Sponsored sections Empty Nest ►►PAGE 22 Summer Camps ►►PAGE 24
Electric Avenue
Electric vehicles grow in popularity ►►PAGE 20
Toyota Dealership coming to Forsyth Will be on Echols Road ►►PAGE 4
On the catwalk
Cats strut their stuff during cat show ►►PAGE 12
March 25, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 13
Federal lawsuit against city of Cumming settled Nydia Tisdale receives $200K By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com
The 2013-2014 staff was, front row, Migle Miseviciute, Dori Butler, second row, Haley Irons, Sam Biondi, Madison West, Sidney Roan, back row, editor Rebecca Gerhard, Henley Lucas, Maddie Krupica, Tiffany Smith, Taylor Ashcraft, Madison Proben and adviser Maureen Farry.
WFHS yearbook recognized nationally Only 5 percent of Jostens yearbooks are chosen By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — High school yearbooks are keepsakes students save for years after graduating, but at one Forsyth County high school, their yearbook just became a little more unique. The West Forsyth High School (WFHS) 2013-2014 yearbook, “Zephyr,” was recognized for excellence and featured in the 2015 Jostens Look Book, which celebrates the best-of-the-best in year-
book design and coverage. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from yearbooks featuring creative themes, cool covers, dazzling designs, relevant coverage, storytelling copy and action-packed photography, said adviser Maureen Farry. “Less than 5 percent of over 18,000 that publish with Jostens are chosen to be featured each year,” Farry said. “Of those, only 30 are considered Look Book books, which means multiple spreads are covered in the publication. This year the cover, as well as spreads from the divider, chronological and people sections of the book are featured. It speaks volumes about the quality of work the staff mem-
bers produce.” The picks were announced mid-March and in addition to design excellence, the annually published Look Book honors the important role well-crafted yearbooks play in helping schools chronicle the experiences, stories and achievements most relevant to students and that academic year, Farry said. One of the editors, Rebecca Gerhard, a senior, said last year’s theme was Burst. “We focused on a vibrant movement and explosion in the book,” Gerhard said. “Our main point we were trying to make was the growth on an individual throughout high
See WFHS, Page 32
CUMMING, Ga. — Community blogger Nydia Tisdale’s longstanding federal lawsuit against the city of Cumming has finally reached a settlement, with the city agreeing to pay Tisdale $200,000. Tisdale, of Roswell, was kicked out of a city of Cumming meeting April 17, 2012 while video recording. At the start of the meeting, Mayor H. Ford Gravitt asked the chief of police to remove the camera from the auditorium. “We don’t allow filming inside of the City Hall here unless it’s specific reasons, so if you would remove the camera,” Gravitt said. When Tisdale told the mayor of the state’s Sunshine Laws, which had been updated that same day and give citizens the right to record open meetings, Gravitt said the matter wasn’t up for discussion and proceeded to have Tisdale and her camera removed from the meeting. Tisdale filed a lawsuit in response. Now, over two years later, the case has been settled by the insurance company, said Dana Miles, city attorney. “The city has no comment,” Miles said. “The insurance company has the right
The settlement is significant in that it stops the proceeding and we don’t have to go to trial or continue spending money, on both sides, for legal fees.” NYDIA TISDALE Roswell resident to settle the case, and they did.” Tisdale said the court recorded the settlement March 16. She said the senior superior court judge in the case told the two parties the reason to settle is finality. The settlement is “inclusive of all penalties, damages, attorney’s fees and expenses.” “To me, it means it is over — it’s done,” Tisdale said. “The settlement is significant in that it stops the proceed-
See LAWSUIT, Page 6
IROFF& SON JEWELERS SINCE 1957 ALPHARETTA 3960 Old Milton Pkwy #300 (1.5 miles East of 400) • 770-751-7222