 the nation, bisected by Atlanta Public Schools. As such, Avossa said it is largely three separate systems – South Fulton, which is largely AfricanAmerican and poor; Sandy Springs, which is very diverse both racially and economically; and North Fulton, which is largely white and affluent.

Overall, the county’s graduation rate is up about 8 percent since Avossa took the helm in 2011.

Avossa said he hopes to have the system reach 90 percent graduation rate within the next few years.

“For the first time since we started tracking graduation rates, we have passed Cobb and Gwinnett [counties],” Avossa said.

Fulton County is now a “charter school system,” which exempts the system from much of the bureaucratic red tape typically held to school systems. The exemption makes the school system similar to a charter school.

He said the system has

made large strides in that regard. Students who do not speak English as their primary language have a graduation rate up 17 percent in recent years, bringing it up to nearly half of the student population.

A larger portion of the school system’s population is taking the SAT test. About 85 percent of the county’s seniors take the test.

Nationally, only 45 percent of seniors take it.

“We have one of the highest participatory rates in Georgia,” Avossa said.

More kids are taking AP courses and dual enrollment, both of which give college credit while still in high school.

Digital, or virtual, learning is also seeing success, he said.

When asked about the controversial Common Core educational standards, Avossa said the important thing is to stop changing the education requirements every few years.

“Our teachers are exhausted,” he said. “We need to ask politicians to stay away for a while” and see what works.

In part because of the constant changing of requirements, he said Fulton has lost a large number of teachers.

johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 26, 2015 | 45

SEND US YOUR NEWS EMAIL YOUR NEWS News@AppenMediaGroup.com CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-15-AB-04 PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers February 26, 2015 3:00 P.M. PURPOSE Consumption on Premises Liquor, Beer & Wine Sunday Sales APPLICANT FBM, Inc. d/b/a Dos Margaritas Mexican Restaurant 12460 Crabapple Rd., Suite 601 Alpharetta, Ga. 30004 Owner FBM, Inc. Registered Agent Joyce Gist Lewis

CITY OF JOHNS CREEK RFQ #15-072 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN The City of Johns Creek is accepting sealed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from qualified firms for the drafting of an Information Technology Strategic Plan. Sealed RFQ’s will be received no later than 10:00AM. on March 13, 2015 in the City of Johns Creek Purchasing Office, 12000 Findley Rd., Suite-400, Johns Creek, Georgia, 30097. RFQ’s received after the above time or in any other location other than the Purchasing Office will not be accepted. Deadline for questions is close of business on March 5, 2015.

RFQ packages are available on the City of Johns Creek website (www.johnscreekga.gov). Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Office at (678) 512-3233. RFQ’s shall be presented in a sealed opaque envelope with the RFQ number and name clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. The name of the company or firm submitting an RFQ response should also be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. TWO (2) ORIGINALS AND ONE (1) COPY OF THE RFQ ON CD MUST BE SUBMITTED. RFQ’s will not be accepted verbally or by fax or email. All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the RFQ information and instructions enclosed herein.

The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek.

Warren Hutmacher City Manager

Mike Bodker Mayor

DEATH NOTICES John Braun, 80, of Milton, passed away February 17, 2015.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Wanda Buffington, 92, of Cumming, passed away February 11, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Fay B. Gazaway, 85, of Gainesville, passed away February 14, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Ismael Zamora Peralta, 59, of Cumming, passed away February 17, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Robert Hillegas, 67, of Roswell, passed away February 13, 2015.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Jessie Clyde Swanson, 85, of Cumming, passed away February 11, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Erna Patricia Clendinning, 87, of Cumming, passed away February 12, 2015.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Susan Elaine Maciolek, 73 of Cumming, passed away February 10, 2015.

Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Conrad Lee Culver, 86, of Cumming, passed away February 16, 2015.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Joe Martin, 69, of Cumming, passed away February 12, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Donna Fish, 67, of Cumming, passed away February 15, 2015. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

John Emory Franklin, Jr., 73, of Cumming, passed away February 15, 2015.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Beverly Joan Link Moore, 77, of Buford, passed away February 13, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

Ruth Turk, 82, of Roswell, passed away February 17, 2015.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Angela Varner, 29, of Roswell, passed away February 17, 2015.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Henry Yatsko, 92, of Cumming, passed away February 16, 2015. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

JOB OPPORTUNITY Equipment Operator I The CITY OF SUWANEE is accepting applications for Full-Time EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I. This is semi-skilled work in the operation of moderately complex construction and maintenance of streets, utilities and the City’s grounds and buildings. H.S. diploma or GED equivalent, valid GA Driver’s License and 2 yrs. exp. in maintenance & construction required. CDL and water operator license required within one year.

Compensation: $14.64 w/full benefits. To apply go to www.suwanee.com.

Submit application and resume to: City of Suwanee Human Resources, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, GA 30024

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