CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED
Speaking at the Aug. 6 Development Authority meeting, Alpharetta Economic Development Manager Lance Morsell discusses a program that incentivizes companies to hire residents. The program has awarded more than $25,000 to two companies during its 10 years of existence.
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta Development Authority board renewed a job creation grant Aug. 6 that pays local companies to hire Alpharetta residents.
“A lot of local companies outside of a bond inducement don’t really have a lot of localized economic development incentives,” Alpharetta Economic Development Manager Lance Morsell said. “This kind of puts Alpharetta in a unique position of having something as an added benefit.”
The program was renewed through the next fiscal year.
Created in 2013, the Alpharetta Jobs Creation Grant Program awards $250$500 to local companies for every new
By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat
ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp has made tort reform the main theme of his annual August address to Georgia political and business leaders two years running.
But his Aug. 7 speech at this year’s Georgia Chamber of Commercesponsored Congressional Luncheon had a different ring to it than the 2023 version.
Kemp followed up last year’s pledge
to make tort reform a top priority by essentially pulling out the rug on the issue when he addressed the chamber again at the beginning of this year’s General Assembly session. He said significant tort reform would require more than one year.
Toward that end, lawmakers passed a Kemp-backed bill this year directing the state insurance department to gather data on legal trends affecting premiums and prepare a report by Nov. 1.
“The governor very smartly decided
to take a step back and look at the data,” said Nancy Palmer, vice president of government affairs for the Georgia Chamber. “Lawsuit reform is a huge wide-ranging topic. We’re talking about the entirety of the civil justice system.”
Tort reform has been a goal of Georgia Republicans and their allies in the business community for decades. But the most significant reform legislation to make it through the General Assembly came way back in
job filled by a city resident, Morsell said. The program works in tandem with a state job credit program.
To receive the incentive, jobs must remain filled for at least a year. Grant applications are considered by the Development Authority for approval.
Since its creation, the program has paid two companies.
Fiserv, a global financial services and payments company, was awarded $19,500.
Primetals Technology USA, a metallurgical plant supplier, received $8,000.
“That creativity shows the direction and mindset of the city and the Authority is one of pro-business,” Morsell said. “That is the invisible effect of this incentive.”
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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta resident reported she was deceived into sending $15,000 to an online scammer on Aug. 5.
The resident said she received a Microsoft warning telling her computer was corrupted, according to an Alpharetta police report. After following the online prompts to visit a website and call a phone number, she was convinced to make withdrawals from her bank, according to the report.
The resident withdrew the money from a local bank and converted it into the digital currency Bitcoin at a local kiosk. She then deposited the money into the alleged scammer’s account.
The resident reported the alleged scam to police on Aug. 6 and froze her bank accounts.
The investigation is ongoing.
ROSWELL, Ga. — A 39-year-old Roswell resident reported two people who impersonated federal agents to defraud him of $27,000 Aug. 6.
The victim said he received a call from two men, identifying themselves as a Border Patrol agent and a U.S. Marshal.
The callers told the victim that they intercepted a package en route to his Roswell address that contained drugs and identification documents. They said the only way to resolve the warrant would be to send them $27,000 in Bitcoin or come to Texas.
The victim said he fell for the scheme, withdrew the funds from his bank and deposited it in an Athena Bitcoin kiosk at a nearby gas station in Gwinnett County.
Officers said the victim realized he was scammed after being unable to contact the two callers afterward.
The victim filed police reports in Gwinnett County and in Rowell and gave officers the suspects’ phone numbers.
Officers said they received the wallet address of where the Bitcoin was sent, but no suspects were identified.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a report of a hit-and-run crash Aug. 5, locating a driver who had allegedly left the location of the crash.
Officers were dispatched to Westside Parkway and Cumming Street where the crash was reported, according to an Alpharetta police report.
A driver at the location of the crash told police a vehicle had side swiped his car while changing lanes. The Johns Creek man said the alleged at-fault driver had asked him not to call police because she was from out of the country and did not have insurance.
Police saw damage to the bumper and tire of the car that remained at the location of the crash.
Police identified the license of the alleged at-fault vehicle and visited the driver’s residence.
During the second visit, police located the vehicle that had allegedly left the crash and spoke with the driver, who allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle involved.
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell police are
investigating an attempted burglary at CVS Pharmacy off Holcomb Bridge Road Aug. 7 after a U-Haul crashed into the building around 3:30 a.m.
A security guard in a nearby subdivision called police after hearing a collision and seeing a U-Haul ramming into the side of the building.
A Roswell officer said he arrived on scene and met with two Sandy Springs officers, who were assisting because of increased call volume.
The Roswell officer said he saw damage to the south side of building, which has an ATM on the other side of the wall inside of the pharmacy. He said it was apparent there was an attempted burglary, but no merchandise or money was stolen.
The security guard who witnessed the incident told officers he first saw a red Toyota sedan pass by his booth, which caught his attention because it was in the middle of the night.
Soon after, the guard said he saw the red sedan and U-Haul leave a nearby parking lot together, shortly before the attempted burglary.
Roswell officers said they used Flock Safety cameras to identify both vehicles.
They said the red sedan is registered to an East Point man with active warrants for violent crimes. The U-Haul is registered to a corporate address.
Roswell Police asked East Point officers to check the suspect’s residence, but they said the vehicles were not there.
Roswell officers said cameras showed both vehicles entering the CVS parking lot at the same time. They said the U-Haul spent about one minute trying to break through the wall before leaving the location.
Police tracked the red sedan and U-Haul through north Metro Atlanta, including Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, until around 4:30 a.m.
A notice to surrounding jurisdictions and Georgia State Patrol yielded no results.
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. —Milton Community Burger off Heritage Walk closed its doors Aug. 5.
A letter from ownership posted on the front door announced the decision.
Community Burger continues to offer its handcrafted burgers, sides and cocktails at its flagship location on Reformation Parkway in Canton.
Chef Todd Hogan’s Single Barrel Hospitality owns Milton Community Burger and the Canton location.
Shane Clements, director of operations at Single Barrel Hospitality, penned a letter explaining the decision to close.
“Unfortunately, we have chosen a strategic realignment within the brand
Continued from Page 1
2005, a bill that imposed a $350,000 cap on non-economic damage awards in medical malpractice and product liability lawsuits.
The cap immediately came under fire in the form of lawsuits challenging its constitutionality. The Georgia Supreme Court sided with the plaintiffs and threw out the cap in 2010.
Calls for tort reform have come like clockwork virtually every year since, with Republican lawmakers and conservative policy groups warning that huge jury verdicts from frivolous lawsuits are hurting job creation by forcing companies to close their doors.
“I hear stories every week from business owners who can’t get
due to economic challenges,” Clements wrote. “Despite our best efforts and the dedication of our team, continuing operations at this location has become unsustainable.”
Milton Community Burger opened last summer, leasing space on the first floor at 3100 Heritage Walk. While many tenants remain at the mixed-use development, Milton Community Burger is not the first to shut its doors.
The letter goes on to say other locations at The Mill at Etowah in Canton, Branch & Barrel Avalon and Branchwater Vickey Village will remain open and offer the same dining experience synonymous with Community Burger.
For any guests with unexpired gift cards, Clements encourages them to go to
insurance or can’t afford it,” said Kyle Wingfield, president and CEO of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, a think tank that advocates free-market approaches to public-policy issues.
“There’s got to be more balance.”
Palmer said improving access to insurance is just as important to businesses as the premiums they have to pay for coverage.
“We have insurers who are leaving the marketplace,” she said. “What we want is for businesses not only to pay lower rates but to have more choices.
… There should be more competition in this marketplace.”
Opposition to tort reform has come from trial lawyers and legislative Democrats, who have argued that Georgians injured by medical malpractice or faulty products deserve access to a legal remedy.
“Constitutionally, people have a
the Canton location.
“Since opening the Milton location, Community Burger Milton has been proud to serve the community with our fast casual dining experience,” he wrote. “We are immensely grateful to out loyal customers, dedicated staff and supportive community for their unwavering patronage and enthusiasm during this time.”
Greg Swayne, co-owner of Market District Crabapple, told Appen Media that his team was surprised by the announcement. Moving forward, Swayne said he expects ebbs and flows at Market District Crabapple with a dynamic market affecting restaurants across Metro Atlanta.
Single Barrel Hospitality’s Hogan said they’re simply consolidating brands in a challenging economy.
right to their day in court, and appellate courts in Georgia have been protective of that,” said state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Oliver suggested that Republicans have been unsuccessful thus far in passing major tort reforms because many past governors and legislative leaders – including Republicans – have been lawyers who understand the complexities of the issue.
“What’s unique about this time is (neither) the governor, lieutenant governor, nor (House) speaker are lawyers,” she said. “It makes it easier for them to say they’re for tort reform.”
One reform Republicans are expected to pursue in 2025 is in the area of premises liability. Business owners have long complained about being drawn into lawsuits after injuries or deaths occur on their properties that
are not their fault and, in many cases, occur at night when the business is closed.
“When someone shows up and decides to commit a crime on your property without your permission, how much do you have to do to prevent that?” Wingfield said. “That ought to be a common-sense place to start.”
Two bills pertaining to the premises liability issue were before the General Assembly this year, but neither passed. Palmer said the chamber is looking to Kemp for direction on which tort reforms lawmakers should pursue in 2025. Next year begins a new two-year term in the legislature, so whatever is considered has to start from scratch.
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — A Fulton County state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility hides in plain sight, tucked next to million-dollar homes and pristine parklands.
Built in 2009 as the first of its kind, the $158-million Johns Creek Environmental Campus sits on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell. The Veolia-run facility cleans North Fulton County wastewater, serving about 150,000 people in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell and Sandy Springs.
“It is one of the most unique wastewater facilities in the nation,” Veolia Program Manager David Horton said.
The technology featured at the campus works by filtering wastewater through hollow spaghetti-like strands covered in tiny pores. The method allows the wastewater facility to sell nonpotable water for pennies on the dollar to customers like golf courses and return treated water to the Chattahoochee River.
The technology also gives the facility a smaller physical and environmental footprint.
The Johns Creek Environmental Campus replaced the less-efficient Johns Creek Water Reclamation Facility, which contributed 80% more waste to the river.
“We’re not just in the business of cleaning water,” Horton said. “We’re in the business of the environment.”
Cleaning water from toilets, baths, sinks and other sources can be dirty work, but Fulton County has made a point to make the Johns Creek campus as inoffensive as possible. Unlike many other wastewater treatment plants, this one produces minimal odor.
The lack of smell is in large part a result of its 60-70-feet-deep, covered waste pits and charcoal filters. The facility has spent about $50 million to control odor.
On a July 24 tour, visitors admitted they had no idea the unassuming red-brick building that houses the cleaning process was in fact treated wastewater. They also said they hadn’t smelled anything coming into the building.
“We look like the fire station across the street,” Horton said.
Building down into the ground, instead of outward, has allowed the facility to occupy 6 acres, leaving the remaining 42 acres as a buffer to
Fiberglass ductwork conveys odor-carrying air from covered wastewater basins
24. The facility spent about $50 million on odor control in an effort to minimize its
We’re not just in the business of cleaning water. We’re in the business of the environment.”
DAVID HORTON Program Manager,
Johns Creek
Environmental Campus
nearby neighborhoods.
A sprawling parkland containing 1,000 new trees and shrubs, trails as well as wetlands serves as a natural space and recreational resource to nearby residents, Horton said.
Facility representatives said their first purpose is to help the environment, but the campus also produces water that can be used for certain applications.
The non-potable water it yields is fed into the North Fulton County water reuse distribution system. The water is used for irrigation and fire protection. Special lavender-colored fire hydrants signify they contain
water from the reuse system.
On July 24, a facility employee cleaned a campus walkway with a pressure washer fed by the reused water.
The Johns Creek Environmental Campus has been successful on many fronts since opening about 15
years ago, according to Horton. It’s a testament to the facility’s cuttingedge vision that its technology is starting to be used in other, nearby wastewater treatment centers in Gwinnett, Forsyth, Clayton and other counties.
“We were the first,” Horton said.
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council voted unanimously Aug. 5 to ban retail businesses from selling consumable hemp products and unregulated marijuana products citing public safety concerns.
The decision follows a monthslong process that began with a May moratorium to prohibit new retail stores from selling unregulated marijuana substitutes like Delta-8 and consumable hemp products while staff worked on the code amendment.
No residents spoke for or against the measure during the Aug. 5 public hearing or at two input meetings held over the summer.
City staff said they have worked closely with City Attorney Ken Jarrard and the Milton Police Department to ensure the Unified Development Code amendment provides the ability to enforce and prosecute offenders.
First, staff and the Planning Commission approved new definitions of consumable hemp and unregulated marijuana products.
The new definitions are a sweeping ban against any product derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, whether it violates state law or not.
The Aug. 5 vote prohibits retail sales in all zoning districts, including the Crabapple and Deerfield formbased codes.
Interim Community Development Director Diane Wheeler said it’s a
staff-generated initiative, and she invited Police Chief Jason Griffin to explain the reasoning.
“In the past, the Police Department and our Municipal Court have had some issues with prosecution under the original city ordinance, specifically for Delta-8 products with elevated THC levels,” Griffin said. “Mostly due to the 2018 Farm Bill that was passed that legalized most of these products.”
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound that gives marijuana users their high. Griffin said some manufacturers do not correctly label products and misrepresent THC concentration.
“It was decided the best path to combat the issue was through zoning,” he said. “The city currently has two main stores that sell consumable hemp products.”
One is off Ga. 9 and the other on Windward Parkway.
City Councilman Phil Cranmer confirmed that the two existing stores are grandfathered in as legal but nonconforming uses.
No new businesses will be allowed to sell the two product types.
Georgia Senate Bill 494, requiring every retail location to be licensed, goes into effect Oct. 1 and includes more regulations for such establishments like packaging guidelines and Department of Agriculture inspections.
“We believe zoning is the best way to combat the issue of these stores popping up everywhere,” Griffin said.
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — National Night Out is a campaign to foster stronger relationships between the community and law enforcement, and Sandy Springs turns it into a party.
The “Back to School Bash” Aug. 6 welcomed hundreds of children and their families to City Springs for three hours of fun exploring local public safety.
Some activities, like Fire Medic Otis Johnson’s CPR classes, are more educational. Others like the inflatable obstacle course and Prehistoric Nation’s lifelike dinosaurs, are more geared toward getting the back-to-school jitters out.
Johnson said he loves teaching people how they can save lives, especially with his stop-the-bleed lesson. It surprised him that some parents were more enthusiastic about learning than their kids.
Throughout the evening, disk jockeys Coach D and LeoRASoul kept kids active with competitions on the City Green like hula hoop.
The Sandy Springs Police and Fire departments spread out their vehicles along Mount Vernon Highway and Galambos Way, giving attendees an opportunity to hop in and look around.
Whether a Georgia State Patrol vehicle or Sandy Springs Fire’s aerial platform truck caught a kid’s eye, first responders were standing by to show them the ropes.
Other popular attractions included North Fulton SWAT’s armored truck, special weapons and tactics personnel and a host of state and federal law enforcement partners like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fulton County Marshal’s Office.
Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone said
it’s the biggest annual event for Sandy Springs law enforcement to meet with citizens, and it’s grown over time.
“Let me give you a frame of reference, last year went through a thousand hot dogs, and this year we ordered two thousand” DeSmone said. “At least we have a thousand people eating.”
The Sandy Springs Swiftwater Rescue boat, purchased in 2010 for use along the city’s 22 miles of the Chattahoochee River, drew dozens of elementary schoolers away from the City Green stage.
The crowd in front of the Swiftwater Rescue pales in comparison to one for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources helicopter landing on Mount Vernon Highway.
DeSimone said helicopter landings at National Night Out started a few years ago, a testament to his department’s partnerships with county and state agencies.
“In police work, and fire service as well, you have to have relationships with everybody,” DeSimone said.
Lt. Ryan Fuller, piloting the helicopter, said he had to be careful landing on Mount Vernon Highway, not typical for DNR’s wilderness-based missions.
In a recent rescue, he said his team pulled someone out of Tallulah Gorge State Park.
Fuller, who previously flew Black Hawks, said he’s managed more difficult landings in much smaller areas.
Fire Chief Keith Sanders said he’ll be able to report on how the first 60 days of operations at Fire Station 5 went at the end of August.
“We’re estimating that the improvement of response time will be up to 5 minutes,” Sanders said. “The truck that is now housed there was stationed for the last 10 years in the Roswell station on Holcomb Bridge Road.”
With the apparatus now in the heart of the Sandy Springs panhandle, Sanders said his department has already responded to a cardiac arrest and a few other calls.
Before the “Back to School Bash” kicked off, Sanders spoke to the Sandy Springs City Council about purchasing a $1.1 million Pierce Custom Enforcer Pumper, or firetruck, to be delivered in June 2025.
The Fire Department ensures the delivery of new trucks is scheduled for when one is ready to be moved to reserve
BEHIND THE PHOTO: Dean Hesse is an award-winning photojournalist. Following Appen Media’s acquisition of Decaturish, Hesse is now part of the Crier’s newsroom. See more of his photos from the Aug. 6 National Night Out event at appenmedia.com. Support the work of protecting and strengthening local news by becoming a member of the Appen Press Club at appenmedia.com/join.
status.
“It did change when COVID happened,” Sanders said. “Now, all manufacturers when you’re ordering a custom firetruck, it’s 34 to 48 months.” Supply chain issues have created longer delivery times for specific parts, like axles and chassis.
“It’s something that is very difficult for all fire departments,” Sanders said. “If you don’t have a good replacement schedule, forecasting and staying with the trends and the manufacturer’s changes, you get behind the eight ball and it’s bad.”
Sanders said he implemented a replacement schedule in 2016, and Sandy Springs Fire is where it needs to be.
Graduates of the Sandy Springs Citizens Police Academy passed out department merchandise and chatted with neighbors about their experiences with officers.
Anita Beyer, volunteering as a 2021 graduate of the Citizens Police Academy, said it’s an amazing nine-week program.
“It brought me to tears during my ride-along with one of the police officers,” Beyer said. “All they want to do is make sure we’re all safe.”
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The artist guild at the Art Center, formerly known at the Johns Creek Art Center, welcomed visitors to its reception at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse Aug. 6.
The show “Autumnal Equinox,” on display until Oct. 31, features around 25 pieces from a dozen artists in the guild.
Guild President Monika Mittal said she chose the venue to widen the group’s reach but also to allow for bigger pieces. The courthouse walls easily accommodate 6-foot-high paintings.
Among the small crowd was Janice Rinaldo, recreation program coordinator for Gwinnett County. She told Appen Media she previously saw the guild’s work at an exhibition at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.
“I was like, ‘This is great art.’ I was like, ‘I got to get a hold of the guild and see if they want to come do something over here,’” Rinaldo said. “It finally came to fruition a year later.”
The courthouse, off West Crogan Street in Lawrenceville, has rotating art shows on a quarterly basis.
Mittal has also been working to pull in more diverse groups of people to the guild. The group has nearly 40 members
Another artist in the show, Greg Barnum, had some landscape paintings as well as abstract work.
Barnum, who joined the guild a couple of years ago, said the group allows him to sell his work but also to support the Art Center. He began attending classes there about a decade ago.
“The Art Center is not going to work without people supporting it out of the goodness of their hearts,” he said.
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MILTON, Ga. — Former Milton High School Principal Ron Tesch died July 31 at his home in Denison, Texas. He was 80.
“He was pretty much a legend,” Milton Principal Brian Jones said.
Tesch retired from Milton High School as principal in 2010 after 12 years at the post. In 2017, he was called out of retirement to serve as interim principal at Johns Creek High School. Born in Aurora, Illinois, he attended Northern Illinois University to pursue a career in education, according to an obituary published by Fisher Funeral Home in Denison.
He leaves behind his wife, two sons and five grandchildren.
Tesch began his career in education in 1966 and served as a teacher, coach and principal.
At Milton High School, Tesch was instrumental in the school’s move from Alpharetta to its current building in Milton, Jones said. He believed in creating a well-rounded school with an emphasis on not only academics but other activities, like the Cirque program, which was inspired by the Cirque du Soleil show.
Jones, who worked alongside Tesch for three months, said he inherited much of Tesch’s hard work and success. He also said the former principal was “very much a mentor” to him.
Tesch, Jones said, was serious about his job but also approachable.
He was “there for the right reasons”
PROVIDED
Former Milton High School Principal Ron Tesch is remembered for his impact and legacy at the school. Tesch died at his Denison, Texas, home on July 31.
There will be a service honoring Principal Ron Tesch at Milton High School Sunday Aug. 18 at 3.
and a positive role model, Jones said. “The reality is a lot of people have so many positive and fond memories of him that his legacy is entrenched in the school’s community,” Jones said. “It was very difficult hearing of his passing.”
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Weight: (Current) – 65lbs
Fully Grown: Medium Size – (70lbs) Sex:
Whiskey was born at BCAR in March 2021 as part of a litter of six.
has this handsome guy, a volunteer favorite, who makes your heart melt when he nuzzles up to you with eyes closed to savor pets and ear rubs, and is called “smart, loving, playful and obedient” spent almost every day of his life in a kennel?
This sweet pup can be shy around strangers, but once you give him head and belly rubs and play his favorite tugof-war game with him, he looks at you with such love it melts your heart. Whiskey is a great walking buddy and is the best loose-leash walker at the shelter.
Whiskey’s ideal adopter is someone who loves a big dog with heart, is patient and willing to give Whiskey a couple of months to trust and come out of his shell at home before exposing him to the outside world. Someone who likes an active companion to walk and play with – but also loves quiet, calm time giving belly rubs and back scratches in exchange for unconditional love.
All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org
JACK ALLEN, director of operations/former owner, Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
CUMMING, Ga. — Jack Allen, director of operations and former owner of Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, said his neighbors used to give him a hard time about his line of work.
Until someone they knew suddenly died of a heart attack.
“Once they come here and see what you do, then they go, ‘Whoa. Thank you so much. We had no clue what all you do,’” said Allen, sitting across from Joey Wallace, Ingram’s office manager. Allen endearingly referred to the more soft-spoken Wallace as his “second wife” because of his aptitude in keeping him organized, like finding a contract from four years ago at the drop of a hat. The pair have been working together for two decades.
“You don’t know what the funeral business is like until you deal with one,” Allen said.
Allen took ownership of Ingram in 2004, after its founders ran it for nearly 80 years. Royston Ingram founded the business in 1928, and his three sons took it over in the ’70s.
Allen said the Ingram brothers, George and Robert, mulled over the decision to sell for quite a while. They wanted to sell to an individual, rather than a corporation.
The negotiation with Allen lasted two years.
“We paid it off, and we did pretty well,” Allen said.
Ingram, one of three funeral businesses in Forsyth County, handles about 800
services a year. Sixty percent of those are cremations, a more affordable, convenient option than a burial.
“I’d be surprised if someone doesn’t have a [crematory] now,” Allen said.
When he got started in the funeral business, there were only two crematories in the state.
The building, some 18,000 square feet, has a life of its own, housing both the Ingram’s former home and funeral business. Walking in, living quarters were on the left, a fireplace still there, separated by the main hall which was once a driveway. To the right was the funeral home, the old brick painted white.
The A-frame of the Ingram home can still be seen at a certain angle from outside.
In a tour, Wallace said the founder would walk through a tunnel under the building to go to work, bypassing visitations. Royston’s children would also use it as a place to roller skate.
Today, the basement, what Allen refers to as the “bowels,” serves as storage space, filled with items like caskets and embalming machines.
The crematory is down there, too, open to the outside. It was being repaired — a machine that burns bodies at around 1,700 degrees, over an average of three hours, requires regular maintenance.
Wallace, a Forsyth County native, recalled his grandmother passing away in the ’90s and the showroom, a state
See INGRAM, Page 11
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requirement for funeral homes, as being downstairs.
Now, it’s closer to the main entrance.
A casket made of premier mahogany with a champagne velvet interior, priced at nearly $10,000, lays against the back wall under a sign that read, “Tell the Story. Remember the Life.” A wall of urns, vault samples and flag cases are on display in the showroom as well.
Funeral homes must also have a chapel. Ingram’s has a capacity of around 230 people, with more space across the business’ three visitation rooms, two that can be partitioned in half.
While more than half the business is cremations, there are still several full-time embalmers. One wheels a body into the “catch-all” room from the embalming room that houses his workstation. Bodies in the catch-all area are ready to be placed in the casket, then transported for visitation.
Wallace said embalmers must go through 18 months of training and serve at a funeral home under an apprenticeship.
In another room, bodies are prepared by beauticians and hairdressers. Ingram keeps a list of recommendations in case families don’t have their own.
Lifelong career
Allen has as much experience in the funeral business as one could have, coming from his own family’s firm which serviced 1,700 funerals a year across four locations in Atlanta.
His great-grandfather Hyatt M. Patterson started the business in 1880, eventually passing it down to Allen’s grandfather, then his father Dan Allen, and after he died, Allen’s mother, Lee Patterson Allen.
A refurbished horse-drawn hearse, at the end of the main hall, is said to have been in Allen’s family. Black-and-white photos and illustrations of the Patterson business hang nearby.
A May 1945 issue of The Southern Funeral Director details the funeral arrangements of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose embalming was performed by Fred Patterson, Allen’s grandfather. Roosevelt died in Warm Springs.
“Fred W. Patterson, owner and manager of H.M. Patterson & Son, was
at home in Atlanta smoking a leisurely after-dinner cigar when his phone rang at 7:40 p.m.,” Managing Editor Beth J. Herzog writes. “It was THE CALL, probably the biggest and most important ever experienced by a contemporary funeral director.”
Allen recalled seeing his first dead body at 12 years old.
“My dad didn’t want me to sit at home, not have anything to do, so he sent me down there to work,” Allen said.
Death became less of a shock for Allen. But, he has never really been “spooked,” though he said being in any funeral home at night can be strange, with creaks and pops and the sounds of doors closing. Allen said the sounds are usually explainable.
“You know people talk about ghosts and all this stuff,” he said. “I haven’t seen one in 40 years.”
Allen said he did not intend to go into the family business, with a dream to do advertising work for Coca-Cola. He described the strained dynamics of the family affair and the little money his three brothers were making with their embalming license.
But he stayed, with not much of a choice because of the few jobs available in the early ’80s. When his father died, he helped his mother grow H.M. Patterson & Son dramatically.
“I was 26 years old, in charge of four funeral homes with 80 employees, doing $3 million a year revenue,” Allen said.
Allen’s family sold the business and began consulting work with funeral homes that were struggling. Tired of constant travel, they sought Ingram.
Before Allen bought Ingram, it had serviced around 300 funerals a year — a respectable number considering most mom ’n’ pops average about a third of that.
The increase can be attributed to the county’s population growth, of more than 100,000 people since the early 2000s. Allen said many transplants are older, folks who didn’t want to leave after visiting their kids and grandkids.
“To me, it ended up being more like a retirement community, which, because of that, probably added to our growth,” Allen said. “We got so big so fast that it was hard to handle some days.”
It was especially hard to handle during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added around 100 funerals a year at Ingram. It became too much for Allen, leading him to sell off to Park Lawn Corporation in 2021, which owns nearly 170 funeral homes across the country.
“It was killing me, and it was killing all of us actually,” Allen said. “...Some of the firms had so many deaths that they had to rent refrigerator trucks just to keep the bodies in until they could do something with them.”
During that time, the Ingram staff had to adapt to ever-changing guidelines, from no funerals at all to conducting them with a 20-person maximum.
“Those parts made it very unusual, having the supplies dealing with the huge volume,” Allen said. “It was very trying times.”
Allen said he sometimes wishes he would have kept Ingram, with all the extra
hoops the company has to jump through. The bureaucracy.
But, much of the stress has been lifted, from retaining increasingly expensive health insurance for employees to navigating legal issues.
“I knew that they would have more stability with a corporation in the long run,” Allen said.
Park Lawn has an on-call legal department when Allen is having trouble determining who has the legal authority over a deceased person. He said he deals with attorneys more than he’d like.
“[The body is] just like the property of an estate, who has the legal right to it” Allen said. “If we don’t do it right, we get sued.”
Legal issues have led to Ingram holding bodies for months. But bodies aren’t like stacking wood, he said.
“It’s a body that is deteriorating,” Allen said. “You have to do something with it.” Allen said he has had to get court orders, usually a quick procedure because the issue at hand is “cut and dried” — often a fight between exes.
Wallace, who started his career in insurance, said he finds his job of two decades rewarding.
“Joey knows a lot more of the families than I do, being born and raised here,” Allen chimed in. “So, it’s somebody at his church. It’s a preacher he knew. It’s one of his best friend’s parents. There’s a connection, always, with these guys, and so to them, it’s personal.”
Most of the staff are local to Forsyth County. One funeral director has been with Ingram for nearly 40 years.
Allen attributes the success of Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory to the staff’s level of care, which involves customizing services.
“If somebody wants to bring their Harley-Davidson motorcycle in here … they bring it in,” Allen said.
He said if it’s not illegal, staff will do it — except for drinking because it’s a liability, though he’ll allow a toast behind closed doors.
Customization also means being mindful of religious tradition.
“We can have a Greek Orthodox — which sounds funny in Forsyth County, but there’s quite a few Greek Orthodox people here — a Muslim, Indian, Asian and a Baptist [service] in the same week,” Allen said.
• Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.)
• Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust?
• What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts?
• How do Irrevocable Trusts work?
August/September Workshops:
Tues., Aug. 20 – 4 pm Thurs., Aug. 22 – 11 am
Aug. 28 – 6 pm
Sept. 5 – 11 am
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• Medicaid. What’s true and what’s not?
• How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy?
• How do I remain in control?
• How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs?
• How can my family avoid probate?
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What if you didn’t have a Trust and now the executors are settling an estate — but the decedent owes money. What can the creditors take and what is reserved for the inheritors? There is no easy answer, and a variety of federal and state laws apply.
To start with, retirement accounts that qualify under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act are generally protected from creditors, bankruptcy and civil lawsuits. But they’re vulnerable to ex-spouses and the IRS — in the form of child support, federal income tax debts, criminal fines and penalties, or civil or criminal judgments. Some states shield IRAs in nearly all instances, while others offer only limited protection.
IRAs and 401(k) plans may be protected from creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. If you declare bankruptcy, your IRA assets are usually safeguarded and cannot be seized. Depending on state law, your IRA assets may be protected from other creditors, but rules vary.
The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the importance of beneficiary designations for each of your retirement accounts. For situations where creditor protection is a primary concern and ERISA protection isn’t available, using trusts as beneficiaries is a popular option. If your children are listed as beneficiaries and have financial issues, divorce, disability or face debt collectors, you can go the route of a trust, which may offer more protection. Talk to a professional about trusts that can protect loved ones.
There are many complex rules and regulations, and only a professional can help you decide what is right for you. The point is that whether you are planning your Trust, Will, planning to inherit or serving as an executor or Trustee, you can’t assume anything — work with an Expert attorney!
Beneficiaries of IRAs aren’t always afforded the same creditor protection as the original account owner. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that an inherited IRA for a non-spouse beneficiary is no longer protected from creditors’ claims when the beneficiary files for bankruptcy. Spouses can roll over inherited IRA assets into their own accounts, but non-spouse beneficiaries cannot commingle inherited IRA assets with their own retirement assets.
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D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist dcaiken.com
This week’s “pop” hit is 1969’s “Bad Moon Rising,” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. There are many economic signs out there that are pointing to an imminent recession on the horizon as well as possible “geo-political” events that could move our economy deep into recession. We are currently seeing the following things:
1. GDP has dropped for several quarters in a row.
2. Well-known businesses are filing bankruptcy due to lack of sales.
3. Fast food places like McDonalds are seeing daily traffic drop.
4. Personal credit debt has hit all-time highs.
5. Cash out refinances are at all-time highs.
6. Unemployment is at its highest level since October of 2021.
7. Tensions between Iran & Israel are nearing a “boiling point.”
8. Housing sales are down.
9. Housing prices are beginning to “cool” off.
All the above should have had our Federal Reserve folks making cuts long
before now. But they seemed to be focused, until now, just on the inflation rate and not the total macro-economic picture.
Their delay may send us deep into recession before the end of the year, and I would argue that we are most likely in a recession now.
I realize that the talk is now that the FED may make an emergency cut prior to their September meeting. While I would applaud such a move…I highly doubt that will happen. They had a meeting last week and did not do it then. A move now would simply add to the lack of confidence the market already has in them and could really send the markets into a tailspin.
They were late hiking rates…they are now late in cutting rates…why is this such a surprise? The good news is that we should see notably lower mortgage rates by the end of the year.
Remember…You and I are only sometimes right…the market is always right…Have a great day!!!
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.
RAY APPEN
Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
From the bubble. Late morning.
The Alpharetta mom walks out onto the tennis courts with her pickleball machine. She puts her stuff down on the bench, then grabs something out of her bag – a tape measure – and walks over to the net and spends the next 10 minutes measuring and adjusting its height. She sets up her pickleball machine and watches a couple of balls go over the net, then adjusts the angle twice more. Then she walks next to the adjoining court and asks the Indian couple (who were out there way before she showed up) to move off their court to another court so her pickleballs won’t get mixed up with their pickleballs. She could have just pointed her machine a different angle instead. Of course, these two Indians – so respectful and polite – move to another court and the Alpharetta mom starts practicing her pickleball with her machine. The Indian
couple – like a grandpa and his adult daughter, both in long pants – kind of just stare at her and her pickleball machine for a few moments and then return to their game.
I had a few more snarky observations of the incident that were in the original column that I sent to my son Hans for a sign-off so it could get into the papers. When he reviewed the column, he emailed this to me:
“Be curious, not judgmental.”
For context, that idea, “be curious, not judgmental,” is borrowed from a Ted Lasso episode that I have watched maybe a thousand times. I just love the scene. I have sent a link to it to all my kids and everyone I know, including Hans.
I loved the scene because if was so well scripted, so well-acted, and is simply some of the finest story telling I have ever encountered. Plus, the good guy wins! But, it took Hans to make me realize that I totally missed the point. What was so extraordinay about the scene was not the acting or the story; it was the actual message: “be curious, not judgmental.”
Hans’ reply made me stop and think.
It made me think about my attitude –an attitude that seems to get worse as I age. It also made me realize that that idea could be applied to so much more than a situation on a tennis court – like to this whole polarization thing we all find ourselves today. Instead of being curious, we judge. Instead of maybe learning something, we learn nothing.
Instead of taking advantage of an opportunity to interact in a positive way with someone who is different from us or thinks differently than we do, we judge, and in so doing, build walls and barriers that make life smaller, less meaningful, and, in the case of the Ted Lasso episode, cause folks to lose bets on dart games!
Everything important in life that I know, I have learned from my children –or my wife – everything.
Switching from judging people to being curious instead is not easy; it requires breaking a habit and replacing it with a different one. It requires will, and it requires a desire to change.
Be curious Ray, not judgmental. You’ll be a better person, learn more, and probably be happier too.
In case you want to view the scene
Can you guess how much does it cost us to deliver all those papers?
If you are reading this column, please realize that the only reason we are able to write, compose and deliver this paper to you every week – for free – is from the revenue we get from advertising and from those of you who have joined our Appen Press Club and send us one time or monthly membership/support checks (in any amount). Just paying for the delivery of our over 100,000 newspapers every week costs us right at $30,000 a month. So, your support is so critical.
On AppenMedia.com just click on the red
“Join the Club” button at the top right of the home page to make a contribution in any amount. Or you can simply mail a check to Appen Media, 319 N. Main St., Alpharetta, GA 30009.
for yourself, the link is below. If the link does not work, just Google “ Ted lasso darts” and the YouTube of the scene should pull up. https://youtu.be/ CDRXv80F3Us?feature=shared (https:// youtubeCDRXv80F3Us?feature=shared)
Pollinators play important roles in biodiversity, crop production, and even the economy.
A 2014 economic impact study by University of Georgia experts determined that the annual value of pollination to Georgia is over $360 million. What’s even better is that the services pollinators provide are free.
Pollination is key to seed production, and without pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, ants, butterflies, wasps, and many others, our favorite fruits and vegetables would never make it to our tables.
Pollinators are also key to the survival of wild plant species, help to control pests that destroy agricultural crops, and help in decomposition, which is extremely important in crop production.
Although wasps, ants, and bees don’t yield warm and fuzzy feelings for most people, that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Pollinator populations are decreasing. Not only in population, but also in diversity. Research from UGA is helping to identify not only the reasons behind the decline, but also what homeowners can do to help them.
Back in 2019 Becky Griffin, Community & School Garden Coordinator for Center for Urban Agriculture created the Great Georgia Pollinator Census a citizens Science initiative. According to Becky there were three goals for the project.
1. To create sustainable pollinator habitat by educating gardeners about using plants that provide nutrition for our pollinators while handling our summer droughts and do not have disease or pest insect pressure.
2. To increase the entomological literacy of our citizens. As I mentioned to one teacher, we want students to go from “oooo, it’s a bug” to “look at the tarsal claw on that bee!”
3. To generate useful data about our pollinator populations, so we can begin to spot trends and see how pollinator populations are affected by weather and how honeybees influence native bee populations.
The first pollinator census held in 2019 had over 4,000 participants in
Gulf fritillary butterflies hover on bee balm.
134 of Georgia’s 159 counties. From that impressive beginning it has grown to become The Great Southeast Pollinator Census covering the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida.
The 2024 Great Southeast Pollinator Census will be held this year on August 23rd and 24th. The actual census only takes 15 minutes. This is a wonderful way to help the pollinators and to help ourselves, who depend on pollinators to help produce our food. If you would like to participate, please go to the website at https://gsepc.org/.
There you will find everything
you need to know about counting, insect identification and all the forms for the count. Invite your friends, children, grandchildren and make it a party!
Happy gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Judy Peacock, a master gardener for fourteen years. Judy is a member of the North Fulton County Master Gardeners. Judy graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Art Education. She is an avid gardener and is developing a pollinator garden, a stumpery, a perennial garden, and a vegetable garden on her seven and a half acres in Ellijay.
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VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
The land that is now Mt. Vernon Woods was once owned by Ben Burdett, owner of Burdett Realty Company. Burdett owned 400 acres on either side of Mt. Vernon Highway.
In 1900, he built an 11-room home where Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church is today. (“Sandy Springs Past Tense,” by Lois Coogle)
The property was purchased by W.F. Winecoff in 1916, who donated it to Emory University in 1920. The house and 39 acres were rented and eventually purchased by Guy Sewell. The land where Mt. Vernon Woods was built was part of Burdett’s original 400 acres.
The first homes were built in 1953. The June 11, 1953, Atlanta Constitution included an advertisement for Mt. Vernon Woods. Four home styles are listed: Sutton House, Courtyard, Manor House and Early American. All homes had three bedrooms, two baths, screened porch and carport. Some homes featured a fireplace, and the Early American style had a vaulted living room.
The directions provided for Mt. Vernon Woods begin from Buckhead. From there, take Roswell Road to the Sandy Springs traffic light, turn right, and go two blocks to the property, which is just beyond Hammond School. This description leads to the conclusion that in 1953 there was one traffic light along Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. I-285 and Ga. 400 had not yet been built.
Chris Curth moved with his family to a Mt. Vernon Woods home in 1955. Their home was at the corner of Hunting Creek Road and Mt. Vernon Highway where the Link Counseling Center was later built. He and his sisters walked to Hammond Elementary School, just two doors away. Hammond Elementary School was where Mt. Vernon Towers is today.
The Curth family moved to another home in the Mt. Vernon Woods subdivision in 1973, on Williamson Drive. Curth recalls, “The Mt. Vernon Woods Swimming Pool was one of the first in the area and remains a vibrant fixture.”
A Mt. Vernon Woods advertisement in the July 1956 Atlanta Constitution described a neighborhood where homes were designed to blend with their wooded lots. Schools,
churches, stores and transportation were conveniently located. The 1956 directions are the same as 1953, except that a left turn on Hunting Creek Road was added.
One home on Hunting Creek Road was described in detail.
“Attractive one-floor brick home on slightly elevated, wooded lot. The floor plan can be three bedrooms and two baths or two bedrooms and a den. The kitchen includes a breakfast bar and automatic dishwasher. There is a double carport with a storage room. All this for $22,300.”
Both the 1953 and 1956 advertisements list Spratlin, Harrington & Thomas Realtors.
The active Mt. Vernon Woods Garden Club regularly submitted notices to the Atlanta newspapers for their meetings from the late 1950s through the 1970s. In July 1957, meetings were held on Hunting Creek Road and Cherry Tree Lane. Chris Curth’s mom is listed as one of the hosts.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
There’s so much to enjoy about the outside world. Every bit of it offers adventure – fishing, hiking, exploring –and it’s all good. But good or not, along about 11:30 in the morning, it may dawn on you that it’s been a while since breakfast. The ol’ tummy may start reminding you that lunchtime draweth nigh.
I was taught at a young age that one highlight of any outdoor adventure is lunchtime. After all, an outdoorsman’s gotta eat.
Sometimes that means stopping at a favorite restaurant. I have several, and I’ll share some of them with you in the months to come. Maybe you have a favorite, too. If you do, let me know.
But I digress.
Besides being taught about the importance of lunch, I was also taught one of the Great Truths of Life. I’d like to share that with you now. Ready? Here it comes:
The ultimate expression of “lunch” is a tube of crackers and a tin of sardines.
Yes, just that.
Sure, grilled hotdogs or burgers are good. So is a tub of fried chicken or even sliced ham and cheese and bread. Any of those will keep the wolf from the door, as they say, and will give you sustenance and nourishment to get you through the rest of the day’s adventures.
But such offerings fall short of the gold standard. Besides, it’s hard to
tote a bucket of fried chicken in your daypack all day, and grilling means you’ve got to have a grill.
Much easier – much, much easier – is (you guessed it) a simple tube of crackers and a tin of sardines. That’s truly all you need. It really is.
Of course, you’ve got to do it right. You’ve got to adhere to certain standards. For example, the sardines need to come packed in olive oil, not in mustard or firecracker sauce or any of those other pretenders to the sardine-packaging throne.
Well, maybe that’s a little harsh. Maybe one of those other options is really not so bad, and I certainly
don’t want to rouse the wrath of the shadowy but immensely powerful global mustard-packed sardine cabal. You just don’t mess with those folks. So forget I said anything about that, and let’s just share these packedin-oil delicacies quietly and among ourselves. Okay?
The sardines themselves are only half the equation, of course. The other half is the crackers. And what about those crackers? Traditionally, they need to be Ritz, original recipe, though ordinary saltines will do in a pinch. And whatever your crackers of choice, make sure they’re fresh. Fresh crackers are crispy crackers, and that crispy crackery crunch is part of the charm. Don’t forget that, Grasshopper, lest you miss nuances subtle but profound.
Once you have your sardines and crackers, what then?
First, carefully open the sardine tin. Pull slowly on the metal tap lest you up-end everything and cause culinary disaster.
Then open up the crackers.
Then serve.
Ideally, the sardines are served one at a time on the blade of your pocket knife, each lifted reverently and intact from the little oblong can from whence it is born. So procured, the sardine is then placed precisely across the very middle of a single cracker.
You do have a pocket knife, don’t you? I hope so, for that’s just how it’s done. You could use a fork, I suppose. But where’s the fun in that?
Then comes the moment you’ve been waiting for all morning. The sardine is set; the cracker is poised. You move it toward your mouth…
Then you eat. It’s a moment of
The following items will be considered by the City Council on Monday, August 19, 2024 and Monday, August 26, 2024 during the Alpharetta City Council Meeting and Public Hearing, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers located at 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Text Amendments – Chapter 4, Alcohol Ordinance Consideration of an ordinance to amend Chapter 4 of The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia, known as the City’s Alcohol Ordinance, to amend provisions regarding fees and administrative costs associated with an alcoholic beverage license, to expand the forms of payment accepted for licenses; to amend procedures regarding review and approval of license applications; to amend provisions regarding notice requirements for license applications; and for other purposes.
b. The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Text Amendments – Legal Organ Consideration of an ordinance to amend Section 2-15 of The Code of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia to designate the Alpharetta-Roswell Herald as the official legal organ for the city; and for other purposes.
culinarily ecstasy. The first bite awakens you with a symphony of flavor that lasers through your tastebuds and goes straight to your soul. The universe sings. It is exquisite. It is satisfying in a way that few experiences are or have been or ever could be. Bliss is a wonderful thing.
You finish the first one. Then you get out another cracker. You wipe the blade of the pocket knife on the leg of your jeans, just to be sure it’s clean, and then you fish another fish from the little metal can and do it all over again.
Maybe a drop of holy oil falls from the sardine and rolls slowly down the front of your shirt, but you don’t mind. Not a bit. For no four-star eatery in New York or Chicago ever created anything as fine.
Of course, for this to work, you’ve got to like sardines. If you don’t, then none of this means anything and I will pray for you.
But if you do like sardines, then you will know. Then you will understand.
CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-24-AB-16
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: 835 7343 3263
Dial In: +1 646 558 8656 US August 26, 2024 at 2:00 P.M.
PURPOSE Hotel
Consumption on Premises and Specialty Gift Shop
Beer, Wine & Sunday Sales
APPLICANT
Rohm Group, LLC
d/b/a Hampton Inn & Suites 10740 Westside Way Alpharetta, GA 30009
Owner: Rohm Group, LLC
Registered Agent: Riviere Duffy
The following items will be considered by the Design Review Board on Friday, September 19, 2024 with a workshop commencing at 8:30 a.m. and regular meeting commencing at 9:00 a.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
1. DRB240029 LVW TPA GA 400 Tequila Mama
Consideration of new construction. The property is located at 0 Lakeview Parkway in the Lakeview 400 development and is legally described as being in Land Lot 0752, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
2. DRB240036 Stash
Consideration of exterior changes for the business. The property is located at 30 North Main St and is legally described as being in Land Lot 1269, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
3. DRB240037 CVS
Consideration of signage for the business. The property is located at 184 North Main and is legally described as being in Land Lot 1252, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on February 20, 1938, Bob died in Roswell, Georgia on August 6, 2024 of complications from lung cancer. His parents were Jean and David Becker, and he has a sister, Gerry, and a brother, Mel. He attended Allentown schools, was bar mitzvohed at Temple Beth El, and graduated from Allentown High School in 1956. He was drafted into the Army and served at Fort Lee in Virginia. His career was in the trucking business, starting with driving trucks in his uncle’s scrap yard and ending as Senior Vice President of Smith Transportation. Bob met his future wife on the golf course and married her to get her off. They raised three children, Michael, Sarah, and Mark while living in Mechanicsburg and State College, PA. They
CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE
PH-24-AB-15
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: 835 7343 3263
Dial In: +1 646 558 8656 US August 26, 2024 at 2:00 P.M.
PURPOSE
Eating Establishment
Consumption on Premises Distilled Spirits, Beer, Wine & Sunday Sales
APPLICANT
Samurai Restaurant Group, LLC
d/b/a Edo Japanese Cuisine 2500 North Point Court Alpharetta, GA 30022
Owner: Samurai Restaurant Group, LLC
Registered Agent: Xinyue Yin
have been married for 57 years. In retirement, they moved to Roswell, GA to be closer to their sons and grandchildren, Zachary and Bella. While living in Roswell, Bob was a member of Roswell Ramblers, American Legion and Onelife Fitness. While an over 50-year member of Jordan Masonic Lodge in Allentown, PA, he also joined the Roswell Lodge. As a volunteer shuttle driver at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital he received many accolades for his service. He was an enthusiastic fisherman and particularly enjoyed fly fishing. He remained a member of Sons of Israel in Allentown, PA. He will be interred at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Wellstar Foundation.
P. I. 0017814
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.
John H “Chip” Reed M.D. is announcing his retirement and closing his clinical medical practice Southeastern Endocrine and Diabetes located at 1475 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 129, Roswell, GA 30076 on September 30th, 2024. It has been a privilege to care for so many over the years. If you would like to request your medical records, please contact Southeastern Endocrine and Diabetes at 678-325-2250 before September 30th 2024.
The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, September 9, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. V-24-21 Christian/204 Marietta Street Setback Variance
Consideration of a variance to allow for the construction of a 2-story, 14,176 square foot medical office building on 1.14 acres in the Downtown. A variance is requested from Unified Development Code (UDC) Subsection 2.2.12(D) to reduce the front building setback. The property is located at 204 Marietta Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 694 & 1270, 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.
Re: Proposed Amendment to the Charter of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia
Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia will consider an amendment to Section 2.13 of the Charter of the City of Alpharetta authorizing an increase in the compensation of the Mayor and members of the City Council pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, Article IX, Sec. II, Para. II and O.C.G.A. § 36-35-1, et seq., at the Council’s regular meetings on August 26, 2024 and September 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers located at 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. A synopsis of the proposed changes to the Charter of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia is as follows: The proposed changes will amend the Charter to: 1) increase the annual salary of the Mayor to $50,000.00; 2) increase the annual salary for members of the City Council to $25,000.00; 3) provide for the annual adjustment of the salaries of the Mayor and members of the City Council based upon the lesser of 3% each year or by the average percentage increase in pay provided to city employees during the then applicable fiscal year and 4) include the provision of insurance, retirement, workers’ compensation, and other employee benefits to the Mayor and members of the City Council. Copies of the proposed amendment are on file and available for the purposes of examination and inspection by the public with the City Clerk in the City of Alpharetta City Hall and in the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County.
Council of the City of Alpharetta, Georgia
The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, September 5, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, September 30, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. Z-24-13 DRB Group of Georgia/12265 Charlotte Drive
Consideration of a rezoning to allow for the construction of 42 ‘For-Sale’ single-family detached homes on 36.8 acres. A rezoning is requested from AG (Agriculture) to R-22 (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Residential). The property is located at 12265 Charlotte Drive and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 1245 & 1246, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
b. CLUP-24-04/MP-24-07/Z-24-12 Epic Design & Build Upper Hembree Townhomes
Consideration of a comprehensive land use plan amendment, master plan amendment, and rezoning to allow 8 ‘For-Sale’ townhome units on 1.127 acres. A master plan amendment is requested to the George Oswald Jr. Master Plan to add ‘Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Attached’ as a permitted use. A comprehensive land use plan amendment is requested from ‘Professional Business Office’ to ‘High Density Residential’ and a rezoning is requested from O-I (Office-Institutional) to R-8A/D (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Attached/Detached, Residential). The property is located at 0 Upper Hembree Road and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 550, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
c. Z-24-14/V-24-22 Pinnacle Pg LLC/Karen Drive
Consideration of a rezoning and variances to allow for the construction of 14 ‘For-Sale’ single-family detached homes on 2.68 acres in the Downtown. A rezoning is requested from O-I (Office-Institutional) and C-2 (General Commercial) to DT-MU (Downtown Mixed-Use). Variances are requested from Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A: Alpharetta Downtown Code Subsection 2.3.3(G) to modify local street residential streetscape standards, UDC Appendix A: Alpharetta Downtown Code Subsection 2.4.6(C) to allow a street-facing garage without the required 20’ setback from the front façade of the home, and UDC Subsection 3.2.8(D) to reduce the landscape strip requirement along a new local street. The property is located at 0, 297 & 315 Karen Drive and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 693 & 696, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
d. CU-24-07 Between the Trees District
Consideration of a conditional use to allow a ‘Special Event Facility’ on 1.76 acres in the Downtown. A conditional use is requested to allow a ‘Special Event Facility’ for Between the Trees District which includes the construction of a 2-story, 7,500 square foot event building, re-use of 2 historic structures, an outdoor amphitheater, and an additional restaurant building. The property is located at 48 Old Roswell Street and 54 Roswell Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1269, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
The following item will be considered by the City Council on Monday, September 30, 2024 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.
a. Z-24-08/V-24-08 306 Thompson Street
Consideration of a rezoning and variance to allow for the construction of 2 ‘For-Sale’ single-family detached homes on 1.148 acres in the Downtown Overlay. A rezoning is requested from R-12 (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’, Residential) to DT-LW (Downtown Live-Work). Variances are requested to Unified Development Code (UDC) Appendix A Subsection 2.4.6 to allow parking between the building and the street and to eliminate the requirement for a street-facing garage to be recessed at least 20’ behind the front building façade, and to Appendix A Subsection 2.8.7 to allow a contemporary architectural style for the proposed homes. The property is located at 306 Thompson Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 802, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
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.
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Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III – Customer Service to assist in a high-volume call center. Requires high school diploma or equivalency, computer, communication, and general office skills. Requires one (1) year experience in a customer service call center or service-type organization, utility, finance, banking, or equivalent industry. Bilingual is preferred, fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal).
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