Milton Herald, October 15, 2014 by Appen Media Group

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Health and Wellness ►►PAGE 24

Billboards coming? Court says yes ►►PAGE 4

Rivers Alive Cleanup Oct. 18 ►►PAGE 6

‘Donkey up!’

NFCC gala raises fun, funds ►►PAGE 10

October 15, 2014 | northfulton.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 9, No. 41

Crooked Creek allowed to privatize its roads City votes to abandon streets By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com MILTON, Ga. – After several years – close to a decade for some – the residents of Crooked Creek have finally received permission to privatize their roads. The approval came Oct. 6 from the Milton City Council at their regular meeting. In a 6-0 vote, the council gave the approval to abandon the roads for the residents to take care of themselves. According to Public Works Director Carter Lucas, Crooked Creek is made up of 640 homes on 24 streets, with 6.67 miles of road, one of the largest neighborhoods in the area. In order for a road to be abandoned by a city, the road must be found to either have no public use or for public interest to be best served by the abandonment. Traffic studies commissioned by the city and the Crooked Creek Homeowners Association (HOA) found that traffic in the early peak times –

rush hour – is fairly light, with a few dozen trips made. The evening rush hour is different. The study found 323 vehicles traveling northbound on Creek Club Drive. Staff determined roughly 15 percent of all traffic passing through the neighborhood are commuters rather than residents. Lucas did have concerns about eliminating a cut-through for traffic, given how few options there are for vehicles going between Francis Road and Ga. 9. However, he said planned improvements to Ga. 9 in the near future, along with completed projects such as the Cogburn-FrancisHopewell roundabout will help mitigate any problems. “Any loss of these connections has an impact to the overall system,” Lucas said. “From a public works standpoint, we find it very difficult to support the loss of that connection.” For this reason, Lucas and his staff recommended against abandonment. Steve Tipton, president of the HOA, said the residents want to gate their neighborhood for several reasons –

See ROADS, Page 36

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

Drew Bowers draws out the very best from his students, says MHS Principal Ron Tesch.

Milton choral director honored for teaching excellence 1 of 4 Fulton educators recognized for teaching, leadership, excellence By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Milton High School choral director Drew Bowers is one of four specially chosen educators who in addition to the kudos of receiving the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education will receive a $7,500

prize. A parent of one of Bowers’ former students nominated him. But Bowers then had to survive the rigorous vetting procedures to qualify for the grant. He applied last spring by filling out a lengthy application, which included a project associated with his teaching specialty. The panelists looked at his students’ records of achievement to evaluate his success as a teacher. Then he was observed in class, followed by two panels – each with different members and on separate occasions – who quizzed him about

See BOWERS, Page 33

2 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

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Milton murder trial begins First defendant in Christopher Walker death By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com MILTON, Ga. – The trial began Oct. 7 for one of the men suspected in the shooting death of 19-year-old Christopher Walker outside his Milton home in 2013. Walker was at a local Taco Bell restaurant the evening of March 12, 2013, when the three suspects – Matthew Goins, 20, of Alpharetta, Michael Grant, 23, of Roswell, and Richard Davidson, 20, of Roswell – spotted him.

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.

Suspect refuses to give up ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A Dacula man was arrested Sept. 30 after allegedly possessing drugs as well as damaging a police cruiser. According to police, an officer on patrol at 2 a.m. spotted a vehicle driving slowly through a car dealership parking lot on Mansell Road. When the officer pulled the driver over, he noticed the driver, Joshua David Naylor, 26, of Dacula, was acting nervous and sweating. He claimed he was in the market for a new car and was just looking. The vehicle allegedly smelled of marijuana. When the officer asked Naylor to step out of the vehicle, Naylor refused. When he finally did agree, he allegedly reached into his right hand pocket and hid that side of him from the officer’s view. The officer placed Naylor in handcuffs and found an open spring-loaded knife in the pocket. A search of the car turned up several packets of marijuana and methamphetamine. When Naylor was placed in a patrol

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They allegedly were interested in a gold chain Walker wore around his neck. The three followed Walker to his home on Silhouette Court, Milton, where they tried to take DAVIDSON GOINS GRANT the chain from him. In the scuffle, a firearm in the commission of a felony Walker was shot in the head and and possession of a firearm by a condied. Police were able to use surveillance footage and tips from the commu- victed felon. Fulton County Superior Court Judge nity to track down the suspects. Kimberly Esmond Adams is presiding The trial of Davidson – now 22 – beover the case against defendant Davidgan Oct. 7. Trial is still pending against son in courtroom 4E. co-defendants Grant, 24, and Goins, According to testimony, one of the 21. suspects’ friends recognized them when All three suspects are charged with the surveillance footage was shown on murder, aggravated assault and atTV. She called a tip line and turned tempted armed robbery. Additionally, them in. Davidson is charged with possession of

car, he began trying to kick out the windows, causing severe damage to them. He was arrested for loitering or prowling, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, interference with government property and possession of a knife during a crime.

Three salad shoplifter ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A woman was arrested for shoplifting three salads from a local store, even when she had plenty of cash to pay for them. According to employees at the Publix grocery store on Haynes Bridge Road, they spotted the suspect in the store Oct. 2 as she picked out three salads and placed them in her purse. She then allegedly picked up some soup and attempted to pay for it, only to say she left her wallet in the car. As she left the building, she was stopped and the salads were taken out of her purse. Also found in her purse was $60. Several hundred dollars in cash were found in her wallet in her car.

The victim told police someone in Ohio had withdrawn $3,900 in cash from his bank using a Georgia license in his name along with a credit card and debit card also in his name. A second attempt to steal a further $5,800 was unsuccessful.

Landscaper’s tools taken from truck JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A local landscaper was the target of a theft Oct. 1, after someone stole several pieces of expensive equipment. The victim told police he was at 11180 State Bridge Road between 8 and 9 a.m. when he noticed a Red Max weedeater (valued at $500), a Stihl edge trimmer (also $500) and an Echo hedge trimmer ($100) missing from the bed of his pickup truck. The victim was on the property, an office complex, to perform landscaping duties when the items were found to be missing.

GOT NEWS?

Fraudster takes almost $4K ALPHARETTA, Ga. – An Alpharetta man was the victim of fraud after someone using his name successfully stole nearly $4,000 from his bank account Sept. 29.

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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 ►► Matthew Alexander Lembo,

29, of Suwanee was arrested Sept. 21 on Wilson Road in Johns Creek for DUI, failure to maintain lane and driving on the wrong side of the roadway. ►► Gregory Francis Geiss, 25, of Long Indian Creek Court, Johns Creek, was arrested Sept. 24 on Nesbit Ferry Road in Johns Creek for DUI, suspended license, no tag light and expired tag. ►► Latasha Janese Manning, 26, of Lawrenceville was arrested Sept. 20 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Dennis Williams, 32, of Covington was arrested Sept. 19 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI, speeding, no license on person and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

►► Jagir Ashish Jhaveri, 27,

of Hartselle, Alabama, was arrested Aug. 23 on Pine Grove Road in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Robert Clayton Sanders, 31, of Gable Gate Turn, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 23 on Alpharetta Highway in Roswell for DUI, improper lane change and failure to obey traffic control devices. ►► Elizabeth Grace Love, 46, of Hembree Circle, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 23 on Elkins Road in Roswell for DUI, tag light violation and possession of a controlled substance. ►► Kristy Salena Smith, 46, of Laurian View Court, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 23 on Atlanta Street in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Raymond Wayne Humphrey, 53, of Tucker was arrested Aug. 22 on Norcross Street in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Pedro Resendiz-Enriquez, 26, of Marietta was arrested Aug. 22 on Atlanta Street in Roswell for DUI, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.

►► Benjamin Ramos-Lopez, 33, of Greenhouse Drive, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 22 on Warsaw Road in Roswell for DUI, open container, following too closely and failure to maintain lane. ►► Jeremy Alexander Reese, 37, of Woodstock was arrested Aug. 22 on Webb Street in Roswell for DUI and expired license. ►► Chad Thomas Reaume, 43, of Huddlestone Way, Cumming, was arrested Aug. 24 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Michael Wesley Harper, 53, of Old Dogwood Road, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 24 on Holcomb Bridge Road

northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 3

in Roswell for DUI and windshield violation. ►► Jonathan Escobar, 22, of Woodstock was arrested Aug. 24 on East Crossville Road in Roswell for DUI, hit and run and expired license. ►► Johnnie Herrera Garza, 55, of Gilhams Road, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 24 on Alpharetta Highway in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Daniel Drake Allen, 26, of Marietta was arrested Aug. 25 on Coleman Road in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Brian Francis Crosby, 36, of Tradea Tarn, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 25 on Riverside Road in Roswell for DUI, failure to maintain lane and pos-

session of marijuana.

►► Arturo Ventura-Lucas, 56,

of Marietta was arrested Aug. 27 on Alpharetta Street in Roswell for DUI and following too closely. ►► Chad David McMasters, 41, of Marietta was arrested Aug. 28 on Coleman Road in Roswell for DUI, speeding and failure to maintain lane. ►► Nicolas David Gordon, 25, of Riverbend Manor, Alpharetta, was arrested Aug. 28 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI, failure to maintain lane and suspended license. ►► Chad W. Leonard, 35, of Buford was arrested Aug. 29

See ARRESTS, Page 36

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4 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

Billboards headed North Fulton's way By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek residents have been calling City Hall about a huge LED-lit billboard at the Kimball Bridge Road and State Bridge Road intersection, asking why such a thing could be allowed to happen. That billboard – which is actually in Alpharetta – is only the tip of the iceberg. That sign was permitted by court order and there are more to come. Johns Creek could have as many as 31 more LED billboards that have court-ordered permits within the Johns Creek city limits. They are all

due to a lawsuit lost years ago by Fulton County before Johns Creek was a city. Johns Creek City Manager Warren Hutmacher said there will be nowhere near 31 billboards permitted in the city. There simply is not the space on the specific locations. Just how many and where have not been decided yet. “Originally there were three sign companies all asking for permits. Some would have been back to back on the sites. So we are in discussions with the company to find a reasonable number,” Hutmacher said. Realistically, there are

Billboard timeline 2003 – 2005: Action Outdoor Advertising JV, LLC and three other companies file outdoor advertising applications with Fulton County. 2005: Fulton County denies them, citing its sign ordinance. The companies file a lawsuit and win in Fulton County on First Amendment grounds. Around 75 permits had been sought. 2005 – 2006: Cities of Sandy Springs, John Creek and Milton are established. 2007: Cities of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Milton consoli

date with Fulton County’s appeal to the billboard companies. 2011: The Ga. Supreme Court determined in a separate appeal that the Fulton County sign ordinance was unconstitutional. Thus, any permit requests must be granted absent any valid sign ordinance. 2014: Melvin K. Westmoreland of the Fulton Superior Court orders May 27 that all cities, including the city of Johns Creek, must comply with the sign permits. Talks are ongoing over how many signs will actually be permitted.

See BILLBOARDS, Page 36

City seeks veterans’ information for Veterans Day use the online form available anytime at the city of Milton website, www.cityofmiltonga.us. If you have questions regarding this service, contact Jason Wright, communications director for the city of Milton, at 678-242-2523 or jason.wright@cityofmiltonga.us. —Jonathan Copsey

used to, for instance, place an advertisement in the paper recognizing and listing the name of each Milton veteran. Each year, residents ask how their family members may be added to the registry. The city does not have access to a government database revealing who served in the military. Instead, it needs residents to tell it. To register a family member or friend,

MILTON, Ga. – The city of Milton will once again recognize Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, and in preparation is adding veterans into the city’s registry of service men and women. Through six years of hard work and the generosity of residents, Milton has amassed a list of more than 600 living and fallen veterans. This information will be

GARAGE SALES See more garage sales in the classifieds • Page 38

ALPHARETTA, Bridge Pointe Subdivision, 5713 Bridge Pointe Drive 30005. Saturday 10/18, 8:30am-3:30pm. Household items, large and small appliances and miscellaneous. ALPHARETTA, 225 Mayfield Circle 30009. Yard sale. Saturday 10/18, 8am-1pm. Clothing, toys, books, footwear, household and miscellaneous ALPHARETTA, 3 families. White Columns, 315 White Columns Court. Friday 10/17, 8am-2pm. Children, teen, womens’ clothing. Large toys. Household. Garden.... ALPHARETTA/MILTON, 1725 Providence Place Drive, Saturday 10/18, 9am-2pm. Christmas decorations, catering supplies, Beanie Babies, chocolate fountain, popcorn machine CUMMING, Entire Barrett Subdivision! Kelly Mill and Bethelview Roads 30040. Friday 10/17 and Saturday 10/18, 8am-4pm. CUMMING, 1245 Densmore Place, off Buford Highway 30040. Wednesday 10/15-Saturday 10/18, 9am-5pm. Estate sale. Property has sold, tearing down 3 buildings, everything must go!

Household, antiques, furniture, lamps, handicap and hunting items, tree stand, light fixtures, sinks, dishwashers, washer, dryer, stove, oven, curtains, window treatment, antique car parts, mag wheel sets, vacuum pumps, plumbing fittings, LOTS more! CUMMING, HUGE multi-family yard sale! Barrett Downs Subdivision, Bethelview and kelly Mill Roads. Friday 10/17, Saturday 10/18, 8am-4pm. CUMMING, Burnt Hickory Subdivision, 2740 Willow Bend Drive 30028. Friday 10/17, 8am-2pm. Clothes, decor, and MUCH more! JOHNS CREEK, The Falls Of Autry Mill, 385 Falls Point Trail 30022. Friday 10/17 and Saturday 10/18, 8am-2pm. Moving! Entire household! JOHNS CREEK, Multi-family estate sale. Prestwick Subdivision, across Atlanta Athletic Club, off Highway 141/Medlock Bridge 30097. Friday 10/17, Saturday 10/18, 8am-5pm JOHNS CREEK, Multi family neighborhood sale! Oxford Mill Subdivision; Jones Bridge and Buice. Saturday 10/18, 8am-3pm. Look for red bal-

DEADLINE

loons! JOHNS CREEK, Neighborhood sale! Chartwell Subdivision, Old Alabama and Haynes Bridge Roads 30022. Friday 10/17 and Saturday 10/18, 8am-2pm. Furniture, antiques, home decor’, clothing, etc. MILTON, Crooked Creek Subdivision, 14310 Morning Mountain Way. Friday 10/17, Saturday 10/18, 8am-2pm. Moving; Something for everyone MILTON, “Barn Around The Block”. consignment sale. 15955 Freemanville Road (in red barn). Friday 10/24, 11am6pm, Saturday 10/25, 9am-6pm Sunday 10/26, 12pm-6pm. 10+ consigners. Fine home furnishings, decor and accessories. Select items discounted Sunday! MILTON, Entire Braeburn Subdivision! 3136 Heybridge Lane. Friday 10/17 and Saturday 10/18, 8am-12pm SUWANEE/SOUTH FORSYTH 30024, Entire Grand Cascades Subdivision! Old Atlanta and James Burgess Road, follow signs. GPS: 154 Rivergate Drive. Saturday 10/18, 8am-3pm.

To place garage sale ads: Noon Friday prior week Call 770-442-3278 or email classifieds@northfulton.com

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northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 5

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NEWS

6 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com

Milton’s Rivers Alive cleanup set for Oct. 18 Expanded festival features vendors, artists and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MILTON, Ga. – On Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Milton’s annual Rivers Alive waterways cleanup, education and protection program will be held at locations across the city. The Milton Grows Green Committee is co-sponsoring the event with Bailey Farm and Gardens Inc., which has been involved with the project for 17 years. Rivers Alive 2014 will kick off from its traditional lo-

cation at Bailey Farm and Gardens, 255 Hickory Flat Road, 1 mile west of the Birmingham crossroads. Volunteers will gather at 9 a.m., then clean up identified streams, roadways and school sites to help keep the city and waterways pure and beautiful. Everyone, regardless of age, is welcome. Depending on age and capabilities, volunteers will be assigned to predetermined lo-

cal waterways to remove debris deposited from upstream and left by passersby. Waders and boots will be a plus for those who want to get in the river. Milton Adopt-a-Road groups are encouraged to have a cleanup during the event and stop by for refreshments and recognition. For information or to register for the cleanup as a group or individual, please contact Milton Grows Green at mgg@cityofmiltonga.us or email baileyfarmandgardens@ mindspring.com. You may also contact Cindy Eade, environmental sustainability coordi-

nator for the city of Milton, at 678-242-2509. The Rivers Alive cleanup is a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn more about the Coosa River watershed and help improve the quality of drinking water. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness and involvement in the preservation of Georgia’s 70,150 miles of water resources through local waterway cleanup events that include streams, rivers, lakes, beaches and wetlands. It is an outreach program of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. —Jonathan Copsey

The Rivers Alive cleanup is a unique, handson opportunity to learn more about the Coosa River watershed and help improve the quality of drinking water.

Construction begins on Broadwell Pavilion

An artist’s rendering of the new pavilion just south of the Crabapple crossroads.

MILTON, Ga. – The Broadwell Road Pavilion, which began construction in October, will feature a 40-foot by 52-foot open pavilion with a large stone fireplace, restrooms and storage facilities. It replaces the Crabapple Community Center. The city’s plans for the property include a farmers market and food truck event, Christmas in Crabapple and various other special projects. The site is located at 12615 Broadwell Road, just south of the Crabapple crossroads. Cloverleaf Group is heading up construction at a price of $499,877. Work is expected finish up in early 2015. —Jonathan Copsey

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8 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

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By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com ATLANTA – Just one year after hiring County Manager Dwight Ferrell, the Fulton County Commission shocked the community when it voted 6-2 Oct. 1 to hand him his walking papers. In a 4-2 vote, the commissioners voted to remove Ferrell without giving any explanation for the move. The move comes when

Fulton County is facing its most critical budget ever where deep cuts are expected; around a half-dozen department head jobs remain unfilled; and the General Assembly has put the county on notice that Fulton’s governance is again in its crosshairs. Ferrell had been under fire from the Fulton employee union for “unresponsiveness” and the union had wanted Ferrell gone as well. Commenting on the dis-

EAVES

HAUSMANN

missal, Fulton Commission Chairman John Eaves would only say the board wanted to “go in a different direction.” “I am very confident with the decision the Board of Commissioners made in terminating the contract of Dwight Ferrell,” Eaves said. Fulton Chief Financial Officer Patrick O’Connor – himself a finalist for the manager’s position – has been named interim county manager and will head the budgeting job. County Commissioner Liz Hausmann from Johns Creek called it, “Politics at its worst.” She blamed the firing on the political maneuvering of outgoing commissioners who stirred the pot to engineer Ferrell’s ouster. Hausmann pointed out the only other commissioner to vote with her was Emma Darnell, with whom there has often been mutual political antagonism on the board. “I think that it is instructive that on this issue we did agree,” Hausmann said. Ferrell is being made the fall guy for a situation the commissioners have seen coming for years, she said. “[Ferrell] was not allowed to do his job. They did not al-

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This [firing] was not in the best interests of the county or its citizens. How do you stand behind a tax increase and do nothing about spending?” LIZ HAUSMANN Fulton Commissioner

low his initiatives [to cut the 2014 budget] to go forward. Why isn’t this something we planned for? The decline in revenues was there and we made no adjustments,” Hausmann said. While Fulton touts the fact it made no tax increases since 1991, Hausmann points out the county failed to make reductions in spending during the worst recession since 1929 and instead allowed its $150 million surplus to melt to zero. “The board chose a man with no county management experience; he came out of MARTA Transit. But he’s well respected and his reorganization plan was approved only a month ago,” she said. “I can’t explain [the firing] or defend it.” The timing could not be worse either, Hausmann said. Three, perhaps four, new commissioners (Eaves faces Republican challenger Earl Cooper in November) take office in January. “They will be facing a huge revenue shortfall and a Legislature we don’t agree with on a host of issues,” Hausmann said. “This [firing] was not in the best interests of the county or its citizens. How do you stand behind a tax increase and do nothing about spending?” The county has been taking some positive steps, introducing zero-based budgeting and getting KPMG to do a pro bono efficiency audit for Fulton, Hausmann said.

See COUNTY, Page 36

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COMMUNITY

10 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

Residents ‘donkey up’ for NFCC Raises more than $35K for nonprofit By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Nonprofits and charities rely heavily on donations from the community. One of the largest in the area, the North Fulton Community Charities, is no different. They recently received a donation of more than $35,000 after a large and unusual fundraising event. The second annual black tie event, called Donkey Up for Charity, was held Sept. 27 at Pure Taqueria in Alpharetta. One of the founders of the event, Christopher Bloor, said he wanted to hold a fundraiser that was a little different. “People have enjoyed the event because is it unique and different,” Bloor said. “Guests were to dress as they would when drinking tequila.” Half the crowd of about 100 people came in black tie attire. The other half was more relaxed – one man went so far as to wear a tuxedo T-shirt. “It’s meant to be a fun event,” Bloor said. “Just a good time.” The name – and accompanying donkey – came from a

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The annual black tie event for North Fulton Community Charities was held Sept. 27. conversation about the community “ponying up” for the charity. As a play on words, they decided to make it “donkey up.” Last year, the first year, Bloor and fellow organizer Chris Sedgwick, who owns Pure, set a goal at $5,000. They nearly tripled that and raised $13,000. This year, they aimed to double even that and came out with at least $35,000. “It’s a huge success,” Bloor said. NFCC Executive Director Barbara Duffy agreed. “What an amazing thing it is that such a good time can be had while raising awareness and significant funding for NFCC,” she said. “In my experience, it is unusual for business leaders to step out

and invest so much in ensuring the well-being of others in the community.” Duffy said funding from the event will be used to prevent homelessness in the community by assisting residents with rent, utilities and other basic needs and to support programs and educational classes that help residents overcome barriers and move toward selfsufficiency. NFCC aims to prevent homelessness of individuals residing north of the Chattahoochee River in Fulton County (Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell). NFCC assists families with basic needs such as food, rent and utilities, clothing and adult education classes during short-term emergencies.

Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com

COMMUNITY

northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 11

See latest fall fashions Oct. 18 Better Together exposes residents to local businesses MILTON, Ga. – Fall is here and that means new fashions for the changing weather. Are you ready? If not, then make sure you are at CJ’s Talk of the Town on Saturday, Oct. 18, when Better Together, the city’s citizen volunteer committee, holds the fourth in its series of business connection events. This free event will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at CJ’s Talk of the Town, located in the Deerfield Place Shopping Center. The entire community is invited, said Wayne Boston, community builder for the city of Milton. “Each of these events creates new connections,” he said. “Whether it’s health, food or fashion, we’re trying to bring

something for everyone.” C.J. Bognar, who worked on Madison Avenue in New York for more than 20 years, owns the business. She will provide timely fashion tips for ladies of all body types with the hottest fall trends. “This event will be an opportunity for Milton residents to enjoy fashion and learn more about our one-of-a-kind business,” said Bognar. Attendees will have an opportunity to shop special sales in the store. Raffles will be held each hour, and Miss Atlanta, Courtney Hinesley, will make an appearance. Local merchants Nothing Bundt Cakes and Edible Arrangements will also be on-hand to offer free samples of their products during the afternoon. Businesses in Milton are encouraged to contact Boston at 678-242-2512 or wayne. boston@cityofmiltonga.us if they would be willing to host an event in order to introduce

their particular product or service to residents. Better Together will then work with the business to plan an event that will be educational, productive and enjoyable to all. Better Together is a volunteer organization of Milton residents looking for unique and fun ways to connect with neighbors. For more information on Better Together or any of its activities, please visit the group’s Facebook page or contact Boston at 678-242-2512 or wayne.boston@cityofmiltonga.us. —Jonathan Copsey

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COMMUNITY

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Milton launches Interactive 1,331 pounds of food given to NFCC Budget at a Glance ROSWELL, Ga. – North Fulton Community Charities picked up 1,331 pounds of food in almost 50 crates Sept. 16 from the Ecologix Systems warehouse in Alpharetta where it had been stored. The food was collected by members of the local Roswell Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who canvassed their neighborhoods for food. Through their generosity and the efforts of the members of the Ward, they were able to make a substantial contribution to the charity’s food bank. The effort was spearheaded by Eli and Marcia Gruber and John Woodward of the Roswell Ward. —Jonathan Copsey

Includes video about budget and tax process, visualized data MILTON, Ga. – The City of Milton launched its Interactive Fiscal Year 2015 Budget at a Glance Oct. 9 to give residents important and pertinent financial information quickly and easily. To view the Budget at a Glance, which includes a short video about Milton’s taxation and budget process, easy-to-understand, visualized financial data and a chance to provide feedback, visit www. cityofmiltonga.us. The full budget document, along with previous year’s budgets, are

also available on the page. “We have busy residents, and they deserve to know what their tax dollars provide quickly and easily online,” said Jason Wright, communications director for the City of Milton. “What we’re trying to do is break down the giant, detailed budget document into simple, easily digestible bits of important information.” For more information on this year’s budget, contact Wright at 678-242-2523 or jason.wright@cityofmiltonga.us. —Jonathan Copsey

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COMMUNITY

I-285 gets variable speed limits Northern arc raised to 65 mph ATLANTA – Beginning Oct. 5, drivers on I-285 will see new speed limit signs along with a new speed. The Georgia Department of Transportation unveiled new electronic signage –variable speed limit (VSL) – along the northern arc of the highway. The speed limit will be increased from 55 mph to 65 mph along the 36-mile stretch of road. These new signs are electronic, which will allow GDOT to change the speed limit to match congestion or need down to as low as 35 mph. “VSL gives us the ability to warn drivers in advance that they are approaching heavy congestion or a crash site and to slow down that approaching traffic to a safe speed – one that will best facilitate its movement through the affected area,” GDOT Chief

Engineer Russell McMurry said. “This will be immeasurably safer than having to slam on the brakes when suddenly confronted with backed-up traffic.” The success of the 65-mph speed limit on the south side and the abundance of I-285 lanes on the top – as many as seven and no less than four in either direction – validate the top side increase, said the department. But there are distinctions between top and bottom. The top half carries an average of 50,000 more vehicles a day – 100,000 more in certain locations, and there are nearly twice as many interchanges on the top. More traffic and more interchanges equate to more merging and weaving movements, more congestion and more crashes – all of which can result in traffic backups. VSL will allow GDOT Transportation Management Center operators, who constantly monitor I-285 via

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active traffic management software and closed circuit cameras, to instantaneously detect a crash, breakdown or congestion forming. They then will be able to post warnings in advance of that area on overhead message boards and use 176 new electronic speed limit signs on the shoulder to make realtime adjustments to reduce the speed limit in and leading up to the area. Speeds will be reduced in 10-mph increments as necessary to 55 mph, 45 mph and a minimum of 35 mph. —Jonathan Copsey

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northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 13

Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival returns Oct. 18 ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Music will flow through the streets of downtown Alpharetta as talented artists perform their own songs at the Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival Oct. 18 from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Two outdoor stages and performances at nearby venues will host more than 20 performers throughout the day. Participating venues include Hop Alley Brew Pub, Smokejack BBQ and South Main Kitchen. Kevn Kinney, Angie Aparo, Emerson Hart from Tonic and Michael Tolcher will headline the festival collectively performing a

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special in the round set and their respective career hits. The festival will also feature interactive music experiences that allow fans to make their own music. Some of the area’s best gourmet food trucks including Happy Belly, One Love Jerk Grill, Yumbii, WOW, VietNomies, Olde Blind Dog, and Yum Yum Dessert Company will be serving up their specialties at the festival, or patrons can elect to dine at nearby restaurants in the downtown area. Admission is free. For more information, visit awesomealpharetta.com.

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14 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. – American Legion Post 201 Commander Bob Byrd has named Roswell resident Roger Wise Jr. as the new general chairman of the Alpharetta Old Soldiers Day Parade. Wise, a longtime member of the American Legion Post, is a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He is retired from a successful 30year career with the Ross Division of Abbott Laboratories, an international pharmaceutical corporation. Known for his involvement with charitable and community organizations, Wise is currently a national ambassador for Shriners Hospitals and locally is a strong support of Junior ROTC at North Fulton high schools. “I’ve known Roger a long time and I am most confident in his dedication to the community, his strong leadership and organizational skills and his intimate knowledge of our community and its residents,” Byrd said of naming Wise to head the committee responsible for planning and conduct-

Roger Wise Jr. has taken the reins of the Old Soldiers Day Parade as its new chairman. ing the annual parade. Wise succeeds the late Bob Votta who headed the parade committee for seven years until his untimely death just prior to the 2014 parade. The Alpharetta American Legion Post has presented the parade on the first Saturday in August for 62 consecutive years. The 2014 edition was the largest parade ever presented with more than 125 marching units and in excess of 10,000 spectators. The 2015 parade is scheduled for Aug. 1. —Jonathan Copsey

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The National Society of High School Scholars named Alpharetta High School student Stephan G. Jean from Alpharetta to become a member of the esteemed organization. The society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS founder and Chairman Clues Nobel, a senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes. “On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that Stephan has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence,” said Nobel. “Stephan is now a member of a unique community of scholars – a community that represents our very best hope for the future.” The NSHSS hopes to build a dynamic international organization that connects members with meaningful content, resources and opportunities, said NSHSS President James W. Lewis. Formed in 2002, the Na-

Stephan G. Jean tional Society of High School Scholars recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and encourages members of the organization to apply their unique talents, vision and potential for the betterment of themselves and the world. Currently, there are more than 1 million society members in over 160 countries. NSHSS provides opportunities for deserving young people. —Jonathan Copsey

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SCHOOLS

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northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 15

State seeks waiver from ‘high stakes’ consequences of student assessments Teachers have additional year before student growth becomes factor in evaluation, pay By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@northfulton.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – Teachers across Georgia will have at least another year before the academic performance of their students makes a significant impact on their evaluations, and potentially their paychecks. Last month, the Georgia Department of Education submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Education requesting a one-year waiver from the consequences related to the use of student assessment to evaluate teacher effectiveness. “As we transition to a new assessment system, we need additional time before incorporating student growth in highstakes personnel decisions,” explained Georgia Schools Superintendent John Barge. “A one-year delay will ensure teachers and leaders are aware of the impact of more rigorous standards and high-quality assessments, and have time to amend instructional practices and engage in professional learning.”

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This year, the GDOE is rolling out the new Milestones assessment in grades 3-12, which replace the CRCTs and End-of-Course-Tests. The results of these annual assessments will be used to measure student growth and teacher performance. The Milestones have become the subject of debate by some who say the assessments have been rushed through and not properly field tested. Both candidates for the state superintendent’s position support a slower rollout, as well as delaying the consequences of the tests on a teacher’s rating and pay. Barge is coming to the end of his four-year tenure as the state’s school chief and will leave office Jan. 1, 2015. “We listened to our educators in districts across the state, who told us that we needed another year to work on the implementation of performance measures for high-stakes personnel decisions,” said Barge, who chose to run for governor instead of a second term. The mandate for student growth tied to teacher ratings

is part of the state’s waiver from the No Child Left Behind law. Student growth is also part of the $400 million the state received in Race to the Top funds, which also mandates merit pay for top teachers. In 2012, Georgia was one of the first states to seek, and receive, a waiver from the provisions of NCLB, provided the state put in place its own accountability process to improve student performance. Today, 45 of 50 states have waivers from NCLB. NCLB was passed by Congress in 2001 mandating every child be on grade level academically by 2015. It has not been reauthorized by Congress in many years, rendering its mandates questionable. The Fulton County School System (FCSS) is not one of the 26 counties that received Race to the Top funds, but still follows the teacher evaluation system since it is now state law. The counties that did receive Race to the Top funds are still bound to the provisions of their commitments, regardless of any waivers from the USDOE. “Georgia’s 26 Race to the Top districts will continue full implementation this school

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16 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

SCHOOLS

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Wesley Reese chosen for Congress of Future Medical Leaders MILTON, Ga. — Milton’s Wesley Reese, a 10th-grader at Cambridge High School, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, D.C., Nov. 14 – 16. The Congress is an honorsonly program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be physicians or medical scientists to stay true

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to their dream and to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal. Reese was nominated by Dr. Connie Mariano, the medical director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent Georgia based on his academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine. During the three-day Congress, Reese will join students from across the country and hear Nobel laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading medical research. They will be given advice from top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology. “This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially,” said Richard Rossi, executive director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scien-

Cambridge student Wesley Reese, center, was chosen to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, D.C. With him are Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, left, and Sen. John Albers, right. tists. “Focused, bright and determined students like Wesley Reese are our future, and he deserves all the mentoring and

guidance we can give him.” The Academy offers free services, programs and guidance to students who want to

be physicians or go into medical science. For more information, visit www.FutureDocs.com.

COMMUNITY

northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 17

Alpharetta resident Jaret Brochmann finished sixth out of 2,500 runners at the annual Atlanta 13.1 Marathon Oct. 4.

Alpharetta man near top at local race FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Alpharetta resident Jaret Brochmann finished sixth out of 2,500 runners at the annual Atlanta 13.1 Marathon Oct. 4. Life Time – the Healthy Way of Life Company and Michelob ULTRA hosted more than 2,500 runners and walkers at the annual Atlanta 13.1 Marathon on Saturday, Oct. 4. This year’s race brought significant changes including Michelob ULTRA as the new title sponsor and a new course in Forsyth County. Andrew Cawood of Marietta won first place in the male division for the second straight year with a time of 1:16:04. “While the new course was beautiful, it was incredibly challenging,” Cawood said of the race. “It’s very hilly, so the down hills and flats have to be run a little bit harder. After winning last year, it was my goal to win again this

year and I’m happy to have done that. Life Time does such a great job putting on the race – great medals, great food, the course is really well marked and very well organized. I try to do this race every year.” On the women’s side, Megan Kelly of New York claimed first place with a time of 1:27:38. The 5K event was won by a husband and wife pair from Jacksonville, Florida. Dean Krueger won the men’s division with a time of 00:19:46 while wife Michelle Krueger took the female crown with a winning time of 00:21:24. Michelob ULTRA elevated the post-race experience for runners with festivities including an outdoor beer garden, a main stage featuring live music by local band Whiskey Belt and food tastings from Forsyth County restaurants. —Jonathan Copsey

Cambridge chorus and Sedgwick Gallery team up for event MILTON, Ga. —Cambridge High School’s chorus and Sedgwick Gallery are teaming up for an evening of art, entertainment and song on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Sedgwick Gallery, located at 61 Roswell St. in Alpharetta. Proceeds from the event will benefit the chorus. Guests will be treated to performances by Cambridge’s Chanson Choir, as well as various soloists and small ensembles, while viewing a variety of art items available for sale and auction. Appetizers, dessert, wine and cocktails will be served. “The choral program at Cambridge High School has enjoyed many successes for a school only in its third year

of operations,” said Dominique Petite, choral director. “In our first two years, Cambridge sent singers to Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Chorus, Spivey Hall Honor Choir and the American Choral Directors Association Regional and National Honor Choirs. We hope to build on those successes and add additional awards in the coming years.” Tickets are available for $25 per person or $40 per couple at www.cambridgesings.org. To preview art items from the Sedgwick Gallery, visit www.sedgwickgallery.com. —Vallari Bhave

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18 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

COMMUNITY

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ROADTRIPPING »

Traveler describes world tour Crossed globe solo in car

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Annette Jahnel spoke of her travels around the world in a car by herself to the Historic Roswell Kiwanis Club. met – border guards to hermits to herdsmen – to write on her car messages or prayers to people she would come across. What she found was incredible. Nearly every message, no matter where in the world, was positive and asked for peace, understanding and love. “People inhabit different cultural groups, but at our core, we all want lives based on the four pillars of humanity,”

she said. Those are honor, kindness, tolerance and self-control. As she traveled the world, she progressively lost the ability to communicate. Language was the first to go. Different alphabets cost her the ability to read, and then different cultures changed what expressions and body language mean. She collected her thoughts

(and photos of her travels) and put them into a book called “My Year of Beds.” She just completed her second tour – this time of the United States – and is working on a book based on those travels – “Searching for Galileo.” She now makes her living selling her books and photography from her travels. For more on Jahnel and her travels, visit her online at www.ajahnel.com.

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ROSWELL, Ga. – A trip around the world sounds like a traveler’s delight. It’s an opportunity to meet new people and cultures and see astounding sights. Now, imaging traveling by car around the globe. Now add being solo. Finally, as a woman. Annette Jahnel has been traveling since 2006 and bills herself as the first woman to drive solo around the globe. She did it all, she said, to get a better understanding of people and the world. “I have always been nomadic,” she said at the Oct. 2 meeting of the Historic Roswell Kiwanis Club. Describing herself as “rootless,” she has lived in Germany

and South Africa, and was always traveling. In her early 20s, she did as many students do and took a year off – a “gap year” – and hitchhiked around Europe. Years later, she decided to instead travel the world. “I was going to see what the world looked like with my own eyes,” she said. So she hitched up her Renault Tango car and set off for parts unknown. And not just on a road trip, but a trip to eke out the desires of people all around the world. As she drove from Western Europe through the former Soviet Republic to China, putting her car on a boat and setting off across the ocean for America, everywhere she stopped, she asked men she

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19 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

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McGinnis Woods Country Day School McGinnis Woods Country Day School, established in 1999, is a private, nonparochial school offering a challenging Preschool, Elementary and Middle School Education. The beautiful school campus which is located in Alpharetta on the border of Forsyth and North Fulton counties, dedicated a state of the art Middle School and Gym in August of 2014. The Preschool accepts children as young as 6

weeks and the Elementary/Middle School teaches students in PreK 4 through 8th grade. McGinnis Woods Country Day School has top accreditations, including GAC, SACS, and NAEYC. The mission of McGinnis Woods is to inspire students with the passion to excel. This is accomplished by providing superior handson, minds-on academics which foster knowledge and self-confidence and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Su-

perior educational resources are implemented to maximize the learning experience of our diverse student population. Class sizes are small with low student-teacher ratios, allowing frequent oneto-one learning. The students learn through a variety of groupings including class lessons, small group activities, hands-on STEM activities and “buddy” classes which encourage multi-age groupings. Frequent guest speakers,

monthly field trips which reinforce classroom learning, and community service round out the curriculum. Drama Club, Competitive Sports and Robotics teams train year round. After school programs and Specialty Clubs are also available. Please visit www. mcginniswoods.org or call 770.664.7764 to set up a tour at 5380 Faircroft Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Experience the McGinnis Woods difference!

Why an othhodontist for orthodontics You trust your heart to a cardiologist, your skin to a dermatologist, and your knees to an orthopedist. Like these medical professionals who specialize after medical school, orthodontists also complete a residency after dental school to specialize in orthodontics. Only a graduate of one of these accredited programs can call themselves an orthodontist. And like medical special-

ists, orthodontists limit their practices to their area of expertise. As a result, you can expect to get the best care available because that’s JORDAN all we do! Whether you or your children are considering treatment, orthodontists are uniquely qualified to

diagnose and treatment plan the problem. Orthodontics today is about function and facial esthetics. To an orthodontist, your teeth and jaws are like a three-dimensional puzzle. Utilizing their education, experience, and expertise, the origin of the orthodontic problem and the proper solution can be determined. The treatment options today are numerous! Orthodontists today utilize clear align-

ers, clear, metal, or lingual braces, and even orthognathic jaw surgery to treat patients. One or more of these options might be best for you. So trust your smile to a board certified specialist in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, an orthodontist! Dr. Jeffrey Jordan 4205 North Point Pkwy., Bldg. B, Alpharetta, GA 30022 P: (770) 751-1240 www.JWJordan.com

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EDUCATION FOCUS • Sponsored Section

C2 Education Wrote the Book on the New SAT When the College Board released details about big changes to the SAT, one of two college admission assessments taken by millions of students each year, C2 Education began developing a new instructional program intended to help students maximize their scores on the revised SAT. Although much of the coverage of the new SAT has suggested that the test is getting easier, C2 Education’s academic experts have found that while the updated test may seem less complex, it also requires a greater variety of fundamental skills. The math section will include trigonometry, precalculus, and complex word problems. The redesigned reading and writing sections will require extensive critical reading and analysis, understanding of the nuances of language, and the ability to interpret data presented through graphics. The new test will debut in Spring of 2016 and will affect students graduating in 2017 and beyond. Because the redesigned test is so in-depth, these

students must begin preparing well in advance. On October 6, 2014 C2 Education will release its first program for the new SAT. The program includes a new SAT practice test to assess students’ current strengths and weaknesses, a new full-length assessment each month, and preparation in math, reading, writing, and essay writing. C2 Education will continue to reevaluate and revise materials for the new SAT as additional information is released. In October and November, students who take the initial new SAT practice test with C2 Education will receive a copy of C2 Education’s Redesigned 2016 Blue Math textbook. Those who enroll in the new program will receive a copy of the entire C2 Education Redesigned 2016 Blue Belt system, including books for math, reading, writing, and essay. This offer is only good as long as supplies last, so don’t miss your opportunity to take advantage of this unique offer.

COLLEGE PLANNING:

New app helps students prep for AP tests (NAPSI)—There’s good news for students preparing for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. One of the most popular study systems now lets students create their own customized study plans—and get daily assignments delivered right to their mobile device. The last decade has seen significant changes in the way high school students study and prepare for exams, particularly in the technology they use. Increasingly, tablets and other mobile digital devices are what students use to access information, so it makes sense that a study program designed to meet students’ needs would use the technology they prefer. That is why McGraw-Hill Education has introduced the unique new AP Planner app. This digital tool enables students to decide what study topics to focus on, and then create their own personal day-by-day study plan. The app helps students structure their study, organize their time. This ground-breaking app is being introduced for all of the best-selling guides in the publisher’s signature AP study series: 5 Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations. It works on iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Each subject-specific course guide in the 5 Steps to a 5 series is structured around a five-step success plan that differentiates the system from other guides. In the first step, students are encouraged to develop a study plan, using either the AP Planner app or one of three ready-made plans designed for students with varying study styles. The second step is concerned with building

knowledge, the third and fourth steps focus on honing test-taking skills and strategies, and the fifth step is designed to foster the confidence that students need to ace the tests. To make sure the study system stays current when it comes to curriculum and test information, all guides in the series are updated yearly. The latest versions with the AP Planner app are available for AP courses starting in fall 2014. To access the app, search for McGraw-Hill Education AP Planner App in the iTunes App Store or Google Play for Android.

October 15, 2014 27

28 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

COMMUNITY

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JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Funny, unique and imaginative scarecrows dot downtown, culminating in a harvest festival.

Scarecrows, brew in Alpharetta Fall hits North Fulton with events By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle announces the winners of the scarecrow contest. Joining him is a larger-than-life real scarecrow.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Milton Avenue in Alpharetta was the place to be Saturday, Oct. 4. The street was closed off for two of the largest annual traditions in the city – the Scarecrow Festival and the Brew Moon Festival. Scarecrows, face painting and all sorts of family fun

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Live music filled the air as attendees enjoyed all kinds of seasonal beer during the Brew Moon Festival.

dominated the street on the cool, bright day, with children playing on inflatable games, drawing on the sidewalk or getting their faces painted. With more than 80 scarecrows lining Main Street and throughout downtown Alpharetta, the judging for the best was fierce. Mayor David Belle Isle took the mic and, joined with his towering scarecrow sidekick, announced the winners of the contest for most creative, best constructed, best personality and most green.

Cogburn Woods Elementary School had a whopping 30 scarecrows – more than any other school. Later that day, the street was transformed from family fun into block party, with the fourth annual Brew Moon Festival giving plenty of adult fun. Local seasonal beers were on tap – plenty of pumpkin and Oktoberfest ales – as were live bands playing throughout the night. First came Old School, followed by the Mike Veal Band.

JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF

Wilson, 3, gets his face painted like a tiger. His sister, Ava, 10, watches after she already had her face painted.

Going Green

Making a difference in your local community Milton Herald | October 15, 2014

An October solution to an April problem Many landscape problems are better prevented than cured. By the time we notice the problem, think about it for a week or so and then finally decide to call – it may be too late to correct it. It is better to prevent problems before they start. This is especially true with weeds. We have two types of weeds that grow in four seasons. Winter weeds come up in fall and grow through winter into spring. Summer weeds germinate in spring and grow through summer into fall. Weeds are a four season problem in middle Georgia. This spring, many gardeners will be concerned because their lawn looks like a shaggy dog with the mange. The winter weeds will have taken over their landscape. To solve this April problem, you need an October solution. We can prevent many of these winter weeds now. Apply pre-emergence (preventative) herbicides around Oct. 10 and again 45 days later. These will keep many weeds from coming up or getting large. What pre-emergence herbicide should you use? What kind of weeds did you have last year and will expect this year? What type of lawn grass do you have? Atrazine prevents broadleaf weeds better than grassy weeds. It will control annual

ROLANDO ORELLANO Guest Columnist

bluegrass. Atrazine can be used on all warm season turf except green Bermuda grass. It should not be used on Bermuda grass unless it is fully dormant. Atrazine can also be used as a post-emergence weed killer after weeds emerge. Read and follow all label directions. On Bermuda grass and other warm season grasses, you can used other pre-emergence herbicides instead of Atrazine. These are better at controlling grasses but will prevent some small seeded broadleaf weeds. These include Pendulum or Pre-M (pendamethalin), Surflan (oryzalin), Balan (benefin) and XL (benefin and oryzalin). Make sure that you put these herbicides out before the weeds come up. These will not work after weeds emerge from the soil. These pre-emergence herbicides may keep your lawn grass from growing back into and covering bare patches. You may want to wait until the lawn is fully grown in to use them. Use the same time of ap-

Winter weeds come up in fall and grow through winter into spring. Summer weeds germinate in spring and grow through summer into fall. Weeds are a four season problem in middle Georgia. plication as for Atrazine. All pre-emergence herbicides will also prevent ryegrass from emerging. We also suggest that you do not use them on turf that is less than a year old. Avoid applying them to weak turf or during lawn green up in the spring. Be cautious. Read and follow all label directions. Each herbicide may have special guidelines you must follow. Herbicides applied in October will have almost no effect on warm season weeds that come up in the spring. You will need to apply herbicides again. Apply preemergence herbicides around Feb.

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15 and again 45 days later. The latter application is to prevent late emerging weeds. I often get asked about “weed and feed” fertilizers. These should not be applied in the fall since it is too late to fertilize when herbicides should be put out. In the spring, we face a similar dilemma. Weed control should be put out in February while fertilization should wait until April. There is no one good

time to apply weed and feed. The best we can do is to apply herbicides without fertilizer in February and follow with weed and feed or the same or another preventative herbicide in April. No weed control program will kill them all. Learn to accept a few weeds. Kill some of the escaped weeds with a post-emergence herbicide. Weed Be Gon, 33 Plus, Trimec or similar chemicals will control many broadleaf weeds. Poast or Vantage (sethoxydim) will control crabgrass in centipede lawns. Do not use this last one on other lawn grasses. Garden and lawn advice is provided by Rolando Orellana, the UGA/ Fulton County Cooperative Extension agent. For specific gardening questions, call the North Fulton Extension office at 404-613-7670.

30 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

SCHOOLS

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Northwestern MS hosts Strings in the Garden concert MILTON, Ga. — Northwestern Middle School held its Strings in the Garden concert on Sept. 30. There were about 70 performers and more than 100 audience members. The orchestra members, seventhand eighth-grade students conducted by lead instructor Aaron Yackley, decided on their own pieces and groups. The venue and refreshments

(courtesy of Harry’s Farmers Market) were provided by the Environmental Club, which has worked on the garden for four years. “The students gave some stirring performances,” said John Bartlett, the club sponsor. Bartlett said that the club built the sustainable garden upon the principles and practice of permaculture.

of Cumming and Michael Syrios of Roswell both received degrees from Troy University as the school honored more than 700 graduates during its spring commencement inside Trojan Arena on the Troy campus.

Additional, he graduated with the ROTC’s Distinguished Military Honors and was commissioned a second lieutenant with the U.S. Army, Infantry Division.

Game’s goal: ‘Score for the Cure’ ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta High School will hold Friday night’s “Pink Out” football game against South Forsyth High School on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at AHS, 3595 Webb Bridge Road. Cheerleaders, trainers, the football team and the Raider band along with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute are sponsoring the game and partnering with A

Crucial Catch (American Cancer Society) in an effort to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Several survivors of the disease and those who are fighting it currently will be honored. Items for purchase at the game will include T-shirts, pink bam bams, pink pom poms and even pink popcorn megaphones. —Aldo Nahed

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VALDOSTA, Ga. – Joely Caroline Henriquez, a 2013 graduate of Alpharetta High School, has been inducted into the Sigma Alpha Lamda National Honor Society. She is a sophomore at Valdosta State University with a 3.6 GPA majoring in Speech Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. Henriquez is

also an active member of the Phi Mu Kappa Beta chapter at Valdosta State University.

Brevard College BREVARD, N.C. – Brevard College has named Nicholas Bier of Cumming to the Dean’s List for the spring semester of the 2013-2014 academic year. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a 3.50 grade point average or higher for the semester.

Troy University TROY, Ala. – Shawn Kimble

All performances held in High School Gym 7:30 p.m. Thur., Oct. 16 7:30 p.m. Fr., Oct. 17 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 18 Main Characters: “Millie Dillmount” played by Autumn Bristow, “Jimmy Smith” played by Pierce Rossman, “Miss Dorothy” played by Whitney Cookston, “Trevor Graydon” played by David Renfrow, “Mrs. Meers” played by Elise Anzaldua Set in 1922, Millie tells the story of a Kansas girl who moves to Manhattan to follow her plan of marrying for wealth instead of love – the modern way – but her plans get bumpy when she accidentally falls in love with a charming but poor young man named Jimmy.

University of Mississippi OXFORD, Miss. – Andrew Butler, a St. Pius High School alum, recently graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis on homeland security.

Hampden-Sydney College HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – Hampden-Sydney student Chase Baldwin of Suwanee graduated May 11 with a bachelor’s degree in religion. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Baldwin.

See VARSITY, Page 31

www.FellowshipChristianSchool.org Elementary School: 770.992.4975 Middle School: 770-641-6855 High School: 770.993.1650 Admissions: 770.641.6816 10965 Woodstock Road · Roswell, GA 30075 @fellowshipCS

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Varsity: Continued from Page 30

University of Nebraska-Lincoln LINCOLN, Neb. – Brigitte Lorraine Speicher of Alpharetta was among more than 2,900 students who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in ceremonies May 9-10. Speicher received a bachelor’s degree in education and human sciences from the College of Education and Human Sciences.

State Univ. of NY Institute of Tech. Utica/Rome UTICA, N.Y. – Pranav Prabhudesai of Alpharetta received a master’s degree in computer/ information sciences at the State University of New York Institute of Technology’s spring commencement.

Samford University BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kaleigh E. Warwick of Alpharetta recently received the Omicron Delta Kappa Circle Leader of the Year award for exemplary service to the circle and the Samford University community. Warwick is a senior marketing and art major.

Georgia Southern STATESBORO, Ga. – John Alexander Stevenson of Suwanee was recently recognized as a member of Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization at Georgia Southern University. The organization is dedicated to promoting and rewarding academic achievement and providing members with opportunities for community service, personal development and professional fulfillment. Stevenson also earned a 4.0 grade average for spring semester. In addition, Austin Holcomb of Alpharetta has been named to the President’s List for both fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters. The President’s List recognizes full-time students who earn a 4.0 grade point average. Holcomb has completed two years at Georgia Southern, participating in the Regents Engineering Transfer

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Program, and will be attending Georgia Institute of Technology this fall to complete his degree in mechanical engineering.

Wofford College SPARTANBURG, S.C. – David Malone Blum was accorded Wofford College’s highest academic honor Thursday, May 1, when he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. The son of Mike Blum and Brenda Malone of Roswell, Blum majored in history and completed the education program. A perennial member of the Dean’s List, he was also a member of the quiz bowl team and took first place in Wofford’s Two to Tell at Wofford. Blum graduated with a bachelor’s degree and plans to pursue a career in education.

Mercer University Law School MACON, Ga. – Christopher Perniciaro of Cumming graduated from Mercer Law School in Macon magna cum laude in the spring commencement ceremony. He also received the following recognitions: Brainerd Currie Honor Society, CALI Awards and was a member of the Mercer Law Review.

University of Iowa IOWA CITY, Iowa – Kennedy Bodnarek of Alpharetta, Steven Long of Roswell and Ryunosuke Kawamura of Duluth were named to the University of Iowa’s Dean’s List for the fall 2013 semester. Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering and the Tippie College of Business who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or higher earned Dean’s List honors.

University of Kansas LAWRENCE, Kan. – Alyssa Rutt of Roswell completed her course of study and received a master’s degree in education from the University of Kansas at the school’s spring commencement ceremony.

Wofford College SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford College student Tara Savannah Hartford, a member of the class of 2016 from Milton, is studying abroad in Granada, Spain.

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northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 31

Southeast MO. State University CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Josh Meade of Alpharetta was among 553 undergraduate students receiving degrees following fall 2013 commencement exercises at Southeast Missouri State University. Meade graduated with a bachelor’s degree in general studies.

Georgia Southern STATESBORO, Ga. – Scott W. Kelly, a 2013 Milton High School graduate now attending Georgia Southern University, earned recognition on GSU’s President’s List for his first

semester grade point average of 4.0. He was also inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Society and is a member of the Georgia Southern Division I basketball team.

Worcester Poly. Institute WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Erik Nadel of Alpharetta, a first-year student majoring in computer science, has been named a Charles O. Thompson Scholar for the 2013-14 academic year.

Named for the first president of WPI, this honor recognizes outstanding performance by first-year students. To be eligible for membership, students must achieve all A’s and B’s (with a minimum of six A’s) in their academic subjects during their first three terms at WPI.

University of Wisconsin MADISON, Wis. – Dennis Rivera of Alpharetta received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin in Madison at the winter commencement ceremonies.

32 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

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Big Canoe Fine Art Show kicks off holiday season Artists of all media exhibit pieces for sale By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com BIG CANOE, Ga. -- Big Canoe, the mountain resort community in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, does not do things In a small way. With 8,000 acres and 100 miles of paved road behind the gates, Big Canoe has will occasionally sponsor one of its fine art shows -- the last one was in 2009 -- to showcase its newest homes in a wine-and-cheese atmosphere. But Big Canoe Marketing Director Ann Young says the biggest art show just may be the autumn leaves in full radiance that abound on the property. At an elevation of 3,200 feet it is the perfect tableau for fall colors. But the artists’ colors inside the Big Canoe Art House are special too. Artists come from all over the Southeast to participate in the show. They are showing in a variety of media: potters, sculptors, glass masters, painters, photographers, quilters and furniture makers.

If you go What: Big Canoe Fine Art Show When: Oct. 23 – Nov. 2, Thursdays thru Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Big Canoe: Go north on Ga. 400; Go left onto Ga. 369 West approx. 12 miles; Turn right onto Yellow Creek Road; Dead ends at Ga.53; Turn left on Steve Tate Hwy., follow signs Cost: Admission free It is chance to see amazing original art and perhaps take something home. Prices range from $150 to $40,000. “At certain times, local authors will be along to sign their books, there will be weaving demonstrations’.” said Young. Nnamdi Okonkwo is an artist-sculptor who grew up in Nigeria. Although he always wanted to be an artist, it was basketball that brought him to the University of Hawaii (he’s 6 feet 9 inches tall). He went on

Spectacular landscape photography such as this are due to the keen eye and expertise of photographer John A. Smith. to get BFA and MFA degrees in sculpture and today lives in Fayetteville, Ga., with his family.

Landscape photographer John A. Smith draws his inspiration from the Great Smoky Mountains the mountains of his western North Carolina. He is continually trying to capture the beauty and majesty of those mountains in all of their moods and in vivid colors. Smith’s landscapes are his interpretations of the scenes he shoots and prints. Glassmaker Cal Breed has been working with glass for more than two decades to develop his distinctive style.

The Alabamian has work in numerous collections including a recent solo exhibition at the Huntsville (Ala.) Museum of Art and was featured in an Alabama Public Television documentary on craft In Alabama. Their artwork and that of many others will be on display in Big Canoe courtesy of the Big Canoe Building Group in one of their models In The Bluffs. For directions and additional information call Big Canoe Realty at 770-893-2733, 1-866-244-2266.

Nnamdi Okonkwo’s dancers, called “Jubilation,” exude movement.

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Glassmaker Cal Breed will exhibit exquisite glass work such as this multi-color ball.

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SCHOOLS

northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 33

Atlanta Families’ Awards honor educators for excellence

HATCHER HURD/STAFF

Students sing out in Drew Bowers’ music class. Their principal calls Bowers’ top singers the best the school has produced since he’s been there.

Bowers: Continued from Page 1 his project. Bowers said he would like to have an aural skills project that would include a teacher technology workstation with MacBook and software for listening programs. The workstation allows students to sharpen their ear and their voice to hear and sing the correct notes. It also includes a mini-keyboard that Bowers can play to

work with the student. “I knew I was a finalist, but I did not know whether I was chosen or not,” Bowers said. He found out Sept. 25, when he got a “suspicious” call that morning to come to Principal Ron Tesch’s office. He was right, because what he got was a surprise party. “Mr. Tesch told me WSB wanted to do a piece on music education and to come in early that day to see us working at an early rehearsal,” Bowers said. “My family was in on it, the front office was in on it, everybody.”

There was a great deal of hoopla including not only his wife Leslie, but the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, Freddie Falcon, School Superintendent Robert Avossa and Board of Education member Katie Reeves. “It was a day I won’t forget,” Bowers said with a grin. Now he has the $7,500 prize, which provides funds for his classroom project ($3,500), professional development ($1,500) and a personal stipend ($2,500). “While these educators are undoubtedly loved by their

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education was conceived as a way to recognize the “best of the best” in Atlanta and Fulton County education. By recognizing outstanding educators each year, the program desires to help school districts retain excellent teachers and school leaders, inspire other educators to transform their craft and increase the public’s awareness of educator and student success across metro Atlanta. Educators are nominated by coworkers, students, parents and the general community. They are then selected through their demonstration of excellence in three areas – raising student achievement, enhancing students’ self-esteem and collaboration with multiple stakeholders for the benefit of students. The four educators recognized this year are: Drew Bowers, choral director – Milton High School Nicole Ford, science, technology, engineering and math teacher – Feldwood Elementary School Chantrise Holliman, ninth-grade English teacher – Westlake High School Dan Sims, principal – Tri-Cities High School

school community, this awards program isn’t a popularity contest,” said Avossa. “They are making a real difference for our students and our schools, and we are fortunate to have them among our ranks.” Tesch, the retired principal of Milton who is serving as interim principal, remembers when Bowers first came to teach music at MHS. “He’s an amazing guy. He came in following Beth Gibbs who had been very popular here,” Tesch said. “He just picked up right where Beth left off. “His passion for music is

second to no one. And he has such an eclectic knowledge – classical, modern, symphonic. And he brings the best out of the kids. He knows how to make you feel important.” So the students respond to him, and they enjoy performing, Tesch said. “He is doing a great job in that music room. I would say the best of the students he has now are the finest singers since I have been here,” Tesch said. The 2014 winners will be celebrated formally Nov. 6 with an awards ceremony at the Carter Presidential Center.

XL212 announces September student-athlete award winners ALPHARETTA, Ga.— On Sept. 30, Bliss Mallory and Ryan Kopec were honored as the XL212 Student-Athletes of the Month at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast. The student-athlete award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of deserving student-athletes in the North Fulton area. Winners are chosen from nominations made by area athletic directors and coaches, based on extraordinary academic proficiency, exceptional athletic accomplishments and dedication to civic action. Mallory, a senior cheerleader from Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, was named the Female Student-Athlete of the Month for September. She made the All-American Cheer Squad and will have the opportunity to cheer in London with an elite group of cheerleaders from around the nation. Mallory was named head captain of the Mount Vernon cheer squad, has been the

Bliss Mallory is a senior cheerleader from Mount Vernon Presbyterian School.

Ryan Kopec is a senior football player from Alpharetta High School.

varsity basketball team captain the past two years and is a member of the varsity soccer team. She takes multiple honors and AP courses, while maintaining a 3.97 grade point average and scoring a 27 on the ACT. She is the founder and president of the Business Club and is active with the Green Club, Service Club and Art Club.

Mallory also serves as spirit prefect for the upper school and is a member of the youth group at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. She hopes to attend UCLA next fall. “She is an outstanding young woman, is forever positive and without complaint,” said coach Kelly Fitzgerald, when asked what sets this student leader apart from her peers. “She sets an example in

and out of practice. I cannot speak highly enough about her. I wish every girl on my squad had these qualities. I wish these qualities for my daughter one day. She sets the bar high. I am so grateful to coach a young lady who makes my life easy.” The September Male Student-Athlete of the Month is Ryan Kopec, a senior football player from Alpharetta High School. So far, in the 2014 season, he has 15 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns. He has made five out of eight field goals, with a long of 46 yards, and is 25 of 25 for extra points. He also has an average of 35.5 yards punting, with six downed inside the 20. Kopec is three year scholarathlete who maintains a 3.9 GPA and made a 27 on his ACT. He is hoping to continue his athletic career at the college level. Off the field, he is a Raider ambassador. Only students who are strong scholars and

display excellent leadership skills are chosen to represent their school as ambassadors during events and when special visitors are on campus. “He has a great work ethic and has worked hard for four years to reach his goals on the football field, on the baseball diamond and in the classroom,” said head coach Jacob Nichols. “He is truly an inspiration to many with his selflessness and dedication to all aspects of any program that he is part of. Ryan is the type of player that any coach would appreciate, leading by example in every phase of his academic and athletic career, and in life.” “We are tremendously excited to be entering our fifth year of partnering with the GNFCC to present the Student-Athlete of the Month Awards,” said Eric Douglas, XL212 president. “We want to thank Brandon Beach and the GNFCC, Roger Wise and the University of Phoenix and Bob Mejerle from SpeedPro Imaging for helping to make this award possible.” —Rachael Dier

34 | October 15, 2014 | Milton Herald | northfulton.com

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A famous poet’s tribute to his Abandonment of Crooked boyhood friends remind us to act Creek roads troubling LETTER TO THE EDITOR »

James Dickey was a famous poet and novelist from Atlanta who wrote “Looking for the Buckhead Boys,” which was about his group of childhood friends in Buckhead around 1940 – his brat pack. One of my favorites, the poem is especially dear to me because the two main Buckhead boys he wrote about were good friends of mine. One I have known all my life. Dick Gray was the father of one of my best friends. When I was growing up on the river in Rockledge (Florida), Dick taught us all about sports and sportsmanship. He spent many hours teaching us how to play football and basketball in his backyard. I remember November opening days, long treks up to a summer cottage in North Georgia (Lakemont) and Saturdays watching football games on his black and white TV. I will never forget he taught us what a great team the Baltimore Colts was because of their great quarterback – No. 19, Johnny Unitas (6-foot-1, 40,239 career passing yards – that’s a bit over 22 miles – and inventor of the “flat-top” haircut). Dick never missed attending the Masters in Augusta. I wondered how he got those Masters tickets every year. One must be royalty, famous or very wealthy to be among those chosen few ticket holders. It turns out that in 1939 Dick’s father sold his newspaper (The Atlanta Journal) and I believe his radio station (WSB) to the former governor of Ohio, Mr. James Cox. Back then owning a newspaper had many privileges, and Masters tickets were one. The other Buckhead boy that I knew was the central character in the poem – Charlie Cates. In the poem, Charlie is “Charlie Gates” and Dick Gray is “Dick Shea.” Charlie was my first landlord (for our office) when my wife and I moved to Alpharetta in 1990 with our toddler and infant daughter. He was very kind to us and we might not have made it had it not been for him. His brother “Shag” Cates was chairman of the Fulton County Commission for years. I remember when we were trying to get our office connected to sewer and were having problems with the county, all those problems one day surprisingly and magically went away when the inspector that I was dealing with mistakenly discovered that my landlord was Shag Cates (who had been dead for many years). Institutional memory can endure for

RAY APPEN

Publisher ray@northfulton.com

a very long time. The opening lines of “The Buckhead Boys” never cease to move me. “Some of the time, going home, I go Blind and can’t find it. The house I lived in growing up and out The doors of high school are torn Down and cleared away for further development, but that does not stop me. First in the heart Of my blind spot are The Buckhead Boys. If I can find them, even one, I’m home.” When we first started the paper, we wrote an article about the Buckhead boys. When I was interviewing one of them, he mentioned that they met for breakfast once a month. Would I like to join them for that breakfast at Alpha Soda in Alpharetta? “Of course,” I replied and looked forward to meeting the dozen or so still living members of Dickey’s Buckhead boys. Dick Gray was there. So was Charlie and another dozen friends who all had known each other since the 40s and 50s. Sitting with them that morning felt like someone had reached down into a big bag of “wishes” and given me one. I watched and listened to them talk about football, hunting, the old high school, who was doing what and who had died. After all these years, they still deferred to Charlie, who spent his time listening to the others with a sparkle in his eyes, a kind word and a smile on his face. Their connection, the shared history and the vitality of their relationship was palpable and filled the room with richness and warmth. I think my goose bumps had goose bumps for most of the morning. When, unknown to us, Charlie was very sick with cancer, my wife Christina invited him to breakfast. He was probably in his mid-70s and she in her early 20s, but they had a connection that was special. While she invited him, it was Charlie who picked her up and drove – always the Southern gentleman. He was a very success-

ful business man but one would never know it, and he knew everybody in a discrete and sincere way. If you were in need, you knew you could count on him. I asked my wife later about her breakfast with Charlie that day. She told me that one thing she remembered was that he had scolded her for something she had said. “That’s not you Christina,” he had told her. “Maybe Ray, but not you.” He was always honest and direct. He died a few weeks later. To this day, Christina is so grateful to have made the effort to spend time with our wise and compassionate landlord, friend and Buckhead boy. I still occasionally talk with Dick’s son Dorsey, who lives in Sandy Springs. Several years ago when my mother died, my sisters and I organized a celebration of her life in Cocoa Beach – where she had lived most of her adult life. On average, the people who attended the celebration had known each other for at least 50 years. Everyone was connected. Everyone cared. One of my oldest friends who came to the party pulled me aside and told me he would have to leave early because his wife was in intensive care with a dangerously high temperature. I was mortified and deeply touched. Many of the attendees at the party had not seen each other in years. Everyone collectively held their breath the entire evening, each sensing or suspecting that they would probably never be in the same space again with so many old friends. The time together was precious. As I get older, the connections I have with my old friends continues to grow richer and more important to me. Life – and my wife Christina – has slowly taught me how important it is to nurture those friendships, to not take them for granted. One must make those relationships a priority and nurture them by action. There will always be reasons for not having the time to do that. But of course, that is a choice no matter how hard you convince yourself otherwise. “Buckhead Boys” was both Dickey’s tribute to his friends and their friendship, as well as a reminder to us all about how important those connections are. “I’m home. And if I can find him, catch him in or around Buckhead, I’ll never die: it’s likely my youth will walk Inside me like a king.”

Traffic congestion, pollution and frustration in Milton are going to get worse. Much worse, thanks to the Milton City Council. Last week, Oct. 6, the City Council made a huge blunder when it approved abandonment of the Crooked Creek subdivision’s roads. In so doing, council ignored Milton’s laws and staff’s recommendations. Club Creek Drive will no longer be a public road and will be closed off to the public, including bikers and pedestrians. Considering the serious and increasing congestion on Milton’s roads, it defies belief that council would close down an important road. Council’s decision violates Section 48-168 (a)(2)(e) of Milton’s Code of Ordinances, which states that roads should not be abandoned if such action would negatively impact traffic on surrounding roadways. Applying this standard, the Public Works director recommended against abandonment. His report provides dismal predictions about traffic gridlock on surrounding roads resulting from the abandonment, particularly the intersections

at Bethany Bend and Ga. 9 and at Cogburn and Bethany Bend. Unfortunately, the director’s recommendations were ignored and surprisingly not even mentioned during council voting. It is troubling that council so readily disregards Milton Code when lobbied by special interests. So much for the rule of law. Safety was cited as a reason for abandonment and eventual gating of Crooked Creek’s entrances. However, traffic studies indicate only 15 percent of Crooked Creek traffic is through-traffic, so gating will have minimal impact on traffic safety. Also, Milton is one of the safest cities in Georgia, and crime in Crooked Creek is no higher than elsewhere in Milton. Ironically, both traffic infractions and overall crime will likely increase in Crooked Creek when police patrols cease after gating. Council disregarded most issues raised in the debate and focused on “local control.” Simply stated, council felt it best to defer to the supposed wishes of Crooked

See ABANDON, Page 37

We must not destroy Wills Park Equestrian Center Dear Editor: It would be an absolutely tremendous travesty to tear down the Wills Park Equestrian Center. There is a certain beauty and specialness to be in and watch a horse show that is irreplaceable. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. If revenue is needed, why doesn’t Alpharetta do what they do for each ball player and charge a surcharge for each entry that participates in the horse show and an additional surcharge on entries that are not within the city of Alpharetta. It is certainly jammed pack all of show season with so many horses, which lasts quite a long time. I know because I live walking distance from there. That’s plenty of revenue right there. That is certainly a good suggestion instead of just tearing it down but try and care enough to think of ways to generate revenue. That would be one way to do just that for Alpharetta. In addition, it’s very plain to see that the reason there’s not many horses within the city of Alpharetta is because

the city has overdeveloped so much land that there’s not enough to raise horses on anymore. That’s what the city has done for Alpharetta – ruined it. There are some people who have lived in Alpharetta for a number of years who call it “the raping of Alpharetta,” and that’s exactly what it is. What you’re suggesting would ruin the park for all the people that do use it and enjoy it. There is no other large park around in this area. It’s a wonderful place to visit and enjoy especially for horse lovers such as myself. There is also so much wooded area that’s beautiful with so much wildlife. What’s so wrong with trying to preserve something for a change instead of ruining it for so many? I am very interested in trying to preserve something that is so beautiful and unique. Thank you, Joy Duzenski EDITOR’S NOTE: To read Ray Appen’s column, visit www. bit.ly/1qazaii.

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Billboards: Continued from Page 4 physical limitations where the signs can go. Hutmacher said he thinks no more than half the number permitted will be built. The sign company Action Outdoor Advertising has bought out the competing two companies. “This all occurred long before there was a city of Johns Creek,” said Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker. “There are discussions that are ongoing.” The good news is that the number of signs in North Fulton was negotiated to a total of 34 signs. The State Bridge Road billboard is one of those. Another one is in Milton, and the third is in Alpharetta on South Main Street near the Roswell city limits. The bad news is there are 31 more signs permitted in what is now Johns Creek. Confusing? It is a legal tangle that began long before there were any “new” cities in North Fulton. The 75 billboard permits

were requested in 2002, and denied by Fulton County (See timeline). The three companies involved jointly sued the county on the grounds that the ordinance unduly restricted free speech under the First Amendment. Now that the Georgia Supreme Court has cleared the way siding with the sign companies, it has remained up to the remaining company and the city to agree where in Johns Creek the signs will be placed. With the Supreme Court decision hanging over the city’s head, there is no legal reason for Action Outdoor to negotiate. That leaves the city with little bargaining power. “There is no legal requirement for any conversation; there is just a cooperative spirit,” Bodker said. Bodker said he has been impressed with Action Outdoors’ willingness to hammer out an agreement that will benefit both parties. “This was not our fight initially. We just inherited it from Fulton County. Now we have to make the best of it,” Bodker said.

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Roads: Continued from Page 1 safety, traffic and property values. With the roads abandoned by the city, it is up to the residents to pay entirely for them. Lucas said the city has spent $232,379 over the past five years in Crooked Creek. This includes storm water, resurfacing and utilities. Over the next five years, Carter said the city planned to spend a further $309,000.

County: Continued from Page 8 “The KPMG audit was Ferrell’s doing. He was attempting to get things better organized despite resistance,” she said. She did back the appointment of O’Connor as interim manager, saying he is the best person to get the county through the budgeting phase. Ferrell got some signals early on when he took the reins in September 2013. Facing a huge deficit in the coming budget and dwindling reserves, he recommended steep cuts to the budget across the board. The commissioners instead emptied the county’s reserves and called for a 17 percent millage increase to balance the books. The county was to institute a zero-based budgeting system that would mean department heads would have to justify their budgets based on need, not what was spent the previous year. With that, Ferrell would have had some teeth to cut the budget. But he was not to get that chance. Eaves expressed full confidence in O’Connor’s ability

Arrests: Continued from Page 3 on Ga. 9 in Roswell for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Janice Lynne Belfi, 36, of Westchester Crossing, Roswell, was arrested Aug. 31 on Ga. 9 in Roswell for DUI and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Jarred Michael Webb, 24, of Broadwell Oaks Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Sept. 1 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI, hit and run and failure to yield. ►► Theresa Dian Stone, 34, of Atlanta was arrested Sept.

20 YEARS

Crooked Creek residents can expect their HOA dues to go up by $540 per year, raising an estimated $345,000, more than what the city planned to pay. The vote among residents to gate their community passed with just over 67 percent of the vote. Not all residents agreed with the move. Some questioned the openness of the HOA’s votes on the issue and the accuracy of information passed around. Others noted most of the traffic and poor drivers people

see are actually residents of Crooked Creek and that gating will solve nothing. “I can see both sides on this,” said Mayor Joe Lockwood. “But a supermajority of the neighborhood going in one direction goes a long way.” Should the residents ever have buyers’ remorse, they can return to the city in five years and ask to return to public streets. Councilmember Joe Longoria, a resident of Crooked Creek, recused himself from the discussion and vote.

I believe as we go into the 2015 legislative session, Patrick O’Connor with his financial background, expertise and his credentials will speak well in terms of his heightened credibility about what the county will be doing in the next fiscal year.” JOHN EAVES Fulton Chairman

handle the interim county manager duties and to move the budget process forward for 2015. “He has a very, very strong financial background and has managed our county resources from the Finance Department very well,” he said. Looking forward to 2015, Eaves said O’Connor will be able to “man the ship” right now. “I also think he has strong credibility throughout the county but especially in North

Fulton and with the Legislature,” Eaves said. As the legislative session begins, Eaves said O’Connor will be able to defend the county’s actions against any further attacks on county sovereignty. “I believe as we go into the 2015 legislative session, Patrick O’Connor with his financial background, expertise and his credentials will speak well in terms of his heightened credibility about what the county will be doing in the next fiscal year,” he said.

4 on Crabapple Road in Roswell for DUI and headlight requirement. ►► Angela Jill Callahan, 44, of Canton was arrested Sept. 4 on Woodstock Road in Roswell for DUI, failure to maintain lane and expired license.

Point Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and expired tag. ►► Joshua Gabriel Kennemore, 28, was arrested Sept. 27 on Ga. 9 in Milton for possession of marijuana. ►► Trenton Andrew Jones, 21, was arrested Sept. 27 on Ga. 9 in Milton for possession of marijuana. ►► Brian Michael Arveson, 22, of Canton was arrested Aug. 24 on Mill Street in Roswell for possession of marijuana. ►► Khari Don Eric Walker, 21, of Atlanta was arrested Sept. 3 on Barnwell Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and speeding.

Drug arrests

►► Gregory James Reed, 30,

of Conyers was arrested Sept. 23 on Westside Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and wanted person. ►► Jayrel C. Collins, 26, of Dawson Court, Roswell, was arrested Sept. 24 on North

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OPINION

LETTER TO THE EDITOR »

Boycott the Billboards As a new resident to North Fulton, I was amazed to learn that we are expecting to have billboards erected in our residential community. In my opinion, billboards are better suited for interstates and should not be allowed within 1 mile of a residential area. But it seems that the Georgia Supreme Court disagrees, so they are coming. North Fulton has a desirable demographic so it is understandable that marketers would like to target us. However, if we work as a community, we can stop this using market forces. Businesses advertise to

Abandon: Continued from Page 34 Creek’s residents. Council was particularly focused on the assertion that 67.8 percent of Crooked Creek residents approved gating. However, many

attract customers and create sales. It is that simple. If we make it clear to the companies advertising on the billboards that we will not patronize their business, they will find another way to target our community. If nobody is advertising, the billboard company loses money and will not build any more billboards. If we want to stop the billboards, we need to act now. Please join me on Facebook at “Boycott the Billboards” and learn how you can help. Evan Conn Johns Creek

northfulton.com | Milton Herald | October 15, 2014 | 37

GOT Thank you BUSINESS Roswell Council NEWS! I’d like to publicly thank Roswell’s mayor, council and staff for their diligence, perseverance and creativity in finalizing the land swap for the city’s new Fire Station No. 4. When faced with a decaying, substandard building, it would’ve been easy to take the path of least resistance and hurriedly place the new structure in a location that either sacrificed public safety, public park land (and the public trust) or both. Instead, city officials chose a

more difficult and time-intensive path, which resulted in a better outcome for our community. Though obvious now, the wisdom of this decision will become even more apparent when future development occurs in the area. Thanks to all involved for concentrating on the longterm best interest of our citizens. Sincerely, David Tolleson, Executive Director National Down Syndrome Congress

Crooked Creek residents at the meeting informed council that the approval process was unfair, opaque and sometimes downright dirty; they described numerous and specific irregularities. However, their complaints fell on deaf ears. Council also ignored the city attorney’s

advice that Crooked Creek’s wishes were only “one component” for consideration among many that he articulated for council. He further stressed that council should focus on the “overall interests” (with a stress on “overall”) of Milton, not the interests of a “particu-

lar slice” of Milton. Unfortunately, his words also fell on deaf ears. I urge Milton citizens to watch the council video and read the Public Works report, which are posted at the city of Milton website. You will likely conclude as I did: our council erred in abandoning the roads in Crooked

Ruth Chase, 93, of Atlanta, passed away October 1, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Greselda Harrison, 76, of Cumming, passed away October 5, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Terry Moore, 70, of Roswell, passed away October 2, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

EMAIL YOUR BUSINESS NEWS with photo(s) to

Business@ NorthFulton.com Creek. I urge Milton residents to contact the mayor and City Council to register your dissatisfaction with the abandonment. Perhaps you might give them a call when you are stuck in traffic on Ga. 9. Sincerely, Tim Becker, Milton

DEATH NOTICES Francene C. Albertino, 70, of Sugar Hill, passed away October 4, 2014. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Steven Askea, 64, of Milton, passed away October 2, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Edith Beale, 78 of Gainesville, passed away October 1, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Martha Borchers, 87, of Johns Creek, passed away September 27, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Edna Caldwell, 95, of Cumming, passed away October 4, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Edgar Capon, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away October 5, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Anthony George DeMarco, 81, of Cumming, passed away October 3, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Keith Dillingham, 81, of Dawsonville, passed away October 3, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Marian Donnelly, 84, of Atlanta, passed away September 30, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Elsie Celestie Edwards, 89, of Ball Ground, passed away October 7, 2014. Arrangements by Memorial Park Funeral Home. Mildred Halbrook, 63, of Alpharetta, passed away October 6, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Rosalyn Westbrook Haygood, 76, of Cumming, passed away October 6, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Edward Hughes, 90, of Cumming, passed away October 2, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Eleen Krnasky, 97, of Alpharetta, passed away October 3, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Louise Martz, 93, of Roswell, passed away September 27, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Doris McKinley, 85, of Roswell, October 2, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Joseph Dale Neese, 54, of Cumming, passed away October 7, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Gerry O’Tinger, 61, of Cumming, passed away October 2, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Dennis William Poole, 49, of Forsyth County, passed away October 5, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.

Gardine Tiggle, 60, of Dunwoody, passed away October 4, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Carter Vansant, 26, of Roswell, passed away October 4, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Jacob Vinson, 10, of Roswell, passed October 2, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.

Marilyn Robinson, 86, of Cumming passed away October 3, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Randy Boyd Sorrells, 60, of McMinville, TN, passed away September 29, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Lois Sweeney, 81, of Milton, passed away September 29, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

Wyatt Willingham, 62, of Cumming, passed away October 7, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Betty Wolff, 81, of Duluth, passed away September 29, 2014. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.

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NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 678-461-8700 | North Point Parkway, Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | www.harrynorman.com