Forsyth Herald, June 3, 2015 by Appen Media Group

Real Estate Report Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20

Meet the candidates Four to run for District 24 seat ►►PAGE 6

UNG moves to City Hall Also adds film degree ►►PAGE 22

Flew the coop

Backyard chicken workshops held ►►PAGE 12

June 3, 2015 | forsythherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 23

GHP finalists Forsyth Central: • Keegan Householder • Jeffery Sloan • James Ballard • Michael Coalla • Connor Holtz • Abrianna DePuty Lambert: • Deborah Song • Joseph Flynn • Bongioon Lee • Noor Sohal • Nina Reddy • Stephanie Tian South Forsyth: • Jessica Tang • Amanda Bock • Austin Kim • Evan Calatayud • Kyle Carozza • Sean Chua • Katie Reneslacis • Natalie Strandquist West Forsyth: • Murli Bharadwaj • Zain Meekail • Thomas Cheeseman HILLARY HUNNINGS/STAFF

Thomas Cheeseman will attend Georgia’s Governors Honors Program this summer for theater design. North Forsyth High School did not have any finalists.

Forsyth County students GHP-bound Selective summer program targets top students By HILLARY HUNNINGS news@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. – Twenty-three Forsyth County students will attend Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program on the Valdosta State University campus June 21 to July 18. The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement received 28,000 applications. Only 679 finalists were selected. The summer residential program selects gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors from across the state to partake in a learning experience unlike those found in high school classrooms.

GHP began in 1964 and is the longest continuously running summer program for gifted and talented high school students in the United States. “It’s like an academics and fine arts Super Bowl,” said West Forsyth High School (WFHS) teacher and GHP coordinator Dr. Anita PerezStuddard. Applicants apply for a major, an area of study they are passionate about and excel in. They then undergo an extended interview process. This summer, the program offers majors in communicative arts, mathematics, science, agricultural science, engineering and design, music, Chinese, Spanish, Latin, German, French, social studies, dance, technology, theater, engineer-

See GHP, Page 4

Forsyth’s sixth high school named By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Education (BOE) voted May 21 to name the county’s sixth high school Dr. Leila Denmark High School, or Denmark High School for short. A naming committee was comprised of Board member Tom Cleveland, a member of the Forsyth County Historical Society and principals and parents from the high schools impacted by the opening of the school, including South Forsyth HS and West Forsyth HS. The school will be located on a 118.45-acre tract located off Fowler Road with frontage on both Fowler and Mullinax roads. It will be similar in design to Lambert HS and West For-

syth HS. Redistricting traditionally occurs one year prior to the school’s opening, so for this, it would be 2017, said Jennifer Caracciolo, director of public information and communications for Forsyth County CLEVELAND Schools. The committee met and discussed the area and potential names, said Caracciolo. The group narrowed down the names to Isaac Clement HS, Dr. Leila Denmark HS and Union Hill HS. The names were put out for a vote by the public for two weeks, in which 6,863 votes were recorded. The committee voted on Dr. Leila

Denmark as their recommendation after it received 67 percent of votes. Isaac Clement received 7 percent and Union Hill received 27 percent. Cleveland said earlier in the year, he did a ride-along with the sheriff who brought him to Denmark’s property and told him her story. Unbeknownst to the sheriff, Cleveland was in the process of deciding names with the committee. “Then coming to the meeting, we talked a lot about it,” Cleveland said. “It was very instrumental in my thinking of that area and how it came about. I learned a lot of history from that area and I’ve done some more reading on her. “She was a fabulous woman who did a lot in the community,” he said. “I en-

courage people to go look at that part of it and understand the history, because we do learn things right around us and the important part we play in the area around Atlanta.” The new high school site is adjacent to where Denmark, one of the first female pediatricians in Georgia, lived and operated her last medical office. Working with Eli Lilly and researchers at Emory University, Denmark helped develop a successful vaccine for whooping cough in 1932. She retired at the age of 103 as the oldest practicing physician in the nation. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 114. At the time, she was the fifth-oldest living person in the world. For more information on Denmark, visit http://tinyurl.com/nv6a22c.

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A family fights back against two would-be robbers at the Marriot Hotel on Windward Parkway.

Family fights back during robbery Attempts to recover luggage ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Two would-be robbers are on the run after a botched attack April 29 in Alpharetta. About 8:30 p.m., a family was loading a vehicle at the entrance of the Marriot Hotel on Windward Parkway. They had just finished taking part in a jewelry show at the hotel. While loading the vehicle, another vehicle pulled up alongside, and two men got out. Video surveillance shows the men pepper spray the family and attempt to grab their belongings.

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

►► Aurora Marie Lopez, 26, of Canton

was arrested May 19 on Shiloh Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Emmett J. Barnes, 61, of New Chapel Hill Way, Cumming, was arrested May 22 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI. ►► John W. Stailey, 51, of Ball Ground was arrested May 22 on Kelly Mill Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Richard Tyler Irwin, 32, of Dahlonega was arrested May 22 on Atlanta Highway in Cumming for DUI and suspended license.

But the family did not give up easily. The video shows two woman and a man fight their assailants, grabbing back their belongings and beating one of the men, even ripping off his shirt and hoodie. The two suspects fled the area in their vehicle. They were gone when police arrived. Alpharetta Public Safety Spokesman George Gordon said such an incident is rare in the city “We do not recommend people to resist when it comes to property as a target,” said Gordon. “However we are grateful no one was injured in this particular incident.” Police are asking the public for help identifying the men. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the tip line at 678-297-6307.

►► Thomas Angelo Mallis, 24, of

Wedgewood Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested May 11 on Knightsbridge Way in Alpharetta for DUI and open container. ►► Yanek Pogorelis-Martinson, 40, of Suwanee was arrested May 15 on Webb Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI and speeding. ►► Marques Ravon Rowe, 21, of Smyrna was arrested May 16 on Haynes Bridge Road in Alpharetta for DUI and headlight violation. ►► Gregory Nowell Schroll, 34, of Englewood Drive, Cumming, was arrested May 16 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, open container and failure to maintain lane. ►► Ernesto Carlo Gutierrez, 26, of Hope Road, Cumming, was arrested May 10 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and speeding. ►► William D. Pittman, 54, of Deer Trail, Alpharetta, was arrested May 16

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on Morris Road in Milton for DUI and stop sign violation. ►► Hector Lemus-Moreno, 25, of Highway 9, Alpharetta, was arrested May 16 on Highway 9 in Milton for DUI, following too closely, no license and wireless communications while driving. ►► Matthew Reed Draper, 45, of Kickstone Place, Alpharetta, was arrested May 16 on Highway 9 in Milton for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Drug arrests ►► Brittany Nicole Gunter, 26, of Holly

Court, Cumming, was arrested May 20 on Bethelview Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines, suspended license, failure to maintain lane and wanted person. ►► Robert Primmar, 32, of Buford was arrested May 22 on Buford Highway in Cumming for possession of marijuana and seatbelt violation.

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Forsyth Herald | June 3, 2015 | 3

Body found in Chattahoochee River identified FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — On May 23, Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies responded with the Forsyth County Fire Department and the U.S. Park Service

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.

Bullet and holes found in house FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A man called the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office May 22 after noticing a bullet hole and bullet fragment in his home on Jot Em Down Road. The man told officers his wife heard a noise May 15. She later noticed the hole in the wall inside the living room and a corresponding hole in the ceiling of the living room. The man also said he heard a noise May 15, but didn’t notice the hole until lying down on the couch. The officers saw a hole in the vinyl siding consistent with a small caliber projective. The officer determined it came from behind a grove of trees where there was a steep drop to a

to a drowning in the Chattahoochee River in the area of the McGinnis Ferry boat ramp. Robert Allen Hancock, 61, of Law-

field leading back to chicken houses. The man said he had never had this happen before and figured it was a wayward round from a person plinking. He was told to call the sheriff’s office if anything else like this occurs.

Fight breaks out at landfill FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A fight broke out between two men in line at the landfill at 8880 Old Federal Road May 22, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Officers made contact with a male who allegedly pointed a gun at another male at the landfill. The alleged suspect told officers the men exchanged words and that the other man reached for him and attempted to hurt him with a rock. The suspect said he then grabbed his pistol and told the man if he came toward him, he would shoot him. The suspect reportedly told

renceville had been found submerged in the water by fishermen. Hancock’s boat was also found nearby. The initial investigation revealed no signs of foul

police he never pointed the gun at the man. A witness said he saw the two arguing. The witness reported he saw the suspect get something out of his car and the other man back away slowly. He couldn’t see if there was a gun. The other man reportedly confirmed the incident to police, saying the two began yelling. He reported the suspect had something in his hands, so he got a rock to defend himself. He told officers the suspect then pulled out a black pistol and pointed it at him. He then called 911. They were referred to magistrate court.

Laptop stolen from Lambert FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A senior at Lambert High School left her backpack, including her laptop, at the school May 15, but when she went to look for it May 18, it was gone.

play. Detectives believe that Hancock may have fallen from his boat. An autopsy is scheduled at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab.

The girl’s mom called the sheriff’s office after her daughter received an email May 20 from a man claiming to have the laptop. The man, from Dahlonega, told the mom a friend gave him the laptop to wipe the hard drive, but he thought it sounded suspicious so he contacted the laptop’s owner. The girl then contacted a family friend whose husband is a sheriff in Dawson County. The man called the husband and said his friend had the backpack and wanted to return it to the owner. The friend reportedly said she got the backpack from a Lambert custodian. She told officers the school policy was if an item is not claimed after 90 days, it is free for claiming. As it had not been 90 days, she said she took it because it was in a dumpster. She was advised to bring the backpack back to the school, which she did. The student said she didn’t want to press charges because she received the laptop back.

Suspect shows cop stolen police ID ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A man suspected of fraud was caught with a stolen police ID May 21. According to police, employees of the Von Maur at North Point Mall said a man tried to use a stolen credit card to make a purchase. The suspect ran from the store when he was confronted. Police spotted a man fitting the description of the suspect and spoke to him. They noted the man, Marlo Scott Wells, 32, of Old Holcomb Bridge Way, Roswell, was allegedly breathing heavily as if he had recently been running. When asked for ID, the man produced a stack of cards from his pocket, including an Alpharetta Police ID badge. When this was pointed out to the man, he allegedly made movement to flee. He was detained after fighting with police and a K-9 dog. The suspect, Wells, was arrested for credit card fraud, theft and obstruction of an officer.

NEWS

4 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Board of Ed releases itsLearning survey results Online program not perfect, but most approve By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Education (BOE) presented the results of a survey regarding the use of the school system’s online itsLearning program to make up work for inclement weather days. The verdict? While there are some kinks to be worked out, most respondents approved of the online system. For the 2014-2015 academic year, the county had built in two inclement weather days, which were both used on Feb. 17 and 18. When the county cancelled school on Feb. 19 and again for several more days due to snow, students and teachers throughout the county logged on for their first official itsLearning days. After getting real-life experience with the program, Forsyth County Schools (FCS) released a survey for parents, teachers and students to provide feedback on how well it worked for them. The survey closed March 23 and on May 21, the board announced the results. There were 5,640 survey participants in all, 981 of which were teachers, 546 were students and 4,113 were parents. Of the teachers, 503 were elementary teachers, 208 middle school and 270 high

school. The majority of the teachers said they used itsLearning for both classroom work and homework. The majority also said they had an excellent level of preparation and support provided by their school and the district. The teachers did say they had a bit of an issue with posting lessons, giving it mostly a fair or good rating. Part of the teacher benefits included forced parental involvement, recovered instructional time and the ability to keep up with their pacing guide. Some of the teachers’ challenges included parents not knowing how to use itsLearning, technical issues and difficulty in monitoring special assignments at the elementary school level. The teachers recommended clarifying expectations and policies prior to snow days, reducing the number of days for students to complete assignments and rethinking the plan for younger students. Among the student responses, 39 were elementary school pupils and 507 were middle and high school students. The majority of students said they use itsLearning daily. Students said they thought the execution of the plan was mostly poor to fair. The majority also said the technical aspects of the program were poor to fair. The students were

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pretty evenly divided on how long it took to complete the assignments, as well as how easy it was to find the lessons. Students said the benefits of itsLearning included easier work than face-to-face schoolwork, combined with the fact that they didn’t have to make up the missed school day faceto-face and the ability to stay on schedule so they didn’t get behind. For challenges, the students said there was confusion over block schedules, different teachers posted assignments in different places and the network was slow. They recommended shortening the assignments, putting all assignments in one place and eliminating the special assignments, which they viewed as busy work. Parents were divided by 1,869 elementary school parents and 2,244 middle and high school parents. The parents said they use itsLearning around once a week or daily and they thought the execution of the plan and technical aspects of itsLearning was good. Parents also said they had difficulty finding assignments and thought the length of lessons given in relation to the student’s age was good to fair. Not having to add days to the school calendar and no loss of learning were among the benefits parents cited in the survey. They also liked the

GHP: Continued from Page 1 ing and design and visual arts. Students take classes that resemble a college curriculum. GHP social studies alumnus Jacob Chambers, a rising senior at West Forsyth, still reminisces about his classes in 2014. “There are classes ranging from gender studies to simulations of international affairs,” said Chambers. “For my favorite one, we rewrote the Constitution. That was great because we learned about parliamentary procedure, submitting documents into a committee, amendments – all that stuff.” One 2015 finalist, WFHS rising senior Thomas Cheeseman, is one of 31 total theater majors from throughout the state, and one of four in the state who will concentrate on theater design. Cheeseman regards theater design as an art form. “Set and lighting establish the mood and emotion the director is attempting to convey,” said Cheeseman. “A lot of time

The majority of students said they use itsLearning daily. Students said they thought the execution of the plan was mostly poor to fair. opportunity to work with their children. Challenges included helping their child while trying to work from home, inconsistent placement of information and teachers posting at varying times or with unclear directions. They recommended more training for all parties, more engaging work and revisiting the maximum time length for assignments. In all, the results suggested the continued use of itsLearning outside of inclement weather days, including teacher, student and parent training opportunities, revisiting timeframe for teachers posting work, reconsidering relevance and amount of work (grade level/class/specials) and standardizing posting location of assignments in itsLearning. without the technology, a play is nothing more than people on stage trying to tell a story.” His passion for theater design developed out of his involvement in WFHS’s theater tech program. “Each new obstacle excited me, and gave me a thrill my sophomore year when I started getting more involved,” said Cheeseman. Perez-Studdard works alongside another WFHS teacher and GHP coordinator, Jenny Urash. Together, they assist students like Cheeseman with the application process. “It’s exciting to watch them progress,” said Perez-Studdard. The process reminds Urash of her brother, who attended GHP in 1997. “It reinforced to him that it was okay to be excited about science,” said Urash. “Now he holds a Ph.D from Berkeley in organic chemistry. “I felt like I was serving him, that I was serving all these kids who get excited about learning and to teach them that there is a place where that’s OK,” she said.

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NEWS

6 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Four vie for Georgia House District 24 seat By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The open seat for District 24 in the state House of Representatives has four candidates in the running. The candidates for the June 16 special election to fill Rep. Mark Hamilton’s seat are Sheri Gilligan, Will Kremer, Ethan Underwood and David Van Sant, all Republicans.

When Hamilton announced May 11 he was stepping down to accept a position in Nashville, Tennessee, the seat and the 18 months left in his current term were up for grabs. Cumming and parts of midwest Forsyth County are included in District 24, which comprises parts of the Heardsville, Coal Mountain, Otwell, Midway, Polo and Cumming precincts. The seat for Post 1 of the

Cumming City Council left open by the retirement of Councilman Rupert Sexton will also be filled in the June 16 election. Advanced voting runs through June 12. From June 1 – 5, voting will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cumming City Hall, 100 Main St., and the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St. From June 8 – 12, a third location will be added at Midway Park

Community Building, 5100 Post Road. All three will be open the same hours, except on June 11 and 12, when hours are extended to 7 p.m. Only one Saturday will have voting: June 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the three locations. There will be no early voting Monday, June 15. If necessary, a potential runoff election would be held July 14. For all in-person voting,

voters should remember to bring one of the six acceptable forms of photo identification. For details and to view a sample ballot, visit the Voter and Registrations and Elections Department page of the Forsyth County website at www.forsythco.com. The Forsyth Herald asked the candidates why they wanted to run and what they hope to change.

Sheri Gilligan

Will Kremer

Ethan Underwood

David Van Sant

Can you give a brief background on yourself? I was born and raised in Forsyth County and graduated from Forsyth County High School GILLIGAN in 1981. After graduating college, I enlisted in the Navy Reserves and worked in the intelligence field. I currently teach at Lanier Technical College and am a substitute teacher for Forsyth County schools. I am a conservative, constitutionally, fiscally and socially. My husband Pat and I have four adult children, two grandsons and we are active members of First Redeemer Church.

Can you give a brief background on yourself? I’ve been elected to the Forsyth County GOP board and as the second vice chairman of the KREMER 7th District GOP. Recently, I ended my term as chairman of the Georgia Association of College Republicans. When first elected, I was the youngest elected chairman of the Georgia Association of College Republicans. I organized thousands of Georgians to not only keep Georgia red in the 2014, elections but influenced the outcome of campaigns across the country by organizing campaign trips from our state. My father is a minister and vet-

Can you give a brief background on yourself? I grew up in the Chattanooga area. I lived on the Georgia side of the state line until I was 10, when UNDERWOOD my parents moved to Tennessee because there is no state income tax. I attended Ooltewah High School, then attended the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, where I received a B.S. in Marketing. Afterward, I attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where I obtained my J.D. as well as an MBA with a concentration in finance. For the last 12 years, I have practiced law, particularly in the fields of land use, commercial real estate and

Can you give a brief background on yourself? As a principled conservative and proud constitutionalist, I share our conservative values of VAN SANT faith, family, freedom and life. As a father, husband and successful attorney, I have watched our community evolve into a thriving destination for families and industry. An avid sportsman, I believe in our Second Amendment right to bear arms and will fight to defend our individual liberties. My wife Carol and I worship, along with our three children, at Mountain Lake Community Church.

See GILLIGAN, Page 24

See KREMER, Page 24

See UNDERWOOD, Page 25

See VAN SANT, Page 24

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Busy season for Cumming Dance Academy CUMMING, Ga. — Cumming Dance Academy (CDA) begins another exciting season of dance in June. The studio is wrapping up its 11th season end of year performances, beginning a busy summer of classes and camps and launching registration for its 12th season. Niki Watkins, owner and artistic director, is thrilled to see so much continued interest and activity at the studio more than a decade into business. “We’re so fortunate to have so many wonderful students at CDA this long into business,” Watkins said. “It’s a busy time at the studio, but we couldn’t be more excited for it.” Summer dance at CDA

kicks off in June. For weeklong camps, dropin classes and three-day intensives, there’s something for every age and skill level at CDA this summer. Camps, intensives and classes are open to dancers ages two-years-old and up. Registration for the 2015-2016 dance season officially opened to the public in early May. Classes are open in a variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, acro, theater and more. For more information please visit cummingdanceacademy.com or contact the office at office@cummingdanceacademy.com. —Jim Lichtenwalter

Forsyth County recognizes water professionals FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has recognized the first Monday in May as Water Professionals Appreciation Day. At the April 16 meeting of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner R.J. (Pete) Amos read a Resolution recognizing the county’s water professionals for working tirelessly to ensure local tap water is safe and the county’s water resources are protected and properly managed. The Georgia Water Quality Control Act was passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law in 1964. “The quality of Georgia’s waters has improved dramatically throughout this great

state over the fifty years since the original passage of the Georgia Water Quality Control Act,” Amos read from the Resolution. “It is imperative that these improvements be sustained while continuing our efforts to educate Georgians of their growing responsibility in the reduction of non-point sources of pollution to Georgia’s waters, and their responsibility for Georgia’s precious water resources.” During the 2015 session, the Georgia General Assembly passed a bill designating the first Monday in May of each year as Water Professionals Appreciation Day in Georgia. —Kathleen Sturgeon

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8 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

What I know This Memorial Day, I took inventory of “what I know.” I am who I have brought into this world – my children. While a parent does not control the ultimate person a son or daughter becomes, being a parent is our single best shot at fulfilling what God wants us to do. That is to make this world just a little bit better by helping other people. Our children are our legacy toward this end. I marvel at my kids – Hans, Amelia and Carl. They’re not perfect, but they are perfect enough for me to feel like Christina and I have done OK. They are completely blind – they don’t see color, race, gender or creed. They simply see people as fellow humans living on the same planet and having the same needs, wants and desires. They are also honest, fair, honorable, compassionate and loyal. I grew up in the segregated South. I still remember the waiting room for “whites” and the one for “coloreds” in my father’s medical office. I remember the Symbionese Liberation Army, H Rap Brown, the black power salutes of John Carlos and Tommie Smith in the 1968 Olympics and the Watts riots. Today, I see Sanford and Baltimore. However, in the same thought, I look at my kids and see their acceptance of others and their relationship and responsibility to others. One thing I know is that my kids’ values – their appreciation of humanity – is more likely to improve our world than to make it worse. If this is all I have accomplished by the time I die, I will have lived a successful life. I also know that if you take care of the little things in life, the big ones will usually take care of themselves. Little things add up to big things. Little acts of kindness add up to grace. Exercising for five minutes a day can become a lifestyle, eventually. Getting a good grade on one test in one subject is the first step toward academic excellence. I know we must teach our children that everything starts with just one single baby step, and the key then is to take another one and another. I know that our example influences others around us. We want to be good leaders. We want our actions to be those that pull people up and provide positive and productive models. We want our actions to reflect a sense of connectedness and shared responsibility for

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One thing I know is that my kids’ values – their appreciation of humanity – is more likely to improve our world than to make it worse. If this is all I have accomplished by the time I die, I will have lived a successful life. others. I know that every time something bad happens, if you look hard enough and long enough, you will discover a new door has opened. That door may offer the opportunity to create something good out of something bad – either for you or for someone else. The older I get, the more I believe there is reason for almost everything. Very little that occurs is truly random. It may be really hard to see that reason every time, but you have to believe that it is there. I know that taking care of other people means doing small things for them; not big ones. Listen to someone. Ask about their son or daughter. Remember someone’s name or birthday. Open a door, give up your seat or walk someone to the car. Notice a new hat, make a simple phone call to “check up on you” or give a hug. Send a thank you note. These and similar “little things” are what make our world tolerable. They bring enough joy and compassion to cause smiles to happen. And making someone smile at the end of the day is more important than just about anything else.

Over 50 Sandfords traveled to the Memorial Day gathering.

Putting the FUN in dysfunctional If you’ve ever seen “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you know the infamous Cousin Eddie. He’s the family member who shows up uninvited and unannounced, but who is loveable in a weird way. Some might say he’s completely out of control, with his whole family and snotty dog in tow. Spoiler alert — at the end of the movie, they all join together and go back to being one big happy, if dysfunctional, family. That’s pretty much how my family reunion was over Memorial Day weekend. Everyone has a Cousin Eddie, but my family seems to be full of them. My mom and I woke up early to make the annual voyage to our homeland of Kentucky. Along the way, we played family reunion bingo and took turns guessing how many family members would be wearing University of Kentucky shirts or sneaking off for a quick smoke. After six hours of driving, we arrived at Fort Boonesborough State Park, named for famous Kentucky frontiersman Daniel Boone. While Georgia schoolchildren study James Oglethorpe in history classes, Kentucky students learn about the adventures of Daniel Boone. After missing a turn and traveling a few miles off course on a lovely but rugged two-lane country road, we found a caravan of fellow Sandfords, our family name, looking for the right shelter at the campgrounds we would call home for the next few hours. Surely we would be able to find our family because of the sheer size of it, but apparently getting lost runs in our blood. A few other family members flagged us down and we were

KATHLEEN STURGEON Forsyth Herald Reporter kathleen@appen mediagroup.com

finally ready to listen to stories from our kin. We also planned on swimming in the river adjacent to the grounds, but I was told someone’s VW Bug was still submerged and it’s best to avoid the water. We prepared ourselves for the always boisterous crowd. My great-grandparents had a large family of nine children, and many were traveling to this annual gettogether. Most of our relatives still live in the Bluegrass State, but there are a few families who come from out of state, including my family from the glamorous big city of Atlanta. We aren’t exactly from Atlanta, but no one has ever heard of Alpharetta, except my uncle. This one specific uncle has a distinct gift of gab. He is similar to Cousin Eddie in the fact he is a whirlwind of fast-talking jive. Imagine Boomhauer from the television show “King of the Hill.” My uncle speaks so quickly it often takes me a moment before I can answer. By the time I figure out what he says, he has usually moved on and is already spinning the next fanciful tale. It can be exhausting, but highly enter-

taining. He has visited Alpharetta multiple times. Instead of calling Alpharetta its rightful name, he calls it Alfredo. When questioned about this, he just says it’s too hard to say and it sounds like a made up name. So from then on, I had to refer to my hometown as an Italian sauce. A delicious sauce, but nevertheless, a sauce. This is just one small example of why I love visiting the colorful cast of characters I call my family. Without a doubt we get questioned continuously on how we can stand the traffic and if we just stay at home for fear of getting stuck for hours in our car. We have to tell them the reason there is so much traffic is because our city is beloved and everyone wants to be there; so it’s a good thing and can usually be managed with careful planning. Between the babies, stories and pictures, a family reunion can wear a person out – but it’s always worth it. Some of my favorite family members aren’t actually blood kin, but I love them dearly. Family isn’t only defined by shared DNA. Singer Mary Lambert put it best when she said, “My family is dysfunctional, but we have a good time killing each other.” Although Memorial Day is over and everyone has returned home, I am glad my animated, loud, loving and fiercely loyal family is mine — Cousin Eddie and all.

Between the babies, stories and pictures, a family reunion can wear a person out – but it’s always worth it.

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forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | June 3, 2015 | 9

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Cumming recognizes employees with new program CUMMING, Ga. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; On April 24, three City of Cumming employees received a nice surprise. They were named the first winners of a new employee recognition program, which invites city employees and the community at-large to submit nominations for outstanding City of Cumming workers. The Cumming City Stars Program was begun in fall of 2014 as a new way to honor City of Cumming employees for longevity and meritorious service. ties, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest department. Stanley Pirkle, an electrician and

inspector in the Planning & Zoning Department, received the first quarter award, while Greg Gilbert and Melissa Hamby received the award for second quarter. Gilbert is a sewer crew leader in the Collection and Distribution Division, while Hamby is a customer service representative. They were recognized during a covered dish luncheon at City Hall after being selected from the pool of nominees. Based on the number and quality of nominations, they were chosen as the winners.

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10 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

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Northside Hospital volunteers recognized for 442k hours of service FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Each spring, the Northside Hospital-Forsyth Auxiliary celebrates and recognizes its volunteers who have achieved special milestones during their volunteer careers. Currently, more than 300 auxiliary volunteers, from ages 18-94 years, who serve in more than 30 departments at Northside Hospital-Forsyth. Collectively, these volunteers have performed more than 442,000 hours of service at the hospital during their volunteer careers. “The auxiliary volunteers add a tremendous amount to our hospital and its vitality and compassion,” said Lynn Jackson, administrator, Northside Hospital-Forsyth. “The true meaning of who we are and what we are is wrapped up in our volunteers and the heart they share at the hospital and with our patients every day.” At the April 29 celebration at the Forsyth Conference Center in Cumming, top honors for the most volunteer hours went to:

Loraine Collins (Gainesville) – Loraine has been a Northside Hospital-Forsyth Auxiliary volunteer for more than 21 years and has given 19,000 hours. She serves in the hospital Gift Shop and also leads the “crafters team” that knits and crochets items to give away to babies born at the hospital. Roger Requilman (Cumming) – Roger has been a volunteer for 12 years and has given 14,500 hours. He serves in Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s Environmental Services Department. Kathy Nalley (Cumming) – Kathy has been an Auxiliary volunteer for six years and has given 13,000 hours. She is part of the “Crafters Team.” De Salter (Cumming) – De has served as an Auxiliary volunteer for 27 years in a variety of departments. She currently works in the hospital Gift Shop and has given 11,000 hours to the hospital. “I am so privileged to count

myself among this group of volunteers,” said Sharon (Shari) Durant, president, Northside Hospital-Forsyth Auxiliary. “Their hard work and dedication to the Auxiliary and to Northside Hospital-Forsyth is indescribable, and it is an honor to work alongside them.” A special recognition went to Gloria Wyatt, former director of volunteer services at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, who retired in January after more than 30 years at Northside, the last 10 of which were with the auxiliary. “We are really a big family,” said Durant. “Gloria Wyatt was, is, and always will be the heart of this Auxiliary.” In Wyatt’s honor, a onetime scholarship was awarded by the auxiliary to assist a student pursuing a healthrelated educational program in an accredited college, university or health-related technical school. The Gloria Wyatt scholarship went to Julianna Casabonne (Decatur), a tech in the GI/Pulmonary Lab at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, who is pursuing a nursing degree at Georgia State University. Additional scholarships awarded from money raised through the Auxiliary’s 2015 fundraising efforts went to:

Sharon (Shari) Durant, president of Northside Hospital-Forsyth auxiliary, gave a special recognition to Gloria Wyatt, former director of volunteer services at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, who retired in January. Northside Hospital-Forsyth Auxiliary Scholarship • Brooke Buddington (Sugar Hill) • Taylor Cira (Alpharetta) • Dorcas Mensah (Lawrenceville) • Karrie Pusateri (Cumming) • Roselyne Okumu (Lawrenceville) • Teresa Zittrauer (Cumming) Lynn Jackson Scholarship • Krista Morgan (Dawsonville)

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UPCOMING EVENTS Students, teachers and Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club members enjoyed “Expressing My Passion” at South Forsyth High School.

Special needs students express their passions students work one period a day assisting our students both academically and socially. Although they impact our students’ lives daily, I believe all of them would tell you the lessons learned from our special needs students vastly outweigh what they provide. “Teaching Pathway is a program that offers general education students the opportunity to explore teaching as a career,” Arant said. “The second year class, ‘Teach as a Professional Intern’, allows students to work off-site at other schools a couple hours a day. These students observe, instruct and teach at local elementary, middle and high schools in the county. They were a perfect fit to work with our students on their presentations.” “The special needs students did an excellent job,” said Nancy Clackum the Optimist Club coordinator for the program. “It gave them the opportunity to express themselves, and they were so effective and impressive in demonstrating their communication skills.

“Expressing My Passion” was made possible in part by a grant from Constellation. The students were presented with medals and certificates for their accomplishments. The teachers were presented with plaques, and the para-pros and student aids were recognized with certificates for their support of the program. “The motto of the Optimist Club is Bringing Out the Best in Kids,” said Randy O’Dell, president of the SawneeCumming Club. “Our goal is supporting the well being of children and promoting the goals of optimism in the community. This program certainly brings out the best in these special needs students.” The Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club meets first and third Thursday evenings at the Manchester Court subdivision clubhouse, located on North Olde Atlanta Road, between Highway 9 and Castleberry Road. For information about Optimists, call O’Dell at 404791-2189, randy@lendnow. com.

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CUMMING, Ga. — The Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club recently sponsored an “Expressing My Passion” program at South Forsyth High School (SFHS) for students with special needs. John Arant, special education teacher, or as he prefers, “educator of exceptional students,” coordinated the program. Eighteen students prepared storyboards and PowerPoint presentations consisting of pictures and details about what they like most. Parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, student aids, friends and Optimist Club members attended the program and encouraged the students. Arant said the special needs students are assisted by general education students through two programs: Peer Facilitation and Teaching Pathway. “The Peer Facilitation Program is an elective at SFHS which allows general education students to work in the selfcontained special education classes,” Arant said. “These

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12 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

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UGA Extension hosts backyard chicken workshops By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com

areas, are doing home gardening and have better control over the food they eat. They FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — may want to help with their Those interested in expandbudget or control what goes ing their backyard garden to into their food. They want include poultry can partake in something more organic and a series of workshops focusing natural. For a lot of these on raising backyard chickens. people, adding a couple of The workshops last four chickens to their garden is the weeks and kick off June 4 at natural next progression.” Coal Mountain Park CommuniThe chickens make nice ty Building, 3560 Settingdown pets and are amusing, Kolich Road. The classes start off with said. They also add music and the foundations of backyard color to the gardens. People flock management, layers and interested in the classes don’t behaviors. An egg quality lab have to have experience, and will be held June 11. Diseases many come to the class for and disease prevention will various reasons, Kolich said. be discussed June 18, and “Sometimes the decision raising meat chickens, carcass to get a chicken is a spur of cut-up and food safety will be the moment when you see taught June 25. the cute downy The cost is $5 chicks,” Kolich per class, and said. “So you’ll classes meet come home with from 7 to 9 p.m. chickens and This is the first not know what offering of this to do with them. type of program. This is more Heather Kolin-depth rather ich, the Forsyth than some of the County extenoverview topics sion agent for in other areas. UGA Extension, Every once and is an expert on a while, a county raising backwill have a twoyard chickens. hour session to She said the try and go over workshops were all of this. With started because this, we are takHEATHER KOLICH she received ing the sessions Forsyth County extension agent for apart and going requests from UGA Extension clients in Forin-depth and syth County and having plenty of surrounding time for people’s areas for more in-depth and questions, so we can get anbetter information on managswers for the situations they’ve ing their backyard or small experienced.” scale poultry flock. Ciara Rubin is raising “There has been a lot of chickens in her backyard in interest in backyard poultry,” Forsyth County. Her famKolich said. “A lot of people, ily raised chickens, but she even in urban and suburban didn’t start thinking of raising

Sometimes the decision to get a chicken is a spur of the moment when you see the cute downy chicks.”

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There will be four upcoming workshops on how to raise backyard chickens. her own until she worked in a restaurant that sourced local chicken, eggs and bacon. “I thought it was really cool and a direction we should move toward,” Rubin said. “Young people are disconnected from where they get their food.” After getting married, Rubin and her husband wanted to get property and raise their own flock. “My parents and I lived in the suburbs and moved farther away from that connection to animals and how you get your food,” Rubin said. “It feels like going back to my roots in a way, even though I didn’t have any knowledge or experience with those roots. It’s been really cool and taught me a lot of life lessons.” With the recent cases of

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avian flu, having informational classes like these are important to keep the chickens and people healthy, Kolich said. “Even one outbreak in a backyard flock can have a significant impact on the economy of that state,” Kolich said. “Other countries will stop and have stopped taking poultry imports. The epicenter for these outbreaks tends to be backyard flocks, because we tend to see our backyard chickens as pets or hobbies. When we’re having fun, we’re not thinking this might damage an entire industry of the state.” In Georgia, poultry is an $18.4 billion industry, Kolich said. “It accounts for half of Georgia’s agricultural income,” Kolich said. “Agriculture is our No. 1 industry in Georgia. To have a nation like China say they aren’t taking any more poultry products from Georgia would be a significant blow to our economy.” As far as county ordi-

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nances, Kolich said potential chicken owners need to check their neighborhood’s regulations as well as the county’s before deciding to raise a flock. In addition to the poultry regulations, Rubin said she would recommend potential owners look up on social media how other people are raising the animals. Just remember, Rubin said, they aren’t really pets. “Of course you love your animals,” Rubin said. “Chickens are still like a pet, but they’re not really like a pet. There is a level of detachment. They’re really sweet and I’ll pick them up and pet them. But at the end of the day, they’re there to serve a purpose and that purpose isn’t cuddles like a cat or dog might be. You have to learn how to put things in the right perspective and what purpose they’re serving and why you have them.” For more information, visit http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/forsyth/.

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Forsyth Herald | June 3, 2015 | 13 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com

Local man celebrates singing career spanning 10 years By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — With only a love of singing and no professional experience, Smitty Lucas has been entertaining the residents of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities with his voice for 10 years now. “I love to sing, but I know I don’t have the talent to be a professional,” Lucas said. “I’ve always said I’d like to come back as a professional singer, if you believe in reincarnation.” Lucas, 79, started singing in elementary school and continued in school and church choirs, as well as in local groups. But as he became busier with work, Lucas began singing less. When he retired and moved to Forsyth County in 2004, the first thing Lucas did was look for a community chorus. While the county was considering forming a chorus, there wasn’t one at the time, Lucas said. So he joined a choir in Gainesville. For five years, Lucas drove to Gainesville to sing, but the drive became tiring. Not one to sit still, he thought about his mother who lived in an assisted living facility for her last eight years, and got an idea.

“I remembered how much those people enjoyed someone coming around,” Lucas said. “I love to sing, but I can’t sing solo professionally; but maybe I sing well enough I could go in and do something with them. I have a degree in psychology, and I thought these people remember, especially in the Alzheimer’s unit, a lot of the old gospel songs, which I love. I thought maybe this would fill a need for me and them. I can do something for them and get something in return.” He initially thought the gig would last a few months and then he would find something else to occupy his time. He ordered a boom box, microphone and background tapes to get started. Then he sent out 50 letters to nursing homes and assisted living facilities from Johns Creek, Roswell, Alpharetta, Forsyth County and up to Gainesville. “I asked if they would like for me to come in and do a program,” Lucas said. “I was bombarded by people who said, ‘yeah, let’s go.’ I went in and did a program and I told them if they like what I do, we can set up a regular thing. That’s been going on for 10 years.”

program each time. He likes to stick to old gospel songs because the residents enjoy, and often remember, them. “It’s amazing how people even in Alzheimer units recognize the old music,” Lucas said. “We did a family program for Christmas once and one of the family members came up to me and said, ‘I don’t understand. My mother has sung every song you sung, but she doesn’t know who I am.’ We’ve been singing long enough the people I’ve been singing for know who I am. It is a real comradery.” At one of the Gainesville nursing homes, Lucas said the nurses tell the residents he’s coming to sing and they all gather to listen. “It’s been a tremendous blessing,” Lucas said. “I get a lot more out of it than I give. The thing I enjoy the most is relating to the people. After every time I sing, I shake their hands. They’re my friends now. It’s more than a bunch of strangers. “I hope I can make them at least have a good time for the hour I’m there,” he said. “I hope the hour goes further than that and makes their day better. I hope the things we do brings them inner peace.”

Smitty Lucas has been singing for nursing homes, including the Alpharetta Senior Center, for over 10 years. At the height of his career, Lucas was singing at as many as 15 locations. Currently, he

sings at 11. He has about 250 songs to choose from and tries to give the residents a new

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(CEUs are available) and have your business or industry-specific questions answered by a legal expert. The HR Academy Seminars are held once a month at the Forsyth Conference Center, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and cost $35 for Chamber Members and $45 for Non-Chamber Members. The next HR Academy seminar will focus on Workplace Safety, specifically with OSHA’s EAP Standards. To register for this event or future seminars, visit the Chamber’s website at www.cummingforsythchamber.org, or call (770) 887-6461.

On April 30th, the BAR association hosted the 2015 Small Business Awards. The Small Business Awards program is designed to offer welldeserved recognition to small businesses for their achievements and contributions to our community by providing the opportunity to showcase their company, share their story and be rewarded for their efforts. The Business of the Year award is given to three organizations, each organization representing a bracket based on number of employees.

Keeping abreast of the political challenges and activities that affect the area and your business has never been more important! Network with many of the area’s top business and political leaders and expand your business contacts when you attend.

This event is jointly hosted by the Lanier-Forsyth Rotary Club and the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. All attendees should register with the Chamber with the exception of Lanier-Forsyth Rotary Members.

2015 Post-Legislative Session Breakfast, presented by AT&T on Tuesday, June 16th at 7:30 a.m. at the Forsyth Conference Center (3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd. Cumming, GA 30041). Admission is $15 for Chamber Members and $30 for Non-Members. Register at www.cummingforsythchamber.org.

State Senator Steve Gooch

State Senator Michael Williams

Representative Mike Dudgeon

Business of the Year with one to five employees:

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Representative Kevin Tanner

Representative Geoff Duncan

16 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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New interchange to accelerate growth By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – Federal clearance for the proposed $1.1 billion makeover of the Interstate 285/Georgia 400 interchange could spark renewed business development in the northern suburbs, according to one state official who has tracked transportation issues for more than a decade. “It’s definitely a project of regional significance,” said state Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta). “It’s the largest single project in Georgia history.” Beach, who heads the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and served on the Georgia Department of Transportation Board of Directors, said the interchange is among the worst in the Southeast. Each day, more than 400,000 vehicles travel through the interchange. State DOT officials say the new interchange will be similar to the design of “Spaghetti Junction” at I-85 and I-285, with flyover bridges and special access lanes. The federal government will pay $750 million of the cost. Beach said the redesign will benefit all northern metro Atlanta counties, providing smoother access for a muchneeded workforce that supplies businesses starved for talent, particularly in technology. “Thirteen years ago, a CEO made a decision where a company was to locate a lot of the time based on where he or she wanted to live,” Beach

New plans call for significant improvement at the interchange of Ga. 400 and I-285. said. “Today, the CEO still makes the call, but it’s based on where the talent is.” The recent announcements by Kaiser, Mercedes Benz and State Farm to locate major operations in north metro Atlanta were all spurred by the access to a talented labor force, he said. Improved transportation is not limited to highways.

Beach said he is also pushing other transportation initiatives in the area and cited the proposed MARTA rail extension from North Springs to Windward Parkway as an example. Along those same lines, he praised Forsyth County for its recent initiative to widen Ga. 400. The project will relieve the heavy congestion seen every

day as commuters approach Windward Parkway, he said. Four teams of contractors are on the DOT’s short list to design, finance and build the new interchange through a public-private partnership. Proposals are due in September, and the apparent winner will be announced in December. “This is an amazing win for

our team to be able to obtain approved environmental documents in such a short time frame,” Georgia Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry said. “I am confident that we will continue that positive trend as we move forward with the project.” The new interchange is expected to open to traffic in 2020.

BusinessPosts

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Forsyth Herald | June 3, 2015 | 17

Look to retail strength for the real recovery Editor’s note: This is part of a series of excerpts from Frank Norton Jr.’s “Norton Native Intelligence Report for 2015.” Despite the market downturn, continued healthy demand for retail space is driving strong occupancy increases for many of Georgia’s anchored shopping centers. Some landlords are even showing rent increases. While we still are not seeing the formation of mom-andpop businesses, most of the new leases are coming from national, regional or franchise operators. Many retailers have

realized they probably overreacted in terms of closures in 2010, and now these national users are scrambling for space and positioning. A good example is Starbucks. Two years ago, forecasters predicted “they’re done, they’re closing stores” and they have too many stores. Now Starbucks is opening lots of new locations or reopening stores that they had previously closed. No real estate class is more closely tied to economic recovery than the retail sector. While facing other headwinds, such as the loss of major shopping

FRANK NORTON JR. CEO and Chairman The Norton Agency

center tenants, migration of retail users to pad sites, lack of new-format retailers and competing Internet sales, this year will see continued recovery of gross retail sales as consumers increase household debt and feel more financially secure with restructured housing

payments and more retirement equity. This extends to automotive and other durable goods. The success of Village of Deaton’s Creek and Cresswind are indicative of the strength of the active adult market and outward migratory patterns of Gwinnettians. Continued housing market stability remains the key metric in the fate of local retail growth. Between 1998 and 2002, before the housing market went haywire, total housing starts averaged 1.65 million units and the population of the

United States averaged 282 million persons. Over the next five years the U.S. population will average about 320 million. As a result, expect housing starts to steadily rise to a plateau of about 1.725 million units. Absent increasing bank regulations, starts would be expected to exceed 1.825 million. Relatedly, there are 121 million current households in the United States. Over the next three years, that number is projected to grow by 3 percent or an additional 4.48 million households.

Take some vacation…you deserve it! Now that June is here and summer is starting, are you planning on taking some time off? Most small business owners find it difficult to go on vacation because they worry about what might happen if they are not at work. It may sound counter-intuitive, but taking some time off will actually make you more productive. According to the Mind and Body Center at the University of Pittsburgh, “taking a vacation from work allows the body and mind to replenish and repair itself.” For small business owners, this couldn’t be more important. There are many excuses

DICK JONES

Founder & President Jones Simply Sales

for not taking time off, but all of them can be managed and overcome. Most small business owners do not take vacation because they don’t have a plan to do so. You may be a meticulous planner while running your business, but if you don’t plan

your vacation, bad things could happen. This is not about planning your vacation, but planning for while you’re on vacation. Selecting the best time to go on vacation, determining who is going to be in charge when you are gone and what tasks need to get done before you get back will put your mind at ease. Additionally, schedule dates and times to communicate with your employees while you are on vacation. Summer is just around the corner, and as a small business owner you deserve some time off!

NewBusinessSpotlight

Kimberly-Clark Professional accepts the Innovation and Marketing Awards. From left are J.D. Dinsmore, director of sales, national accounts; Mike Leemann, director of sales; Mike Flagg, vice president, North America; Tracy Doucet, health and wellness business leader, North America; Andy Clement, vice president of sales, North America; Mark Fuglsang, business development manager; Kim Underhill, president, Kimberly-Clark Professional; Randy McLeod, director of sales; and Kevin Nolan, director of sales.

Kimberly-Clark lauded for eco-friendly products

Business: Youthtopia Med Spa New ownership: March 2015 Owner: Tracy Olson Address: 11340 Lake Field Drive, Suite 100, Johns Creek What: World-class skin rejuvenation and total body wellness spa. Our aesthetic treatments

are combined with professional skin care products, cosmeceuticals and other pre- and post-treatment regimens all designed as an integrated approach. Tranquil and confidential environment. Phone: 770-772-4806 Website: www.youthtopiamedspa.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — KimberlyClark Professional received the Innovation and Marketing Awards at NETWORK Services Company’s supplier trade show March 30 in Hollywood, Florida. The Innovation Award was a result of K-C’s GreenHarvest Products, which incorporate rapidly renewable plantbased fiber, such as wheat straw and bamboo. Kimberly-Clark Professional is the first major towel and tissue manufacturer in North America to introduce products made with 20 percent plant fiber in place of tree fiber or recycled fiber. “In a resource-constrained, digital world, with fewer sources of recycled

fiber, and the need to put less pressure on natural forests, it’s important to continue exploring non-tree fibers,” said Iris V. Schumacher, North American sustainability leader at Kimberly-Clark Professional. Kimberly-Clark Professional was also named Supplier Marketing Partner “in recognition of its outstanding sponsorship of NETWORK’s supplier marketing initiatives.” The company works closely with distributors and other partners to engage employees, tenants and guests in adopting behaviors that lead to exceptional workplaces. For more information, visit www.kcprofessional.com. —Malik Jones

BusinessBriefs

18 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald

Submit your business news & photos to businessnews@appenmediagroup.com

Appen Media Group welcomes new interns

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

The new Appen Media Group interns are, from left, Cameron Osburn, Hillary Hunnings, Malik Jones and Jimmy Lichtenwalter.

Providing Financial Services For Your Business. “Credo Finance has been a real blessing for our company and family. I really appreciate all you guys have done to help me get a better handle on the Buisness God has blessed me with so hopefully I can use it more wisely for His kingdom” - R Lee Wagner (R L Wagner Custom Homes) “Dan is a true professional. An expert in his field. Dan takes the time to truly understand your business, vision, industry and what you are up against to create a wholistic approach to the financial side of the business. His command of his accountancy field is very impressive. Many people have expert knowledge, but Dan is exceptional because he has the relationship skills that foster communication and trust. He executes in a timely way and flawlessly. We feel fortunate to have Dan Lucas on our financial team. Top Qualities: Great Results, High Integrity, Creative” – Wendy Johnson

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Appen Media Group welcomes a new crop of summer interns into the newsroom. Four promising young adults began work May 20 and will work until the end of the summer covering all kinds of content – from government to community news and everything in between. Cameron Osburn is a 2012 graduate of Chattahoochee High School. He currently attends Oklahoma State University where he is studying multimedia journalism with a focus on sports media. “This summer at Appen Media Group, I hope to produce quality work, as well as build on the skills I’ve been taught in a real working environment,” he said. Hillary Hunnings is a 2012 West Forsyth High School graduate. She is pursuing a double major in political science and mass communication at Georgia College and State University. Hunnings said she expects to gain “invaluable print journalism experience” during her internship. Malik Jones, a 2013 graduate of Alpharetta High School, now attends Hampton University in Hampton, Va., where

he is a third-year journalism student with a minor in cinema studies. From his time with Appen Media Group, Jones hopes to become a better storyteller and gain hands-on experience in the fields of investigative reporting and service to the community. An Alpharetta native, Jimmy Lichtenwalter graduated from Centennial High School in 2012. He attends Samford University where he is majoring in journalism and mass communications with a minor in general business. “This summer I am thrilled to be working for Appen Media Group,” he said. “It is a great place to practice what I’ve been taught, and I hope to learn a lot.” Revue and News Editor Jonathan Copsey said the group will work hard on the many publications created by Appen Media Group. “I have high hopes for these interns,” Copsey said. ”They will be out and about in the community for the summer, honing their writing and reporting skills.” To follow the interns and their progress, visit Northfulton.com.

BusinessBriefs PEOPLE:

Hausmann to speak at breakfast JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann will be the featured speaker at the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce’s monthly membership breakfast June 18. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Standard Club, 6230 Abbotts Bridge Road. Hausmann represents District 1, which includes North Fulton. The meeting will also include community information and member highlights.

TECH:

Computer classes offered ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Tech Talent South is partnering with Gwinnett Technical College and the Alpharetta Technology Commission Innovation Center to host a series of classes on code immersion, Web design and programming for business professionals. TTS will begin courses in Alpharetta the week of June

15. The eight-week code immersion classes will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. The eightweek Web design course will be on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. The courses for business professionals will be held June 15, 22 and 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. More information is available at techtalentsouth.com.

CSI Laboratories opens new facility ALPHARETTA, Ga. – CSI Laboratories, a private national reference laboratory specializing in cancer diagnostics, celebrated the opening of their new molecular laboratory May 20. The addition of an in-house molecular laboratory is significant to not only CSI’s growth as a company, he said, but it allows for more control over molecular specimens and testing orders. By now being able to perform all tests under one roof, patients will benefit from CSI’s collaborative approach where doctors from each discipline readily share case information, leading to more precise prognostic and diagnostic results, he said.

CALENDAR

EDITOR’S PICKS

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Forsyth Herald | June 3, 2015 | 19

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me your event...

FLYING COLORS BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

The air fills with the beating wings of hundreds of beautiful butterflies at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road in Roswell. June 6 at 10 a.m., and June 7 at 12 p.m. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for CNC members. Visit chattnaturecenter.org for more info.

EVENTS:

ALPHARETTA BREW MOON COUNTRYFEST Gather your friends and celebrate summer with beer, wine and delicious food f as well as live music on Milton Avenue, in Alpharetta. Saturday, June 6 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Table of eight is $130, table of six is $100 and individual tickets are $10. Event is rain or shine.

and a variety of food and beverage options. Must be 18 or older to attend. When: June 6 from 2 to 8 p.m. Where: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway in Alpharetta Cost: Tickets start at $90 Info: Event is rain or shine, more information at southerncigarfestival.com

FLIP FLOPPING THE NIGHT AWAY

When: Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m. What: Join Erin’s Hope for Friends for an evening to benefit teens and young adults with high functioning autism. Featuring Big Biscuit Band performing live and silent auction. Where: The Metropolitan Club, 5895 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. Cost: $75. Web: ErinsHopeForFriends. org

What: A fishing competition for children ages 4 to 12. Where: Brookside Office Park pond, 3265 Brookside Parkway in Alpharetta When: Saturday, June 6 from 8 to 11 a.m. Contact: 678-297-6130

SOUTHERN CIGAR FESTIVAL

What: Live music, 35 cigar manufacturers, prized and raffle giveaways, personal guest appearances from some of the leading cigar makers,

Good food, prizes, face painting, shopping, and puppy and kitten love at Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11915 Wills Road in Alpharetta. Sunday, June 7, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit animalrescuefair.org for more info.

What: Milton kicks off its ‘Flicks and Food Trucks’ series with ‘Ghostbusters.’ Watch a movie under the stars complete with dinner from a gourmet food truck. When: Saturday, June 6 Hours: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Info: Film starts at dusk (about 9 p.m.)

What: SAT tutoring for those looking to boost their score. Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch Library, 9560 Spruill Road in Johns Creek When: Tuesday, June 9 at 2p.m. Web: afpls.org

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

What: A great networking opportunity with food, drinks and prizes. Where: AMLI North Point, 9000 Beaver Creek Road in Alpharetta When: June 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Contact: Debbie Ryals, 678397-0556

THE ROLLING STONES

Legendary British rock band plays with St Paul and The Broken Bones at Bobby Dodd Stadium on the campus of Georgia Tech, 150 Bobby Dodd Way in Atlanta. Saturday June 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $106

Artistry. Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta When: Friday, June 5. Two shows, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Cost: $22 Web: thevelvetnote.com

SHANNON WEAVER Calendar Editor calendar@appenmediagroup.com

Submit your event to northfulton. com or email with photo to calendar@northfulton.com. For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.

years of 1901 and 1913. The play is performed without a set or props. Where: Cumming Playhouse, 101 School Street. Web: playhousecumming.com

GLOBAL DANCE PERFORMANCE

What: Performance exploring how dance evolved from east to west. Proceeds will benefit Atlanta Seeds, a Roswell nonprofit organization which empowers girls 5 to 18 through dance. When: Sunday June 7 Hours: 6:30- 8:00 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street in Roswell Cost: $20 adults, $10 for kids Web: www.roswellgov.com

FLICKS AND FOOD TRUCKS

NEW SAT CHANGE WORKSHOP

YOUTH FISHING DERBY

ANIMAL RESCUE FAIR

FORE PAWS GOLF TOURNAMENT

What: A fun filled day of golf to benefit Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. Where: Country Club of the South, 4100 Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek When: Monday, June 8 Time: Registration at 9:30 a.m., shotgun start 11 a.m. Cost: Single player $150, foursome $500 Web: angelsrescue.org

TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD

What: The summer free concert series continues at Riverside Park with the Royal Southern Brotherhood, the popular blues and blues rock group, performing. There will be a minimum of two food trucks at the park for you to enjoy a concert and dinner. When: June 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road in Roswell Cost: Free

FLY CATS

MUSIC:

What: The Fly Cats jazz are a local premium jazz band that specializes in selections from the Great American Songbook. When: June 13 at 8 p.m. Where: The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School Street in Cumming Cost: $20. $15 for veterans, seniors, 18 and under, groups of 25 or more. Web: playhousecumming.com

JULIE DEXTER

THEATER:

What: Julie, native of England, is a classically trained artist who composes and arranges her own music. Influenced by legends such as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln and Bob Marley, Julie takes classic soul to the heart of

OUR TOWN

When: Thursday, June 4 at 8 p.m. What: Our Town is a threeact play telling the story of an average town's citizens in everyday life between the

What: There's only one individual who knows the true story about the three little pigs: Alexander T. Wolf. See A. Wolf’s side in this puppet adaptation of Jon Scieszka's popular book. When: From June 8 through June 13, times vary between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St in Roswell. Cost: $5 for an individual ticket, $30 for a summer series pass Web: roswellpuppets.com

MAGIC: KEN SCOTT

What: Famed local magician Ken Scott puts on a show full of magic, stories and comedy. Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch Library, 9560 Spruill Road in Johns Creek When: Tuesday, June 9 at 3 p.m. Contact: 770-360-8822

SUMMER READING KICKOFF

What: Magician Keith Karnok will present “Every Hero Has a Story,” Children will receive coloring sheets with puppets and a bill with easy magic tricks on the back. When: June 8 at 2 p.m. Where: Ocee Branch Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek Cost: Free

20 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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Sponsored Section • Forstyth Herald | June 3, 2015

News and advertising for new homes, realtors, developers, commercial properties and more.

Home trends: High tech kitchens in high demand Brought to you by Harry Norman Forsyth Office The digital craze has affected virtually every aspect of life, but perhaps nowhere is it more useful than in the home. From keeping your property secure to saving water and energy, digital upgrades can give your house a modern edge that adds convenience, cuts costs and improves resale value. Within the home, the kitchen showcases the digital trend more than any other room. Smart appliances simplify tasks for homeowners while adding sleek design to spaces. Homeowners can now control stoves via smartphone and microwaves have the ability to sense when food is warmed just right. Can’t remember if you’re out of milk? A smart refrigerator will tell you via text if you need to make a stop on the way home. Even seemingly basic aspects of the kitchen are

getting futuristic makeovers. No place is this more evident than with faucets. Evolving tremendously over the last decade, faucets today embrace a blend of style and function with high-tech features that impress guests and potential buyers while making your life easier on a daily basis. In fact, if you’re looking for a manageable first step to transform your current kitchen into a high-tech powerhouse, the faucet is the perfect starting point. Here are some things to consider as you shop for a digital faucet: 1. Does the faucet help keep the kitchen healthier (or more hygienic)? More than just access to water, look for digital faucets with features to help keep the kitchen more hygienic. For example, Did-U-Wave digital faucets from Danze Inc. have a 3-inch infrared sensor for motion-activated functionality - perfect when your hands

If you’re looking for a manageable first step to transform your current kitchen into a high-tech powerhouse, the faucet is the perfect starting point. are full or dirty. Just imagine not having to touch the faucet to wash your hands after handling raw meat or dirty dishes. Eliminating touch means eliminating the spread of germs. 2. Does the faucet help save water? A sensor makes it easy to access water, but what if you forget to turn it off? Especially important for the busy home cook or household with kids, a faucet that shuts off automatically if movement is not sensed is an important feature. While some digital faucets stay on two or more minutes, 60 seconds is the time to fill an average pot, so watch for a faucet that runs

more than is necessary. That way you won’t waste water when you or someone else is in a hurry or simply forgets, which not only helps the environment but also helps save money on utilities. 3. Do the high tech features make life easier? A good digital faucet will help make kitchen activity easier so you can maximize your time and minimize stress. Unique features of Danze digital faucets include LED task lighting at the tip of the spray head that provides spot lighting for easy sight no matter what you’re doing, and SnapBack Technology that ensures the head will comfortably snap into place after

every use for a tidy kitchen with less effort. 4. Is the faucet stylish? Much like jewelry accentuates an outfit, a faucet is a key focal point of the kitchen. Look for a stylish faucet with advanced features that marries fashion and function. Gooseneck designs in chrome or stainless steel are classic options that match a variety of kitchen aesthetics, so you can have timeless style alongside helpful benefits. High-tech kitchens are here to stay in American homes. This growing trend adds value while making the heart of the home more useful. Start with a digital faucet and explore all the opportunities to upgrade your kitchen. Harry Norman Realtors®, Forsyth/Lake Lanier Office 1664 Market Place Blvd., Cumming, GA 30041 770-497-2000 Used with permission, © Brandpoint, 2015.

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In the Atlanta division, on accepted purchase agreements on homes that are signed between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2015 are eligible to receive $15,000 in Flex Cash; can be used towards MyStyle® Design Center Options and/or closing costs when using RMC Mortgage® and/or lot premiums, finished basement, etc. Incentive offer does not apply to contracts written prior to January 1, 2015. The following communities are excluded from the $15,000 incentive, Bethany Crossing, Bridleton, ManorView and Marketplace Commons. Individual promotions may vary by community. Certain included features may not be available on all plans. Value of package, and products, may vary by community and plan. Homes already under contract prior to this offer are not eligible. Plus for New to-be built homes, buyer eligible to receive up to $5,000 toward closing costs. Individual incentives may vary by community. Closing cost assistance available from Ryland Homes to those financing through RMC Mortgage® Corporation and closing with a closing attorney selected by Ryland. Amount of closing cost assistance may vary by product and community, and is subject to applicable contribution limitations. For all financing promotions, see a RMC Mortgage® Corporation Loan Officer for details. RMC Mortgage® Corporation is located at 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 200, Alpharetta, GA 30022 and is a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, license number 24225 and NMLS number 203897. Buyers also eligible to receive Waived 1% Origination Fee through RMC Mortgage®; average value of $4,000 which is based on a $400,000 loan amount. The waived origination fee through RMC Mortgage® Corporation is subject to cancellation or change without notice. Buyers must make a loan application by January 31, 2014 with RMC Mortgage® Corporation (NMLS# 203897) a Georgia Residential Mortgage Lender Licensee #24225. *Buyers must also close with RMC Mortgage® Corporation. Please contact your RMC Mortgage® Corporation Representative for exact quotes. Prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Ryland reserves the right to modify or cancel these offers at any time. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion or incentives. Information shown believed to be accurate but not warranted. See a Sales Counselor for details on available promotions, restrictions and offer limitations. © 2015 The Ryland Group, Inc.

Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

A good investment Brought to you by Bill Rawlings Vice President/Managing Broker, North Atlanta Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty First impressions are as important for houses as they are for people. If you are considering selling, focus on improving the RAWLINGS home’s exterior and curb appeal to make it more marketable when placed for sale. The first step with updating curb appeal is a property assessment. Pay attention to what is overgrown, what is obscuring windows, what needs to be pruned or taken out, and distinguish between dying trees and those that just need a bit of care and attention. When it comes to buying

plants and flowers, choose ones that are best suited to your region and lifestyle. Be honest with yourself—if you do not have the time or the inclination to maintain your exterior plants, engage the regular services of a landscaping maintenance company. It is important to protect your landscaping investment and keep your property looking its very best. Showcase your yard at night by adding lights. Exterior lighting goes beyond security to function. From rope lights, to walkway or garden fixtures there are all sorts of options to light up your home’s exterior. Most of all, remember that everything doesn’t have to happen at once. Weigh your needs versus your desires when it comes to renovating your yard and deciding which features to add—especially if you’re on a tight budget. Even a little bit of money can go a long way if you prioritize and opt for features

Exterior lighting goes beyond security to function. From rope lights, to walkway or garden fixtures there are all sorts of options to light up your home’s exterior. that are functional rather than purely aesthetic. This way you can remain within your budget—time-wise and costwise—while still progressing toward a complete landscape renovation. Article adapted from Dwell.

How to purchase your first home in 2015 (NAPSI)—The American dream of homeownership may not be as hard to attain as many people seem to fear. A few intriguing facts and hints can help. The Facts While existing home sales have risen recently, the National Association of Realtors’ annual Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found that the share of first-time buyers recently fell to its lowest level (33 percent) in nearly three decades. Many first-time buyers experience obstacles on the path to homeownership, including difficulty saving for a down payment and tight credit conditions. The Hints Consider these tips: • Find and work with an expert Realtor who knows the neighborhood. Nothing can replace the local knowledge and real insight that professional Realtors can provide to firsttime buyers as they navigate the complex home buying process. According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, while most home buyers in the past year began their home search online, 90 percent ended up purchasing their home through an agent. Realtors are not only the source of online real estate data, they also use their unparalleled local market knowledge and resources to help close the deal for buyers and sellers.

Homeownership is still attainable to qualified buyers. • Meet with a lender to determine how much you can afford. Last year, the median price a first-time buyer spent on a home was $169,000. Chances are, you don’t have that amount of cash lying around. That’s why 95 percent of first-time buyers who bought a home in the past year financed their purchase. Find out what you can afford with a preapproval from a lender. A lender will check your credit history, current debt obligations and other expenses to determine the amount of money you’re qualified to borrow at a specific interest rate. Don’t forget to consider the other costs of homeownership,

such as taxes, insurance and utilities. • Identify your housing wish list. Although 46 percent of first-time buyers got a single-family home in the suburbs, you may prefer a condo in an urban environment near public transportation. Regardless of your preferences, identifying and sharing your wish list can help your Realtor focus on the right home for you, scan listings and connect with those who represent sellers to zero in on homes for sale that meet your budget and criteria. Keep this advice in mind and you may soon find yourself waking up in the home of your dreams.

June 3, 2015 21

SCHOOLS

22 | June 3, 2015 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com

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North Georgia now offering film degree UNG to rent space DAHLONEGA, Ga. — As Georgia’s film industry continues to grow, the University of North Georgia will now offer a fouryear degree in film and digital media. The film degree is an expansion of the university’s Bachelor of Arts in communications. According to a report published by the Motion Picture Association of America, the movie and television business in Georgia, either directly or indirectly, results in nearly 78,000 jobs and $3.8 billion in wages. UNG’s film program has top equipment, state of the art labs with production and editing facilities and the latest technology for its students to use. The program will include RED Scarlet, a high-end digital cinema camera that shoots images four times more detailed than high definition and is used by cinematographers around the world to shoot feature-length movies and documentaries. “The film and digital media

at Cumming City Hall

David Smith, an associate professor of media studies at UNG, talks with students Ben Olagoke, (left) and Clay Brandon about the new RED Scarlet, a high-end digital cinema camera that shoots images four times more detailed than high definition. degree is a hands-on program that will provide students with a great amount of experience, understanding of motion pictures as a form of expression, and awareness of how to succeed in the industry,” said Dr. Jeff Marker, head of the

Department of Communication, Media and Journalism at UNG. “Graduates will be ready to step directly into the workforce or can use the degree as preparation for a graduate program.” —Joe Parker

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CUMMING, Ga. – The University of North Georgia (UNG) will lease the top floor of the Cumming City Hall for its Master of Business Administration and Continuing Education and Professional Development programs. Due to an increase in student enrollment in these programs over the last three years, the university felt the need to find more adequate accommodations for students and faculty. As a result of a pending five-year agreement with the City of Cumming, the Mike Cottrell MBA program and the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development will utilize the entire top floor of the city hall, measuring at approximately 10,000 square feet. The plans for the interior space will be completed by August of this year. The Cottrell MBA program began in 2008 and is a two-year, part-time program based on a cohort structure, which means that a group of students is accepted into the program each fall and progresses through the program as a group. “By moving the MBA program to the Cumming City Hall location, it allows us to be in a very professional

setting with closer access to businesses in the surrounding area,” says Dr. Donna Mayo, dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business. This year, UNG’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education offered 66 courses and enrolled 637 students in Cumming alone. Wendy Thellman, director continuing education programs, expects enrollment to double in the Cumming area in the next year. “We anticipate growth in computer training due to a designated computer lab in the Cumming City Hall location,” Thellman said. “Also, because we will have classroom space available during the day, we expect to increase our healthcare certificate programs, language programs, and leadership and supervisory training.” UNG has campuses in Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee County, and will open an additional campus in Blue Ridge, Georgia, this fall. For more information, visit www. ung.edu. —Malik Jones

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SPORTS

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | June 3, 2015 | 23

USA Football invites local students to play on National Development Team FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Damien Nytko of Lakeside Middle School and Zach Calzada of Riverwatch Middle School have both been invited to play for USA Football’s National Development Team this summer at Ohio Walsh University. The two will play with some of the top players from across the country. Nytko was invited to play line back, while Calzada will play quarterback. Next year, the two students will be freshmen at South Forsyth High School and Blessed Trinity respectively. –Jim Lichtenwalter

Coral Foster on signing day at Vantage Point Education with parents David and Trish Foster, and Coach Richard Johnson.

Zachary Calzada

Damien Nytko

Coral Foster signs with Mars Hill CUMMING, Ga. — Coral Foster of Cumming has received both academic and athletic scholarships to attend Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C. She has played in competitive softball. She played five school seasons as a Lady Baron for Greater Gwinnett Christian where she earned three athletic letters and was

recognized as the Most Valuable Defensive Player in both her junior and senior years. Foster’s talent as a nationally recognized softball catcher has earned her an athletic scholarship to play softball for the NCAA Division II Mars Hill Lady Lions. Foster’s work in the classroom has also earned her an academic scholarship.

Back row: Shane Spinks, Nathan Gallant, John Simmons, Hunter Cole, Bryce Wishart, Chris Covino, Coach Bill Wilkins, Austin Spinks. Front row: Jake Estock, Beau Lee, Sammy Lemos, Matthew Wilkins.

White Sox win tournament CUMMING, Ga.— The Sharon Springs White Sox won the Forsyth Division A Tournament finals in the 11U bracket, cap-

ping off a seven game winning streak in the tournament. -Joe Parker

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DEATH NOTICES Jeffery Craig Bell, 38, of Cumming, passed away May 22, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Grover Light Buice, 90, of Cumming, passed away May 19, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Ann P. Clark, of Roswell, passed away May 24, 2015. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Evelyn Coleman, of Roswell, passed away May 24, 2015. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

William Alpharetta, 20, 2015. Northside Directors.

Hollifield, of passed away May Arrangements by Chapel Funeral

82, of Thayne Keely, Alpharetta, passed away May 20, 2015. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. Joyce Burks McClendon, 72, of Forsyth County, passed away May 23, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Manuel Nodar, 87, of Roswell, passed away May 18, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society. Elliot B. Spix, of Roswell, passed away May 23, 2015. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Susan Tucker, 61, of Alpharetta, passed away May 17, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society. Michele Dumont-Tyues, 71, of Roswell, passed away May 16, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society. Deronda Van Voorhis, of Roswell, passed away May 21, 2015. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Gilligan: Continued from Page 6 Why do you want the District 24 seat in the state House of Representatives? When I ran for this post last year, I cited failed leadership at the Capitol for giving us tax increases and pork projects like the Atlanta Falcons stadium. Last session, the legislature passed the largest tax increase in the history of our state, $900-plus million. Those problems exist and the people of the 24th District need someone who will speak up for their interests. Both revenues and taxes have increased this year and our liberty is being attacked. I will fight for religious freedom, Second Amendment rights, the rights of personhood and to stop the push

Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com | Recycled paper by big business for amnesty and driver’s licenses for illegal aliens. What do you plan to bring to the job or accomplish during your term? I will stand up for our constitutional rights. I am a conservative. I am a Republican. I am not part of the “good ole’ boy” system. I am not accepting donations from any special interests or corporations because when I cast my first vote, I do not want to owe anyone anything except the voters who sent me to represent them. My first bill will be one to keep more of our tax dollars in Forsyth County. Forsyth County should not be a donor county to places like Gwinnett County, whether in education or transportation dollars. I also would work to change the process legislation goes through

Kremer: Continued from Page 6 eran. I was brought up with strong Christian tradition that recognizes the importance of family values and an appreciation for our Constitution. I began working as a teenager in my family’s commercial insurance business that started in my family’s basement. I still work there today. Why do you want the District 24 seat in the state House of Representatives? Forsyth’s values recognize the importance of family and community. We recognize that without these two core components, our homes, schools and churches cannot be the bedrock institutions we need them to be. We live in a state that is rapidly changing, and, as a product of that, going through some growing pains. I’m the only candidate in this race who not only recognizes that, but embodies

Van Sant:

to increase transparency and shine some sunlight in government. Infrastructure funding for our county is needed, and I will work to bring transportation dollars to local state roads that need support such as Highway 20 and Post Road. I will listen to the citizens and truly work to represent their interests, not mine. My cellphone number will remain the same, 770-354-7579, and I will hold town hall meetings that anyone will be welcome to attend. Why do you want to represent Forsyth County? I love my county. I was born and raised here, and my family goes back for several generations. I want my children to be able to raise their families in Forsyth County, too. Forsyth County is at a crossroads, and I fear that without leadership, our county

that, as a young conservative who has helped recruit and mobilize thousands of conservatives to become involved in their government. I can continue to provide that opportunity for growth using Forsyth County as a model for how we approach problems. What do you plan to bring to the job or accomplish during your term? I will bring the vision of a young, successful conservative in a legislative body that needs an injection of new blood. Our economy and our society are going through changes. We need to have someone that understands the role of what government plays in addressing the pains of those changes. All the other candidates will use soundbites to tackle the problems of transportation. I’m the only one speaking about passing legislation to modernize our method of ensuring that dollars are spent on beneficial projects using lean, six sigma and other business practices. I also plan

Continued from Page 6

tax dollars to Forsyth County where they can be used to improve transportation and build new schools.

Why do you want the District 24 seat in the State House? I understand that our county’s continued growth presents both challenges and opportunities that must be met with energetic leadership and determination. I am not seeking elected office to earn another title. I am seeking office to protect our community’s high quality of life by reducing taxes, championing smart, responsible growth and fighting to return our hard-earned

What do you plan to bring to the job or accomplish during your term? During my term, I will aggressively fight to return control to homeowners and taxpayers. For too long, our community has suffered at the hands of entrenched politicians whose only goal is re-election. As a conservative, I believe communities prosper when they are allowed to make decisions at the local level. While some candidates have worked

could take the wrong path. I want to be the advocate for the taxpayer and homeowners that I represent. Bold solutions and leadership are needed and my service in the U.S. Navy left room for nothing else. Why should people vote for you? As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, CIA analyst, Lanier Tech instructor and a substitute teacher for Forsyth County, I understand the impact that higher taxes and government intervention has on our daily lives. I will stand up for the Second Amendment and the rights of the individual. I will work to protect life and I will never vote to raise taxes. My commitment to you is that I will listen and never ever vote against what my district wants or needs. I need your vote on June 16.

to fight for more school choice, a transition to a Fair Tax, elimination of the state income tax and the passage of RFRA. Why do you want to represent Forsyth County? As I mentioned above, Forsyth County recognizes the role that our traditional values play in a modern world. We can use those values to shape the Georgia we live in, and I’m the only candidate who recognizes that dynamic and will blaze a path forward. Why should people vote for you? I am young but already accomplished in growing the ranks of conservatives in Georgia. That background as a leader in the GOP combined with the only specific plans being discussed on transportation, education and RFRA is entirely what sets me apart as a representative people can work with. Most importantly, I’ll always remember I’m at the State Capitol to work for them.

to secure the endorsement of career politicians, I have worked to earn the support of homeowners, parents and small business owners right here in Forsyth County.

community continue to grow. I am running to represent Forsyth County because I believe in our citizens and I will fight to restore power to the homeowners and taxpayers.

Why do you want to represent Forsyth County? I want to represent Forsyth County because I live here, I work here and I hope to retire here. Right now, our way of life is under attack as new development outpaces our infrastructure. For too long, bureaucrats in Atlanta have been in control of our tax dollars and have held us hostage as the problems plaguing our

Why should people vote for you? As an attorney, I spend every day advocating for those in need of help. Right now, taxpayers and homeowners in Forsyth County need help – they need an advocate who is not afraid to stand up to the establishment. We do not need another politician under the Gold Dome; we need an advocate who is ready to work.

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Underwood: Continued from Page 6 property tax. I have also been active in the community, serving three terms as chairman of the Forsyth County Young Republicans, then two terms as chairman of the Forsyth County Republican Party. I also have had the opportunity to serve on various nonprofit boards over the years, including the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, the North Georgia Children’s Center Inc., the PIER Foundation Inc. and most recently, Rewarding Minds Inc. (which provides computers for students in financial need) and the Bald Ridge Lodge Inc., which provides help for boys who are in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services or referred by the Forsyth County Juvenile Court. My wife, Tiffany, and I have four children, Gabriel (16), Elise (12), Amelia (8) and Charlotte (6). We attend Mountain Lake Church. Why do you want the District 24 seat in the state House of Representatives? The state of Georgia is the best place in the nation to build a business, to raise a family and to live with others who share conservative social

and economic values. I want to make the state even more welcoming to businesses and bring in new industries so that we have more economic opportunities for our families. I also want to protect individual liberties of our citizens and to protect our people from federal overreach into our lives. Also, having spent my early adult years in Tennessee, I am a strong advocate to eliminate Georgia’s income tax. I have seen the benefits removal of this tax will bring, and I understand the challenges we will have to overcome to eliminate the income tax. I know it will not happen overnight, but it can be done. What do you plan to bring to the job or accomplish during your term? If you look at every candidate’s website, everyone promises to fix traffic, fix school overcrowding and fight taxes. The question for voters is, “Who can actually deliver on these promises?” In my career as an attorney, I navigate the labyrinth the government – I work with neighbors, government employees and elected officials to develop agreements that work for everyone. Candidly, I’m really good at it. I want to take those skills to Atlanta and work for my neighbors and our county to bring our infrastructure up to speed and position

us for the future as an educated, prosperous community. There are fast, cost-effective actions we can take now to address our traffic issues. You may have noticed we don’t have the same congestion issues when school out of session. That means most of our traffic problems are caused when parents have to wait on roads to enter or exit school grounds. I believe using state funds to help schools construct queuing lanes will help get these vehicles off of thoroughfares, so commuter traffic can proceed. Also, rather than spending millions of dollars to widen long lengths of roads, small, righthand passing lanes can be installed at large neighborhoods, allowing traffic to flow. Also, we need to speed up the state approval process for new schools. It takes approximately four years to get children into new classrooms – two years for state approval and two years to build. The state requires that local systems prove the need for new schools by requiring them to actually be over capacity before issuing state approval. That’s reacting, and we need to be planning instead. I will work at the state level to expedite school approvals so that local school boards, who know what is happening in our schools, can make good planning decisions for our communities.

forsythherald.com | Forsyth Herald | June 3, 2015 | 25

Why do you want to represent Forsyth County? I love Forsyth County, and I want to make sure it is a desirable place to live 20-30 years from now. My grandmother was from Forsyth County, and we used to visit the area a lot in my youth. It has grown to be one of the most sought-after places in the nation to live, and I want to use my skillset to make sure we have the infrastructure and the resources to continue the tremendous community we have built. Why should people vote for you? I have served in the trenches of Republican politics, so no one has to question whether I believe in conservative principles. I have a record of success in dealing with government and successfully building coalitions for effective results. I am the only candidate whose job has given me the technical know-how to understand and deal with roads, schools, water issues and economic development. This election is a job interview, and I not only have a resume, I have experience. I understand the process, and I know how to accomplish the goals we have for our community. I humbly ask for the opportunity to represent our families in the Georgia House of Representatives.

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