Dunwoody fires officer connected to news leak
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319 Council N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 Dunwoody City sets course for busy year PUBLISHER EMERITUS / Dick Williams Discussions center on finances, parks PUBLISHER / Hans Appen By SYDNEY DANGREMOND hans@appenmediagroup.com sydney@appenmedia.com DAHLONEGA, Ga. — During a two-day retreat March 21-22, Dunwoody City Council members discussed all areas of city management, future projects and priorities for the coming year. Finances and parks took center stage on both days of the special-called council meeting which was facilitated by former Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd and hosted at Forrest Hills Resort in Dahlonega. In his presentation to the council members, Assistant City Manager Jay Vinicki shared a forecast of the city’s finances, stressing that although Dunwoody is currently financially healthy, “the revenue structure designed at incorporation does not match in any form the current demands of citizens in the city.” Since the city was founded in 2008, Vinicki said, there has been a clear shift in priorities among citizens and what they expect from local government services and public spaces. Dunwoody’s revenue, however, has not kept pace with those demands. Most prominent in this disconnect, Vinicki said, is the parks budget. At incorporation, he said, the city allocated only $300,000 in the annual budget to parks and recreation, a sum that covered the cost of mowing the grass at existing parks. It left no room for recreation, improvements or new land
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CONTRIBUTORS: Joe Parker Dunwoody City Council members discuss options for parks funding at a retreat in Dahlonega March 21. From left, City Council members, Tom Lambert, Rob Price, Mayor Lynn Deutsch, Stacey Harris, Joe Seconder and John Heneghan. Valerie Biggerstaff Kathy Manos Penn acquisition. Cook thinkGayle it’s irresponsible to build Vermack, sary funding for these parks projects. Carson Suggs Today, roughly $3.5 million is alloto build Austin.” Ideas included establishing a special tax district, floating a bond and changing cated each year to Dunwoody parks and Adam Waylock Big Candy plans, big money the city’s charter to allow for a higher recreation, Darby money used for maintenance The city has big plans for the future and to fund events. The city also reJulia Grochowski Walker of itsLewis park system with a working list cently acquired new parkland on Austin See RETREAT, Page 13 of 30 unfunded projects. The roster inand Vermack roads. Dunn Luke Winstel “When Neugebauer the city was founded, they cludes 14 short-term, 10 mid-term and SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA
said it was going to spend $300,000 on parks, we’re now spending 11 times that,” Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “For me, as mayor, I would tell you that if we don’t do something about our revenue, I
six long-term projects including development of both newly purchased future parks. During the retreat, council members discussed options to raise the neces-
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Police fire officer linked to news leak By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — A Dunwoody Police Department officer was fired March 23 after leaking news of a former sergeant’s January arrest for DUI to the media. Ofc. Brian Bolden was placed on administrative leave for “public criticism” of the department Feb. 2 after he told media reporters that former Dunwoody Sgt. Robert Parsons was arrested for DUI Jan. 26. Parsons resigned the day after the arrest. Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan asked the Sandy Springs Police Department to handle the investigation into Bolden’s conduct. The process culminated in a formal hearing between Bolden and Grogan on March 22. Bolden said during the hearing that he had not done anything wrong. He was fired the next day. Bolden’s termination letter alleges that he misused his position to obtain Parsons’ booking photo from the DeKalb County Jail without going through proper channels. But Bolden disputed that claim when questioned by the Sandy Springs Police Department. The Dunwoody Police administration used that denial to cite Bolden for violating the Dunwoody department’s policy on truthfulness. The termination letter states Bolden did not violate the department’s policies on public criticism or confidentiality of department business. It also states Bolden did not violate city policy on breach of security or a Georgia law regarding making false statements to a government agency. Another former Dunwoody officer, Austin Handle, posted audio from Bolden’s hearing on his TikTok page. Handle was fired from the department two years ago and now serves as vice chair of the Lamplighter Project, a national organization that encourages law enforcement officers to speak out against police corruption or injustice. During the hearing with Grogan, Bold-
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With the current policy, there remains no chance for anyone to contest the findings of such an investigation, which clearly shows a ‘witch hunt’ orchestrated by Dunwoody’s Top Cop.” BRIAN BOLDEN Former Dunwoody Police Department officer en asks in the recording how he misused his position. Another voice, which Handle identifies as Grogan, tells Bolden “this is not a question and answer session.” Bolden issued a statement through Handle. “If you listen to the audio, as it makes its rounds online, you will hear a scared police chief belittle me for doing noth-
ing more than asking for clarification on how I broke the departmental policies,” Bolden said in a statement. “With the current policy, there remains no chance for anyone to contest the findings of such an investigation, which clearly shows a ‘witch hunt’ orchestrated by Dunwoody’s Top Cop.” Dunwoody spokeswoman Jennifer Boettcher declined to comment on the firing, citing it as a personnel matter. Bolden was one of several officers who spoke out against high-level police officials during a 2020 investigation that involved close to 50 allegations of sexual harassment and unprofessional conduct. Bolden spoke specifically against former Lt. Fidel Espinoza, who Bolden accused of sexual harassment. Espinoza resigned before the 2020 probe concluded. Espinoza and the city have since faced lawsuits from two former officers accusing Espinoza of harassing them and accusing the city of ignoring the behavior. The city of Dunwoody has paid more than $400,000 for legal services to address personnel matters within the police department since 2020. Bolden’s attorney, Howard Evans, attributed the department’s issues to a failure in leadership. He said he and Bolden, who is Black, plan to file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | March 31, 2022 | 3
Crossover Day sets roster for closing legislative push By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — With the passing of “Crossover Day,” the roster of remaining legislation before the 2022 Georgia General Assembly is clear. Crossover Day, the 28th day of the legislative session on March 15, marked the deadline by which legislation can pass between the House and Senate. The bicameral body will adjourn on April 4, called Sine Die. One issue of shared support is H.B. 1013, called “The Mental Health Parity Act,” which would require healthcare plans to treat mental health and substance abuse disorder the same as a broken bone or heart attack. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Todd Jones (R-Cumming) and Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur). A Senate Health and Services subcommittee is reviewing the bill. “Not any one bill is going to fix everything, but in terms of taking a good first bite of the apple, this is an ambitious and laudable piece of legislation,” Sen. Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek) said at a March 20 town hall. The subcommittee is tasked to review the 77-page bill. The budget bill, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp March 16, received bipartisan support. The spending plan includes a $2,000 pay raise for teachers, $5,000 per year for state employees and will restore $380 million to K-12 education funding. Both parties also supported a temporary suspension of the gasoline tax, codified in H.B. 304. The tax – $0.29 on gasoline and $0.32 on diesel – will be suspended until May 31, 2022. With election primaries on the horizon, Republicans are mindful to deliver a bounty of red meat to their voting base, often with a direct nod to conservatives. One example is H.B. 1084 and its companion S.B. 377, which take up the issue of “diverse concepts” related to how race is presented in school curriculum. The House version identifies nine concepts and restricts their use. These measures are Republican efforts to address critical race theory, even though it is not taught at any Georgia K-12 public school. The curriculum is taught in Georgia law schools and in some university courses. The “Safe Communities Act,” S.B. 171, seeks to increase punishment for people who commit crimes during protests. As a fractured Republican Party con-
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LEMONADE DAYS APRIL 20-24 FILE PHOTO
tinues to litigate the 2020 elections amid unproven voter fraud claims, H.B. 1464 emerged. The bill cleared the House 9873. If adopted by the Senate, it would give the Georgia Bureau of Investigation original jurisdiction to investigate voter fraud along with subpoena power to expand investigations. County elections boards would be limited to receive election funds from the county, state of Georgia or the federal government. Any gifts from a person or nongovernmental organization would have to be approved by Georgia State Board of Elections. The General Assembly passed S.B. 202 last year as an election overhaul plan, after Democrats won two U.S. Senate races and scoring 16 electoral votes. The “Quality Basic Education Act,” S.B. 226, would address efforts to ban books deemed inappropriate for students. If passed, it would require local school boards to develop a complaint resolution process to resolve parent concerns. A principal or designee has seven days to investigate parental concerns and 10 to deliver any findings. The current version of the bill seeks to apply “prevailing standards in the adult community” as to what is harmful to minors. A similar measure, S.B. 613, was introduced on March 8 – well into the session – and did not advance from the Senate Education and Youth Committee. The “Georgia Constitutional Carry Act of 2021,” passed the Senate 3422 on Feb. 28 and was referred to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. The bill would eliminate the need for a concealed carry permit, which costs $75 and requires approval by county probate judges. An extended background check amendment was voted down.
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April Highlights
“Circle Mirror Transformation” Comedy Stage Door Theatre
Backyard Campout
Dunwoody Nature Center
Herbalist Workshop
Dunwoody Nature Center
Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Dunwoody City Hall 6 p.m.
Saturday Volunteer Day Dunwoody Nature Center
Free Master Gardener Talk “Diagnosing Garden Problems” Dunwoody Community Garden & Orchard
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18-24 20-24 25 30
via Zoom 8 a.m.
Earth Week Eco-Reporters Interactive Walk Dunwoody Nature Center
Lemonade Days Brook Run Park
Dunwoody City Council Meeting Dunwoody City Hall 6 p.m.
Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Dunwoody City Hall 9 a.m- 1 p.m.
Edge City 2.0 POP-UP
10 City Council 11 Dunwoody Meeting
48 Perimeter Center East 10 a.m. - noon
Plein Art Class
Dunwoody Nature Center
12
Sustainability Committee Meeting
Dunwoody City Hall 6 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting City Hall 6 p.m.
EVERY SATURDAY*
Brook Run Park | 9 a.m. - noon *no Market April 23
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE RECYCLE
presented by the Dunwoody Sustainability Committee and the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department
dunwoodyga.gov/HHWrecycling
SATURDAY APRIL 30 Accepted Items
4 | March 31, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
OPINION
Reader generosity can help spread the word Appen Media’s newspapers are home delivered by 24 people to 95,000 homes each week. To put that in some context for you, it takes about an hour to bag and deliver just 300 homes. Each week, our newspapers arrive back from our commercial printer Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Our carriers meet the HANS APPEN truck at our warehouse, usually Publisher hans@appenmediagroup.com about 4 a.m., load their cars with newspaper bundles and the small plastic bags they are inserted into, and head out to their assigned neighborhoods. Our coverage area includes Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, south Forsyth County, Milton and Dunwoody. It is long and monotonous work. House after house, newspaper after newspaper, our carriers make their way through metro Atlanta and often finish their routes well into the night. We have delivered our newspapers directly to residents’ driveways at no cost for 32 years. It is a
business model (free) that has its disadvantages, but it remains important to us that each community have unfettered access to the information found on each page. For the same reasons, as technology made advancements and more people began to consume their news online, we kept our website paywall free and installed no limitations to access any of our articles. Readers often ask me if there are ways they can help support their local newspaper and the articles that help to bind our community together and inform so many people about their local government, businesses, public safety and schools. Thus far, I’ve avoided taking you up on the offer. We have been able to keep the lights on largely through advertising support, which you all – our readers – have embraced and justified by, in turn, supporting our advertisers. However, with recent increases in the cost of gasoline, I want to take you up on your offer to help and ask you to support our newspaper delivery folks. We supplement their pay with a gas stipend, but your support would go a long way, too, in helping to weather the storm.
I do not make this ask lightly. I know that you are incurring additional household expenses, too. But if you have ever enjoyed one of our newspapers with a cup of coffee in the morning, read an article that taught you something new about your community, or got involved in a cause that you may have been unaware of otherwise, please consider putting a couple extra dollars in the pockets of the person who helped to deliver it to your driveway. Consider it a tip for years of vital information and service to your community. To contribute: Go to appenmedia.com/deliverytip and enter any amount to pay with a credit card. Or you can mail a check to Appen Media Group, C/O Newspaper Delivery Tip, 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009. 100% of every dollar you give is dividing evenly amongst our 24 newspaper delivery folks. To kick off the fund, I am also personally kicking in $1,000. On behalf of Adrian, Aldo, Anthony, Kendra, Charles, Cindy, Deanna, Danelle, Paul, Ilka, Kangni, Moro, Oloh, Roger, Terry, Stephen, Ashley, Joanna, Anna, Chris, Nina, Guy, Jane and Michael – thank you!
THE INK PENN
April showers bring books! That’s right. On Saturday, April 2, The Friends of the Dunwoody Library will be back with a one-day book sale in the Dunwoody Library parking lot at 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. This time the genre is non-fiction. If you like history, this is the sale for you! The Friends have a large number of history books, many in excellent condition. They KATHY received a large donation of books MANOS PENN about the Civil War, so if that topic tickles your fancy, you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity. It’s not all about history, though. You can also shop for other adult nonfiction topics: art, business, law, religion, drama, poetry, travel, health, math, science and other topics. Prices vary, and cash or credit/debit payments are accepted. As always, proceeds support the Dunwoody Library and the DeKalb County Public Library System. This is a true community event. High school students will set up and take down the display, and the FODL volunteers will staff the sales tables. This hardworking volunteer group is looking forward to a time when they can resume longer events with books, DVDs and other materials in all genres, but when is still an unknown. For now, for safety, the FODL plans to host smaller, shorter sales, targeting specific genres. The April 2 sale will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. As of this writing, facemasks are required to comply with the policy of the DeKalb County Library System. This is an outdoor
event. In the event of rain, the rain date will be April 9. The next sale will be at the Dunwoody Art Festival, Mothers’ Day weekend, May 7-8. This sale will feature children’s books — picture, chapter, nonfiction — and YA/teens. Meanwhile, stop by to visit the ongoing sale in the Dunwoody Library Lobby. There you’ll find the usual mix of children’s, YA, adult fiction, mysteries, and nonfiction, as well as special themes. February featured Black History Month, March was Women’s History month and Pi Day. Some future themes will be gardening, nature, and travel the world with mysteries. This self-service sale is available during library hours, where you pay cash at the box near the book return slot. Please come prepared to pay the correct cash amount. On April 2, I’ll be there searching for resource material for my writing. In a nod to Agatha Christie, the most well-thumbed book on my desk is one on poisons. It has small sticky tabs and scribbled notes throughout. Why? Because I write cozy mysteries, and “Deadly Doses: A Writer’s Guide to Poisons” is my go-to source for clever ways to kill people. I know, I know, I could surf the internet, and I often do, but there’s nothing like picking up a book and flipping through the pages. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll stumble across yet another resource that will be just as helpful — maybe something more benign on plotting or dialogue. Here’s hoping April 2 is a good day for all of us. I’m looking forward not only to walking away with a bag or two of books but also to bumping into a few bookloving friends. How about you?
FRIENDS OF THE DUNWOODY LIBRARY/PROVIDED.
The Friends of the Dunwoody Library have installed new permanent shelves in the library lobby so that visitors can stop by to purchase books during regular library hours. Cash only and exact change, please. Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted Forest and on Amazon. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.
PAST TENSE
OPINION
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | March 31, 2022 | 5
Doraville refinery fire of 1972 Almost 50 years ago, on April 6, 1972, a fire began at the Triangle Refinery in Doraville, starting with an overfilled storage tank. Vapors from the tank reached nearby homes on Doral VALERIE Circle and ignited a BIGGERSTAFF pilot light at one of the homes causing an explosion. The explosion then set three storage tanks on fire. (Atlanta Constitution, April 7, 1972, “Killer gasoline fire rages into 2nd day”) In all, 300 people were evacuated from their homes, staying at nearby elementary schools, hotels, or with friends and family. Suzanne Kingsley, who lived less than a mile from the explosion and was a seventh grader at Doraville Elementary, remembers evacuating their home to stay at a hotel for a week. Firefighters were overcome by the heat, with at least 20 going to nearby hospitals. DeKalb Fire Chief Dudley Martin suffered from the heat but refused to go to the hospital. After one hour of rest, he returned to overseeing the firefighters. (Atlanta Constitution, April 7, 1972, “Intense heat fells firemen like flies”) Two people died in the fire, a Triangle Refinery employee and a resident from Doral Circle. The flames reached up to 400 feet and were said to have been visible from downtown Atlanta office buildings, north Georgia and even Alabama. In addition to Triangle Refinery, 12 other companies had storage tanks
FROM BOB KELLEY’S “IMAGES OF AMERICA: DORAVILLE,” ORIGINALLY TAKEN BY DEKALB FIRE AND RESCUE.
Firefighters battle the Doraville refinery fire that began on April 6, 1972. at the Doraville gasoline storage yard. Firefighters doused adjacent tanks with water to prevent more explosions. A woman who lived close behind the tanks shared her experience of that day with Jeff Boggs. She remembered waking to a huge explosion and seeing a bright light. Next, her mother screamed for everyone to get in the car so the family could get away quickly. Bruce Mitchell’s father was one of the DeKalb County firefighters called in to battle the blaze. That day is still vivid in Mitchell’s mind, “I remember the explosion that shook our home in the Huntley
Hills Area. I also remember getting close and watching my father.” DeKalb historian and Chamblee High School alum Vivian Price Saffold remembers it well. She covered the fire for the DeKalb News/Sun newspaper and recalls meeting firefighters from all over the country as they came to Doraville to help fight the fire. She and a colleague from another newspaper climbed on a railroad car to get photographs. Firefighters, police officers, and nurses all volunteered to assist at the site. Citizen Band radio groups helped rally volunteers who brought food, cof-
fee, flashlights, bedding and ice. (DeKalb History Center Archives, DeKalb New Era, April 13, 1972, “Doraville fire start may have been fumes”) The sight of the huge flames, the smell of smoke, and the heat are intense memories of those who lived nearby. Next week’s Past Tense will feature more personal memories of the Doraville fire of 1972. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
6 | March 31, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
OPINION
Amid quiet of Florida airport, shockwaves I am two hours early to pick up my sister Allyson, and her daughter, Stella. They are flying into Tallahassee and I am waiting in the airport. If you have never been in the Tallahassee airport, it is a different world, a small, quiet, stress-free, no-line-insight airport. I see two people working at the TSA security checkpoint. Maybe three. There were RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus no cars dropping off or picking up ray@appenmediagroup.com out front. No cops with whistles. No people walking fast. When Hartsfield-Jackson is one’s frame of reference, I guess many airports feel like – well, small, pretend. I mean, there is not even any noise here, just me sitting in the middle of the main floor, alone. I see more pilots walk by than passengers. I didn’t even have to worry about finding a seat with an open plug for my MacBook. I am the only person in the lobby. Did I mention that it is 2:30 in the afternoon – a Saturday – in Florida’s capital Tallahassee’s International Airport? I guess frames of reference are everything, no? I worked on a column about Ukraine last week about an article I read by three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Freidman, the New York Times’ former foreign bureau chief and probably the smartest guy out there in terms of understanding what is going on. His headline
was “We Have Never Been Here Before.” He was referencing the breadth, intensity and scope of the media coverage of the Russian invasion: “Our world is not going to be the same again because this war has no historical parallel. It is a raw, 18th century-style land grab by a superpower – but in a 21st century globalized world. This is the first war that will be covered on Tik-Tok by super-empowered individuals armed only with smart phones, so acts of brutality will be documented and broadcast worldwide without any editors or filters. “On the first day of the war, we saw invading Russian tank units unexpectedly being exposed by Google Maps, because Google wanted to alert drivers that the Russian armor was causing traffic jams.” Later in the column, he made the comment that we will be witnessing a “large-scale war (that) will be livestreamed, minute by minute, battle by battle, death by death, to the world.” He comments that in large part, the outcome of the war will be determined by the will of the rest of the world to stop Putin. And that “will,” he observes, is heavily influenced by public opinion. In making his point, he observes that musician, actress, Selena Gomez, for example, is but one of thousands of opinion “influencers” from all walks of life in today’s digital world, and that she has more followers on Instagram – over 298 million – than Russia has citizens. In today’s world, public opinion matters – a lot. It
topples governments sometimes. His second point was that today, Putin has more unchecked power than any other Russian leader since Stalin and that China’s Xi Jinping has more unchecked power than any other Chinese leader since Mao. But, Friedman observes, in the time of Stalin and Mao, much of the geopolitical turmoil was generally confined to their respective countries and also, that China was totally isolated back then. But it’s not that way today, he says, and that “from one end of the world to the other (we are) wired together with fewer and fewer buffers. So, any decisions made by Putin and Xi will directly or indirectly impact us all today.” This, Friedman states, is “our first real taste of how crazy and unstable this kind of wired world can get. It will not be our last.” “Frames of reference” was my original idea for this column. I got the idea as I was sitting in my comfortable home in Alpharetta while I listened to news about all the missiles raining down on apartment buildings, hospitals, and the civilian population in general in Ukraine and how naive I was to have thought that now in the 21st century that we would be living in a world that had left the barbarism we are now watching on our smart phones behind. If you Google “Friedman We Have Never Been Here Before” you can probably pull up his column. It covers a ton of ground and is well worth a read.
GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!
Trout stocking season is here again
It wasn’t too many years ago that Georgia had an actual trout season. It opened in March and closed at the end of October. That changed in 2015, however, when Georgia made trout fishing year-round. In other words, Georgia doesn’t have a trout fishing season anymore. STEVE HUDSON You can fish for trout all year long. Get Outside Georgia, What Georgia does still have, howaa4bw@comcast.net ever, is what you might call its trout stocking season – that is, the “season” when the hatchery trucks start rolling in earnest to make sure that there are plenty of trout for anglers to enjoy as the weather warms following winter’s chill. The good news is that stocking season starts right about now, so don’t be surprised if you see one of the Georgia DNR stocking trucks on the road – maybe heading for one of your favorite streams! This promises to be a great year for trout stocking, too, thanks to the long-standing partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resource Division (WRD) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The renovation of the Lake Burton Trout Hatchery is complete, so we have all four trout hatcheries – three Georgia DNR and one USFWS operated – that are online and growing trout,” notes Wildlife Resources Division Trout Stocking Coordinator John Lee Thomson. “With
all four hatcheries in production, we have plenty of room for trout to grow, enabling us to stock some larger fish this spring.” Thomson adds that stocking began the week of March 21. “All waterbodies scheduled to be stocked will have received trout by the end of the month,” he adds, and stocking will continue through spring, summer and fall as water temperatures permit. If you’re thinking about enjoying a trout fishing trip sometime soon, which streams might be good bets? Georgia WRD notes several in particular, including Rock Creek in Fannin County and Dicks Creek in Lumpkin County on the Chestatee Wildlife Management Area. Additionally, Holly Creek in Murray County, Johns Creek in Floyd County and the Tallulah River in Rabun County should also be worth considering. There are plenty more, too – enough for years of memorable outings for you and your family too. What sort of baits or lures will work? Well, it’s hard to go wrong with the old standby – a live worm drifted through a likely-looking section of deeper water. Powerbait-type baits and various types of egg baits work well, too, and crickets will become more and more effective as the weather continues to warm. Such natural baits are okay to use on most trout waters in the state, but check the regulations to be sure that’s the case on the stream you plan to fish. Another good bet is an in-line spinner such as a
Roostertail or a Mepps Spinner. These flashy minnow imitations have fooled untold numbers of trout, and they’re easy to fish too – just cast ’em out and reel ’em in! Try them near the head or tail of a nice-looking pool, and you may be surprised at what happens! Remember that on most of the state’s trout waters, the daily limit is eight trout. Some streams do have special regulations, however, so (again) always check current fishing regulations to be sure. Also remember to respect private property and obtain permission before fishing on private property. If you’re unsure, check first. If you’d like to get the latest info on which streams are being stocked, you will want to sign up for the weekly trout stocking email from Georgia DNR. This email lets you know which streams have been stocked and gives you the date of the stocking truck’s visit to individual streams too. To get on the list to receive your own stocking report emails, go to georgiawildlife.com/Fishing/Trout and click on the “sign up for stocking updates” link. That’s all there is to it, and the info you receive will surely set the stage for some memorable trout fishing experiences this spring! Now – let me go check that latest report to see what’s been stocked in the last week or so. The weather looks promising, my waders are ready, and my rod’s all rigged up too. Be sure to say hello if you see me on the water!
COMMUNITY
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | March 31, 2022 | 7
CRIER NOTES Dunwoody Varsity Wildcats pitcher Connor Haynes threw a complete game shutout against Duluth March 23, leading Dunwoody to a 10-0 victory. Haynes struck out 14 and walked one.
PROVIDED.
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Buck Buck (ID# 44403007) loves toys and enjoys playing in the baby pools at the shelter. He just loves being outside and would make an enthusiastic and loyal companion. He knows basic obedience cues like “sit,” “down,” “stay” and “shake.” Buck was very shy when he arrived at the shelter, and staff have had the pleasure of watching him blossom into an exuberant and affectionate boy. Not to mention handsome. To meet this 4-year-old cutie, visit DeKalb County Animal Services or email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com. Don’t work from home alone; expand your family by 4 furry little feet, meet Buck and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/ neuter, vaccinations and microchip. If you would like more information about Buck please email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165; all potential adopters will be screened to ensure Buck goes to a good home. How to Adopt your new best friend. 1. Browse our pets. Use the filter options to narrow your search. 2. Click the pet’s profile. 3. Click on the “Adopt Me” button to submit an adoption inquiry. To help us maintain a safe environment, we ask that you follow the directions above to submit an adoption inquiry prior to visiting our shelter. We are following COVID-19 CDC guidelines by requiring masks and limiting the number of guests in our shelters at a time. We appreciate your patience with this new process and your commitment to saving our homeless animals.
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8 | March 31, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
PALS PERIMETER ADULT LEARNING & SERVICES
Perimeter Adult Learning Services (PALS) is pleased to announce its Spring 2022 session running for 7 weeks on Mondays beginning April 4, 2022 and running through May 23, 2022 (no class April 18). The classes will be in person at the Dunwoody Baptist Church. PLEASE NOTE: We strongly recommend that only those who have been fully vaccinated plan to attend our classes. The cost is $55 for all classes for the 7 weeks. Registration and payment must be made on the PALS web page (www.palsonline.info). If there are any questions please contact Iris Katz, PALS Administrator by calling the PALS office at 770-698-0801 or by email at dunwoodypals@gmail.com. The lineup of classes is as follows: MONDAYS: From 10:00 am - 11:00 am EcoFun101 Shai Robkin will facilitate a discussion showing how looking at current economic issues can be fun (and informative) particularly from a behavioral science perspective. The class will be based on the daily Podcast “The Indicator,” which can be, but need not be, listened to prior to class. From 10:00 am - 11:00 am The Origins of Rock and Roll (Part 2) Tom Dell continues his romp through the music of our times picking up in the late 1950s and moving on to 1963 showing how Rock and Roll became commercialized, folk music and Rhythm and Blues had a resurgence, Motown and “girl groups” emerged and of course the Beatles came from over the Pond. From 11:15 am - 12:15 pm Evolution 101 Clive Gillon will present an introduction to the Theory of Evolution, which will include “what is evolution,”“how evolution works,”“natural selection,”“human evolution,” and evolution and viruses.” The class will also discuss Charles Darwin and his expeditions and will be comprised of short videos and power point presentations. From 11:15 am - 12:15 am Safely Navigating Social Media BH Technology Group will provide the basics of how to navigate many of the popular social media platforms of the day. The first four sessions will focus on Facebook followed by individual sessions covering Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. In each session attendees will learn about platform functionality, security and the personalization of your account.
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Woman’s Club event will benefit Ronald McDonald Houses DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Woman’s Club will hold a day of service April 9 to collect Kroger gift cards, cash donations and soda can tabs to benefit Ronald McDonald Houses around Atlanta. The club will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Lauderhills Fine Jewelry on Dunwoody Club Drive in Sandy Springs. Ronald McDonald House charities provide housing for families with hospitalized children, so they can remain close to their child. “Many families travel far from home and spend several weeks or months to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children,” the Dunwoody Woman’s Club said in a statement. “We believe that when a child is hospitalized, the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed.” — Jake Drukman
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From 10:00 am - 1:45 pm Mah Jong Bring your own Mah Jong card and come play. There is no instructor for the session- just fun and self-evaluation.
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From 11:15 am - 12:15 am Shakespeare Michele Friedman continues her Shakespeare series with As You Like It. One of the perennial favorites of Shakespeare’s comedies, this play gives a lovely dive into the nature of what it means to live and love.
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Secretary of State continues campaign in Johns Creek By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger carried his campaign message of sound electoral practices to the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce at a March 22 breakfast meeting. Raffensperger, who is facing challenges in the May 24 primary, used the occasion to dispel rumors of electoral fraud in Georgia. The Country Club of the South in Johns Creek was the latest stop Raffensperger, a Johns Creek resident, has made on the campaign trail. Following a visit to Forsyth County at the beginning of March, the secretary of state has held talks in Dublin, Rockmart, Cordele, Newnan, Warner Robins and other cities. Raffensperger’s faces challenges from other Republicans, some accusing him of complicity in voter fraud during the 2020 general election, though claims of widespread voter fraud have been debunked. His recent campaign stops have strongly focused on combating these rumors and answering voters’ questions about the state’s election
integrity. Raffensperger told the Johns Creek Chamber that he had asked the Legislature to introduce an amendment to the Georgia Constitution specifying that only American citizens can vote. He has called for the same amendment to be added to the U.S. Constitution. The constitutions state American citizens can vote but do not specifically restrict noncitizens from voting. The vast majority of states, including Georgia, do not allow noncitizens to vote. Around 15 municipalities across the U.S., including New York, allow noncitizens to vote in local elections only. Noncitizens cannot vote for state or federal offices anywhere in the U.S. Raffensperger said his office conducted a “citizenship check” on all 7.5 million registered voters in Georgia and identified about 1,600 he said could “potentially” be noncitizens. He said none of them have actually voted, but his office will investigate whether they are eligible to be on voter rolls. Raffensperger said there had been claims that more than 10,000 dead people, 66,000 underage people, 3,000 unregistered voters and 2,000 felons had voted. In truth, he said, there had
been four ballots cast under a dead person’s name and 74 people had voted under a felony sentence. He said no minors or unregistered people had voted in 2020. Despite numerous investigations and lawsuits by allies of former President Donald Trump, Raffensperger said nobody ever found evidence of widespread fraud. He said Trump came up short because 28,000 Georgians who voted in the general election skipped voting for president. When an audience member asked Raffensperger for advice on how to bridge the gap between people with conflicting political beliefs, he said it came down to being kind to everyone. “People are basically good people,” Raffensperger said. “I think we can just get back about that and look for our common interest. It’s about freedom, it’s our family and it’s our faith. Just continue to be kind to people, and that’s what you’ve got to do.”
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks at a March 22 Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Country Club of the South.
JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA
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10 | March 31, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | March 31, 2022 | 11
Chattahoochee Nature Center opens new trail By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The Chattahoochee Nature Center held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting March 15 for its newly restored 2,000-foot River Boardwalk Trail and Connection Bridge. Chattahoochee Nature Center staff, Roswell City Council members and countless others attended the event to see the project first-hand. It includes the boardwalk, which was restored using state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable materials, and a pedestrian bridge over Willeo Road with ADA-accessible ramps. The previous boardwalk had supported hundreds of thousands of visitors for nearly 40 years. Mayor Kurt Wilson said at the event that the City of Roswell had been particularly excited to work with the Chattahoochee Nature Center on the Connection Bridge over Willeo Road, because, on any given day, the road receives a lot of cut-through traffic from Cobb County. The bridge now connects the center’s main campus directly to the River Boardwalk Trail so that visitors no
CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA
Staff, Roswell City Council members and others gather at the Chattahoochee Nature Center’ grand opening and ribboncutting ceremony on March 15 for its newly restored River Boardwalk Trail and Connection Bridge. longer have to cross Willeo Road. “The success of our River Park Trail System has brought additional vehicle and pedestrian traffic to the area,” Wilson said. “We are thrilled that visitors to the Chattahoochee Nature Center now have a safe and uninterrupted access to the river as well as our trail system.”
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Wilson said the Chattahoochee Nature Center attracts an estimated 140,000 visitors every year and serves as a place of recreation and education as well as an economic driver. “The 2018 study of the City of Roswell’s River Parks Master Plan showed a potential economic benefit to the re-
gion of more than $119 million,” Wilson said. “The Chattahoochee Nature Center’s River Boardwalk Trail will further enhance this benefit.” Chattahoochee Nature Center Board Chair Clarence Jackson stated in an an-
See BOARDWALK, Page 13
12 | March 31, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
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Retreat:
OBITUARY
Continued from Page 1 the city’s charter to allow for a higher millage rate. Mayor Deutsch supported the special tax district option which would levy its own millage rate of 1 to 1.5 mills to be used exclusively for parks. The proposal would not violate the city’s charter which limits the maximum millage rate on property to no more than 3.04 mills unless presented by resolution and approved by a majority of voters through a referendum. Currently the city’s millage rate sits at 2.74, one of the lowest in Metro Atlanta. Neighboring Sandy Springs has a mill levy of 4.73. Increased demand for services and maintenance without revenues to pay for them has forced the city to draw on reserves for funding. Getting additional funding for parks in particular, Deutsch said, would remove some of the strain on the general fund for other operational and capital costs and allow the city to continue providing residents the parks and recreation services they have come to expect. “I’m open to everything, but what I’m not open to is us saying that we’re going to kick this down four years from now,” Deutsch said. “I’m not comfortable with that.” Mayor Pro Tem John Heneghan asked about the difference between a special tax district and a bond referendum. With a bond, funds raised could not be used for operations of parks, only for capital projects. “I can only build things, I can’t run things,” Vinicki explained. Additionally, residents would be required to vote on a bond, whereas a special tax district could be created through a vote of the City Council, Deutsch said. Of all the options Deutsch said the special tax district is the “simplest” and the “cleanest.” No matter what option the council members agree on, Deutsch said, the city will hold public meetings to engage residents. Council members found consensus
Boardwalk: Continued from Page 11 nouncement before the event the project is a game-changer because it acts as a conduit for the community to discover the ecology of the area more intimately while fostering a greater understanding of and connection with nature. “We are proud to open this space where our community can safely gather to create lasting memories with fam-
SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody Economic Development Director Michael Starling gives a presentation about plans for Dunwoody Village redevelopment at a City Council retreat March 22.
Pedestrian safety improvements Also during the retreat council, members heard updates on pedestrian safety upgrades performed by the Public Works Department and made plans to explore a city-wide multi-use trail which would connect the east and west sides of the city. Members also discussed hiring a consultant to help distribute the city’s American Rescue Plan funding to local non-profits and individuals. “We need someone who can take the dollars that I think we should allocate and make sure they go where they’re needed, that we’re doing the good we want to do and that we have a lasting impact,” Deutsch said. Council members and city staff supported the mayor’s recommendation. Economic Development Director Michael Starling updated the council about both the city’s Edge City 2.0 plans and Dunwoody Village redevelopment. Edge City 2.0 is a name given to the redevelopment plans for Dunwoody’s Perimeter Center neighborhood. The city hired a consultant to create a vision for the area to help make the urban neighborhood more cohesive with the rest of the city. The project is still in the research stages, Starling said. Community input meetings on the
project are expected to begin this week and the final plans are estimated to be completed in November, Starling said. Starling also provided updates on progress for redeveloping Dunwoody Village. Long term, Starling said, council members need to be clear about what kind of redevelopment they are interested in, whether “incremental changes or sweeping redevelopment.” At the retreat, council members gave the green light for city staff to pursue some immediate projects for Dunwoody Village, including the addition of a sidewalk and a retaining wall along the neighboring post office property and to begin work on the grid development. Collectively, both projects total $75,000 and are scheduled to be discussed at the next scheduled City Council meeting March 28. During the retreat council members also discussed recent retention issues in the police department and options for improving the rates through adjusted compensation or requirements. They did not reach consensus around any changes to current practices, but more information about retention plans will be presented at a City Council meeting this summer, Vinicki said. Council members and city staff said they were pleased with what had been accomplished during the two-day retreat. “It’s been really productive,” Deutsch said.
ily and friends,” Jackson stated. “The learning possibilities are endless, and it makes me proud that our supporters were committed to this endeavor.” “The River Boardwalk Trail offers beautiful vistas of the Chattahoochee River and the surrounding wetlands and will include a ‘River House’ gathering area for enhanced educational and event programming,” Jackson continued. “An improved canoe launch will allow greater access to the river for populations with varying abilities.” The River Boardwalk Trail and Con-
nection Bridge were completed through Phase I of the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s “Bridging. Teaching. Inspiring.” capital campaign. In addition to the grand opening and ribbon-cutting on March 15, the Chattahoochee Nature Center held a community grand opening day on March 20, which was sponsored by Fulton County. Overall, the project was funded through the financial support of Chattahoochee Nature Center staff, its Board of Trustees, individuals, foundations, corporations and government entities.
on the special tax district during the retreat and set a timeline of 30 days for internal discussions with staff before bringing the item before a City Council meeting scheduled for April 25.
Bob B. Todd, 82, of Dunwoody, Georgia, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2022. Bob was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. He married his high school sweetheart Gail Crickenberger, and they moved to Dunwoody, Georgia in 1973 TODD where Bob worked for AT&T in a wide variety of roles, including senior management, retiring after 39 years of service. Bob’s greatest joy was his family and his faith in Jesus. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with family, spending time on the golf course, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and investing in the lives of his family and friends. “Bobby,” as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, didn’t miss an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with everyone he met, friend or stranger. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Gail, daughter: Tara (Jack) Winters, sons: Kevin (Joanna) Todd and Russell (Amy) Todd, brother: Seab Todd, grandchildren: Todd (Lindsay) Maher, David (Ashley) Winters, Jenna (Travis) Lawrence, Samantha (Zach) Ryan, Haley (Elijah) Newsome, Kaylyn Winters, Erin Todd, and Ian Todd, and great grandchildren: Jameson, Wyatt and Peach. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA, 30068. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory would be welcomed to one of his favorite charities, Chosen Children Ministries. Donate online at //ccm.life/give or by mail to P.O. Box 126, Inman, S.C. 29349.
14 | March 31, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
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FORD F-150 2004. 129,250 miles. Extended cab. Excellent condition. Asking $8500. 678358-6413
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a MALTA Award Winning Firm Ken Ogletree
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CELEBRATING MY 41ST YEAR! THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!
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Tree Services
Roofing
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16 | March 31, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
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