Dunwoody Crier 051222 by Appen Media Group

Dog grooming business focuses on health

► PAGE 3

M ay 1 2 , 2 0 2 2 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Residents blast turmoil in county school system By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — It didn’t take long for the May 1 Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting to escalate, given the city’s representative on the School Board was scheduled to speak. The meeting held at the North Shallowford Annex was the first since the dismissal of DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris, who was fired April 26 following publicity over squalid conditions at Druid Hills High School. She was the district’s sixth superintendent since 2005. The DeKalb Board of Education has been mum on details behind the termination. Anna Hill, the Board of Education District 1 member representing Dunwoody, delivered prepared remarks, declining to comment on personnel questions and the specific reason for the superintendent’s termination. Hill was elected to the Board of Education 16 months ago. In prior employment, she worked as a forensic accountant, certified personal accountant and certified fraud examiner. In her remarks to the group, Hill said the termination was not a knee-jerk reaction that happened overnight and that the board met with Watson-Harris several times to address unmet district needs. The rest of the remarks focused on her work on the board and the lack of continuity in leadership. “Just a few months into my term, I became concerned about the liability related to numerous non-compliance issues

JEFFREY ALBERTSON/APPEN MEDIA

DeKalb County Board of Education District 1 member Anna Hill answers questions at a Dunwoody Homeowners Association meeting on May 1. Hill drew criticism concerning the dismissal of DeKalb Schools Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris, but she said she could not elaborate on the issue due to confidentiality concerns. identified by Perkins and Will (architecture firm) on the facilities condition assessment (FCA),” Hill said. “Even though this seemed like a fixable problem, I think it is important to acknowledge that it is a shame we are even at this point.” After reviewing the school district’s FCAs, Hill estimated repairs to cost $7.5 million. Hill said she encouraged the superintendent to prioritize ADA noncompliant work orders, but she saw little improvement.

ROBINBLASS BLASS ROBIN

Financial red flags

Accurate financial reporting of two special purpose education sales tax funds (SPLOST 4 & 5) was another concern. The school district monitors its SPLOST spending through two independent systems. One tracks expenditures and the other tracks construction costs. Both systems should agree on total expenditures. But, the two tracking systems diverged in their reported data by more than $200 million.

Top10 10Atlanta AtlantaBoard BoardofofRealtors RealtorsTop TopProducers Producers Top 404-403-6561CC| |770-394-2131 770-394-2131OO 404-403-6561 RobinBlass.com RobinBlass.com

I am calling for a countywide summit to be held to assess the future of education across DeKalb, and cocreate a shared vision of a worldclass education system with all of our stakeholders, but especially the school district.” TED TERRY DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Former DeKalb Schools Chief Operating Officer D. Ben Estill announced last June an accountant would review school

See GRIEVANCES, Page 3

2 | May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

POLICE BLOTTER 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street,| AppenMedia.com Alpharetta, GA 30009 770-442-3278 770-442-3278 | TheCrier.net

319 N. Street,| Alpharetta, GA 30009 30009 770-442-3278 NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Main Street, Alpharetta, GA PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen

319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 PUBLISHER: Hans Appen PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Dick Williams PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Dick Williams

MANAGING EDITOR: Fox PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen PUBLISHER: HansPatrick Appen PUBLISHER: Hans Appen

PUBLISHER: Hans Appen Jim Hart GENERAL MANAGER & ADVERTISING: EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: GENERAL MANAGER & ADVERTISING: Jim Hart MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox Alpharetta: ext. 118, Roswell ext. 122 EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Dunwoody Crier: ext. 143 EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Forsyth Herald: ext. 118 Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta: Johns Creekext. Herald: 118, Roswell ext. 123ext. 122 Alpharetta: ext. 118, Roswell: ext.122 Dunwoody Milton Herald: Crier: ext. ext. 139 143 123 DunwoodyHerald: Crier: 143118 Forsyth Calendar: ext. ext. 122 ext. ForsythCreek Herald: Herald: ext. 118 ext. 123 Johns Johns Creek Herald: Milton Herald: ext.ext.123 139 TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: Milton Herald: ext.139 Calendar: ext. 122 Calendar: ext.122 News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: News / Press Releases: AppenMedia.com/Sponsored Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar Calendar /Advertising: Events: AppenMedia/Calendar ext. 100 General advertising@appenmediagroup.com ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: Classified Advertising: ext. 119 General Advertising: Advertising: ext. ext. 100 100 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com General General Advertising: ext.100 advertising@appenmediagroup.com ext. 100 advertising@appenmediagroup.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: advertising@appenmedia.com Classified Advertising: Advertising: ext. ext. 119 143 Classified circulation@appenmediagroup.com Classified Advertising: ext. 119 donna@appenmediagroup.com classifieds@appenmediagroup.com classifieds@appenmedia.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ext. ext. 100 100 Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: Circulation / Subscriptions / Delivery: ext. 100 OUR PUBLICATIONS: circulation@appenmediagroup.com circulation@appenmediagroup.com circulation@appenmedia.com Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation OUR PUBLICATIONS: PUBLICATIONS: OUR PUBLICATIONS: Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Alpharetta-Roswell Forsyth Herald: 17,000 Herald: circulation 28,000 circulation Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation Johns Milton Creek Herald: Herald: 10,000 20,000 circulation circulation Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Dunwoody Answer Book: Crier: 40,000 18,000 circulation circulation Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Forsyth 17,000 circulation Milton Herald: Herald: 10,000 circulation Milton Herald: 10,000 circulation Milton circulation AnswerHerald: Book:10,000 40,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009

AppenMedia.com THECRIER.net THECRIER.net

Honored as as Honored a newspaper newspaper a of General General of Excellence Excellence

2018 THECRIER.net

Honored as 2018 a newspaper of General Excellence

2018

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Several cars burglarized at Perimeter parking deck DUNWOODY, Ga. –– Several vehicles were burglarized April 25 on Perimeter Center on the lower level 3 parking deck. The victims advised police that no items had been taken from their vehicles. One victim, and director of security, said a large rock had been thrown through his passenger side window. The rock was from the landscaping area on the deck’s level 2 entrance.

Man attempts to steal bottle of liquor at bar DUNWOODY, Ga. –– An unidentified male stole a bottle of liquor April 27 at Brass Tap on Ashford Dunwoody Road. An employee told police that the man had taken a bottle of Crown Royal and left the store. The suspect had been with friends, drinking, before he entered an “Employees Only” office. He had the bottle of liquor and was sitting in the office on his phone. He allegedly concealed the bottle of Crown in his pants, then returned to the bar and requested some shot glasses from the bartender. The bartender attempted to confront the man but he dropped the bottle and ran away.

Send us your ... Letters to the Editor Birth and Bridal Announcements Obituaries appenmedia.com/submit

PUBLIC SAFETY

Roswell police charge 12 for illegal street racing By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Police Department has charged 12 suspects, including a 17 and 20-year-old from North Fulton, for their involvement in an intersection takeover on Easter Sunday. Both the juvenile, of Alpharetta, and Taylor Levey, of Roswell, are facing at least one charge of city ordinance – non-driver participation in street racing and/or reckless driving exhibitions. The other suspects, ranging in age from 18 to 26 years old, are all from outside North Fulton, and at least one remains at-large. Roswell police spokesman Tim Lupo said on May 4 that warrants have been obtained for 21-year-old Jhoan CastroDelgado, of Bethlehem, but he is not yet in custody. He is facing charges of reckless stunt driving, fleeing and attempting to elude and driving on the wrong side of the road. According to an incident report obtained by the Herald, at around 6:30 p.m. on April 17, Cherokee County 911 notified the Roswell Police Department that street racers had moved over to the Houze Road and Rucker Road intersection after being seen in the area of Arnold Mill Road and Cox Road. The report states Roswell Police Officer A. Halm began making her way east on Rucker Road and activated her emergency lights and siren, when she came across a black Infiniti doing

doughnuts at the intersection. In an attempt to flee, the Infiniti allegedly proceeded toward Halm’s patrol vehicle and into oncoming traffic. “A group of spectators then surrounds Officer Halm’s patrol vehicle and begin to kick it,” the report states. “… Fearing for her safety, Officer Halm put her vehicle into drive and drove into the intersection. Most of the suspects ran off at this point.” Halm stated she was not harmed but that her vehicle had sustained damage, including on the rear driver side quarter panel near the gas cap, where there were visible boot prints and damage to the metal, the report states. Lupo said that through a collaborative investigation with the Roswell Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit, local law enforcement partners and the community, they were able to charge 12 suspects “thus far.” Those charged are: • Anthony Marquez-Argueta, 21, of Atlanta – interference with government property, obstruction of law enforcement officers and obstructing highways; • Luis Perea-Perez, 26, of Marietta – reckless stunt driving and driving on suspended driver’s license; • Juan Christopher Torres Herrera, 19, of Lawrenceville – reckless stunt driving and driving on suspended driver’s license; • Jhoan Castro-Delgado, 21, of Beth

twitter.com/appenmedia

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | May 12, 2022 | 3

Mother, son groom business to promote health By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Oftentimes, a mother is more than just a mother. She’s a teacher, a caretaker, and sometimes, a business partner. At least, that’s the case for Andrea and Bill Gray, the mother-son team who co-own dog grooming business Scenthound in Dunwoody. The Grays say Scenthound is more than just a place to get your dog groomed; it’s a place to ensure your dog lives a long, happy, healthy life. Scenthound’s care focuses on a dog’s skin, coat, ears, nails and teeth, critical areas for their health. The business offers a monthly membership, which Bill Gray said reminds owners to keep their dog’s care current. “The membership is designed to remind them to bring their dog every month to get hygienic treatment on those five areas,” Bill Gray said. “We know if we do that every month, they will be more hygienic, we’ll be able to spot more issues that could be affecting them from a health standpoint so that the dog parent can go and talk to their vet.” Bill Gray said Scenthound’s focus on health sets it apart from other dog grooming businesses. He said Scenthound doesn’t offer certain services other groomers offer, such as boarding, because it’s healthier for dogs to be with their families than in a kennel. It also focuses on functional grooming, rather than stylistic grooming. The Grays don’t own the Scenthound brand, but own franchises in Dunwoody, Buckhead and Tucker. Despite their first location in Dunwoody opening just last

Grievances: Continued from Page 1 expenditures. Estill was “relieved of duties” last July. Hill said the financial discrepancies triggered concerns for her. As last summer progressed, Hill said, she waited anxiously for a definitive report on how much money had been spent on the two prior sales tax initiatives. She said she wanted an answer before the School Board asked voters to renew the sales tax for another five years in November 2021. But, the board voted to place SPLOST 6 on the ballot before the accountant was able to reconcile the prior SPLOST expenditures. Hill said she sent an email Aug. 17, 2021 to Superintendent Watson-Harris, DeKalb Schools Chief of Staff Antwyn

919 MARKETING/PROVIDED

JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA

Bill Gray works at Scenthound Dunwoody, the business he co-owns with his mother. year, they’re also committed to opening 20 more locations across DeKalb and Fulton counties over the next eight years. In addition to their commitment to dog wellness, the Grays say they want to promote employee development, and growing their business will help them achieve that. “There’s a lot of young people out there who are looking for a trade, who are looking to grow and deliver their potential,” Bill Gray said. “Sometimes the job opportunities out there don’t give them a lot of foundational training and a craft that they could one day use

to create their own business, to become managers and leaders.” Bill Gray said the partnership began because he was looking to start a family business while giving back to the community. He said they wanted to build a business for themselves and for their family to join. Before getting involved with Scenthound, Bill Gray was a brand marketer and had worked with Nestle, Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola. Andrea Gray has a background in human resources and employee training. Bill Gray said his mother’s experience helps him bring a fresh perspective to business issues.

Brown and DeKalb School Board Chair Vickie Turner expressing opposition to approving SPLOT funds and “double dipping” into taxpayers’ pockets. “We cannot ask the taxpayers for money already collected and committed for projects, and when the projects are not completed or the scope was changed, re-ask for the same funding again,” Hill wrote in the email. Hill estimated that the discrepancy between school district reporting and SPLOST program manager reporting is $250 million. An Oct. 27, 2021 presentation by the school district’s specially hired accountant addressed variances in reports, but Hill said certain details were not shared with the public. These included a SPLOST 4 variance of $129 million and a SPLOST 5 variance of $150 million between the two reporting systems. The school board unanimously agreed

to initiate an independent third party review of SPLOST funds.

Concerns continue to grow

Hill remains concerned about ADA non-compliant work orders and issues with accounting of school board SPLOST expenditures. Those at the HOA meeting, however, lobbed criticism at Hill and the School Board over unperformed repairs and financial accounting. They also criticized the School Board’s lack of decorum in meetings, which includes use of profanity. One speaker criticized Hill for not meeting with constituents and providing updates by newsletter. Another criticized Hill for blaming Watson-Harris for the school system’s dysfunction, when the district has had the same issues for 15 years. Following the meeting, local officials also expressed outrage at the school dis-

Mother-son business team Bill and Andrea Gray own Scenthound Dunwoody, a health-focused dog grooming business. The pair plans to open 20 more locations across DeKalb and Fulton counties in the coming years. The Grays said being business partners along with family members creates some unique situations, but the duo certainly enjoy working together. Even before becoming business partners, the two spoke every day. Andrea Gray currently lives in Florida but still speaks with her son daily about both business and family matters. Bill Gray joked about having to learn to switch between work conversations and personal conversations. “We don’t ever have to get into the situation where I’m pulling my rank as mom,” Andrea Gray said. “When we’re in a business relationship, that’s what it is. It’s a business relationship.” trict’s handling of the entire affair. “I am calling for a countywide summit to be held to assess the future of education across DeKalb, and co-create a shared vision of a world-class education system with all of our stakeholders, but especially the school district,” DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry said in an email. “This crisis demands a true reset and change.” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch joined 10 mayors from DeKalb County cities in a letter calling for serious changes to prevent the chaos that seems to occur every few years in the school district. “The current situation is a symptom of a larger ongoing problem with DeKalb Schools,” the DeKalb Municipal Association letter said. “In the past, the focus has been on the acute issues while ignoring the chronic challenges both in governance and management.”

4 | May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

THE INVESTMENT COACH

PETS OF THE WEEK

Where there’s no will, there’s a difficult way

Praline

Praline (ID# 46338193) - Who can resist Praline’s smile? With his charming face and goofball personality, Praline wins you over in an instant. This golden pup is 3 years old, very playful and loves a good squeaker toy. He recently stayed with a temporary foster where we discovered he’s potty trained and a polite, calm house guest. Praline’s adoption fee is even sponsored by one of his volunteer friends, a testament to how loved this guy is. All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. If you would like more information about Praline or Levon please email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165; all potential adopters will be screened to ensure dogs 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! In light of new CDC guidelines, masks are now optional. We appreciate your commitment to saving our homeless animals.

ATTENTION - WWII VETERANS The Veterans History Project on WWII will feature guest speakers at The Atlanta WWII Roundtable. Thursday, May 19

10:30am to 11:00am: Social hour 11:00am: Atlanta WWII Roundtable brief meeting & Lunch ($20/individual, $35/couple) WWII veterans eat FREE! General public welcome! Guest Speakers: The Veterans History Project on WWII. They have interviewed over 850 WWII veterans for their special project. The Veterans History Project on WWII will interview WWII veterans after their presentation. Reservations: Contact Bill LeCount 404-886-7383 *Wednesday May 18th, the History Project will interview WWII veterans starting at 3:00pm at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 1501 Lake Hearn Dr, Atlanta, GA. This is about a five minute drive from the Dunwoody United Methodist Church. Any WWII veteran or family member can book an interview at the Hilton Garden Inn on May 18th by calling Fred Gehle at 706-738-8242

Thank You! FOR VOTING US

BEST OF PERIMETER 2022

OPINION

Location: Dunwoody United Methodist Church 1548 Mt Vernon Rd. Dunwoody, GA

The husband does not have a will, and the deed to the family home is in his name only. He has children from a former marriage. Asked his current wife in a newspaper LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP advice column, “What happens to the house if he passes away?” An old proverb suggests “determination will overcome any obstacle.” English essayist William Hazlitt (1788-1830) reframed that idea insisting, “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” For the lady pondering what happens to the home owned by a deceased spouse, where there’s no will there is a way. It’s a state-directed legal process, but it’s difficult, potentially expensive, time consuming, and frustrating, and the widow won’t be happy. Per LegalZoom.com, 62 percent of Americans don’t have a will. Of those that do, 12 percent created them recently during the pandemic scare. Estate planning done in haste rarely is optimal. Reasons for a lack of planning are legion. Some think they don’t own sufficient assets to make a difference. Some assume their property will automatically pass to a surviving spouse or partner. But as George and Ira Gershwin noted in the enduring song from their hit 1935 opera “Porgy and Bess,” “It ain’t necessarily so.” If you don’t have a will, your state of residence has written one for you. The rules of distribution vary for those who die “intestate,” i.e., without a valid will. A probate court judge will oversee the process that determines who gets what. Most states are concerned with minor children and the assumption that a mother or father will get full control of the estate may be faulty. More couples than ever are living together outside of marriage. A 2019 Pew Research study found that 59 percent of adults ages 18 to 44 have lived with an unmarried partner at some point in their lives. Thinking that a partner, married or otherwise, will simply take over one’s assets and property is misguided. If a minor child is involved, court proceedings are even more complicated. If there’s a special needs child in the family, specialized planning is critical! Whether single, married, divorced,

or cohabitating, as you journey through life you acquire more and more stuff, including bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, insurance policies, debt instruments, etc. If you don’t specifically say what happens to possessions at death, a probate court, usually in the county where you reside, steps in. Probate is a court-supervised process that gives someone authority to gather your assets, pay debts and taxes, and ultimately transfer property to those who will inherit it. The idea behind a will is for you to designate the person who will act in the above roles. But even with a will, probate may be necessary. An estate planning attorney can show you how to minimize or avoid probate. However, not everything you own will be subject to probate. Certain types of joint ownership accounts can avoid probate as you have designated a named survivor who will inherit the property. Beneficiary designations naming a person as a primary or contingent beneficiary on insurance and annuity contracts and certain types of retirement accounts will allow assets to bypass probate. However, if you list “estate” as beneficiary, those assets are subject to probate. If a minor is a desired beneficiary, either primary or contingent, consider trust provisions. As net worth grows, so does complexity. Your attorney may advise a revocable living trust as a primary estate planning tool. In addition to avoiding probate, a trust is a private matter, whereas probate is a public matter. If you own property in another state, say a vacation home or investment holding, and the property is owned by your trust you can avoid probate in multiple jurisdictions. It is not the purpose of this column to give legal advice. The intent is to raise awareness as to why timely and comprehensive planning is important. Procrastination is not an estate plan. Failure to plan is a decision of sorts but you will not leave family and potential heirs in great shape at a time of loss and stress. A will only applies when you’re dead. What about disability, the potential loss of mental capacity to handle your affairs? Such concerns are not just the purview of senior citizens. Only God knows the extent of our viability and lease on life. Powers of attorney for assets and health care and advance directives are integral to comprehensive planning. A review of all insurance policies, includ-

See WILL, Page 5

OPINION

Will:

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | May 12, 2022 | 5

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

Continued from Page 4 ing life, disability, health, and basic and umbrella liability, is advised. Major tax increases are being discussed in Washington and those blessed with higher earning power and net worth may wish to explore advanced gifting and trust planning strategies. Closely held business owners whose business value is a major part of family security and retirement independence should pay close attention to potentially changing income and estate tax laws, along with updated succession planning and value acceleration strategies for the business. We are mortal beings subject to the slings and arrows of life. There’s a vaccine to deal with Covid-19, but there’s no vaccine that bestows earthly immortality. Plan wisely. Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group; 770-441-3553; lewis@ lewwalker.com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Lewis is a registered representative and investment adviser representative of SFA, otherwise unaffiliated with Capital Insight Group. He’s a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor.

May be time to slow down on school zone cameras In response to “Police push district for school zone cameras,” this attempt to weaken oversight which allows a for profit company to install speed cameras at select sites should not advance at the state house. If this Speed Zone Safety bill was really about safety, they would install speed zone cameras at all schools and send the proceeds to the schools. Instead, the for-profit vendor of these cameras is cherry picking locations and will make a mint if they are operational after school zone speed hours. The proposed locations in Sandy Springs – Roberts Drive in front of Weber School, the Roswell Road side of North Springs High School and front side of Riverwood High School – were presented at City Council work session earlier this year. Last year’s bill allows police departments along with school boards to decide if they want to sign on to the school safety zone speed cameras. The Legislature does allow

cameras but this attempt to toss out school board oversight is short sighted. I listened to the Public Safety and Homeland committee discussion (3/24, 41:57 time) concerning the school speed zone cameras, SB183. The chair is concerned the cameras now in operation (Roswell, Gwinnett) are sending out tickets beyond the school zone hours when citizens exceed speed limits. They also have cases where school is out for teacher workday and the cameras are still set to the old schedule capturing tags and sending citations. Finally, the for-profit company collects payments only by credit card with online payment portal and no other form of payment available, another obstacle for many drivers. The committee suspended discussion on the bill, these unresolved issues are the reason the proposed bill failed in committee. Tochie Blad Sandy Springs

HAVE AN ENT M E C N U O N N A TO SHARE?

Run it in the newspaper! WEDDINGS ENGAGEMENTS ANNIVERSARIES BIRTHS DEATHS To submit your announcement visit appenmedia.com/submit

derful preschool families—thank you To our won reason we're one of the best! for being the 6 months - Young 5’s Low Student-to-Teacher Ratios Chapel, Music, Gym & Science Classes

Unique Young 5's Class Designed for Kindergarten Readiness Extended-day & Enrichments in Phonics, Cooking, Science, Piano & Little Ballerinas

dbc.org/weekdayschool Lesley Kammerer, Director lkammerer@dbc.org

Dunwoody Baptist Preschool is located on the Dunwoody Baptist Church campus.

6 | May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

PAST TENSE

OPINION

Surprises abound in Hidden Perimeter pop-up tour A pop-up walking tour is a fun spring activity and Perimeter Connects has put one together called Hidden Perimeter. The tour began April 26 and will continue through May VALERIE 31. Fifty markers have been placed in BIGGERSTAFF Atlanta’s Central Perimeter District, an area where Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven come together. Each marker has a bit of history or trivia about the location, and a QR code which may lead to a prize. The locations include sites with history, little known facts about places you may visit frequently and unique aspects of modern office buildings. By starting at perimeterconnects.com/hiddenperimeter and finding a starting point on the digital map, you can locate several sites within walking distance of each other in an area of interest. It may even be near where you work or live. A preview tour was held on April 26 and included three of the unique sites. The historic Stephen Martin Cemetery, which dates to 1847, was one of the sites. The cemetery is located behind the Hammond Drive shopping center which includes Best Buy and Nordstrom Rack. The preview tour also included Gorla Ravinia Park at Crowne Plaza and the circa 1900 Spruill chimney at the Perimeter Starbucks on Ashford Dunwoody Road. Traci Rylands, representing Dunwoody Preservation Trust, was at the

cemetery. “Getting a chance to share some of the history behind Dunwoody’s pioneer families buried at Stephen Martin Cemetery, such as the Martins, Spruills, and the Warnocks was a pleasure. Thanks to Hidden Perimeter, many more people will see this history gem.” Johann Weber, Program Manager of Perimeter Connects, sought out the most unique spots for the tour. He describes Hidden Perimeter as a “choose your own adventure take on a historic walking tour. We have 50 markers distributed across the area, in places where people will hopefully discover them in the course of their daily life and then be inspired to find, and learn, more. It’s not just history – some markers spotlight present-day uniqueness, or surprising things that could have been.” Weber collaborated with me and Noelle Ross, executive director of Dunwoody Preservation Trust, to identify locations and history that began well before the development of the Perimeter area. The Stephen Martin Cemetery and the historic Spruill chimney at Starbucks were two of those locations. Other partners on the project included the cities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber, Discover Dunwoody, Visit Sandy Springs, MARTA, AC Hotel Atlanta Perimeter, The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant and Local Expedition Wood Fired Grill. “So many partners worked together with us to take the interesting and surprising things about the area and share

VALLERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN MEDIA

The Spruill chimney at the Perimeter Starbucks on Ashford Dunwoody Road is part of the Hidden Perimeter tour. them with everyone who lives, works, and visits here,” said Weber. The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts seeks transportation improvements to enhance mobility and access to the Perimeter Activity Center. Perimeter Connects provides free consulting services to employers and commercial properties. It also provides programs and resources for commuters.

Now that Hidden Perimeter is underway, Weber commented, “We’re excited that people are really embracing the self-guided adventure. The content is the surprise/fun-each marker is unique and worth visiting.” You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | May 12, 2022 | 7

For every time there is a season The status quo is never constant. Societies, governments and economies ebb and flow like tides. And it is a colossal mistake to assume otherwise because you will always be wrong. RAY APPEN This virus, now Publisher Emeritus combined with Rusray@appenmediagroup.com sia’s invasion of Ukraine, has been a clarion call to many on a number of levels. To me, the primary message has been the impact of our collective dependence upon each other and the scope of the colleterial damage caused by that interdependence. Collectively, we have accomplished great things in the past 150 years, but those gains have come at immense, debilitating and accelerating costs. It didn’t used to be this way. We used to be much more self-sufficient. Our food used to be “local.” Local farms provided that food, and those farms were far less dependent upon fossil fuels for production and transportation. Jobs were local because manufacturing was local. We didn’t have as much; but we didn’t need as much. The world was greener, cleaner, slower and healthier. Then something happened and all our stuff had to be cheaper and produced and consumed in ever increasing quantities – almost all of it driven by cheap unlimited energy. The virus and the war have brought it home for all to see. It feels like a convergence of forces to me, a perfect storm much of our own making that has lifted its ugly head to say, “It’s time. I have come for you. This is just a taste of things to come. Get used to it.” Networked. Interlinked. Interdependent – states to states, countries to countries, hemispheres to hemispheres, and corporate nation-states to everything – and still in denial of the cost, the imminent implosion of the natural environment that has sustained us until now, an implosion caused by our addiction to fossil fuels and owning so much stuff. It always kills me when I hear someone say that it’s not realistic to stop using coal or oil, that it costs too much to move to sustainable energy. “Compared to what,” I always think, “compared to a world unfit for life for our children and their children?” Really? “Don’t you realize that your

comfort and style and little conveniences are coming at the cost of your children’s future?” You really want that stuff that bad? “Interconnected” is a double-edged sword. No chips for cars because the car makers don’t make their own chips. No automotive wiring components because much of that was manufactured in Ukraine. No on-time transportation of bulk goods by worldwide fleets because of labor shortages in ports and container shortages – shortages caused by the impact of the virus on labor, and the unraveling of the supply chain: manufacturer-totransporter-to aggregator to retailer to ultimately, consumer. But we can still go to Walmart and buy something cheaper than almost anywhere else, right? Is it really cheaper? China manufacturers for most of the world. Large sectors of the world economies rely on these manufactured goods produced and transported cheaply using fossil fuels. Her products are moved by great fleets that burn diesel supplied by just a few oil producing countries. In the long run, in whose best interest is this? And how cheap is it really? When we consider “price” of anything today, might it be time to start including all those other indirect costs that are now starting to wreak havoc on us all? China’s economy must grow annually in the 6-7 percent range for it to maintain domestic stability. If the Chinese economy slows down or worse, all economies take big hits. Of course, there is an upside; China cannot afford or allow Ukraine to disrupt the world economy too much. That would not be in its best interest. Stand by for that story. Famine was generally blamed for the rise of Isis in the Near and Middle East and the almost fall of Syria. Food instability threatens all governments. If people don’t have food, nothing is stable. For over a century, The United States has fed much of the world. Food has always been one of our “big sticks” we have used to “manage” the world. Now drought and fire plague agricultural production in our Midwest and West in large part because of our suicidal use of fossil fuels which is causing the climate to heat up. Before the current war, Russia and Ukraine provided a large percentage of the global food supply, accounting for 12 percent of all global food exports,

almost 30 percent of global wheat exports and 20 percent of corn. Most of Africa and the Middle East rely on food produced in Russian and Ukrainian. Yemen imports most of its food and relies on Ukraine for half of its wheat. Lebanon imports 60 percent of its wheat from Ukraine. Egypt depends on Russia for 85 percent of its wheat and 73 percent of its sunflower oil. Anyone seen any increases in food costs at the grocery store? Plan on that getting worse, maybe a lot worse. According to the U.N. World Food Programme, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the impact of climate change that has produced widespread famine in much of Africa, and the virus has increased the number of people facing severe hunger worldwide from 80 million to 276 million. Again, there can be no social stability anywhere in the world without adequate food. Almost all of the current situation directly or indirectly is tied to the use and dependence on fossil fuels and the money associated with it. Putin’s war in Ukraine is all about energy and food – strategic geopolitical assets he wants to control. Industrial food production is absolutely oil-dependent – both in its production and transportation. Small farms used to produce our food and provide a stable employment base in small towns across America. The same can be said of the manufacturing sector that used to exist. It has largely been exported to markets where labor is cheaper and cheap oil-based energy is used to transport the finished products to market. But, at what cost? What is the cost of being so reliant upon “somewhere else” for our food, for our manufactured goods, for our energy, for our jobs? What is the cost of perpetuating our crazy out-of-control

consumerism, our conveniences, our indulgences, on the back of cheap climate-killing oil and coal-based energy? Wat is the cost of trying to sustain this “life” we have created in the West – a life that is not sustainable? If we could step back and change course, even if we have to pay more for our local food, our local jobs, our local stuff, and our simpler way of life, there is still a chance. Individual change is where we start to heal – little things you and I can do. Consume less. Consider the carbon footprint of the product. Think about how far away it was made and the cost to transport it. Look at the packaging. Seek local sources. Patronize local vendors. And the politicians, that’s the easy part; vote them out. If they don’t support “green” 100 percent, if they continue to suck at the teat of the energy lobbyist and big business, vote them out, out, out. In a recent interview, Richard Powers, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning “The Overstory,” describes our current situation far more succinctly. He says: “We are now engaged in a massive, communal, consensual sleepwalk, a trance that we can’t even see, under the spell of individualist humanism and commodity culture that we call inevitable progress. The fact that the blessings of contemporary life have been won at the expense of a disastrous depletion of natural capital remains almost invisible to most of us.” Any way you spin it, he is right. We all know it. The time – the season – for change of the status quo, is now, not tomorrow. We can’t continue to not see what we are doing. For every time there is a season – turn, turn, turn. It’s not too late.

SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS

Ame r i c a’s Favor ite Tre asu re Hu nt s ! 740.569.2800

D 2ND WEEKEN H EVERY MONT

MAY 12, 13, 14 & 15 A N T I QU E & D E S I G N E R I T E M S

Atlanta Expo Centers - Atlanta, GA Show Hours:

ONE coupon per person. Expires: 5-16-22

Thurs. 10:45am-6pm Fri. & Sat. 9am-6pm Sun. 10am-4pm

Directions: 3 miles East of Atlanta Airport, I-285 at Exit 55 (3650 & 3850 Jonesboro Rd SE)

www.scottantiquemarkets.com

OPINION

8 | May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA

The last time

BOXING PARKINSON’S

Learn how boxing is an effective workout that improves symptoms & slows disease progression. Designed for people with early to later stages of movement challenges.

PRESENTED BY

Center for Movement Challenges (CFMC)™ Sandy Springs

HOSTED AT

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

June 2nd, Thursday 2:00 - 3:00 R.S.V.P. by May 31st to reserve your spot! LIMITED SEATING. 770.650.8200 x 205 or RHowell@VillaPalazzo.com

1260 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs GA 30350 | VillaPalazzo.com

Hello friends. It’s been a while. It’s been a tough go the last few months. I lost the love of my life, my bride of almost 50 years, a few weeks ago. The shock was a physical blow that sent me reeling. STEVE HUDSON For a while, I just Get Outside Georgia, existed, stunned, aa4bw@comcast.net numb. Time passed but stood still. During the day, friends and family took care of me, and I cried. At night, alone in the dark, I cried more. Where do all of the tears come from? After a time, the raw edge of anguish began to soften a little bit. And so today I decide to attempt a baby step toward returning to life. I decide that I will go for a hike. Half-heartedly, I pick a spot. Absently, I lace up by old hiking shoes, which I realize are showing their age. Then, as I’ve done before every hike for as long as I can remember, I stand up and turn to let Ann know that I am leaving and to make sure that it is okay to go. Wait. I guess I can’t do that anymore. When did I do that last? When was the last time I asked her if it was still OK to head out? I don’t remember. I just don’t, though I want to more than anything. But I do remember that whenever I asked, she always said yes. Annie never was much of a fan of the serious outdoors, preferring the comforts of air conditioning, though she would indulge me sometimes anyway. Early on, while we were courting, she would flyfish with me, and she was actually a better caster than I will ever be. Once we became engaged, however, her interest in flyfishing seemed to taper off a little. One day I mentioned that to her wise and all-knowing grandmother, who looked at me over the top of her reading glasses and said, “Grandson, she caught the fish she wanted to catch!” On our honeymoon, Annie went along cheerfully when I suggested that we visit a nearby federal fish hatchery. She said yes, and we did. She held my hand as we explored, and we had fun, maybe because fish hatcheries are such cool places but mostly, I suspect, just because we were together. She especially loved to tell the story of a long-ago December weekend when we went wintertime camping on Cumberland Island. “Can I go camping on Cumberland Island?” I had asked a few months before. “Sure,” she said. “But it’ll be winter,

you know.” “That’s okay,” I said. “You come, too, to keep me warm.” “Okay!” she said. So I went, because she said yes. It was raining when we got there. Wanting to impress my new bride with my consummate outdoor skills and my ability to erect a shelter in the storm, I was determined to set up the tent by myself. I tried, too, for almost an hour. But I was not successful, mostly because it was a mean and strong-willed tent. Finally, in desperation, Ann pretty much told me to let her do it instead. Which she did, in about 10 minutes, with no trouble at all. She never quite let me live that one down. Through the long arc of our life together, that “mind-if-I-go?” question was always step one of every adventure. It was almost a ritual, and she always said yes. “Mind if I go?” I’d ask. “Not at all,” she would say. “Will you be back for supper?” “I will,” I’d reply. “Call me when you’re on the way home,” she would say. Later, when I’d pull back into the driveway, the light would be on. I’d go inside and get cleaned up, and sometimes we’d go out for pizza, which she especially loved, and we’d tell each other about the adventures of the day, talking for hours and then holding hands as we eventually walked back to the car. Time really does fly, doesn’t it? Then came that day a few weeks ago when she was the one who set out on an adventure. I was with her, holding her hand, when she crossed the threshold and her adventure began. Our last conversation, a few days earlier, had been gentle. “I love you, Annie,” I said. “I love you too,” she replied. What would I have done if she had asked me if she could go? What if she had asked me if she could go exploring for a while, wandering a new path, looking to see what was around the next bend in the trail? I would have been selfish and said no. Don’t go, I would have said. Stay here. With me. But Annie always said yes. Sometimes “yes” is all there is to say. But oh, I miss her so. So now I open the front door – our front door, my front door – and walk down the steps and get into the truck. I drive to the trail, and after a while I arrive. My hiking stick is on the seat by me, and I take hold of it as I step down from the truck and my feet hit the ground. I am glad I have the hiking stick in my hand, for it will steady me if I start to fall.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | May 12, 2022 | 9

Rotary Club of Dunwoody Invites Prospective Members To Meet And Greet

An EVENING OF GREAT ART & WINE AT THE SPRUILL GALLERY

VA BENEFITS

Would you like to learn about Rotary and why so many local residents have joined the Rotary Club of Dunwoody? Please join the club for a free event on

Thursday,May 26, 2022, 5:30 pm

Spruill Gallery 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30338 You can enjoy an evening of fellowship with Dunwoody Rotarians, tour the gallery’s Matri-ARC Women as creators within the arc of time, Food and beverages will be provided at no charge. Learn about Rotary International, and explore the opportunities associated with joining this service club. If you have questions about the event or questions about Rotary and cannot join us on May 26, please access www.dunwoodyrotary.org or email us at dunwoody@rotary6900.org.

5/19– 6/25 2022

Do you qualify? How much pen$ion are you entitled to?

The Rotary Club of Dunwoody Celebrating its 38th anniversary.

PRESENTED BY

SUMMER DAY CAMPS ch urch chur ist ch ptist bapt dy ba oody nwoo @ dunw @ du

HOSTED AT

ns Eight one-week sessio June 6 - July 29 2-year-olds - 6th grade (just completed)

Sports, dance, music, art & more! Scan for registration!

.org | 770.280.1200

1445 Mt. Vernon Road | dbc

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

May 25th, Wednesday 2:00 - 3:00 R.S.V.P. by May 22nd to reserve your spot!

770.650.8200 x 205 or RHowell@VillaPalazzo.com 1260 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs GA 30350 | VillaPalazzo.com

10 | May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

There’s a Podcast for Everyone!

The Ben Burnett Show is a podcast dedicated to the unparalleled thoughts and analysis of a straight shooter leading others to the truth. He’s a great clubhouse guy and if he’s coming for you, you’ll see him from a mile away. At least, so says Ben Burnett.

Available for free wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Georgia Politics Podcast focuses on all things under the gold dome. Show host Preston Thompson covers the most noteworthy updates to the legislative session of Georgia’s House of Representatives and State Senate.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | May 12, 2022 | 11

12 | May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

Dunwoody Crier 5/12/22 Crossword

PuzzleJunctio

Across 1 5 9 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 29 30 33 36 39 40 41 42 43 45 47 48 50 52 53 55 58 60 62 63 66 68

Open carriage Farm young Concise Chalupa alternative Subterfuge Comics orphan Plentitude Speeder’s bane Young fox Concert request Big bird Hot time in Québec Editor’s mark Worsted fabric Hit the slopes Vacation locale Robin Cook thriller Spanish sparkling white wine Yak’s home Blood-related Sleazy paper Exuberance Skins Talon Actress Sofer Not on top Dawn goddess Therefore Common flag symbol Stout Kind of station Break loose Zodiac animal Battery terminal Newspaper section Flower feature

29 36

46 50

53 60

62 67

40 43

69 70 71 72 73

In a while ___-friendly Hindu mystic Understands Bank (on)

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Vampire killer Custom Intense Pointer’s direction Excessively agitated Postal scale unit English race place Lascivious look Locomotive follower

10 11 12 13 18 22 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37

Genetic initials Like some ink Thailand, once Llama land Secretary, for one Merino mother Before cake or meal Willows Shop tool Long story Actor Cain or Stockwell Sicilian mount Low-___ diet “___ From Muskogee” Gopher State St. Louis landmark

38 Kilmer of At First Sight 44 Mattress problem 46 Part of WMD 49 Little piggy 51 Tram loads 53 British biscuit 54 Gypsy’s deck 55 Cropped up 56 Place for a boutonniere 57 Manicurist’s board 58 Openings 59 From scratch 61 Lively old dance 64 Three Gorges project 65 Biblical high priest 67 Mangy mutt SOLUTION, Page 19

Rated Top Dog, Best of Atlanta...again!

FREE Doggie Daycare First Visit • Indoor/Outdoor Play Yards • Web Cams • Open Playtime • Bedding & Feeding • Meds Administration

*Call for appt, $15 temperament test required, new clients only.

No Crate Boarding!

www.thepetresorts.com Solution on next page

Tel. 404-596-4333

GROOMING • DAYCARE • BOARDING • TRAINING Fun for your pet • Peace of mind for you

Sponsored Section

May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | 13

Recovering in the comfort of home after a stroke Brought to you by - Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs May is National Stroke Awareness Month. The goal of the majority of individuals is to age in place in the comfort and security of home. But if your older loved one has a stroke, is aging at home still realistic? Researchers have found that stroke patients who continued rehabilitation at home had a faster recovery and, after three months, were able to perform activities of daily living at higher levels than those who only received traditional rehabilitation.

What Makes a Home Accessible?

The severity of a stroke determines how well your loved one can live in their home. Start with the very basics. Is the house designed for a wheelchair? If his home has multiple stories, you may need a stair lift. Are ramps needed to get in and out of the house? Are doorways wide enough to allow a wheelchair to get through? Consider grab bars and level shower access in the bathroom. If renovations take a few weeks to complete, you’ll need an interim living plan.

What Help is Needed?

After a stroke, your loved one will undergo physical therapy. Some skills like talking, swallowing or walking may need to be learned again. Some of those skills may never return. A skilled in-home caregiver can assist with consistent exercise, helping to follow your occupational and physical therapist’s techniques that are so vital for recovery. Most stroke patients tire easily and will need help with housekeeping, meal preparation or feeding while regaining use of their hand or arm. Many need help with showers and personal grooming. Your loved one may experience seizures, have vision difficulties that require them to stop driving, or experience post stroke emotional changes that make them anxious or more easily frustrated. This may be the best time to consider extended or live-in care, especially when making the transition back home. If your older loved one is in an

assisted living facility, care may also be required until they can progress with their recuperation. A carefully matched, heart-centered professional caregiver from Home Helpers helps with all their needed personal care, provides companionship and boosts their spirit to help combat the depression that often follows a stroke. The continuity of care a live-in caregiver provides may also be a major benefit for your older loved one. There are only two caregivers involved, and the warm emotional bonds formed with a carefully selected caregiver can truly help them thrive. With no shift changes during a day, this reliability and constancy can be very calming. Cost savings can be considerable, as live-in care has a daily versus hourly fee. A caregiver needs five hours of uninterrupted sleep and eight hours total sleep for a good night’s rest. You get the security of 24-hour assistance but don’t pay for sleep time for the caregiver. Your older loved one stays in their home with the privacy and independence they desire. Our skilled Caregivers can assist with all personal care, help around the house, safely speed up recovery from surgery, or provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s, etc. For a free consultation contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs today at (770) 681- 0323

14 | May 12, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Piedmont Cancer Institute has opened a new location in Sandy Springs! Brought to you by - - Piedmont Cancer Institute Piedmont Cancer Institute is doctor owned and patient driven. As an independent outpatient facility, you can expect the best possible care. We are committed to treating each patient with comprehensive strategies and leadingedge cancer therapies in hematology and medical oncology. The physicians at PCI are dedicated to expert specialized cancer care. Our MD Anderson certified physicians trained in the most prestigious cancer centers in the country. They keep themselves abreast of all current treatment modalities through continuing education, research in their specialty and clinical trials.

Voted Best Urgent Care

in North Atlanta 6 Years in a Row WINNER 2016