Firefighters recall 1972 refinery fire
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June 2, 2022 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication | Ser ving the community since 1976
Dunwoody weighs tax hike Revenues fall short of resident wish list By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody City government is facing a revenue dilemma that would be softened by increasing property tax collections. Assistant City Manager J. Jay Vinicki spoke at length about city revenue collection and the impact from homestead exemptions at the May 23 City Council meeting. Absent exemptions like those for owner-occupied residences, the city’s tax digest – the value of all property within the city – is almost equally split between residential and commercial. The value of all property is close to $5 billion. Factoring in residential exemptions lowers the taxable digest by about $1.5 billion. Most city tax collections come from one-time revenue sources, not ongoing revenue. Only 5 percent of the overall property taxes paid in DeKalb County winds up in city coffers. Commercial property accounts for about 70 percent of city revenue. While the city has eight months of revenue reserves and has cut expenditures during the pandemic, there are concerns about revenue collection and a multi-million-dollar expenditure defi-
JEFFREY ALBERTSON/APPEN MEDIA
City revenue and expenditures have been the focus of community attention as the Dunwoody City Council considers a bond referendum to fund special projects. Current property tax exemptions and home valuation freezes have left the city hamstrung to tackle new developments. cit. Despite the drawdown, the city has increased services and raised police salaries while facing a pay-as-you-go approach to other projects, like public works or parks. Adding to the dilemma is that home values are locked for city taxes, meaning that some residents pay the same amount of property taxes as 2009. The current 2.74 millage rate has
not changed since the city’s incorporation. Many residents leverage a homestead exemption, decreasing that rate to 1.74 mills. Combining the property value freeze and homestead exemptions means that some residents pay less than 1 mill in taxes. “When people start talking about their millage rate of 2.74, you can take off almost 60 percent at this time,”
Vinicki said. “Houses are taxed at about 40 percent of the rate that ac-
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Decatur man arrested for stealing puppy DUNWOODY, Ga. — A Decatur man was arrested May 18 for allegedly stealing a French Bulldog puppy from Petland on Ashford Dunwoody Road in April. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. April 28. A Petland employee told police two men had entered the store. One asked to see the dog, and the other continuously left and reentered the store. Both then left the store with the dog. The employee told police she saw the suspects leave the scene in a silver Tesla SUV with no license plate. Police searched a traffic camera database and saw a vehicle matching the description at an intersection just after the theft. They also saw a vehicle that matched the description but had a license plate enter the city around 20 minutes before the theft. The license plate returned to a Snellville woman. When contacted by police, the vehicle owner said nobody else should have access to her car, but that she had three grandsons. When police asked the woman for the birth date of one of her grandsons, she said she needed to check and hung up the phone. She did not answer a subsequent call from police. Police arrested a 22-year-old Decatur man in connection with the theft May 18.
Police arrest woman following bar fight DUNWOODY, Ga. — A Dunwoody woman was arrested May 21 after allegedly assaulting someone at The Bird on Ashford
PUBLIC SAFETY Dunwoody Road. Police responded to the bar around 2 a.m. and spoke to the “visibly wet” man the woman had allegedly fought with. The man told police he had been in the bar with friends when another group began making rude jokes about them. He said the group then tried to walk out on their nearly $90 tab. The man said he and his friends confronted the group in an attempt to have them pay their tab. A woman in the group then pushed the man’s friend to the ground and another woman threw a drink in the man’s face. The man said a physical altercation ensued that ended with his shirt “being ripped off and discarded somewhere in the parking lot by the females,” according to the report. The man’s friend declined to press charges, but the victim of the alleged assault said he wanted to press charges against the woman who doused him with her drink. Police obtained an arrest warrant for the 25-year-old woman and arrested her the same day.
Battery charge filed against Dunwoody woman DUNWOODY, Ga. — A Dunwoody woman was arrested on a charge of battery for allegedly throwing a Kennesaw woman out of her apartment May 20. Police were called to the scene of the altercation at the Marq Eight apartment complex. The victim said she was at the suspect’s apartment when the two got into an argument. She showed police footage of the suspect dragging her by her hair and throwing her out of the apartment, according to the police report. The woman also said the suspect choked her by pulling on her necklace. The suspect told police the two had argued after the Kennesaw woman asked to drive the suspect’s car. The suspect said the Kennesaw woman had left the apartment after the argument and then
returned. The suspect alleged that the Kennesaw woman then assaulted her in the parking garage and took her keys to the apartment. The suspect said she had tried to get the Kennesaw woman to leave the apartment when the two got into a physical altercation. Due to available evidence, police arrested the suspect for battery and allowed the Kennesaw woman to gather her belongings before leaving the apartment.
Police charge woman for battery of taxi driver DUNWOODY, Ga. — A Brookhaven woman was arrested May 23 after she allegedly pushed a taxi driver and threw a drink at him. Police responded to the intersection of Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Shadow Bend. The taxi driver said he had been transporting the woman and her girlfriend. He said the woman told him during the trip that he was going the wrong way and was not following his GPS correctly. She then began cursing at him, the driver told police. The driver said he pulled over and told the woman he was canceling the trip. Both women exited the vehicle along with the driver. The driver said the woman began to curse at him again, walked up to him and pushed him to the ground. He said the woman then began trying to hit him with a Monster energy drink and threw the drink at him but missed. When police spoke to the woman’s girlfriend, she confirmed the woman pushed the driver to the ground. The suspect told police the man was on the phone while driving and not paying attention to his GPS. She admitted to throwing the drink at the man and cursing at him, according to the report. The 19-year-old Brookhaven woman was arrested for simple battery.
Dunwoody prostitution sting nets 10 arrests By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody and Sandy Springs police arrested 10 people in a prostitution sting operation May 12. Eight of those arrested were charged with prostitution, and four were found in possession of felony drugs. One was charged with soliciting without a permit, and one man was charged with pimping. The sting was conducted at a Dunwoody hotel, though police would not disclose which hotel. Police reports list
FILE PHOTO
the site of the incident as 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE — the address of City Hall. The website Tripadvisor lists no
hotels in the City Hall complex. Sgt. Michael Cheek, a public information officer for the Dunwoody Police Department, said prostitution is an issue in the area, and the department conducts stings on a “frequent basis.” He said 10 arrests is a fairly average number for such operations. “It’s an issue we’re aware of, and it’s us being proactive to curb the issue of prostitution, to make an impact on it,” Cheek said. Cheek said the stings usually require at least 20 people, including both sworn officers and non-sworn department staff.
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Dunwoody celebrates high school artists with exhibit DUNWOODY, Ga. — The city is celebrating Dunwoody High School artists’ work this summer with a temporary public art exhibit in Dunwoody Village. The Storefront Art Exhibit program features students’ art in the storefront windows of local businesses for up to three months. A total of 30 students submitted designs in April, and business owners ranked their preferred artwork. The 10 highest-scoring pieces were chosen for the inaugural display. The city also awarded selected students $300 for materials and work. “We have a dynamic trio of teachers in our visual arts department, and what they have done to lead these students is amazing,” Dunwoody High School Principal Tom Bass said. “Anytime our students can be highlighted in the Dun-
woody community, it’s a win-win. We’re so proud of these kids.” Participating businesses include Cinnaholic, NFA Burger, Scenthound and The Enchanted Forest. A list of winning artists and the locations of their work can be found on the city’s website. “This is the first of what I hope will be extensive partnerships between the city and our schools as it relates to public art,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “Public art is critical in my mind for making Dunwoody a place that people want to linger longer.”
Dunwoody High School students and faculty show off student artwork that will be displayed in local businesses. CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED
dunwoodyga.gov | 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody GA 30338 | 678.382.6700
Food Truck Thursdays every Thursday through Oct. 27 Brook Run Park
Dunwoody Farmers Market
every Saturday | 9-12 Brook Run Park
CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED
Dunwoody uses federal funding for summer tutoring program DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody is using funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to offer a free summer camp program for students in grades K-12. The City Council approved a grant of up to $200,000 from the federal funds to Corners Outreach to run the program. The funding will pay for staff, equipment and transportation to the camp for up to 250 Dunwoody students. The goal of the program is to prevent learning loss, especially in children disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The camp, set to begin, May 31 will include daily tutoring in math, reading and social and emotional learning. Students are also given breakfast and lunch and can participate in outdoor activities. “Corners Outreach is honored to
partner with the City of Dunwoody this summer to help our families succeed,” Corners Academy Vice President Scott Mawdesley said. “Our academy summer camp will be full of learning and fun for children who need to catch up or keep up with their academics over the summer.” Corners Academy is offering an eightweek program for grades K-5 at its location on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. For grades 6-12, it offers a five-week program at Peachtree Middle School. To register K-5 students, contact Pilar Valdez at pilar.valdez@cornersoutreach.org or 404-391-3610. To register 6-12 students, contact Travis Sanders at travis.sanders@cornersoutreach.org or 404-565-7120.
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June Highlights Board of Appeals 2 Zoning Meeting City Hall 6 p.m.
3
“E.T. The Extraterrestrial” Pics in the Park Pernoshal Park dusk
4 Art Commission Meeting 7 Dunwoody Free First Saturday
Dunwoody Nature Center
Dunwoody City Council Meeting
14
Planning Commission Meeting
19
Committee Meeting 9 Sustainability
City Hall 5 p.m. Special-Called Meeting 6 p.m. Regular Meeting City Hall 6 p.m.
Juneteenth
Throughout the month, enjoy the Storywalk at Brook Run Park, “All Different Now, First Day of Freedom”
Monthly Community Bike Ride
8 a.m.
Free Master Gardener Talk Dunwoody Community Garden & Orchard
The 80ators Brook Run Park Amphitheater 6 - 9 p.m.
13
City Hall 7:30 a.m.
11 “Summer Gardening”
Groovin’ on the Green
20
Meet at Village Burger 3:45 p.m.
City Hall closed
in observance of Juneteenth
4 | June 2, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
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tually shows up on the bill because of exemptions.” The revenue structure designed at the city’s founding is not keeping up with resident demands, a presentation from the March 2022 City Council retreat concluded. Vinicki estimated that 95 percent of homeowners in Dunwoody are eligible, have applied for and receive exemptions, lowering the amount of property tax the city collects. “The City Council has the authority to raise (the millage rate) to 3.04, that is what is in the charter and in the code as the cap on the operating millage rate,” Vinicki said. Increasing the millage rate to the cap would boost annual city collections by $45 to $69 per home, according to a presentation that assumed home valuations averaging between $400,000 to $600,000. That would increase Dunwoody’s revenue almost $1 million per year. Over the past two weeks, the city held public hearings on capital projects and the possibility of a bond referendum. If approved, the bond would be the first in city history. One estimate Vinicki discussed on May 23 showed the capped millage rate of 3.04 and a $40 million bond that increased city property tax collections between $116 to $177 for homes valued between $400,000 to $600,000. “Even your total bill for your $600,000 home would be $636 a year, that’s $2 a day,” he said. The mayor and council weighed in on expenditures and revenue forecasts. “I want to make sure if we do raise
The City Council has the authority to raise (the millage rate) to 3.04, that is what is in the charter and in the code as the cap on the operating millage rate.” J. JAY VINICKI Assistant City Manager
the millage rate that a large portion of it goes to police funding, and if that were a mid-year adjustment that would be active sooner rather than later,” Councilman John Heneghan said. Police Chief Billy Grogan said his department was fully funded to recruit new officers and to fill 10 vacancies, but that finding candidates who passed screening was difficult. The police department is offering a slate of benefits, including bonuses and a housing stipend to fill vacancies. Councilwoman Catherine Lautenbacher said increasing the millage rate within the cap was in keeping with the city’s fiscally conservative principles. Mayor Lynn Deutsch continued a message delivered at the March council retreat. “We cannot build any more parks unless we address our revenue,” Deutsch said. “I think that’s a really important step if we are going to move Dunwoody forward is to look at our revenue realistically.”
NEWS
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Anthem, Northside throw elbows in state Supreme Court case By REBECCA GRAPEVINE Capitol Beat ATLANTA — Two health-care players embroiled in a legal controversy that could affect hundreds of thousands of Georgians’ health care faced off in state Supreme Court May 17. Lawyers for Anthem (Blue Cross Blue Shield), a large health insurance company, and Northside, an Atlanta hospital system, debated the meaning of “public health emergency” and jurisdiction over legal appeals. The dispute is rooted in Anthem’s decision to terminate Northside from its insurance network in May 2021. Anthem claims it dropped the Atlanta hospital system because Northside “billed exorbitant sums [to Anthem] over the years” and was “an extreme outlier in costs among Anthem’s contracted providers,” according to a brief filed with the court. The insurer and hospital tried to negotiate a solution but were unable to come to an agreement. Northside then filed suit against Anthem last December just before the planned termination was to take effect. A Fulton County judge issued an injunc-
tion forestalling Anthem’s termination of Northside from the company’s insurance network. Anthem has now appealed that injunction to the Georgia Supreme Court. One legal issue centers around the definition of “public health emergency.” That’s because the General Assembly passed a law during the 2021 session prohibiting insurers from dropping healthcare providers from their networks during and for 150 days after a “public health emergency.” Northside contends that the 2021 statutory reform should bar Anthem from dropping the hospital system from its insurance network. But what, exactly, is a public health emergency under the terms of the new law? Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton – representing Anthem – argued for a narrow definition of a public health emergency. Northside lawyer Robert Highsmith Jr. argued for a broader definition. The Supreme Court’s jurisdiction for determining constitutionality of the Fulton County trial court’s injunction was another issue Melton and Highsmith debated.
The legal issues may appear arcane to most Georgians. But two justices pointed out that ordinary Georgians are affected by the failure of the two parties to reach an agreement and urged them to come to terms with each other. “It might be for the benefit of everyone to work this out and moot this” legal dispute, noted Justice Nels S.D. Peterson during the arguments. An agreement would “be good for a lot of customers,” added Justice Charles Bethel. Tuesday’s appearance was former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton’s first in his old courtroom as a lawyer, not a judge. Melton was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2005. Melton stepped down in 2021. Neither side would comment to the media, though Melton did term his first appearance on the other side of the bench “nerve-wracking.” Georgians can expect a decision on the dispute within six months. This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
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CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA
Staff at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital break ground on its cancer center program expansion. The project is expected to be completed over the next year and cost approximately $12 million.
Wellstar breaks ground on cancer center expansion
By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — When Radiation Oncologist Dr. Mark McLaughlin joined Wellstar North Fulton Hospital more than three years ago, he says he immediately sought to create a cancer center program to offer patients both radiation and technologically advanced care. On May 25, his vision began to take shape with a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate Wellstar North Fulton Hospital’s $12 million investment to expand its cancer center program over the next year. “I wanted to do something different to reach out and create something new here that patients didn’t have, so I’m thrilled to be here today to celebrate not only the North Fulton Cancer Center, but the exciting addition of CyberKnife radiation oncology technology to this campus and to this Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek area,” McLaughlin said. “It’s going to be really incredible.” Wellstar North Fulton Hospital President Jon-Paul Croom, who credited McLaughlin with spearheading the project, said the addition of 12,000 square feet of space to the cancer center will help to offer the community all aspects of diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancers in their own backyard. “This is something that we know will transform lives – lives of people that you know have cancer and people you don’t even know have cancer yet in this community – and soon everyone will be able to get all their cancer care in one place close to home without having to travel,” Croom said. Once completed, the North Fulton Cancer Center will house surgical, medical
and radiation oncology, and a CyberKnife system that can treat anything from brain tumors to prostate cancers and lung cancers. CyberKnife technology is a noninvasive option for surgically complex or inoperable tumors that enables radiation oncologists to deliver targeted, high doses of radiation while requiring no anesthesia, hospitalization or lengthy recovery period. McLaughlin said that often, it can take between five and eight weeks for cancer patients to receive radiation treatment. But, with CyberKnife, treatment is reduced to just one to five days. Wellstar North Fulton Hospital is set to become one of two hospitals in the state with CyberKnife technology. “What a difference…,” McLaughlin said. “We can use that type of procedure to treat patients and really hone in on the cancer while minimizing radiation exposure to normal tissues. That increases the cure rates and minimizes the side effects. Currently, the closest CyberKnife is in Marietta and it’s one of the five busiest CyberKnife’s in the world.” Mary Chapman, a nurse, Wellstar Health System executive vice president and president of Wellstar Kennestone and Windy Hill hospitals, said the project serves as an example of how Wellstar works to treat “every person, every time based upon what their needs are.” “We’re trailblazers,” Chapman said. “We’re not afraid to push the edge, we’re not afraid to ask the right questions, and when we set forward on a vision, we try to equip ourselves with the right people in the right place who want to do the right thing for the right reasons. … We want to take care of this community together.” The new North Fulton Cancer Center is expected to open in early 2023.
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PROVIDED
Luxury homes in Historic Roswell available for mid-summer move-in Brought to you by - Patrick Malloy Communities Hillandale is a charming Charleston inspired neighborhood priced from the $900s - $1 million plus. This distinctive neighborhood offers elegant interior finishes and unique designs in a highly sought-after location. Located just minutes from the heart of Historic Roswell, Hillandale features sophisticated four- and five-bedroom thoughtfully curated homes with an abundance of entertaining spaces both indoors and out. Luxury features can include a unique moving wall of glass doors that lead to outdoor living areas, primary suites, 10 ft ceilings and hardwoods on the main level, as well as high-end stainless-steel appliances and basements. In addition, the Patrick Malloy Design Center is available to help customize each home’s interior.
The Tierney is available now for mid-summer move-in and is situated on homesite 11. This striking two-story home features four bedrooms, three and one-half baths and is perfect for entertaining with open living spaces and a chef’s kitchen with the latest in design. Priced at $1,107,265, this discerning home includes $65,000 in designer upgrades with front and back lawn maintenance included in the HOA. In addition to the Tierney, there are several other homes currently under construction with early September move-in dates. Homeowners at Hillandale enjoy a convenient and central location with easy access to local dining and shopping. The Chattahoochee River and pristine parks envelop the area creating a wide array of recreational activities. The Chattahoochee River Nature Preserve is just a short drive away with kayaking, biking and walking trials, and a summer music series. Districted in Roswell’s
highly acclaimed school system, Hillandale is a neighborhood suited for any lifestyle. Patrick Malloy Communities, founded in 1994 by Patrick Malloy, has over the past 27 years developed over 7,000 homesites and built 5,000 homes in Metro Atlanta with a total of more than $2.5 billion in sales. Patrick Malloy Communities has been on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 20 Homebuilder list multiple times and has won numerous professionalism awards including several Community of the Year awards. For more details on Hillandale, visit PMCommunities. com, call 770/254-5372 or visit the sales center at 3020 Barnes Mill Ct. Roswell, 30075. Patrick Malloy Communities is represented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division. BHHSgaNewHomes.com. An Equal Housing Opportunity.
10 | June 2, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
16055 HOPEWELL ROAD
ALPHARETTA, GA 30004 | $3,200,000 Jodi Mekyten | 770.393.3200
6471 MERIDIAN WAY
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
480 JOHN WESLEY DOBBS UNIT 616
1314 PASADENA AVENUE ATLANTA, GA 30306 | $2,250,000 Brett Friedmann | 404.226.8988
SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30328 | $1,900,000 Lindsay Levin | 404.667.3232
2121 HERITAGE TRACE DRIVE
ATLANTA, GA 30312 | $385,000 Jodi Mekyten | 770.393.3200
ATLANTA, GA 30338 | $1,395,000 Katerina Quinterno | 770.393.3200
MARIETTA, GA 30068 | $499,000 Casey Riddle | 404.502.1143
3165 BROOKVIEW DRIVE
4648 STONEHENGE DRIVE
2286 FRASER ROAD
2130 HERITAGE TRACE DRIVE
200 SENTINEL PLACE SE
MARIETTA, GA 30066 | $424,000 Whitney Agee Team | 770.393.3200
MARIETTA, GA 30062 | $525,000 Casey Riddle | 404.502.1143
DUNWOODY, GA 30360 | $575,000 Jodi Halpert | 404.513.5151
MARIETTA, GA 30067 | $950,000 Jodi Halpert | 404.513.5151
SALLY MOORE
Senior Vice President | Managing Broker
D. 404.401.0493 | O. 770.393.3200 Sally.Moore@BHHSGeorgia.com BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES GEORGIA PROPERTIES
40 BONNIE LANE
MARIETTA, GA 30062 | $485,000 Casey Riddle | 404.502.1143
2946 HERMANCE DRIVE
BROOKHAVEN, GA 30319 | $675,000 Ellen Groiss | 770.595.3385
HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | June 2, 2022 | 11
REAL ESTATE DEFINED FEATU RED LISTIN GS
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460 RIVER VALLEY ROAD
ATLANTA, GA 30350 | $1,050,000 Carol Johnson | 404.697.1400
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ATLANTA, GA 30606 | $275,000 Lyssa Pietro | 770.366.7119
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1026 SAINT CHARLES AVE NE #11
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5329 VERNON LAKE DRIVE
ATLANTA, GA 30338 | $360,000 Tom Sheeran | 404.307.5538
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DUNWOODY, GA 30338 | $850,000 Jodi Halpert | 404.513.5151
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225 BLUEBERRY RIDGE MILTON, GA 30075 | $2,150,000 Michelle Moore | 678.612.3927
Local Experts.Outstanding Results. Dunwoody Office | 770.393.3200 5481 Chamblee Dunwoody Road | Dunwoody, GA 30338 BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES GEORGIA PROPERTIES ©2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
12 | June 2, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Choosing the right material for your Exterior Shutters Brought to you by - Dupbel Millworks, Inc. Shutters can make or break the curb appeal of a house and it is important to consider the different materials that shutters are made of. Prices will vary considerably between the different materials and each will have its own positives and negatives. Let’s take a look at the 4 main ones.
Wood:
prone to cupping, bending and warping, so make sure your provider adds some form of additional strengthening. Seems that the industry standard is to add metal bracing on the back to prevent some of the issues. Difficult to paint and typically comes in standard colors. Make sure from you provider what steps you’ll have to take when it comes to repainting. Can be mounted flush or on hinges.
Very traditional and good looking. Could be pricey depending in the wood species that is used. Stay away from cheaper woods like Poplar or pine that will rot, twist and split within a short period of time. Good species are Western Red Cedar and Cypress. Make sure you add some sort of a cap to the top of the shutter to prevent splitting and make sure your provider seals the wood effectively to prevent rot. Easy to customize size and styles. Easy to repaint depending on the paint used, and special care should be taken to ensure the paint seals the product completely.
Vinyl:
Cheapest option you can get, but then it will also look like that. The summer heat can play a trick on these where the shutters became brittle with color fading over time. These shutters are typically hollow and not very strong. Its recommended that they are mounted flush against the wall, although some service providers sell hardware kits to mount them on hinges. Vinyl shutters are typically 3 times cheaper than wood or composites, but remember you’ll have to pay for installation 3 times. Limited options available for size, style and color. Difficult to repaint effectively.
Composite Wood:
Pricing is comparable to wood, and although you get the look and feel of wood, you don’t have the issues that comes using wood. No rotting, swelling, twisting and if it is the right material, no insect damage. There are different composite materials available and not all are rated for extended exterior use, so make sure your provider uses the right stuff (and can prove it). Very long lasting and in some cases you even have environmentally friendly/safe options available. Easy to customize and a good provider should be able to create unique designs and styles perfect for your home. Similar to wood it will need repainting in a few years, but generally easy to do. Can be mounted on hinges or direct to the wall.
PVC:
Pricey, so shop around. This stuff will last almost forever and moisture have no effect on it. Heat does play a role and it’s
PROVIDED
Dupbel Millworks Inc. manufactures exteriors shutters using only weather resistant materials. Our core business is shutters made from a composite wood material that is rot, insect and weather resistant. This is especially important in Georgia’s hot, humid conditions. Although we carry a series of shutters styles, we are fully equipped to help you design the specific look you desire, and every shutter is custom made based on your house, windows and design. We use your house as our showroom, knowing very well how difficult it can be to see what a specific style of shutter will do the look of your home. We come to your house with samples and will help you to choose the perfect style of shutter for your house. Our business is located in Alpharetta, GA and we are proud to serve the residential and commercial market of North Georgia. We are small enough to provide you with personal attention, yet strong enough to handle complex designs. 678-662-4815
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
PROVIDED
Can the pace of home remodeling continue? Brought to you by - Remodeling Expo Center Throughout 2021 home remodeling seemed virtually unaffected by the Covid pandemic. Home sales continue to be robust, but the pace of home remodeling is even greater. New home buyers tend to remodel as soon as they move into their new home, but the remodeling craze seems to apply to everyone. “Our Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling business has experienced a 75% year over year increase” says John Hogan, president of Remodeling Expo Center, “and we don’t see any slowdown in sight”. There’s been a rapid change to supply chains in our entire economy and while some businesses are suffering, others are prospering. Demand for products and services are at record levels and businesses are required to re-think their supply chain from end to end; those businesses that creatively maneuver around the supply chain issues are
prospering. “Last year we re-focused all of our purchasing to those suppliers with local inventory, so we get instant access to products, then we diverted custom built products to smaller, more nimble suppliers, and finally we began to inventory some items so our remodeling jobs could get started faster and eliminate job progress interruptions. These changes weren’t easy but without them we couldn’t be in the hyper-growth mode that we’re presently experiencing, says Bobbie Kohm, Vice President of Remodeling Expo Center, “Turnkey Design-Build companies, like us, keep the process very simple”. Low interest rates are going to be around for a long time and investment in our homes is likely to continue. For more information on Remodeling Expo Center (RemodelingExpo.com), contact them at their showroom at 48 King Street in Roswell or at 404-910-3969.
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | June 2, 2022 | 13
14 | June 2, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Have you heard of a Jumbo Mortgage Loan? Brought to you by - Dan Griffin, Compass, Inc. A Jumbo Mortgage Loan, or non-conforming loan, is a mortgage that exceeds the borrowing limit set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for conforming loans. In Georgia, that limit is $647,200 for a single-family unit. For buyers who are interested in purchasing a large property, Jumbo Mortgage Loans can be a great way to do so.
Who can qualify for a Jumbo Mortgage Loan?
Jumbo Mortgage Loans can only be used for one’s personal residence (not an investment property). These loans are for buyers with a very high credit score (680-700 or higher) and substantial cash reserves. As Jumbo Mortgage Loans are much riskier than conforming loans, banks are very selective about who can take use them.
Pros
• Higher loan limits: Useful for those who wish to purchase a larger home or property, especially in a high-cost area • Lower down payment: Can be as low
as 5-10% as the bank has already ensured that the borrower is in a strong financial position • One single loan: Rather than using multiple loans to finance one property, these mortgages mean the buyer has just one monthly payment
Cons
• Higher interest rates: It’s a good idea to shop around to see which lender can offer the best rate • Buyers must have a clean credit score: Banks want to ensure the buyer is financially secure and able to repay the loan • Not all properties qualify: The bank will do a property appraisal to confirm that the asking price is not higher than the appraisal value • Higher closing costs: These are often calculated as a percentage of the loan, so a higher loan leads to higher closing costs Please Call Dan Griffin at Compass, Inc. for more information.
JOIN THE TEAM Appen Media Group is looking for a Reporter to cover local news in the north Atlanta area.
Appen is investing in its newsroom, expanding when (and where) others are contracting. This position will contribute to that goal by covering city and county governments, as well as collaborating on stories with other members of the team. There will be additional opportunities to cover themes in health, business, sports or the arts. We are looking for a team player who will make a difference in the community and our workplace. A commitment to communication is critical. The ideal candidate would be able to spot unique angles and stories that address broader questions of the community. We are looking for someone with professional reporting experience, though it can be from a collegiate newsroom. If you’re excited by a fast-paced environment and genuinely care about community journalism, we want to hear from you. Applicants should email a resume and selected clips to Director of Content and Development Carl Appen at carl@appenmedia.com. Preliminary questions about the position, environment or hiring process are also welcome. Professional discretion is guaranteed.
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THE INVESTMENT COACH
OPINION
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | June 2, 2022 | 15
The ‘thump’ heard on Wall Street The clanging of the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day of April, the 29th, more appropriately should have been replaced by a dull sound, a of sorts, LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP “thump” given the monthly performance of the three major U.S. stock indexes. The Wall Street Journal on April 30, 2022, said it all: “Nasdaq Caps Worst Month Since 2008.” The tech-laden basket of stocks dropped 13.3 percent in April, torpedoing trillions in market value. For the month, the S&P 500 stock index fell -8.8 percent; the Dow Jones Industrial Average, -4.9 percent. The S&P 500 is down 13 percent for the year, placing it in “correction territory.” The Dow is down 9 percent year-to-date, while the Nasdaq officially is in a bear market at minus 21 percent. With wild gyrations, where does that leave the conservative investor, especially one preparing for retirement or in retirement? Those who are not experienced traders or speculators and who have longer horizons are advised to “ride it out,” adding money on dips if possible. There are times, as we saw recently, especially during the pandemic, when money chases companies and start-
ups that pay little to no dividends. But following every jarring “adjustment” in no-dividend high flyers, money rotates into portfolios of well-established and long tested more tried-and-true names. For dividend yield comparison purposes, as of April 29, a major Dow Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) had a dividend yield of 1.79 percent. A leading ETF that tracks the S&P 500 index offered a dividend yield of 1.43 percent. The Invesco QQQ Trust that encompasses the Nasdaq had a dividend yield of only .55 percent. The WSJ also on 4/30/2022 published an obituary for Geraldine Weiss (1926-2022), a legendary “stock-market guru who relied on dividends.” She once declared, “Dividends are real money ─ not just figures on a balance sheet.” And so they are! Financial advisers can show you portfolios, whether mutual fund based or separately managed accounts, that feature solid companies with a history of reliable and growing dividends. With the future so uncertain, what to do? This writer has been involved in financial markets since the 1970s, and guess what? The future is always murky! Going forward, if you’re invested for the long term you will see periodic market corrections, bull and bear interludes, fad investments that come and go, and surprises bad and good. “Certainty” is FDIC insured money market funds when it comes to safety of principal, while recognizing that future inflation-adjusted buying power is
a hazard relative to cash. But looking at the long march of American history, it’s a fairly reassuring bet that our country will continue to grow and that solid diversified equity portfolios of dividend payers and other bedrock companies that supply needed, creative, and valued goods and services will grow over time along with Mother USA. There’s always a crisis of one sort or the other that can give market traders and speculators either the willies or a sense of opportunity. Creative destruction comes to the fore, which can be unsettling, but somehow every problem, be it climate change, war, or money moving from one market sector to another, that spurs innovators, someone or some company or organization, to take risks and seek ways to solve the challenges du jour. World War II, as horrible as it was, brought America out of the Great Depression as industrial mobilization created new and improved methods of production. Consider the advancements in aviation which spurred new opportunities for domestic and international shipping and travel. Often in the prelude to war when conflict is threatened, the stock market waivers and declines. But when battles commence, the market tends to go up as spending on war material rises along with increased investments in technology and innovation. America and allies that are supporting Ukraine will have to replace weapons and other materials that are be-
ing supplied. Government spending will increase, stimulating the economy further. This suggests that continued inflationary pressures should be factored into your investment strategies. Wages are rising but real wages adjusted for inflation are falling. As of March, household spending rose at a faster clip than inflation. People with money are still spending on travel and dining, while also making substitutions in the goods normally bought to offset inflation, but a slowdown, even an ultimate recession, must be assumed as a possibility. Have sufficient cash as a buffer, both to weather an economic storm or a personal or family setback, or to buy stocks in a downturn; but for the long run a portfolio of well selected and diversified stocks is a good bet to grow along with America and bursts of technological innovation around the globe that have been going on since the Industrial Revolution. 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.
After the reunion, assessing the toll time has taken My 50th high school reunion. Is that possible? Half a century. No way. I am not sure what I expected. What I had not expected was that some had died. Of my graduating class of RAY APPEN about 75, we have lost Publisher Emeritus nine. I was surprised. ray@appenmediagroup.com One was my first roommate, and another was one of my two partners in crime. You know, the ones you got into trouble with but survived. As I thought about the nine, I guessed cancer, drugs and AIDS, and I am sure my guess was most likely spot on. I knew the reunion would be a fast forward – from 18 years old to about 70. So, everyone would have aged, and after 50 years, changed, right? Right and wrong. A few extra pounds, less hair. Yep. But changed? Nope, not really. People don’t change much.
We picked up where we left off without missing a beat. There was a lot of understated joy. There was curiosity. There was unspoken empathy. And we simply were happy to see each other again after all that time. Not knowing if and how each other had changed though, was a source of moderate anxiety for me and probably for many, as we carefully probed and conversed. The anxiety made little sense though, as we would only be together for a day and a-half then we would disappear to parts unknown again, back into separate lives somewhere else. Teachers made the reunion. Some drove the better part of a day to get to Jacksonville. They all sat at the same table, just like we tended to cluster like we did 50 years ago. My old literature teacher showed up, and I was able to thank him for giving me my love of books. Later, he shared with me that a number of former students had come up to him and expressed the same appreciation. He said he was surprised and gratified. But “who
knew?” he said, “who knew.\?” I later found out that he had left teaching and worked for a bank, and then moved on to real estate. “Who knew?” We knew. Why hadn’t we said something? I wanted to tell administration to get him back, now. Hit rewind and do the right thing you guys. Why did you let him leave? And part of me thinks that he also may be asking himself “why did I leave?” Time does funny things. I recall asking myself why life seems so much clearer in the rear-view mirror than it does at the time. I suppose it’s always that way, unless you are one of those who was simply born wise, born clairvoyant, but most of us are not. Time machines are funny, too. For all intents and purposes, that is what any reunion is. And you expect blatant change, and you are surprised and puzzled when it’s not there, not really. As the night went on, I kept thinking of Sinatra singing “My Way” as I talked to my old friends and caught up. We all
had made the “big” shift – reached that summit that in so many ways was nothing like what we had expected. The 50-year span had taken us instantly from wideeyed adolescents in that learning, playing, testing, loving and struggling mode to now past that “all everything, all-encompassing conquering mode – the “raison d’ etre” – careers, with all the sound and fury, and onto “what’s next,” in the blink of an eye. That was probably what affected me most, and Sinatra’s song, albeit not so much the banality and the regret, seemed to tell that story. “My way” perhaps was not really the way most of us traveled those 50 years, and now, at our second “at bat” we are finally figuring it out – and today, the present, “now” – comes more clearly into focus as the real mountain we should have been summiting all the while. My classmates and I are now on to post-career life. I am sure it will be interesting, and I guess time will tell, as the next reunion, of course, is only 5 years away.
16 | June 2, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
PAST TENSE
OPINION
A relentless fire:
DeKalb County firefighters look back on 1972, Part 2 Last week’s Past Tense included details of the1972 Triangle Refinery fire in Doraville, as recalled by J. D. Boozer. He and David Kennedy had just connected the oil field’s pumper truck to the VALERIE manifold. Tank three BIGGERSTAFF started burning, so a deluge gun was placed on the dike to cool kerosene tank four. “I raised up and I looked at my driver David Kennedy and his fire coat was smoking,” Lt. Boozer recalled. His coat was also smoking. The two men ran off the dike, slid down the dirt hill on their backsides. They saw that the pumper truck was not running, so Lt. Boozer hopped in the truck, “cranked it and turned it wide open.” Then, they jumped out of the truck and ran for the woods where everyone was running for cover. The deluge gun used to cool the kerosene tank was spraying water over the tank instead of on it. Some people from the Georgia Fire Academy were standing with others in the woods in silver crash suits, which could withstand even higher heat. Two were able to climb up to the dike and adjust the nozzle of the deluge gun so the water would cool the tank. One of the main goals at this point was keeping the kerosene tanks from igniting. Word came that the foam had arrived at the Atlanta Airport and was on its way. There were 6,500 gallons of submersible foam at a cost of $82,000. That is about $570,000 in today’s money. At this point, tanks one, two and three were burning. The tanks were made to collapse inward after they burned. Firefighter Mike Ridings made a pie cut in each drum top with a fire ax that allowed the foam eductor to send foam through the pumper, then through the manifold and into the bottom of the tank. Once they used all the foam on hand to fight the fire, a decision was made to let the fire burn out. That took about three days. Jerry Miller went to work for the DeKalb County Fire Department in 1969. He was living in Chamblee when the Doraville fire broke out. The explo-
DEKALB COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Doraville fire scene in 1972 from J. D. Boozer and DCFD houses and cars of Doral Circle. sion rattled his windows and woke him up. He reported to his station, #11 on Constitution Road, where his unit started the day by covering other DeKalb fires. That afternoon, Miller’s unit was told to report to the Triangle Refinery fire. The engine and firefighters were needed as deluge guns were starting to blow up. Dan Moore, 21 at the time, had been with the DCFD just over two years when the Triangle Refinery fire occurred. He was working at station #5 in Tucker in 1972. It was his 24-hour day off on April 6, but everyone was needed in Doraville. As Moore arrived at the oil field along with others from his station, he describes how he felt. “I was in awe seeing something like that,” he said. “You could feel the heat from 1,000 feet.” Jim Barron had only worked with the DCFD two months when the fire broke out at Triangle Refineries. He was working at station #16 at I-20 and Wesley Chapel Road and had not yet been through the training program. His unit was sent to Doraville on the
second day of the fire. When Barron arrived, he felt overwhelmed and not sure if he was ready for the task. His captain said, “If it blows up you wouldn’t know.” Miller, Barron and Moore were all assigned to operate deluge guns. They alternated between staying on a deluge gun for 20 minutes and taking breaks away from the heat. Their blood pressure was checked, salt tablets were given to prevent dehydration, and they were given a new pair of socks to replace their wet ones. Lt. Boozer remembers that the heat was so intense, firefighters wore their helmets backwards with the long flap in the front. Moore recalls sleeping on a cardboard box in the warehouse while on a break. Miller recalls laying in the hot mud of the dike while holding the deluge gun. Next to him was a firefighter from Marietta. The two became friends. When Miller returned home, carrying his uniform and equipment in his arms, covered in soot and mud, his
See FIRE, Page 17
OPINION
AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | June 2, 2022 | 17
Sometimes, you really have to wonder PAT FOX
Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com
I crossed paths with a young gentleman carrying a bag of groceries in the parking lot of a local market recently. He looked like any normal guy you’d run across anywhere, except for his T -shirt. In big letters on the front: “Trump
Won.” Now, everyone, at one time or another loves to stir the pot a bit, and maybe that’s what this guy was all about. Maybe he wore the shirt to his job to get some attention. Failing that, then maybe a stroll down the dental hygiene aisle at Kroger would draw some stares. If by chance he really was serious, then he is among an alarming multitude who subscribe to the biggest fantasy in my lifetime. For the record – and you probably already know this – there have been 62 lawsuits filed in state and federal courts contesting the 2020 presidential election. All but one has been dis-
missed, declined or ruled ridiculous. The only case that succeeded was in Pennsylvania where a judge sided with the Trump campaign’s argument that voters should not have been allowed three days after the election to provide proper identification in order to validate – or cure – their mail-in ballot. Detractors place the number of votes cured at a “few,” but it was more than that. Election officials in Montgomery County, Pa., alone estimated the number there at just under 100. Even if all those cured ballots were for Biden – and there’s no evidence they were – to argue that a corrupt curing process could have overturned Biden’s 81,600 vote margin in the state is ludicrous. The point here is that the 2020 election was not stolen. There is no fact – not anywhere – to argue the contrary. Americans can believe there is a border crisis. They can believe the government should do more to foster gas production in the United States. They can even believe that more care should be taken in addressing how elections are conducted. Those are not lies. Evidence exists to make a case for
The truth is way out there
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This illustration shows what really happens during a lunar eclipse, according to experts in the Flat Earth Society. each argument. But “Trump Won” is a lie. I feel sorry for those who believe it. Many times, I have voted for presidential candidates – Republican and Democrat – who have lost. It hurt some, but I got over it. The next day, I joined millions of others who resumed life in reality. I thought about this very thing the other night while watching the lunar eclipse from my backyard. Fascinating stuff, seeing Earth’s curved shadow creep across the silver face of the moon. It then occurred to me what sort of damage this could be doing to the Flat
Earth Society. How could they reconcile it? They would have to create an alternate reality to refute celestial evidence on display above an entire continent. Their latest theory, it turns out, is that what we saw the night of May 15 was a mysterious “shadow object” that orbits the sun, and from time to time passes between the Earth and moon. The smart play here would be for the Flat Earthers to file 62 lawsuits attesting to this so “shadow object” theory could be incorporated into the public school science curriculum. Heck, print T -shirts.
Fire: Continued from Page 16 wife didn’t recognize him standing at the door. Moore continued with the DCFD until retirement after 23 years. Barron and Miller each worked for the department for 30 years. Lt. Boozer gives credit to Chief Martin who “was chief of the department and incident commander and did an excellent job.” I asked Lt. Boozer if the Triangle Refinery fire was the worst fire he ever dealt with. He said yes. “That one was just relentless. Every way you turned, wherever you went, you couldn’t get away from the heat. Unless you experienced it, it’s hard to even realize how hot it could be.” The final report shows DeKalb Fire Department was first called to the scene at 5:41 a.m. April 6, 1972. The time they returned to their stations was at 5:54 p.m. April 9, 1972. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com. DEKALB COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
DeKalb firefighters blood pressure was checked as they rotated off the deluge guns away from the heat.
18 | June 2, 2022 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody
CLASSIFIED LINE AD RATES Call 770-442-3278 Full-time
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Dunwoody Door Lift Co. The ONLY garage door company in Dunwoody!
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* Re-Roofs, * Repairs & Painting. * * Lic/Ins. * Exc Refs. * Free Est. Tree Services * 25+ Years Experience Neil Ketner Neumann’s Landscape 770-318-7762. & Tree Service: Joe Neumann 770-452-1173 or 404-644-7179.
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Service Directory Painters
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AwArd winning LAndscApes
Quality Without Compromise
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Rot Repair Technician
Licensed
770-971-1577 Electricians
770-455-4556
Check out our new website: BelcoInc.com and follow us on:
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Budget Fabrics
Installation Maintenance Seasonal Color
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Don’t waste good paint on rotten wood. Minor repairs make a major difference!
Ogletree Enterprises
a MALTA Award Winning Firm Ken Ogletree
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New Show, Same Ride.
CADILLAC JACK MY SECOND ACT In his long-awaited return to the airwaves, Caddy partners with his new co-host – and wife! - Donna, to bring his loyal listeners everything they’ve come to expect and love from Cadillac Jack.
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