Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - August 1, 2024

Alpharetta chooses playground over parking at Union Hill

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A decision about the future of Union Hill Park tasked Council members with deciding between protecting recreational green space or promoting the city’s ability to host events.

In the end they chose the parks. At their July 29 meeting, the Council approved a resolution to deny plans to build an additional parking lot and instead pursue an enhanced playground area at the park. The Council voted 5-1 with Councilman John Hipes dissenting. Councilman Fergal Brady was absent.

Roswell residents speak out on Masonic Lodge seizure

By JAKE DRUKMAN newsroom@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell City Council is considering its options on whether to destroy, remodel or salvage the historic Masonic Lodge No. 165 building, which it acquired through eminent domain in April.

Environmental and Public Works Director Brian Watson detailed the city’s options at the council’s July 29 special called meeting. He said that if the city did not want to demolish the building entirely, it could remodel the building into an open-air pavilion

for public use or salvage elements of the building’s architecture for use in another project.

Watson said that a wholesale demolition would cost the city around $778,000, while the option to salvage pieces of the building would cost $1.6 million. He said a remodeling effort would cost more than $3.5 million, though that figure also includes the cost of installing a public restroom on the parcel.

During an open public comment session held after the special

“Alpharetta will be known as the community that puts parks first,” Martine Zurinskas, an Alpharetta resident who addressed the Council during the public comment period, said after the vote.

City staff had previously recommended building 49 additional parking spaces to the park’s existing 105 spots after funds

from a 2021 bond referendum became insufficient to cover rising costs of an original playground design. The park sits on the Big Creek Greenway.

An existing agreement also provides an additional 73 spots at adjacent

Providing paradise for dogs

Off Leash Alpharetta co-founders Wendy Newman and Lonnie Cooper, center, cut the ribbon on their newest venture July 17 with members of the Alpharetta City Council, Mayor Jim Gilvin and K-9 units from the Police Department. Newman said her golden retriever Shiloh, pictured front center, is almost always hanging out at the dog park. See story, page 8.

See COUNCIL, Page 22

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Police say Roswell man murdered girlfriend

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested 32-year-old Juan Inga Bruno, a Roswell man, July 26 for the death of his girlfriend. Shortly before 8:30 a.m. that day, Roswell E911 received a call from an individual reporting the discovery of a deceased person inside an apartment on Belmont Drive in the Champions Green Apartments.

Responding officers reported that a woman, later identified as 27-year-old Andreily Acacio Rodriguez, was deceased inside the residence with visible injuries

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.

Alpharetta real estate firm scammed out of $120k

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An employee of a real estate firm reported to police on July 19 she was deceived into sending more than $120,000 to a fraudulent account as part of an email phishing scam.

In May, the employee began receiving emails requesting the firm change the accounts where payments would be made to a concrete vendor, according to a police report.

The domain of the emails requesting the change matched those of the concrete company.

The concrete company told police their email may have been hacked.

On July 10, the employee sent two payments totaling $120,158.37 to the changed accounts, intending to pay the vendor.

On July 18, a representative of the concrete company called the employee, asking when they would be paid for their services.

The employee told the concrete company she had sent the payments to the new accounts, but the company said they had never requested a change.

Police asked the employee to provide the invoices and proof of the deposits.

consistent with a homicide.

Investigators identified Acacio Rodriguez’s boyfriend, Inga Bruno, as a suspect. Less than two hours later, officers located Bruno and took him into custody during a traffic stop.

Roswell Police said they believe the incident was a domestic-related crime and that there are no additional outstanding suspects.

Inga Bruno was charged with malice murder and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony and transported

Big Creek neighbor reports car theft

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a vehicle theft at the Big Creek Apartments July 21 after a 44-year-old resident reported her Toyota Prius missing.

The victim, a 45-year-old resident, said she parked her car in front of her around 5 p.m. July 20.

When she returned the next morning, her vehicle was missing.

Officers did not report signs of forced entry while on scene.

The victim said she left her car unlocked but did not leave the keys inside.

Because officers were unable to locate the vehicle through a license plate search, they listed it as stolen in the National Crime Information Center.

North Point jeweler reports mall theft

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The owner of a North Point Mall kiosk reported a burglary of about $9,000 of jewelry on July 17.

The owner of HMS Jewelry told police his surveillance camera had recorded a young man using a screwdriver to pry open his kiosk’s drawers and locks about 8 a.m, according to an Alpharetta police report.

The mall opened at 11 a.m. that day, according to a mall representative.

The burglar was at the kiosk for about 10-15 minutes and concealed the jewelry in a backpack.

The investigation is ongoing.

Editor’s Note: If you want to talk to someone about the violence in your life or in the life of someone you know, please call Georgia’s 24-Hour Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-33-HAVEN (1-800-334-2836).

to the Fulton County Jail. The investigation is active. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Roswell Police Department at 770640-4100. Anonymous information can be provided through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www. StopCrimeATL.org.

Officers assist resident with identity fraud

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police responded July 29 after a resident said someone attempted to join a credit union with his personal information.

The victim, a 69-year-old Roswell resident, said he received a letter from a bank stating his membership application had been denied.

The man told officers he never applied to the credit union.

A month earlier, the victim said someone tried to sell his property in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

The victim said he spoke with an employee of a title company June 19 about someone attempting to sell the property from London, England.

The victim said his property had been listed online with a $225,000 deal in the closing process, using incorrect personal information.

The title employee said the suspect attempting to sell the victim’s property did not appear in person.

Officers said the victim provided them details about individuals involved in the attempted sale of his property. They did not say if the two events were connected in any way.

Officers told the man to gather any information about who filed the application and file an additional police report with Santa Rosa Beach law enforcement.

The investigation is ongoing.

THE PICTURE FRAMER

Roswell native finds adventure, strength on Appalachian Trail

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Hudson Brock felt relief and joy finishing up the last few feet of his almost 2,200-mile hike.

“I got a little emotional,” Brock said. His parents were waiting on July 20 at a base camp at the foot of Mount Katahdin, Maine, which marks the end of the Appalachian Trail. They welcomed him home with a fried chicken sandwich, an extravagant meal after five months of mostly bland trail food.

Since setting out in early March in Georgia, the 24-year-old Roswell native had hiked through 14 states, enduring wet and cold weather, aching feet, countless blisters, sometimes 20-plusmile days and, sometimes, doubts about his endurance.

About one in four hikers who set out on the trail actually finish, The Appalachian Trail Conservancy estimates.

“I remember on Day 3 thinking, ‘How am I ever going to do this?”’ Brock said. But by the end, he knew he could. Brock was introduced to backpacking in his youth when his father would take him on treks in North Georgia. As he grew older, the trips got longer, sometimes stretching several days, and on those

walks, father and son would sometimes run into Appalachian Trail hikers, who related tales of adventure.

While attending Kennesaw State for a computer engineering degree, Brock began to see the Appalachian Trail as a pinnacle, one-in-a-lifetime achievement and something he might want to do himself.

“I realized that this is seriously something I want to do,” he said.

After graduating, Brock eased himself into the routine of walking with a heavy pack, building up to longer and longer walks. Although those practice runs were invaluable, he said, the reality of taking on the trail was something else entirely.

Slightly overweight, it was difficult getting used to a 45-pound pack that contained mostly food but also cold weather gear, a spare set of “town clothes,” satellite messenger to text his parents, sleeping bag, water filter, phone, charger and much more.

Burning about 4,000 calories a day, Brock got leaner and stronger. He learned invaluable lessons, like what he needed to carry and what he could do without. And he found an inner strength.

“I was able to push my mental boundaries,” he said, adding, “The thing you got to tell yourself is, ‘As I’m hiking, it

PROVIDED

Hudson Brock, 24, reaches the top of Mount Katahdin, Maine, on July 20 near the end the Appalachian Trail. Brock set out on the journey in early March after graduating from Kennesaw State.

gets easier.’ You get used to it.”

He also experienced those adventures he had once dreamed about. The journey has given him a new perspective on not only what he is capable of but also people and the importance of kindness.

“I have a new outlook on how kind people are,” he said. “You meet so many great people.”

Brock said he cherishes many fond memories, like the companionship he experienced huddling around a tiny fire on a below-freezing night in North Carolina, watching a distant storm roll in from a mountain meadow vista point, a 28-mile walk for a milkshake in New York, or the time some “trail angels” appeared with burgers, Bratwurst and a TV for a movie night of the 1991 thriller “Point Break.”

“I would say I definitely got my fill of adventures,” he said.

Despite those magical experiences, Brock said he is relieved to be at home, out of the cold and damp and able to enjoy meals other than the prepackaged variety he’d grown weary of.

He admitted he misses some things, like talking shop with fellow hikers and being able to eat anything without worrying about gaining weight.

In January, he plans to pursue a master’s in computer engineering before kicking off his professional career.

Although the Appalachian Trail may be behind him, Brock said he is just getting started. The voyage, he said, has ignited a passion for hiking, and he suspects taking on the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails are in his future.

“I think I’m going to have a love for the trail for the rest of my life,” he said.

Alpharetta moves forward with custom bus shelters

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — City officials want their new bus shelters to communicate to visitors they have arrived in a special place.

“That was our focus, … to also have a bus shelter that’s very different and notice that you’ve arrived in a different area,” Community Development Director Kathi Cook said.

The city’s Design Review Board considered two designs for three downtown bus stops at its July 19 meeting. After discussing the designs, board members ended up recommending a shelter with a historic, Victorian look.

City Council members will consider the designs at a future date.

The shelters come at a price of $11,880 each with an additional $1,850 for engineering to make them compliant with structural building code. One of the shelters will be paid for by the developer of a residential project.

See SHELTERS, Page 7

CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED Alpharetta officials say this bus shelter design communicates a special sense of place to patrons and visitors. The design was approved by the Alpharetta Design Review Board July 19, and each structure comes with a price tag of about $12,000.

Fulton County Schools keeps cellphone policy

Some metro districts employ new pouches

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fulton County Schools is keeping its cellphone policies intact, even as some Metro Atlanta school districts launch pilot programs to restrict their use in classrooms.

Susan Romanick, Fulton County Schools Communications manager, said the district prohibited elementary students from using smartphones in August 2023. Middle and high school classrooms allow some leeway at the teacher’s discretion.

“Fulton County Schools understands the distraction cell phones may pose in our schools,” Romanick said. “Recognizing this, FCS took steps to address the issue a year ago by updating the Student Code of Conduct for the 2023-24 school year, thereby limiting cell phone use among students.”

Romanick said she wants to remind parents and students that cellphone use during school hours is a privilege.

If students violate rules, school personnel can confiscate devices.

Romanick said discussions about updates to district-wide cellphone policy are planned for the Board of Education meeting in August.

She also said the district will solicit community feedback during September, with potential recommendations being brought forward during the October board meeting.

Policies in Metro Atlanta

DeKalb County School District and Marietta City Schools have adopted variations of a pilot program, testing the use of secure pouches to store student’s electronic devices during instructional time.

Both school districts are employing the use of Yondr, a San Francisco-based technology company, which is now the industry leader in distraction-free spaces.

In DeKalb County, the company’s magnetized pouches allow students to keep their cellphones locked away from the moment they enter the building to when the last bell rings.

At entertainment venues, guests are allowed to keep their cellphone pouches and unlock them in designated areas throughout the venue.

Yondr pouches allow some flexibility for students because teachers and administrators can unlock them at their discretion.

The DeKalb County School Board opted to spend $400,000 on a pilot program for smartphone pouches at 10 middle and high schools across the district.

The five middle schools include Henderson, Lithonia, Salem, Sequoyah and Tucker. The five high schools testing the pouches are Cross Keys, Lakeside, Lithonia, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Tucker.

Out of the district’s more than 92,000 students, around 15,000 will participate in the program.

There are exceptions for students with medical or special needs, as well as emergency protocols.

Marietta City Schools’ Sixth Grade Academy and Middle School will also test out the Yondr pouches this school year.

Superintendent Grant Riveria said cellphones, smartwatches and social media have significant impacts on student learning and mental health.

“School should be a place to learn and grow; that can’t happen if students are distracted by their phones,” Riveria said. “This solution will create a more focused and supportive educational environment.”

DeKalb County, Fulton County and Marietta all have similar cellphone use policies, but pouches are thought to help teachers and administrators with enforcement.

Milton High School adopted the use of Yondr pouches in some of its classrooms in 2018, according to an 11Alive report.

However, FCS Media Relations Manager Anne Boatwright said there are currently no schools in the district that use Yondr pouches for cellphones.

Milton High officials said July 23 there are cellphone pouches, not from Yondr, in some of its classrooms but there is no school-wide policy on their use.

FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED A map of North Fulton County shows the distribution of public schools across the region for the 202324 school year. The school district’s cellphone use policy remains unchanged from last year, with some leeway for older students and more stringent rules for elementary schoolers.

Elsewhere in the region, Atlanta Public Schools’ Midtown High School sent out an email to parents and students in May, explaining its reasons for banning cellphones and other personal electronic devices from its campus.

The Midtown High newspaper, The Southerner, said the policy limits students’ abilities to pursue journalism. Students will still be able to use their school-provided Chromebook, which comes with restrictions and oversight.

Where Fulton County Schools sit

Officials say no FCS schools will use Yondr pouches this fall.

While DeKalb County and Marietta have taken steps to limit cellphone usage, some of their board members say that students will adapt to the use of smartwatches, laptops and other personal electronic devices.

An FCS spokeswoman said the district remains committed to creating an optimal learning environment, and the Board of Education is committed to monitoring and evaluating district policies to best serve students and the community.

The Fulton County Board of Education started a process at its June 11 work session to review its policies surrounding cellphone use and access in schools.

FCS Superintendent Mike Looney said the district is not proposing a change to the policy but opening a discussion about how to best serve student safety.

Board members received a benchmarking document, reviewing what other Metro Atlanta school districts are doing, and where FCS policy sits.

For now, middle and high school teachers have discretion over cellphone use in classrooms. Whether the policy needs more enforcement will be a topic of discussion at FCS Board of Education meetings this fall.

Investment firm buys Alpharetta’s Hamilton Hotel in foreclosure

By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Hamilton Hotel, a luxury inn located in the heart of downtown, has new owners following a foreclosure sale that came years after it lost almost 25 percent of its appraised value.

The Hamilton was foreclosed on July 2 and sold at auction by Mayfair Street Partners for $41,981,183 to Peachtree Group, an investment firm with a portfolio that includes ownership and management of numerous hospitality assets.

The building’s appraisal value jumped from $10,292,500 in 2021 to $21,088,300 in 2022 before suffering a devaluation to $15,964,300 in 2023.

Greg Friedman, CEO and managing principal for Peachtree Group, said his firm intends to focus on stabilizing the hotel’s performance.

Opened in 2021, the 119-unit, 123,470-square-foot Hamilton is one of Hilton’s Curio Collection operation, a handpicked set of unique, high-end hotels that includes 160 properties across the world.

The Hilton brand and its downtown location, which includes 25-million square

Shelters:

Continued from Page 4

The shelters will be placed at MARTA bus stops near the intersection of Haynes Bridge Road at Old Milton Parkway.

Design board members chose the model over a more contemporary scheme, saying their choice was a better fit for the downtown.

feet of office space and over 14-million square feet of retail space, made the Hamilton a sound investment, Charles Talbert, Peachtree Group vice president, said.

“The Hamilton Hotel boasts a prime location in downtown Alpharetta,” Talbert said. “The high costs and governmental barriers to constructing another hotel in a similar location enhance its competitive advantage.”

Mayor Jim Gilvin said the Hamilton

Promoting a particular aesthetic in Alpharetta’s downtown is important because it helps the city make an impression on visitors, Charlotte Christian, Economic Development coordinator, said.

“The holistic … creating of a design or standards from one place or making it unique gives you a sense of place, so it’s placemaking,” Christian said. “You feel like you recognize this is Alpharetta. This is downtown.”

has served as an important asset to the city and its downtown. He was pleased the hotel would continue as a destination for visitors.

The hotel’s location makes it ideal for visitors to experience all the heart of the city has to offer.

“As Alpharetta has become a hospitality destination with all the restaurants and entertainment venues and all the activities and events we hold downtown,” Gilvin said, “it was only fitting that we have a place for visitors who don’t

live here.”

Janet Rodgers, CEO and president of Awesome Alpharetta, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, said the Hamilton has played an important role in the downtown, serving as an attractive lodging for visitors who appreciate walkability to shopping, dining, events and attractions.

“The Hamilton Alpharetta has become an integral part of the fabric that creates a vibrant downtown with its exceptional charm and sophisticated design,” Rodgers said.

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Alpharetta’s Hamilton Hotel sits as a cornerstone to the city’s downtown revival at Main and Street and Milton Avenue. Hospitality investment firm Peachtree Group purchased the boutique hotel after it fell into foreclosure in early July.

We definitely are reminding people that being in the park with your dog is important, it’s not a doggie day care. We did this so you can be with your dog.

WENDY NEWMAN, co-founder, Off Leash Alpharetta

8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | August 1, 2024

Off Leash brings dog oasis to Alpharetta’s Main Street

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An explosion in pet ownership following the COVID pandemic has spurred new dog parks to pop up around the country.

One of the newest – and one of the most unique – is Off Leash Alpharetta at 142 South Main St.

The first-of-its-kind luxury dog park combines different concepts with outdoor and indoor spaces, a caninefriendly dining patio and a humanonly indoor restaurant and bar.

Off Leash Alpharetta sports a 22,000-square-foot turfed field outside and a 3,000-square-foot indoor park.

The brainchild of co-founders Wendy Newman and Lonnie Cooper welcomed its 142 founding members for the opening July 14.

With more than 100 canines in the park at its member-only event, Newman said there were no incidents between dogs, thanks to her welltrained staff.

Dog bars in Metro Atlanta like Fetch Park offer a social hub for dog owners and lovers. The concept from Newman and Cooper follows a similar thread with their own unique spin on the dog park business.

While some competition exists in Metro Atlanta, Off Leash Alpharetta goes beyond the typical municipal dog park.

Anyone is welcome to dine with or without their dog at Off Leash, but guests must have an active membership or day pass to enjoy the off-leash portion of the outdoor and indoor parks.

OFF LEASH ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED

A canine hangs out on the turfed outdoor dog park behind Off Leash Alpharetta at 142 South Main Street. The official grand opening of the first-of-its-kind luxury dog park was July 15.

With an additional brick-andmortar location planned to open in Decatur next year, Off Leash provides a relaxed, inviting atmosphere with professionally trained “dogtenders” on hand to ensure a safe and happy experience for patrons.

Newman, a Dunwoody native, assessed the first few days of operation.

“It’s been really good, I think there’s a lot of things we’re figuring out in this first week,” she said.

“Because this is ours, we have the ability to pivot and make adjustments.”

Newman said the next hurdle is letting Alpharetta residents know that Off Leash is now open and welcoming patrons.

Pandemic sparks new venture Off Leash co-founder Cooper started an industry-leading sports and media talent agency in 1986, Career Sports & Entertainment.

The agency now lists clients like Ernie Johnson Jr., John Smoltz and Nate McMillan.

Newman said she started at the agency in the early 2000s, working alongside Cooper with his marketing and talent agencies.

“I came in as the assistant controller for his business,” Newman said. “I am now the CEO over those business.”

With Newman as CEO since 2017, Cooper Holdings now owns the marketing agency You Are Here; the digital firm IfThen; talent agency CSE; and its newest business Lonnie Cooper Ventures.

“When COVID happened and our other businesses were still trucking along, he and I decided that we wanted to start a ventures company,” she said. “This idea was born out of that.”

Newman said the goal is to continue to build the Off Leash brand.

“This is our flagship, we won’t have any other location that will be quite as big as this,” she said. “The goal is to take this type of business into other locations and scale it based on the community.”

Newman said the next Off Leash location in Decatur at 240 East Trinity Place will be smaller but with the same concept.

“The one in Decatur will have an outdoor space and a big, covered area with heaters and fans,” she said.

Construction has yet to begin, but doors are expected to open in 2025.

See DOG, Page 9

A look inside the

Dog:

Continued from Page 8

Park welcomes members

Off Leash Alpharetta is open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

All dogs are required to be spayed or neutered and current on vaccines.

Membership benefits include unlimited year-round or month-tomonth access, discounts on food and non-alcoholic beverages and invitations to exclusive members-only gatherings.

For more information about membership and FAQs, visit www. oldogpark.com/.

Newman said there are special events planned like doggy yoga, pet adoptions, mobile grooming and training workshops, open to the public.

She said Off Leash Alpharetta will have a set up for college football games on Saturdays in the fall, and its craft kitchen offers a full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Rainy weather isn’t a problem. Off Leash’s indoor, covered space welcomes pups during inclement weather for day play.

Founders pick Alpharetta

The former Rite Aid building at South Main Street and Old Milton Parkway served as great bones for the buildout of the state-of-the-art dog park.

Newman said the location struck her instantly.

“We have a great commercial real estate broker we’ve been using for years, and we put him on a mission,” she said.

Correction

A story published July 25 stated that services from SomeTheme Weddings and Events start at $35,000. That price is for a full wedding package, while planning services start at $1,500.

After looking at more than 50 locations, Newman said she could see the completed facility when she drove up to the property two years ago.

Patrons may notice the old pharmacy drive through, now a transition zone between the indoor and outdoor areas.

“We wanted a big outdoor patio and the ability to have indoor dog space,” Newman said. “The lot behind this Rite Aid was perfect for outdoor space.”

The most significant work involved the drainage system with an underground detention pond for the turf field.

When patrons enter the front doors of Off Leash Alpharetta, the indoor restaurant’s high ceilings and new garage doors make the former Rite Aid building hard to recognize.

Newman said the only place off limits to dogs is the indoor restaurant. It also happens to be one of the only violated rules during its first week of operations.

She said it takes a visit or two to get used to the layout of the dog park. Some patrons are so excited when they arrive that they head straight into the indoor dining room with their pet.

“We definitely are reminding people that being in the park with your dog is important, it’s not a doggie day care,” she said. “We did this so you can be with your dog.”

OFF LEASH ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED

Off Leash Alpharetta restaurant shows the finished product after remodeling the former Rite Aid building at South Main Street and Old Milton Parkway.

BACK TO SCHOOL

How to choose the right school?!

Brought to you by –Sam DiVito, REALTOR® HOME Real Estate, The Kloster Group

As we begin August, many of us are focused on back to school! We all know that school districts and school ratings largely drive home values. When you pay taxes into a school district, you want to know that you are getting the best education you can provide for your kids. As a mom, I know it can be hard to feel like you’ve done sufficient research,

so I want to provide a few ideas and resources that can help evaluate where to send your kids to school!

First of all, you can begin by researching the school ratings, test scores, reviews and demographics on a few websites to help narrow down your search. www.greatschools.org and www.schooldigger.com are both excellent sources of information. They can provide a helpful overall view of the school and what it provides for your student!

Another great resource to use are community-based groups through Facebook or Next Door. This is a wonderful way to ask fellow parents for

their experiences, opinions and pointed questions based on your interests and priorities in a school.

Finally, go on a tour of your top schools! What better way to learn how comfortable your student will be in the school than to actually go visit and meet the teachers and staff that make that school special? You can focus on what curriculum they use, the classroom size, the after-school activities, sports, etc. that would be available to your child! Nothing compares to walking the halls before deciding which school district in which to buy your new home! And remember, always trust your gut! You are your

child’s best advocate!

If you need help evaluating the schools in your area, I’ll be happy to help. The Kloster Group team members are all parents and were all raised in these same school districts!

Investing in your home is one of the hardest and most important decisions you will make for your family. You don’t have to do it alone! Call or email Sam today and we’ll evaluate your needs and get your family into the best schools the area has to offer. Call 404-803-5999 or email sam@homegeorgia.com for any questions you may have!

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Top tips for creating a design budget

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad

Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

Creating a design budget for your home renovation or new build is a vital step that can make or break the success of your project. It’s also one of the most vexing parts of the process, even if you’ve been through a design project or a remodel before.

The best creative environments thrive on financial boundaries—they keep everyone accountable and help clarify and define your vision. As any contractor, designer or architect will attest, the only thing more challenging than sticking to a budget is not having one to guide the project at all. Here are our top tips for creating an effective design budget, ensuring your dream home comes to life with the least amount of wear and tear on your credit card:

1. Think in terms of ‘investment,’ not ‘cost.’

It helps to view your interior design budget as a percentage of your property’s value, not a separate expense. A good rule of thumb is to start at 10 percent of your property’s cost. This approach not only helps maintain a cohesive, high-quality aesthetic but also ensures that your

design budget aligns with the property’s value, ultimately boosting its market appeal and long-term return on investment. The best plans also build in room for the unexpected—budget creep, delays, price increases and more—at least 25 percent of the overall budget.

2. Plan projects in phases.

This smart strategy allows you to spread expenditures over time. The master plan keeps your project on track in a logical manner while pacing the work according to what you can afford on a quarterly or monthly basis. On a large scale, a comprehensive home renovation might organize its phases by room, while a smaller-scale single-room update might begin with foundational repairs, progress to major furnishings, move on to lighting and accessories and end with personal touches.

3. Consult a professional.

Interior designers are valuable resources for managing a design budget effectively. They can advise intelligently on where to spend vs. where to save, and they often have relationships with suppliers, contractors and vendors. Use them to avoid costly mistakes.

Creating a stunning and functional living environment within your financial means is possible! If you need assistance renovating your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!

Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/ Copyeditor

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Amish Furniture

DutchCrafters is the leading retailer for Amish-made furniture selling online at www.dutchcrafters. com and in its showrooms. The award-winning DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Showroom in Alpharetta not only showcases heirloom-quality, solid wood furniture but also o¬ffers a unique shopping experience, unlike other furniture stores. The DutchCrafters Showroom displays specially selected Amish-made furniture that demonstrates the expanse of pieces, styles, wood types, finishes and other options DutchCrafters has available for customers to design customized furniture for any room.

Inside the showroom are knowledgeable, friendly furniture specialists ready to help you find the perfect pieces to match your design preference and personal lifestyle. The design center is stocked to open a world of possibilities with woods, stains, upholstery and hardware options. Enjoy free beverages as you peruse the store, and best of all, view the furniture that is ready to become part of your family story for generations. Whether you want to furnish a whole room or just personalize a space with a few finishing touches, the DutchCrafters furniture specialists are available to help you every step of the way. Since 2003, DutchCrafters has

sourced heirloom-quality furniture from the back roads of Amish country in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. They have built trusted relationships with woodshops and craftsmen to connect you to personalized, custom-made furniture built by skilled woodworkers.

DutchCrafters is your one source of Amish furniture created to be passed down to the next generation.

Come visit the DutchCrafters Showroom at 160 North Main Street in Alpharetta for one-of-a-kind furniture built just for you.

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In today's digital age, safeguarding our estate planning client's personal information is crucial. While our law firm ensures the highest cyber security, many businesses and individuals fail to do the minimum to protect their personal information. Cybersecurity threats target individuals everywhere, making it essential to protect yourself with these key tips

Password Management: Create strong, unique passwords for every account to defend against cyber threats. Stop using the same login credentials everywhere!

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enhance security with two-factor authentication. Enable 2FA for your accounts whenever possible. A second verification process, such as a code sent to your phone or an authentication app, reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

Device Security: Regularly update your operating system, software, and applications to protect against vulnerabilities.

Install reputable antivirus software and ensure your device’s firewall is enabled to block unauthorized access.

Network Security: Secure your WiFi network with a strong password and change the default login credentials of your router. Avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi.

Email and Phishing: Be wary of unsolicited emails, especially those requesting personal information or containing suspicious links. Verify the sender’s email address and look for signs of phishing, such as misspellings or unusual requests. Many seniors get scammed from suspicious links.

Data Protection: Regularly back up important data to an external drive or cloud storage. Use encryption to protect sensitive data on your devices and during transmission.

Browsing Habits: Only enter personal information on websites that use HTTPS. Using ad blockers can help reduce the risk of encountering malicious ads.

Social media and Mobile Security: Adjust privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can view your information. Be cautious about sharing personal details online. On mobile devices, review app permissions and only download apps from trusted sources.

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Love where we live

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As Realtors we work with people every day who are making life changes. Buying a first home, building a dream house, selling the family homestead, upsizing, downsizing… but one of the best is introducing people who are relocating from out of state to our special corner of north Fulton.

When you love where you live and have the opportunity share it with other people as part of what you do for a living, it’s easy to love your job too. It’s so much fun to share our lovely towns of Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and beyond, with out-of-towners. Touring people around who have never been here and are contemplating a move is exciting, the hardest part is fitting everything into the schedule!

My favorite is to start on a Saturday morning at the downtown Alpharetta Farmer’s Market which is put on by the Alpharetta Business Association. Bustling

with 140 local vendors every Saturday, April - October, the Famers Market is impressive and vibrant. Grab a coffee, a breakfast pastry and visit with friends and neighbors while walking all over downtown Alpharetta. Wandering the Market also provides the opportunity to point out Alpharetta’s City Hall, library and dozens of local shops and restaurants on both sides of Alpharetta Highway. Inevitably there are signs broadcasting upcoming free concerts, art shows and festivals… it’s impossible to be bored here. (To keep up to date with everything going on be sure to check out awesomealpharetta.com.)

From Alpharetta take a drive west on Old Milton to show off the Wills Park pool, Wacky World and the unique equestrian center. Slip south toward Roswell’s Canton Street for a beverage at Crazy Love Coffee House or lunch at Wegman’s. Stroll the length of Canton Street on a pleasant day. What better way to enjoy a bit of local history, tree-lined streets and local shops and restaurants?

Turning north again, continue to gorgeous Milton and the historic Crabapple area to showcase some of Milton’s favorite establishments from Olde Blind Dog Irish

Pub and Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, to fun new spots like Suite 200 and Six Bridges Brewing (stay in the loop on happenings around Crabapple at crapabblemarketga. com). Cruise the walkable Crabapple Crossroads neighborhood to see pretty streets and quaint homes with big, southern-style front porches. Back in the car, head north on Birmingham Highway to sneak off on Milton’s hidden gravel roads lined with horse farms, like Wood Road, Phillips Circle and Brittle Road. In the heart of Milton are parks, golf courses and some of the most magnificent homes and properties you’ll see in Georgia. While day tours are wonderful, at almost any time of year this area can keep your nights busy also. Concerts on The Green at Crabapple Market or at Brooke Street Park,

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Brew Moon Festivals in spring and fall, Alive After Five in Roswell on summer Thursdays, and Alpharetta shines as “Music City” with the Wired and Wood Festival in October; concerts at Union Hill and AmerisBank Amphitheater add to the long music season. For the nature lover, walking trails, wide sidewalks, the Alpha Loop, bike paths and the Greenway all provide opportunities to be outdoors enjoying the lovely weather without leaving the cities.

In this short article it is impossible to do anything more than highlight some of the area’s finest places to visit; I feel the same way when touring visitors for just a few hours or a day. As residents we are fortunate to have plenty of time to explore our community and all that it has to offer, so get out there and enjoy!

DOLAN

LAKE

Patrick Malloy Communities now building in Trilith

Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division

Award-winning Patrick Malloy Communities (PMC) has announced its latest project: the construction of 20 additional Palmyra terrace homes in the renowned Trilith community in Fayetteville. These new homes are set to elevate the living experience within Trilith, a vibrant, innovative neighborhood known for its strong ties to the nearby Trilith Studios, which produces blockbuster movies and hit TV series.

The Palmyra terrace homes offer a blend of luxury and sustainability, featuring 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage, with the added benefit of geothermal energy. Priced between $749,900 and $868,900, these homes are available for presale now, with an estimated closing date in the Spring. Early buyers will have the unique opportunity to personalize their homes by selecting finishes at the PMC award-winning design center, to ensure their individual style and preferences.

Each home will feature a host of desirable amenities designed to enhance comfort and luxury. These include 11 ft ceilings that create a

sense of spaciousness, expansive front patios with custom brick walls that provide an inviting outdoor living space, and a finished drop zone for convenient organization. Inside, residents will enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a gas fireplace, and additional flex space on the second level offers versatility for various needs. The homes also include zero entry showers for ease of access, custom closets for ample storage, and optional elevator capability for added convenience. These thoughtful features underscore PMC’s commitment to quality and attention to detail, ensuring that each home meets the highest standards of modern living.

Patrick Malloy Communities has a history of excellence in homebuilding. Founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, the company has developed over 11,000 homesites and built 7,000 homes across Metro Atlanta and Savannah, amassing more than $4 billion in sales. In 2021 and 2022, PMC was the recipient of the Guildmaster Awards from GuildQuality for demonstrating exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry. The company’s dedication to quality has earned it a place on

the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder list multiple times, as well as numerous professionalism awards, including several Community of the Year honors.

Trilith redefines suburban living. Located just 30 minutes south of downtown Atlanta, it boasts a pedestrian-friendly layout with a meticulously curated Town Centre with a variety of unique dining and retail establishments. Known for its diverse architectural influences and team of award-winning homebuilders, homes at Trilith range from enchanting Provencal cottages to grand Mediterranean estates with Cottages from $675,000, Terrace Homes from $749,900, and Village Homes from $1,275,000. There are also homesites available to design and build your custom home.

What truly sets Trilith apart is its commitment to sustainability and quality of life. With 51% green space, the community offers an array of amenities that cater to all ages and interests. Fifteen miles of walking trails weave through lush surroundings, providing breathtaking views and fostering a strong sense of community. The inclusion of a dog park and outdoor art collection enhances the outdoor experience,

making it a haven for pet owners and art enthusiasts alike.

Trilith is nothing short of a paradise for people who love sports. The community features tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, and well-equipped playgrounds, ensuring there’s always something to do. Numerous fire pits scattered throughout the area create the perfect ambiance for gatherings, fostering a tight-knit community spirit. Additionally, the Piedmont Wellness Center offers state-of-the-art health and fitness services, underscoring Trilith’s commitment to a holistic lifestyle.

Homeowners at Trilith have the chance to become part of a dynamic, innovative community that is setting new standards for suburban living. With luxurious homes, unparalleled amenities, and a commitment to sustainability, Trilith is not just a place to live—it’s a place to thrive.

For more information about the new homes at Trilith or to visit the decorated model homes, call 678.519.1008 or visit TrilithRealEstate.com. Sales at Trilith are managed by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. An equal housing opportunity.

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AMERICAN LEGION POST 201 EVENTS

Katha Stuart retires from School Board

District officials weigh cut in property tax rate

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — District 1

Representative Katha Stuart announced her retirement after nine years of serving on the Fulton County Board of Education.

Her retirement, announced at a July 18 School Board work session, will be effective Aug. 31.

Stuart indicated that her time on the board combined with her belief in term limits led her not to seek reelection in the May election.

“I look forward to celebrating the beginning of yet another school year, and to visiting the incredible educators I have had the pleasure of serving,” Stuart said. “I will have additional comments at the August 6 board meeting, but for now, I will simply say what an honor it has been to serve in this capacity.”

Sara Gillespie defeated Lyndsey Coates in the District 1 race by a 54-46 percent margin in the May 21 election to replace Stuart in January 2025.

Fulton County law and policy include a process for filling a vacancy, but there is no precedent for naming a replacement after a candidate has

already been selected.

The remaining members will appoint a qualified resident of District 1 to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends December 31.

Fulton County Schools officials said an announcement on next steps will be made at the Aug. 6 work session.

Board President Kimberly Dove thanked Stuart for her service to Fulton County Schools.

“Katha’s leadership has been instrumental in driving significant

improvements in graduation rates and establishing two STEM schools, even in the face of daunting challenges such as the pandemic,” Dove said.

In other business July 18, the Board of Education held the first of three required hearings for a partial rollback of the Fulton County Schools millage rate.

Superintendent Mike Looney proposed a partial rollback from 17.14 to 17.13 mills.

Board members will review data,

including how lower rates, up to the full rollback rate of 3.67 percent, would impact the 2025 budget and school operations, before making a final decision on the suggested millage rate Aug. 6.

Even though the proposed millage rate of 17.13 mills is a reduction, it is legally defined as a tax increase because it does not equal a full rollback to offset increases in property assessments. As a result, Georgia law requires three public hearings on the millage rate.

“I am proud to say that we have either had a partial rollback or maintained a flat millage rate for the last six years,” Looney said. “Five of those years were reductions, keeping Fulton County Schools one of the lowest millage rates in the metro area,”

Officials said the county-wide sales tax for education and floating homestead exemption reduces the burden on property owners and eliminates long-term capital debt in the budget.

“The proposed millage rate is a continuation of a long-term strategy by the board to reduce tax rates while ensuring our schools have the resources they need to provide the quality education our stakeholders expect,” Looney said.

North Fulton County student population drops slightly

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Fulton County Schools report from March identifies a few reasons declining student enrollment may continue north of Atlanta.

While Fulton County Schools’ reputation for high academic scores is well known, it hasn’t translated into standing room only classrooms. Student populations have dropped roughly 10 percent over the past seven years.

As enrollment declines, Fulton County Schools stands to lose more state funding, which is based in large part on student population.

The district estimates enrollment of 87,272 this year. That’s down 600 students from 2023-24.

The school district’s fiscal year 2025 budget includes revenues of around $460 million from the state and $840 million from local sources, mostly property taxes. Revenues total $1.84 billion.

In total, the 2025 spending plan includes an estimate of roughly $2.29

FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED

A graph shows the growth in student population per grade level from the 201920 to 2023-24 school years. While Fulton County Schools predicts future cohort decline north of Atlanta, the district’s largest cohort drop is in the south.

billion from all funds, up from the projected $1.84 billion in last year’s budget.

A March 12 report on 2023-24 enrollment from Operational Planning

Executive Director Tarika Peeks dives into enrollment projections and forecast observations for student population trends across the county.

The district divides school clusters

into regions: South, Sandy Springs, North and FAVE, or full-time online schooling. Atlanta Public Schools, a separate district, is not included in the data and analysis.

The North region, including elementary, middle and high schools in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Mountain Park projects a slight decline of 427 students from the 2023-24 to 2024-25 school years.

The Sandy Springs region, including all feeders to Riverwood and North Springs High schools, forecasts 207 fewer students over the same period. With 8,996 students enrolled during the first month of the 2023-24 school year, the Sandy Springs region saw a 2.21 percent drop in enrollment, compared with North Fulton’s 1.14 percent decline.

The overall student population of Fulton County Schools has declined six out of the past seven years. The district reported an increase of 39 students in 2021-22, its only population increase since the 2016-17 school year.

One factor affecting enrollment

FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS/PROVIDED

District 1 Representative Katha Stuart, pictured right center in a cherry-colored dress, announced her resignation at a July work session, effective Aug. 31.

SCHOOLS

Fulton County Schools expands literacy plan

District seeks to improve screenings for dyslexia

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — With a revamp of its literacy initiative “Every Child Reads,” the Fulton County School District intends to better assist students showing signs of dyslexia.

In 2021, the district launched the program with a $90 million investment from the America Rescue Plan to recover from learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It uses evidence-based instructional practices and materials and focuses on the National Reading Panel’s “Five Pillars of Reading,” which includes phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. The Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, or LETRS, covers professional development.

Since then, Assessment Director Kimberly Richards said the district has been able to close gaps, ensuring that students are returning to their previous levels, addressing a problem seen nationally.

“We were not immune from that trend,” Richards said.

But, COVID-19 is only one impetus for creating a culture of literacy within schools across the district. Another is legislation.

Senate Bill 48, passed in 2019, requires local school systems to screen for dyslexia, a neurobiological disorder that affects the ability to process language.

Districts must screen all kindergarten students and make referrals for grades 1-3 students through response-tointervention programs. It also requires

Students:

Continued from Page 20

in Sandy Springs is a decline in elementary school numbers. The report says a decrease in kindergarten enrollment affects the North region.

While the COVID-19 pandemic spurred private school enrollment, the declining student population trend has continued well beyond the end of the health emergency.

Fulton County Schools’ overall cohort, or group of students that enter a program together and remain together throughout its duration, saw its largest decline of 526 students in district history.

the creation of dyslexia teacher training and a dyslexia information handbook.

Then, in 2023, the Georgia Early Literacy Act, or House Bill 538, was enacted, setting a more generalized framework for teachers over kindergarten through third grade, characterized as a pivotal time when students go from learning to read to reading to learn.

Requirements of the house bill range from training and instructional materials to reading screeners and reading intervention plans.

Executive Director of Curriculum Brooke Humphrey said legislation largely stems in Georgia’s historical underperformance as compared to other states, highlighted by COVID-19.

From 2019 to 2022, fourth grade literacy rates dropped from 63 percent to 61 percent above the basic level in Georgia, according to nationsreportcard. gov.

“By putting it into House and Senate

Cohort growth is shown as gradelevels progress each year, which tend to decline in the latter years of high school enrollment.

While cohort sizes in the North region shrunk in elementary and high schools, middle school cohorts grew slightly from 2022-23 to 2023-24.

The district’s declining cohort size is most pronounced in the South region.

While schools south of Atlanta saw a cohort decline of 916, the North region saw an increase of 702. The Sandy Springs region is in the middle with a decline of 174.

A part of the Fulton Conty Schools report covers housing trends across the South, Sandy Springs and North regions, which doesn’t bode well for long-term cohort growth.

bills, it’s making it where all districts in Georgia have to start making these moves,” Humphrey said. “Because it’s really a non-negotiable that kids have to be able to read.”

She said the district is ahead of the curve in terms of meeting the requirement of the recent legislation, though.

“Thanks to the work we started in 2021, we’re really well-positioned to handle that new legislation that has been passed,” Humphrey said, highlighting the resources and professional learning that began at the time.

But, the district has had to make some tweaks here and there, she said, like making its intervention list more robust or adding parent notifications around the characteristics of dyslexia.

Humphrey described the district’s work to reach a level of specificity when it comes to intervention and the impact, reducing the harm to academic

Districtwide forecast observations predict continuing enrollment decline at a slow rate, growth in the South region and decreasing enrollment elsewhere partially due to a lack of housing inventory.

For the Sandy Springs region, the report points to the trend of declining enrollment, growth of private school cohorts and stagnant residential development.

North of the Chattahoochee River, the forecast predicts a continuing decline of cohort size and enrollment with fewer home resales and slower residential development.

Figures show counties like Gwinnett, Forsyth and Henry are seeing growth in enrollment, while more developed ones like Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton are facing

performance for those who show signs of dyslexia, but aren’t dyslexic, and for those who have been diagnosed in a clinical setting.

“We are now really working hard to teach teachers how to really address those skills, not to just say, ‘Oh, this kid has a reading problem,’” Humphrey said.

While the federal funding for the literacy campaign sunsets in September, the district plans to continue with the program by moving some of its components into the annual budget each year.

Based on an evaluation of the initiative, Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins said professional development will continue for teachers. He said the district has added a literacy coach at every elementary school to support teachers around implementing the Science of Reading.

“[The evaluation] was very promising around some strong practices that we implemented,” Gaskins said.

a decline in student population.

Paul Donsky, communications director at Atlanta Regional Commission, said North Fulton is a more mature suburban area than Cherokee and Forsyth counties, which are growing much faster with more land available for new housing developments.

Donsky said declining cohort sizes in Fulton County Schools is due to a combination of factors, one being a decline in birth rates across Metro Atlanta.

“People are just having fewer kids, it’s a nationwide trend,” he said. “Note that [the ARC’s] 2050 population forecast shows that North Fulton’s population will be among the slowest growing in the Atlanta region.”

DIONNA WILLIAMS/APPEN MEDIA

Options:

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called session, residents expressed dissatisfaction with the options presented.

“You can’t replace this,” one Roswell resident said at the podium. “Why not keep the building as a historical asset, protect it?... It doesn’t cost $3 million to leave the building alone.”

Some residents suggested converting the building, which was constructed in 1859, into a museum, visitor center or event center. Others said that the city should not have acquired the building at all, and that they should return it to the Masons.

Residents also took issue with the fact that they had to wait more than three hours to voice their concerns. Monday’s special called session began at 7 p.m. On the city calendar, the open forum was listed as a separate session and scheduled for 7:30. It actually began at 10:20 p.m., after a nearly two-hour economic development presentation.

Several residents interjected loudly as the council and city staff discussed agenda items during the special called session, arguing that they wanted their chance to speak. After several interruptions, Mayor Kurt Wilson threatened to have people removed for speaking out of line. He did, however, allow some residents to ask questions or make comments during the meeting, despite there not being

Council:

Continued from Page 1

properties during certain times.

The park’s covered event space and capacity for 500 attendees have made it a unique venue in Alpharetta, which touts itself as a “music city,” according to documents compiled by city staff.

This year, the venue has hosted events such as Shamrockin’ for a Cure, Atlanta Magazine’s Grill Fest and Home By Dark concerts. Later this summer, iCan Bike Camp, Camp Momentum, and the Home By Dark Union Hill Park Summer Concert Series are scheduled.

The event space was converted from a roller hockey rink, which was built in 1995 and has seen less use since the popularity of the sport has waned.

Council members asked city staff at a July 16 meeting to determine whether remaining bond funds could pay for a less expansive playground design than originally planned.

At the July 30 meeting, Morgan Rodgers, recreation, parks & cultural

More coverage

Appen Media will have additional reporting from this meeting and ongoing projects in the City of Roswell. Return to the Herald or appenmedia. com for updates. Have thoughts to give? Email amber@appenmedia.com.

allocated time for it.

“There is a trust level, my friends, from you as fellow residents to your elected officials,” Wilson said to the upset crowd during the special called meeting. “If we don’t have your trust, then you’ll vote us out, right? And you’ll vote in the next set of elected officials.”

While some residents, including former Mayor Jere Wood, did use their time during the open forum to ask, or demand, that the council preserve the Masonic Lodge, others used it to accuse the council of trying to silence them.

“Not only did you delay things for two and a half hours, but then you started berating people because they weren’t keeping quiet,” former Roswell City Councilman Steve Dorvee said to the council. “I honestly don’t feel that you really care about public input. That is a recurring problem, and that’s really obvious.”

Another resident, Patrick Cahill, called the long meeting “another attempt to disenfranchise the residents of the city of Roswell.”

A total of 20 residents spoke during the forum, which adjourned just after 12:15 a.m.

services director, told the Council that was possible.

Hipes questioned whether the city would be better served with an additional playground over strengthening the park as a unique event resource.

The city has about a dozen playgrounds available to the public but no covered event spaces with capacities similar to that available at Union Hill, Rodgers said.

“This is not parking lot versus playground,” Hipes said. “This is

playground versus an event facility.”

He also questioned whether parking limitations might hamper the ability to host future events there.

“There’s either two or three events that have said there is not enough parking,” Rodgers said. “So they chose not to rent the facility.”

Councilman Donald Mitchell said rising land costs in Alpharetta have made protecting recreational green spaces a priority.

“I can’t see us taking out perfectly good green space,” Mitchell said. “One time the director of the Atlanta Botanical Garden said to me, she said, whatever you do, buy more land for green space. You will never get it back.”

Karla Piedrahita, an Alpharetta resident who addressed the Council publicly, agreed with the decision to support the playground plans. That decision, she said, will better serve all residents.

“This is a big win for the families of Alpharetta,” she said, adding, “It gives us space. It gives us opportunities for all ages 365 days a year, where these events would be 10-20 times a year.”

JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA

Karla Piedrahita, an Alpharetta resident, asks Council members to support a playground design instead of additional parking at Union Hill Park at a July 29 meeting.

PHOTOS BY: JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell Environmental and Public Works Director Brian Watson speaks to the city council July 29 about plans for the Masonic Lodge No. 165, which the city acquired in April.

Attendees of Roswell’s July 29 city council meeting hold up fliers in support of preserving the historic Masonic Lodge building.

Attorney general joins Appen’s bid for Sandy Springs payroll records

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The Georgia Attorney General’s Office has joined a fight to pry loose payroll records from the grip of Sandy Springs officials, according to a July 18 letter sent to the city attorney.

In 2023, Sandy Springs spent more than $41 million on salaries and benefits for city employees. That’s about $370 per resident.

Through the Open Records Act, Appen Media requested data from the city in order to analyze that spending. The inquiry is one the newsroom regularly makes with all the municipalities it covers.

The city has repeatedly declined to release that information, instead redacting the names of all those who received a paycheck. It is the only city Appen Media covers which has

withheld the data.

Other cities will tell you who they pay.

As a result the newsroom has been unable to confirm who Sandy Springs is paying, how many people it employs or whether staff salaries are in line with other metro Atlanta governments.

Payroll information for public employees is subject to release under Georgia’s Open Records Act.

Appen Media previously used public records to report that a former assistant city manager resigned from Sandy Springs in July 2023 after three months on the job. That employee received $47,196 in severance, according to documents the newspaper obtained. The City of Sandy Springs declined to comment on the matter, citing a “long-standing practice” not to address personnel matters.

In response to a March request for additional payroll data, the City of

Sandy Springs redacted the name of every person who had received a check, including the mayor and city manager. When the newspaper asked for clarification on why that information was not released, city officials cited safety concerns.

Sandy Springs staff have also used the explanation that a city “security plan” mandates they withhold payroll information. The city then denied requests to inspect that document, again citing safety concerns.

Appen Media eventually filed a complaint with the state Attorney General’s Office over the city’s refusal to provide payroll information.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Settlemire wrote to the city about the topic April 4.

“It is unclear how either of the exemptions being relied upon by the city apply to the redacted portions of the record,” the letter states.

Settlemire wrote further that because she is not aware of all the circumstances of the situation, she is not assuming any wrongdoing by the city. The note ends by requesting the city respond within two weeks and explain their justification for the redactions.

Sandy Springs City Attorney Dan Lee replied April 15, offering an explanation similar to the ones Appen received. His letter to Settlemire cited the city’s obligation to “protect its employees,” and pointed to the Sandy Springs security plan.

In an electronic letter dated July 18, Settlemire responded that the Attorney General’s Office was not satisfied that the city’s decision “comports with the legal requirements of the Open Records Act.”

Citing case law, legal rulings and

See RECORDS, Page 31

PRESERVING THE PAST

Gen. Jack Singlaub, a military legend with ties to Georgia (Pt. 1)

Maj. Gen. John K. (Jack) Singlaub is a name associated with daring covert assignments and lasting contributions to our country.

Singlaub, who died in 2022 at age 100, was a fighting man’s soldier. He took part in highrisk clandestine operations from World War ll in Europe and the Far East to Korea to Vietnam and spent a vital portion of his career in Georgia. He was part of a small group of gallant men who served in the precursor to the CIA, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). He was also a family man who famously clashed with President Jimmy Carter. He retired in 1978 after 35 years of service but continued to be an active champion for democracy. Here is Part 1 of his amazing story. Part 2 will focus on his Georgia experience.

John Kirk (Jack) Singlaub was born in 1921 in the small town of Independence in eastern California. The town was 2 miles from what began as the U.S. Army Camp Independence, founded in 1862 and abandoned in 1877, and is currently part of an Indian reservation. Situated near the Sierra Nevada mountains, the area is favored by hikers which included Jack Singlaub when he was a youth. He and some friends tested themselves by seeing how many days they could hike with what they carried in their backpacks.

His family settled in Los Angeles where in 1939 Jack enrolled in the ROTC program at UCLA. In 1943 at the height of World War ll, he left the university early to receive a commission as an infantry Second Lieutenant in the Army. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, President Roosevelt had established the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to operate behind enemy lines. Jack was recruited to become an officer in the OSS, the precursor of the modern CIA and Army Special Forces (nicknamed Green Berets). As part of Operation Jedburgh, Jack’s first covert mission was to parachute behind German lines to help the French Resistance prepare for the Allied invasion of the Mediterranean coast following the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Jack was wounded in one operation by a sniper’s bullet to his face. In response Jack emptied two machine gun magazines into the German hiding place, ending the

“Major” Jack Singlaub, right, turns his back to Japanese junior soldiers while awaiting a senior Japanese officer to discuss the release of nearly 400 American, Australian and Dutch prisoners of war on Hainan Island in 1945. Capt. Singlaub posed as a major to radiate more authority over a touchy situation.

threat.

Operation Jedburgh consisted of three-man teams of specially trained American, British, French, Belgian and Dutch commandos. They parachuted at night into occupied France, Belgium and the Netherlands to coordinate airdrops of arms and supplies and to support local partisans.

In early 1945 when on home leave, Jack married Mary Osborne, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant JG. They had three children before divorcing in 1990, including Mary Ann Singlaub, whom I interviewed extensively for this column. In 1992 Jack married Joan Lafferty from Tennessee, with whom he lived until his death.

Jack also served in the Pacific conflict. In September 1945, soon after atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, he volunteered to help rescue American, Australian and Dutch prisoners of war held in a Japanese prison camp on Hainan Island in the South China Sea. It was feared that the POWs would be executed in retribution for the atomic bombs. As part of an elite eight-man team, Singlaub parachuted onto the island and convinced a high-ranking Japanese officer that Japan had just surrendered, thus saving the lives of nearly 400 tortured and emaciated POWs.

In a 2012 interview with the Defense Media Network, when asked for his most satisfying experience in World War ll, Singlaub replied “picking

up those prisoners, bringing hope to them and getting out was a great way to finish a war…here was a real humanitarian achievement for our side.”

Singlaub served as Chief of the Military Liaison Mission to Mukden (now Shenyang), Manchuria, from 1946 to 1948 where he conducted intelligence operations for the CIA. In 1948, when Mao Zedong’s People’s Liberation Army overtook the area during the prolonged Civil War against Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists, the American team was evacuated by U.S. Marines by plane while under artillery attack. Jack’s pregnant wife Mary had been evacuated by a troop ship a few weeks earlier.

Singlaub served two combat tours during the Korean War where he took part in various secret operations. He served as deputy chief of the CIA mission in Korea and later as an Army battalion commander where he received a Silver Star for valor in battle.

General Singlaub’s experiences in Georgia were no less significant and noteworthy than his early years. More about that in an upcoming column.

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.

Jack Singlaub in his Operation Jedburgh gear. Operation Jedburgh was a covert operation where three-man teams of specially trained soldiers parachuted at night into occupied France, Belgium and the Netherlands to thwart German military operations. The operation was one of Singlaub’s first after enlisting in the Army.

BOB MEYERS Columnist

WASHINGTON POST OBITUARY

Maj. Gen. Jack Singlaub died at age 100 in January 2022.

GENERAL SINGLAUB PRIVATE COLLECTION

GENERAL SINGLAUB PRIVATE COLLECTION

Bye-bye Miss American Dream

D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist dcaiken.com

This week’s “pop” hit is the 1972’s “American Pie” by Don McLean. Part of the American Dream has always been about home ownership.

But it appears that this “dream” seems to be slowly going away based on recent statistics.

In 1980, the average age of the first-time home buyer was 29, and they went onto purchase their next home by the age of 35. Today, the

average age of the first-time home buyer is 35, and they are not purchasing their next/move up home until the age of 58!

Part of this issue is that more and more young Americans are attending fouryear colleges, and then many going onto some sort of graduate degree which does push them out of the “workforce” until their mid-20 to late 20’s.

The other part is affordability. This has been a recent discussion and blamed for the housing business’ recent decline. Rates pushing 20-year highs and prices soaring to record levels is keeping many potential first-time homebuyers out of the game for now. Homeownership creates pride in your

community. Statistics show that areas of high home ownership concentrations have lower crime rates and higher educational ratings. All these things help move the economy in the right direction. Hopefully, the Federal Reserve and our elected folks in Washington will start looking at what they have done to our “healthy” (their word not mine) economy and begin to move rates down so that more of our young Americans can afford the home of their dreams. Thirty-five years old is the “average” age of purchasing their first home. That is way too high and has a rippling affect throughout our overall economy.

Housing has always led our economy in positive ways. I have already discussed the educational and safety benefits…but home ownership also creates jobs, and those with jobs spend money on good and services that creates other jobs. It is truly a simple concept.

D.C. Aiken is vice president, producing production manager for BankSouth Mortgage, NMLS # 658790. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.

The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of BankSouth Mortgage or its affiliates.

us about Cartersville’s Tellus Museum

Two of our grandkids are visiting this week, and that brings up the big question: “What can we do today?”

Some days it’s with fishing, which we did the other evening. Many were caught. Much fun was had. It was great.

Then came swimming, always a good choice on a hot summer day. We swam and splashed for hours, and not a single shark was seen. That was great too.

And then, “What should we do tomorrow?”

We considered collectively.

“How about we visit that science museum up off I-75?” my wife says. “They say it’s a good one!”

And they are right.

The museum she has in mind is the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Ga., just off I-75 at exit 293.

The museum got its start in 1983 as the Weinman Mineral Museum. Closing in 2007, the Weinman was reborn in 2009 as the Tellus Science Museum. It is one that you absolutely have to see.

Today, this 120,000-square-foot museum features four major galleries – the world-class Weinman Mineral Gallery, an expansive Fossil Gallery, the Millar Science in Motion Gallery with exhibits spotlighting many facets of transportation, and the Collins Family My Big Back Yard Gallery featuring all sorts of hands-on activities.

The main building also boasts

the state-of-the-art Bentley

Planetarium, which features planetarium presentations for a small additional charge, plus a gift shop and a café. There are also outdoor exhibits (including some massive rock specimens, some giant mining machinery, and a solar-powered house).

Other outdoor highlights include an observatory, a wind turbine, and the Czahor Solar System Trail, a scale model of our solar system from the sun all the way out to Pluto.

It’s all intriguing, and it may be hard to decide where to start. But the kids make that decision easy. They want to start with fossils and gems – specifically, the area where they can hunt for fossils and gems of their own.

After getting our tickets, we make a beeline for the digging areas. There are two of them – the Vesta Mayo Dalia Fossil Dig and the Vulcan Materials Gem Panning Area.

“Most folks start with the fossil area,” suggests the volunteer we meet as we step inside. “That way, your hands will be dry while you’re digging for fossils!”

The fossil area consists of several dig zones, each filled with sandy dirt that is absolutely loaded with fossils just waiting for prospectors young and old.

“Can we keep them?” one young visitor asks. “Can we please?”

“You can find as many as you want,” replies another nearby volunteer, smiling, “but you can only keep one!”

“How about us older prospectors?” I

ask.

“Yes, you can keep one too,” he says, then adds with a grin. “But remember –just one!”

Cora and Bates are already on their way to the fossil dig. The attendant gives each of them a small paintbrush, which they’ll use to sweep away the dirt and expose those treasures from eons gone by, plus a small plastic bag in which to place their keeper.

The searching begins, and it’s not 10 seconds till Cora calls out, “Found one!” She’s found a fossilized shark tooth. A moment later she finds another…and another…and then she finds something different, a small cylindrical fossil known as a crinoid. She keeps looking and keeps finding and soon has a dozen or more fossils in her hand.

“Which one are you taking home?” I ask her.

“Hmmm,” she says, and finally selects one of the shark’s teeth. Bates chooses his keeper, too, and then they’re off to gem panning to try their luck there.

The gem panning is done in water. Everywhere I look are kids (including some, like me, who are several decades old!) washing through sand and looking for small bits of colorful rock. Everybody is finding things, and the “oohs!” and “ahhs” are constant.

Now that’s how to get folks excited about science!

After a while, it’s time to explore the rest of the museum – and Bates proclaims his vote to head for the fossil gallery.

STEVE HUDSON Columnist

STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA

Bates and Cora search for fossils at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville. Prospectors are allowed to find as many fossils as they like, but they can keep only one.

OPINION

An old favorite and a new-to-me author

I enjoy mystery series, but I also like standalone novels. There are series I return to time and time again, and rather than binge-read them, I space out the books to savor them. This week’s selection features both—a new entry in Elly Griffiths’s DI Harbinder Kaur series and a debut adult novel by an author known for her young adult books.

“The Last Word” by Elly Griffiths This is book four in a loosely connected series by one of my favorite authors. You might ask how a series can be only loosely connected. I say that because the books are held together by the presence of DI Harbinder Kaur, now posted in London. In the early books, she’s in Shoreham, a community somewhere near Brighton. She may not always play a major role, but she is present in the four books.

In this book, Griffiths has brought back several characters from the “Postscript Murders.” They have major roles in solving what else? A murder mystery, of course. You are bound to enjoy Edwin, an 84-yearold partner in a detective agency, whose specialty is surveillance. His partner Natalka also runs a personal care agency.

This time around, the two are hired to investigate the death of a local writer. She died at home, but something is fishy about a writers’ weekend she attended before her death. What can go wrong at a writers’ weekend? With this group of quirky characters, plenty.

I particularly enjoyed the references to writing and the personalities of the writers. This is the second book I’ve read recently that involved writers and murder. I wonder whether I should be worried about the company I keep. I haven’t noticed any murderous tendencies among my writer friends, but most of us do write murder mysteries. I may be looking over my shoulder for the next little bit.

“Listen for the Lie” by Amy Tintera

This author has written several series for young adults, and this novel is her adult fiction debut. Consider the blurb: “What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn’t matter?”

We know the first two lines to be true going in. But what does the third line mean? That’s what the reader ultimately discovers, in addition to learning whether Lucy killed Savvy.

The story is told in first person years after the murder, when Lucy is outed by a true-crime podcaster. Also included are excerpts from the podcast — interviews with her then husband, her onetime friends, her grandmother and others.

Most of the people interviewed are convinced she did it. Lucy doesn’t know because she can’t remember what happened. Or, at least, that’s her story. She was never charged because the evidence was

inconclusive, but no one except her grandmother has any doubt that she did it.

This one kept me guessing until the very end. Did she do it? If so, was it self-defense? The two women were best friends. What could have made Lucy attack Savvy?

I thoroughly enjoyed the snappy dialogue, even if it was a bit raunchier than my usual read.

“Listen for the Lie” is the title of the book and also of the podcast. Ben Owens, the podcaster, believes everyone has secrets. Does it also mean that everyone lies?

I highly recommend this as an intriguing read, and I’ll be on the lookout for the author’s next adult novel.

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/.

Plenty of time on hand to not be out of my gourd

It’s been a little over a month since I was “sunsetted” from my previous company after a 15-year stint. That was the term that an ex-boss used. It conjured up the days when someone mounted his horse, tipped his hat to the ladies and rode off to parts unknown.

I don’t mind sharing that it has been a difficult transition.

For instance, I have to decide whether I want to go back to work. (Not quite yet!) Do I want to do some yardwork? (Only on days that don’t end with a “y.”) Is today a good day to ride Black Beauty to Ellijay and pick up a peck of Red Globe peaches? (As long as I leave early before north Georgia turns into a tropical jungle with humidity that begs for running enough air conditioning that will do its part to keep Georgia Power flush.)

Actually, meandering to Ellijay has been that has become a welcome blessing, allowing me the opportunity continue to appreciate the hills and

mountains of our area. If only it wasn’t so blasted humid.

This retirement gig has afforded me time to make decisions. For instance, do I want to… See, that’s the difference. There’s a lot of “do I want to’s” as opposed to the nasty “do I have to’s.”

One of youngest son Greg’s good friends is getting married soon. It’s an honor to be invited to see Garrett Bollinger walk down the aisle. It’s a Friday evening ceremony and has resulted in a “have to,” as in “Do I have to wear a tie?”

This is a sweat-provoking dilemma. I used to wear a tie, the most useless piece of clothing ever invented, every day at work. I’ve got a huge tie rack on a closet wall. Wide ones, skinny ones, you name it. Don’t have a bolo tie that would go great with my straw Justin cowboy hat.

Maybe I’ll wear that and could tell people it’s what I wore when I rode off into the sunset. I better wear something else, lest those at the wedding start asking me if I knew what color an orange is. I’m fairly certain I could handle that one. Having all this spare time has

afforded me the opportunity to meet some remarkable people I previously would have been too busy to visit with.

On a recent peach-buying run, I noticed a huge display of gourds. The hand-painted sign read “Gourds” so being of sound mind with an ability to tell anyone who asked what year it is, on the way down the mountain, I pulled into the driveway.

Now, if you might think me and gourds have no business with one another, other than being told at times “you’re out of your…”, my sister-inlaw and mother-in-law have a purple mountain family that have become squatters above their front door. Possessing an encyclopedic supply of trivial information, and no longer having a plane to catch, a meeting to attend, or a report to write, I stopped and met the sweetest 77-year-old lady who told me all about providing a home for those purple squatters.

Naturally, I now own a gourd and hope to provide a residence for the birds, but will have to wait until March, since that’s when purple martins like to build nests. The gourd lady did tell me that bluebirds will

maybe build their nests this time of year.

At $7 a gourd, I might just knock out some early Christmas shopping. I wonder if gourds in the backyard will get me in trouble with the HOA?

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

MIKE TASOS Columnist

Randy Knighton City of Roswell Kurt Wilson City Administrator Notice of Public Hearing Mayor

The following items will be considered by the Planning Commission at a public hearing on August 20, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Roswell City Hall Council Chambers, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Georgia.

a. CU 20240837/CV 20240836 - 870 Woodstock Road

The applicant, Jordan Corbitt, P.E./Kimley-Horn, is requesting a Conditional Use for outdoor rental of construction and landscaping equipment, Concurrent Variance for a reduction to the Type D buffer requirements; land lot 248.

b. CU 20242512 - 11510 Woodstock Road

The applicant, Chris Rodgers/Recess in Roswell, is requesting a Conditional Use to UDC Section 9.5, Commercial Uses, for indoor recreation with special events facility and outdoor recreation; land lot 255.

c. UDC Text Amendment

An ordinance to the Unified Development Code by modifying Article 5, Downtown Historic Districts, Section 5.2.1, Applicability, Letter E.

Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or a City Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250), within two (2) years, file a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law is available in the office of the City Attorney.

The complete file is available for public view at the Roswell Planning and Zoning Office, 38 Hill Street, Suite G-30, Roswell, Georgia, (770) 817-6720 or planningandzoning@roswellgov.com. Refer to www.roswellgov.com.

Locally Owned and Operated

• Pre-planning

• Funeral Services

In Memoriam

Nancy J. Riemenschneider

Nancy was born on Mother’s Day on May 14, 1939 in Saginaw, MI, the first child of Ralph and Anna (Morningstar) Gosen. Nancy was an excellent student and earned an Associates’ Degree from Bay City Junior College (now Delta College). Nancy met Ernest “Mike” Riemenschneider while in college, marrying in 1960 and honeymooning across Route 66 in their Studebaker.

Nancy was a devoted and loving mother and wife, who seemed to always wear a smile. She was also an avid sports fan, following the Detroit Tigers and Michigan State University basketball in particular. She also enjoyed attending car club events with Mike, including the local Mustang Owners Club. Nancy loved to travel with Mike and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. In 2022,

Nancy moved from her home of 43 years in Plymouth, MI to Roswell, GA, in order to be closer to her family.

Nancy is survived by her two children, Julie (Michael) Martin of Roswell, GA, James (Johanna) Riemenschneider of Portland, OR; and her five grandchildren, David and John Frazer, and Nicholas, Ben (Risa) and Mary Martin. Nancy is also survived by her brother Thomas (Linda) Gosen of Riverview, MI. Her beloved husband Mike preceded her in death in 2014; as did her brother, Larry Gosen. Nancy will be laid to rest near Mike in United Memorial Gardens in Salem Township, MI following a memorial for family and friends at 3 pm on August 23, 2024, at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home in Plymouth, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Arthritis Foundation or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

• 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

NOTICE OF LOCATION AND DESIGN APPROVAL

P. I. 0017814

FULTON COUNTY

Notice is hereby given in compliance with Georgia Code 22-2-109 and 32-3-5 that the Georgia Department of Transportation has approved the Location and Design of this project.

The date of location and design approval is: July 15, 2024

The proposed project is approximately 1.4-miles in length and begins at the intersection with Mansell Road and ends at the intersection with Haynes Bridge Road in the City of Alpharetta in Fulton County in Land District 1. This enhancement project would reduce the existing urban 6-lane section to a 4-lane section while maintaining the existing raised median and existing left turn lanes at a reduced width. The existing triple left turn lanes from Mansell Road to North Point Parkway will be reduced to two left lanes and the median widened in this area to absorb the third existing left turn lane. New curb and gutter will be constructed along the outside shoulders, and portions of the existing raised median will be replaced. The Project will provide 12-ft shared-use paths on both sides of North Point Parkway, improved pedestrian crossings across North Point Parkway, improved shelters and amenities for transit riders, pedestrians, and cyclists, and install improved low impact stormwater management infrastructure. The existing traffic signals along the corridor will be upgraded and replaced. The existing established mature trees and landscaping along the corridor will be preserved as much as possible and new green spaces will be added. The estimated construction time is 24 months.

The City of Alpharetta would be responsible for acquiring property rights for this project.

Drawings or maps or plats of the proposed project, as approved, are on file and are available for public inspection at:

Pete Sewczwicz, PE, Director of Public Works City of Alpharetta psewczwicz@alpharetta.ga.us 1790 Hembree Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 678.297.6200

Any interested party may obtain a copy of the drawings or maps or plats or portions thereof by paying a nominal fee and requesting in writing to:

Kimberly W. Nesbitt, State Program Delivery Administrator Office of Program Delivery Attn: April McKown amckown@dot.ga.gov

600 West Peachtree St. NE, 25 th Floor Atlanta, GA 30308 404.631.1866

Any written request or communication in reference to this project or notice SHOULD include the P. I. Numbers as noted at the top of this notice.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, August 19, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

a. PH-24-15/V-24-24 The Gathering

Consideration of a request for changes to conditions of zoning and variance related to a mixed-use development under construction on 24.75 acres in the North Point Overlay. Changes to zoning conditions are requested to the site plan to reconfigure the commercial building layout, remove a parking deck fronting Haynes Bridge Road, allow additional site access from Morrison Parkway, change the height of townhomes from 3 to 4 stories, change the minimum height of commercial buildings from 24’ to 18’, and to clarify that sculpture requirements relate to commercial certificates of occupancy. A variance is requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.5.6(B) to reduce the minimum distance between a curb cut and a street intersection. The property is located at 0 Haynes Bridge Road and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 745 & 746, 1st 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.

July 8, 2024

Developers Fund III LLC

11680 Great Oaks Way, Suite 680 Alpharetta, Georgia 30022

DEMAND

To Developers Fund III, LLC: Orton Development Company is in receipt of the Mechanic's Lien posted by Developers Fund III on May 21, 2024 claiming a lien in the amount of $2,000,000 on Mozart Properties, LLC. A letter was attempted to be served at your listed address on the Mechanic's Lien.

This notice is a demand per Iowa Code section 572.28(1) that you commence action to enforce the lien or remove it entirely. Attorneys for Orton Development Company are Wandro, Kanne, & Lalor, P.C., 2015 Grand Ave. Suite 102, Des Moines, IA 50312, telephone (515) 717-7455.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE

PH-24-AB-14

Please note that this meeting will be a virtual meeting, conducted online using Zoom meetings.

PLACE

To Attend the Virtual Meeting: Using Your Computer, Tablet or Smartphone

Go to: https://zoom.us Meeting ID: 878 3164 5636 Dial In: +1 646 558 8656 US August 12, 2024 at 2:00 P.M.

PURPOSE

Change in Ownership

Eating Establishment Consumption on Premises Distilled Spirits, Beer, Wine & Sunday Sales

APPLICANT

Jejumouse114 Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Monkey 68 160 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

Owner: Jejumouse114 Hospitality, LLC

Registered Agent: Yen Po Liu

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PRESSCLU

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Records:

Continued from Page 23

the Georgia General Assembly, Settlemire countered Lee’s explanations.

“As to the employee names redacted, Georgia courts have expressly held that such names are, in fact, subject to disclosure,” the assistant attorney general wrote.

The three-page letter also speaks to the intent behind Georgia’s Sunshine

Museum:

Continued from Page 25

To say this is an impressive fossil display would be an understatement. There are specimens of all sorts from all over the world, but the stars are the dinosaurs. Among the highlights: a Brontosaurus, a massive Triceratops, and an impressive Tyrannosaurus rex. What can anyone say about T. rex except “AWESOME!”

Equally impressive is the Weinman Mineral Gallery, where you can spend hours mesmerized by a universe of spectacular rocks and minerals. The displays are largely organized by type or by point of origin, with a great deal of space devoted to minerals and gems from right here in Georgia. Among the highlights is a display featuring meteorites, including a large one that visitors can touch. Other highlights include a truly impressive presentation of Georgia gold as well as spectacular mineral crystals and specimens from some of our state’s most legendary collecting spots. Who would have thought that Georgia holds so many mineralogical treasures? There’s plenty of room to appreciate those exhibits, too, and I never felt like we were crowded or rushed as we wandered among the displays.

One thing I’ve always been interested in is fluorescent minerals – that is, those which glow with vivid color under invisible ultraviolet light. The Tellus Museum’s fluorescent minerals display features large specimens that are among the best I’ve ever encountered, and the automated display is accompanied by recorded commentary that clearly explains what you’re seeing. I stood there and cycled through the presentation three times.

I see I’ve been talking about rocks a lot, haven’t I? And yet there’s so much more than rocks to talk about at Tellus. One thing is the museum’s state-ofthe-art planetarium, which presents an ongoing series of shows throughout the day. If you have not experienced just how impressive a high-tech planetarium can be, then you owe it to yourself to

Laws.

“Access to public records allows the public to know what actions their public servants are undertaking and fosters the public’s confidence in officials and the decisions that those officials make,” Settlemire wrote. “The failure to serve those purposes can lead to mistrust and controversy.”

After laying out the response, the Attorney General’s Office told Sandy Springs to turn over the data.

“Accordingly, please ensure [Appen Media] is provided access to the requested record,

inclusive of employee names and ‘position ids,’ within ten business days and confirm to our office when this has been accomplished,” Settlemire writes.

The letter ends with some advice.

“We strongly encourage you, as city attorney, to be mindful of the legal requirements and obligations set forth in the Open Records Act and to counsel the city accordingly,” the note recommends.

As of press time the city has not provided the documents. It has until Aug. 1 to comply with the assistant attorney general’s directive.

check this one out.

There’s also the Millar Science in Motion Gallery and the adjoining Crossroads Gallery, which focus on the mechanical side of things. In the Millar Gallery, highlights include early autos and motorbikes, each presented atop a mirrored base so you can see the underside as well. You’ll find more modern machines, too, among them: a full-size replica of the Wright Brothers’ flying machine, a modern helicopter, and a jet engine, plus space vehicles from the Apollo and Mercury programs.

And (back to rocks!), there is even a 3.3-billion-year-old piece of moon rock on display! It’s in a special case back behind the Science in Motion Gallery. Designated “Lunar Sample 15555,1033,” it was collected in August of 1971 by the crew of Apollo 15. It’s part of a 21-pound specimen known as “Great Scott” in honor of astronaut Dave Scott, who collected in from the north rim of what moon experts call the Hadley Rille.

Nearby, in the Collins Family My Big Backyard gallery and the adjoining Discovery Garden, budding scientists of all ages can indulge in what the

museum map calls “hands-on science fun” involving sound, light, electricity, magnetism and more.

It takes a while to experience all of this, and after a while I realize that the clock has been ticking for hours. Where did the day go? If we stay much longer, we’ll be closing the place down. We decide to call it a day.

We stop on the way home to get takeout for supper. We eat informally on the island in the kitchen.

After supper, we sit in the living room, and I have an idea.

“Hey kiddos!” I say. “Want to help me sort some rocks?”

“Sure!”

I spread an old tablecloth on the island so we don’t scratch things up. Then I pull out a couple of bins of mineral specimens…and we settle in for an hour or two of rock-sorting bliss.

Later, I ask myself a question: Why do rocks fascinate us so?

I don’t know that I can ever really answer that one.

But they do, maybe because they endure.

Good things do that, you know, and I am glad.

STEVE HUDSON/APPEN MEDIA

Bates meets an Eremotherium at Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville.