Real Estate Report Sponsored section ►►page 22
Georgia economic forecast: sunny High number of premium jobs projected for area ►►page 6
Conservative or Scrooge Council differs on taking grant money ►►page 9
The dead walk
Atlanta escapes from zombies ►►page 25
June 5, 2014 | northfulton.com | 73,500 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 18, No. 23
JC gets $4M loan to start repaving GDOT OKs loan to begin repaving subdivision roads By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com
HATCHER HURD/Staff
Mim Eisenberg, left, samples fresh CalyRoad Creamery artisan cheese. Looking on is CalyRoad owner/founder Robin Schick. Schick is one of the grower/participants at the opening of the Johns Creek Farmers Market at Newtown Park.
Home grown Johns Creek Famers Market opens By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – If you like to shop for a special meal and do some sampling along the way, the Johns Creek Farmers Market is right up your pantry. Once again, the John Creek Farmers Market is open Saturdays at Newtown Park from
8:30 a.m. to noonish. Once they run out of food, most vendors head for home. So the secret to a good experience at the market is to go early. Another good tip is to engage the vendors in what they grow. They love talking about their wares almost as much as they love to talk about their children. Jim MacGregor is a local
vendor. He and his wife Chrissie run Prima Olive: An Epicurean Experience at 11030 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek. At the market, Jim loves to talk about his white and dark balsamic vinegars infused with natural flavors. His vinegars come from Greece, Italy and California. Of course his balsamics are only Italian. “The farmers market is a
See MARKET, Page 26
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek will soon begin repaving city subdivision roads now that the Georgia Bodker Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) has awarded a $4 million loan to the city to begin its subdivision repaving program. The city performed a needs study two years ago and pledged to use that study to repave subdivisions according to needs. The city also has agreed to fund an additional $1 million for the repaving project. City Manager Warren Hutmacher said it would take some time to evaluate just how many of those subdivisions the $5 million would cover. The original study identified $30 million in resurfacing needs. The city has stated the estimate now stands at $40 million. The terms are still to be decided, but Public Works Director Tom Black said it is likely that the city will have a “draw” on the loan amount so that it incurs the debt as it is
Improvement of our neighborhood streets will enhance the quality of life for our citizens, support property values and promote economic development.” Mike Bodker Johns Creek Mayor
needed from a GTIB account. “In 2006, the city of Johns Creek inherited a street system that was far below standard,” said Mayor Mike Bodker. “Since then, we have put tremendous effort into upgrading major roads and working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation to see that state routes are properly maintained.
See REPAVE, Page 32
public safety
2 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
Bookkeeper allegedly steals $300K Paid for university, medical care, car
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ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A Lawrenceville woman is accused of defrauding her employer out of nearly $300,000. According to her former employer, a large property development company, Margaret Bray Knapik, 43, of Lawrenceville embezzled at least $287,000 from the company over seven year. As the company’s sole bookkeeper, Knapik was in charge of bill payment as well as accounts receivable.
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.
4 statues disappear from home MILTON, Ga. – A Deerfield Point resident reported several expensive statues missing from her home. The victim told police May 20 that in the last week four statues have gone missing. Two of the statues are Lladro statuary, valued at $300 each. A third item is a Lenox vase. The fourth item is an undescribed statue of a woman, valued at $10,000. There are no suspects and the victim is unsure when the thefts occurred.
CORRECTION:
In approving one 33-acre section of the Rogers Bridge Road rezoning for a residential subdivision for the Rogers Family Partnership, the City Council approved “clear cutting” of the site. It had been opposed by residents, but was approved as part of the plan.
She also had control of the company credit cards from 1999-2013. These cards were by policy to be paid off every month and never hold a balance. The owner of the company told police he went to use his company Knapik card Dec. 3, 2013 only to have it declined, with more than $50,000 placed on it. Knapik allegedly admitted to the theft. Knapik would use the cards for personal expenses such as gas and rental cars,
Construction bits go missing JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Someone broke into a Bell Road storage facility and stole several items of construction equipment. The victim told police someone broke into a storage unit between May 17 and 19. A pressure washer, generator, tripods, T-cup sling, 20-foot chain and a lifting hook were all reported missing for a total value of more than $1,500.
Bicyclist almost causes accident CUMMING, Ga. — A man on a bicycle was caught violating several traffic laws and threated officers after being confronted, according to a Cumming Police incident report. Emir Hornston, 27, was charged with failure to maintain lane and failure to yield. At about 8 p.m. May 20, officers saw Hornston riding through the intersection of Maple Street and Atlanta Road. Officers said he was reaching out to grab a truck bed in front of him. He continued straight on Atlanta Road and took up the left lane. Officers said he then went straight onto Pilgrim Mill Road and caused a truck to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.
but also college tuition for her children, housing and medical care. She allegedly paid herself nearly $11,000 in salary over what she should have made, filed $62,000 in false mileage reimbursements and placed $169,000 on one credit card while putting $45,000 on another. All told, the company said she stole $287,000 and possibly much more. She allegedly would try to cover up her actions by paying off accounts using different accounts. Knapik was arrested and charged with felony theft by taking. —Staff
Officers signaled for him to pull over, but he refused. After about a quarter of a mile, officers used the PA system and told him to stop. He finally pulled into the City Park’s Kiwanis Club parking lot. He eventually showed them a license out of Suwanee. Hornston was taken to Cumming Police Department.
Two caught cashing fake checks ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Two people were arrested May 20 after allegedly trying to cash fake checks at several local banks. According to workers at the BB&T bank on Windward Parkway, two people – Quillan Dewann Mazeo, 28, of Decatur, and Brittnie B. Allen, 24, of Atlanta – went to the bank location on North Point Parkway earlier that day and cashed a check, receiving $350 cash. Later the tellers realized the bank account in question had been closed. The pair then went to the Windward branch and allegedly tried the cash more checks, totaling $750 in cash. They were denied. Again, the bank accounts the pair wanted to use were closed. Allen claimed she received her checks from an aunt while Mazeo said he was given his check from work. Allen initially
gave police a false name. When they found her real ID, she had an active warrant out of East Point. Both were arrested for deposit account fraud.
Burglar takes expensive jewelry JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A Henley Place resident reported his home was broken into May 23, with about $3,500 in jewels taken. The victim told police his alarm went off about 10 p.m. while he and his family were at dinner. He called a neighbor who said the house looked fine. When the family returned home, they found a rear door smashed. Two necklaces and two bracelets were reported missing, totaling $3,500 in value.
Millwick vehicles broken into JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Two Millwick Drive vehicles were reported broken into overnight May 23. One victim said a Garmin GPS was missing from the glove box when he checked on his vehicle the following morning. A door was left ajar. The vehicle had been locked and entry was gained by breaking the lock.
public safety
DUI arrests ►► Nazareth Taylor, 28, of
Atlanta was arrested May 12 on Douglas Road in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Peggy Thrasher Janowiak, 61, of Dennis Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested May 12 on Rucker Road in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and duty to stop after striking a fixed object. ►► Wendy Lee Sharp, 39, of Mortons Circle, Alpharetta, was arrested May 16 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI and following too close. ►► Illya Ben Zoutendijk, 35, of Melilot Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested May 17 on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI, reckless driving, speeding and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Kevan Garett Stewart, 41, of Inverness, Florida, was
in specific places.
►► Walker W. Miller, 42, of
Cogburn Road, Alpharetta, was arrested May 17 on Webb Road in Milton for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Vivek Krishnamoorthy, 31, of Deer Trail, Alpharetta, was arrested May 18 on Morris Road in Milton for DUI, failure to maintain lane and headlight violation. ►► William Agisotelis, 49, of Woodland Trace, Cumming, was arrested May 24 on Castleberry Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to use seatbelts. ►► Jacob W. McClinton, 26, was arrested May 24 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Alejandro Sanchez, 36, of Shadewater Drive, Cumming, was arrested May 24 on East Maple Street in Cumming for DUI, open container and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Kenneth M. Downing, 59, of Vickery Circle, Cumming, was arrested May 24 on Bald Ridge Marina Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to obey a stop sign. ►► Jimmy George Holtzclaw, 51, of Dawsonville was arrest-
ed May 24 on Old Federal Road in Ball Ground for DUI and suspended license. ►► Aden Elliot Sterzer, 19, of Stardust Trail, Cumming, was arrested May 26 on Kelly Mill Road in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane, hit and run and underage possession of alcohol. ►► Raymond Ernest Miller, 50, of Lakeside Trail, Cumming, was arrested May 26 on McFarland Parkway in Alpharetta for DUI, open container and obstruction of an officer. ►► Brandon Maddox Parker, 38, of Summit Crossing Way, Cumming, was arrested May 1 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI and speeding. ►► Candi Lynn Sneed, 28, of Dawsonville was arrested May 19 on Hubbard Town Road in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane, too fast for conditions and defective tires. ►► Nicole G. Jollie, 23, of Misty Lane, Roswell, was arrested May 16 on Creamer Drive in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Trina Nicole Brown, 31, of Flowery Branch was arrested May 10 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI.
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Nocturne Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested May 12 on Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek for possession of marijuana. ►► George Anthony Pickens II, 32, of Marietta was arrested May 13 on New Providence Road in Milton for possession of marijuana and speeding. ►► Brannon Joseph Walker, 31, of Snellville was arrested May 25 on Peachtree Parkway in Cumming for possession of marijuana and failure to use seatbelts.
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25, of Lawrenceville was arrested May 24 on Highway 306 in Cumming for DUI, possession of methamphetamines, suspended license and open container. ►► Kimberly Renee Brown, 43, of Township Circle, Alpharetta, was arrested May 25 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Michael James McKellar, 48, of Dawsonville was arrested May 25 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane.
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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.
arrested May 9 on Milton Avenue in Alpharetta for DUI, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, failure to obey a traffic control device and failure to obey an authorized person directing traffic. ►► Kathryn Meredith Gates, 29, of Wittenridge Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested May 12 on Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI, failure to maintain lane and suspended registration. ►► Christian Pareja-Balanta, 25, of Acworth was arrested May 13 on Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI and reckless driving. ►► John Playford, 28, of Norcross was arrested May 3 on Birmingham Highway in Milton for DUI, failure to maintain lane and child endangerment. ►► Candice L. Trierweiler, 26, of Wilkie Court, Alpharetta, was arrested May 14 on Cogburn Road in Milton for DUI, speeding and failure to maintain lane. ►► Taylor Strickland Lively, 38, of Valley Creek Court, Milton, was arrested May 17 on Mountain Road in Milton for DUI, open container and stopping a vehicle prohibited
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 3
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news
4 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
Johns Creek city attorney resigns
Raffensperger
Davebport
Stewart
Vacant
Vacant
ACTION ITEM Consideration to approve the final 2014 Action Plan and the recommended changes to the Community Development Block Grant Citizen Participation Plan adopted April, 2009: Passed 3-2.
Y
N
Y
Y
N
*
*
ACTION ITEM Consideration of a letter to the Georgia delegation regarding curbing federal spending: Passed unanimously.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*
*
ACTION ITEM Consideration to approve a bid award to CMES for operational improvement along Medlock Bridge Road from State Bridge Road southbound to Old Alabama Road in the amount of $408,000 (includes CE&I services) and to approve the GDOT contract for construction: Passed unanimously.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*
*
ACTION ITEM Consideration to approve the appointment of an interim city attorney: Passed unanimously.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
*
*
Johns Creek City Council Recap; June 2, 2014
FAILED
Zaprowski
Council. “It has been a very rewarding time,” said Riley upon leaving, “but I feel that with a new council in place, it is best that
they have the opportunity to appoint their choice for city attorney. I thank the mayor for his kind words and the opportunity to serve this great city.” Riley served on the boards of the Johns Creek Public Safety Foundation and the Johns Creek Foundation, and was instrumental in establishing the city’s STOP (teen driver safety) program, recognized across the state for its success in reducing teen driver violations. He plans to continue his efforts to address the regional problem of human trafficking, teaching prosecutors statewide about the issue this summer.
PASSED
Riley
Bodker. “He leaves us with my deepest gratitude and best wishes for future success.” Riley, who served as the city’s lead attorney since the municipality’s 2006 incorporation, will assist during the transition to a new city attorney appointed by the City
Mayor Bodker
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker announced last week the resignation of City Attorney William F. Riley, effective June 2. At the June 2 City Council meeting, the council swore in Richard Carothers of the law firm of Carothers & Mitchell LLC to act as interim city attorney until the position is placed as open and resumes sought. “I think we all appreciate the extraordinary effort put forth by Bill and his firm, not only in his capacity as city attorney, but in his work in literally helping build Johns Creek from the ground up,” said
GNFCC seeks Leadership Awards nominees ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2014 Small Business Person of the Year. Candidates will be considered based on longevity, principal ownership, growth and longevity, innovation, response to adversity, involvement in the community and membership in the chamber. New this year, the GNFCC has initiated the Nonprofit Leader of the Year award. Nominations are now being accepted for individual leaders who demonstrate a passion and energy for nonprofits in the North Fulton community. Nominations will be accepted until June 13. For information, contact Kendra Plotkin at 770-993-8806.
GARAGE SALES See more garage sales in the classifieds • Page 30
ALPHARETTA, multi family. Fairfax Subdivision, Fairfax Drive 30009. Friday 6/6, Saturday 6/7, 8am-12pm. ALPHARETTA: NORTH FARM SUBDIVISION. 1020 Malbrough Drive, Friday 6/6 and Saturday 6/7,, 8am-3pm. Household items, childrens’, something for everyone ALPHARETTA, Dunmoor Subdivision 3755 Banyon Lane 30022. Friday 6/6 and Saturday 6/7, 9am-2pm.Moving! Adult clothes, household items, artwork, Christmas, garden tools CUMMING: Multi family. Tallantworth Subdivision, Hyde Road and Tallantworth Crossing. Saturday 6/7, 8am-2pm. MILTON: “Barn Around The Block”. 15955 Freemanville Road (in red barn). Friday 6/6, 6pm-9pm, ($10 for earlybird shopping); Saturday 6/7, 9am-6pm Sunday 6/8, 12pm6pm. 10+ consigners. Fine home furnishings, decor and accessories. Select items discounted Sunday!
DEADLINE
To place garage sale ads: Noon Friday prior week Call 770-442-3278 or email classifieds@northfulton.com
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 5
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“Thank you for all of your support in the Special Election. I hope to earn your vote once again in the run-off. Should you have any questions, please call my cell phone at 678-777-6313.”
- Steve CREATING A BETTER JOHNS CREEK Balance the Budget Without Raising Taxes Repair Neighborhood Roads and Reduce Traffic Congestion Continue to Invest in Our First Responders Increase Transparency in Government
Paid by Steve Broadbent for Johns Creek
Vote Steve Broadbent on July 22 for City Council Post 6
news
6 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com
GSU quarterly economic forecast »
National Sunshine peeking out for Georgia’s economy economy not Job growth trending upward with premium jobs mostly coming to Atlanta area Fab ’90s By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com ATLANTA – Despite deficit job growth in the first two months of 2014, Georgia State University Economic Forecasting Center Director Rajeev Dhawan forecasts healthy growth, 65,000 new jobs for the year and more than a quartermillion new jobs by the end of 2016. “I am gingerly betting on growth for Georgia,” Dhawan said. At least he didn’t say “guardedly optimistic.” Unemployment in Atlanta has shrunk from a 2011 high of 9.8 percent to a forecast 6.6 percent in 2014 and falling to 5.4 percent by 2016. Atlanta should see 46,800 new jobs this year; 10,800 of them (23.3 percent) should be classified as premium jobs ($60,000-plus annually). This comes despite Georgia showing a jobs deficit of 9,000 that did include the state’s “Snowpocalypse.” The state rebounded with 15,000 new jobs in March. By the end of 2016, Dhawan says 175,900 of those jobs will
✁
By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com
Georgia Jobs Growth Outlook Georgia Year
Employment
Premium
% of Total
Employment
Premium
% of Total
2014 2015 2016 TOTAL
65,000 89,200 100,100 254,000
14,800 18,400 20,700 53,900
22.7% 20.6% 20.7% 21.2%
46,800 61,300 67,800 175,900
10,800 14,300 15,800 40,900
23.1% 23.3% 23.3% 23.2%
be in metro Atlanta. Furthermore, 40,900 of the premium jobs generated by the upsurge in the economy (76 percent of the total) will land in the metro area as well. Many of these premium jobs will land in Atlanta’s northern arc of Cobb, North Fulton, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties. Georgia showed total taxes and revenue for March to be $1.32 billion. That is a 12.3 percent rise from March of last year. Overall, Georgia has had 15 straight quarters of positive growth. Housing in the core county cluster of Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett garnered a total of 4,432 housing per-
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return to positive growth in 2015 (0.9 percent) with single-family permits up 7 percent. The Cherokee-ForsythPickens clusDhawan ter issued 946 permits in the first quarter, up almost 10 percent from last year. Practically all of those issued are single-family permits. Forsyth is the unquestioned leader in that growth as it remains one of the stars of the recovery. That is tempered by Forsyth’s foreclosure rate rising to one out of every 1,892.
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mits, up 20 percent from first quarter a year ago. Multifamily permits were 2,734, up 38.4 percent from last year at this time. Fulton led the cluster with 2,435 permits in the first quarter, a whopping increase of 140.6 percent over first quarter 2013. Multifamily is the main driver of permits, accounting for 1,899 of the permits. Foreclosures also dropped dramatically in the first quarter with Fulton one out of every 1,225 homes; Gwinnett 1/1,019; Cobb 1/1,447; and DeKalb 1/881. In this core cluster, total permits should drop 3.9 percent, Dhawan said. But they should
ATLANTA – While home prices grew in double digits, Wall Street is apparently running on all cylinders and new-vehicle sales are at the 16 million mark, Georgia State University Economic Forecasting Center Director Rajeev Dhawan said the national economy is not the same as the Fabulous ’90s. “It’s like your child who graduated college has now moved out of the basement. It feels really good, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be back,” Dhawan said. The big difference between now and the glory days of the 1990s are the low interest rates and a disinflationary environment, Dhawan said. The Federal Reserve is assuring markets that its bond-buying days are ending, but interest rates won’t necessarily rise. New Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen is keeping mum on when that may happen,
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 7
CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX DECREASE The Mayor and Council of the City of Alpharetta has tentatively adopted a debt (“Bond”) millage rate which will require a decrease in property taxes for the Debt Service Fund by -8.33 percent. Please see Notice of Property Tax Increase for the M&O millage rate. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax decrease to be held at the City of Alpharetta, Council Chambers, City Hall, 2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, on the following dates and times: June 9, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. June 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. This tentative decrease will result in a Bond millage rate of 0.800 mills, a decrease of -0.073 mills. Without this tentative tax decrease, the Bond millage rate will be no more than 0.873 mills. The proposed tax decrease for a home with a fair market value of $300,000 is approximately -$8.35 and the proposed tax decrease for non-homesteaded property with a fair market value of $925,000 is approximately -$27.01. Explanation: The City has not received the 2014 tax digest from Fulton County and, as such, must assume growth in the tax digest to conservatively comply with this statutory notice. The budget currently being considered by the Alpharetta City Council would leave the millage rate at its current 5.750 mills level through the 2015 fiscal year. The City has maintained that rate since 2009 while providing additional tax relief to citizens by increasing Alpharetta’s homestead exemption to $40,000; the highest such exemption in Georgia. While Alpharetta’s overall millage rate would remain flat under the proposal, there would be some changes to the individual components as follows: Millage Rate
Current
Proposed
Change
M&O
4.870
4.950
0.080
Bond
0.880
0.800
-0.080
Total
5.750
5.750
0.000
The City is shifting 0.08 mills from the Bond millage rate to the M&O millage rate to provide additional funding for capital investment in our infrastructure. Robert J. Regus City Administrator
David Belle Isle Mayor
CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The Mayor and Council of the City of Alpharetta has tentatively adopted an operating (“M&O”) millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes for the General Fund by 2.59 percent. Please see Notice of Property Tax Decrease for the Bond millage rate. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the City of Alpharetta, Council Chambers, City Hall, 2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, on the following dates and times: June 9, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. June 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. This tentative increase will result in an M&O millage rate of 4.950 mills, an increase of 0.125 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the M&O millage rate will be no more than 4.825 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $300,000 is approximately $9.59 and the proposed tax increase for non-homesteaded property with a fair market value of $925,000 is approximately $46.25. Explanation: The City has not received the 2014 tax digest from Fulton County and, as such, must assume growth in the tax digest to conservatively comply with this statutory notice. The budget currently being considered by the Alpharetta City Council would leave the millage rate at its current 5.750 mills level through the 2015 fiscal year. The City has maintained that rate since 2009 while providing additional tax relief to citizens by increasing Alpharetta’s homestead exemption to $40,000; the highest such exemption in Georgia. While Alpharetta’s overall millage rate would remain flat under the proposal, there would be some changes to the individual components as follows: Millage Rate
Current
Proposed
Change
M&O
4.870
4.950
0.080
Bond
0.880
0.800
-0.080
Total
5.750
5.750
0.000
The City is shifting 0.08 mills from the Bond millage rate to the M&O millage rate to provide additional funding for capital investment in our infrastructure. Robert J. Regus City Administrator
David Belle Isle Mayor
8 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
schools
Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com
Fulton Science HS, Sunshine ES seek state charter Schools would operate independent of Fulton Schools By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@northfulton.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. – With
local charter agreements set to expire in a year, the Fulton Science Academy High School (FSA HS) and the Fulton Sun-
shine Academy Elementary School (FSA ES) are seeking to become state charter schools beginning with the 2015-16
City of Johns Creek Notice of Property Tax Hearings (Millage Rate) The City of Johns Creek announces it is currently in the process of establishing its 2014 millage rate. The City, incorporated in December 1, 2006 has published their Five-Year History of its Tax Digest, Property Revenues and Millage Rate as required. Before the City of Johns Creek sets the final millage rate for 2014, Georgia law requires a public hearing(s) to be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on this tax increase. All concerned citizens are invited to attend and participate in the Public Hearings which will be held in the Council Chambers at Johns Creek City Hall which is located at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 at the following dates and times: »First Public Hearing
Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11:30am
»Second Public Hearing
Monday, June 16, 2014 at 6:00pm
»Third Public Hearing
Monday, July 14, 2014 at 7:00pm
Action to adopt the final millage rate for 2014 is scheduled to take place at the Council Meeting on July 14, 2014 which begins at 7:00pm or as close thereafter as possible after the final Public Hearing.
PRESS RELEASE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX HEARINGS The City of Johns Creek announces it is currently in the process of establishing its 2014 millage rate. The City, incorporated in December 1, 2006 now has a published their Five-Year History of its Tax Digest, Property Revenues and Millage Rate. Each year, the Board of Tax Assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the County. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the County indicate there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by law to re-determine the value of such property and adjust the assessment. This is called a reassessment. Before the City of Johns Creek sets the final millage rate for 2014, Georgia law requires public hearings to be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on this tax increase. All concerned citizens are invited to attend and participate in the public hearings which will be held at Johns Creek City Hall, Council Chambers located at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 at the following dates and times: • First Public Hearing • Second Public Hearing • Third Public Hearing
Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11:30am Monday, June 16, 2014 at 6:00pm Monday, July 14, 2014 at 7:00pm
Action to adopt the final millage rate for 2014 is scheduled to take place at the Council Meeting on Monday, July 14, 2014 which begins at 7:00pm or as close thereafter as possible following the public hearing.
school year. Petitions for both schools were submitted by their separate governing boards to the State Charter School Commission on May 15. The commission is scheduled to make its decision on Sept. 24. If approved, the schools would become state charter schools beginning July 1, 2015. “We believe a state charter gives us the best opportunity to meet our mission of providing a science, math and technology-focused education to students who thrive in the smaller, more personalized environment,” said FSA HS Governing Board Chairwoman Maria Beug-Deeb. The charter agreement between the Fulton County School System (FCSS) and both schools is up for renewal on June 30, 2015. It is not surprising FSA HS chose to seek state status given its tenuous relationship with the FCSS over the past few years. In 2012, the district sought an early termination of the school’s charter in June 2013. This action was not approved by the State Board of Education, allowing the school to finish out the remaining two years in its charter. Over the past year, FSA HS has weighed its options, and had considered applying to become a state charter school for the upcoming school year. The school was also working to rebuild its relationship with the FCSS to possibly remain a local charter school. The high school has struggled with enrollment since opening in 2006, but appears to be on an uptick. A spokesperson for the school said they expect to register 320 students for the 2014-15 school year, compared to 178 this past year. At the FSA ES in Roswell, the elementary school has become one of the higher performing schools in the system. This year, the school has approximately 570 students in grades kindergarten through fifth. School officials said a state charter will allow FSA ES to function as an independent school district, responsible for managing all of its own operations including some currently handled by FCSS. “A state charter gives us greater autonomy to operate our school,” Governing Board President Dr. Metin
We believe a state charter gives us the best opportunity to meet our mission of providing a science, math and technologyfocused education to students who thrive in the smaller, more personalized environment.” Maria Beug-Deeb FSA HS Governing Board Chairwoman
Oguzmert said. “We are looking forward to continuing to give our students the same quality education they have come to expect from Fulton Sunshine Academy.” State charter status would sever accountability to the FCSS, and place the schools under the guidance of the State Charter Commission, an independent body of appointed officials created three years ago by the voters. The academic requirements, however, for the schools could actually increase under a state charter. Last year, mandates were put into place requiring charter students to perform academically as well or better than students in similar schools across the state. A “similar” school is one whose student populations are alike in terms of demographics, poverty and other indicators. While the mandate does not apply to the state charter schools yet, a spokesperson said a “value added” formula will likely apply. Funding, however, could go down as state charters do not receive the supplement from local tax revenues local schools receive, relying only on state funding. In Fulton County, nearly 40 percent of the school system budget is derived from local tax revenue.
news
Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 9
Council wrangles over fed dollars for needy CDBG action plan gets blow-back from conservatives By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – In normal times, the annual approval of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Citizen Plan is routinely passed by the Johns Creek City Council as the last step after public hearings. This time, it was anything but routine, as council split over whether to return the $270,117 in federal money or use it for projects benefitting the handicapped, the elderly and families in financial or medical emergencies. Councilmembers argued over accepting the money or returning it as an example to Congress that it must curb spending. The argument was whether accepting the money was contrary to true conservative values. Council finally did vote 3-2 in favor of keeping the money with Councilmembers Kathy Stewart and Lenny Zaprowski opposed. The Johns Creek CDBG Action Plan provides a basis and strategy for the use of federal funds granted to the city by the U.S. Department of Housing
Zaprowski
raffensperger
and Urban Development (HUD) under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The city’s plan focused on an analysis of impediments to Fair Housing Choice; ADA components in Shakerag Park; programs relating to limited clientele, such as assisting the visually and physically impaired in local libraries; individuals with special needs; services for the senior population; and entitlement grant administration. The lion’s share of the CDBG funds, $230,117, is earmarked for ADA improvements for Shakerag Park. The remaining $40,000 is to be distributed among North Fulton Community Charities, Senior Services North Fulton and the Drake House. North Fulton Commu-
nity Charities provides food, clothing and other assistance to people in need or in crisis. NFCC makes emergency payments for rent, power and other necessities to keep families in their homes during a crisis. NFCC has a mobile unit that serves Johns Creek exclusively and makes “house calls” to families who do not have the transportation to come to its office. Senior Services North Fulton provides senior activities for active clients and oversees the Meals on Wheels program for the elderly who are housebound. They pay for meals on a sliding scale according to their financial ability. Senior Services Director Carrie Bulware told council that for Johns Creek housebound Meals on Wheels clients, the daily visits from the volunteers who drive the meal routes are the only human contact they will have that day. Stephanie Andres was one who spoke against the funding on conservative grounds. “You have to take the emotion out of the equation. I oppose the aid to the Drake House, Senior Services North
CDBG grant money allocations • ADA improvements in parks for seniors and individuals with disabilities $230,117 • Senior programming and services program administration $9,000 • North Fulton Community Charities $28,000 • The Drake House $3,000 • Total $270,117
If the government is out of control, it is D.C. on the Potomac, not Johns Creek on the Chattahoochee. We take millions [in federal money] every year for transportation. Who says no to that? Don’t tell me we won’t take money for roads and not people.” BRAD RAFFENSPERGER Johns Creek Councilman
Fulton and North Fulton Community Charities. There are numerous government aid agencies already funded by taxpayers to do this job,” Andres said. “We have $40 million for roads needed. The council should stand up and say no. I can’t donate [to charity] be-
cause people who don’t work [get] the money.” That resonated with Zaprowski who said he had “a problem” with accepting the federal dollars to help those people when other agencies exist and are funded to do those
See MONEY, Page 33
JOHNS CREEK 2014 TAX DIGEST AND LEVY NOTICE The City of Johns Creek, Georgia City Council does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the City Hall building located at 12000 Findley Rd., Suite 300 on July 14, 2014 at 7:00 PM and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Sectin 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the 2014 tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy. CURRENT 2014 TAX DIGEST AND HISTORY OF LEVY*
Description Real & Personal
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
4,161,164,131
4,036,193,971
3,864,776,391
3,769,383,987
3,678,210,672
3,859,080,901
Motor Vehicles
267,843,670
234,501,440
233,172,030
246,471,400
276,044,730
238,200,610
Mobile Homes
0
0
0
0
0
0
Timber - 100%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Heavy Duty Equipment
0
0
0
0
0
0
4,429,007,807
4,270,695,411
4,097,948,421
4,016,310,387
3,954,255,402
4,097,281,511
388,557,248
401,513,668
394,616,032
390,804,326
390,281,164
405,743,744
4,040,450,553
3,869,181,743
3,703,332,389
3,625,506,061
3,563,974,238
3,691,537,767
Gross M & O Millage Rate
8.711
8.205
8.752
8.756
9.279
9.022
Less Millage Rate Rollbacks
4.097
3.591
4.138
4.142
4.665
4.408
Net M & O Millage Rate
4.614
4.614
4.614
4.614
4.614
4.614
18,642,639
17,852,405
17,087,176
16,728,085
16,444,177
17,032,755
(128,022)
(790,234)
(765,229)
(359,091)
(283,908)
588,578
-0.68%
-4.24%
-4.29%
-2.10%
-1.70%
3.59%
Gross Digest Less M & O Exemptions Net M & O Digest
Net Taxes Levied Net Taxes $ Increase Net Taxes % Increase
10 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
news
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Drug ring busted, locals arrested 17 members of Mexico-based ring indicted ATLANTA – Charges were brought against 17 alleged members of a Mexico-based drug ring May 28, including two Alpharetta and Cumming residents. The federal charges include conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“This investigation unmasked a massive smuggling conspiracy involving staggering amounts of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine brought into Atlanta from the southwest border, and a significant amount of bulk cash destined for Mexico,” said Special Agent in Charge Brock D. Nicholson, head of Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta. According to officials, the group conspired to bring large amounts of drugs into Atlanta from Mexico. They used passenger buses, owned by one of those charged, to transport the
This investigation unmasked a massive smuggling conspiracy involving staggering amounts of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine...” Brock D. Nicholson Head of Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta
drugs from Mexico, across the border into the United States
and directly to the Atlanta area. After unloading the narcotics-laden buses in local warehouses, the men would allegedly distribute the drugs in the Atlanta area, as well as in Florida. When investigators arrested the men, they seized hundreds of pounds of methamphet-
What did investigators find? • 644 pounds of methamphetamine • 37 kilograms of heroin • 27 kilograms of cocaine • $680,000 in drug proceeds amine, heroin and cocaine along with thousands of dollars in cash. Locally, 11 pounds of methamphetamine were seized on Jan. 3, from an apartment on Jameson Pass in Alpharetta, which was used by the organization as a methamphetamine laboratory. Law enforcement had discovered the lab after an explosion at the apartment. Twelve suspects have been arrested, including Blanca Hernandez, 41, of Alpharetta. Another five suspects are on the run, including Reynaldo Maldonado-Guipes, 56, of Cumming.
The Johns Creek amphitheater will have its first concert Saturday, June 28, featuring the Johns Creek Symphony.
Nutrition Problems Affect 1 in 2 Seniors • 30% skip at least one meal per day • 12% suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency • 16% consume fewer than 1,000 calories a day • 30% do not get recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables That’s why Benton House is proud to work with family caregivers by offering tips on how to better meet nutrition needs at home. Please call today if we can be of service to you and your family.
(770) 754-5446 5050 Kimball Bridge Rd • Johns Creek
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JC announces concert series 3 concerts planned for inaugural season at amphitheater JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Newtown Park Amphitheater opens in Johns Creek’s Newtown Park on Saturday, June 28 with an official ribbon cutting at 7:15 p.m., and a free concert by the Johns Creek Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Johns Creek Foundation, the opening night concert will feature classical and patriotic selections. It is the first of three in the city’s Summer Concert Series. The popular Jimmy Buffet tribute band, A1A, appears July 19, and rising country stars the Shane O’Dazier Band will play Aug. 23. Each concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Nestled in a corner of Newtown Park, the new amphitheater is constructed of laminated pine and seats up to 440 people under the wooden
structure, with hundreds more in tiered seating in the open air. “The amphitheater is a tremendous addition to the growing cultural offerings in our city, and I am particularly thrilled that we have been able to engage our own Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra for the opening concert,” said Mayor Mike Bodker. “We are all looking forward to joining the community at the grand opening and continuing the celebration throughout the summer music series.” Newtown Park Amphitheater is in Newtown Park at 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. For more information on the amphitheater and the Summer Concert Series, visitwww.JohnsCreekGA. gov/amphitheater.
Arts & Entertainment
Charlie Holloway/www.psychedelicplayground.com
Tommy Shaw of Styx, joined Foreigner and Don Felder of the Eagles May 24 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park. For more photos, go online at northfulton.com.
Juke box heroes rock Verizon Foreigner, Styx come south By JEFF STARSHIP news@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – On his 1980 “Hawks and Doves” album, Neil Young sang, “Live music is better. Bumper stickers should be issued.” And so it was Saturday night, May 24, at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta. For four straight hours, former Eagles band member Don Felder, Foreigner and Styx rocked the excitable crowd on a clear, breezy and beautiful night. Felder’s set included the classics, “Those Shoes,” “Seven Bridges Row” (which he said the Eagles sang as a backstage warm-up song) and a version of “Hotel California” in which he was joined by a doublenecked guitar and Styx lead man Tommy Shaw. Good old songs coupled with good old friends made for a memorable rendition on that dark desert highway. When the roadies took the stage to prepare for Foreigner, the seats were far from empty. The Brits soon blasted on the stage with an absolutely terrific set of music. Accompanied by strobe lights, fog and a laser show that continued to surprise, they sounded as good as ever. From their first album (one that I had on eight track and listened to in my Chevy Vega), Mick Jones offered “Starrider” in tribute to the band’s original bass player Rick Wills. During one song, Foreigner’s lead singer took a
jaunt through the audience but never down-shifted when back on stage through a set that featured “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Urgent,” “Jukebox Hero,” “I’ve Been Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “I Want to Know What Love is” which featured a Gainesville high school chorus. Styx lit up the crowd for the final set that brought Alabama native Shaw back home to the South. From “Blue Collar Man,” “The Grand Illusion” and “Lady,” they covered some classics and introduced to many the title track from their first album, “Crystal Ball.” Shaw first reluctantly played it for his friends in a bowling alley, but thankfully gave it a shot. Indeed, there is a superstar in all of us, as they also sang. Their video and light show was, as last year, a lot of fun to see. An encore of “Renegade” topped off a great night for three generations of fans. I leaned forward at one point during the Foreigner set and said to the 10-year-old sitting in front of me, “your mother remembers the words to this one.” His mom turned around and answered for her son, “He knows the words to all of these songs.” And so he did. My boys did, too. Lead singers drenched in sweat from leaps and jumps, ripping lead guitars, spinning keyboards and drums to drive the whole machine, lights and video that made it all bigger than life, along with a crowd mostly on its feet singing lead vocals all contributed to the cultural kick-off to summer. What a night. Live music is indeed better; contact me for a bumper sticker. It’s urgent.
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 11
community
12 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com
June technology course schedule for seniors announced ALPHARETTA, Ga. — BlueHair Technology Group announced their June lineup of technology courses for seniors. The workshops will be offered in three locations across North Fulton, including the Johns Creek Senior Center, the Alpharetta Senior Center and the Alpharetta offices of NCR. Classes will offer hands-on instruction of the latest technology and tools to help adult seniors better communicate and connect with their family and friends. Seminar prices range from $20 to $90. The course offerings for June include: Johns Creek Senior Center (3150 Old Alabama Road) Windows 7 Tips/Tricks (four-week sessions)
Classes beginning June 10 and 17 Classes beginning June 10 and 17 Facebook Basics (four-week sessions) Classes beginning June 10 and 17 Classes beginning June 10 and 17 Alpharetta Senior Center (13450 Cogburn Road) Apple iPad and iPhone Basics (six-week sessions) Classes beginning June 19 and 26 Apple iPad and iPhone Tips/Tricks (two-hour session) June 19 Alpharetta NCR Offices (3925 Brookside Parkway in Alpharetta) Apple iPad and iPhone Tips/Tricks (two-hour session)
June 19 BlueHair Technology Group’s courses are specifically designed to address the unique challenges that adult seniors have with technology. The classes are constructed to be fun, comfortable and convenient for seniors. Courses are taught by seasoned technology instructors who are assisted by volunteers from the local community. The program’s goals are to empower older adults with the knowledge and skills they need to increase their independence, social interaction, confidence and connection to society. For more information, visit www.bluehairtech.org.
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Pet Adoptions • Food • Shopping Demonstrations • Raffles • and Much More Visit us on Facebook for more details Event and parking are FREE. Just bring a bag of pet food to donate. This 14 year event has really grown so don’t miss out. There’s something for everyone!
Recycled paper | Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 13
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14 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com
Notre Dame Academy breaks ground on expansion 21-acre expansion to hold new high school DULUTH, Ga. – Notre Dame Academy (NDA) hosted its groundbreaking ceremony May 19 to celebrate its high school expansion. The ceremony took place outside at NDA’s Elementary and Middle School Campus located on River Green Parkway off Peachtree Industrial in Duluth. More than 450 people attended the ceremony including past and present families, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community including Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris. Notre Dame Academy Head of School Debra Orr presented the inaugural naming opportunities for the new school, including the future gymnasium and 12-classroom building. The Rev. David Musso, chaplain of campus ministry at Marist School, blessed the trough of dirt brought over from the new 21 acres. Adding the 21 acres of land adjacent to the existing elementary and middle school campus, Notre Dame Academy will expand its current footprint to include grades 9-12. The launch of the high
Head of School Debra Orr, Mayor Nancy Harris, Kelly George (wife of Joe George, chairman of NDA’s Board of Trustees), Senior Vice President/Atlantic Capital Bank Maura McKenna, the Rev. David Musso and members of the Charles Black Construction Co. participate in shoveling the first ceremonial dirt. school will see the inaugural freshman class starting in the fall of 2015. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with the first phase of the expansion to include a 12-classroom building and
1sale DAY
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a multi-purpose gymnasium and fine arts building that will serve students in pre-K3 through 12th grade. Future phases include an additional 22-classroom building and full athletic facilities.
up to
laureate Organization for the Primary Years Programme, the school is at 4635 River Green Parkway in Duluth. Families interested in Notre Dame Academy may find more information at www.ndacademy.org.
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community
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 15
Fulton breaks ground on library in Milton Opens next year By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@northfulton.com MILTON, Ga. – With the turn of a shovel, construction on Milton’s new library officially began May 29. The brand new, 25,000-square-foot library sits just a block from downtown Crabapple on a property formerly known as the Dinsmore Farm, at 855 Mayfield Road in Milton. “This has been a long time coming, and I’m pleased it is finally here,” said Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann. The library will have a “rustic” appearance, according to designs, similar to a barn or farm house. Much of the design is taken up by public meeting space, as well as computer terminals and stacks, reflecting the changing nature of libraries. The new 25,000-squarefoot library for Milton is part of the Library Building Program underway that has eight new libraries created, and others renovated. This is possible due to the $275 million library bond referendum in 2008.
“This area has never had a formal public library before,” said Library Board Chairwoman Stephanie Moody. “This is a significant milestone.” Stevens and Wilkinson, in association with 720 Design, is contracted with Fulton County to provide design and engineering services for the new library. Turner Construction Company is contracted to provide construction management services on this project. Heery/Russell is the program management team. Green building design and sustainability are priorities for these library building projects, and the Fulton Library System expects to achieve LEED Silver certification on all of the projects Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood said he was looking forward to the new library. “I’m excited. This building is blocks away from downtown and our new city center,” Lockwood said. Milton is to build a City Hall in downtown Crabapple. “Libraries are a
JONATHAN COPSEY/Staff
The Milton Public Library held its groundbreaking May 29. The library is expected to open in a year. great place for the community to gather. It’s more than bricks
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16 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
sports
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’Hooch awards special honors for multiple sport athletes JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – New this year, Chattahoochee High School is honoring athletes who have earned at least four or more varsity letters in multiple sports including the award for Chattahoochee’s Ultimate Letterman. By lettering in a variety of sports for multiple years, CHS Athletic Director Milo Mathis said athletes have shown “an unselfish willingness for participation and a pride in and dedication to Chattahoochee High School.” Excelling in multiple sports has a lasting impact on the school and teams, he said, and the new awards recognize athletes for their “dedication and perseverance that has gone well beyond the normal standards for athletic lettering qualification.” Three awards were created this year: Premier Letterman Award for athletes with four or more letters in multiple sports; Elite Letterman Award for athletes with six or more letters in multiple sports; and the Ultimate Letterman Award for athletes with 10 or more letters in multiple sports. While 27 students were recognized in the first two categories, Claire Craddock was the only ’Hooch student to win the Ultimate Letterman Award. Craddock earned a total of 12 letters – four
each in cross country, swim and track. The other athletes honored include 14 Premier Letterman Award winners: • Carrie Arnson, four swimming and one cross country • Alexis Bush, two cheer, one gymnastics and one basketball cheer • Erica Cook, two basketball cheer and two lacrosse • Akilah Guzman, two track and two basketball • Nora Hansen, four swimming and one cross country • Jordan Hillman, two football and three lacrosse • Sean Hoffman, one football and three wrestling • Savannah Howard, three cross country and one track • Caroline Jones, two football trainer, two basketball cheer and one soccer trainer • Aysia Key, two track and two basketball • Michaela Mason, two track and two basketball manager • Adrian Salazar, three tennis and two wrestling • Charity Starkes, two cross country, one track and two basketball • Mickey Tomlinson, two football and three lacrosse
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Local students win appointments to U.S. military academies ATLANTA – U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., announced that six North Fulton high school seniors whom he had nominated to the United States military academies have received appointments to the
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prestigious schools. “Each year, I have the honor of nominating outstanding young Georgians to attend our country’s fine military academies,” said Isakson. “Our appointees will make us proud as they always have.” Members of Congress are tasked with nominating students to attend the nation’s military academies annually. Those nominees who are accepted into the academies are awarded full four-year scholarships that include tuition, books, board, medical and dental care.
Isakson held a congratulatory reception June 1 for nominees and their families. The Isakson nominees who have been accepted by the academies (listed with their hometowns) are: U.S. Air Force Academy Micah Hayden – Roswell Christana Wagner – Alpharetta U.S. Military Academy Seong Kim – Alpharetta Roshini Jagadam – Alpharetta William Whitaker – Roswell U.S. Naval Academy Emily Ranzau – Alpharetta
CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Notice is hereby given that public hearings shall be held before the Mayor and Council of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia on June 9, 2014 at 6:30 p.m., and June 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. regarding the adoption of the budget for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015) and to set the millage rate. The public hearings will take place at City Hall, 2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, in City Council chambers. The proposed budget is available on the City’s website, www.alpharetta.ga.us, as well as in the Department of Finance (2970 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta) and at City Hall (2 South Main Street) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Thursday) and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Friday). These public hearings are in accordance with O.C.G.A. 36-81-5. All citizens of Alpharetta are invited to attend and comment will be heard. Robert J. Regus City Administrator
David Belle Isle Mayor
17 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
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Alpharetta makes pitch as technology capital With 900 area tech companies it’s time to get organized By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – When Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle took office, one of his first goals was to make Alpharetta the Technology Capital of the Southeast. It may already be the case. With the establishment of the Greater Alpharetta Technology Network (GATN), the seeds have been sown to not only brand Alpharetta as a technology capital, but to build on the synergy of these companies to strengthen their own self-awareness and attract more tech businesses to the greater Alpharetta area. Karen Cashion is founder and president of GATN, a fully chartered 501(c) trade association. Cashion also happens to be a corporate and technology law partner at the Alpharetta law firm of Hipes & Belle Isle (the mayor’s law firm), so she has a kindred spirit in getting GATN off to a flying start. She is also former assistant general counsel for EarthLink, Inc. She says there are 600 tech companies within Alpharetta’s corporate limits and another 300 more in outlying areas of North Fulton and South Forsyth, yet hardly anyone knows that.
“It’s staggering that until now they had no local association to serve them and to foster a community of collaboration and connection,” Cashion said. “GATN’s mission is to promote and engage our local tech community through thought leadership, educational and networking events.” Cashion launched GATN with a kickoff dinner May 8 featuring Atlanta Tech Village founder and serial tech entrepreneur David Cummings spoke about creating a community of innovation. More than 150 were in attendance. Belle Isle sees GATN as another tool in bringing the technology community together. He has already formed a Technology Commission to advise the city in growing the tech community within its borders. Gwinnett Tech is building a North Fulton campus in Alpharetta to furnish a trained workforce and the city is in negotiations with Avalon to bring a 4-star hotel/convention center that will host trade shows and showcase area tech companies. “The tech companies we have here already are all over the map in size and scope,” Belle Isle said. “Thirty-five percent of the Technology Association of Georgia’s membership is right here. But to lead
GATN Mission Statement The purpose of the Greater Alpharetta Tech Network (GATN) is to engage and strengthen the Greater Alpharetta technology community by serving the interests of technology companies and professionals in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs and South Forsyth County, through thought leadership, educational, and networking events. in entrepreneurial start-ups, the technology community has to have a place to come together and connect – to feel like they are a part of something. But we have to recognize that Alpharetta is the economic engine of North Fulton.” “All of Atlanta has 300 technology companies. Austin, Texas, has 600 technology companies, and it is the state capital with a major airport and a university” Belle Isle said. “What we have is a fiberoptic community with a power grid supported by Georgia Power.” Tech companies attract other tech companies and the talent to support them, Belle Isle said.
See TECH, Page 19
HATCHER HURD\Staff
Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and GATN President Karen Cashion share a common goal: to foster sense of community and connection among the more than 900 technology companies in greater Alpharetta.
18 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
BusinessPosts
Submit your business news & photos to businessnews@northfulton.com
Existing homes can offer Are you preparing for the buyers more options If you haven’t already noticed, new home construction is back in full swing in our area. Everywhere you go in Forsyth County and North Fulton, there are trucks carrying lumber and building supplies to new home sites. This activity is only going to increase as we head further into summer. According to information from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), approximately 20 percent of sales year-to-date have been new homes in Forsyth County, 5 percent in North Fulton have been new. The actual number is quite higher due to the fact that pre-sales don’t get entered into the MLS. Either way, the percentage of new home sales will continue to rise as more homes are built. Unfortunately, with all the new home construction many home buyers are priced out of the new home market. The average sales price year-to-date for new construction in Forsyth County is $345,920 and for resale inventory the average is $310,445, a difference of 10 percent, which doesn’t seem that significant. However, only 10 percent of new home sales are under $250,000 compared to 26 percent of the resale inventory.
Robert Strader
Local Realtor Keller Williams Realty
um over an existing home that may offer more square footage, a larger lot, finished basement and mature landscaping for less money.
Have you got a plan to prepare for the worst things that could happen to your business? The answer for most small business owners is yes. Anticipating problems and preparing for challenges is in the DNA of most small business owners. What about preparing for the best? While preparing for the best may sound funny, it’s not. If you are doing an incredible job growing your small business, and you’re not prepared to manage that growth, you may find your-
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...Only 10 percent of new home sales are under $250,000... In North Fulton the difference is far greater. The average sales price for new homes is $659,651 year-to-date compared to $408,398 for existing - a difference of 38 percent. As if you didn’t know, there are no new homes in North Fulton available under $250,000, but 9 percent of existing inventory sales fall into that price range. So, what does all this mean? To the buyer who says to themselves they absolutely want, must have, will only consider new construction; then you know you’ll be buying in a higher than average price range to get what you want. But to the buyer who isn’t sure, you’ll have to ask yourself if having something brand new is worth a premi-
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BusinessPosts
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 19
Massage Heights opens in Johns Creek
John Bemont, president of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, addresses attendees of Massage Heights Johns Creek grand opening.
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Business: Massage Heights Opened: May Owners: Joe Huggins and Bryan Goggans What: International Franchise that started in San Antonio, Texas as a ‘better brand of massage” in an upscale spa setting, but at a fraction of the costs. We specialize in all modalities of massage as well as facials by licensed, professional therapists and provide free aromatherapy with each session. The Johns Creek location is the newest of five in the Atlanta market that in addition to our services has an extensive line of therapeutic, all natural products and features the Dermalogica line of skin care products. Where: 3000 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Call: 678-500-9800 Web: www.MassageHeights. com/JohnsCreek
Tech: Continued from Page 17 “With a supporting cast such as GATN, Gwinnett Tech and perhaps a convention center, we will be getting the word out to the rest of the country,” he said. Recent technology addition FiServ is bringing 2,500 jobs to Windward Parkway and a 30,000-square-foot expansion and structured parking. And in the last 18 months 4,300 high-paying tech jobs have come to North Fulton, the mayor said. “We can expect more acquisitions like that which add to the tax base and the local economy,” he said. Once Alpharetta reaches critical mass, the GATN mission will be even more important, Cashion said. “We will still need to foster a sense of community,” she said. “We want to create opportunities for people to come together, interact together. And that means looking at the greater Alpharetta area. Technology doesn’t have borders.” That means GATN needs partnerships with organizations such as Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and North Fulton Progress Partners.
20 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
BusinessPosts
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Record $6M home sold in Roswell City’s largest real estate sale of year
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ter and Allison Kloster, who represented the seller, worked with the Roswell Home Team agents Laura Hamling, Anne Chamberlin and Tricia Frame, representing the buyer, Front Door Communities to negotiate this sale. The Goulding Place estate is comprised of the elegant main home that features five bedrooms and five and a half baths, 10 foot ceilings, Pine hardwood floors, gardens and out buildings including a two bedroom guest house. The new owners of Goulding Place, Front Door Communities, an Atlanta-based real estate management and development company, plan to include upscale single family homes as well as townhomes that are in keeping with the look of Historic Roswell. The development will start immediately and take two
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Above: The Goulding House. Inset: From left: The Kloster Group Peter Kloster and Allison Kloster, Harry Norman senior vice president and managing broker Jenni Bonura and the Roswell Home Team: Tricia Frame, Laura Hamling and Anne Chamberlin.
St.
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ROSWELL, Ga. — Atlantabased FrontDoor Communities has bought a little over 16-acres in downtown Roswell listed for $6.9 million. Peter and Allision Kloster, of the Kloster Group, along with the Roswell Home Team of Harry Norman’s North Fulton office were the agents involved
in the nearly $6 million sale of the historic estate located 109 Goulding Place off Canton Street on May 22. “As it turns, this is one of the largest sales in the city this year and certainly the largest one for Harry Norman,” Peter Kloster, who along with Allison Kloster sold the property. Peter Kloster said the sale is great for downtown Roswell because it will bring about 40 new affluent housing units to the area. The Roswell location is within walking distance of restaurants and shops. “They will support and patronize the downtown Roswell businesses,” Peter Kloster said. Allison Kloster said the process of taking a historic home through a rezoning process was a major hurdle. The Goulding Place estate, built in 1857 and listed on the Georgia Register of Historic Places, will remain and be incorporated in FrontDoor Communities’ future design plans. In addition, Goulding Place will be extended to connect with Windy Pines Trail to prevent increasing traffic on Canton Street. “One of the criteria that will be required by the community is to preserve the historic home,” Peter Kloster said. “The historic home and about an acre-and-a-half have been carved out of the development and will be incorporated as a central structure to the community.” The Goulding Place will receive some modern amenities such as a garage, but beyond that, the structure will remain a central part of the finished development. Harry Norman was able to connect the buyer and seller, Bill Miller, together with the Kloster Group. Real estate agents Pe-
Alp
By ALDO NAHED aldo@northfulton.com
109 Goulding Pl.
Norcross St.
The $6 million historic estate location is off Canton Street. years to complete. FrontDoor Communities isMaalso Traditions, gnoliadeveloping St. a master planned community in south Forsyth County near Fowler Park.
For more information on Harry Norman, REALTORS, visit www.harrynorman.com. For more information on FrontDoor Communities, visit www. frontdoorcommunities.com.
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calendar
EDITOR’S PICKS
Submit your event online at northfulton.com
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 21
Send
me your event...
Ryan Pieroni
Calendar Editor ryan@northfulton.com Submit your event to northfulton.com or email with photo to calendar@northfulton.com. For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.
LOCAL LIVE MUSIC »
FLYING COLORS BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL
All ages will enjoy live music, exhibits, arts and crafts and more. Kids can wear butterfly costumes and join the daily butterfly parades. Pollinator and host plants will be on sale. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 7 – 8. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. Call 770-992-2055 or visit chattnaturecenter.org.
Please call 678-297-0102 or visit vzwamp.com.
Following the successful release of their latest album, “Life, Love and Hope,” legendary band Boston will embark on a highly anticipated summer tour in June. Always a huge crowd pleaser with their highenergy stage show, out-of-this-world sound and remarkable musicianship and singing, Boston will feature the personnel and music from their highly acclaimed 2012 tour with some exciting additions. 8 p.m. June 14. 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta.
ART »
Cigars and Salsa Anniversary
ROSWELL FINE ARTS ALLIANCE MEMBERS SHOW
The Roswell Fine Art Alliance announces their spring members show, hosted by Jackson Accura and on display for viewing and purchase in the showroom lobby. Through June 7. Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 10900 Alpharetta St., Roswell. Please call 770-650-4000 or visit rfaa.org.
THEATER » ‘TARZAN: THE MUSICAL’
The main-stage musical production of “Tarzan” will be performed at The Cumming Playhouse by MelloDrama Productions. The exciting show, based on the Disney movie, has intense choreography, cirque aerialists, gymnasts and entertaining music. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. June 5 – 22. 101 School St., Cumming. Please call 770781-9178 or visit playhousecumming. com.
‘A PLACE AT THE TABLE’ MOVIE SCREENING
The Atlanta Community Food Bank is hosting a special screening of “A Place at the Table,” a documentary that lets viewers see hunger through the eyes of food pantry staff, a working mom, dedicated teachers, and a young child. “A Place at the Table” examines the complex issue of hunger in the United States. A brief Q and A with Atlanta Community Food Bank staff will follow the screening. 7 – 9:30 p.m. June 5. 7730 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta. Please call 770-992-9663 or visit amctheatres.com.
Over 30 breweries including craft beer, food trucks, vendors, live entertainment for the whole family. Admission to the festival includes unlimited beer samples. 1 – 5 p.m. June 7. 118 Lakeshore Drive, Mountain Park. Call 770-993-4231 or visit mountainparkbeerfestival.com.
BACK TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER RACE AND FESTIVAL
An entertaining evening with Italian flatpicker and acoustic guitarist Beppe Gambetta. Whether your favorite music is bluegrass, classical, folk or traditional Italian music, Beppe has a song for you. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. June 14. 585 South Atlanta St., Roswell. Please call 770-365-7738 or visit ssccs.com.
EVENTS »
SUBMIT YOUR EVENT AT
Downtown Alpharetta will host one big street party with beer, wine, food and live music. 6:30 – 11 p.m. June 7. 35 Milton Ave., Alpharetta. Please call 678-2970102 or visit awesomealpharetta. com.
The 12th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival is returning to Roswell. The race begins at 9 a.m. from Garrard Landing Park, and the free festival kicks off at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park. Enjoy live music and an array of exhibits that include local artisans and farmer’s market vendors. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. June 14. 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. Please call 404-352-9828 or visit chattahoochee.org.
ITALIAN GUITARIST BEPPE GAMBETTA
BOSTON AT VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE
ALPHARETTA BREW MOON SUMMERFEST
CITY OF MOUNTAIN PARK BEER FESTIVAL
Celebrate with Cutters Cigar Emporium at their Havana Nights Cigars and Salsa Anniversary Event. Apperances by DasoFino dance studio and Don Pepin Garcia. Their will be live latin music and special pricing on all My Father Sigars. 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. June 7. 5530 Windward Pkwy., Suite 200 B, Alpharetta. Please call 770-6400550 or visit cutterscigaremporium. com
ROSWELL LAVENDER FESTIVAL
Join the 4th Annual Roswell Lavender Festival on the beautiful grounds of historic Barrington Hall in Roswell to experience all things lavender. Events this year include beer and wine tasting and a textile demonstration. Come check out the arts and crafts, antiques, music, lavender food samples, Zen Zone Yoga and Pilates, demonstrations in the barn and food vendors. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. June 14. 535 Barrington Dr., Roswell. Please call 770-640-3855 or visit southerntrilogy.com.
MOVIES AT NEWTOWN PARK
Movies at Newtown Park includes preshow entertainment like an inflatable moonwalk, face-painting, children’s activities, give-aways, music, food and drinks. Pre-show activities start about two hours before sundown. The movies start at dusk and are shown on a large inflatable screen. Families are encouraged to bring blankets
FORSYTH COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS GARDEN TOURS
The Forsyth County Master Gardeners open their private grounds to the public, showcasing a variety of fantastic gardens. Learn how to plant in the challenging southern garden. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. June 7. Please call 770-887-2418 or visit fcmg.sharepoint.com. and relax as they watch the movie. The movie titles will be announced a week prior to each event. 6 p.m. June 14. 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. Please call 678-512-3200.
RACES AND BENEFITS » FOR THE LOVE OF A HORSE CHARITY GOLF EVENT
As part of its ongoing fundraising efforts, For the Love Of A Horse, Inc. is hosting the 3rd annual golf tournament at the Trophy Club of Atlanta in Alpharetta. All proceeds will benefit For the Love Of A Horse, a Roswell-based nonprofit. The 18-hole golf classic will include a 4-person team scramble format with prizes, gift bags, hole-in-one contests and longest drive contest. An awards reception, live auction and raffle will take place after the tournament. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. June 6. 15135 Hopewell Road, Alpharetta. Please call 404680-0392 or visit fortheloveofahorse. org.
SUMMER WINE AUCTION
enAble of Geor gia, an organization that provides residential, vocational and day employment services to adults with disabilities, will host a Summer Wine Auction. The money raised will help to maintain and expand vital programs for persons with disabilities. 7 – 9 p.m. June 10. 23 Oak St., Roswell. Please call 770-664-4347 or visit enablega.org.
22 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
North Atlanta’s
Submit your news & photos to news@northfulton.com | Recycled paper
Sponsored Section • Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014
News and advertising for new homes, realtors, developers, commercial properties and more.
New Atlanta North Office By BILL RAWLINGS Vice President/Managing Broker North Atlanta Office Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty The North Atlanta market is one of the shining stars in the Atlanta real estate market, so it was only fitting that Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty would establish our North Atlanta office in Sanctuary Park. Our phenomenal school systems, coupled with a thriving business economy, attract many buyers to our area. As a matter of fact, we bring so many buyers that we have a real estate problem in North Atlanta. It’s not the problem we had to deal with through the recession though: Now it’s the shortage of inventory. This inventory shortage, along with increased demand and historically low interest rates, is driving the surge in North Atlanta. In the real estate business, we call anything less than six months of inventory a “Seller’s
Market.” The inventory in Alpharetta has dropped to 2.5 months over the same time last year, which shows the great demand in our market. The median sales price has increased 8.2%, which is reflective of an average price per square foot increase of 13.1% over the same time last year. So if you have ever thought of selling, or know anyone that is thinking of selling, it cannot be stressed enough that now is the time to put your home on the market. As a result of having nearly 10% fewer homes on the market than the same time last year, bidding wars – pitting buyers against other buyers for the same home – have become common. Should you want further information on how the market for your particular home is performing, please reach out to someone on my team. We would be happy to meet with you personally. We look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.
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Fast, easy ways to have a kitchen and bath you love (NAPSI)—Anyone who thinks there’s an app these days for everything but the kitchen sink is wrong. Now, your smartphone, tablet or computer can help you have a new kitchen sink, bathroom vanity, countertop and a whole lot more. With free online tools, it’s easy to design your dream kitchen or bath. You can see all options and decide what you like before you shop or meet with a designer. Apps can also help you find dealers and contractors online. Some apps let you take photos so you can compare your room with others, contrast products and see how new counters, cabinets and sinks will look with each other, before they’re installed. You can even send your ideas to a designer or share them with family. A few apps to consider: • With the Blanco mobile color app, you can coordinate the company’s high-quality kitchen sinks with various countertop surfaces, evaluate the look and add different selections by capturing images using your device’s camera. Favorite combinations can be saved and e-mailed to others. You can even find the nearest dealer with the app’s store locator function. • From color inspiration to installation galleries and practical advice, Silestone’s interactive app helps you design your ideal kitchen or bath space including the company’s quality quartz countertops. You calculate area square footage; browse through an extensive color palette and share it with friends, family or contractors; and then use the app to find a nearby dealer. • Hardware Resources has an online tool for selecting a bath vanity. It works through any device with Internet so you can easily set your room dimensions, pick colors and materials for the walls and floors, and then swipe vanities of different sizes, colors and styles through the room to see what looks best. Then, find a dealer, see prices and dimensions, and share your results socially or via e-mail. In addition, here are three ideas to bear in mind when you design: 1. While a monochrome
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look can be sophisticated and serene, a few pops of color in curtains, cushions, soaps, door and drawer pulls can set it off and point it up. 2. Use the space to show off your good taste. If you collect saltshakers, say, display them in the kitchen. Use the guest bathroom as the place to put your prettiest towels. 3. It’s a bright idea to look to the lighting. There should be task lighting, accent lighting
to highlight a special feature, and general overhead light. You may want a dimmer in the bath for dark mornings and a bright spotlight in the kitchen over the sink or stove. Let the apps aid you to create the kitchen and bath of your dreams, then start enjoying your new rooms. Learn more at www.blancoamerica.com, www.silestoneusa.com and www.vanityvisualizer.com.
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24 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
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When it gets hot — I run I run for a number of reasons. At the top of the list is because it is so much cheaper than therapy and, for me it works better. I run to get away. I run to think. I run to escape. The bigger the monster under the bed, the further I go – a couple miles or lots of a couple miles. I also run to listen to music without distractions. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix (Live at Monterrey Pop Festival), Fleetwood Mac greatest hits, occasionally CSNY, and my beloved CCR -same albums over and over. They never get old. When we lived on Key Biscayne in Miami, my run was in the afternoon along the ocean. Frequently I could go for miles and miles and never encounter a human - just me, the gulls, sand, pelicans and sometimes a horseshoe crab or turtles. If I was very lucky, a dolphin would see me running and follow me, swimming parallel to the shore sort of on the side so he or she could watch me running. That actually happened several times and I suspect that they probably found me as funny and silly as I found them.
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But we entertained each other and would have stopped for a conversation had one of us spoke the language of the other. Actually we probably did have that conversation. Words aren’t always necessary. A friend once told me that her dad (a family practice physician) used tell her that when he couldn’t diagnose someone that he would send them to see a veterinarian. He said that they have to practice medicine without words – so they have a different skill set and a different way of processing information. On weekends, I would run along the black top road on the Key because there would be way too many people at the beach. I always wanted to run down to the big bridge over Biscayne Bay and over it, but never made it. It was really far and usually too hot even for my taste. However, it’s on the bucket list. I haven’t given up. My usual run would take me south on the island and around, where I would inevitably be staring into a blazing and intensive like a magnifying glass late afternoon sun. It gets really hot in Miami in the summer. On the Key it is even hotter — especially when there was no wind. But I was out running
and that was all that counted. I have always said that I would rather run than eat. The run would take me through old Australian Pines, past stands of sea grapes, so thick they were impenetrable and under the shadow of the Cape Florida Lighthouse that was originally built in 1825 and was not decommissioned until 1990. It is stationed in Bill Baggs State Park on the south end of Key Biscayne. I actually was friends with Mr. Baggs’ grandson when I lived in Miami, so my emotional ties to the island are deep in many ways. Near the halfway point of the run, when I would be running along the sea wall around the west side of the island, I could look out on the water at Stiltsville and would almost always be transported somewhere far away. Just seeing those rebel houses way-way out in the middle of Biscayne Bay flooded my I imagination — of the present, the past and the future. Stiltsville today — what’s left — is a cluster of seven severely weathered sun-bleached wooden houses that have been built and rebuilt on pilings. They were originally retreats of the old Miami gentry built in the 1930s. Most were weekend houses, fish camps, although occasionally they had a more colorful past as speakeasies and drinking clubs and gambling dens. Access of course was by boat. Food, fuel, water all had to be transported although I imagine that some must have had cisterns that collected rainwater. A neighbor always arrived by boat and fishing for dinner was the order of the
Stiltsville at a glance When I was doing my homework about Stiltsville I discovered that former Florida Leroy Collins used to frequently visit and, small world, his grandson, Roy Collins is a neighbor of mine at our beach, so the connections somehow continue in unexpected ways. Here is a quote from Wikipedia that was a pleasant surprise for me: “Florida’s Governor LeRoy Collins (1955-1961) was a frequent visitor (to Stiltsville) during the 1950s, a guest of Jimmy Ellenburg at his house in the flats. Ellenburg established his barge near Crawfish Eddie in 1939 and was known as the unofficial mayor of Stiltsville. A handwritten note from the Governor to his host read: “Jimmy Ellenburg, When the time comes when I say so long to this life, I hope the great beyond seems alot [sic] like your cabin in the sea - Roy Collins”[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiltsville day. Diesel generators and candles provided light and I imagine air-conditioning depended on the wind. You fell asleep and woke up listening to the waves pounding against the pilings and mornings always started out warm — then got hotter by the hour with the morning sun bouncing off the water and radiating every inch of the homes with magnified heat. Hurricanes came and went, but most of Stiltsville endured — even after category 5 Andrew that passed directly
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over it with 200-plus miles per hour winds. After Andrew, Bill Bags — a park that had been so heavily forested — was barren. Not a single living plant, brush, or tree survived Andrew. It looked like a desert. Yet, Stiltsville made it. Go figure. The resilience and defiance embodied in these renegade Stiltsville structures and the life they represent to me have always been an inspiration. I went to Florida State University with a Belcher Oil granddaughter whose family owned one of the homes and she always promised to take me out, but we never made it. As close as I came was attending her wedding at Villa Viscaya — a magnificent Italian Renaissance estate home on the water built by John Deering during from 1914-1920s. Running has always grounded me and a big part of that has been simply because it has given me the time to think. I believe that the companion part to that has been having an activity that I was passionate about always in front of me, waiting. It still gives me something to look forward to and enjoy. The run on the Key though was probably the most special of them all because it would take me past that anarchistic Stiltsville, which would beckon to me just like Greek sirens, only I would always listen to their enchantments and be joyously taken in.
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Undead my heart, say you live me again Appen advertising executive Jade Rodgers was recently infected by the dreaded chemical C-894, which turned her into a brainseeking zombie.
Read about her recent adventure during The Walking Dead Escape at Philips Arena below, or read her introduction article by visiting tinyurl.com/okh3zs4. Photos by JONATHAN COPSEY
My fellow zombie Americans, whether you’ve been bitten or not, people across the nation are infected with Zombie Mania. The alarming aspect is, no one seems to mind. For a walker like myself, this is spectacular news. For too long, I’ve pursued citizens through the streets, only to be judged by my rotting appearance; too long, I’ve been feared for my hungry snarls. But now, people are finally beginning to open their minds and accept the loving bite of Zombie Mania. This movement culminated in The Walking Dead Escape, May 31, at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Hundreds of citizens from around metro Atlanta and bordering states came to play at the massive obstacle course that was littered with bodies, blood and walkers. At The Walking Dead Escape, I was herded to makeup alongside my fellow walkers as well as my editor Jonathan Copsey, who quickly became irritated with my attempts to chomp on his fingers. Participants came from all walk[er]s of life and arrived in endless combinations of fashion, from fatigues to formal wedding dress, giving detail and life to their undead characters. Several walkers wore contact lenses to intensify their eyes and give them a post-mortem glare; other zombies donned torn scrubs or street clothes and even exchanged stories of how they became infected. The Walking Dead Escape made good on its promise to engross participants in an apocalyptic world. “People are running, diving and climbing through the obstacle course,” said David Isaacs, co-founder of The Walking Dead Escape. “It’s a full-on immersion experience.” News reel footage rolled in the waiting rooms, showing us all the chaos of society’s
Jade Rodgers Appen Advertising Executive/ Zombie
If I still had a pulse, my heart would have pounded once we were released to wreak havoc upon the survivors. crumbling reaction to the rise of the undead. Excitement was palpable among the walkers as we awaited the arena. If I still had a pulse, my heart would have pounded once we were released to wreak havoc upon the survivors. Women shrieked, men shouted and everyone ran as we gave stumbling, snarling and snapping chase through varying obstacles of the arena. Some survivors were brave enough to video their journeys through our hunger games, though few of them caught my good side. Many had the gall to laugh as I growled and snarled, attempting to tear the flesh from their bones, but only some survivors made it out of the obstacle course “alive.” Alas, my poor editor was disposed of once he arrived at the Decontamination Zone; any survivors touched or “contaminated” by walkers were put down in order to prevent their transformation. As a zombie and a walker, this deeply offends me.
Above: Zombies are around every corner in The Walking Dead Escape. Right: Survivors had to run through Philips Arena, avoiding the undead. Perhaps one day, we will become a country that can accept all forms of life, including the undead. Until then, we have made leaps and bounds
with such a forward thinking event as The Walking Dead Escape, where survivors and walkers can join together in peace for a little bloodshed.
26 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
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Photos by HATCHER HURD/Staff
Merrily McLaughlin holds a jar of “High Fire Pepper Jelly,” one of her own recipes. Like everything at the Famers Market it is unique and tasty.
Market: Continued from Page 1 perfect pairing for us between the bread companies and the organic farmers,” MacGregor said. Merrily McLaughlin loves coming to market with her assortment of jams and jellies. “I like to make all kinds of yummy things,” she said. “Things to eat and snack on.” She also has chutneys, pickles and salsa to tickle the taste buds. They are all made with Vidalia onions or plum sauce. McLaughlin also brings her wares to Woodstock and Piedmont Park’s two-day festival. She has newly potted plants from her nursery. Everything she doesn’t grow herself is grown in Georgia. Carlin and Bartee Lamar love to come to the market to get the fresh, naturally grown vegetables, fruit and cheeses. “I’m a personal chef,” said Carlin Lamar. “So I cook a good deal. It is very important to eat organic.” Bartee Lamar says, “We like local.” You know when you buy it at the market, it didn’t come far.
Hmm … What do I want to be? Carlin also teaches children the value of eating organic. She is at chefcarlin.com. Johns Creek resident Robert Sackellares has started a cottage industry with his grandmother’s special barbecue sauce. “My grandmother and grandfather had the Liberty Café in Fort Valley for 36 years. We started selling it on the Internet and it has really caught on,” Sackellares said. Customers range from Cali-
fornia, Arizona and Washington on the west coast to Michigan, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania in the north. In the South, they get orders from Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, both Carolinas and Maryland. “We have won some contests. People seem to like it a lot,” he said. He has a crockpot with some pulled pork tooth-pick sized for tasting. That is just about all the marketing he and
Just another pretty face. Could you find a lovelier canvas? his daughters have to do. Robin Schick is a certified artisan cheese maker from Sandy Springs who makes her cheeses from fresh milk delivered from the dairy. She owns CalyRoad Creamery where she makes a variety of cheeses to please any palate.
“The milk is then pasteurized, cooled, flavored, cut and aged all in house, and all by hand,” Schick said. It is all there every Saturday morning through the end of August for you savor – the good food and the stories that go with the getting of it.
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northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 27
Robert Sackerllares made a family business out of his grandmother’s delicious barbecue sauce. Hence the name Mama Dora’s.
Alicia of Farmers to Market has fresh Dickey’s Peaches from Musella, Ga.
Just off the vine, these vegetables and fruits are as fresh as it gets.
Tammy Burnell of Burnell Farms in Royston is a USDA certified National Grower.
Tom Wolf provides musical entertainment as shoppers stroll by the vendors.
Fresh breads are always a favorite of market shoppers.
28 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
Fulton GOP launches new party website Party eyes push for 2014 election outreach SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – The Fulton County Republican Party has announced their new and improved website at www.FultonGOP.org. The re-tooled and redesigned site is the lead effort for an aggressive push toward the 2014 election. The new site went live June 3. “Fulton is the epicenter for Keeping Georgia Red,” said Roger Bonds, chairman of the Fulton GOP. “As such, we must use every tool in our arsenal, including a strong web presence, to connect with voters and communicate our strong message of greater opportunity and freedom, less intrusive and more effective government and personal responsibility. “As people grow tired of incompetent county government and failed Obama policies, we’re here to serve voters with an alternative.
Furthermore, re-electing Gov. Deal and winning the open U.S. Senate seat will increasingly Bonds hinge on strong Republican turnout in North Fulton.” The launch will serve as a catalyst for efforts to reach more voters in Fulton, conduct voter registration and operate a robust get-out-thevote effort. The stronger online presence will allow the Fulton GOP to recruit more members and volunteers, gain more contributions and better serve its membership with improved services, Bonds said. The new site will maintain the same address as the previous, www.FultonGOP. com. Event information and registration, voter resources and opportunities to join, contribute and volunteer are available.
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From left are Thomas Dasta, Demetrius Cooper, Heather Wein, Bill Bennett, Misty Schoenthal and Russ Yeager.
Fitness Together trainers celebrate at new location JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Fitness Together of Johns Creek recently held its one-year anniversary at its new location at 11705 Jones Bridge Road (behind and underneath Bonefish Grill). Fitness Together specializes in private one-on-one personal training, small group personal training that they call PACK and nutritional counseling. Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker officiated a Greater North Fulton Chamber of Com-
merce ribbon-cutting ceremony that was also attended by current clients, members of the Johns Creek business community and Fitness Together owner Russ Yeager and staff. Guests were treated to healthy food selections provided by Whole Foods. Fitness Together has been a member of the local business community for more than 10 years, Yeager said. “Because of our consistent growth in our memberships
and our desire to offer new and innovative training programs, we found it necessary to move to a larger location, and it was important to remain in the Johns Creek location for our current clients,” Yeager said. Fitness Together is a franchise with its base of operations in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Visit fitnesstogether.com/ johnscreek for more information. –Aldo Nahed
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(2 week sessions available. Call for details)
• Year round learning eliminates “Summer Learning Loss” • Kindermusik with Christy, Johns Creek Art Center, and Amazing Athletes classes included in tuition • Special presentations from nature and animal experts each week provide organic learning opportunities • Hot, nutritious lunch, organic milk and healthy snacks offered daily
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Georgia Tech ATLANTA – Local students recently earned academic honors for the fall 2013 term at Georgia Tech. Undergraduates with a 4.0 grade point average for the semester received the distinction of Faculty Honors, and students who achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher were named to the university’s Dean’s List. Faculty Honors Alpharetta: Rabeea Ahmad, Brennen Bukovics, Daniel Furman, Michael Gilkenson, Megi Guliashvili, Jerry Lung, Meagan Elizabeth Morrow, Leah Purdy, Holly Richer, Stephen Roegge, Mary Shinners, Mark Solarski, Anirudh Sundararaghavan, Carey Susina and David Zisek. Cumming: Hannah Earle, Casey Hirschmann, Jared Kleinwaechter, Justin Reichling, Alexander Roe, Ryan Simpson, Mackenzie Sloan, Ethan Smith, Max Stockslager, Natasha Vasandani and Graham Wright. Duluth: Michelle Partogi Johns Creek: Sara Billings, Diego Carvallo, Sikha Das, Michael DeLaGuardia, Alan Dong, George Lindy, William Padget, Akash Patil, Seth Radman, Jessica Roberts, Katherine Sledjeski, Priyanga Srinivasan, James Sutehall, Kathleen Sweeney, William Wagenseil, Mitchell Webster and Youmei Zhou. Milton: Kelly Albano, Zachary Bailey, Cambre Kelly, Kathleen Murphy, Andrea Schodorf and Kathleen Zhang. Roswell: Aislinn Ayres, Angela Berry, Katherine Cannella, William Clark, Gerald Demeunynck, Andrew Warren and Sarah Wilson. Suwanee: Emily Benjamin, Benjamin Cho, Alexa Corbit, Ryan Hawks, Kelliann Morrisey and Kyle Scott. Dean’s List Alpharetta: Bayan Ahmad, Martynas Alcala, Parastoo BaradaranMashinchi, Catherine Bullock, Blake Carson, Elizabeth Coco, Matthew Connors, Poonam Dalwadi, Emily Davidson, Elizabeth Deaver, Dylan Garrett, Daryl Halima, Sabrina Haque, Haley Hoang, Katherine Horton, Lauren Jarrett, Seongyu Jung, Shibani Kansara, Katherine Kardomateas, Heather Keefe,
Namrata Kolla, Hans Kreuk, Sean Lachenberg, Brian Lee, Lauren Levinson, Deron Mai, Julian Martin, John Mastrangelo, Nairita Nandy, Aroon Narayanan, Richard Papantonis, Alexander Raabe, Jonathan Radivoj, Allison Rohal, Sanchari Roy, Nicholas Savage, Kaleigh Sawyer, Kirsten Schulz, Anupama Sekar, Dalton Sherwood, Alexander Sierota, Carrie Simpson, Mark Stathos, Christopher Stubel, Tanya Su, Rohan Verma, Patrick Whitney and Ellesse Wilten. Cumming: Kevin Arpin, Andrew Bedenk, James Bonifield, Christopher Chapman, Madison Chilton, George Cooksey, Chloe Cooper, Nathan Echols, Mary Kathryn Elliott, Soheil Faghihi, Anthony Ferrari, Michael Glover, Jayme Holmes, Ashlyn Keller, Jessica Kline, Lily Long, Kayla McGee, Alexis McLeod, Jay Michal, Aida Mokube, James Nelson, Jacob Newman, Taylor Pruitt, David Rojo, Christina Snyder, Benjamin Thomas, Casey Trimble, Alexandra Underwood, Lauren Wilder, Rachel Witt, Sean Wood and Derek Zittrauer. Duluth: Farina Irani, Samir Jain, Sophia Rashid, Sanjay Ravi and Rebecca Yoo. Johns Creek: Harrison Aiken, Nicole Alampi, Sara Allen, Sergio Beresuita, Casey Chae, Clarence Chang, Monique Chang, William Coons, Mitchell Couper, Kurtis Eveleigh, Andrea Fletcher, Nicholas George, Ansley Grantham, Amruta Houde, April Hsieh, Kelly In, Taylor Kelly, John Kenny, Sai Kondabattula, Shannon Kratz, Arush Lal, Tri-An Le, Erinn Manby, Jenna McConnico, Mark Miller, Kevin Muench, Christine Park, Michael Parque, Binita Patel, Taylor Raese, Aino Rainio, Allison Riley, Priyadharshini Sampathkumar, Bharat Sanders, Katherine Schoettler, Monica Shum, Ann Suh, Divya Vedula, Amy Voytek, Todd Zhen and David Zhou. Milton: Natalie Bohdan, Julie Bu, Lauren Caldwell, Quinn Campbell, Amelia Goydich, Carolyn Hanley, Lauren Lewis, Lauren Parisian, Warren Shenk, Kaitlan Stott and Ashley Wright. Roswell: Alec Blenis, Brian Bradley, Jacky Cheng, Ariana Daftarian, Brian Edmonds, Ryan Gant, Alexandra Logan, Kevin Mahmoudi, Evan Mangan, Cassandra Merrigan, Kelly Meyer, Sarthak Mohapatra, Laura Morgan, Anisha Naidu, Sarah Poole, Jordan Senken, Elizabeth Shaw, Teckmon Siaw, Chris-
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 29 topher Sweat and Domingo Uceda. Suwanee: Brandon Anglese, Kirsten Carella, Soham De, Subhendu De, Allison Dell, Brandon Dudgeon, Nicole Garcia, Rahul Iyer, Rohan Iyer, Ryan Kerns, Jimin Kim, Conrad Lawson, Christina Leamon, Alice Lee, Jessie Newman, Kate Overstreet, Shiv Patel, Katie Poynter, Emily Ritter, Carly Smith, Suzanne Solis, Ikenna Uzoije and David Williams.
Berry College ROME, Ga. – The following local students have been named to the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Berry College. To be eligible for Dean’s List, a student must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or better. Alpharetta: Braham Berman, Kyra Clark, Meghan Dooling, Ashley Harzog, Meaghan Hughes, Bekah Ingram, Gretchen Kaufman, Eric Latimer, Lindsay Luckett, Abby Maiwald, Jordan Moore, Kayla Palmer, Marcella Putri, Abbey Smyth, Nick Vernon,
Cari Voutila and Cori Wagner. Cumming: Brynn Barber, Brook Bowers, Alyson Childers, Taylor Flynn, Christian Fulbright, Meagan Hunter, Megan Reed, Mike Robb, Greg Robbins, Kseniya Shakhova, Logan Stone, Matthew Williams and Connor Wright. Duluth: Erica Mendonca, Claire Park, Kit Paryzek, Christie Pierce and Kim Slade. Roswell: Hannah Bentley, Emily Bruder-Mattson, Rhoxie Ellard, Weaver Ellard, Brittany Giles, Josh Halliday, Richie Keezer, Callie McDonough, Jennifer Nall, Sarah Neas, Caroline Schuler, Rachel Smythe, Kellie Soafer and Louis Spivak. Suwanee: Mitchell Blanchard, Lauren Sykora, Carrie McAlear, Austin Marlow, Hannah Ausband, Michaela Gras and Marissa Cioffi. Flagler College ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Joshua Manning of Cumming and Susannah Schloss of Mountain Park were recently
named to the Flagler College President’s List and were honored with other recipients at a special ceremony where Flagler President William T. Abare Jr. congratulated them and challenged them to continue their academic success. President’s List honors are given to those with a 4.0 grade point average.
University of Charleston CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kayla Dozier of Alpharetta was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Charleston. The Dean’s List recognizes full-time students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. The exhibition was part of the Gainesville-based university’s unique academic partnership with the High and included 85 works in digital prints, ceramics, oil and acrylic paintings, stoneware and mixed media. Most of the students whose works were selected primarily study art and design, interior design, mass communication, theater and liberal arts. The competition was open to students from all disciplines.
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK Purchasing Division Boles Road and Bell Road Roundabout Invitation To Bid #14-184 The City of Johns Creek is accepting formal sealed Invitation to Bid (ITB) from qualified construction firms for the above referenced project. Sealed ITB’s will be received no later than 2:00 PM on July, 3 2014 in the City of Johns Creek Purchasing Office, 12000 Findley Rd., Suite 400, Johns Creek, Georgia, 30097 at which time ITB’s will be opened and publicly read aloud. ITB’s received after the above time or in any other location other than the Purchasing Office will not be accepted. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on June 19, 2014 at 10:00AM at the City Hall location Chattahoochee Conference Room. Georgia Department of Transportation Standard Specifications, 2001 Edition, Supplemental Specifications Book, 2008 edition, and applicable Supplemental Specifications and Special Provisions. The DBE goal for this project is: 9%. Bidders submitting a bid $2,000,000 or less must be either a prequalified contractor or a registered subcontractor with GDOT. Bidders submitting bids in excess of $2,000,000 must be prequalified with the GDOT. The City of Johns Creek, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d—42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. ITB packages and plans are available on the City of Johns Creek website (http://www.johnscreekga.gov/services/purchasing). Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Office at (678) 512-3233. ITB’s shall be presented in a sealed opaque envelope with the ITB number and name clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. The name of the company or firm submitting an ITB response should also be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. TWO (2) ORIGINAL HARD COPIES AND ONE (1) COPY ON CD OF THE ITB MUST BE SUBMITTED. All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the ITB information and instructions enclosed herein. Warren Hutmacher City Manager
Mike Bodker Mayor
30 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
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The JCAC team members include Shaan Bhakta, Kevin Brown, Cora Smith, Natalie Milton, Tori Lindelow, Amy Kanchibhatla and Spencer McCray. City of Johns Creek Purchasing Division Traffic Control Center Upgrades PI 0012627 INVITATION TO BID #14-192 The City of Johns Creek is accepting formal sealed Invitation to Bid (ITB) from qualified construction firms for materials, labor and equipment for Traffic Control Center upgrades to include a Video Wall, Video Management System, Computer Workstations, and Furnishings. Sealed ITB’s will be received no later than 10:00 A.M. on July 11, 2014 in the City of Johns Creek Purchasing Office, 12000 Findley Rd., Suite 400, Johns Creek, Georgia, 30097 at which time ITB’s will be opened and publicly read aloud. ITB’s received after the above time or in any other location other than the Purchasing Office will not be accepted. A pre-bid conference will be held at City Hall, Chattahoochee Conference Room at the above address on June 18, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. Georgia Department of Transportation Standard Specifications, 2001 Edition, Supplemental Specifications Book, 2008 edition, and applicable Supplemental Specifications and Special Provisions. The DBE goal for this project is 12%. Bidders submitting a bid $2,000,000 or less must be either a prequalified contractor or a registered subcontractor with GDOT. Bidders submitting bids in excess of $2,000,000 must be prequalified with GDOT. The City of Johns Creek, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d—42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. ITB packages are available on the City of Johns Creek website. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Office at (678) 512-3233. ITB’s shall be presented in a sealed opaque envelope with the ITB number and name clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. The name of the company or firm submitting an ITB response should also be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. THREE (3) ORIGINAL HARD COPIES AND ONE (1) COPY ON CD OF THE ITB MUST BE SUBMITTED. All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the ITB information and instructions enclosed herein. The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek. Warren Hutmacher City Manager
Mike Bodker Mayor
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JC Art Center Odyssey Team crowned world champs JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The high school Odyssey of the Mind team sponsored by the Johns Creek Art Center and made up of North Fulton students won first place May 31 at the World Odyssey of the Mind Competition. The competition at Iowa State University attracted over 800 teams from 16 countries and 38 states. To qualify for World Finals, the JCAC team had to win both regional and state competitions in Georgia. Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and world level. The Odyssey of the Mind competition involves using technical, artistic, and creative problem
solving skills to solve a variety of problems. The JCAC team members include Cora Smith, Natalie Milton, Spencer McCray, Tori Lindelow, Amy Kanchibhatla, Kevin Brown, and Shaan Bhakta. The team chose to solve the “Stackable Structure” problem. In this problem, teams design and build a structure made up of separate components stacked on top of one another. The structure components are made of only balsa wood and glue, and are tested by balancing and supporting weights after they are stacked. The structure is 8 inches tall and weighs only 18grams. The JCAC team held the most weight, 850 pounds, in the high school division. In addition to the structure, they had to create and perform an 8-minute skit integrating the structure and a replica of the earth. Finally, they had to solve a spontaneous problem they had never seen before in less than 6 minutes.
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF JOHNS CREEK Rescheduled Meeting Calendar for July 2014 The Mayor and Council of the City of Johns Creek changed their meeting calendar for July 2014. Both the July 7th and July 22nd 2014 Work Session and Council Meeting have been rescheduled. The July 2014 meetings of the Mayor and Council will be held on Monday, July 14th and Monday, July 28th. Both meetings will begin with a 5:00pm Work Session followed by a 7:00pm Council Meeting. The meetings are held at Johns Creek City Hall, located at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300, Johns Creek, and Georgia 30097. Please contact the City Clerk’s office at 678-512-3212 should you have any questions or need assistance. Joan Jones, City Clerk
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Ammersee Lakes raises funds for Wounded Warriors Merchants donate prizes raffled for veterans By HATCHER HURD hatcher@northfulton.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Many subdivision communities have get-togethers around their pools Memorial Day weekend, but one Johns Creek community makes it a tribute to the nation’s veterans. Ammersee Lakes has for the last four or five years celebrated Memorial Day by making their poolside party a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. Wounded Warrior is a nonprofit agency providing assistance to U.S. military personnel returning home from foreign battlefields and their families. The organization provides outreach education resources
and special activities for warriors and their families. Ammersee Lakes resident Ray Meyer said for the past four years, the Ammersee ROMEO Club (Retired Men Eating Out) has collected gift cards and food baskets from local merchants. At the Memorial Day pool party, around 80 residents would buy tickets and a lucky 30 went home with a prize. The rest have the good feeling that they are helping Americans who laid their lives on the line for their country and their families. “The ROMEO group collects the prizes and organizes the raffle each year. Then we set up everything at the pool and clean up when it’s done. Last year we raised $3,100. This year was the best yet. We raised $5,600 this year for Wounded Warrior,” Meyer said. Wounded Warrior seeks to make each veteran’s re-entry
into civilian life as smooth as possible. This includes making sure they get the care they need to maximize their rehabilitation and live active healthy lives. Wounded Warrior also provides the veterans the opportunity for outings and events that let them receive peer support and professional services to readjust to civilian life. “We have about 25 in the ROMEO group who put it together. And there were about 82 people at the pool to raise all of this money. I think that was outstanding,” Meyer said. “It’s a great way to celebrate Memorial Day because you are really doing something for our veterans.”
Students earn Presidential Fitness Award JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Abbotts Hill Elementary fourth- and fifth-grade students are hon-
ored for earning the Presidential Fitness Award. The students are recognized
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• Honeybaked Ham • Bonefish Grill • 1001 Nights Restaurant • Stevie B’s Pizza • Hurricane Grilll And Wings • Macrobotix • The Pub House • Le Me Kong Restaurant • Palomilla Restaurant • Fine Designs Jewelry • Cheeseburger Bobby’s • The Iron Tribe
32 | June 5, 2014 | Johns Creek Herald | northfulton.com
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Alexandria Leigh Repave: Davidson, 20 Continued from Page 1
Alexandria Leigh Davidson, 20, of Johns Creek, earned her angel wings at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Peachtree Christian Hospice facility in Duluth. Alexandria (Alex) was born June 6, 1993, in Tampa, Florida. She battled Crohn’s disease and complications from Crohn’s disease for the last 10 years. Her strong faith and support of family and friends gave her the strength to fight with great courage until the end. She is survived by her mother and father, Lorri and John Davidson; grandparents, Mary and Billy Mitchell; grandmother, Sharon Isaacs; brother, Allen Davidson and his wife Catherine Davidson; sister, Ashley Still and her husband Lee Still; nephew, Aedan Davidson and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, James Davidson. Services were Sunday, June 1, at First Baptist Church Duluth. Brian Holland officiated. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to “Beautiful Beyond the Pain, the Alexandria Davidson Foundation.” Donations can be made online at www.beautifulbeyondthepain.org or mail to: Beautiful Beyond the Pain, P.O. Box 3824, Suwanee, Ga. 30024.
“With these funds, we will be able to take a small step toward improving our neighborhood streets. In the coming weeks, we will be looking at a long-term paving plan that will include proper maintenance. Improvement of our neighborhood streets will enhance the quality of life for our citizens, support property values and promote economic development.” The City Council discussed the loan at its June 2 work session, and at a subsequent work session this summer will discuss a multi-year repaving plan for the city’s neighborhood streets. In 2012, the city hired Stantec to drive all the streets in Johns Creek to assess their condition. The report concluded the city will need to spend $30 million to reach the ideal goal of bringing all of its streets to a rating of 70 out of 100. The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank is administered by the State Road and Tollway Authority. GTIB provides additional funding to governments for transportation projects that add transportation and economic value to the state.
City of Johns Creek ITB #14-175 NEWTOWN PARKING LOT EXPANSION The City of Johns Creek is accepting formal sealed Invitation to Bid (ITB) from qualified construction firms for Driveway and Parking Expansion at Newtown Park. Sealed ITB’s will be received no later than 2:00 pm on June 24, 2014 in the City of Johns Creek Purchasing Office, 12000 Findley Rd., Suite 400, Johns Creek, Georgia, 30097 at which time ITB’s will be opened and publicly read aloud. ITB’s received after the above time or in any other location other than the Purchasing Office will not be accepted. The City of Johns Creek, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d—42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. ITB packages are available on the City of Johns Creek website. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Office at (678) 512-3233. ITB’s shall be presented in a sealed opaque envelope with the ITB number and name clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. The name of the company or firm submitting an ITB response should also be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. Three (3) ORIGINAL HARD COPIES AND ONE (1) COPY ON CD OF THE ITB MUST BE SUBMITTED. All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the ITB information and instructions enclosed herein. The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek. Warren Hutmacher City Manager
Mike Bodker Mayor
Worst subdivision roads awaiting repaving The lower the PQI number 0-100, the worse the condition of the road. These are streets under 50 PQI. Street
PQI Ranking
Street
PQI Ranking
Fox Road
36
Ivey Ridge
46
Hospital Pkwy
42
Jones Br. Crossing
21
Johns Creek Pkwy
42
Jones Br. Place
49
Medlock Br. Pkwy
20
Jones Br. Plantation
25
Old Medlock Br. Rd.
48
Linkwood
32
Taylor Road
39
Mackinac
43
Technology Circle
39
Mayfair
40
Ventana Way
9
Morton Chase
47
Anaheim Farms
39
North Bridges
7
Aviary Ridge
34
36
Bridgewater
39
Preserve at Johns Cr. Prestwick
Carriage Park
39
Queensbury
34
Chartwell
48
Queensbury East
27
Chessington Chase
23
Reserve at Foxdale
43
Colony Glen
22
River Club
37
Doublegate
31
River Trace
24
Enclave at Farmbrook Enclave on Johns Creek Estates at Wellington Farm Brook
29
Saint Amour
42
47
Saint Clair
36
45
Silver Ridge
44
31
Spr. Meadow Farms
28
Farm Brook Estates
8
Standard View
36
Forrest Lake
46
Surry Park
46
Georgian Ridge
39
46
Glastonberry
47
Villages at Jones Ferry Village at Thornhill
Hartridge
48
Villas of Johns Cr.
19
Hunters Forest
13
Woodlands Hill
41
12
46
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA FOR TENTS, TABLES AND CHAIRS FOR CITY SPECIAL EVENTS BID #14-027 The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for the rental of tents, tables, and chairs for several special events including, but not limited to, delivery, set-up and breakdown of the equipment for the event. The Bid document will be available online Thursday, May 29, 2014, at our website, www.alpharetta.ga.us choose the Bids Online tab. The bid opening will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the City of Alpharetta, Finance Department, 2970 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. For information, please contact Stephanie Cochran at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us.
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Money: Continued from Page 9 jobs. He asked if the council could accept part of the grant but not all of it. He did not say which part or parts he would accept. If the funds were returned, the money would go to Fulton County, which is the conduit for distributing the funds based on county population.
Homes: Continued from Page 6 and rightly so, Dhawan said. He points to the “terrible real GDP growth number of only 0.1 percent in the first quarter of 2014.” The “winter of discontent” with its numerous snowstorms hurt retail sales and vehicle sales as people literally stayed home. So sales have fluctuated wildly, dipping then recovering as weather improved. But that does not satisfy Dhawan in explaining why first quarter exports were down 7.6 percent or why spending on business equipment fall 5.5 percent. Dhawan considers higher business equipment spending to be a precursor of an uptick in the economy. Exports are down also. Dhawan attributes that more to the ill health of our trading partners. Russia has most of Europe on edge over the Ukraine question. Germany is
northfulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | June 5, 2014 | 33
It would then re-allocate the money – presumably elsewhere – next year. Councilman Brad Raffensperger spoke up as a conservative who did support accepting the grant. He pointed out that this is not an entitlement fund, but Johns Creek’s federal dollars returning to the city, which in turn has a wide spectrum of area in which to spend it, albeit under HUD guidelines. “This seems erratic to me.
We are using federal dollars to build a roundabout at Bell Road and Boles Road and leverage the city’s budget to lessen it. We’ll do more here with that money than if we sent it back to the federal government,” Raffensperger said. “If the government is out of control, it is D.C. on the Potomac, not Johns Creek on the Chattahoochee. We take millions [in federal money] every year for transportation. Who
says no to that? Don’t tell me we won’t take money for roads and not people.” Stewart said she acknowledges the role these nonprofits play in the community. “I’m struggling as well. It’s the dependency and entitlement that concerns me. I am a passionate conservative. You don’t rely on others,” she said. “Government provides the services the people can’t provide for themselves such as schools and roads.
“Should government support charities? I see both sides, and it is difficult to make the best decision.” Mayor Mike Bodker said he sees the CDGB grant as a “hand up, not a hand out.” “CDBG provides a safety net. We do have problems with big government. But at the end of the day, I see our responsibility is to make the best use of the resources to help Johns Creek residents,” Bodker said.
squarely in the middle. It relies heavily on Russian natural gas, especially since it has decided to shuck nuclear power in light of Japan’s plight with tsunami-struck reactors. China has found it must play more by market rules than communist manifesto when it comes to managing its economy. Since 2011, China has been trying to slow its growth down to curb inflation and runaway home prices. Dhawan said China has checked only its inflation; meanwhile, it is having trouble jumpstarting the economy again. The Big Red Panda has also finally had to come to grips with its rampant pollution. Shutting down offending polluters, especially steel plants, has stalled economic activity and thus curtailed imports such as mining products from Australia and mining equipment from the U.S. China’s slowdown spills over to China exporters such as Brazil, Singapore, Korea
and others who are also experiencing economic slowdowns. When Germany and China catch cold, everybody sneezes. But the big culprit in stirring the economy in the U.S. is the lackluster housing market. That is where the Fab ‘90s parts way with the bearish 2000-teens. “Yes we had double-digit home price increases last year, but don’t expect a repeat this year,” Dhawan said. The price hike fueled by homebuyers and institutional investors – who pay cash – kept prices up. This year, the rise and fall of mortgage rates that spurred investors to buy in the troughs of the mortgage market won’t be there, Dhawan says. Why? Russian President Vladimir Putin’s antics in the Crimea are sending investors everywhere into the safety of the bond market. So despite the Fed’s tapering policy, bonds are still low. Add to that, the Millennials for a variety of reasons do not
want the anchor of a mortgage around their necks. Some do not see home-ownership as the great investment their parents and grandparents saw. Others want the freedom that “liquidity” offers as they flit from career to career. In addition, new homebuyers are not buying all new
furniture and appliances. They bring their old stuff along. Thus, new home sales are not the ripple through the economy they used to be, fueling ancillary supplier industries such as furniture, appliance and carpet manufacturers. Ultimately, Dhawan says annual.
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Joseph Buchinski, 55, of Lilburn, passed away May 22, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. Donna Lorraine Chappell, 86, of Cumming, passed away May 21, 2014. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Jean B. Cochran, 81, of Roswell, passed away May 22, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. Henry Delling, 89, of Alpharetta, passed away May 20, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. Roy Dews, 87, of Suwanee, passed away May 19, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Allen L. Kattmann, 71, of Lilburn, passed away May 21, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Flora Lingefelt, of Alpharetta, passed away May 22, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Evelyn V. Martin, 83, of Acworth, passed away May 25, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Jud Everett McNatt, 61, of Woodstock, passed away May 25, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home. Madelyn Robinson, of Alpharetta, passed away May 25, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
James R. Seagraves, of Manchester, TN, passed away May 23, 2014. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
72, of Jessie Tinsley, Cumming, passed away May 26, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Betty O Tribble, 81, of Canton, passed away May 23, 2014. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Jinliang Zhong, 82, of Alpharetta, passed away May 22, 2014. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.
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