ROSWELL, Ga. — A former employee in the Roswell Finance Department is seeking damages over her “wrongful termination.”
In a July letter, an attorney representing former Roswell Procurement Analyst Edith Compean alleges that the city violated
Compean’s First Amendment rights of free speech and her rights under the Georgia Whistleblower Act, which prohibits retaliation against employees who report official wrongdoing.
Compean’s attorney Larry Pankey also cites more than $500,000 in damages.
Compean had been the purchasing agent overseeing the bid for Seer World, a consulting
CITY OF ALPHARETTA/PROVIDED
Alpharetta’s Recreation, Parks & Culture Department is on a mission to add more seating in downtown.
firm placed at the helm of the city’s economic development strategy in April. The five-year contract with Seer is valued at up to $2 million a year.
Appen Media reported on the city’s bidding process for economic development consulting services at the time the contract was
See PURCHASING, Page 4
your status, register to vote, update your address or find your polling location on the Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page” at https:// mvp.sos.ga.gov/s. Deadline to register for the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 7 See story, PAGE 10
Alpharetta seeks partners to make city more sittable
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — City officials are proud of their downtown’s walkability. All the same, they’re giving visitors more opportunities to take a load off their feet.
The city has dispersed almost 40 Adirondack chairs around downtown’s Town Green and other areas, said Morgan Rodgers, director of Alpharetta’s Recreation, Parks & Culture Department. Officials are seeking a sponsor to help them bump that number to at least around 50.
“It has really made Town Green a fun place to be,” Rodgers said.
The idea for a sittable Alpharetta came to Rodgers when he and his wife Janet were out enjoying the downtown about a year and a half ago. While resting on a park bench
after grabbing a bite to eat, an idea hit them.
“The benches are really good, but if you are trying to get the idea that this is a fun place — park benches don’t yell that,” he said.
Why not instead install some chairs, they thought. After all, with the right seating, the downtown water fountain might even feel like a beach. They decided to act, purchasing and placing the seats in key locations.
“And the rest, as they say, is history,” Rodgers said.
Alpharetta officials see their downtown as “the heartbeat of their city,” said Janet Rodgers, president and CEO of Awesome Alpharetta, the city’s tourism bureau. Having a unique option for people to rest
See SIT, Page 23
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Police arrest three people over course of traffic stop
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Three people were arrested on drug charges after police allegedly found marijuana in their vehicle Sept. 10.
Police stopped a vehicle on Old Milton Parkway at Morris Road driven by a 20-year-old Gainesville man after running his license plate and determining it was not registered.
An officer smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle while speaking with the driver and searched the vehicle. Officers later determined the driver did not have a valid driver’s license.
During the search, officers found 58 grams of marijuana and 45 grams of a brown powdery substance that tested positive for THC, according to the police report.
They also found a large handgun magazine containing 30 9mm bullets.
Police determined the man intended to sell the marijuana because some of the drug had been divided into baggies. They also found a scale and cash.
Police arrested the man and two other passengers, a 19-year-old woman and 29-year-old man, both from Durham, North Carolina. All three were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a Schedule 1 substance.
The driver also was charged with driving while unlicensed and altering a license plate for the purpose of concealing a vehicle.
Man reports Acura driver threatened him with gun
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a report of aggravated assault in an apparent road rage incident Sept. 13.
A 32-year-old Alpharetta man told police that an Acura TL Type S sedan suddenly cut in front of him on Ga. 400 at Haynes Bridge Road and began brake checking him.
After both vehicles pulled into a parking lot near North Point Mall, the Acura driver reportedly exited his vehicle and brandished a black gun, waving it and yelling.
The Alpharetta man said the other driver told him, “I’ll beat your Huckleberry.” He said he called 911 because he felt his life was threatened.
The suspect was described as wearing a gray graphic T-shirt and cargo shorts and having light brown hair. The Alpharetta man sped away and fled into the mall.
The man provided to police a license plate for the Acura, which was registered to a Cumming man.
Man scammed for $3,000 in online extortion plot
MILTON, Ga. — An Alpharetta man reported to police Sept. 17 that an “estranged friend” reached out to him about a Facebook post with false information.
An elaborate scam ensued, costing him $3,000. The man was at his job in Milton when he received some of the scam messages.
He said he was told that the posts said he was a criminal, a terrorist and a rapist, that they alerted U.S. authorities to be aware of him and that he needed to contact an officer in the Dominican Republic to assist him in removing the posts, according to the incident report.
While speaking with the purported Dominican “officer,” the man said he began receiving threats on Facebook Messenger from three people, two men and a woman, asking for money to remove the posts, according to the report. He said the Dominican officer told him to follow the suspect’s instructions so they could be tracked.
After sending $1,000 to a woman, the phony officer told the man the money was going to the Dominican
Republic and that he would investigate, the report says. The fake officer then informed him the suspects were arrested and sent him two pictures, showing two male suspects in the hospital, the female suspect, and a firearm.
The fake officer advised the man to contact an attorney to prosecute the suspects and an IT personnel, who required a $1,000 fee, to remove the posts, the report says.
The fake officer also told the man he would get a restitution of $80,000 but needed to pay a $3,000 processing fee. The man then sent a $1,000 installment.
After being pressured to pay the remaining “due,” the man spoke with his coworkers who told him he was being scammed.
He told local police he was willing to press charges if the suspects were identified, and he would contact Facebook to remove the posts falsely attributed to him. He also told police he searched for the false posts but could find none.
Man reports parcel theft from home front porch
MILTON, Ga. — A Milton man reported to police Sept. 20 that two iPhones, valued at $2,800, were stolen from his front porch off Lake Mist Cove.
The man told police the phones were delivered earlier that day at around noon. Surveillance footage showed a Black male wearing all black and a blue Amazon vest walking up to the front porch, grabbing both packages and leaving, about a half an hour after the phone delivery, according to the incident report.
Another video showed the suspect vehicle, a gray Hyundai Elantra, enter the neighborhood at around the same time.
But, when police ran the tag, it returned to a White female out of Lawrenceville. The vehicle owner did not match the description of the suspect, the report says.
Purchasing:
Continued from Page 1
passed; Seer had beaten out two other candidates.
An open records request for emails sent by Compean to the city staff around the time of her departure is pending.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Compean joined Forsyth County as a procurement agent in September. She was with the City of Roswell for nearly two years.
Neither Compean nor Pankey could be reached for comment as of press time.
Tyra Little, Roswell’s new purchasing manager, commented on Compean’s transition post on LinkedIn.
“I am sorry I missed working with you,” Little wrote. “Good Luck. You will love Forsyth.”
The City of Roswell hired Little more than a year after the departure of former Purchasing Manager Greg Anderson, who had raised ethical concerns in his letter of resignation.
Little’s first day was Aug. 19, according to open records obtained by Appen Media.
Before joining Roswell, Little worked for the City of Fairburn for about a year as its procurement manager. She had also worked for Forsyth County as its procurement director and the City of Brookhaven as its purchasing manager.
Roswell Communications Director Julie Brechbill told Appen Media the City of Roswell “does not comment on personnel issues or pending litigation.”
Mayor Kurt Wilson was less shy, sitting down with Appen Media in his office for more than an hour after the city’s open forum Sept. 30.
“Let’s go for the whistleblowers. Amen,” Wilson said, in response to questions regarding Pankey’s claims. “Whistleblowers are part of the process … Listen, if we deserve any of that, I’m all in.”
Government as business
During the open forum, Wilson had warned a resident of Appen Media’s coverage on Seer World in a one-onone conversation between the Council Chamber pews, though the resident maintained her position that the local news organization “just reports the facts.”
In her comments to the council during the open forum, longtime resident Nancy Kennell used the AlpharettaRoswell Herald as a springboard for concerns about Seer World.
“Trying to run government as a business just does not work, because … not everything that is profitable is of social value, and not everything of social value is profitable,” Kennell said. Wilson and other council members have latched onto the idea of finding revenue streams outside of property
Citing reporting found in the AlpharettaRoswell Herald, Roswell resident Nancy Kennell raises concerns about the city’s contract with economic development consulting firm Seer World at the Sept. 30 open forum.
taxes. In July, the council approved Seer’s work to jumpstart the city’s parking venture, an initiative to pull revenue from public parking.
A month earlier, the firm had been tasked with employing Roswell’s new COO for the next three years, a $340,000 annual salary. The restructuring of the city’s organizational chart has introduced corporate staff titles.
That COO is Don Stephens, former executive for the Fortune 500 company ABM Industries. According to Stephens’ LinkedIn profile, he joined the City of Roswell in September.
“We’re bringing in talent at a level where people say, ‘Well, I don’t want it to be entrepreneurial,’” Wilson said in the Sept. 30 interview. “It’s not about being entrepreneurs, it’s about making government work in a way that’s going to be truly responsive to its citizens.”
Consulting contracts
In August, Wilson openly criticized the local newspaper for insinuating that the city was involved in “nefarious activity” with Seer World, following a presentation from Deputy City Administrator Sharon Izzo.
Izzo provided a view of the city’s other multi-year, multimillion-dollar consulting contracts, which numbered more than two dozen. None exceeded a total value of $5.5 million, like Seer World’s does.
While most of the contracts were exclusively related to infrastructure work, the purpose of Izzo’s presentation Aug. 12 was to convey to the public just how normal it is for cities to employ consulting firms.
Mayor Wilson added a flourish.
“If this is a normal process, why a local newspaper is unable to figure this out or even ask the questions if they have some questions, but to lead to some conclusion that there’s something sinister going on is highly irresponsible for any member of the press to engage in,” Wilson said.
Roswell increases spending power of departments
According to open records obtained by Appen Media, the City of Roswell amended its Purchasing Policy in July 2023. The policy, which did not go before the City Council for a vote, increases a department’s spending power from $2,500 to $10,000, through the use of requisition or a p-card. Sought goods or services can be obtained through “direct negotiation or by some other non-competitive method,” so long as they are “most advantageous to the city, price and other factors considered.”
For goods and services between $10,000 and $25,000, the purchasing agent will no longer have to obtain three written quotes, and instead at least three “informal” quotes, “where possible.”
For professional services between $10,000 and $25,000, department heads must also justify the choice in writing, to be attached to the requisition. Previously, justification was needed if services exceeded a value of $2,500.
Appen Media reached out to the City of Roswell about its procurement process for several weeks in August, to no avail. The first email from Appen Media sent to Brechbill is dated Aug. 1, with followups sent Aug. 7, Aug. 14 and Aug. 19. Other members of the Communications Department, Mayor Wilson, Government and Community Affairs Manager Katrina Singletary and City Administrator Randy Knighton were copied on the email requests.
A formal response occurred Oct. 1, hours before the Alpharetta-Roswell Herald deadline, when Brechbill asked that Appen Media call Knighton with questions about the city’s procurement process.
Still, one resident described the Seer World contract as “strange,” questioning the city’s blind affection for and the qualification of the company’s founder and CEO Peter Sorckoff.
“You think that he hung the moon in the stars, and that is strange,” the resident said at the Aug. 12 council meeting. “That is why it’s different, and that is why everybody is taking it apart with a fine-tooth comb.”
In response, some council members said consulting work is standard across the board. City Councilman Allen Sells said it’s about the rolodexes firms can offer up.
“They have these kinds of people that we’re trying to bring these jobs to Roswell on their cell phone, and they can get to them,” Sells said. “That’s what you’re paying for.”
Mayor Wilson previously told Appen Media that he had been impressed by
Sorckoff once meeting with him around the time he was elected in November 2022, despite some initial skepticism.
Previous concerns
Compean’s departure is not the first time an employee in the Roswell Finance Department raised a red flag.
Last year, former Roswell Purchasing Manager Anderson cited ethical concerns in his Aug. 14, 2023, letter of resignation, obtained by Appen Media in an open records request.
“I believe that we must remain committed to ethical procurement practices, transparency, and adhering to the legal statutes that govern our work,” Anderson wrote. “While I recognize the pressures and constraints that shape our decisions, I cannot reconcile my belief system with the present course of action.”
Anderson’s resignation letter came a day before a budget amendment for $250,000 in professional services was proposed at an Administration, Finance, Recreation and Parks Committee meeting. The item related to a contract with Seer World, which drew scrutiny for not going through the city’s bidding process.
But, in the Sept. 30 interview, Mayor Wilson said $250,000 is “fairly small” compared to the city’s nearly $200 million budget.
“I believe in representative government,” Wilson said. “I do not believe in the free-for-all of democracy, which demonstrated itself as a massive failure.”
“Paralysis by analysis” is a catchphrase for Wilson, who prides himself on taking risks.
At one point in the interview Sept. 30, he recovered a hard copy of the city’s code of ordinances, describing how the rule of law is not only “complicated” but because there’re so many rules, they’re easy to break. He hopes to change that if he sticks around for a second term.
Spending power
The city is loosening its grip around spending.
In July 2023, the city’s Purchasing Policy was updated, according to open records obtained by Appen Media. The policy gives departments more latitude in discretionary spending, increasing the limit from $2,500 to $10,000.
In an Oct. 1 interview, Knighton said the update did not come before the council for a vote. But, for administrative tasks, he said this was commonplace and that it had never been approved by the mayor and council in the first place.
“What governs is the overarching ordinance, which is approved by mayor and council,” Knighton said.
He said the city’s former Finance Director Ryan Luckett and former Purchasing Manager Anderson had
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Metro cities recover from hurricane remnants
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com and AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — While the full extent of costs and damage from Hurricane Helene has yet to be determined statewide, north metro residents began returning to their normal lives over the weekend.
Alpharetta dodged most of the high winds from the overnight storm Sept. 26-27.
City officials celebrated its good fortune in a Facebook post on Sept. 27.
“We would like to thank the storm for defying all of the forecasts and staying on a track that was well east of Alpharetta,” according to the post. “As a result, the tropical storm force winds that had been predicted never materialized here.”
Communications & Engagement Coordinator Deanna McKay said Helene toppled trees, knocked out power at some intersections, but the city was “back to normal” Sept. 30.
The city entered the “cleanup phase,” addressing widespread tree falls and other impacts. Officials dedicated a portion of their website at alpharetta.ga.us/storm to help residents with emergency tree removal, utility outage reporting and other recovery efforts.
Alpharetta had prepared for the worst, activating its Emergency operations Center before the arrival of Helene. Public Safety, Public Works and other essential personnel were placed on rotating 24-hour shifts to ensure a constant response during and after the storm.
Diminished rainfall over the weekend eased flooding concerns along the Chattahoochee River, which had reached flood stage of 9 feet in Roswell Friday. Some flooding was reported along Riverside Drive, but most of the impact occurred farther west in Cobb County and south into Atlanta.
Power outages, flood threats
Few cities escaped some power outages.
Gus Hadorn, who lives in Pine Valley off Warsaw Road in Roswell, said half the neighborhood, which has about 150 homes, lost power.
Hadorn said Georgia Power delayed service twice but that the outage lasted only 24 hours.
While his neighborhood didn’t get hit hard, Hadorn suspects that
the homes that border Big Creek saw some flooding. A tributary runs through his front yard.
“Those yards quite often have water that comes probably 100 yards from the creek up to the houses, and in some cases, has gotten into the houses,” Hadorn said. “That may have happened this time, but I can't say that for sure.”
Overall, the city fared well throughout the severe weather event, according to an Emergency Operations Center update from Roswell Communications Director Julie Brechbill. More damage had been anticipated.
The preliminary assessment says there were no storm-related injuries reported and that staff was able to quickly and effectively respond to all incidents, most of which were downed trees across roadways.
Only minimal damage was reported at some of the 46 city facilities, like water leaks at City Hall.
More than 200 calls, mostly stormrelated, were made to the city, from 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, to the following day at noon.
The city intends to provide a more comprehensive post-incident report at a later date.
In her comments at the Sept. 30 open forum, resident Janet Russell thanked city staff for their efforts during the storm.
“I want to give a shout out to everybody that had their feet in the water and on the ground this last weekend,” Russell said. “The guys in the parks were there bright and early, cleaning up all the paths to make them usable again.”
Meanwhile, local governments and utilities recovered from the two-day flurry of preparations and response to blocked and damaged roads and electric power outages.
With the bulk of its resources still focused on the southern part of the state, Georgia Power restored service to the remaining areas without power in west Roswell Saturday afternoon. The utility completed service to some 200 customers in Sandy Springs and a few pockets of Dunwoody later in the evening.
Overall, Georgia Power reported more than 420,000 Fulton County customers initially lost power due to the storm.
Sawnee EMC reported it had restored power to nearly all its cus -
Alice By Heart will compete at GHSA One Act Competition November 2nd | Seckinger HS
The 39 Steps will compete at Georgia Theatre Conference October 16-18 | Brenau University
See HELENE, Page 24
City begins nationwide search to replace key executive post
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Outgoing
Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard may not be replaced until after the holidays, a city official said Monday.
City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said Alpharetta has begun looking for a person to fill the position, but the process to replace Drinkard will be more efficient in January. October can be a difficult month to start a new role because of the ongoing school semester and holiday obligations.
After a 24-year career with Alpharetta, Drinkard will begin as Warner Robins’ first full-time city administrator on Oct. 28. He is a native of Houston County, where the city of about 80,000 is located.
Alpharetta will cast a wide professional net to replace Drinkard, although hiring from within is not off the table, Lagerbloom said. The city may hire the services of a recruitment firm.
Drinkard gave the City Council and his fellow city staffers a tearful farewell at the Sept. 30 meeting.
PROVIDED
Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard accepts a mayor’s challenge coin at a Sept. 30 City Council meeting. Drinkard, who served Alpharetta for 24 years, will be taking a new post with the City of Warner Robins.
“Thank you, every one of you who are here, those who are not and those who came before because this is truly the most blessed place on earth,” Drinkard said.
Mayor Jim Gilvin read a proclamation in Drinkard’s honor, recounting a long career with many roles, including economic
development coordinator, director of Human Resources and chief public information officer. He also was given a mayor’s challenge coin.
“Whereas James Drinkard’s kindness, leadership and vision have shaped not only how we communicate but also how we work together. James did not just lead us.
He inspired us,” Gilvin said.
Lagerbloom described Drinkard as an outgoing, well-trusted and hardworking civil servant, who took on the many jobs he was asked to complete with passion. As assistant city administrator, Drinkard was a kind of glue within the city’s government, often solving problems that fell through the cracks.
“If there’s a need, he gets on it,” Lagerbloom said. “You can throw any topic his direction.”
Council members praised Drinkard, saying he had often worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the city a better place to live.
“James has been so much a part of the development of this city, so much a part of the values and culture we thrive to be as the City of Alpharetta,” Councilman Douglas DeRito said.
Councilman Donald Mitchell agreed, saying Drinkard would sorely be missed.
“It’s like we are losing a brother in so many ways, but I feel James is taking so much to Warner Robins,” Mitchell said. “They will be so blessed.”
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Beverage and events caterer navigates pandemic changes
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — There is a community gathering at Oak Street Bottle Shop once a week — Five Dollar Fridays — that harkens back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Top Job Beverage & Events owns the warehouse at 75A Oak Street, where coowners Scott Harb and Michael Fabian set up shop in downtown Historic Roswell
Oak Street Bottle Shop is an unsuspecting place where friends and families gather to reconnect with people who they spent time with while the world was sheltering in place.
Harb said hosting the public outside of the bottle shop every day during summer 2020 kept his businesses afloat and surprised him in some ways.
In 2018, the company acquired the roughly 2,000-square-foot industrial facility to support the company’s main source of income, catering for festivals and concerts.
Top Job began catering small events in 2012 as partners of a local Roswell restaurant.
Co-owner Scott Harb said with the growth of the catering business, him and his business partner decided to purchase the building and get their own alcohol license through the city of Roswell.
The specific license is for craft beer and wine market, which allows the warehouse on Oak Street to double as a tap room and caterer.
Regulations surrounding alcohol licenses in Roswell mandate that employees work at the facility for at least 20 hours a week. Before the pandemic,
the co-owners said they spent some time at the facility just to maintain the alcohol license.
Harb and Fabian also own a staffing agency, Top Job Hospitality, which is in downtown Historic Roswell off Park Square Court.
“I have a whole other day job, so I’d just come up here and do work, most of that was catering and a bit of staffing,” Harb said. “Then COVID comes … all of our events were canceled.”
More than 300 concerts, festivals and private events across Metro Atlanta were canceled, and with it, the company’s main source of revenue.
Top Job Beverage & Events partners with city governments, local organizations and individuals to cater alcohol at community gatherings. The partnerships share revenue generated at events with organizers and the business, which works well when there’s not a pandemic.
“Everything was shut down and we didn’t have anything to do,” Harb said. “My wife said, ‘Scott, you’ve got an alcohol license and beer, why don’t you just open up the garage door?’”
Shortly after, the front of the warehouse turned into a package store, with the business partners opening a tap room in the back after things got going.
“That was the start of Oak Street Bottle Shop as you see it today,” Harb said.
Fridays are big
The shop operates differently now, given the end of pandemic-era restrictions. For one, it’s usually only
See SHOP, Page 9
OAK STREET BOTTLE SHOP/PROVIDED
Scott Harb, co-owner of Oak Street Bottle Shop, promotes a community gathering with live music, friends and drinks — Five Dollar Fridays. Harb said his business made it through the pandemic by hosting Roswell residents outside of its warehouse in the historic district of downtown Roswell.
Shop:
Continued from Page 8
open on Fridays, not every day of the week.
While the hospitality and catering businesses have rebounded since 2020, Top Job is busy elsewhere, too. It still rents out the facility for private events and always has a party for Five Dollar Fridays.
Harb said the facility is usually rented for high school and college graduations, corporate team-building events and the occasional birthday.
Because the alcohol industry has good margins, Top Job’s Five Dollar Fridays allows the co-owners to get the “pandemic community” together once a week.
“That’s my baby, we’re only here one day a week,” Harb said. “During the pandemic, it was every day.”
OAK STREET BOTTLE SHOP/PROVIDED
Patrons at Oak Street Bottle Shop enjoy the sunset during Five Dollar Friday.
Co-owner Scott Harb says the venue is usually only open to the public on Friday evenings, but the company’s event catering runs year-round.
All proceeds benefit Murphy- Harpst
Five Dollar Fridays are still rocking at 75A Oak Street. Most of the crowd, which continues to show up, met one another and became friends at the bottle shop during the pandemic.
“We did a cookout in May 2020 and about 30 people showed up,” Harb said. “There’s been as many as 300 people here, and we’re getting bigger bands.”
Creek, Social Fox’s Wrecker from Norcross, TKR Pilsener from Tucker and Variant Canton Street IPA from down the road.
5K RUN & WALK
SATURDAY
The bottle shop has craft beers from every nook and cranny of America, with a shelf set aside for Georgia-brewed beer and all the name brand favorites.
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches!
Please give generously today and be a part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable children.
Scheduled fall bands include Corporate Therapy Oct. 4, M80 Rocks Oct. 11, Zachery Mannino Band Oct. 18, Justin Oct. 25, Nostalgia ’80s Experience Oct. 26, 40HZ Nov. 1, and Bear Bones Band Nov. 8.
www.murphyharpst.org
It’s a community now, and people keep showing up to hang out with the friends they met four years ago.
Local craft beers
• www.active.com
Oak Street prides itself on its selection of local craft beers, including Six Bridges Light Lager from Johns
It also sports an extensive selection of red, white and sparkling wines.
In summer 2023, Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson served as a celebrity bartender during the bottle shop’s support of North Fulton Community Charities fundraising at Alive in Roswell.
Seemingly out of circumstance, Oak Street Bottle Shop has cemented itself in the downtown Historic Roswell community and beyond.
12TH ANNUAL
NOV. 2 2024
RUN & WALK
& WALK
Harpst
All proceeds benefit Murphy- Harpst
“There’s all these moments where things change,” Harb said. “The people you’re around during that time, those people are who you build new relationships with.”
• Search “Midway Mission Possible 12”
All proceeds benefit Murphy-Harpst
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches! Please give generously today and be a part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable children.
Transforming the lives of homeless families. Because every child deserves a home.
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches! Please give generously today and be a part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable
www.murphyharpst.org
12
TO LEARN MORE: www.familypromise.org www.fpforsyth.org
Event Schedule
Murphy-Harpst provides hope and healing to severely abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care, and creative therapeutic approaches. Over 1/3 of their annual support comes from United Methodist Churches! Please give generously today and bea part of a nearly 100-year legacy of serving Georgia’s most vulnerable children.
SATURDAY NOV. 2
7:00 am Registration and bib pick up 8:30 am 5K Run/Walk begins Registration
www.murphyharpst.org Short-sleeved
7:00
Voter registration deadline for general election is Oct. 7
By ZOE SEILER, AMBER PERRY and JON WILCOX newsroom@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — The deadline to register to vote for the upcoming general election is Oct. 7.
Election Day is Nov. 5.
To register to vote, an individual must be at least 17.5 years old to register and 18 years old to vote. They must be a United States citizen, a legal resident of the county in which they wish to vote, not be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony, and not be found mentally incompetent by a judge, according to the Georgia Secretary of State website.
Voters can check their registration status and Election Day voting precinct on the state’s My Voter Page by visiting mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Early voting runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1. The early voting locations and times vary by county.
Statewide, the president and vice presidential races will be on the ballot. All U.S. House and state legislators are up for election as well, and the My Voter Page will show voters who their representatives are.
How to register
There are a few ways to register to vote.
• If you have a Georgia Driver’s License or State ID Card, you can register online by visiting https://mvp. sos.ga.gov/s/olvr-home.
• You can choose to register when you renew or apply for your driver’s license at the Department of Driver Services.
• If you are registered, but need to change your address within the county,
you can fill out the back of your precinct card or update your information on the My Voter Page.
• You can download a voter registration form from the Secretary of State’s website and mail it to the Secretary of State's Office at PO Box 105325, Atlanta, GA 30348.
• Applications can be also emailed or mailed to your county’s registrar’s office.
Voting absentee
Absentee ballots are available for the Nov. 5 general election as well.
The last day to submit an application for an absentee ballot is Oct. 25. Absentee ballots must be returned
to a ballot box by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the latest to a drop box or a county registrar’s office. Absentee ballots can be returned at any time before Nov. 5.
Voters are now required to provide either a Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID card number or a copy of another form of ID when applying for an absentee ballot.
Other forms of acceptable identification are a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows a voter’s name and address.
Fulton County
Local Fulton County races on the ballot are the District Attorney, Fulton County Board of Commissioners District 2, 4 and 6 as well as several other uncontested county officials.
In Fulton County, advance voting
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will be held Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications, attached as a .pdf or .jpg, can be emailed to elections.absentee@ fultoncountyga.gov or mailed to Fulton County Registrations and Elections, 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road, Union City, GA 30213, in addition to being request online.
Visit fultoncountyga.gov/vote for more information about the early voting and absentee drop box locations, and to see the sample ballot.
Forsyth County
Local Forsyth County races on the ballot are Forsyth Board of Commissioners Districts 2, 4 and 5 as well as Forsyth County Board of Education Districts 2, 3 and 4. Other uncontested county officials are also on the ballot.
In Forsyth County, early voting will be held Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 8 to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications can be emailed to absentee@forsythco.com. To submit absentee ballot applications by mail or by personal delivery, send them to Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections, 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040.
Applications may also be faxed to 770-886-2825, or requested online.
Forsyth County has one drop box location at the Voter Registrations & Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 15-18, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19-20, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 28-Nov. 1.
Visit forsythco.com/vote for more information about the early voting locations and to see the sample ballot.
DeKalb County
Local DeKalb County races on the ballot are the DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer, DeKalb Board of Commissioners Districts 1 and 3-7, as well as several other uncontested county officials.
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In DeKalb County, early voting will be held Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Absentee ballot applications can be emailed to absenteeballot@ dekalbcountyga.gov or mailed to DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections, 4380 Memorial Drive, suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032, in addition to being requested online.
Visit dekalbvotes.com for more information about the early voting and absentee drop box locations, and to see the sample ballot.
PHOTOS BY: DEAN HESSE/APPEN MEDIA
Emilee Terry voted in the Georgia primary election at the Decatur Recreation Center on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Public Art Program adds 10 sculptures at public locations
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta’s latest initiative will provide a free tour of public art.
The city’s Public Art Program will install another 10 sculptures throughout town from sculptors around the nation. This fourth iteration of the program brings some unique works, including pieces that move and light up.
“We are trying to catch people’s eyes,” Arts Alpharetta President Nancy Murphy said.
Murphy and her nonprofit coordinated with the city to bring the art to Alpharetta’s parks and public areas for the next two years. The city provided the $90,000, which was allocated over two years, needed to find and install the pieces.
Eight of the sculptures are already in place. The last two will be installed in late October.
Arts Alpharetta hired a team of professional artists to serve as jurors to review applications and make the selections. The organization also issued a callout and installed them.
The installation, which has been in the works for almost four years, features creations from artists from North Carolina, Missouri, Colorado, Tennessee, Oregon and Louisiana.
The sculptors’ productions explore the musical theme of “RIFF,” a distinct take or variation on a song, melody or idea. The theme also is a shout-out to the city’s branding as a music city.
Each is unique, but some bring new features.
Luminaria, at Milton Avenue Park, is fitted with three dozen glass orbs that
PHOTOS BY: ARTS ALPHARETTA/ PROVIDED
Artist Stephen Landis and Reinilda Blair, Arts Alpharetta board member, stand next to Luminaria, at Milton Avenue Park. The organization partnered with the city to bring it and other sculptures to the city’s public areas.
light up. Representing a graceful lady in a white satin dress, it also gleams iridescent in the daylight.
Another, titled Ethereal Triptych, moves. Like a graceful but “inefficient turbine,” it perpetually rotates with the air, never accelerating. The sculpture can be seen at Thompson Street Park.
And Pegasus Landing, at Wills Park, brings the magical creature to life as a geometric framework, seemingly defying gravity. It also was featured in Southern Living magazine.
Murphy said it was important to put the art in places where many people would see them. That approach enriches
Pegasus Landing, at Wills Park, represents the mythical animal as if it had just finished flying. The piece was featured in Southern Living magazine.
people’s daily lives and makes the city a better place to be, she said.
Murphy said she has heard directly from people who have found personal enrichment from the program.
“It gives our brains a recharge,” she said.
Ethereal Triptych, at Thompson Street Park, moves like an “inefficient turbine.” The sculpture was one of 10 selected by a jury team of professional artists.
The benefit is about more than inspiration, she said. It also boosts the local economy by making the city a more attractive and interesting place to visit.
“When you have a vibrant arts community, everyone benefits,” she said “People want to bring their business here.”
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Making outdoor improvements pay off when selling your home
Real Estate
As the embrace of Autumn envelops us, it is a great time to think about which outdoor improvements to your yard should pay you back the most when you go to sell your home. According to NAR (National Association of Realtors) there are 5 projects that have proven to be the best return of investment dollars, also known as ROI. When your Realtor first comes to your property to discuss marketing your home, they should evaluate the neighborhood, the street, and yes, even your driveway. The essence of arrival is critical to helping any potential buyer see and feel that this home is special. As a seller, you want to have the buyer set your home apart from others as soon as possible when viewing your home.
Having a regularly maintained yard that is nicely landscaped and groomed is a strong start. Your landscaping is the first picture that online sites will use to show the world your property.
The following percentages are what Realtors are being given from NAR as tools to help guide you on where best to spend your money when getting your home ready to sell. As a seller, it is imperative that you present your home in the best possible light (even in a seller’s market).
Routine lawn care service is the highest ROI for a homeowner at 217% of value recovered when you sell your home. Surely, a green and weed-free lawn is a huge draw to the buyer’s eye.
It most definitely shows well in professional photography and videos.
Landscape maintenance like adding mulch, pruning your shrubs and planting perennials or annuals comes in at 104% ROI of value recovered when you sell your home.
Outdoor kitchens are very much a growing trend. In our market, we see them frequently. They do vary in complexity and features. We see outdoor kitchens with various grills, refrigerators, and even Kegerators. According to NAR, if you have an inset grill, stainless steel drawers, ice chest sink and concrete countertops with veneered masonry stone, you can expect 100% ROI value recovered when you sell your home.
Overall landscape upgrades like Installing a front walkway of possibly natural flagstone; adding a few stone planters, planting flowering shrubs and
installing mature trees would also yield you 100% ROI value when you sell your home.
Installing an outdoor patio is a great investment as well. Not only will you enjoy some time outside around a firepit or just sitting and reading a book, but an outdoor patio has a 95% ROI value when you sell your home.
As you can see, spending money outside is a wise investment and will make sure that your home garners the attention it deserves when it comes time to sell it and move on to your next adventure.
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 Allison at 404-784-5287 or email allison@homegeorgia.com and get a response within 24 hours.
Brought to you by - Allison Kloster, Associate Broker, Home
KLOSTER
HOME Luxury Real Estate
is partnering with Iconic Top Producing Agent ALLISON KLOSTER to expand our North Fulton presence later this year.
Allison brings the highest level of dedication, skill, and ethics to everything she does.
Follow Us on Instagram @HOMErealestate.ga for more details.
Five reasons to use living fences for curb appeal
Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes
Sotheby’s International Realty
Sometimes called a ‘hedgerow’, a living fence is a compact line of greenery acting as a natural screen. Incorporating plants and natural materials to create beautiful, durable boundary lines offers an appealing alternative to traditional fencing, with benefits that go beyond aesthetics. Let’s explore a few compelling reasons why this is a smart choice for homeowners.
1. They are budget-friendly.
A living fence offers a long-lasting solution without the high upfront costs of materials like wood, vinyl or metal. While the initial planting may require some investment, the long-term savings are significant. Unlike conventional fences, which can deteriorate and require costly repairs or replacements, living fences grow stronger and more resilient over time with mini-mal maintenance.
2. They are nature’s sustainable barrier.
A living fence relies on natural, renewable resources rather than manufactured materials that require energy-intensive production processes and contribute to waste. It grows organically, improving air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide, and it conserves resources by reducing the need for synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, all while regenerating naturally.
3. They are elegant and ever-changing. Living fences introduce natural beauty
into a landscape, creating a soft, lush backdrop—a look that can be tailored to match your personal style, whether it be flowering bushes or ev-ergreen trees. As they grow and evolve with the seasons, living fences provide dynamic views that add depth and character to your yard.
4. They are a natural wind and sound barrier.
Traditional fences may only partially block noise, whereas living ones create a more compre-hensive shield through their organic composition. The thick layer of leaves and branches acts as a buffer, reducing the impact of the elements and external sounds such as traffic, construction or neighborhood activity.
5. They create a more resilient landscape.
Finally, a living fence plays a crucial role in strengthening the soil by anchoring and stabiliz-ing it with its extensive root system. The roots of the plants grow deep and spread out, bind-ing the soil together and reducing erosion, especially on slopes or areas prone to runoff. This natural network also improves soil structure by preventing compaction and promoting better water infiltration. As a result, the soil remains fertile and less prone to degradation.
By choosing a living fence, you're not only investing in a beautiful and functional addition to your property but also supporting a greener, more resilient environment. If you need assistance renovating your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s Interna-tional Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!
Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/Copyeditor
Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad
No will or trust!
Brought to you by – Estates Law Center USA
The Risks of Not Planning: Potential issues that can arise when someone dies intestate (without a will or trust) and how an estate plan can mitigate these risks.
Dying intestate without a will or trust can lead to a host of complications and risks for both the estate and the surviving family members. When someone passes away without leaving behind a will or trust , state intestacy laws take over, dictating how assets are distributed. This may not align with the deceased's wishes, potentially leaving family members and loved ones with outcomes they didn’t anticipate or desire. For instance, assets might be divided in a way that doesn’t reflect the deceased’s personal preferences, or they might end up with relatives the deceased had wished to exclude. This can also spark family disputes and legal battles, as there are no clear instructions to guide the process, resulting in prolonged probate proceedings and increased costs. Additionally, intestacy can complicate the appointment of guardians for
minor children, potentially leaving their care in the hands of individuals not preferred by the deceased.
The lack of a will can also led to missed opportunities for minimizing estate taxes and managing financial affairs efficiently. Emotional stress on family members is another significant risk, as they navigate the uncertainties and disputes arising from the intestate process. An estate plan mitigates these risks by clearly outlining the distribution of assets, appointing trusted executors and guardians, and incorporating strategies for tax efficiency. By planning with expert advice, individuals ensure that their wishes are honored, reduce the potential for conflict, and ease the administrative burden and cost on their loved ones during the most difficult time.
• 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?
Thurs., Oct. 3 – 11 am Tues., Oct. 15 – 4 pm Thurs., Oct. 17 – 11 am
October Workshops: Wed., Oct. 23 – 6 pm Tues., Oct. 29 – 4 pm Thurs., Oct. 31 – 11 am
• 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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Last chance to embrace luxury living at Hillandale in Roswell
Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division
Now is your last chance to secure a new luxury home in Hillandale, a charming Charleston-inspired neighborhood just minutes from Historic Roswell. With only three homes remaining, these are the final opportunities to live in this popular community.
Currently under-construction, the final homes, priced from $1.1 million, are slated for completion in December/ January just in time for you to start the new year in a new home. Hillandale’s elegant designs features and sophisticated layouts are thoughtfully curated to provide ample indoor and outdoor
entertaining spaces. Among the luxury features, you’ll find spacious primary suites, soaring 10-foot ceilings, and rich hardwood floors throughout the main level. Each home is also equipped with high-end stainless-steel appliances, ensuring both style and functionality.
Beyond the remarkable interiors, Hillandale boasts an array of additional features that enhance the living experience. Homes come with irrigation systems, tankless water heaters, and freestanding tubs, along with charming gas lanterns adorning front patios. The community's pebbled driveways and sidewalks add to its overall appeal, while the HOA provides front and rear lawn maintenance, allowing residents to enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Hillandale’s location is key and offers unparalleled convenience. Homeowners can easily access a variety of local dining and shopping options. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby Chattahoochee River and its pristine parks, which offer an abundance of recreational activities, from kayaking to biking and walking trails. The Chattahoochee River Nature Preserve, just a short drive away, hosts summer music series and various outdoor events. Roswell is in the top 100 livable cities in the U.S. and ranks among the top 4 safest places to live in the metro Atlanta area. Families will also benefit from being part of Roswell's highly acclaimed school system, making Hillandale an ideal choice for any lifestyle.
Founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, Patrick Malloy Communities brings a wealth of experience and excellence to Metro Atlanta, having developed over 11,000 homesites and sold more than 7,000 homes. The company has received numerous accolades, consistently ranking on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder list and winning several Community of the Year awards. If you’re interested in learning more about the final homes available at Hillandale, visit www.PMCommunities. com or call 770-254-5372 to schedule a personal appointment. Patrick Malloy Communities is proudly represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division. An Equal Housing Opportunity.
Why a turnkey, one-stop shop is essential for your bath or kitchen remodel
When it comes to remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, the process can quickly become overwhelming. From creating ideas and solutions, and selecting materials to finding contractors for plumbing, electrical work, and installation, managing multiple vendors and services can be stressful.
Remodeling projects start with a vision but bringing that vision to life requires expertise. An in-house design team needs to work closely with you to create a customized plan that reflects your personal style, and preferences, and stays within your budget—offering services like 3D renderings, so you can visualize your space before any work begins. With expert guidance every step of the way, you can be confident your project is set up for success.
Coordinating multiple contractors— plumbers, electricians, tile installers, and more—can be time-consuming and frustrating. With a turnkey remodeler, you get full-service project management, to handle every aspect of the renovation. Having a team to ensure that the design, material selection, scheduling, and installation are all aligned to create a smooth, stress-free experience is key. You don’t have to worry about chasing contractors or keeping up with timelines—it will be done all for you.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a one-stop shop is the convenience of having everything you need in one place. A great showroom should be filled with an extensive selection of cabinetry in a variety of styles and finishes, plumbing fixtures from top brands, countertops including granite, quartz, marble, and more, tile for floors and backsplashes, and hardware to complete your design.
Rather than running around town searching for materials, you can explore all your options under one roof, with our team guiding you through each choice.
Choosing a turnkey, one-stop-shop remodeler like Bath & Kitchen Galleria means more than just convenience—it means a smoother, more enjoyable remodeling experience with expert guidance, seamless coordination, and a wide selection of top-quality products to choose from while staying in your budget.
Whether you're transforming your bathroom or remodeling your kitchen, Bath & Kitchen Galleria is here to handle every detail, so you can sit back and enjoy the results! For more information visit Bath & Kitchen Galleria’s showroom at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta (no appointment needed) M-F, 9-5 and Saturday, 10-4, or call them at 678-4592292 or visit BathandKitchenGalleria.com to schedule an appointment online.
Brought to you by – Bath and Kitchen Galleria
ProPublica editor shares reporting on deaths amid state abortion law
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
Editor’s note: Appen Media Group owns and operates The Georgia Politics Podcast, and when ProPublica turns its attention to Georgia, it catches our eye.
NORTH
METRO ATLANTA — Citing medical experts, ProPublica recently reported that the death of two Georgia women who had sought abortion treatment, were preventable.
Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller, both Black, are the subject of recent reporting from ProPublica in a series entitled “Life of the Mother: How Abortion Bans Lead to Preventable Deaths.”
ProPublica is a nonprofit national newsroom that focuses on public interest and investigative reporting, exposing harm and bringing accountability as well as solutions.
ProPublica Senior Editor Ziva Branstetter joined Appen Media Group Senior Reporter Amber Perry on an episode of the Georgia Politics Podcast Sept. 27, sharing with listeners the details of reporter Kavitha Surana’s yearlong effort to bring Thurman’s case to light.
Not long after the episode aired, local media and national outlets reported that Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney struck down the law. In its coverage of the Sept. 30 decision, The Guardian cited ProPublica’s reporting.
The order comes after the state Supreme Court reversed a 2022 ruling from McBurney, according to local media. McBurney had said the law had been passed illegally, since Roe v. Wade was in effect at the time.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed the LIFE Act in 2019, though it did not go into effect until July 2022.
After deciding to end her pregnancy in summer 2022, Thurman traveled to a North Carolina clinic to receive a surgical abortion but was instead offered a two-pill abortion regimen.
That July, Georgia’s six-week abortion
ban had gone into effect.
Thurman’s pregnancy had advanced to the ninth week.
Thurman developed complications from the abortion pills, a rarity, and sought urgent treatment at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge in mid-August. Through a time-stamped account of Thurman’s visit, ProPublica revealed a delay in a procedure that could have saved Thurman’s life, called a D&C, or dilation and curettage.
ZIVA BRANSTETTER/PROVIDED
Ziva Branstetter
Branstetter, working closely with
Top update: Local and national outlets reported Sept. 30 that a Fulton County Superior Court judge struck down Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, allowing the procedure at up to around 22 weeks of pregnancy. The Guardian cited ProPublica’s reporting in its coverage of the new decision.
Surana and contributing reporters, said the team’s entry into Thurman’s story began with a review of public death certificate data.
Branstetter said around 30 cases were identified that had the hallmarks of potentially preventable deaths, with insights from forensic pathologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists and gynecologists who advised the team what they should be looking for.
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
Key words were sepsis alongside “retained products of conception,” relevant to both Thurman’s and Miller’s cases, as well as miscarriage and a general lack of options.
“We’re not trying to attack doctors or hospitals,” Branstetter said. “We’re just trying to examine ways that these bans are resulting in deaths, and perhaps some solutions can come out of this, some more clear directives.”
Doctors and nurses involved in Thurman’s cases did not respond to questions from ProPublica.
“Doctors have said these bans are going to cause confusion and fear, and these exceptions are not going to be enough to prevent people from being harmed and possibly dying,” Branstetter said.
To listen to the episode, visit appenmedia.com/podcasts/ thegeorgiapoliticspodcast.
The Mayor and Council of the City of Roswell have tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 5.06 percent.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the City of Roswell Council Chambers, City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Georgia, 30075, on the following dates and times: September 23, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.
October 7, 2024 – 6:30 p.m.
October 15, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 4.949 mills, an increase of 0.195 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 4.754 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $575,000 is approximately $44.85 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $39.
Randy D Knighton
Kurt M. Wilson City Administrator Mayor
CITY OF ROSWELL
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE EXPLANATION
The City of Roswell is tentatively proposing a property tax rate—also known as a millage rate—for Tax Year 2024 of 4.949 mills, which is the same as the prior year’s millage rate of 4.949. If the proposed millage rate is formally approved by Mayor and Council, Roswell’s property tax rate will continue to be the lowest maintenance and operations millage rate in 16 years.
Roswell’s proposed 2024 millage rate of 4.949 mills represents no change in either component of the millage rate.
With the City of Roswell’s 4.949 millage rate, a Roswell homeowner whose property has a fair market value of $575,000 (assessed value of $230,000), will pay about $1,138.27 in property tax to the City. Those with exemptions would pay even less. Approximately $207 of that goes towards debt service for the Voter Approved Bond Program.
For more information about Roswell’s millage rate, visit www.RoswellGov.com.
Comedy club to open in Alpharetta in October
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A family-owned comedy club set to open soon in Alpharetta plans to feature national and local talent.
Helium Comedy Club, 3070 Windward Plaza, will host live comedy and other performance art acts weekly, Brad Grossman, company COO, said. The venue will be managed by Georgia residents. It is part of the national Helium brand with main offices in Philadelphia.
The contemporary-styled space will offer food and drink to guests, including entrees, desserts, appetizers, cocktails and craft beers.
Grossman said Helium is proud to open the club after seven years of work.
“We pride ourselves on providing a top-notch comedy experience and nurturing the local comedy community,” he said. Construction began in 2023.
Shows will average at about an hour and 40 minutes in length and feature an opener, feature, and headliner with national entertainment credits. Guests can expect to see Duncan Trussell, Craig Robinson, Shannon Ford, Randy Feltface, Jordan Jensen, Adele Givens, Drew Lynch, Pinky Patel, William Montgomery, Nick Mullen, Kelly Stafford and others.
Next summer, the club plans to introduce a Funniest in Atlanta contest, which has sister contests running in seven other markets across the country.
NOTICE
Notable winners have included Martha Kelly, of “Baskets” and “Euphoria”; Shane Gillis, of Netflix’s “Tires”; and Ian Karmel, who was featured on the “Late Late Show With James Corden.”
Comedy has lately become increasingly popular as social media and other digital platforms have embraced the medium, Grossman said.
“Podcasts, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok have been tremendous for performers to find an audience,” Grossman said. “In the end, people want to see their favorite acts in person, in an intimate space, which is what Helium has been doing for 20 years.”
For more information or tickets, visit atlanta.heliumcomedy.com.
The City of Roswell Mayor and Council does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at meetings to be held at
Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Roswell, Georgia 30075 on September 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM, October 7, 2024 at 6:30 PM, and October 15, 2024 at 7:00 PM and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years.
CURRENT 2024 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
*Preliminary Digest & Tentatively Proposed Millage Rate for Tax Year 2024
Randy D. Knighton
M. Wilson City Administrator Mayor
Kurt
Alpharetta man offers inspiration through web series about epilepsy
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Guests on Tim Ulmer’s web series come from around the globe.
And, they have something in common — finding happiness and success amid epilepsy, a chronic brain disorder that more than 50 million people in the world have.
The theme of Ulmer’s show might seem like a gag. But, really, it’s a means for Ulmer to make light of and adapt to his condition.
Called “Epilepsy Gangster,” each episode features Ulmer, wearing a fedora and black suit, with his voice changing into a style right out of “The Godfather.”
“I have what’s called a vagus nerve stimulator that helps control seizures,” said Ulmer, wearing average day clothes. “Every five minutes, this device releases an electric charge for 30 seconds, and it’s kind of like a pacemaker for the brain.”
The vagus nerve controls the voice box.
“I figure I got to make it part of my brand,” he said.
Ulmer isn’t a “rookie,” one who has had the diagnosis less than two years, but he interacts with them as a support group facilitator for more than 30 years.
At 2 years old, he was diagnosed with epilepsy, having seizures about every three weeks on average.
There are 40 different types of seizures. Ulmer’s is the kind that makes him appear drunk, rather than the most well-known, tonic-clonic or grand mal seizures. Only around 25 percent of people have tonicclonic seizures.
“My first memory was rolling down a hard, wooden staircase at home when I was 2,” Ulmer said. “It was just
TIM ULMER/PROVIDED
Tim Ulmer
a concussion. Epilepsy can happen to anybody, anytime.”
Guiding ‘rookies’
When he moved from central Illinois to Metro Atlanta in 2008, Ulmer said there were no epilepsy support groups around, so he started one himself in Alpharetta. Now, it’s virtual, with about 30 attendees on average in monthly meetings.
“There’s so many rookies who just think, ‘Well, I can’t drive now. I’ve lost my job. My life is terrible. I’m stuck here at home,’” Ulmer said.
Growing up, he delighted in researching famous people who had epilepsy — Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Albert Einstein. Ulmer also mentioned Prince.
More Information
For more information about “Epilepsy Gangster” or to watch episodes, visit https://epilepsygangster.com.
“I thought, if those people were able to do great things with epilepsy, so could I, and so my goal with starting the show is to give these rookies and people that have been in isolation for years with it — give them a hug,” Ulmer said.
But, he said he also wants to inspire.
“People learn by what they see, not what they read, and so I try to find good, solid people who haven’t let it stop them,” Ulmer said.
He’s featured entrepreneurs, a medical journalist in London, with an episode in the works about a man who started a clinic in Malawi. The third season of “Epilepsy Gangster” is set to premiere Oct. 5.
Jerry Kill, famous for taking underdogs and making them college football bowl champions, has also been featured on Ulmer’s web series. He most recently served as head coach at New Mexico State and is currently a consultant at Vanderbilt. He was head coach at Minnesota from 2011-2015.
“This man had his first seizure of his life in 2011 with 20 seconds to go on a bowl game that was being shown to half a million people on ESPN,” Ulmer said. “Half a million people around America saw him having a tonic-clonic seizure.”
Ulmer described people in his support group afraid to have a seizure in public. There’s a lot of shame, embarrassment, but plenty of situational difficulty, like in dating and not being able to drive.
At 29 months free of seizures, Ulmer is driving for the first time in 33 years,
thanks to a new medication.
“I compare being unable to drive to early-release people who have to wear ankle bracelets under house arrest,” he said. “So, this has truly been getting the bracelet off my ankle.”
Finding purpose
Ulmer has a team to help him with “Epilepsy Gangster,” including his daughter, a freshman at Fulton Science Academy. She helped him create the website when she was 12 years old.
Some of the show’s editors are Cambridge High graduates, who Ulmer had come to know while substitute teaching. That’s still his day job and what helps fund the show. He said it paid better than TV journalism, his background.
Ulmer is also an author, with a book available on Amazon entitled “Involuntary MISSION: In China with a Thorn in the Flesh.” It’s about his time in China as an English teacher. He met his wife there, but his time in China is also where he came to understand the purpose of his epilepsy.
As a teen, his dream was to attend the Naval Academy, but he was denied entry and began delving into politics instead. But, Ulmer said he was able to serve in another capacity.
He did missionary work in China, telling people about God when they asked.
The book’s title is a reference to 2 Corinthians, Chapter 12 in the Bible, when Paul asks God three times to remove the thorn from his flesh.
“But God refused to do so, because he said, ‘Your faith is sufficient for you, and in your weakness, people see my strength,’” Ulmer said
He said some theologians and neurologists think that “thorn” referred to epilepsy.
Nonprofit holds drives for this holiday season
ROSWELL, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities is asking for food and clothing donations for the communities they serve as the holiday season approaches. The nonprofit, whose mission is to ease hardship and foster financial stability, serves residents of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell. It helps thousands of North Fulton residents each year across its two Roswell facilities.
North Fulton Community Charities will have several holiday drives, the first being “CoatsGiving,” a combination of its coat and Thanksgiving food drives. With support from the community, the drive provided food for 520 families as well as 1,600 coats and 3,200 winter accessories in 2023.
This year, the organization is asking for new or gently used winter coats for babies, children, teens and adults in all sizes as well as winter accessories, like hats, gloves, scarves and new socks, also in all sizes.
For CoatsGiving, the nonprofit is requesting $25 grocery store gift cards, whole turkey or chicken, holiday ham and family-size lasagna as well as nonperishable food items.
Nonperishables include a variety of canned fruit and vegetables; canned sweet potatoes and yams; dry potatoes; dry beans; gravy; cranberries; stuffing; rice; macaroni and cheese; dessert mixes, such as cake, brownie, pie and bread; snacks, a mix of savory and healthy; and canned soup, cream and hearty varieties.
North Fulton Community Charities is also requesting festive holiday senior baskets, filled with nonperishable, seasonal food, like soups, as well as a few nice holiday extras and a $25 grocery gift card for seniors who are either on a fixed income or have mobility issues.
The organization’s holiday gift shop Toyland needs new, unwrapped toys for all ages, with a special focus on toys for teens. Popular toys, books, games, stuffed animals and wrapping supplies are welcome, in addition to $25 gift cards to places that kids and teens like to shop, such as Best Buy, Target, Sephora, Walmart and Amazon.
Amazon wish lists are available on each of the drive webpages, found at nfcchelp.org.
Financial contributions for these drives are also always welcome, so that the nonprofit can fill in any gaps where necessary.
The nonprofit’s food panty is need of items as well, including macaroni and cheese; soup; canned vegetables, except for green beans; cereal; canned meat, such as tuna and chicken; and 1-pound bags of rice.
Most of the families that shop at the food pantry also shop for free clothing at the NFCC Thrift Shop, which is need of new children’s socks, underwear and pajamas for all ages; new adult underwear, socks and bras; gently worn men’s casual shirts; and gently worn items for teens.
— Amber Perry
Roswell to host open house on Historic Gateway project Oct. 8
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell residents can learn more about the Historic Gateway project at an open house Oct. 8.
In addition to reviewing upgrades to the area, the public hearing will allow the community to look over the Environmental Assessment and Mitigation Plan.
Some still look to revise the overall proposal, though.
The project, in the works for more than a decade, focuses on the stretch of Ga. 9 between Marietta Highway and the bridge over the Chattahoochee River.
The design concept, passed in 2012, includes removing the reversible lanes and constructing a four-lane street to accommodate all users, with sidewalks and multi-use paths.
According to the city’s webpage for the project, the corridor has been among the top areas for crashes in the region and has had double the Georgia Department of Transportation’s statewide average for crashes, with multiple fatalities over a two-decade period.
The city says the reversible display
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enhances its friendliness and appeal.
“Most days, you will see individuals, groups of people and families on the Town Green enjoying a beverage, tossing a football, playing a friendly game of cornhole or running through the fountain and having fun,” she said. “The Town Green has become a hub where the community gathers.”
Every morning, city staff return the chairs to their designated locations, a sign
Purchasing:
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signed off on the policy change.
In a Sept. 30 interview, Mayor Wilson said the decision made sense, anyway, reinforcing his stance on department heads having more autonomy, council having less control — and citizens unnecessarily weighing in, considering the budget works to catch all the requests.
Knighton has also been given more discretionary spending authority, through the parent contract with Seer
system is “obsolete” and creates an ongoing maintenance challenge with the system going dark for hours at a time, creating a safety hazard and needing extensive repair work.
Design plans call for raised medians, planting strips for more than 200 trees, and three roundabouts along Ga. 9 — a one-lane roundabout at Riverside and Azalea drives; a two-lane roundabout at Church Street; and another twolane roundabout at Neil Reid Drive and Chattahoochee and King streets.
At the Sept. 30 Roswell open forum, a resident questioned the purpose of the open house.
“I don’t know whether it's just informational or whether public input could have any sort of impact on the design,” said Sally Mckenzie, known for starting the Facebook page “Citizens for Responsible Development in Roswell.” “My understanding it could potentially have an impact.”
According to the city’s webpage for the project, any major changes to the design would alter right-of-way acquisition and cause a multi-year delay, potentially jeopardizing the project.
But, the city says small adjustments within the design’s footprint that do not
that people are sitting. Rodgers said he and staff love finding the chairs have been moved because it shows they are being used.
The chairs are more than simply places to sit, the Rodgerses said.
“They are easy to arrange into groups, cozier than park benches, and visually appealing, so we believed the community and visitors would love the addition of these chairs, and they have,” Janet Rodgers said.
The chairs also help promote the city as a destination for out-of-town visitors.
Marketing the city is sometimes about simply making it a better place to be.
World in April. Knighton can now sign off on task orders up to $100,000.
The Alpharetta city administrator, for example, is capped at $50,000. Milton’s city manager is also capped at $50,000. Knighton said the city is currently working on updating its Procurement Ordinance, which would also affect the Purchasing Policy, which provides guidance on how the ordinance is implemented. He expects a draft to come before the council in the next 60 days.
More finance departures
Within the same week of Anderson’s resignation, Luckett delivered his own resignation letter, according to open
Speaking at the Sept. 30 open forum, Roswell resident Sally Mckenzie asks the City Council about the purpose of the upcoming open house on the Historic Gateway project.
affect right-of-way acquisition may be considered.
At the forum, Mckenzie said earnest discussions began in the late ’90s and early 2000s regarding a better intersection near the river in the Historic Gateway area, to address the dangers there.
But, she said officials and residents at the time were also concerned about the economic, aesthetic and environmental impacts.
“It's always been known that it is a
“We don’t manufacture an image of Alpharetta — we capture what really exists,” she said. “We believe that by helping cultivate a charming and enticing community, we create a destination that visitors and residents can’t help but love.”
One advantage chairs have over benches is they allow people to gather where they want. Often, staff find the chairs in circles where groups have made a “home base,” while having conversations or watching over playing children, Morgan Rodgers said.
“We could not have envisioned anything better than that,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta
records obtained by Appen Media. There were dozens of departures last year, including a financial services representative, who submitted a notice of resignation in October 2023. A week later, another financial services representative submitted hers.
In November 2023, a staffer out of the city’s Environmental/Public Works Department tendered his resignation, adding that he “lost the confidence of leaders at Roswell.” However, he added that Public Works Director Brian Watson and Deputy City Administrator Izzo showed him “great grace and professionalism.”
In June of this year, another financial
jewel,” Mckenzie said. “It is a feather in our cap.”
As GDOT became involved, she said plans changed and it became clear the agency was leading the charge.
Mckenzie attempted to play a recording of a conversation she had with a GDOT official in 2018.
But, Mayor Kurt Wilson put his foot down, saying the move was “inappropriate.”
“The open mic is for your comments,” Wilson told Mckenzie. “It's not for a recording of a conversation between you and other individuals.”
Pushing back, Mckenzie said her intent was to get the conversation on the record and relay it. She rehashed the conversation from memory, explaining that it was about the value of the area and instituting a program to protect it as transportation initiatives are created.
She said the GDOT official told her the agency was not in control and that it was in the hands of the Roswell Department of Transportation. The official allegedly said the agency’s focus is moving big rigs through the region as well as overall traffic safety.
“GDOT’s priorities are not Roswell's priorities,” Mckenzie said.
partnered with the city to contribute many of the chairs downtown. Plaques on the donated chairs pay homage to that contribution.
Rodgers said he would love to give equal treatment to another sponsor willing to help buy additional chairs. The chairs are about more than simply having a place to rest, he said. They also are about making Alpharetta a truly special place to live and visit.
“We made Alpharetta walkable,” he said. “Now, we want to make it sittable.”
Anyone interested in helping Rodgers fulfill that vision is invited to contact him at mrodgers@alpharetta.ga.us.
services representative resigned, according to open records obtained by Appen Media.
That month, Appen Media heard there were more departures in the Finance Department. When asked about them at the time, Knighton said turnover is “natural” in an organization with more than 700 full-time employees. Standing next to Knighton, Wilson said he wasn’t surprised by the city having some attrition.
“This is an agency that is trying to become highly effective, highly adaptive, highly innovative, and some people welcome that,” Wilson said. “Not everybody welcomes that.”
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Helene:
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tomers in Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Forsyth County by early Saturday evening. Close to 500 customers were without power midday Sunday near State Bridge and Medlock Bridge roads. That issue was resolved by early afternoon. Power had been restored to another 40 customers on Browns Bridge Road in Forsyth County Sunday morning.
At its peak, the utility reported almost 700 customer outages in Forsyth County following the storm.
There were still several pockets of outages in DeKalb County Monday morning, each affecting fewer than five residences.
Johns Creek
Johns Creek came out almost unscathed.
Communications Director Bob Mullen said the storm resulted in only a couple of downed trees and a few light signals that went dark, but all was well by the afternoon Sept. 27.
He said Johns Creek, the city’s namesake waterway, filled up but did not get within a foot of either of the bridges that stretch over Abbotts Bridge and Old Alabama roads.
“We were so fortunate that we didn't get hit as hard as neighboring communities did, and we're pleased with the response and the attentiveness of our folks who were out there,” Mullen said. “I know it's cliche, but I feel like we dodged a bullet.”
The city prepared for the worst, nonetheless, creating its makeshift Emergency Operations Center on the third floor of City Hall in its Traffic Management Center. Communications Lieutenant Lt. Deb Coble posted a selfie on X Sept. 27, adding that it was a “quiet night” as officials monitored Hurricane Helene.
No additional costs resulted due to the storm, Mullen said, aside for meals provided to those who worked overnight in the center. The schedules for salaried city employees were shifted around to ensure 24/7 coverage.
Mullen said the city makes arrangements with Fulton County on debris collection and American Medical Response for any needs that might arise, in addition to services factored into on-call contracts that many of the city’s departments have with various vendors.
Sandy Springs
In Sandy Springs, a sinkhole that formed at 4504 Lake Forest Drive Thursday remained closed to traffic Monday, shutting down one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. The sink -
hole lies north of Chastain Park, just within the city limits of Atlanta, which will be in charge of repairs.
Communication officials in Atlanta did not respond to inquiries about a timeline for repairs, telling Appen Media to submit an open records request.
The city has three days to respond to the request.
The Windsor Parkway Bridge over Nancy Creek was also closed between Northland and Peachtree Dunwoody Road Thursday night due to flooding. Some residents were told to evacuate to higher ground.
The flood warning for Nancy Creek ended at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
The city reported road closures, with downed trees and power lines, at Riverside Drive and River North. Road closures were also at 6750 Castleton Drive as well as Johnson Ferry and Climbers Way.
Milton
Around 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, the City of Milton announced that a large uprooted tree caused the closure of Mountain and Wilke roads.
"The fallen tree impacted utility lines, so some in that area may be without power," the statement says. "Thankfully, Sawnee EMC quickly joined city crews on-site; together they’re working to safely address the
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has set up a Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 844-965-1386.
If you need assistance cleaning up damage from the hurricane, the hotline will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to help with trees, tarp and clearing debris. All services are free but are limited due to the high volume of damage. The hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 11.
issue and remove the tree."
The road was reopened as of 3 p.m. Friday.
Just before daybreak Friday, the city reported part of Thompson Road between Francis and Hopewell roads is closed due to downed trees.
City crews also cleared two downed trees on Providence Road and reopened it at 8:15 a.m.
Forsyth County
Forsyth County came out the other side of Hurricane Helene undamaged, for the most part.
County officials were pleased to have sustained minimal damage.
“The storm trended much further east than originally forecasted leading to less of an impact in Forsyth County
in the way of strong winds and flooding that were seen in south and east Georgia,” said Amanda Roper, communications and external affairs assistant director.
County operations returned to normal in the afternoon of Sept. 27 with only a few exceptions.
The county deployed teams from the sheriff’s office, fire department, road & bridges and water & sewer departments and Emergency Management Agency. The emergency operations center was activated about 7 p.m. Sept. 26.
“The county was very well prepared for what the storm may have brought our way,” Roper said.
Helene knocked down a “minimal” number of trees and utility lines, mainly in the early morning hours.
County officials opened their offices about noon after the worst of the storm had passed.
A tree was dragging down power lines on Samples Road at Canon Court, according to county officials. On Shadow Creek Drive near Samples Lane, a tree took down power lines, leaving them lying across the roadway. On Bonanza Trail near Crooked O Trail, a downed tree blocked the southwest side of Bonanza.
As of Sept. 28, the county could not provide a cost estimate for the impact.
HANS APPEN/APPEN MEDIA
Crews in the city of Alpharetta work to clear a downed tree limb from Lee Street around 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Hurricane Helene, with tropical storm and flood warnings, has caused road closures and power outages in Metro Atlanta.
Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘proud kinship’ with the South
The visit of President Theodore Roosevelt to Roswell in 1905 was part of a tour through the South aimed at helping to heal the lingering wounds of the Civil War. The presidential party visited several states, but the visit to Roswell had a special meaning because it was to the house where his mother was raised.
Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt (18581919) became the 26th President of the United States in September 1901 upon the assassination of William McKinley. One of Roosevelt’s many noteworthy achievements was setting aside some 230 million acres throughout the U.S. for national forests, parks and wildlife refuges.
His parents, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. (1831-1878) and Martha “Mittie” Bulloch Roosevelt (1835-1884) were a wealthy family in New York City.
After graduating from Harvard College, the future president married Alice Hathaway Lee (1861– 1884) In 1880. He was deeply in love. Alice was a charming, talented young woman, tall and athletic, skilled in tennis and archery, and she played piano. Both Alice and his mother Mittie died on Valentines Day in 1884. Mittie died at age 48 from typhoid fever, and Alice died at age 22 of kidney failure.
Theodore and Alice’s daughter Alice Lee Roosevelt was born on February 12, 1884, two days before her mother’s death. Theodore was so distraught at his lovely young wife’s demise that he hardly ever spoke of her again, not even with his daughter. Two years later, in 1886, Teddy married his teen years sweetheart Edith Kermit Carow (1861-1948) who served as First Lady from 1901 to 1909. Theodore was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897. He resigned from that position to help establish and lead the Rough Riders, a military unit that fought the Spanish army in Cuba. The unit was widely covered by the press, and Roosevelt returned to the U.S. a war hero. He was elected governor of New York in 1898. Two years later, he ran as William McKinley’s vice president.
Martha “Mittie” Bulloch Roosevelt Mittie was Theodore’s mother. Her parents, Georgia resident Maj. James Stephens Bulloch (1793–1849) and Martha “Patsy” Steward Bulloch (1799–1864), lived in Savannah. When Mittie
The president on the steps of his mother’s home, Bulloch Hall in Roswell, during his visit in 1905. In the front row are three long-time servants of the Bulloch family: Mammy Grace who was a nurse to Mittie as she grew up, Daddy Williams and Aunt Charlotte. The remainder includes the owner of the home at the time, Mr. J.B. Wing, his family, Miss Ward the postmistress, Senator Clay, the Rev. William Baker and others. The photo caption does not provide specific order of the people.
Bulloch Hall, built in 1839 in Roswell in the Greek Revival style, is the home where President Theodore Roosevelt’s mother was raised. The president visited the home for the first time in 1905. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
was 3, Major Bulloch moved his family to the village that was to become Roswell to be a partner in a new cotton mill with Roswell’s founder Roswell King. Bulloch built a beautiful mansion, completed in 1839, and called it Bulloch Hall. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is today a favorite place for history lovers to visit. Mittie was raised in the house. She married Theodore Roosevelt Sr. on Dec. 22,1853 in the formal dining room of the home. It was a gala affair.
The City of Roswell owns Bulloch Hall, thanks to a successful bond referendum and a grant from the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The city established a citizens committee, The Roswell Historic Preservation Commission, in 1978 to oversee the local historic district and to approve projects proposed in the district.
The non-profit Friends of Bulloch Hall was established 40 years ago for the preservation and restoration of Bulloch Hall. Its president, Bob Hagan, says that the annual Magnolia Ball, raises funds to pay for projects. Last year’s projects included restoration of the original front and back doors, bringing Mittie’s garden back to life and trimming historic trees
, shown here at age 20, was President Teddy Roosevelt’s mother. She was raised in Roswell in Bulloch Hall which has been well preserved thanks to the local city government and many volunteers. It is well worth a visit.
on the grounds, including some rare osage trees which early settlers planted as a dense hedge.
A highlight of the house is Mittie’s bedroom. According to Elaine DeNiro, archivist for the Roswell Historical Society and the City of Roswell, the Historical Society furnished Mittie’s bedroom with period pieces and is its caregiver.
President visits Roswell home
President Roosevelt visited Bulloch Hall on Oct. 20, 1905, while on a postCivil War good will tour of the South. In his remarks, the president emphasized his Southern links. He said “…my blood is half Southern and half Northern… the brothers and sisters of my mother who were born and brought up in that house on the hill there, my two uncles afterward entered the Confederate service and served with the Confederate Navy….I have the ancestral right to claim a proud kinship with those who showed their devotion to duty as they saw the duty, whether they wore the grey or whether they wore the blue.”
After visiting Roswell, the president went to Atlanta where he was told, according to the Christian Herald, a weekly New York publication, “We consider you a Georgian by birth, Mr. President. You are one of us and we love you because of your honesty and your courage to do what you think is right.”
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS Columnist
PUBLIC DOMAIN
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Martha “Mittie” Bulloch Roosevelt
Fall vegetable gardening is fun and rewarding
A lot of people think that the end of the summer means the end of their vegetable gardening for the year. But there are many vegetables that grow best in the fall weather and can be enjoyed all winter long. Try growing a second crop of cool season vegetables in your garden and pots. I like fall gardening because the temperatures are mild, diseases can be low if it’s dry, and insects can be less troublesome once the temperature drops.
Every year I get asked the same questions about fall gardening:
• What is the date of the first and last frost?
• What is our hardiness zone?
• How do I prepare my garden for fall planting?
• How do I maintain my garden in the fall?
• How do I control pests and diseases?
• How do I extend my growing season?
• What are the end-of-season tasks?
• What are some specific cool season vegetables?
In order to calculate the planting date, the average first frost date in North Fulton officially is Nov. 15, but that is the average. It may be earlier or later. All of Georgia is within hardiness zones 7-8.
To prepare your garden for planting, clear debris from summer planting. For existing beds add 1 inch of organic matter. For new beds add 2-4 inches. Remove rocks and sticks for growing root crops. Get a soil test for analysis of your soil and fertilize according to the recommendations. Some plants need more fertilizer than others, so refer to the info labels on the plants. Applying mulch at planting time helps conserve moisture, prevent weeds and moderate soil temperature.
In order to maintain your garden, apply mulch 2-4 inches deep and keep the mulch away from the crown of plants to avoid rot and mildew. Pests are less prevalent in the fall, but physical, cultural and biological controls will minimize them. Remember, follow the instructions of pesticide labels. More is not better and may be very harmful.
At the end of the season, add organic matter and be sure to clear debris from the beds that can shelter pests. It is also a good time to clean and store garden tools.
Winter vegetables such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and spinach and an assortment of greens like arugula, lettuce and Swiss chard can be grown in the fall and winter. They can be grown in raised beds, containers or in the ground.
• Beets are a southern favorite. They are quick growing and need full sun. They also need good root drainage and soil high in potassium. They can tolerate cold and some frost. Don’t forget the tops of the beets. Beet greens are edible and nutritious too. Harvest when the bulb shows on top the size you want.
• Broccoli needs a sunny area with room to grow. Keep them evenly watered but avoid watering the heads, just the soil around them. Broccoli is also a heavy feeder and needs adequate, regular fertilization. Harvest when the heads of the buds are firm and tight.
• Cabbage is a cool-season crop that can be grown in both the fall and spring. It can be harvested when the cabbage head is nice and firm. They are heavy feeders and will need to be fertilized regularly.
• Cauliflower has similar care requirements as broccoli, so plant them in a sunny spot and water evenly. They grow well in cool weather but don’t like temperatures below 60 degrees, so use frost cloth to extend the growing season.
• Collards will withstand a wide range of temperatures. They are a very popular green in Georgia and exceed cabbage, turnip greens and spinach in fat and, protein and carbs. Some other cool-season greens include mustards and Swiss chard.
• Kale is a member of the cabbage family. It’s not only a superfood, but also a super plant tolerating cold and frost and grows well in gardens and in pots. Harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand. Choose the smaller tender leaves for salads and the large for cooking.
• Lettuce is one of the most giving veggies you can plant since you can harvest the greens several times. Plant a blend of different types of lettuce for variety like romaine, butterhead and arugula. Because of its shallow root system, it is great to grow in shallow containers.
• Spinach is simple to grow. It prefers sun but is one of the few vegetables that can tolerate partial sun. It’s also tough in cold weather, even handling some frost. If you wait to harvest, the more bitter the leaves become. Pick the outer leaves giving the center ones time to grow.
Growing vegetables can be a year-round activity in the South. In addition to needing 6-8 hours of sun, be sure
About the author
This week's "Garden Buzz" features Sandy Springs resident Robin Pollack, an accomplished artist and Master Gardener. Active in the Atlanta art community since 1970, Robin has taught for over 30 years at Chastain Arts Center and has been a Master Gardener since 2005. As a member of North Fulton Master Gardeners, she has taught vegetable gardening at Farm Chastain and her own garden. Influenced by her artistic eye, her garden has been featured on tours including Atlanta Botanical Garden and Georgia Perennial Plant Association.
and add a layer of pine straw in winter to protect them. In case of a freeze, water veggies well and use a frost cloth for overnight protection. Growing your own vegetables is one of the most rewarding things to grow in the garden.
Happy gardening!
North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at: https://appenmedia. com/opinion/columists/garden buzz/.
ROBIN POLLACK Guest Columnist
ROBIN POLLACK/PROVIDED
Robin’s fall garden
In Memoriam
Jill Ellen (Bourne) Kocmond
September 23, 1971 - September 7, 2024
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Jill Ellen (Bourne) Kocmond, our loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, and friend to all whose lives she touched, on September 7, 2024.
She left us while sleeping peacefully at her residence in Alpharetta, GA after a long battle with cancer. She was born on September 23, 1971 and raised in Manalapan, NJ, went to college at Rutgers University (which she loved). After college she went to work in the financial industry where she met her loving husband, Peter. They were married on April 12, 1997 and went on to have two amazing children (Tyler and Liah), whom she adored and moved to Alpharetta, GA where they called home.
She is survived by her mom, Phyllis Penniston Jordan; her father and step mom, Bob and Sandra Bourne; her brothers, Scott and Tim Bourne; her husband, Peter Kocmond; and her children, Tyler and Liah Kocmond and many aunts and uncles.
It is hard, if not impossible, to put into words what Jill meant to the people that came into her life. She was kind and caring, deeply-deeply valued her relationships with friends and family, always (no matter how big or small something was) put others and their
needs ahead of her own, loved planning and bringing people together, had a spark and joy for life (sometimes even playful and mischievous), was amazing at being able to let something go and focusing on the positive, had a deep faith (albeit very private and personal to her), and if you asked (never one proactively share) for advice- she was able to deliver truth in the most empathic and caring way that people valued.
52 (almost 53) years old is way too short, but I know those that knew her feel blessed to have had her in their lives no matter how much or how little time that was. She was deeply loved and cherished and will be profoundly missed.
Jill’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 5th at Stonecreek Church, 13540 Highway 9 North, Milton, GA 30004 at 1pm. Dress is casual. Afterwards, per Jill’s strict instructions, there will be a party with margaritas and Mexican food to celebrate Jill.
In lieu of flowers, Jill would rather you donate to her favorite charity, Smile Train (www.smiletrain.com). Her heart broke thinking about kids growing up with a cleft pallet facing social and mental challenges. It is easily fixed when a child is young, and Smile Train provides a wonderful service.
Linda Baehr Craig
April 8, 1946 – September 22, 2024
Linda Baehr Craig, aged 78, passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at her Roswell, GA home. She was born on April 8, 1946 to Fredrick and Helen Baehr in Warminster, PA. After graduating from Upper Merion High school in King of Prussia, PA, Linda attended Susquehanna University. Upon graduation in 1968, Linda was employed by The Social Service Administration for her entire career, starting in Washington, DC and ending at the Atlanta office, where she served as a disability analyst. Linda will be deeply missed by her many friends and her beloved boxer, Rosey. While she loved both gardening and reading, her
passion lay in her work for Atlanta Boxer Rescue organization where she was an adoption home visit volunteer for many years. Her work with ABR facilitated many boxers finding the perfect forever home. Linda was predeceased by her husband Ted. In Linda’s memory, donations may be made to: Atlanta Boxer Rescue https://www.atlantaboxer rescue.org/donate.html 5322 Vinings Lake View, Mableton, GA 30126. Linda’s departure leaves a void in our hearts, but her legacy will forever be cherished. To offer your condolences and share cherished memories, please visit www.roswellfuneralhome.com
and ideas on how to take your
to the next level.
During
Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival Road Closures
Thurs, October 10 from 5am – 6pm
• North Broad St.
Fri, October 11 from 5am through Sun, October 13 at 4am
• Milton Ave. from the Milton Ave. parking deck entrance to HWY 9
• Roswell/Canton St. from Old Roswell St. to Old Canton St.
• Old Roswell St. from parking lot entrance to Milton Ave.
Fri, October 11 from 9am through Sun, October 13 at 4am
• Commerce St. & N. Broad St.
• Market St. from S. Broad St. to Academy St.
Fri & Sat, October 11 from 10am through Sun, October 13 at 1am
• Hwy 9 from Milton Ave. to Old Milton Pkwy.
• South Broad St. & Market St. to City Hall parking deck entrance
Fri & Sat, October 11 from 4pm – 12am & October 12 from 10am – 12am
• Park Plaza from Academy St. to City Hall parking deck entrance
Note: No on-street parking from Oct 11 at 5:00 am thru Oct 13 at 1:00 am for ALL roads listed in the Wire & Wood closure
SERVICE DIRECTORY
AC/Heating
ATLANTA HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, INC. 678 605-91592 TON $5500 INSTALLED 3 TON $6000 INSTALLED COMPLETE SYSTEM INCLUDES CONDENSER 410A, FURNACE 80% AFUE, HIGH EFFICIENCY EVAPORATOR, WIFI THERMOSTAT, PAD, OVERFLOW PAN, FILTER RACK. CALL 678 605-9159
Garage Sales
SAVE $12,000! Greenlawn, Roswell. Regularly $7995 each. Selling for $12,000, seller will negotiate. Side-by-side Fountain B. 26-c. 1.2,3. 770-490-6425.
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: Landscape Designer in Roswell, GA. Prepare planning & site design. Perform site analysis, incl survey of existing conditions & field measurements. Conceptualize across a broad range of scales & project types, from master planned communities to urban environments at a planning & detailed site design level. Ensures tasks are completed according to Ironwood’s standards. Prepare contract docs, incl details, sections, elevations & schedules. Collaborate w. project manager in completion of projects. Collaborate & assist team members w. graphic creation, precedent research, design implementation solutions & project narratives. Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or related, 24 mons work exp of Landscape Designer or related incl 24 mons exp using CAD, Lumion, Sketchup, Photoshop, InDesign & illustrator reqd. Mail resume to: Ironwood Design Group LLC. Attn: Samuel T. Sampson, 426 S. Atlanta St. Ste.120, Roswell, GA 30075 EOE
Landis+Gyr Technology, Inc.
Senior Engineer- Firmware Alpharetta, Georgia
Responsibilities: Firmware dvlpmnt for an embedded system & dvlpmnt using realtime operating systems. Develop & maintain firmware for GridStream endpoint & network devices. Design, develop, document, & test I/O communications & device drivers.
Salary: $143,000/yr
Reqs: Bachelor’s in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, Electrical Engg or related field & 5 yrs of exp in job offered or 5 yrs embedded software dvlpmnt. Exp must include 5 yrs each of following: programming C, C++, Assembly languages, or C#; dvlpmnt using Realtime operating systems; debugging tools in embedded system; Product Life Cycle & Software Development methodologies; RAM/ Flash memories; protocol stack such as Zigbee (802.15.4), IP, or C12.22. Exp must include 3 yrs each of following: interfacing to serial ports, A/D & D/A converters; firmware dvlpmnt; security encryption; & packet-based networks. Exp may be gained concurrently. Send resume & cover letter to: Landis+Gyr c/o Lisa Hudson, Talent Acquisition, 30000 Mill Creek Ave, Ste 100, Alpharetta, GA 30022 or via email: lisa.hudson@landisgyr.com
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in the kitchen! Apply online at: atlanta.heliumcomedy.com
Honest, healthy, happy, dependable, lady to live in home to help with cleaning, cooking organizing, etc. 5 days/week, $350 per week. 678-524-3881
