Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - March 21, 2024

Kemps praise local fight against trafficking

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp stopped by Roswell Area Park March 14 for a Rotary Club meeting to advocate for ending human trafficking statewide.

More than 250 people, including Rotarians and public officials, packed the gym in the Bill Johnson Community Building to discuss commitments to veteran families and the fight against trafficking.

The same day, the Georgia House of

Man

Representatives approved final passage of the ninth anti-human trafficking bill, SB 370, under Gov. Kemp.

The bill, if signed by the governor, would require certain establishments to post human trafficking hotline information.

The bill also secures awareness training and inspections for massage practices, with requirements for the display of licenses.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson touted the local push to update ordinances on massage

City Council unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the Windward Livable Centers Initiative study, a joint effort between Alpharetta, Milton and True North 400, the community improvement district that encompasses

much of North Fulton.

The livable centers initiative, or LCI, is an Atlanta Regional Commission grant program that incentivizes cities to increase mobility, promote healthy living and improve access to jobs and services.

Alpharetta and Milton first pitched the LCI in 2011 for their shared Windward Parkway and Ga. 9 corridor, which acts as a border between the two cities. The plan was adopted in 2012.

Since the 2012 adoption, Alpharetta city staff said transportation, economic and

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

At left, Dave McCleary, vice chair of Rotarians Against Slavery, presents Georgia first lady Marty Kemp, right, with an award for her work combating human trafficking. McCleary thanked Kemp for her dedication to “service above self.”

NEWS TIPS

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com

319 N. Main Street

Alpharetta, GA 30009

HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus

CONTACT

Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.

ADVERTISING

For information about advertising in the AlpharettaRoswell Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278

CIRCULATION

To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

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.

Man’s home targeted in alleged prank war

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta man reported a group of children allegedly set his front yard on fire and vandalized his garage door on Tuxford Drive March 3.

A neighbor reported she woke up to the sound of an explosion outside and saw the victim’s front yard on fire around 2 a.m., and she alerted him.

The victim was able to extinguish the flames with his garden hose before police and fire arrived, the report states.

Officers reported telling the victim that the junior and senior high school prank war was in full swing, and the victim said one of his granddaughters is a junior at a local high school.

The victim also said a vehicle in his driveway had gotten egged twice and covered in Silly String. He reported he had not checked for damage, but he thought there were some minor marks.

Officers reported observing the victim’s right garage door had the letters “SR” spraypainted on it. The victim estimated it would cost some $400 to repaint.

A large area of the front yard was also charred and black. The victim told officers he wishes to prosecute the suspects for the $700 in damages, the report states.

The victim’s neighbor reportedly provided officers with Ring doorbell footage that showed a group of suspects lighting something on fire in the man’s yard before fleeing.

No suspects have been identified.

Roswell man reports grand theft auto

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are looking for a person suspected of stealing a vehicle March 15 after a man at the Riverwood

Lane apartments reported the theft.

The victim, a 39-year-old Roswell man, said he noticed his vehicle was missing when preparing to drive his children to school.

Officers said the vehicle is a gray 2007 Ford Edge.

The victim said he legally parked the vehicle, which had been paid off, in front of his building around 3 p.m. March 14.

Officers listed the vehicle as stolen in the Georgia Crime Information Center.

Woman’s identity used to open six phone lines

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman reported March 11 someone used her identity to fraudulently open six lines of phone service.

The victim’s mother reported the alleged identity fraud because the victim was attending college in Massachusetts.

Officers reported speaking with the victim on the phone, and she said she received a Verizon bill at her permanent address in Alpharetta. She said her name was misspelled on the bill, and she does not use Verizon as her phone service.

Officers reported the $753 bill was due March 14 for three iPad Pros and three iPhone 15 Pro Maxes.

The victim was referred to the Federal Trade Commission to report her identity as stolen, the report states.

No suspects have been identified.

Roswell officers arrest man with active warrants

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 47-year-old Atlanta man March 14 on drugrelated charges after an officer identified him at the Exxon on Holcomb Bridge Road.

An officer said he saw a male suspect, who had a warrant out of Sandy Springs for two misdemeanors and felony larceny, while watching foot traffic at the gas station.

After ensuring the warrant was still active and confirming the man’s identity, the officer said he called for backup.

When three additional officers arrived on scene, they entered the store and secured

the suspect in handcuffs.

An officer said the Sandy Springs Police Department requested a hold be placed on the man.

During a search of the suspect, officers found a 9mm pistol, 17 rounds of ammunition, a baggie of a white rock-like substance and a pipe.

Officers said a field test of the substance yielded positive for cocaine.

A black bag near where the suspect was sitting contained multiple plastic baggies, a scale and 22.7 grams of marijuana.

After reviewing security footage at the gas station, officers said they determined the black bag belonged to the suspect.

Officers said a Fulton County judge issued warrants for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Officers transported the suspect to Fulton County Jail.

$800 appliance swiped from unoccupied house

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A project manager for a homebuilding company reported March 7 someone swiped an $800 dishwasher and $400 in door handles from a completed home on Briscoe Way.

The project manager reported the homes are locked at the end of each day but can be opened with a master key. Because the front door was not forced, he said he thinks the suspect may have entered with a key.

He told officers the items were last seen around 4 p.m. March 5, and the door handles were found missing around 8:30 a.m. March 6. The stolen dishwasher was later discovered around 11 a.m. March 7.

Officers reported not seeing any signs of forced entry. The hoses that connected to the dishwasher were reportedly cut, and there were visible scrape marks on the floor leading to the front door from when the appliance was removed.

Nine handles were reportedly swiped from doors on the third floor of the home.

No suspects have been identified.

NHL expansion hopefuls pitch plan for North Point

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An ownership group teamed with National Hockey League (NHL) veteran Anson Carter has expressed interest in bringing a league expansion team to Metro Atlanta.

Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group (ASE Group) has announced its petition to the NHL with backing from Neil Leibman, Peter Simon and Aaron Zeigler.

According to a press release the partners have reached an agreement with New York Life, an insurer that owns North Point Mall, to use the

property as a site for the potential hockey team.

The announcement says a mixeduse project will include an arena designed by architect Frank Gehry.

ASE Group also cites support from the City of Alpharetta and Fulton County.

“The location of an NHL franchise, as currently proposed in Fulton County, would bring an exhilarating sport to our community’s thriving professional sports lineup,” Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts said in the statement.

Alpharetta Rotary sets date for inaugural golf tournament

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Rotary Club of Alpharetta will host an inaugural golf tournament at Iron Horse Golf Club at 3430 Ga. 9 April 15.

Registration will open at 7 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. and cocktails at 3 p.m. Participants will receive breakfast and a lunch reception.

Individual registration is priced at $350, and foursomes are invited to register for $1,200. Game packages that include a putting contest, four mulligans and 15 raffle tickets are also available for $100.

Sponsorship is open to individuals and businesses. Hole sponsorship is available for

$500, and a tournament title sponsorship is priced at $6,000.

“This tournament will attract small and large business sponsors, as well as individuals who want to make a difference in the areas where they work and live and do business,” Alpharetta Rotary President Casey Robinson said.

Those interested can register at birdease.com/alpharotarygolf.

The Rotary Club is also accepting volunteers for the tournament. To volunteer, email alpharettarofogolf@gmail.com.

— Shelby Israel

A group of owners is throwing their hat in the ring for a NHL expansion team, this time in Alpharetta’s North Point district.

Windward retired association presents posthumous award to treasurer, member Yosick

ALPHARETTA, Ga.

— The Windward Association of Retired Men presented late member Paul Yosick with its annual Founders Award.

A member since moving to Alpharetta in 2015, Yosick died Nov. 9 at age 79. He served as the association’s treasurer for five years and was instrumental in the Windward Veterans Day Flags Across the Dam event.

Member Leland Carawan presented the award to Yosick’s wife Barbara at a weekly breakfast meeting.

Yosick also supported the group’s participation in the annual Windward July 4 picnic and was the unofficial

greeter of visitors and members at weekly meetings.

“Paul’s passing was a tremendous shock to WARM members,” member Eric Hempelman said. “He radiated positive energy and meant so much to so many people. He is greatly missed by all his WARM friends.”

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Tri-State College in Indiana, Yosick spent more than 35 years working on air pollution control systems for power plants. He and his wife Barbara had three children.

The Windward Association of Retired Men is a voluntary organization that offers activities to current or past Windward residents who have retired or are considering it.

— Shelby Israel

Summit Counseling celebrates mental wellness at annual gala

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than 500 community leaders and mental wellness advocates gathered at The Hotel at Avalon Feb. 24 for the Summit Counseling Center’s 9th annual gala.

The celebration centered on the joy of generosity, passion for community and commitment to support mental wellness across north Metro Atlanta.

The Summit Counseling Center, founded in 1990, has locations in Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Milton and Sugar Hill, with their main office at 2750 Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek.

Because suicide is the second leading cause of death for American children aged 10-14, the Summit also sports more than 30 on-site locations at K-12 schools across north Metro Atlanta.

Therapists provide school-based services, a first responder counseling program and mental health awareness, aiming to help everyone from children to seniors.

Professional counseling at the Summit integrates body, mind, spirit and relationships, its website says.

To open the gala, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr updated the room on the state’s mental health initiatives and the work of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental

Disabilities.

Shyann Malone, on-air host of CBT News, emceed a fireside chat with Lester Archambeau, senior player director of the NFL Players Association; Javis Austin, founder of JA Fitness Plus and former Clemson University running back; Mercedez Jackson, coordinator of school social workers for Fulton County Schools; Nikeisha Whatley-León, system director of behavioral health services for Northside Hospital; and Will Atkins, director of operations and clinical services for Summit Counseling Center.

Archambeau and Whatley-León also serve on the Summit Board.

The Will to Live Foundation, a Johns Creek-based organization dedicated to preventing teen suicide, donated $5,000 to the Summit on behalf of the first Summit Life Teammate award-winner, Madeline Redetzky.

With a silent auction, community donations and corporate sponsors, the 9th annual Summit Gala raised recordbreaking funds for its mission.

David Smith, executive director of the Summit Counseling Center, thanked supporters for their generosity.

“Through this infusion of hope, we are able to raise awareness about mental health issues, increase access to care, and make mental health services affordable to all,” Smith said.

YOSICK

Alpharetta places ninth on best rising cities list

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Southern Living named Alpharetta among its top 10 best cities on the rise in the South for 2024.

Alpharetta was the only Metro Atlanta city on the list, ranking nine out of 25. Gainesville was the only other Georgia city, coming in at 17th place.

The magazine’s “South’s Best” lists are selected from nominations and votes from readers.

Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau staff said the top 10 ranking attests to Alpharetta’s status as an exceptional destination.

Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Janet Rodgers said it is an honor to be chosen, and the bureau is overjoyed that residents and visitors continue nominating and

voting for the city.

Alpharetta also placed in the top 10 on the 2022 and 2023 lists.

The rankings will be featured in Southern Living’s April issue.

Johns Creek strengthens connectivity with trail, bike lane on Jones Bridge

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmdia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek officials commemorated the opening of new pathways intended to improve multimodal connectivity along a section of Jones Bridge Road March 12.

The $2.9 million project included constructing a 10-foot-wide trail and a

4-foot-wide bike lane from Douglas Road to McGinnis Ferry Road, which serves as a two-lane arterial roadway in the northwestern portion of Johns Creek.

The plan to advance pedestrian improvements was passed in 2021, and adjustments were made to engineering efforts for the project after the City Council adopted a map of bicycle corridors the following year.

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek City Councilmembers Stacy Skinner and Larry DiBiase, center, cut a ribbon on a newly completed trail along Jones Bridge Road March 12. City Transportation Manager Muhammad Rauf, Field Services Superintendent Alex Gray, Field Services Manager Jason Nealey and TSPLOST Manager Mindy Sanders were also at the ceremony.

Holy Week Schedule:

Palm Sunday – March 24

8:30am: Traditional in the Historic Chapel 9:45-10:45am: Sunday school

11:00am: Modern in the Sanctuary

Week of March 24-29

Self-Guided Stations of the Cross (throughout Midway’s campus)

Follow Jesus’ passion with self-guided meditations that can be accessed on Midway’s campus at any time during the week.

Good Friday – March 29

7:00pm: The Life and Passion of Christ in the Sanctuary.

A moving service following the life, ministry, and passion of Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday – March 31

7:00am: Sunrise Service

8:30am: Worship in the Historic Chapel

9:45am: Lite-Bites Brunch. Gathering Area (Entrance nearest the bell tower)

11:00am: Worship in the Sanctuary

5025 Atlanta Hwy. | Alpharetta, GA 30004 | 770.475.5230 | www.MidwayUMC.org

State prison inmate charged for threats against Milton mayor

MILTON, Ga. — The Milton Police Department has charged a 30-year-old prisoner for 2023 threats made against Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison and Gov. Brian Kemp.

Police officials said Georgia State Prison system inmate Eric Elam has been charged with two counts of terroristic threats and acts stemming from a Dec. 16 phone call.

Officers traced the call back to a cellphone inside a Georgia State Prison. Officials said the phone was later located in Elam’s cell.

Elam is currently serving a life sentence for separate charges. Milton Police officials said the department does not think Elam had any independent motive to make the threats, but there likely are other individuals or groups behind the incident whose reasons are unknown.

Jamison also reported receiving

threats in September. Police officials said the department is working to determine if there is a connection between the two threats.

The Milton mayor thanked the police department for its work on the investigation that led to the charges.

“It’s a great comfort to myself and my family to know that we have the Milton Police protecting and supporting not just us, but our entire city,” Jamison said. “I know this investigation is ongoing, but I could not be prouder of what our officers have done thus far or more confident they will continue to work hard to find all those responsible.”

Milton Police Chief Jason Griffin thanked the Georgia Department of Corrections for its assistance in the case.

— Shelby Israel

Rivermont Golf Club adapts after clubhouse fire

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A portion of Rivermont Golf Club on Rivermont Parkway went up in flames March 6, resulting in smoke and water damage to around 90 percent of the clubhouse.

Firefighters responded to the scene at around 5:30 a.m. that morning for a fire that took over the laundry room area of the building. General Manager and club owner Chris Cupit said the fire was likely caused by a tree that had fallen on a power panel.

A police incident report obtained by Appen Media noted the roof above the kitchen collapsed.

Cupit said there were no injuries.

The clubhouse will be down for several months, he said. While the

building’s exterior looks untouched, Cupit said the clubhouse is now a “ghost town” as carpets are being ripped up and furniture is moved off-site. Golf carts have already been relocated, he said.

Golfers were back on the course that Thursday, following rains, Cupit said, and staff is quickly adapting.

Cupit said the Golf Club’s new pavilion, which houses a fitness studio, is providing a temporary space for offices and will continue to provide small food services. He also said there are already tents on-site to provide more space, after city approval of a permit application submitted that Friday.

[The City of Johns Creek has been] obviously very understanding, very

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

The Rivermont Golf Club clubhouse, pictured here late last year, saw fire damage March 6. The club’s owner says the building will be down for several months but that golfers are already back on the course.

8

Where to snag vegan food

By ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — Whether it’s a personal lifestyle choice or a New Year’s health kick, a vegan diet does the body good. For those nights you aren’t up for cooking at home or safely ordering a salad at your friend’s favorite barbeque place, it’s important to have tasty options that align with your culinary preferences. While there are several health benefits to eating allnatural and organic foods, it can be exhausting to find a delicious vegan restaurant that fits your needs for a night out. Here are nine vegan food and dining options to keep on your radar throughout metro-Atlanta.

Alpharetta

1. Mayuri Indian Grill

• Authentic Indian eatery serving vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes

• Open Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Friday/ Saturday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.; closed Mondays

• Located on McGinnis Ferry Road

2. Madras Chettinaad

• Authentic South Indian food

• Serves vegetarian and vegan dishes and alternatives

• Open every day 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

• Located on State Bridge Road

Roswell

3. Veganize It

• Vegan

• Open Tuesday-Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Closed Mondays

• Serves plant-based sides and desserts with entrees available on Saturdays

• Located on Old Roswell Road

Johns Creek

4. Ethiopiques Cafe And Restaurant

• Ethiopian restaurant with vegan dishes

• Open Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/ Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. and FridaySaturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed

Mondays

• Serves vegan offerings and platters of varying sizes

• Located on State Bridge Road

5. Rakkan Ramen

• Offers vegetarian and vegan dishes

• Japanese ramen bar and restaurant

• Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

• Located on Medlock Bridge Road

Peachtree Corners

6. Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine

• 100% vegan

• Offers variety of American, Hispanic, Asian, and Italian entrées, sides, and desserts

• Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.

• Located on Spalding Drive

Atlanta

7. Asian Vegan Kitchen

• Traditional Asian dishes with a vegan twist

• Strictly offer deliver and pick-up

• Open Monday-Tuesday/Thursday-Sunday 5:30 p.m. – 12:45 a.m.; closed

You can find an assortment of vegan food options around Metro Atlanta.

Wednesdays

• Located on Forrest Street Northwest

8. Bakaris Plant Based Pizza

• 100% vegan

• Serve plant-based pizza, burger, and wraps

• Open Monday-Thursday 2 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Friday-Saturday 2 p.m. – 2 a.m.; Sundays 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.

• Located on Lee Street Southwest

9. Calaveritas Taqueria Vegana

• 100% vegan

• Serve plant-based tacos, nachos, and burritos

• Open Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; closed Mondays

• Located on Presidential Parkway

MAP BY JACOB TOMBERLIN/APPEN MEDIA

ASM Global to operate hockey arena at The Gathering at South Forsyth

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — International sports venue manager ASM Global is set to operate the prospective National Hockey League arena at The Gathering at South Forsyth.

ASM Global manages more than 90 arenas worldwide, including NHL venues such as the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada.

The company will participate in the design and planning of the proposed 700,000-square-foot, 18,500-seat venue at The Gathering.

ASM Global Executive Vice President of Strategy and Development Liam Thornton said the company is honored to be selected as the arena’s operator.

“Our goal is to set a new standard for excellence in Georgia's entertainment landscape and create memorable moments for all who visit The Gathering at South Forsyth,” Thornton said.

As planned, the $2 billion mixed-use development off Union Hill Road, Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Ga. 400 will include a new fire station, a Sheriff’s Office precinct, a 1.2-mile Big Creek Greenway connection, retail, hotels, apartments and single-family homes.

Fire:

Continued from Page 7

sympathetic and are going to try to help us through as best as possible,” he said. “The building will probably come back online in sections or phases, so we’re hoping we could get maybe a temporary

Krause Sports and Entertainment, the developer behind The Gathering, also plans to establish a community ice center at a future location.

"ASM Global's unparalleled track record in top-tier venue management aligns perfectly with our goal of pursuing an NHL franchise for North Georgia,” Krause Sports and Entertainment CEO and President Vernon Krause said. “Metro Atlanta’s passionate sports culture, economic strength and continued population growth makes it an ideal market for a professional hockey team.”

In January, the Forsyth County Commission agreed to foot $350 million for the construction of the arena and $40 million for an arena parking deck through revenuebacked bonds if The Gathering secures an NHL tenant.

A new and binding agreement between the county and the developers is set to be considered at a called Board of Commissioners meeting at 5 p.m. March 26.

Alpharetta, Forsyth County’s neighbor to the south, is also vying for an NHL team in its North Point district.

Alpharetta Sports and Entertainment Group announced March 12 its petition to the NHL with backing from Neil Leibman, Peter Simon and Aaron Zeigler in partnership with NHL veteran Anson Carter.

certificate of occupancy.”

He said employees, including clubhouse servers, will be financially covered until the clubhouse is up and running again and has plans to increase their hourly wage.

“We’ve been here for 52 years,” Cupit said. “We made the commitment to our employees, you know, no one’s going to lose their job.”

When you have a special needs child, your financial plan will require special consideration. The goal is to ensure that in the event you pass away or become incapacitated, your child will still be able to maintain a high quality of life. You don’t have to disinherit your special needs child to maintain eligibility for government benefits. The best thing you can do, as a loving parent, is to consult tax and estate planning professionals who can help build a plan that covers your child’s special needs and your financial situation. Here are also some other things to consider:

Letter of Intent/Personal Care:

While this isn’t a legally binding document, it helps outline your child’s schedule, their likes and dislikes, medication and medical history, allergies, and the social relationships you would like for your child. If something happens to you, this letter can inform the Guardian or Agent taking over of who to keep your child away from as well as the best ways to maintain a high quality of life for your child.

Create a Financial Plan: Special needs children are generally subject to receiving government benefits, which is why it’s important to plan carefully so you don’t accidentally disqualify your child for government assistance. The best way to ensure this is to create a special needs trust for your child. Once created, the trust can serve as the beneficiary of any life insurances and accounts, which in turn ensures your assets will never accidentally disqualify your child for government benefits.

Guardianship/Power of Attorney:

When your special needs child turns 18, they gain the right to make their own health and financial decisions. Unfortunately, not all special needs children are able to assume these responsibilities, making it imperative for you to consider alternatives such as legal guardianship or power of attorney, which are both legal structures that give you or a trusted individual the right to make decisions for your child.

In the event something happens to you, make sure your child is protected and that your assets do not end up in jeopardy. Consult attorneys and financial advisors to start strategizing a plan that will protect your child’s future and happiness.

Northern Ridge announces

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Northern Ridge Boy Scout District (Cities of Roswell, Alpharetta, John’s Creek, Milton) is proud to announce its newest Eagle Scouts, who completed their Eagle Board of Review January 25, 2024, at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.

Completed Dec. 28, from left;

Ibrahim Hossain, of Troop 12, sponsored by Muslim American Society Youth Center, whose project was the design and construction of 4 Picnic-Benches for the Early Childhood Center branch of the School, ILM Academy.

Zain Ghazanfar, of Troop 12, sponsored by Muslim American Society Youth Center, whose project was the design and construction of a fence gate entrance, for the back grounds area for Nurul Quran, a local branch of a worldwide seminary.

Ian Hurewitz, of Troop 1818 North Metro office of the Marcus Jewish Community Center, whose project was the tear down and rebuilding of an outdoor shed, installing a paver path to the shed and also placing edging alongside the current gravel path at Congregation B'nai Torah.

Sasanka Sai Polisetti, of Troop 629, sponsored by Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of a shelving unit, a unified shelving system and a wooden folding table for the Autry Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

Shinhai Chen, of Troop 629, sponsored by Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of a worm compost bin, and an arbor gate for the entrance to the compost learning center and disassembling, moving, and reassembling 2 plastic tumbler composts encased in a wood stand for the Autry Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center.

Akshaj Shajeev, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the design and construction of a large wooden swing for the North America Shirdi Sai Temple Of Atlanta.

Completed Jan. 25, from left;

Reed Hunter McMichael, of Troop 7153, sponsored by St. Brigid Catholic Church, whose project was the repairing of a trailer for Meals by Grace and then leading a food drive in which he collected over 600 food items.

Tye Miyazaki Wade, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the design and construction of a two large storage cabinets, creating a better support system for the two current cabinets and reorganizing the current band material for Chattahoochee High School Bands.

Viraj Sumit Karanjawala, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, whose project was the design and construction of 2 benches and repairing the current Gazebo located at Webb Bridge Middle School.

Completed Feb. 29, 2024, with Atlanta Area Council District Executive Chandler White in middle;

Aidan Pfeiffer, of Troop 10, sponsored by St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, whose project was the design, construction and installation of 2 wooden benches and 30 birdhouses for Old Rucker Farm Park.

Garrett Jackson Zaher, of Troop 69, sponsored by Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, whose project was the design and construction of an ADA compliant ramp that would allow people to access the Patient Paws Dog Service

Ronit Sankhe, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the removal of old plants and replacing them with Azelia Bushes and a red maple tree in the parking lot as well as cleaning up the area, mulching it and replacing the stones at the outdoor chapel stairs for Johns Creek Presbyterian Church.

Nikhil Adlakha, of Troop 2000, sponsored by Johns Creek Presbyterian Church whose project was the installation of concrete brick borders in two locations adjacent to the Shiv Mandir Temple, as well as recultivating and planting new flora in five distinct areas along the adjacent road.

Eagle Scouts

PROVIDED

Top: December 2023 Eagle Scouts, Middle: January 2024 Eagle Scouts, Bottom: February 2024 Eagle Scouts

Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group

We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.

Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.

For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”

Plan:

Continued from Page 1

consumer trends have shifted, leading to a 2022 agreement between Milton, Alpharetta and the CID to update the LCI.

Alpharetta councilmembers voted to apply for an ARC LCI grant to fund the project in February 2022, but the ARC did not award the money. The CID then offered to shoulder a third of the $180,000 cost to update the plan if each city also contributed $60,000, and the trio formalized the funding agreement in October 2022.

True North 400, which managed requests for proposal, selected urban planning firm MKSK Studios to conduct the update study.

At the March 18 meeting, MKSK senior associate Luis Calvo presented the results of the study as a work session item before the formal adoption.

Calvo said the firm began the planning effort in February 2023. Between May and June of that year, it collected 808 responses from employees in the area and hosted 90 residents at two community meetings to garner feedback on how to improve the corridor.

He said the takeaways from the community were a need for improved mobility and more park spaces; that there is a lack of local experiences; traffic congestion is a challenge; and that employees would be more likely to return to the office if there were improvements to development and amenities in the area.

Specific recommendations included building two unique community hubs; constructing Big Creek Greenway

trailheads and connections between workplaces, residences and businesses; pedestrian improvements along Windward Parkway; and strategic redevelopment moving forward.

The plan was met with some initial skepticism from councilmembers. Councilman Donald Mitchell said he was concerned about oversaturation and that he would like to see plans that do not involve adding more retail when those businesses are already successful and plentiful in the Windward area.

Councilman John Hipes noted the number of big box retailers in the area and questioned how the city could enhance connectivity and reduce vehicle dependency with so many large parking lots.

Calvo said MKSK Studios has worked with cities across the country, and he thinks Alpharetta is in a unique position because it can entice redevelopment.

“Here, you have so much to build on,” he said. “You have the Windward Tech District, you have just the sheer economic development prowess of the City of Alpharetta. There’s a lot of great opportunity, and because of that, you can be picky, and you can be patient.”

He suggested focusing on amenities at existing businesses and creating small mixed-use pockets throughout the corridor rather than redevelopment across the board. He also said the addition of multifamily and townhomes at strategic locations would energize the area and support business.

Calvo said the True North 400 board unanimously approved the study, and the Milton City Council is slated to consider the plans at an April meeting.

Councilman Doug DeRito said it is crucial for Milton and Alpharetta to share the same vision for the area.

The measure passed with a 7-0 vote.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

MKSK Studios senior associate Luis Calvo presents the results of the Windward Livable Centers Initiative study at a March 18 Alpharetta City Council meeting. Councilmembers unanimously approved the joint revitalization plans between Alpharetta, Milton and True North 400.

Private school voucher bill gains momentum

By ROSS WILLIAMS Georgia Recorder

ATLANTA — A school voucher bill with the backing of powerful Republican leaders passed the House 91-82 Thursday and could be headed to the Senate for a final vote.

The main part of the bill would allow parents of children in the bottom quartile of public schools to accept $6,500 to pull them out and send them to private school or teach them at home.

As she presented the bill, Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones said state funds are already used for private schools through programs like pre-K and dual enrollment for private colleges.

“Even though we made the choice to

send our children to public school, as a mother, and now as a grandmother, I’ve never wanted fewer opportunities for my children,” she said. “And I was glad that there were a limited number of charter schools and a targeted school voucher program are two that the state currently had to provide options. Even though we did not exercise them. I have rarely encountered regular citizens who wanted fewer options.”

Jones said the bill will give parents another option if their local public school doesn’t suit their children. Voucher skeptics say because public schools are funded per child, taking kids out would leave struggling schools with less money to improve.

Last year, those skeptics included 16

House Republicans, who joined nearly all Democrats to scuttle a voucher bill.

Jones and other Republican leaders sought to make voting for this year’s effort more enticing by adding a raft of broadly popular education measures, including codifying teacher pay raises and allowing SPLOST money to be used for building or renovating pre-K facilities.

This year’s bill adds some testing requirements: private schools would test voucher students in math and language arts and submit their scores to the state.

The program’s cost would be capped at 1 percent of the state’s Quality Basic Education formula, or about $140 million, which would accommodate about 21,500 students.

New kindergarteners would qualify for

the voucher immediately, but students in other grade levels would be required to have spent a year in public school to qualify.

“By voting yes on this bill, you are voting yes to codify an increase to teacher pay,” Peachtree Corners Republican Scott Hilton said. “By you voting yes on this bill, you’re voting for pre-K funding. By voting yes on this bill, you are increasing the tax credit that goes to our public schools.”

The additions seemed to do the trick. Eight of last year’s no votes switched to yes this year, and one was not present for the vote. Support from powerful Republicans like Speaker Jon Burns and Gov. Brian Kemp likely didn’t hurt either.

See VOUCHER, Page 23

7506 Wilderness Parkway Big Canoe, GA 30143

bigcanoeanimalrescue.org

706-268-1346

This is Miss Delta!

Facts About Me

Breed: Terrier Mix

Color: White w/ black markings (Short haired)

Age: 5 months old

Weight: (Current) 15 lbs

Fully Grown: Medium Size (45lbs)

Sex: Female

My Info

Good with children & dogs

May need potty training

Healthy

Shots current

Chipped & spayed

My Story

What is it that makes me so special?

Well, first of all I’m a puppy, but besides that have you noticed the little beauty marks above my eyes? No other puppy is as unique as me. My brother Porter and I are enjoying our other canine friends here, but I really would rather be at home with you playing, enjoying belly rubs and treats. Want to go for a walk? Come meet me. I have puppy kisses waiting for you!

All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org

North Fulton Rheumatology diagnoses and treats patients suffering from various types of arthritis and other autoimmune or connective tissue disorders. We are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care, and we use the highest, most progressive medical standards.

North Fulton Rheumatology diagnoses and treats patients suffering from various types of arthritis and other autoimmune or connective tissue disorders. We are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care, and we use the highest, most progressive medical standards.

Our board-certified physician, Dr. Ciela Lopez-Armstrong, and certified physician assistant, Pamela Gutwein, PA-C, are qualified to manage all autoimmune and connective tissue diseases, including:

Our board-certified physician, Dr. Ciela Lopez-Armstrong, and certified family nurse practitioner, Heather Grafton, DNP, FNP-C, are qualified to manage all autoimmune and connective tissue diseases, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis

• Systematic Lupus

• Systematic Lupus

• Scleroderma

• Scleroderma

• Vasculitis

• Vasculitis

• Gout

• Gout

• Sjogrens

• Sjogrens

• Psoriatic Arthritis

• Psoriatic Arthritis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Fibromyalgia

• Fibromyalgia

• Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis

• Osteopenia

• Osteopenia

Heather Grafton, DNP, FNP-C

Ceila Lopez-Armstrong, MD

Celia Lopez-Armstrong, MD

Pamela Gutwein, PA-C

Kemp:

Continued from Page 1

practices, implement more regulations and enhance enforcement.

“The City Council and I made it our top priority to eradicate illicit activities in massage parlors and put an end to human trafficking in the City of Roswell,” Wilson said. “The safety and protection of our residents, especially those who cannot defend themselves, is a solemn duty and responsibility.”

He also spoke about the Sept. 20 joint operation led by Roswell Police, in which several spas around Metro Atlanta saw criminal charges, and the subsequent ordinance changes the City Council made March 11 regarding massage establishments.

Some updates included clarifying the role of a registered agent and the requirement for massages to be performed by a Georgia licensed therapist.

“While we may not be able to eradicate illegal massage parlors and human trafficking on a global scale,” Wilson said. “We are going to eradicate illegal massage parlors and human trafficking in the City of Roswell.”

He said he hopes the local effort inspires other jurisdictions across the state and country to follow suit.

Dave McCleary, vice chair of Rotarians Against Slavery, presented first lady Marty Kemp with an award for her efforts to combat human trafficking in Georgia and across the United States.

“Thank you for your outstanding contributions and leadership that exemplifies service above self,” McCleary said.

McCleary said that Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott attributed her state’s trafficking task force to inspiration from Marty Kemp’s work in Georgia.

Gov. Kemp then took the podium to discuss his commitment to public safety and the economic impact of the North Fulton cities.

“There’s some great work going on here,” Kemp said. “I appreciate what Roswell Rotary is doing, not only for our community but also for our state.”

The governor thanked Detective Natalie Fields and the first lady for their work combatting human trafficking and commended Roswell Police and the city on their efforts.

“We appreciate this club for being in the fight,” Kemp said. “People like Dave McCleary and a lot of people in the room were in the trenches long before we got involved in the fight.”

Fields, a special investigations detective at the Roswell Police Department, received an award for her work combating human trafficking in North Fulton from the Roswell Rotary

Club, the Roswell Action Group Against Slavery and End Human Trafficking Now.

Detective Fields said McCleary invited her to the Governor’s Mansion for a meeting with the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion and Education Commission.

Police Chief James Conroy, credited with leading the September operation with other North Fulton cities, said it’s an honor to have the governor and the first lady recognize the department’s work in Roswell.

“Detective Fields has done a tremendous job,” Conroy said. “We started looking at one thing, which is the sex violations, and uncovered organized crime and human trafficking.”

He said the investigation into organized crime has become much larger than he originally anticipated.

In 2024, Roswell Police have shut down six illegal massage practices. Conroy said there is more to come.

“[The City Council] just passed a stronger ordinance this week,” Conroy said. “You can expect more, now that we’ve got some more tools in our toolbox.”

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson speaks about the push “to eradicate illegal massage parlors and human trafficking in the City of Roswell.” Wilson thanked Gov. Kemp for the support of the city’s efforts to lead the state in the fight against human trafficking.

PHOTOS BY HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks about the statewide effort to combat human trafficking March 14 during a Roswell Rotary Club meeting at 10495 Woodstock Road. Kemp thanked Roswell Police Detective Natalie Fields for her work investigating a human trafficking network operating in massage parlors throughout Metro Atlanta.

Support Local News

Join Appen Press Club CHARTER MEMBER

DC Aiken

Big Sky Franchise Team

David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy

Barbara Anderson

Kerry Arias

Scott Baynton

Joseph Bell

James Bennett

Carl Abernathy

Alpharetta Lions Club

Omar Altalib

Dave Altman

Ron Altman

American Legion Post 201

Gaye Armstrong

Mary Asbury

Beth Barnes

Barbara Bauschka

Kathy Beck

Bill Bentley

Leslie Berry

Tom Billings

Tochie Blan

Ron Boddicker

Jodi Bogen

Sherri Bolles-Rogers

Debra Bowen

Joe Bowen

Ryan Brainard

Dorothy Brouhard

Erendira Brumley

Bernhard Burgener

Alvin Burrell

Mike & Theresa Buscher

Mary Busman

Gary Butterfield

Clea Calloway

Kirk Canaday

James Carr

Bridgette Carter

William Cartwright

Pat Check

Virginia Christman

Christopher Cleary

Ann Coaloa

Kim Coggins

Evelyn Collazo

Rhonda Cude

Michael Mackenzie

Communications

Adam Corder

Robert Flint

Robin Fricton

Roderick Liptrot

Tom McMurrain

Bob Meyers

Ross & Lori Ramsey

Mark Rundle

MEMBER+

Rita Brown

Mark Casas

David Conti

Theodore Davis III

Maureen Drumm

Charlcie Forehand

Deborah Jackson

Ali Mahbod

Vickie McElroy

Anne Peer

MEMBER

Joan Compton

Terri Coons

David Davis

Duane DeBruler

Rebecca Donlan

Tom Driscoll

Michael Dudgeon

Jeanette Dummer

DutchCrafters Amish Furniture

Mim Eisenberg

Danny Elkins

Su Ellis

Martha Fasse

Lee Fleck

Cathy Flynn

Nanci Foster

Amy Frederick

Kelly Frommer

Carol Fry

Tracey Ganesh

Daniel Gay

John Gibbs

John Gilberto

Leslie Gilliam

Bailey & Ryan Gladysz

Michelle Glotzbach

Harvey Goldberg

Christopher Goodrich

Phyllis Goodrich

Marilee Hamilton

Susan Hanna

Roxanne Hazen

Joe Hirsch

Penn Hodge

Dianne & Steffan Holmquist

Joan Hostetter

Austin Hughes

Lynn Johnson

Tyler Jones

Arthur Kebanli

Laura Keck

Mark Kelly

Allison Kloster

Dyna Kohler

Larry Krueger

Jess & Chris Kysar

Malinda Lackey

Ken Leffingwell

Carol Lehan

Bonnie Lind

Francia Lindon

Harlan Little

Ross Long

Brenda Lundy

Rita Loventhal

Karen Magill

Kyile Marshall

Julie Martin

Valerie Matthews

William Maxwell

Rachel McCord

Austin McCully

Lynn McIntyre

Mike McLoughlin

Jennifer Mendoza

Al Merrill

Chris Miller

Christine Miller

Fred Moeller

Carol Morgan

Kathy Morgan

Stu Moring

Leslie Mullis

Donna Murphy

Jack Murphy

Tricia Novarro

Bob O’Brien

Lynn Pennington

Kurt & Leslie Phillips

Debra Powell

Righteous PR

Chuck Pugh

Raj Rajagopalan

Ashwin Ramaswami

To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size!

Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Kim Truett

Roger Wise Jr.

Colt Whittall

Robert Popp

Kate Seng

Carol Williams

Marilyn Colarossi-Woods

Cheryl Rand

Jean Rearick

Neil Robertson

Matt Rohs

Stephanie Schuette

Susan Searles

Tina Shelton

Lisa Shippel

Joanne Simmons

Tom Simon

Cindy Simpson

Robert Singleton

Faye Sklar

Judith Slaughter

Andy Smith

Wesley Stewart

Cathryn Stovall

Celeste Strohl

Andy Sumlin

Mike Tasos

Candice Teichert

Lisa Tilt

Michael Townes

Matthew Tyser

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Jonathan Washburn

Sally White

Thom White

Michael Weiss

Umpika White

Susan Wilson

Jamie

Nancy

Carla

A hand built stone house is something special PRESERVING THE PAST

There is something unique and special about stone houses. A person can even build one by himself with the help of a few friends as farmers sometimes did years ago. Basic raw materials, field stones and sand from a creek, are free for the taking. Tools are relatively inexpensive: shovels, wagons, hammers. Then of course there are expenses for a roof, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical connections.

Alan Rucker and his wife Shelia live in a stone house on Arnold Mill Road in Alpharetta. Alan’s grandparents L.G. (Lawrence) Rucker, a cotton farmer, and his wife Byrd Broadwell Rucker built and lived in an oak and pine frame “shotgun house,” a narrow rectangular home, usually no more than about 12 feet wide, with three to five rooms arranged one behind the other and doors at each end of the house with one hallway running the entire length of the house. It was a very popular style in the South from the end of the Civil War through the 1920s.

Unfortunately, the house burned down in 1939. The entire Crabapple community came to the rescue and built the stone house that exists today. Granite from Stone Mountain was used in the construction. Sand from Little River about 3 miles north of the house was brought in by mule drawn wagon and mixed with Portland cement and crushed stone to make concrete. Timber was cut on the property. Rocks were shaped by hammer on site. To assure straight walls, a frame was built and covered with 1 x 6 or 1 x 8 inch rough cut lumber with the stones set outside the frame much in the fashion of modern bricklaying. Plumb bobs assured vertical walls. Only the exterior walls are stone. Inside construction is tongue and groove pine. The floors are heart pine. Two fireplaces provided the only heat. Alan’s grandparents added propane tanks to the fireplaces a few years later. Like many farmhouses of the time, the house had no bathroom. Alan’s grandparents installed one in 1950. Water came from a 35 foot deep hand dug well on the back porch until the 1980s when the county required conversion to county water.

Down the street a few hundred yards where Cagle Road and Arnold Mill Road intersect is one of the most recognized stone houses in the area,

A 35 foot deep hand dug well on the back porch provided water until the county required conversion to county water in the 1980s.

A very special stone house in Milton is currently undergoing major renovation and restoration while preserving its historic character. When the transformation is completed this spring, I will write a column that will interest those who love local history. Stay tuned.

confirming the origin of the building, based on the date of a well cover on the property, the house was built around 1913. Both the exterior and interior walls are stone. It had been vacant for several years until Rob bought it. It has been undergoing major renovations to bring it up to code and to create a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant will feature family friendly casual dining and a full bar with 24 taps of draft beers. It will accommodate 50 patrons inside and 80 outside.

Unfortunately, some historic stone houses have been demolished in recent years, victims of urban development. Selina Kent, great granddaughter of William David (Dave) Rucker, knows of a stone house built in the early 1900s that used to be where Charlotte Road joins Rucker Road in Milton. She recalls that Anita Murdock Wright, granddaughter of Dave Rucker passed ownership of the property to her daughter Dorcas Wright Berthod who sold it to developers about 20 years ago. The house was made entirely of field stone, not granite. It had pine board interior walls because Dave Rucker was building his rock house across the street and gave the lumber he had planned to use in his house to his neighbors whose house burned down. Dave Rucker’s house had one bedroom upstairs, two bedrooms downstairs as well as a kitchen, dining and sittings rooms, big back porch with a well and a front porch with a swing and willow chairs.

built in the 1970s in the shape of a castle. The house has a moat that serves as a swimming pool. The castle was reportedly made of marble from the quarries in Tate, Georgia, and granite from Stone Mountain and Elberton. It has round rooms and interior stone walls, according to Sheila Rucker Chapman who lives near the house and remembers watching it being built.

Sheila’s great uncle Irving Barnett built a stone house on Rucker Road in the 1950s. It still stands and is noteworthy for the large flower design on the front of the one story home.

A stone house, currently being brought back to life by restauranteur Rob Forrest, will soon be the Stone House Tap restaurant, situated on the highest point in downtown Crabapple. Although there are no records

Selina also recalls the rock house across the street from the Milton Library owned at one time by Claude Holcombe. The house was on a large corner lot and was vacant and for sale for several years. The land was sold about two years ago and is now a Northside Hospital facility. The stone house was demolished.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

BOB MEYERS

Columnist

PHOTOS BY BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

This beautiful stone house owned by Alan and Shelia Rucker was built by Alan’s grandfather L.G. (Lawrence) Rucker in 1939 using granite from Stone Mountain. The original house was heated by two fireplaces.

The Cagle Castle is one of the most recognizable stone homes in the area. It is a private residence located at the intersection of Cagle Road and Arnold Mill Road in Alpharetta. It features a moat, drawbridges and turrets. It is sometimes referred to as the Dwarf Castle because of the gnomes that decorate the property. This castle is not open to the public.

Tips for creating a four-season garden show

Are you thinking about making changes to your garden this year? Now is the time to consider what plants to add and what to remove. I view a great garden as a well-thought-out play. The spotlight moves, and there’s always something going on to engage your interest. Watching the same scene, day in and day out, gets boring. So just as there are key elements that make up a good play, there are tips to keep in mind to make your home landscape entertaining all year long.

Establish goals and roles — Whether you want your garden to provide your own farm-to-table vegetables, attract more birds and butterflies or be a peaceful retreat where you can stop and smell the roses (or gardenias) at the end of the day, it helps to have a plan in mind. Improv can be entertaining, yet sometimes a performance is better if it follows a basic script. For example, if you would like to see butterflies, consider planting asters, anise hyssop, bee balm, Black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye weed (a.k.a. Swallowtail Delight), milkweed, coneflowers, sunflowers, and zinnias. In Georgia, milkweeds (Asclepias species) are host plants for Monarch caterpillars.

Year-round interest — Identify roles for your landscape plantings, keeping in mind any bloom times. Each season new plants enter the spotlight. Camellias, daffodils, azaleas, dogwood trees, roses, hydrangeas, abelias, asters and our fall foliage call for oohs and aahs during different seasons. A supporting cast of reliable evergreen plantings adds structure and can also provide privacy. Foliage, branches, sizes, shapes, and textures all catch the eye. Blue, yellow, gray, reddish, jade are all intriguing shades of green. Remember, monocultures are unhealthy and boring.

Right plant in the right place

— What role do you want a plant to play in your landscape and what’s the best spot? Trees, shrubs and woody perennials are your key performers. When choosing plants such as trees and shrubs, keep in mind what their mature size will be. Consider scale, distance in relation to your house and location. On a hill, plants at the top play a different role than those at the bottom. Also, landscapes have both sunny and shady areas. Morning

About the Author

This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Pam Rentz. Pam lives in Roswell and has been a North Fulton Master Gardener since 2010. Along with a background in marketing communications for tech companies, she has a longtime passion for plants and our planet.

Learn more

• UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletins - https://extension.uga.edu/ publications.html

o Native Plants for Georgia Part I: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines

o Native Plants for Georgia Part II: Ferns

o Native Plants for Georgia Part III: Wildflowers

• Georgia Green Landscape Stewards Program - https://site.extension.uga. edu/georgiagreen/

sun is different than afternoon sun. Full sun is at least six hours of direct sunlight. Consider sun, soil, moisture level, spacing, and temperature when selecting plants. Make sure your plant’s needs match those conditions at the site you choose. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated the plant hardiness zone map in 2023 and it’s getting warmer. To determine your USDA plant hardiness zone, click on https://planthardiness.ars.usda. gov.

Soil testing — To optimize your plantings, it’s helpful to know nutrient levels and soil pH. Don’t automatically assume you should simply add fertilizer. (Full disclosure: I killed a bed of beautiful dianthus by doing this.) Take soil samples from various spots in your landscape. For a small fee, soil tests for basic soil nutrients and minerals can be obtained at UGA Extension Fulton County. Learn more at https://extension.uga.edu/countyoffices/fulton/agriculture-and-naturalresources/testing-services.html.

Do no harm — Invasive plant species are known to harm the environment. In Georgia, kudzu, English ivy, Chinese privet, and Nandina are among those plants considered invasive. For more information, “Invasive Plants of the Southeast” (https://botgarden.uga.

edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ Invasive-Species-Brochure.pdf) by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance lists the top 20 invasive species.

Consult reliable resources — The University of Georgia Extension, the Georgia Native Plant Society, NCSU’s Plant Toolbox, and Doug Tallamy’s Homegrown National Park websites are a few helpful online resources. The Georgia Green Landscape Stewards certification program developed by the University of Georgia Extension service offers excellent information to help residents and businesses adopt sustainable landscape management. Plus, if your landscape meets the scorecard metrics, you can gain “Certified Georgia Landscape” status (and have the option to purchase this sign for your yard)!

Visit wonderful gardens — Years ago a friend introduced me to the Charleston Festival of Houses and Gardens where we embarked on our own walking tour. It was a chance to see “behind the iron gates” of those wonderful private and public gardens that opened my eyes to possibilities I would have never considered. During April, the Historic Garden Week in Virginia features tours throughout the state. The Brandywine Valley in

northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania also has many wonderful and inspiring gardens, including Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Nemours Estate, Mt. Cuba Center and more. Keep a journal of your garden visits and what works and what doesn’t in your own garden. You’ll be glad you did!

Finally, have fun and enjoy yourself as you grow! Ralph Waldo Emerson was a wise man: “Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.”

Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.

Save the Date! Garden Faire 2024 will be held on April 20, 2024, at The Grove at Wills Park. https://www. nfmg.net/garden-faire.html

PAM RENTZ

Guest Columnist

PAM RENTZ/PROVIDED

Top left photo - Sheffield mums (Fall)

Bottom left photo - Ferns/heucheras (Winter)

Top right photo - Rose (Spring)

Bottom right photo - Butterfly weed (Summer)

THE INK PENN

Don’t miss the Dunwoody Library Sale March 21-25

The popular Friends of the Dunwoody Library Adult Book Sale is coming up this weekend at the Dunwoody Library, 5339 ChambleeDunwoody Rd.

If you’re an avid reader, this is the event for you.

You’ll find adult fiction and nonfiction selections, with most hardbacks priced at $2 and paperbacks at $1. Some books and materials are specially priced by value. You’ll be able to shop to your heart’s content knowing that cash, check, and Credit/Debit payments are accepted.

Do you like mysteries, thrillers, romance or other popular fiction genres? Mysteries are my thing, but I do occasionally branch out. Given the low prices, I always see this event as an opportunity to try something different.

Are you a nonfiction enthusiast? You may not be able to tear yourself away from the offerings on a variety of topics: Art, Religion, History, Drama, Poetry, Shakespeare, Science and Math, Music and Show Business, Travel, Health, Sports, Gardening, and more.

Because I so often read of the demise of paper books, I went in search of data. Imagine my surprise when I read that the demand for physical books is still going strong—and, in fact, growing. This excerpt from the

If you go

• Thursday, March 21, 2024: Open to all, 4:00-8:00 p.m.

• Friday & Saturday, March 22 & 23, 2024: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Monday, March 25, 2024: 10 a.m.6:00 p.m., BAG DAY. Fill a large grocery bag for $7.00!

“Guardian” about Gen Z reading habits was enlightening.

“They have killed skinny jeans and continue to shame millennials for having side partings in their hair. They think using the crying tears emoji to express laughter is embarrassing. But now comes a surprising gen Z plot twist. One habit that those born between 1997 and 2012 are keen to endorse is reading – and it’s physical books rather than digital that they are thumbing …

“Last year in the UK, 669m physical books were sold, the highest overall level ever recorded. Research from Nielsen BookData highlights that it is print books that gen Z favours, accounting for 80% of purchases from November 2021 to 2022. Libraries are also reporting an uptick in gen Z users who favour their quiet over noisy coffee shops. In the UK, in-person visits are up 71%.”

That data tells me that the work the FODL does is increasingly important. The money they raise through the sales is used to support the library by

enabling it to serve the community in a variety of ways.

• Children’s programs offered during the summer and fall totaled over 140 with crafts, Take & Make, sticker posters, and LEGO club among them.

• Adult offerings include jewelry and weaving (full with a wait list), programs on Alzheimer's education, Georgia native trees, and working as a movie extra.

• Beyond the four walls of the library. FODL members also assist with library outreach by helping with presentations, books, and school supplies at National Night Out and Truck or Treat events.

My weekly visits to the local library with my mother made me a library lover at an early age, and the work of FODL is helping to grow a new generation of library lovers. Friends of the Dunwoody Library Vice President Jackie Willey says it well:

“I believe libraries are the center of a community. As an FODL volunteer, I work to make our library a place where everyone feels welcome.”

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Swing into Spring with the Dunwoody Garden Club Gala

KATHY MANOS PENN

It’s a sure sign that Spring is here when the Dunwoody Garden Club holds their annual Gala. The popular event includes a morning of games with a light breakfast, followed by a silent auction, a luncheon and a Chico’s fashion show. Arrive at 10:00 a.m. to play card games, mah-jongg, or a board game of your choice.

If you don’t come for games and breakfast, be sure to arrive at least by 11:00 a.m. so that you have time to peruse the silent auction items and place your bids.

The 2024 Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors are The CBD Store, The Mansions-Sandy Springs, and Atlanta

If you go

• April 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Dunwoody United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

• $35

• 1548 Mount Vernon Rd

• For tickets call Bonnie Barton, 770-639-3510, by March 25

Hearing Associates and Dunwoody Ace Hardware.

Tempting restaurant gift certificates are always plentiful. Café Intermezzo, Lazy Dog, and Budi Sushi are just a few of those who have contributed. You’ll also find live plants and flowers, passes to area attractions, fine art and jewelry, gift baskets, beauty packages, and more. The lakehouse getaway at Lanier is sure to be a popular item.

THE INK PENN Two thrilling reads offer change of pace

These books are a shift from my typical reading fare, as I more often choose British mysteries—cozies and police procedurals. From time to time, I branch out to titles I find reviewed in the local paper or the “Wall Street Journal,” or who knows where. These two thrillers were a pleasant change of pace.

“Everybody Knows” by Jordan Harper Harper’s latest novel is billed as a murder thriller and praised by the likes of authors Michael Connelly, Megan Abbott, and S. A. Cosby. Set in Los Angeles, its protagonist is a black bag publicist. I had no idea what that was until I read this book, but it makes sense that people like her exist. I have no doubt that crisis PR firms are in the business of making the messes of the rich and powerful disappear. With enough money and enough power, the rich and famous can have their debauchery and depravity managed and whitewashed.

This annual fundraiser allows the Dunwoody Garden Club to continue its many projects to beautify and improve Dunwoody and its environs. The main entrance gardens at Brook Run, the Dunwoody Library atrium planter and main entrance gardens, and the accent landscaping at Windwood Hollow Park are all provided and maintained by this industrious group.

To purchase tickets, please contact Bonnie Barton, 770-639-3510. Tickets for the event are $35 and must be purchased by March 25th.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

As I read of Mae Pruett’s work for the firm, I could easily put celebrity names to some of the scenarios she handles. Sometimes, real life situations are referenced, like the discovery of John Belushi dead of an overdose. It only takes a small leap to imagine what would have happened if he’d been found in time to save his life. With someone like Mae working her magic, we might never have known he overdosed.

If you’re looking for a book to keep you up late at night, a book to keep you guessing until the end, this one’s a keeper.

“The Last Mona Lisa” by Jonathan Santlofer

After reading a review of the author’s latest book, “The Lost Van Gogh”, I went in search of his first thriller. The storyline is based on the real-life theft that occurred in 1911. The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre and recovered two years later when the thief tried to sell it. Since then, some have believed that what hangs today in the Louvre is a copy.

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

Who you gonna believe? ‘The marketplace of ideas’

PAT FOX Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com

The Pew Research Center asked me recently to participate in a survey on current affairs. I consented to offer my opinions on religion, politics, immigration and other assorted issues because it is important to help paint an accurate picture of American sentiment.

I’ve always found Pew, a division of the Pew Charitable Trust, to be a reliable source of valuable information.

Thanks to the galaxy of internet and broadcast outlets, we now have an exhaustive supply of “expert” policy statements on social and political stances. I find few of them trustworthy, and yet the shelves overflow in the marketplace of ideas.

That term, “marketplace of ideas,” is attributed to Supreme Court giant Oliver Wendell Holmes in his dissent on a 1919 case relating to the Espionage Act. Two defendants were

convicted of distributing leaflets, signed “revolutionists,” calling for an end to U.S. efforts to intervene in Russia’s civil war.

Holmes argued, unsuccessfully, that the leaflets presented no “clear and present danger” to the country and that, “The best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.”

Holmes’ marketplace of ideas is now an industry, fueled by special interests with deep pockets or pecked on the keyboards of provocateurs in their parents’ basement.

On a grander scale, there are “think tanks,” teams of data jugglers paid to manufacture viewpoints to suit any social or political persuasion. Most of these policy statements begin with some basis in fact, but their route to a conclusion is often skewed with partisan detours before landing on any “truth.” The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard reports more than 1,200 think tanks operate in the United States.

Not all think tanks are evil. Some provide valuable research devoid of bias.

Whether they admit it or not, the seminal purpose of most think tanks is to spread information, often to sway public opinion in a pre-determined direction. Many identify themselves as “non-partisan,” but most really aren’t.

All receive funding from someone – people, organizations, and in some cases, grants. No one has ever given money to anyone without a reason.

Many think tanks are alchemists of thought, often turning raw propaganda into gold. It’s their job to tell you what to think, not how to think.

Cable news – and I use that term loosely – supports a cast of characters spewing arguments culled from think tanks.

Cable news is today’s ESPN, politics as sport – moderators as coaches; guests, either Stepford cheerleaders or hapless quarterbacks in a collapsing pocket.

Is it any wonder that people today cite facts that are, in fact, not facts at all?

Only recently, the Miami Chronicle reported online that the U.S. is softening its stance against

Russian President Vladimir Putin. The information was attributed to an unnamed State Department official via a leaked recording. The Chronicle also carried other news out of South Florida, information that had already been aired or published by local outlets.

For the record, there is no Miami Chronicle. It is a fiction.

It presents a stream of legitimate local news, then adds baseless propaganda disguised as articles.

A team from the Media Forensics Hub at Clemson University traced the invention of the Miami Chronical to a pro-Kremlin website, according to the New York Times (if you trust the Old Gray Lady).

If it’s not evident already, the greatest threat to this democracy is that we’ve forgotten how to establish facts first, then disagree. And it’s gone on so long that an entire generation now knows of no time when truth existed.

With apologies to the brilliant Justice Holmes, the best test of truth comes not from the marketplace of ideas. It emerges from facts stripped down to the marrow.

Let’s take a nice walk in the rain

Welcome to March, everybody. It that’s time of year when one minute it’s high summer and the next it’s deep winter gray. And sometimes it goes from one to the other just like that. Today was one of those quickchange days. It was blue sky at dawn, so I decided to go hiking at the Gold Branch Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Of all the CRNRA units, it’s the one that to me feels the most remote. It’s like you’re out in the wilds, far from everything, and the illusion of true wilderness is comforting.

But then it clouded up. The temperature is dropping, and now it’s 42 degrees outside, but I’m hiking anyway ¬- walking what seems like a million miles from nowhere out in the middle of the woods, even though deep down I know that Roswell Road is just right over there somewhere.

And now it’s starting to rain.

That’s okay though. I’ve got a

poncho in my day pack, and it’s supposed to be a good one. The package told me it’s the latest thing, ripstop and water resistant and probably bulletproof too. Ripstop is good since thorn bushes try to torpedo it on occasion. Water resistant is good, too, though I’ve discovered a couple of inefficiencies up by the neck.

Is it bulletproof? It occurs to me that I don’t know, and without even an instant of warning my mind jumps back to what I’ve started calling, at least to myself, the Incident on Roswell Road.

I’m amazed how clearly I recall every little detail.

II.

Memory is a wonderful thing. In it I see two vehicles, a van and a car, drivers waving arms and shouting, stopped at a traffic light. The driver in back got out. Words were exchanged. He went back to his car, reached inside, pulled out a pistol, and fired three times. One, two, three. Pop, pop, pop, like flat and dimensionless firecrackers. Then he jumped back in his car and with screeching tires

roared away.

I was frozen 20 yards away, held prisoner by a red light, boxed in by a Toyota and a light blue Ford, mesmerized by the movie unfolding before my eyes.

I remember part of me thinking, briefly and almost instantaneously, “No big deal. You’ve seen it hundreds of times before.” Belligerence and bluster, violence and force. Every night it’s on TV, in the programs, in the news.

But this time the movie had three dimensions instead of two, and I was one of the extras.

I couldn’t see the faces of the drivers ¬– neither gunner nor gunnee – but I could make out every detail of the instant terror in the eyes of the young mother in the car to my right. And I remember two little heads that popped up from that car’s back seat, appearing as soon as the shooting started, perhaps to see what was causing all the neat noises and whether they would sound again –

III.

At Gold Branch, the rain continues. I sit down on a soggy

log and look across the little pond nearby. The downpour has turned its surface into a continent of tiny liquid explosions. Each drop makes a sound, but the notes are undistinguishable. There’s just a muted roar, like an angry mob, a rumbling continuous explosion, a cacophony of impacts blasting the quiet surface of the pond.

I sit for a while, watching, until a new sound eases into my mind. It is soft, a flannel sound almost as soft as rain, and it comes from the bushes ten yards to my right.

Another hiker? Not likely. Not here. Not now. Not in this rain.

What, then?

It is a cat. It is not a family cat, I surmise, though it may have been so once. It may have had a collar with a bright metal tag, may have curled up on sofas and sat in warm laps, may have dined nightly on tidbits from the rich man’s table.

We look at one another, the cat and me, and I can tell that the cat is thinking. I had a cat once, and I know their looks. One says, “I am hungry and I want to be fed.” Another says, “I

STEVE HUDSON Columnist

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

Penn:

Continued from Page 18

This account of the heist shifts between what led to Vincent Peruggia’s 1911 theft of the famous painting and his fictional great-grandson’s 2019 search for his story. Why did Vincent steal the painting? Was it greed? Was it need? We discover his circumstances and motivation when his great-grandson Luke Perrone visits the Laurentian Library in Florence to view what may be Vincent’s journal.

As a university art professor and artist, Luke has been trying for years to learn more about his great-grandfather.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Peer Group Capital LLC

1030 Cambridge Square, Suite B Alpharetta, GA 30009

DBA

Peer Group Consulting

Day after day, Luke reads a journal allegedly written when Vincent was in prison. Mix in a rogue employee of INTERPOL’s Art Theft Division and a beautiful blonde from New York City, and you have an intriguing thriller.

Who is tracking Luke’s every move? Is it INTERPOL? Is it the blonde? Is it someone else? Let’s just say that he is a person of interest to many. Once again, a book kept me up late too many nights in a row. I had to know how the loose ends tied together and whether a happy ending was in the cards. You’ll have to read the book to find out. Me? I’m off to put “The Lost Van Gogh” on hold at the library and join Luke in yet another art mystery.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook. com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Locally Owned and Operated

• Pre-planning

• Funeral Services

• Grief Support

• Veteran Services

• Cremation Services

770-645-1414

info@northsidechapel.com

www.northsidechapel.com

During these turbulent times, we would like to highlight the continued courage and commitment of everyone who works in the health care, law enforcement, childcare, food service and utility sectors. We are extremely grateful.

12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075

CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following item will be heard at a public hearing held by the Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday, April 11, 2024, commencing at 3:00 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Items forwarded by the Historic Preservation Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, April 29, 2024, commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. PH-24-09 Dr. Morris House/116 North Main Street – Historic Designation

Consideration of a request to designate the Dr. Morris House as historic. The property is located at 116 North Main Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1252, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Rain:

Continued from Page 19

think it is time for me to be scratched behind the ears.”

Yet another says, “I think it is time to visit the little box behind the door.”

And there is one more. It is the look that says, “Don’t bother me. I am a cat, and I am thinking cat thoughts. They are secret, and you will never know them, but I know them always and am thinking them now.”

That was the look that this cat has. It is the cat thoughts look, and the cat is looking at me.

The cat sits motionless, then ever so slowly eases into a crouch, as if to spring, tail straight out, not so much as the twitch of an ear.

Still the cat looks at me. Deciding –

Deciding what?

I blink first. The tip of the cat’s tail twitches. I blink again.

The cat slowly stands and turns and starts to walk away.

For a moment, I watch. A second more, and he is gone.

IV.

– but they did not.

In times of stress, they say, you resort to basic conditioning:

The mother, apparently petrified, did not scream, and so the children, no longer interested, disappeared from view and resumed whatever child’s

game they were playing.

Me? I went on when the light turned green.

I drove about 100 yards before it dawned on me that I really should go back…to help? To lend aid? To see what I could see?

And so I turned around and drove back past the scene.

The car had not come back.

The guys from the van were standing around looking at three little holes in the back door of the van. They pointed and gestured, then got in their van and drove away too.

The mother and her kids were gone.

Time to be on my way too, I told myself. My assistance was not needed, and I did not want to be involved. No. I did not want to be involved at all.

Later I watched the news at both six and 11. There was no mention of the incident. No mention at all.

That was good. If there was no incident, there was no need.

V. Remember the Salvadore Dali painting? The one with the timepieces that seem to be flowing like soft plastic off the edges of the tables? Remember it’s title?

I did not want to be involved. But I was I was…

And as the memory comes back I realize that I still am, even now, even here, in this screaming, deafening silence a million miles from nowhere, in these woods under siege in an icy cold rain.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following item will be considered by the Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday, April 18, 2024 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. V-23-25 Busch/212 Brook Drive

Consideration of a variance to reduce a front setback from 35’ to 20’ and side setback from 10’ to 8’ to allow for a garage addition. The property is located at 212 Brook Drive and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1251, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

b. V-24-09 265 Dania Drive

Consideration of a variance to allow for a tear down and rebuild of a single-family detached home on 1.02 acres. A variance is requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.2.1(D) AG agriculture, District Regulations to reduce the side setback on the south side of the property from 25’ to 12.5’. The property is located at 265 Dania Drive and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1177, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Sign up for a new resident email series at

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, April 11, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, April 29, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. Z-24-06/PH-24-06/V-24-06 55 Canton

Consideration of a rezoning, parking in-lieu fees, and variances to allow for the construction of a mixed-use building with 36 ‘For-Sale’ condominium units and 7,303 square feet of restaurant space on 1.02 acres in the Downtown Overlay. A rezoning is requested from C-2 (General Commercial) to DT-C (Downtown Core) and parking in-lieu fees are requested for approximately four (4) parking spaces. Variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A: Alpharetta Downtown Code Subsection 3.5.5 to increase the maximum building footprint and to UDC Subsection 2.5.5(J) to allow tandem parking spaces to count toward minimum parking requirements. The property is located at 32, 38 & 44 Old Canton Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1269, 2 nd District, 2 nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

b. CLUP-24-02/Z-24-07/CU-24-04/V-24-07 TPG/Park Walke

Consideration of a comprehensive land use plan amendment, rezoning, conditional use and variances to allow for the construction of 34 ‘For-Sale’ townhomes on 3.41 acres in the Downtown. A comprehensive land use plan amendment is requested from ‘Commercial’ to ‘Mixed Use Live-Work’ and a rezoning is requested from C-2 (General Commercial) to DT-LW (Downtown Live-Work). A conditional use is requested to increase density above 8 dwelling units per acre and variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A Subsection 2.2.3 to eliminate interconnected streets, block requirements, stub-out streets and allow dead end streets, to UDC Appendix A Subsections 2.4.6 and 2.7.2 to allow parking between the building and the street, and to Appendix A Subsection 3.7.3 to increase maximum lot coverage from 70% to 80%. The property is located at 2220, 2240, 2260, 2270, and 2300 Old Milton Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 748, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

c. Z-24-08/V-24-08 306 Thompson Street

Consideration of a rezoning and variances to allow for the construction of 2 ‘For-Sale’ single-family detached homes on 1.148 acres in the Downtown Overlay. A rezoning is requested from R-12 (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Residential) to DT-LW (Downtown Live-Work). Variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A Subsection 2.3.5 and UDC Subsection 3.5.7 to eliminate the requirement to install a multi-use trail; UDC Appendix A Subsection 2.4.6 to allow parking between the building and the street and to eliminate the requirement for a street-facing garage to be recessed at least 20’ behind the front building façade; and Appendix A Subsection 2.8.7 to allow a contemporary architectural style for the proposed homes. The property is located at 306 Thompson Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 802, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.

d. PH-24-07 Unified Development Code (UDC) Text Amendments – Hotels

Consideration of text amendments to Articles I and II of the Unified Development Code (UDC) to amend the definition and miscellaneous regulations pertaining to ‘Extended Stay Hotel’, add a definition for ‘Hotel, Hybrid’, add ‘Hotel, Hybrid’ use in certain zoning districts, and add ‘Hotel, Hybrid’ miscellaneous regulations.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Landscaping

Carreno Landscaping

Monthly lawn maintenance, irrigation, sod installation, plants, mulch-fertilization, tree removal, pinestraw installation. 404-333-5107 or text address for work.

Bargains / Medical Equipment

MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR

Merits Vision Sport. Less than a year old. Purchased 3/2023. $2800/obo. Alpharetta; must pick up. 352-391-4276

Pinestraw

PINESTRAW, MULCH

Delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612

Cemetery

GREENLAWN ROSWELL: 2 plots on picturesque lakeview hillside. Market price, $9000 each. Bargain priced at $5000 each! 770-475-7307

Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 4pm

Infor (US), LLC has an opening for an ICS Consultant, Senior in Alpharetta, GA. Support the Technical Implementation of ERP LN including Data migrations, System administrations, Integrations and Extensions; and, define the full lifecycle of a client implementation such as Kickoff, Business Analysis, Functional Specification, System Configuration, Design, Testing, Documentation, Training and Change Management Execution ensuring compliance with methodology. Telecommuting permitted up to 100%. Domestic (U.S.) travel to unanticipated clients worksites is required up to 30%. How to apply: E-mail resume, referencing IN1029, including job history, to careers@infor. com. EOE.

our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

Become a published author. We want to read your book!

Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-479-1516

Safe

data stores & uncover insights. Hadoop development & implementation. Work under the supervision of Project Manager. Requires minimum of BS or equiv. in CS, CIS, Computer Applications, IT-related Engineering, or related. Extended travel and/or relocation throughout U.S. Mail resumes to: CloudIngest Inc., Job HBDD, 310 Maxwell Rd., Suite 600, Alpharetta, GA 30009

Sawnee EMC is seeking an Accounts Receivable Clerk to reconcile consumer accounts and process members’ transactions (i.e., Cash, Check, Credit Card, or Money Order). Will supply information to customers and resolve customer inquiries through face-to-face communication. Requires: high school diploma or equivalency, proficiency in mathematics, monetary, and general office skills. A minimum of two years of related experience preferred. Position is full-time; must be flexible to work irregular hours, to include evenings and weekends. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, April 1, 2024. Apply online: www.sawnee.com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568. Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Sawnee EMC is seeking a Bookkeeper to verify, allocate, and post details of business transactions, summarize and transfer data to general ledgers, compile reports; review, reconcile, and balance accounts. Requires: a bachelor’s degree in accounting, or a related field, and a minimum of one (1) year related experience in an accounting/ bookkeeping environment or equivalent combination of education and experience solely determined by the Corporation. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, April 1, 2024. Apply online: www. sawnee.com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-8872363 extension 7568. Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Part-time

ESTATE ASSISTING

Healthy, hard-working, very tech-savvy lady, good organizing skills. 1-5 or 6pm. 2-3 days/week. My Johns Creek home. Also willing to help with home organization. Salary approx. $15+/hour based on performance & work accomplished. Have own reliable transportation. 678-524-3881 & send resume: realestatetreasure@msn.com

Continued from Page 13

But most Democrats said those benefits were not worth the harm they said the bill could bring. Augusta Democratic Rep. Karlton Howard said because typical tuition at private schools is well above $6,500, the bill would primarily benefit better-off families and leave lower income families at a disadvantage, exacerbating the disparity between the rich and poor.

“This bill, ultimately, what it does is perpetuate inequality in our educational system,” he said. “And frankly, I’m not swayed by the promise of teacher pay raises or kindergarten improvements if it comes at the cost of defunding our public schools.”

Macon Democratic Rep. Miriam Paris was more blunt.

“It is not only a pig with lipstick, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pig with lipstick, mascara, foundation, blush and all of the rest,” she said. “I think that this House doesn’t need a big lecture on it, and I think that we can do better.”

Most of the Republicans opposed to last year’s bill voted yes on Thursday, but a few stuck to their guns, like Pine Mountain Rep. Vance Smith, who said his wife is a retired teacher.

Smith echoed Democrats in suggesting improving public schools rather than

offering a way out.

“When the dust settles, you still got children in the classroom,” he said. “We’ve got children in Harris County that live with their grandmama. They live with their aunt. What are we doing for those children that are left in the classroom? Are we raising that level of education for those children?”

One former Democrat took issue with that argument.

“What is the Democrat battle cry?

The Democrat battle cry is, ‘Do this instead,’” said Atlanta Republican Rep. Mesha Mainor, who switched parties after breaking ranks in last year’s voucher vote. “We admit there’s a problem. We admit that the schools are failing, we admit that the children are not learning. We admit all of those things, but let’s not give them a choice.”

Mainor said she was raised in a rough part of Atlanta and credited her mother for sending her to another school outside of her district.

The bill could be headed to the Senate, which passed last year’s version without the additions. Kemp has indicated he looks forward to signing the bill. If he does, it will go into effect for the 2025-26 school year.

This story comes to Appen Media through a reporting partnership with Georgia Recorder, a nonprofit newsroom that covers statewide issues.

REAL

GrillFest

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

GrillFest is a celebration of all of our favorite foods that can be prepared on the grill, smoker, or flattop griddle. Guests will enjoy unlimited samples of juicy burgers, smoked BBQ, and an array of grilled meats from wings to steaks. Don’t worry veggie lovers—we’ve got you covered, too, as our restaurant partners and chefs will also have your

Union Hill Park - Alpharetta, Georgia

Saturday, April 20th 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

General Admission: $65

favorites fired up on the grill. GrillFest will include craft beer and craft cocktails, along with bourbon and tequila tastings from our spirits partners. Enjoy live entertainment all day and visit with our vendor sponsors just in time for summer—think outdoor living, summer fun, and grills and gadgets for the outdoor chef.

atlantamagazine.com/grillfest