Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - May 26, 2016

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Roswell legal fees begin to mount Term-limit challenge runs up $17,000 tab ►►page 4

Finding enough space for future shoppers Alpharetta considers time limits for some deck parking ►►page 4

Design committee rediscovers the wheel Roswell redesigns new logo to include old image ►►page 6

Fulton County names teacher of the year

Roswell turns tap on new water treatment plant Roswell Mayor Jere Wood, center, engages in some water pistol horseplay with State Rep. Betty Price.

See the story, Page 10.

PATRICK FOX/Herald

Elkins Pointe educator celebrated for dedication ►►page 13

Empty Nest Sponsored section ►►page 22

BT falls short of state championship Would have been three-peat ►►page 29

2 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Public Safety

Man loses $900 in IRS scam ROSWELL, Ga. — A man lost $900 when scam artists claiming to represent the IRS insisted that he must pay back taxes immediately or face arrest.

The man was contacted May 3 by an “Emma Bennet” who said she was an agent of the IRS. The caller ID identified the phone number as “Emergency 911.” Bennet said that the man owed thousands in back taxes and that he had to pay them immediately over the phone so that he wouldn’t be arrested.

The victim withdrew $2,000 in cash,

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

DUI arrests ►► Rejane Magalhaes Santos, 38, of

Lawrenceville, was arrested May 15 on Mid Broadwell Road in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane, and duty upon striking a fixed object. ►► Raja Gopal Reddy Pallaki, 39, of Legacy Oaks Circle, Roswell, was arrested March 24 on Haynes Bridge

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.

Habitual speeder arrested — again ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Atlanta man was arrested May 14 for speeding with a suspended license and for giving false

but was told that it wouldn’t be enough to cover his expenses. He was told to put the $2,000 on a money gram and send an extra $900 on a second money gram. An “Allen Donald” who said he was from the accounting department told the man to make out the money grams to a “Dennis Pinder” in Chicago.

At one point, the victim was also transferred to talk to a “Megan Tan.” After the $900 transfer, the victim was sent to make another $900 money gram transfer. The victim then turned off his phone and went directly to the

Roswell police department to determine if the calls were legitimate. They were reported as fraud.

At this point, it appears that only the first $900 money gram transfer went through, because the man supplied the reference number for it to the callers.

The victim told police that the conversation on the phone experienced a lot of delays, as if the phone call came from overseas. All of the individuals, according to the man, had Indian-British accents.

Road in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Sergio G. Herrera, 24, of Kinsey Way, Cumming, was arrested May 14 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, open container, suspended license, failure to maintain lane and license restriction violation. ►► Christopher Bracone, 58, of Duluth, was arrested May 13 on State Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI, open container and failure to maintain lane. ►► Jesus Duenas-Rosales, 34, of White Pines Drive, Cumming, was arrested May 6 on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI, disorderly conduct and no license. ►► Richard Dallas Stratton, 33,

of Settingdown Road, Cumming, was arrested May 7 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Jason Kent Daniel, 40, of Canton, was arrested May 6 on Windward Parkway in Milton for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Kevin Sean Chisolm, 32, of Wood Trace Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested May 6 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and improper stopping on roadway. ►► Christopher J. Lee, 42, of John Christopher Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested May 7 on Westside Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI, child endangerment

information.

Alpharetta police patrolling Ga. 400 saw a black 2016 Dodge Charger pass by doing 95 mph in a 65 mph zone.

Police immediately pulled over the car.

Asked why he was going 30 mph over the speed limit, the driver said that his fiancée was giving birth and had taken her to the hospital. However, police noted that he was headed away from the hospital. The driver then explained that the hospital staff wouldn’t let him in without proper ID, so he was rushing home to get it.

A quick call to the hospital showed no “fiancée” listed with the name he gave. Doubting the name he gave, police finger printed the man and identified him as 30-year-old Brandon Harvey.

When asked why he lied, Harvey said he knew that his license had multiple suspensions on it. A check did confirm that he had nine separate suspensions.

See ARRESTS, Page 35

See BLOTTER, Page 34

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 3

4 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

City paying fees to defend challenge to mayor Nearly $17K in expenses accrued so far

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

ROSWELL, Ga. – A citizen’s challenge of Roswell Mayor Jere Wood’s eligibility to serve as mayor has gone to the Georgia Supreme Court and is not over yet. But until it is, the taxpayers will pay for the defense of the 5-time elected mayor – the last time unopposed.

The challenge to the mayor’s right to hold office has run up to date fees of $16,843. And the Roswell taxpayers are picking up the tab.

The City Council instituted mayoral term limits – at the mayor’s request – with the understanding it would take effect at the end of Wood’s current term. But the change to the city’s char-

ter did not mention an effective date.

At the time, City Attorney David Davidson verbally told the council it would be effective at the start of the next election, which would allow Wood to run twice more if he so WOOD desired.

Midway through this term, Michael Litten, who had run for mayor and lost to Wood in the past, sued arguing that Wood was not eligible under the current city charter having served more than the allowable terms.

The case in Fulton Superior Court was denied and Litten’s attorney John Monroe appealed to the Georgia Supreme Court which promptly allowed Wood a 6-month discovery period to gather evidence.

Meanwhile, the meter is running for

city taxpayers.

City Attorney Davidson said the case falls under the city’s purview.

“The case is challenging the status of a sitting mayor and whether he is able to remain in office,” Davidson wrote in answer to questions submitted to hm. “The plaintiff may say he is suing [Wood] in his individual capacity, but the mayor is in office at this time.

“The ability of a sitting mayor, voted into office in an uncontested election, to remain in office or to be removed from office six years after the State Legislature amended the City’s Charter, has a direct effect on various matters within the city.

“It may call into question any vote that Wood may have participated in or action he may have taken. There is definitely a city interest in this matter.”

So there the matter stands. The city has a vested interest in the outcome of the case and will defend its interests.

Time limits proposed for Alpharetta parking deck Would limit 200 spaces to 3 hours

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta City Council heard a proposal Monday to restrict parking at the downtown parking deck, placing three-hour time limits on about 200 spaces on the lower levels.

The idea behind the recommendation would be to free spaces for patrons of the shops and restaurants planned to occupy downtown as part of the development, said Cheri Morris of Morris & Fellows, which is managing the commercial phase of the $80 million City Center project.

“The cities in the Atlanta metro area that have successful mixed-use downtowns or successful mixed-use districts are pretty much all struggling with having enough convenient, simple visible parking to properly support their retail,” Morris said.

One good example, she said, is in Midtown Atlanta which is one of the most densely populated areas of the city and a prime area for retail. But it is not convenient and parking is anything but simple. So many of the shops remain vacant.

Retail parking spaces turn over an average of seven times a day, Morris

Over the past year, Alpharetta has implemented time limits on parking in some areas of its downtown. said. By contrast, someone who works in the area can occupy the same parking space for the entire day.

To support the expected retail under development, parking accommodations must be made in order to allow the project succeed, she said.

Her plan calls for allotting the first 201 spaces on the bottom levels of the new 450-space parking deck for threehour parking. The remaining spaces would be limitless parking for office workers and employees.

The city passed a similar measure for street parking over the past year.

Time-limited parking was implemented along Milton Avenue, Roswell Street, Old Roswell Street and the central city parking lot on Aug. 31. On Jan. 4, the program was extended to South Main Street.

Morris’ proposal drew general support from the City Council Monday, but there were some questions.

See PARKING, Page 9

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 5

6 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Something old. Something new. Something old again.

NEWS

Council adopts new logo brings back water wheel City draws on the past to reshape its image

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – The City of Roswell has brought a vintage favorite image back into its fold.

The City Council voted Monday to adopt a new logo that carries the familiar waterwheel from the past to use on all its letterheads and official missives.

The new logo was developed by internal staff and is the culmination of two months’ work after the City Council sought to revisit a logo design it adopted in December.

“There was no doubt the logo needed some updating, but there were things that worked really well, and people identified with it. That’s what the Logo Committee really took from the research and our own experience … [as people] who live and work here, who know Roswell really intimately,” resident Laura Ries told a May 10 work session of the mayor and City Council.

Shortly after the December vote, city staff were directed to revisit the logo and develop ideas for consideration.

The new logo replaces the “Modern Spirit-Southern Soul” logo developed as

The new Roswell logo looks a lot like the old one.

part of a $78,000 marketing package developed by North Star Destinations for the city in 2014. That package included survey and research documents, studies and economic development tools.

But the logo ran into trouble almost from the start when two council members voted against adopting it as the image they wanted for the city.

Council asked staff to revisit the logo choice and appointed a committee that included Roswell-based graphic designers, marketers and branding professionals to assist in creating a new logo by providing creative insight and direction.

Committee members included: Tripper Allen, founder of Oxford +Bond; Rick Dallas, creative director, Rick Dallas Design, Laura Ries, president of Ries & Ries; Candice Riley Campbell, creative director and founder of Nimble Design Co.; Susan Segars, president and founder of Q-Communications; Amy Spielman, design strategist with Nelson; Jim Vitale, president of Frank Mar-

keting and Advertising.

Over the past two months, committee members worked in conjunction with the city’s Community Relations Division, including graphic designers Benjamin Frye and Joel Vázquez, to create logo options that would reflect the findings of North Star’s research.

That was to find a consistent view that while Roswell is moving enthusiastically toward the future, its connection to the community’s history is important.

During those sessions, the waterwheel icon was consistently recognized and referenced as an essential part of connecting Roswell’s current and future identity with its history.

Committee members said the waterwheel was such a strong image in the previous logo that a version of it needed to be included in the new one.

“The previous logo has created a brand out of that waterwheel over the many years it’s been around,” Segars said.

“So including that symbol in the new logo gives continuity. The new logo option is not so far from that, and it keeps the brand moving in an evolutionary way,” Segars said at the work session.

Logo Committee member Tripper Allen said the new logo encompasses both Roswell’s past and future.

“The city’s new logo will present not a departure from our past, but an adaptation of our past logo with an eye to our future.

“Sleeker, more modern, and using bolder choices of typography, graphics, and color, the new city logo is something the Logo Committee believes will be more like our own City. It’s an evolution of the hospitality that we are known for, with a tasteful and confident mix of modernization that we see as our City continues to grow.”

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 7

8 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Between a frock and a one-piece My neighborhood’s pool opened last weekend.

While I look forward to hot days lying out beside the calming water, I do not look forward to pulling out my swimsuit.

Ask almost any woman what the worst part of the summer is, and they will more than likely say having to put on a swimsuit.

With the warmer weather, I was in the market for a new suit so I stopped by a local department store.

Kathleen Sturgeon I had an idea of what I was looking for, so I started to peruse through the racks of brightly colored tops Editor kathleen@appenmediagroup.com and bottoms until I found a few options that I found bearable.

While browsing, I noticed an elementary-aged girl maybe around 10 years old who was doing the same thing along with her father and brother. Now I don’t know her situation as to why she was swimsuit shopping with two males, but either way I smiled at the family and went on my way.

A few minutes later, I was in a dressing room trying on my selections, attempting to find something I deemed “acceptable.”

I heard the father outside the room asking his daughter if she liked anything and if she needed a different size. She responded very timidly that she needed a larger size. The dad sounded shocked that she would need to try on the next size up, but he went back to the racks to get it.

I, of course, overheard the entire conversation but just thought she might be embarrassed to be looking at bathing suits with her dad.

As I couldn’t see what was going on, I assumed the father came back in and gave her more choices.

A few more minutes passed. Meanwhile, I was not too pleased with being surrounded by three full-length mirrors and unflattering lighting in my dressing room.

And just as I was putting the swimsuits back on hangers to leave and purchase my selections, I heard the dad say, “What do you mean none of them fit? I brought you a small, medium and large! Something had to fit.”

And that’s when I knew this girl would be forever changed by this small experience in her life.

According to a January study from statisticbrain.com, 42 percent of American girls in first grade through third grade want to be thinner, and 81 percent of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.

While this 30-minute try-on session may not have consciously impacted this girl, it probably did subconsciously.

As an adult, in the next dressing room over, doing the same act of trying to find some sort of swimsuit that you don’t hate, I can relate to her. I, too, have had nasty words spoken about my body while in a swimsuit and felt like I wasn’t good enough if I wasn’t a size zero.

It’s tough to grow up with images of perfect bodies seemingly everywhere, from magazine covers to television shows, billboards or advertisements. It’s even tougher when the people who are supposed to love, protect and respect you hurt your self-esteem, whether they intended to or not.

Young girls (and older women for that matter) should not have to worry if their swimsuit makes them look fat; they should worry about if they can have fun in it and if it serves its purpose – a suit for swimming.

Often we measure a woman’s beauty and worth by their dress or pants size. This needs to change.

We as a society need to stand by our young girls and make them proud of their bodies and encourage them to not aspire only to be skinny, but to develop healthy bodies and minds.

Not all bodies are alike, but a healthy, fit body is flattering for every shape and size.

Little girls who are told they are fat and ugly will have a hard time growing up and realizing their full potential. Why don’t we start focusing on being not only fit, but also happy, smart and kind?

There are so many great things that go into little girls, including sugar and spice and everything nice. But if we continue to focus on the number on the scale or the size on the clothing tag, we will miss out on some amazing girls in our lives.

And that would be such a shame.

OPINION

HATCHER HURD/Herald

This Tesla Model S sedan not only looks great, but drives like a dream. More than that, it drives like the future.

Tesla: Battery-powered car hits all right buttons It is one of the perks of the newspaper industry that one is often afforded the opportunity to drive some of the newest opportunities that spring from the automotive industry.

Such an opportunity HATCHER HURD came my way when the Executive Editor new Tesla store opened hatcher@appenmediagroup.com in Avalon. Would I be too busy to come by and drive the new Model S Tesla? Let’s see, interview with a mayor, a photo op with the Miss Chicken Plucker contest and a new yoga studio opening – no there was nothing important going on.

Of course I would make myself available to test drive what may just be the car of the future.

You walk into the Tesla store – it is not a showroom in the usual sense. You don’t see all the models “the dealer” has for sale.

There’s just the one car, and that even isn’t the one you drive.

No, Tesla custom builds the car you order. You select the kind of interior you like in your cabin – I love that, the cabin – and match the color scheme. And that is just for starters.

You get inside the Model S and the first thing that pops on the large computer screen is what your biggest worry will be. It is a U.S. map with all the charging stations in America.

As I get older, it seems all of the computer screens are shrinking. This Model S has a 17-inch screen. The only screen bigger in my house hangs on the wall.

You see on the screen you can cross the

USA without much trouble charging, but you more or less have to follow their route.

But that is changing as battery-powered cars are catching on.

You can’t pop the hood to check out the engine because: 1. It’s a battery, stupid. It doesn’t have that muscle engine of yore like a 442-inch with fuel injection.

But it has two batteries for all-wheel drive.

Which comes to my next most important question. How fast will it go? The answer is “Faster than I’ll ever want to know.”

Seriously, if you want it, you can get just about as fast as you want to go without wings.

We’re talking 0 to 60 mph., 2.8 seconds.

That’s only a little longer than it takes me to pop open a Diet Coke, raise it to my lips and take the first sip. Top speed they say is 155 mph.

That is beyond week-in-the-knees fast.

That is road runner fast. Beep-beep and your gone. Of course, where outside of Road Atlanta am I going to drive that fast?

The answer is simple: Fageddaboutit.

Ga. 400, 2 a.m., the night of the State Patrolman’s Ball with Bruce Springsteen fronting for Adele to serenade them, and I don’t get behind the wheel of a care that could accidently go 155 mph.

“Gee, sorry officer, I guess I wasn’t paying attention to how fast I was going – and tell me how you ever caught up to me.”

What did intrigue me is where automobile propulsion is really going, and that is autopilot.

Airplanes do it, we don’t give it a

See TESLA, Page 35

NEWS

Parking: Continued from Page 9 Councilman Jim Gilvin wanted to know whether surrounding downtown businesses had been consulted about the plan. He also asked who was going to enforce the regulation, whether this would be an added expense for the city.

Councilman Jason Binder said he wasn’t sure he liked the idea of encouraging people to visit downtown, then force them to look at their watches over dinner.

Councilman Chris Owens said the City Center plan was designed to provide adequate parking to match what was planned for retail and office. He said it is best to iron out any potential problems now rather than wait for them to develop.

The proposal has yet to be vetted by city staff, so there was no action taken Monday. The item could surface at a subsequent meeting for a formal vote, however.

Mayor David Belle Isle pointed out that the plan merely extends what is already in place for street parking. He told Morris he wanted the City Center to work.

“I want you to be incredibly successful,” he told Morris. “Your success is our success.

The cities in the Atlanta metro area that have successful mixeduse downtowns or successful mixeduse districts are pretty much all struggling with having enough convenient, simple visible parking to properly support their retail.”

Cheri Morris Morris & Fellows

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 9

Pictured from left are city of Roswell Director of Recreation and Parks Morgan Rodgers; Councilmembers Kent Igleheart, Don Horton and Jerry Orlans; Kevin Butler, VP of Eastern Region of UgMo Technologies; Mayor Jere Wood; Councilmembers Nancy Diamond, Mike Palermo and Marcelo Zapato; and Tommy Brown with the American Public Works Association.

Roswell receives award for conservation ROSWELL, Ga. — On April 11, Kevin Butler from UgMO Technologies presented the city of Roswell with the Water Warrior Award of the Year. The city installed the UgMO system, a wireless soil sensor system designed

to monitor landscape irrigation systems. From Sept. 2014-Dec. 2015, the UgMO system saved the city 64 percent in water savings and a cash savings of $110,089 from the previous year.

10 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Roswell turns tap on new water treatment plant

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. -- Roswell popped the cork Thursday on its new $15 million water treatment plant which it forecasts will save the city $11 million over the next 20 years.

City officials say The cost savings, will come through reduced water purchase from Fulton County and reduced costs for maintenance of the old facility which went on line in 1935.

Roswell is the only North Fulton County city with its own municipal water plant. It services about 5,500 customers in the city of 94,000. The other residents receive their water from Fulton County.

Based on 3,000 gallons monthly consumption, the latest rate figures show Fulton County water customers pay less at a rate of $12.57. Roswell customers pay $16.86. That is a monthly rate that is 34.1 percent higher than county water rate payers.

Nevertheless, city officials maintain it’s important Roswell remain in the water business.

“Over the past several months, our nation has come face to face with how critical clean water is to a community,” said Dan Skalsky, director of Environmental and Public Works for the city. “We’ve seen its importance unfortunately by witnessing what happens when [water] is not safe and jeopardizes the public health instead of protecting it.”

The new plant also doubles the capacity of the old facility.

The Roswell Water Department has exhibited an

patrick fox/herald

Jeremy Pirkle, Roswell Water operations manager, explains the filtration system to a group of visitors during an open house Saturday at the city’s new water treatment plant on Dobbs Road.

unblemished track record of delivering safe, clean water to its 5,500 customers, Skalsky said. The utility recently received two awards from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals.

The Fox McCarthy Water Wise Award recognized the city’s innovative Automated Metering Infrastructure and AquaHawk customer portal.

AquaHawk allows customers to go online to monitor their water usage and estimate their bill any time

during the billing cycle. The utility also received the Drinking Water Facility Gold Award which honors the city’s system for being in full compliance with state regulations and for meeting or exceeding the Safe Drinking Water Act and/or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements.

“When there are water issues that affect Metro Atlanta, then we have a seat at the table, and we think that’s very important for regional planning and for interstate negotiations on water supply,” Skalsky said.

City officials also point out that Roswell prides itself on customer service with a full-time staff dedicated to its water customers.

“Water is taken for granted in the City of Roswell, but if you live in Flint, Mich., you know how critical a good supply of water is,” Mayor Jere Wood said. “In politics, we talk about having a seat at the table. This plant not only gives our citizens (those on Roswell water) clean water at a competitive price. It keeps us in the water business. It keeps us controlling an essential element for the City of Roswell’s future.”

Wood said there are no immediate plans for expanding the customer base, but that possibility may arise in the future.

“We’ve got more capacity now than what we need, so we’re going to look at the possibility of expanding the service,” Wood said. “We’re now in a position where we have more than our current market demands, but we don’t have any specific plans yet.”

Thursday’s event drew a host of local and state

See WATER, Page 11

COMMUNITY

Technology Association of Ga., RUMC double down for jobs TAG President Tino Mantella brings job fair to RUMC

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – For years the Roswell United Methodist Church’s Jobs Ministry has been having job fairs in North Fulton, but now it is about to go really high tech.

The Technology Association of Georgia and RUMC Job Networking are partnering for their first combined career fair to be held Monday, June 6.

This career fair will be unlike most, highlighting open positions in all fields both inside and outside the tech world, said Jay Litton, MapR sales director and co-volunteer leader of RUMC Job Networking.

“This is a big first for us. This is the first time we have had a joint jobs fair with the Technology Association of Georgia,” Litton said. “I’m also a TAG member, so one day I asked Tino [Mantello, president of TAG] if he would come to RUMC and do a jobs fair. And he said yes.

“RUMC Job Networking has a great relationship locally with Rotary Club of Roswell, Roswell Inc. and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Now we are taking another step forward to work with TAG,” Litton said.

“So we are real excited to having them come.”

TAG is the largest technology association in the United States with 30,000 members, so RUMC Jobs Network is excited to be associated with them, Litton said.

“They would be a phenomenal asset to have work with us,” he said. “They also support Tech Fetch, a jobs board for the technology community. It’s just another way to grow how we serve.”

Litton said this jobs fair is a great opportunity for companies to recruit not only IT professionals but clerical, marketing experts, managers, health professionals and more.

Water: Continued from Page 10 dignitaries, including State Rep. Betty Price, Fulton County Commissioners Commissioners Liz Hausmann and Bob Ellis, Roswell department heads,

Tino Mantella, right, president of the Technology Association of Georgia, teams up with Jay Litton sales director at MapR and co-volunteer leader for RUMC Job Networking.

TAG Job Fair at RUMC When: Monday, June 6, 6 p.m.

Where: Roswell United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. 814 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell, GA 30075 More Info: Technology Association of Ga. & RUMC Job Networking This will also be a unique occasion for job seekers to network with some of the world’s top tech companies. Job seekers will also be able to participate in more than seven hours of job search workshops from 12:30 through 8 p.m. that same day.

Meetings are held twice per month for 8-plus hours featuring more than 25 workshops and activities for professionals in transition.

ABC World News Tonight, the Wall Street Journal, WSB-TV and the AJC have featured the efforts of the 200plus volunteers that participate each meeting to provide resources, job leads and advise.

Visit www.rumcjobnetworking.com for complete details. For employers that wish to attend please contact Mary Hutson with TAG at mary@tagonline. org or 404-920-2021. representatives from the Georgia EPD and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals.

The water utility also hosted a Drinking Water Festival Saturday providing visitors with tours and talks about the water treatment plant. Activities included equipment displays, a cookout and prizes.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 11

SCHOOLS

12 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

School volunteers recognized for service NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Fulton County Schools (FCS) hosted its third “Volunteer of the Year Celebration” on May 13 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, recognizing the top volunteers at schools across the system.

Sponsored by the Atlanta Hawks, the 2016 awards luncheon honored 80 volunteers selected by school leaders

across the system for their “outstanding dedication and commitment” to their school.

“Volunteers are a backbone of our community schools,” said Kenneth Zeff, interim superintendent. “Our teachers couldn’t be as effective in educating students without their support and assistance.”

Volunteers of the Year from participating North Fulton Schools include: Elementary Schools

Volunteers of the Year

Abbotts Hill Paula Perrin Alpharetta Debbie Boling Barnwell Adam Lipman Birmingham Falls Andrea Bartels Cogburn Woods Amy Riggins Crabapple Crossing Jen Mikels Creek View Larry Pool Dolvin Don Pomeroy Findley Oaks Lisa Boggs Hembree Springs Jennifer Schmidt Hillside Francella Perryman Esther Jackson Jodi Kaplan Lake Windward Maria Baramov Manning Oaks Srishylaja Prashanth Medlock Bridge Ellen Newell Mountain Park Elysa Greenwald New Prospect Cari Frank Northwood Rebecca Williams Ocee Lauren Kemp River Eves Angela Erlich Roswell North John Hannah Shakerag Michelle Skalka State Bridge Crossing Frances Rosemeyer Summit Hill Carla Driggs Wilson Creek Maria Vaughan

Middle Schools

Volunteer of the Year

Autrey Mill Chris Jackson Crabapple Joannes Kirtley Elkins Pointe Adriana Seery Haynes Bridge Anne McKinley Holcomb Bridge Eric Nagy Hopewell Maria Jones Northwestern Barbara Halbert Webb Bridge Kylin Rush

High Schools Volunteer

of the Year Alpharetta Nan Bodeep Cambridge Michelle Wilson Centennial Ginger Verch Chattahoochee John Frantz Independence Paula Walker Johns Creek Keith Siegfried Milton Jeannie Yancey Northview Patti Duncan Roswell Darren Foley

SCHOOLS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 13

Elkins Pointe MS teacher named Fulton’s top teacher

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Meredith Tongue, an eighth-grade teacher at Elkins Pointe Middle School was named the 2016 Teacher of the Year by the Fulton County School System. Tongue was selected from a pool of top teachers at each school for the current school year.

Last week, Tongue was surprised by gifts, banners and visits from Fulton County School System leaders in a ceremony announcing her selection as the system’s top teacher. Fulton’s Principal of the Year, Alexandra Bates of Westlake High School, and School Professional of the Year, William Reggie Sloan of Heards Ferry Elementary School, also received surprise ceremonies for their accomplishments.

Interim Superintendent Kenneth Zeff praised these award-winners for their dedication to their students and their passion for education.

“These remarkable educators have given so much of themselves to make sure every student can achieve and reach their goals,” said Zeff. “Their hard work and expertise help ensure our classrooms and our students have the resources to be successful.”

Each year, each Fulton County school is invited to nominate outstanding employees based on teacher, staff and parent input. These employees are then evaluated a second time through

Meredith Tongue, named the 2016 Teacher of the Year an application and essay review and interview. Only one finalist is announced from each of Fulton’s geographic Learning Communities – Central (Sandy Springs), South (South Fulton), Northeast and Northwest (North Fulton).

The Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year nominees also undergo a school visit to demonstrate their leadership ability and classroom skills.

A formal recognition gala will be held in the fall to honor the top staff, as well all employees of the year selected by their local school communities.

2016 Teacher of the Year – Meredith Tongue of Elkins Pointe Middle School (Northwest Learning Community)

See TEACHER, Page 36

14 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Enjoying the Rotary Club of Alpharetta’ Georgia’s Own Derby Party are from left Robin McIntyre, Nicolette Binder, and Karen Nolan.

Alpharetta Rotary celebrates 2nd annual Georgia’s Own Derby ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The Rotary Club of Alpharetta had its end of year celebration Friday, May 6, better known as Georgia’s Own Derby Party at Reid Barn.

The club had much to celebrate, bringing home many awards from the recent District 6900 Rotary Conference.

It was also for celebrating the lives and organizations of all those who have had an impact through the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. High energy and excitement filled the air for the evening with bidding on 11 favorite auction items and one live auction item worth $7,500 or dancing the night away.

The Derby Party was a chance for the club members, friends, and family to come together as a group “thank you” for all the great work that has been done in the last year and to have an evening full of fellowship and fun.

The Rotary Club gave a few awards away to the following: • Small Business of the Year-Vino 100 (a $500 check will be given to the Drake House); • Large Business of the YearCHOATE (a $500 check will be

given to Lionheart School); Rookie Rotarian of the Year-Rob Johns; • Rotarian of the Year-Karen Hipes; • Hall of Fame Rotarian-Ken Driskel; • Life Saver Award-Cathy Shanley.

The members of the club thanked Georgia’s Own Credit Union for sponsoring this year’s event. Without their participation, the party would not have happened.

“There is a lot of hard work by my fellow Rotarians throughout the year as they serve the community in areas of need and I am grateful to work with so many committed and talented individuals who give of their time and energy to serve others,” Kirk Driskell said.

CEO of Georgia’s Own Credit Union, Dave Preter said, “Partnering with the Alpharetta Rotary Club is an honor for the Credit Union. They give back to the community in so many different ways that it is an absolute privilege to sponsor and support their efforts.”

•

COMMUNITY

The Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department is once again a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence.

Roswell Parks a finalist for national award ROSWELL, Ga. — For the sixth consecutive year, the city of Roswell’s Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department has been named as a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

“Each day, we strive to have a positive impact on the lives of those who live in the city of Roswell, and being named to the elite ‘Gold Medal’ category once again is a testament to the hard work of our staff and their commitment to excellence,” said Morgan Rodgers, director of the City’s Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department. “This is also a tribute to the continued support of the Recreation Commission, Mayor and City Council, and, most importantly, the citizens of Roswell, who are at the heart of everything we do.”

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through

long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.

Roswell’s Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Department is a finalist in the Class III category and joins three other finalists in the class that will compete for Grand Plaque Award honors this year: City of Allen Parks and Recreation in Allen, Texas; Arlington Heights Park District in Arlington Heights, Ill.; and Mountain View Community Services in Mountain View, Calif.

This year’s finalists will compete for Grand Plaque Award honors this summer, and the recipient will be announced at the 2016 NRPA Annual Conference in St. Louis, Mo., in October.

To learn more about Roswell’s Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department, visit www.roswellgov.com/parks.

Share your opinions northfulton.com

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 15

It comes down to being respectful and honest with customers and running the business with integrity. That appealed to us.

Brian Klaubert, Owner 16 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald |May 26, 2016

Christian Brothers Automotive:

Local couple CNBC’s top franchisees in Ga. Klauberts flourish in recession-proof business; named an American Star Franchisee

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Brian and Nola Klaubert worked as professionals with good corporate futures ahead of them.

He was an engineer with KimberlyClark, and she was an accountant.

But they came to the conclusion that if you work for someone else, you are never as in control of your future as when you have your own business.

So they decided to seek out independence running their own business.

“You can have a terrific job and be great at what you do. But if you work for someone else, you are not in control of your destiny,” Brian Klaubert said.

From a business perspective, the couple was looking for a franchise with staying power.

“We were leaving jobs with great security, so we didn’t want a boom-andbust type of industry,” Klaubert said.

They found what they were looking for in a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise.

“Today, our boss is our customer. If we serve our customers well, then we will have incredible job security.”

The Klauberts certainly have found the right formula for success. Today they own three franchises and have been named CNBC’s American Star Franchisee in Georgia.

In 2000 they opened their first Christian Brothers Automotive franchise. They were attracted by the Chris-

How CNBC ranks franchise owners

Christian Brothers Automotive franchise Description: Automotive repair and service franchise Owners: Brian and Nola Klaubert Years in business: 16 No. of franchises owned: 3 Start-up costs: $75,000 Franchisor fees: Franchise $125,000; advertising $3,500 2015 revenue, 2016 projection: $4.25 million; $4.65 million 2016 projected annual growth rate: 10%

The husband-and-wife team of Brian and Nola Klaubert has been named CNBC’s America’s Star Franchisees for Georgia.

tian Brothers philosophy in that all people should treat others in the way they want to be treated.

“It comes down to being respectful and honest with customers and running the business with integrity. That appealed to us,” Klaubert said.

They liked the idea that if they gave good, honest service to their customers and created relationships, then they could build a business that would last and grow.

Klaubert said that is exactly what happened. They opened a second franchise in 2008 and their third in 2012 – one in Johns Creek (10879 Jones Bridge Road), one in Suwanee and one in Dacula.

“We’ve found our own business to be rewarding and provides a certain type of security,” he said.

With revenues of $4.5 million and projected growth of 10 percent, that is a certain type of security also.

So the Klauberts are successful, but CNBC looks beyond the numbers. What did Brian think made their franchise stand out?

“We try very hard to satisfy our customers, and we don’t like to turn away business. Many places will take a quick look at a problem, and if it looks difficult they pass on to the dealer,” he said. “We don’t do that. We have the equipment, the training and the experience to do the work ourselves.”

What Klaubert spends most of his time on is making the three work places “a happy shop.” The 25 employees should want to come to work and be happy at work.

“I go to all three shops every day. If there is a problem, I want to know that

There are close to 3,000 franchise companies in the United States collectively contributing more than $1 trillion annually to the economy. That said, it was no easy for task for CNBC to crown 50 franchise business owners — one for each U.S. state — as America’s Star Franchisees.

More than 28,500 individual franchisees, representing 364 franchise brands, were vetted by CNBC’s research partner the Franchise Business Review.

It gauged satisfaction with their franchise system and significant financial success, including an income and return on investment that is above the industry average.

They found these successful franchisees have a lot in common.

• Most have been in franchising for many years.

• Many own multiple businesses or have grown their single business to cover a large service area.

• Most also work with a spouse or other family members. Many found success with low-cost franchises.

• Work/life balance was factored.

• Pursuit of a long-held passion and frustration with other careers also influenced America’s Star Franchisees.

day,” he said.

CNBC looks beyond the bottom line in selecting its top franchisees. It looks at the total package, including reliability, customer satisfaction and safety.

It states each year it searches out “the best of the best,” and this year selection is for Nola and Brian Klaubert.

BUSINESSPOSTS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 17

Atlanta economy a high mix of growth economies Are you afraid I write all the time about what local communities are doing to improve their living and working environments. But it occurred to me last week that maybe it’s time to step Geoff smith back and consider Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com Metro Atlanta as a whole.

Atlanta is home to the headquarters of 13 Fortune 500 companies and 4 Fortune 100 companies that include Home Depot, UPS, Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines. The next 6 largest include Southern Company, Genuine Parts, First Data, HD Supply Holdings, SunTrust Banks and Coca-Cola Enterprises. It hosts 23 Fortune 1000 companies.

A report prepared by IHS Global Insight puts Atlanta as the 10th largest metropolitan U.S. economy in terms of gross metropolitan product. The order was New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco-Oakland, Philadelphia, and Boston.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2015 Metro Atlanta had the highest percentage of year-toyear job growth compared to the other 12 largest U.S. metro areas. Atlanta companies added more than 86,500 jobs last year. And according to the recruiting website Glassdoor, Atlanta currently has 94,925 job openings.

According to a PNC report, most of those jobs were in the high-tech professional services industry, with significant growth also coming in the education, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. All of this growth has fueled growth in consumer-related industries such as retail and leisure/ hospitality sectors.

The PNC report also noted that Atlanta is a well-educated city, with

over 36 percent of adults over the age of 25 holding at least a bachelor’s degree. This compares with 30 percent nationally.

Atlanta leaders have done a brilliant job in attracting a very diverse set of industries. The low cost of living and mild weather have always been a great draw to companies looking to relocate. The low cost of living means companies can pay their workers less.

I do mortgages all the time for people moving from Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. I’ve seen them sell their $650,000-bungalows and move to Atlanta into large $550,000 houses with professional kitchens, twice the number of bedrooms, finished basements and huge yards. Even the teenagers don’t mind moving when they see those houses. With that very tasty carrot hanging out there, local leaders have been able to attract companies and develop very strong hubs in a variety of industries, including transportation and logistics, life science-businesses which are also attracted by the presence of the CDC, information technology, data storage, payroll technology, film and many others.

Playing off of its major airport, global location and the 1996 Olympics, Atlanta has positioned itself as a major international city. It is one of 10 U.S. cities that has been named an “alpha city” in that is in an important node in the global economic system, according to a report from Loughborough University.

Most economists are predicting strong growth forecasts for Atlanta, mainly because many of the industries in Atlanta are high-growth industries.

We are certainly seeing signs of a successful and growing economy. Cities are improving their city centers in an effort to compete with one another for residents. The local corporations are donating large sums of money to improve infrastructure in an effort to be able to maintain and recruit tal-

ented and skilled employees. One such project has been the Atlanta Beltline whose capital improvements have been largely funded with corporate donations.

Traffic, while serving as everyone’s number one complaint about Atlanta, is also a sign of that growth (and our inability to keep up with it). Local leaders are working hard to find the incredible amounts of money required to fund the necessary improvements that could help alleviate some traffic concerns. Georgia spent fewer dollars on transportation infrastructure than most other states until last year when a few state lawmakers pushed a bill through that increased spending by more than $1 billion a year.

Another sign of growth is the very low inventory of houses in the metro area. Sellers are getting multiple-bid offers and selling their homes after only days on the market. People are moving to Atlanta, and homebuilders are having a hard time keeping up.

In all, Atlanta is a pretty outstanding economy with resources that most U.S. cities wish they had. We are not on the beach, but we are close enough.

We are not in the mountains, but we are close enough. We don’t have any good professional sports teams right now, but at least construction of the new stadiums are providing hundreds of new jobs.

Geoff Smith is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial focusing on residential home loans for refinances and home purchases.

Geoff Smith, gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433; Personal: NMLS#104587; Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

of making decisions?

Small business owners have to make decisions each and every day. Some decisions are for simple things, like approving a payment to a supplier, while other decisions are more complex dick jones and can impact a Founder & President Jones Simply Sales small business in a profound way. Many small business owners have learned the consequences of bad decisions, and are afraid of making decisions. How about you?

Operating and growing a small business requires that decisions are made quickly and decisively, but oftentimes are made without weighing the pros and cons. Making informed decisions that you can rely on requires that you gather information that will allow you to weigh the benefits and consequences of your decision.

Let’s face it, not all decisions are perfect. You’re going to make some bad decisions once in a while. The key to small business success is to insure that you take into account, at some level, the impact your decision will have to your business. Tallying up the pros and cons of each decision you make will allow you to do this. If the benefits outweigh the consequences, then it’s probably a good decision to make. The worst possible scenario of being afraid to make decisions is not making them at all. Many small business owners ponder a decision for so long that nothing ever gets done. Doing nothing is the worst solution. As a small business owner, making timely decisions is a critical success factor, so don’t be afraid of making decisions!

18 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

BUSINESSPOSTS

Forsyth Commissioners approves Buford Highway overlay

By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — After months of deliberation and debate, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved revisions to the Buford Highway Overlay District May 19.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard gave an overview on the overlay.

“This has been a process where a lot of care has been taken to try and strike a balance between responsible land use and also addressing concerns by those that are impacted, particularly the property owners,” Jarrard said.

The last time the board discussed the overlay was at its April 26 work session, he said.

He was given instruction to look into the fencing requirements, flags on

properties, landscape strips and the way the county has staggered some of the land use prohibitions traveling farther down Buford Road toward the river.

In December 2015, the board saw a presentation from the Buford Highway Overlay committee. In discussing the proposed overlay district, the committee is seeking to enhance the district’s overall character and design, recommend baseline design and development standards and promote a high quality of life for county residents as well as a vibrant and attractive Buford Highway corridor.

Tim Dineen, who is on the committee and led the presentation, said electronic game centers, adult entertainment and retail, pawn shops, pool halls and tattoo and massage parlors

are on the not-recommended list.

The board agreed May 19 to add car dealerships east of East Echols Road, car dealerships and parking decks on any parcel of less than seven acres between Nuckolls Road and East Echols Road, and theaters, except if otherwise located in a planned commercial or mixed-use development, to the prohibited list.

Large-scale retail east of East Echols Road and on any parcel of less than seven acres between Nuckolls Road and East Echols Road are also now prohibited.

“It is our recommendation that certain design standards be implemented to enhance the visual continuity of the area, aesthetic quality and commercial appeal,” Dineen said.

Those standards include the design

of parking, speed bumps, landscaping and retaining walls.

“Attractive, dense, mature landscaping is of particular concern to the committee. We recommend that the commissioners adopt a standard that will meet these concerns,” he said.

“We advise that certain architectural standards be enforced throughout the district to ensure design conformity, commercial desirability and an attractive destination for consumers.”

Windward Parkway provided an example of an attractive commercial development with trees, fencing, posts, sidewalk, setbacks and pediments. The Windermere entrance on Ga. 20 was another roadway the committee found appealing.

For information on the overlay, visit forsythco.com.

BUSINESSBRIEFS

restaurants

feature a full coffee bars. The new store is open for 6 am – 3 pm Monday thru Friday, 6:30 am – 2 pm Saturday and 7 am – 2 pm on Sunday.

SCHOLARSHIPS

South Forsyth. (Not pictured: Haley Hubbard, North Forsyth; Carrie Kaufmann, Lambert.)

In the past 11 years, the foundation has awarded $435,000 in scholarships to 122 exceptional high schools seniors within Sawnee EMC’s seven-county service area.

“Supporting those in need in our communities, and helping these outstanding students continue their education is a key part of meeting the Foundation’s core mission” said Dennis Anderson, chairman of the Foundation’s board.

REAL ESTATE Bagel Boys owners Dan Brook left, and John Lamb.

Bagel Boys Cafes opens third location May 15 SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – Bagel Boys Cafes recently opened their third location at 6355 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Sandy Springs.

“We’re very excited to be in the new location,” said Lamb. “I ran a store in the Perimeter area for 4 years and it’s great market for our concept. There are a lot of daytime workers and families in the area.”

Bagel Boys owners and Alpharetta residents John Lamb and Dan Brook opened their first store in 2004 on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta. The two expanded in 2010 when they opened their second store on Kimball Bridge Road.

The restaurants serve breakfast and lunch seven days a week. They feature fresh made bagels and breads as well as made-to-order sandwiches, paninis, wraps and salads.

The Kimball Bridge and Sandy Springs locations

Sixteen seniors from Sawnee EMC’s seven-county service area were each awarded $4,000 scholarships from the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation.

Sawnee scholarships go to 16 local seniors CUMMING, Ga. —The Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation recently awarded each of 16 area seniors with a $4,000 scholarship.

The recipients, pictured above, and their high schools include, front row, from left, Caroline Bourneuf, South Forsyth; Caroline Duckworth, North Forsyth; Megan Grochau, Lambert; William Hensley and Sneha Iyer, both from Johns Creek; Samira Kanetkar, Chattahoochee; Dana Little, Dawson County. Back row, from left, Madison Mitchell, Lambert; Shwetha Mudalegundi, South Forsyth; Chad Newstrom, West Hall; Ashlyn Payne, Johns Creek; Claire Roop, Creekview; Yaquelin Sanchez, Forsyth Central; Jacob Sparks,

Harry Norman promotes Vaughn NORTH FULTON, Ga. — Kathy Vaughn has been promoted to vice president and managing broker for the Harry Norman Realtors North Fulton office Vaughn, who began her real estate career in 1999 as a sales associate, attained the Graduate of Realtors Institute, GRI designation, along with her associate broVaughn ker license in 2002. After joining the management team of Harry Norman Realtors, she earned the Phoenix Award in 2010 and is a lifetime member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors. She has been a senior marketing consultant with Harry Norman for 13 years.

As the vice president and managing broker of the North Fulton office, Vaughn oversees the office’s daily operations as well as taking an active role in every aspect of the business – including helping sales associates grow their business, cultivating new business opportunities, marketing initiatives and recruiting.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 19

20 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

CALENDAR

CALENDAR

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 21

22 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

22 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016

Sponsored Section

Village Park Senior Living We at Village Park Senior Living would like to welcome you to where days are for rediscovering and reconnecting.

Recreation is an art worth mastering and relaxation is always deserved.

It’s time to start living the life you’ve earned. We call it next level senior living. You’ll just call it home.

At Village Park we encourage independence and diversity of daily activities. We accomplish this by offering numerous amenities an options to give everyone an opportunity to participate in making the most of each and every day.

You will be able to choose from our distinctive collection of residences including Bungalows, Cottages, Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care. You will find lots of purposely designed walking spaces where you can walk your pet, meet with friends or just enjoy a nice stroll. If you just want to relax you can enjoy a break in the bistro or a service in the spa. We are committed to working with you to find the best option for you, your spouse or family member. We realize that everybody’s needs may be different. We believe our residences and our continuum of care options offer you the ability to have many different needs met all at Village Park.

Ultimately Village Park is about independence when you want it and assistance if you need it. A lifestyle for today with a solution for tomorrow.

EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 23

Uncle Sam wants you Ask Pam, your local expert to save for retirement in Alzheimer’s Disease (NAPSI)—If you ever feel your finances are too stretched to save for retirement, you’re not alone—and there could be good news for you. The Saver’s Credit—a little-known tax credit made available by the IRS to low- to moderate-income workers—could make saving for retirement more affordable than you think. It may reduce your federal income taxes when you save for retirement through a qualified retirement plan or an individual retirement account (IRA).

“The Saver’s Credit is a fantastic tax credit because it may help you reduce your tax bill while saving for retirement. It offers eligible workers an added incentive to save for retirement on top of the benefits of tax-deferred savings when they contribute to a 401(k), 403(b) or IRA,” says Catherine Collinson, president of nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies®.

Here’s how it works: 1. Check Your Eligibility Depending on your filing status and income level, you may qualify for a nonrefundable credit of up to $1,000 (or $2,000 if filing jointly) on your federal income taxes for that year when you contribute to a 401(k), 403(b) or similar retirement plan, an IRA or myRA. Single filers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of up to $30,500 in 2015 or $30,750 in 2016 are eligible. For the head of a household, the AGI limit is $45,750 in 2015 or $46,125 in 2016.

For those who are married and file a joint return, the AGI limit is $61,000 in 2015 or $61,500 in 2016.

You must be 18 years or older by January 1 and cannot be a full-time student or be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. If you fit within these parameters, the Saver’s Credit may be for you.

2. Save for Retirement Save for retirement in your employer’s retirement plan, if offered, or in an IRA. In general, for every dollar you contribute to a qualified retirement plan or IRA (up to the lesser of the limits permitted by an employersponsored plan or the IRS), you defer that amount from your current overall taxable income on your federal tax returns—and you may also qualify for the Saver’s Credit.

3. File Your Tax Return and Claim the Credit When you prepare your federal tax returns, you can claim your Saver’s Credit by subtracting this tax credit from your federal income taxes owed.

Most workers who are eligible to claim the Saver’s Credit are also eligible to take advantage of the IRS Free File program for taxpayers with an AGI of $62,000 or less. Thirteen commercial software companies make their tax preparation software available for free through the Free File program at www. irs.gov/FreeFile.

• If you are using tax preparation software, including those offered through the IRS Free File program at www.irs.gov, use Form 1040, Form 1040A or Form 1040NR. If your software has an interview process, be sure to answer questions about the Saver’s Credit, also referred to as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit and/or Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions.

• If you are preparing your tax returns manually, complete Form 8880, the Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions, to determine your exact credit rate and amount.

Then transfer the amount to the designated line on Form 1040, Form 1040A or 1040NR. • If you are using a professional tax preparer, be sure to ask about the Saver’s Credit.

• Consider having any refund you receive directly deposited to an IRA to further boost your retirement savings.

Please note that the Saver’s Credit is not available with Form 1040EZ. The 16th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey found that just 25 percent of American workers with annual household incomes of less than $50,000 are aware that the credit exists. Don’t overlook Uncle Sam’s Saver’s Credit; it may help you pay less in your current federal income taxes while saving for retirement.

For more details on the Saver’s Credit and online retirement planning calculators, visit the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® at www.transameri cacenter.org or www. irs.gov.

The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS) is a division of the Transamerica Institute®, a nonprofit, private foundation. Please visit TCRS at www.transamericacenter.org and follow on Twitter @TCRStudies.

Living with Alzheimer’s Disease Part One: Surveys in recent years show that, even more than death, older adults fear the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease. And with good reason: each year, approximately 350,000 Americans are newly diagnosed with the condition.

This raises a few great questions that we are going to start exploring: Can Alzheimer’s be prevented or delayed?

Is this disease tied directly to family genetics? What are things that can be done to keep your brain engaged and active? What resources are available for loved one with the disease and family members? What are early warning signs?...Research shows that there are some things that can help prevent or prolong Alzheimer’s, knowledge is power, so let’s learn more about this disease.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that causes dementia. Dementia is the deterioration of memory, language, personality and the ability to process information. Alzheimer’s disease is not only the condition that leads to dementia; other causes include stroke, chronic alcohol

abuse, vitamin deficiencies, and Parkinson’s disease. Depression, too, may share some of the same early symptoms. So if Alzheimer’s is suspected, it is important that thorough testing be performed to rule out other conditions that might be reversible.

We hope that this information is helpful and stayed tuned for our next article on Alzheimer’s Disease.

Senior Helpers is your hometown solution for all your Senior Care needs.

Since opening in 2006, Senior Helpers has helped so many families with oneon-one care. Senior Helpers employs loving and experienced caregivers that are passionate about serving. All Senior Helpers caregivers are Alzheimer & Dementia Care certified and have passed strict hiring and background checks.

Senior Helpers is locally owned and managed by Pam Hodgson and her grown children, Elizabeth Jackson, Greg Rosinksi & Matt Fredenberg. Pam lives with her husband on a farm where she enjoys as much time as she can with her 6 grandchildren.

Senior Helpers Home Care 770-442-2154 Phodgson@seniorhelpers.com Www.seniorhelpers.com/northatlanta

24 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

Alpharetta Rotary recognizes continued partnership with YMCA ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Rotary Club of Alpharetta celebrated April 15 their long partnership with the Ed Isakson YMCA of Alpharetta with a $2,000 donation. They have worked together on projects such as the Alpharetta and North Fulton Days of Service.

Alpharetta Rotary President Kirk Driskell presented a check to Scott Doll, executive director of the Ed Isakson YMCA, for $2,000.

This donation is specifically going toward the summer lunch program at the YMCA, which provides lunches every summer week day for those children who need this program to stay healthy. Along with Scott to receive this contribution were Nicole Lawson and Cady Gray Murray.

“We are proud to be able to continue to support the work of the YMCA in this community,” said Driskell. “The services provided and the opportunities afforded to our community are tremendous.”

Alpharetta Rotary also partners with the YMCA on other programs such as the YMCA Children’s Learning and Sharing Library by providing books to the library, having a family fun day at the Zoo with FaithBridge Foster Care, helping in the community on the North Fulton Day of Service and offering scholarships for those in need of summer camp.

Pictured from left are YMCA staff Nicole Lawson, Cady Gray MurThe Alpharetta Rotary Club and the YMCA ray and Scott Doll, who received a $2,000 donation from Kirk plan to continue the partnership that has a Driskell, right, of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta. huge impact on the community.

COMMUNITY

Pictured is the members and leaders of Troop 51 in front of the vintage Vietnam Era United States Army M-60 tank at American Legion Post 201 in Alpharetta.

Roswell scout troop has new home ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta American Legion Post 201 will be the new home of Roswell Troop 51 of the Boy Scouts of America.

The troop, comprised of about twenty five boys under the leadership of Scoutmaster David Cunnold and Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Proffitt, began meeting at the American Legion Hall at 201 Wills Road in early April.

Troop 51 was founded in 2013 to support the tremendous growth in scouting in the Alpharetta area.

Scoutmaster David Cunnold stated “the troop is extremely excited to forge this new partnership with American Legion Post 201. It is an incredible opportunity for more scouts to experience patriotism first hand.”

The American Legion, America’s largest military veteran’s organization,

is widely known for its youth programs and it is common for American Legion Post’s to sponsor scouting activities among other youth oriented programs in communities around the nation.

According to Post Commander Dennis Turner, “It’s been a number of years Since Post 201 has sponsored a scouting program. I am delighted that we are once again able to support scouting and scouts in our community.”

Legionnaire Ed Holben, with four decades of scouting experience, helped to facilitate the scout sponsorship at the Alpharetta veteran’s organization.

He will serve as the post’s liaison to the scout troop. Troop 51 meets each Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. Those interested in learning more about troop 51 may contact Scoutmaster Cunnold at 770 853-5130.

Providence Bank firstresponder event May 27 Fundraiser benefits fire, police of Alpharetta, Milton ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Providence Bank will honor and support local first responders Friday, May 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Providence Bank located at 4955 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.

The fundraiser is for the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation and the Milton First Responders Foundation.

The event will be and will feature food, fun, giveaways, and a chance to meet a local hero.

The event is open to the general

public.

“For each $10 raised, the bank will match the $10 to support these local heroes,” said Brad Serff, President and CEO of Providence Bank. “As a community bank we want to support the local area by helping these brave police and fire employees and their families. And, what better way to celebrate our 10th anniversary.”

Serff also serves as vice chairman of the Milton First Responders Foundation.

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26 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

COMMUNITY

New Alpharetta Arts Center tagged with ‘yarn bombing’

Anything left alone for long is liable to be Yarn Bombed.

THOMAS YACKLEY/Special

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – No, it wasn’t vandalism out on Mayfield Road at Canton Street, it was a phenomenon known as Yarn Bombing.

The concept may be new to many people in the Alpharetta community but Arts Alpharetta was able to create some excitement Saturday, May 21, with their version of a Yarn Bombing at the site of the new Arts Center, said Ben Hollingsworth of Arts Alpharetta and a newly christened Yarn Bomber.

The former site of the Alpharetta Branch Library at the corner of Mayfield Road is scheduled to become the city’s new Arts Center.

Yarn bombing in some ways is a form of graffiti but without causing damage and typically intended to create a fun and whimsical impact for a short term, said Hollingsworth. The yarn installation will remain up about three weeks.

The yarn bombing is also a method of claiming or personalizing a place.

Many people still drop by the old library site expecting to return their books.

THOMAS YACKLEY/Special

Katie Murphy put some yarn bark on a tree.

Arts Alpharetta is attempting to bring a new identity to the old library.

The Yarn Bombing is a temporary way

See YARN, Page 27

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 27

THOMAS YACKLEY/Special

Nancy Murphy and daughter Katie Murphy try a selfie while festooning the proposed arts center with yarn.

Yarn: Continued from Page 26 of letting the public know that the site is becoming something new.

The unique style of the library was not widely accepted when it was built some 30 years ago because it was extremely different from the style of the

homes in the area. That uniqueness now seems to have acquired appropriateness as an arts center. The Yarn Bombing serves as a way of branding the site for it future use.

One additional tree downtown in the area of Food Truck Alley will be decorated with yarn early this week.

If people want to see more, the new Arts Center is a short two-block walk north of downtown.

The Little Helpers, Ava, Jackson Smith and their dog Woodford, help the homeless in their community by providing silverware rolls for the nonprofit MUST Ministries.

Roswell Little Helpers help feed homeless ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell residents Jackson and Ava Smith with their dog Woodford are members of a family volunteer group called Little Helpers and helped provide 1,600 silverware rolls to MUST Ministries, a nonprofit that feeds the homeless.

A silverware roll is a fork and spoon rolled up in a napkin and secured with a string or ribbon.

The MUST Ministries Community Kitchen uses more than 200 of these

rolls each day. Little Helpers even included notes of encouragement in the rolls.

The Atlanta-metro area has one of the fastest growing poverty rates in the country, leaving children and families in our communities hungry.

MUST Ministries is helping feed the homeless with three food pantries and a soup kitchen that serves lunch everyday plus another facility that offers breakfast and dinner.

28 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Milton’s Atlanta National Golf Club hosts LPGA hopefuls Symetra Tour event first LPGA event in Atlanta area in a decade

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga.- Milton’s Atlanta National Golf Club hosted the inaugural Gosling’s Dark ‘n Stormy Classic last week, the first Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) sanctioned event in the Atlanta area in 10 years. The event is a part of the Symetra Tour, the official development tour for the LPGA. Mike Vajda, tournament director for the event and a Decatur native, said, “We’re ecstatic that it’s here because [Atlanta National] is one of the top courses in the metro area. Having it in the North Fulton area is a plus because of the golf mecca that North Fulton is, and it’s probably one of the best courses the players will play on all season.”

According to Dean Alexander, Head Pro at Atlanta National, there is usually a six- to seven-month process to organize and market Symetra Tour events, but thanks to quick action by the club, its members and organizers, the event was organized in just 75 days.

“The fact that it was put together so quickly is a testament to the LPGA Tour and the Symetra people, tour tournament director Mike Vajda and members who have stepped up and volunteered to help us put this event on,” said Alexander.

He added that the Atlanta National members made up the core of volunteers at the event, as well as housed players during the tournament.

Vajda said, “With the Symetra Tour we rely on members to house the players. Roughly 85 players are being housed by members of Atlanta National and their sister courses, so the members are very much involved. Our volunteer base is made up of members, and we can’t do an event without them.”

Alexander said in addition to members, he also housed players, and it had been a pleasure to host them.

“These ladies are wonderful,” he said. “They are personable, friendly, respectful and appreciative to come and play at a place like this.”

Both Vajda and Alexander say they hope this year’s inaugural event will inspire the Symetra Tour, or even the LPGA Tour, to come back to Atlanta National.

“The LPGA hasn’t had an event in the metro area

JOE PARKER/herald

in just over 10 years, and the area can certainly support a Symetra or LPGA Tour event, and this is our opportunity to put our stake in the ground. We can only build off of it,” Vajda said.

Alexander did not hesitate when asked if he would like the event to return to Atlanta National, stating, “We want it back every year.”

“If this becomes successful there has been talk that there could even be an LPGA event,” said Alexander. “We want this event to grow. Ladies golf has not been in this market for a long time, and these are the young and upcoming starts of the LPGA Tour, so this is a home-run for the area.”

The $100,000 purse Dark ‘n Stormy Classic was the seventh event of the 23-event season for the Symetra Tour. The top-10 money earners from the Symetra Tour will earn their LPGA Tour cards at the end of the season.

Laura Wearn of Charlotte, North Carolina, won this year’s tournament with a score of 7 under par.

JOE PARKER/herald

SPORTS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 29

Blessed Trinity baseball falls short of state championship three-peat Rival Westminster sweeps Titans 2-0 in Class 3A state championship

By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. -- Just hours after the seniors on Blessed Trinity’s baseball team reveled in the joy of graduation, they were hit with the disappointment of losing a state championship series.

The Titans were swept by region rival Westminster in two thrilling games in the Class 3A state championship series Saturday. The Titans were the twotime defending state champions and had beaten Westminster 15-1 and 9-3 earlier in the season.

In both games, the Titans would find themselves down by a run with the bases loaded and two outs in their final at bat. BT was unable to score in either situation, losing Game 1 by the score of 2-1 and the second game 7-6.

Game 1 turned out to be a pitcher’s duel, which all season had played to the advantage of the Titans with their 0.76 team ERA, but they struggled to score runners.

Blessed Trinity’s sole run of Game 1 came on an RBI double from David Dunn in the bottom of the third inning to take the 1-0 lead, but Westminster would respond with a run of its own in the top of the fourth.

Hayden Lehman, BT’s starting pitcher for Game 1, got off to a rough start in the top of the fourth, giving up two singles and hitting a runner to load the bases with no outs. Westminster scored on a sacrifice fly, but Lehman recovered from his shaky start to the inning and threw two strikeouts to end the half-inning and keep the score tied at 1-1.

The defensive battle continued until

the first pitch of the sixth inning where Westminster hit a solo home run to give the Wildcats the 2-1 lead. Lehman pitched a complete game for the Titans with 2 earned runs allowed, six strikeouts and one walk. It would be Lehman’s first loss of the season (10-1).

After stranding a runner in the sixth inning, the Titans had their final chance at-bat in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Colin Davis became the potential tying run after he doubled.

Davis Dunn then singled to left field. As Davis approached third on Dunn’s hit, he was given the green light to attempt to score but appeared to stumble and fell hard into third base and needed to be tended to by the BT training staff. After shaking it off, he remained the potential tying run at third.

Still keeping their hopes alive, Jake Lundkovsky walked to load the bases for DH CJ Abrams.

On the second pitch of his at-bat, Abrams hit a one-hop grounder to the first baseman. Abrams attempted to evade the tag but was called out, earning Westminster the win and a 1-0 series lead.

If Game 1 was a defensive battle, Game 2 was anything but, with 13 total runs and 24 total hits.

BT will graduate seven players from this year’s squad, including pitchers Hayden Lehman and John Michael Bertrand, as well as fielders Zach Bogosian, Garrett Dupuis, Jackson Svete, Colin Dore and Conor Davis.

Blessed Trinity, playing as the away team in Game 2, opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first.

However, the Wildcats clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the inning, starting a multitude of lead changes throughout the game.

Westminster took its first lead of the game, 4-3, in the bottom of the third inning.

BT would then lead 5-4 after the top of the fourth from two RBI doubles from CJ Abrams and Conor Davis.

Westminster scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-5 lead with help from two BT errors and a walk with the bases loaded.

Abrams opened the sixth inning with a triple, his second extra-base hit of the game, and would score on a Zach Bogosian ground ball, cutting the Wildcats’ lead to 7-6, but it would be the Titan’s last run of the game.

BT pitcher Cole McNamee made quick work of the Wildcats in the bot-

tom of the inning to keep the lead at 7-6 as the Titans came to bat, needing a run to keep their season and hopes of a three-peat alive.

Once again, BT would load the bases with two outs, this time from singles from Dunn and Ryan Davis and an Abrams walk.

With two outs, the bases loaded and the season on the line, Conor Davis arrived at the plate for his fifth appearance of the game.

Similar to the end of Game 1, Davis hit a one-hop grounder, this time to the third baseman, who got the force out at home and completed the sweep for the Wildcats, giving the Titan seniors a disappointing end to their graduation day.

BT will graduate seven players from this year’s squad, including pitchers Hayden Lehman and John Michael Bertrand, as well as fielders Zach Bogosian, Garrett Dupuis, Jackson Svete, Colin Dore and Conor Davis.

In all sports, Westminster’s and Blessed Trinity met four times in Class 3A state championship games this year with Westminster winning in football, girls soccer and baseball. Blessed Trinity’s volleyball team beat the Wildcats for the volleyball state title. BT moves to Class 4A next year.

30 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Association of Free Community Papers:

COMMUNITY

Appen Media captures 21 national awards Named 2nd overall in ‘Best of the Best’ at annual conference in San Diego SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – For the third year in a row Appen Media Group came back from the annual Association of Free Community Newspapers Conference hands full of national awards.

“We were really pleased to come away with 21 awards when you consider there were more than 1,400 submissions among the categories for judging,” said Appen Media Group General Manager Hans Appen. “And we were only 1 point away from tying for the ‘Best of Show’ Award, which would have been three in a row.”

“We like to think we are cutting edge among our peers in the community newspaper industry. I think these national awards show that we are leading the way,” Appen said.

The awards are for editorial excellence, design creativity and dramatic, graphic designs that yield eye-catching ads. Appen Media won awards across all categories.

Again leading the charge this year was Senior Graphic Designer David Brown with six of the awards. They included three firsts for design ads. In the category of Fitness, Fashion or Beauty Ad he took first and second. He scored a third for Use of Art/Photography Service and Single Ad Color.

“I’m just proud to be part of a team that is invested in producing good quality work,” Brown said. “We are always challenging each other to be better, and it pays off.”

Graphic designer and publisher of the Northside Woman magazine Suzanne Pacey won 3 awards – a first

Check out the winning editorials and graphic submissions at our flipbook: http://tinyurl.com/jmogwnr

for Best Special Section or Promotion, a third for General Excellence, Gloss and honorable mention for Best Feature Article Layout.

Production and Newsroom Manager A.J. McNaughton received 3 awards including first in the Best Ad Design Contest. His redesign of the Herald newspapers garnered him a second place for Most Improved, 26% Editorial

or More (largest classification). And he scored another second in the Best Ad Series category.

Senior Account Executive Mike Dorman took second in the Best Sales Presentation.

On the Editorial side of the ledger, Appen Media earned 6 writing and photography awards.

Forsyth Herald Editor Kathleen Sturgeon won a third place for Best Original Photography, Color News Article. That is one of the most highly competitive categories in the competition.

She won for her cover story: “Forsyth in the Forefront.”

Executive Editor Hatcher Hurd took home 5 editorial awards in two classifi-

cations. He won first and second place in the Original Writing, Column/To Educate classification for “APS Cheating Scandal Has No Winners” (1st) and “Let Fulton Commission Right Own Ship” (2nd).

He then took first and third place in the Best Original Writing – Opinion classification with “What’s a High School Diploma Really Worth” (1st) and “Full City Council Needed Now More Than Ever” (3rd).

Finally, Hurd took second place in the Best Original News Article category for “Swatter Meets Bulldog, Swatter Loses,” the story of Johns Creek Police Detective Sgt. B. A. Finley’s dogged determination to hunt down a dangerous cyber bully.

“I never really thought I would do so well, even though I did like those columns,” Hurd said. “But I was glad that ‘Cyber SWATing’ won an award because it really goes to Sgt. Finley. He put in a year of his life putting together the clues and following the cyber trail that put away that so-and-so.”

Hans Appen said it makes him proud to see so many Appen Media employees recognized for their hard work.

“We hear a lot from our readers and our advertisers how much they enjoy our newspapers, how much they like to get them every week. But when you get this kind of recognition from your peers in the industry, it means a lot,” said Appen. “We see awards like these as a challenge to keep doing better. And our goal is make our publications better still.”

COMMUNITY

Roswell wins two water quality awards Gets kudos from Ga. Association for Water Professionals ROSWELL, Ga. – The Roswell Water Utility has received two awards from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) – the Fox McCarthy Water Wise Award and the Drinking Water Facility Gold Award.

Both were awarded during GAWP’s annual spring conference in April 2016.

The Fox McCarthy Water Wise Award was awarded for the city’s innovative Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and AquaHawk customer portal.

This award is presented annually by GAWP for an outstanding project in water conservation which is implemented by a water provider or user in Georgia.

AquaHawk is a free online portal that allows Roswell water customers to see

their water usage and an estimate of their bill anytime during the billing cycle.

The City launched the program in April 2015.

The Drinking Water Facility Gold Award honors the city’s water treatment plant for its full compliance with state regulations and for meeting or exceeding the Safe Drinking Water Act and/or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.

“These awards showcase the hard work and dedication of our water utility staff, who are continually looking for ways to improve service to our residents,” said Dan Skalsky, Director of Roswell’s Environmental/Public Works Department. “The AquaHawk project is a great example of our team’s commitment to finding creative ways to enhance customer service while conserving water and saving money at the same time.”

Area 100 Black Men to sponsor tournament Club of Atlanta golf tournament ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The 100 Black Men of North Metro Inc. asks all golfers to join them Saturday, June 4, at the Trophy Club of Atlanta at 15135 Hopewell Road in Alpharetta for a rewarding day of golf.

By participating or sponsoring the Golf Challenge, participants are helping to provide 100 Black Men of North Metro Inc. the opportunity to continue its initiatives of mentoring to youths; health and wellness programs for communities; academic enrichment for schools, and scholarships to deserving students.

VariousSponsorship Levels are available:

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Team Sponsor $600 • One Foursome to play in tournament • Sponsor sign on a hole Hole Sponsor $150 • Company logo on 1 hole sponsor sign Individual Player $125 • Player Gift Package Registration begins at 11 a.m. with a putting contest at noon. There is a shotgun start at 1 and reception at 5:30.

Register online at www.northmetro100.org or by check payable to 100 Black Men of North Metro, Inc. at 1968 Ridgestone Run, Marietta Ga. 30008 For more information contact Tim Hart 770-518-5559 at Tim.Hart@northmetro100.org.

YOUR NEWS! YOUR PHOTOS!

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 31

32 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

2015-16 The Cottage School fields win Most success in 31 years; taking ACC Commissioner’s Cup

This year’s boys tennis champs are from left: Zach Wichman, coach Jennie Meredith and Chandler Williams.

ROSWELL, Ga. – The Cottage School’s Cougar athletic program enjoyed a stellar year, in fact the best in school history and winning its first-ever Atlanta Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Cup. The conference is comprised of the smaller private schools in the Atlanta area.

It began with its dual Atlanta Athletic Conference varsity and junior varsity boys basketball championships. This was the first conference victory for the junior varsity team and the fifth in 8 years for Varsity.

The next leg of the year’s AAC quest to be the best was run by the Cougar track and field squads, bringing home their eighth title over the past 13 years for the boy’s team while the ladies earned a close second place finish.

The boys set many personal records in their events and junior John Brown won the conference High Point Award for taking gold in the 100m dash, the long jump, and the 400m dash. He also contributed to the silver and bronze in relay races.

The second highest scoring athlete at the meet was TCS junior, John Humphries who won gold in the 110m high hurdles and 300m intermediates, took bronze in the 100m dash, and teamed with Brown in the relays.

The Lady Cougars were led by senior, Pam Lalo and two eighth graders, Kendra Freeman and Maria Knezek.

Lalo earned a second in the 3200m run, third in both the 1600m and 800m runs, while Freeman and Knezek took first and second in the triple jump.

The Cougar track and field team concluded one of its best seasons ever.

Cottage senior Chandler Williams took to the tennis court to complete his Cougar career in championship form, securing himself as the most talented tennis student athlete in Cougar history.

With already a 2014 AAC doubles title and a thirdplace finish at the GISA AA region and state tournaments this spring, Chandler was not content. He became the first Cougar to win back-to-back AAC singles titles in TCS history (2015-2016). Then he teamed up with seventh grader Zach Wichman to add another AAC Doubles championship to his resume.

The Cougar tennis team combined to take home

The 2016 AAC baseball champs show their spirit.

SPORTS

ningest sports teams ever their first AAC Boys Tennis Team Championship since 1994.

Lady Cougars Katie Richardson and Kristina Farthing rallied to win the Doubles Championship – another school first.

Next up, The Cottage School Baseball team made the final catch for the athletic program and went undefeated (10-0) in the AAC, winning their first crown since 1999. Their conference batting average was .426, scoring 128 runs with an average of 16 per game.

Meanwhile they held rivals to 18 runs total on the season and had a team ERA of 1.21.

“This team decided on the first day of practice that nothing and no one would stand in their way in pursuit of the AAC Baseball Championship,” said Coach Cecil Lancaster. “And they were right.”

TCS also earned second place finishes in cross country, soccer, golf, and track to go along with the 5 titles listed above and garnered the coveted Commissioner’s Cup—also a first in school history.

The Atlanta Athletic Conference adds up points for all finishes in each sport to earn this honor.

Director of Athletics Richie Briggs said the entire school was thrilled.

Kristina Farthing, left and Katie Richardson display their tennis doubles trophy.

“Cougar Nation is on cloud nine and should be. The growth in my 11 years here has been a blessing. The students are proud to tell others where they go to school and what it means to be a Cougar.

“This touches my heart, proving that when you believe in the right philosophy, winning takes care of itself.”

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34 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Blotter: Continued from Page 2

Identity fraud keeps haunting woman JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A woman reported May 11 a total of $8,400 fraudulent charges on her account to local retail stores along with multiple instances of stolen identity.

The woman had found March 4 that her bank had two drafts against her account that she identified as fraudulent. The charges, totaling $8,400, were made to the same retail store and used her correct bank account information.

Her bank found the charges suspicious and alerted the woman about them.

Even after she closed the account and created a new one, the fraud did not stop.

The victim continued to receive notices that someone was still trying to open new accounts using her correct name, date of birth and social security number. She even received a Medicare statement detailing a foot surgery that she, of course, had not gotten.

The woman filed a report with Johns Creek police May 11 after the Federal Trade Commission began an investigation and advised her to alert local law enforcement.

Missing car turns up wrecked, abandoned MILTON, Ga. — A vehicle reported stolen during a graduation party May 9 was found abandoned after a hit-andrun. The man who reported the stolen vehicle had been celebrating his friend’s graduation May 6. At one point during the night, he left the crowded party with an unknown woman who drove him back to his residence in her car.

The man’s car was left, unlocked, at the party. The man spent the weekend indoors and did not realize that his car, a silver Nissan 350Z valued at $30,000, was never returned. He reported the Nissan as stolen when he couldn’t find it for work Monday, May 9.

When police ran the tag through their database, it returned a report stating that the car had been involved in a collision the previous day. The Nissan had been driven into a guard rail at Glenridge Drive and I-285. It was left abandoned and picked up by Sandy Springs police.

Guitar stolen to feed drug habit?

MILTON, Ga. — A man reported his guitar and equipment, valued at $1,500, stolen May 8 from his home.

The victim returned home from college May 8 to visit his mother, when he noticed his guitar, amplifier and case missing from his closet. All doors and windows had been locked, and police found no signs of forced entry.

The man accused his sister, since she had access to the property and has a history of pawning off his items to support her drug addiction. She had been living with him until August 2015 while she tried to stay clean. During her stay, the victim said she had stolen items from his home and wrote fraudulent checks in his name. He didn’t report her but kicked her out of the house. She knew he wouldn’t have been home that weekend.

Milton police looked up the sister’s pawning history and found that she had allegedly sold a matching guitar and case May 6 at a shop in Roswell.

Her history also showed that she had pawned off other items the man said were missing from 2015, and she is wanted in Carroll County for a separate fraud case.

Michigan man drives off with stolen Cadillac ROSWELL, Ga. — A vehicle was reported stolen April 29 at a local car dealership when a man allegedly purchased a car under false pretenses.

The man, from Michigan, was

initially denied the purchase, because he did not have adequate credit. An employee advised the man, 25-year-old Daniel Furchak, that he would need a cosigner to buy the car.

Someone later submitted an online credit application for Furchak under the name of “Troy Ellis.” Furchak then provided a copy of insurance, which allowed him to leave with the white 2013 Cadillac ATS. A few days later, the dealership was contacted by a man who said he was the real Troy Ellis and that he had not attempted to purchase any vehicle.

Both the dealership and the Roswell police have were finally able to reach Furchak through text message. He said he would return the vehicle but has not. The Cadillac has been listed as stolen and a warrant has been issued for Furchak’s arrest.

$7.2K remodeling bill paid with no results JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man reported being allegedly swindled out of $7,200 when he paid for home renovations that the company never completed.

The man had hired Leslie Painter, the owner and operator of a local contracting company, Sept. 2015 to do some remodeling work on his home.

The victim made the initial $7,200 payment Sept. 13.

Through January, Painter left the renovations only half-way finished.

Many of the building materials needed to complete the upgrades were taken

by Painter. The victim has been unable to get in contact with anyone from the company since Jan. 29. He still has all of the receipts, cashed checks and emails to aid police in their investigation of Painter and his company.

Wanted man speeds through school zone ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A Carroll County man was arrested May 11 for speeding in a school zone.

Alpharetta police were patrolling early morning near a school when an officer saw a car speed past them. He clocked the car at 45 mph in a 25 mph school zone.

When the police officer tried to pull him over, the man, Travis Swett, 33, continued driving. He finally pulled over a few neighborhoods away and was arrested.

A check of the police database showed that he had a suspended license with multiple violations. Paulding County has also issued a warrant for his arrest for his failure to appear in court on a charge of reckless conduct.

Swett was cited for driving with a

suspended license and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, along with the initial charge of speeding.

Missing wheel leads to DUI arrest ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 55 year old man of Milton was arrested by Alpharetta police May 13 for an alleged DUI with only three wheels on his vehicle.

Alpharetta police were patrolling after Taste of Alpharetta May 12 close to midnight and saw a BMW nearly strike the barricades erected for the event.

The car was stopped early May 13, after which police realized the car was driving on only three wheels. The front driver-side tire was missing.

When asked about what happened to his car, he had no answer. Police detected a “strong odor” of alcohol coming from the vehicle.

Based on a field evaluation, he was arrested for a DUI and driving with a missing tire.

Juvenile arrested for speeding over 50 mph MILTON, Ga. — A juvenile was arrested May 11 for driving close to 50 mph over the speed limit.

Milton police were patrolling on New Providence Road late evening when one officer saw a vehicle pass them at “an extremely high rate of speed.”

Their laser speed detection device clocked the car going at 93 mph in a 45 mph zone. When the vehicle attempted to clear a curve, it crossed into the center of the roadway, almost into oncoming traffic, due to its speed.

Police stopped the car and arrested the juvenile driver with no incident. He was turned over to the Alpharetta jail on charges of speeding, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.

PC allegedly hacked to send emails JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police were contacted by a juvenile May 9 who told police that someone had hacked into his email account to send inappropriate emails to his sister’s boss.

The juvenile said he found out about the email only when his mother called him to demand an explanation.

He said that he was unaware of the incident and did not know the contents of the email. He decided to contact Johns Creek police about it.

According to the juvenile, his sister’s boss has a daughter younger than him.

He also admitted to police that he has sent inappropriate emails in the past to other girls.

Tesla: Continued from Page 8 thought. Of course there are no traffic lanes as such in the sky.

If you’re going in the same direction, you can just climb to 5,000 feet higher and you’re almost a mile away from the other guy.

No, this is much different. We pull into traffic, you punch a button and Tesla will drive the car for you.

It has what they call “automatic steering” and “traffic aware cruise control.” That means it really can stop

Arrests: Continued from Page 2 and failure to yield when turning left.

►► Joe Luis Vela-Sanchez, 34, of

Yakima, Washington, was arrested May 10 on Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek for DUI and no headlights. ►► Anthony Leonard Fortuna, 26, of Atlanta, was arrested April 22 on Oak Street in Roswell for DUI and following too close. ►► Ronnie O. Evans, 64, of Zion Circle, Roswell, was arrested April 22 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI, following too close and hit-andrun. ►► Glenn Stuart Montgomery, 65, of Wood Creek Court, Roswell, was arrested April 23 on Atlanta Street in

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 35

without you doing a thing. It knows how to slow down for a car ahead because your car can “see” it.

Hey, it can even parallel park for you.

This is truly the wave of the future.

But as a skeptic, I don’t think I can be standard until human control is locked out –at least on the main thoroughfares. There has to be some measure of predictability of what the other guy might do, and we will never have that while people are allowed behind the wheel.

But let me tell you where they really sold me. I pulled out onto a stretch of Ga. 400, just to gauge the pick-up a Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Abdoulaye Deme, 36, of Sandy Springs, was arrested April 23 on Atlanta Street in Roswell for DUI and speeding. ►► Allen Loranzo Brown Jr., 28, of Atlanta, was arrested April 23 on East Crossville Road in Roswell for DUI and expired tag.

DRUG arrests ►► Matthew Christian Parker, 26, of

Sunfish Bend, Milton, was arrested May 11 on Deerfield Parkway in Milton for possession of marijuana and speeding. ►► Michael Kentel McLemore, 31, of Sandy Springs, was arrested April 23 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and loitering.

little you understand. Then we hit a lane closure and suddenly the possible speed dropped to 20 mph and we began that stop-and-go two-step.

Sonja said, “Let the car do it.”

Suddenly, I am not nervous that the car is driving itself and I’m just chatting away. Now if I took my phone out, who cares?

Then suddenly I saw the future of transportation. What cars don’t have is a driver’s seat.

What is the real wild card in driverless cars? It is the cars that have only drivers. The speed, they drive impaired, they get lost (OK, Google has a little work there). But the point is you take

driver error out of the equation and accidents shrink dramatically.

It came to me when I was on Ga. 400 and I didn’t have to drive. Suddenly, I could just relax. I was still “getting nowhere fast” in rush hour-like traffic, but I didn’t have to pay attention to it. I felt the tension of driving just ease out of my body.

Tesla, that is what I want. Of course I want it for the price of a Focus.

But I have seen the future of driving, and it means we must all become passengers. Not as exciting as those SUV commercials, I grant you, but think about it when your teenager goes on a date.

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Teachers/Professionals of the Year at North Fulton Schools School Teacher of the Year

Professional of the Year

Elementary Schools Abbotts Hill Lisa Rhodes-Pittman Linda Dickinson Alpharetta Kristen Fredlund Kathleen Blackburn Barnwell Missy Henrich Jennifer Wilson Birmingham Falls Pam King Dixie Byers Cogburn Woods Amy Witt Tracy Hopson Crabapple Crossing Gary Abel Sanjar (Sonny) Khurramov Creek View Helaine Becker Kristin Weger Dolvin Megan Endicott Allison Polaski Findley Oaks Charlotte Hayes Krista Boezi Hembree Springs Emily Clausen Virginia Dilworth Hillside Alexis Fraser Jeanette Cuevas Jackson, Esther Emilie Long Susan Shields Lake Windward Kelly O’Connor Sabrina Hill Manning Oaks Yuri Strom Sandra Machado Medlock Bridge English Avery Tinh Le Mimosa Callie Harcrow Flynn Pustilnik Mountain Park Julie Adams Suzanne Cockrel New Prospect Betty J. Burns Amy Batley Northwood Ryan Dorann Kellen Stark Ocee Brittany Boyajan Linda Stein River Eves

Kasey Ellsworth Walter Gauthia Roswell North Aimee Hughes Ashley Polito Shakerag Katherine Rope Supal Patel State Bridge Crossing Amy Showfety Vincent Reese Summit Hill Lisa Jeffcoat Tracy Artis

Teacher: Continued from Page 13

Tongue, who teaches social studies at Elkins Pointe, has a strong belief system that guides her teaching – that all students should be an equal partner in their own education.

“I believe that establishing personal relationships with students is as important as teaching them the content,” said Tongue. “I believe that all students deserve respect, love and compassion, regardless of their behavior and attitude toward school.”

She said that if all educators “reframed” their thinking about kids and the behaviors they exhibit as cries for help, we would be able to reach more at-risk students.

Tongue also believes in creating challenge for students in her classroom while also providing them a safe place

School Teacher of the Year

Professional of the Year

Sweet Apple Jessica Eyre Mary Ann Laughlin Wilson Creek Erin Collins Lori Hennessey

Middle Schools Autrey Mill Robin Butler Patricia Welch Crabapple Christine Davidson Aaron Crute Elkins Pointe Meredith Tongue Isaiah James Tyus Haynes Bridge Vanessa Roth Carol Stuhltrager Holcomb Bridge Melanie McCollum Glenn Johnson Hopewell Allison Herndon Holly Schmidt Northwestern Debbi Bement Katherine Wickliffe River Trail Margarita Dragoumaniotis Nina Gangadharan Taylor Road Dr. Monica Ray Peggy Callander Webb Bridge Caroline Kelly Mike Sharp

High Schools Alpharetta Kendra Magill Saida Dzaferovic Cambridge Wayne Thompson Diane Ellison Centennial Marie Robinson Laura Wood Chattahoochee Matthew Mihordea Elizabeth Cunningham Independence Cythia Paulsen Ron Lewis Johns Creek Dr. Steve Sweigart Michael Garmon Milton Rebecca Brown Manal McCool Northview Bryan Pidgeon Ryan Yard Roswell Samira Shakhib-Bregeth Megan Huss

to fall and pick themselves up, if they don’t succeed the first time.

“If you set expectations high, students will rise to the occasion, no matter what level the class is. Students need to be pushed outside of their comfort zone in small incremental steps to help them realize their own potential,” Tongue said. “It’s important to show them that it’s OK to fail – it’s what you learn from it that is important.”

Elkins Point Principal Kindra Smith said that Tongue, who has been nominated as her school’s Teacher of the Year five times in the past five years, is the consummate professional and an excellent example for other educators.

“Mrs. Tongue is an amazing teacher, leader and role mode,” said Smith. “She exemplifies the true spirit of being a

teacher and she works hard to ensure that every day her work empowers students to be successful.”

Other North Fulton nominees for top staff honors Northeast Learning Community - Neil Pinnock of River Eves Elementary School was selected Principal of the Year; Ryann Doran of Northwood Elementary School was selected as the Teacher of the Year; and Walter Gauthia of River Eves Elementary School was selected School Professional of the Year.

Northwest Learning Community – Ed Spurka of Cambridge High School was named the Principal of the Year; and Suzanne Cockrel of Mountain Park Elementary School was selected School Professional of the Year.

SPORTS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | May 26, 2016 | 37

Cottage School’s Lalo to run for Reinhardt College ROSWELL, Ga. – The Cottage School senior Pamela Lalo has received a scholarship from Reinhardt College for cross country, track and field, and academics.

Lalo has established school records in every distance from the 800 meters run in track and field to the 5,000 meters in cross country during her tenure as a Cottage School Cougar.

Despite struggling with an ACL tear and subsequent surgery, she was able to attain high acheivements in

her sport. Lalo is: • Atlanta Athletic Conference Champion, • GISA region-A Champion, • GISA region I-AA runner-up, • perennial All-State athlete with multiple top 10 finishes in the 800 meters, 1600m and 3200m races on the track.

Lalo’s other accomplishments include being a level III honor student, River of Words art contest winner, and an award-winning soccer and basketball player.

Front from left are cross-country track coach Allen McAdams, Pamela Lalo, and Reinhardt cross-country coach Jordan Turner. Back row are Head of School Steve Palmer, mother Deborah Lalo, and Athletic Director Richie Briggs.

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