Cyclists roll in Criterium
Hundres turn out for annual cycling festival ►►PAGE 25
Candidates square off
Forum allows voters to hear the issues ►►PAGE 4
Soccer moms upset over gun in park Stranger flaunting gun on hip triggers frantic 911 calls ►►PAGE 6
Real Estate Report
Sponsored section ► PAGE 22 May 1, 2014 | northfulton.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 18
JC makes statement with new pavilion Concerts, farmers market, family reunions among uses for $808K Newtown Park addition By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Another addition to Johns Creek’s quality of life is nearing completion – the 500-seat Newtown Park pavilion/amphitheater. The Johns Creek City Council authorized the construction of a pavilion in 2014 to provide space for family get-togethers, reunions and corporate outings. But the idea quickly grew – doubling the size – so that the community could get more use out of it. Now, a pavilion with 4,800 square feet of covered space and a stage will open June 28 with a free concert by the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. “We want to be able to pro-
vide a Chastain [Park] kind of experience for our residents,” said Mayor Mike Bodker. “Our first concern will be to have it up and running by June 28.” Headley Construction officials say the project will be open on time, and indeed, the construction is nearly done with landscaping still to come. Headley was the low bidder at $808,000. The high bid was $1.3 million. Public Works Director Tom Black said his staff began working on the project in response to repeated requests from residents for such a facility. The plans grew as it was decided to make the facility more versatile. The pavilion sits in a natu-
See PAVILION, Page 9
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Mayor Mike Bodker goes over plans for the new Johns Creek pavilion and its debut for a June 28 concert. From left are Public Works Director Tom Black, Bodker, Parks Division Manager Robby Newton and Recreation Manager Kirk Franz.
Appen Media wins 19 national awards, named Best in Show Coverage of Johns Creek mayoral investigation named Best Original Writing, News Article
HATCHER HURD/STAFF
Appen Media Senior Graphic Designer David Brown shows where he makes his magic. Brown won an astounding seven AFCP awards including three first place awards.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Appen Media Group – publishers of the Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald and Forsyth Herald – returned from the Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) annual conference this month in Orlando, Fla., with 19 awards for editorial, ad creation and publication design. Five of the awards were firsts among the 83 juried categories and 1,400 entries. “The Best of the Best” trade show recognizes extraordinary
works in the fields of journalism, photography, ad design and page layout, said Appen Media General Manager Hans Appen. “We took home 19 awards, more than any of the more than 250 newspaper groups represented at the conference, including Best in Show – the most prestigious award they hand out,” said Appen. Executive Editor Hatcher Hurd won first place for Best Original Writing, News Article, for his summer-long coverage
Join us from 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, May 17 at the 2014 Community Health Festival and 5K Scrub Run emoryjohnscreek.com/festival2014
of the Johns Creek City Council’s attempt to oust Mayor Mike Bodker through an “investigation” of his conduct during an election campaign while one councilmember resigned her seat to run against him. “This entry is community watchdog journalism at its best,” the judges said in making the award. “Solid, thorough reporting that kept its community informed every step of the way.” Hurd, who wrote nearly 30 articles from June through November 2013, said it was the most sustained and gruel-
See AWARDS, Page 26