Forsyth Herald - March 10, 2022 by Appen Media Group

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Cumming moves forward on water system upgrades By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com

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The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners reversed course March 3 on an earlier decision to sell a portion of Denmark Park to pay for the purchase of Polo Fields. The county now plans to buy Polo Fields outright and keep Denmark Park intact.

Commission reverses course County to buy Polo Fields, keep Denmark Park intact By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Residents up in arms over a land swap that would have reduced the size of Denmark Park by two-thirds can breathe easy. The Forsyth County Commission reversed an earlier decision March 3, voting unanimously to keep intact the 80-acre undeveloped site for park use. Commissioners voted last month to sell about 50 acres of the parkland in or-

der to purchase the 39-acre Polo Fields about 5 miles to the northeast. Thursday’s action involved two votes. The first removed any hint of a “land swap” in the purchase of the Polo Fields property. The county will now purchase the Polo Fields property, which includes six soccer fields, outright for $7.5 million. The second vote simply rescinded the sale of any portion of Denmark Park. Last month’s vote drew ire from some residents who accused commissioners of acting in haste and secrecy to arrange the land swap. Commissioners had agreed informally in December to hold a town hall to allow residents to learn more and air their concerns about

Secretary of State visits Rotary Club

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the land swap, but the meeting never occurred. Polo Fields has proven a valuable asset for youth recreation. Close to 1,300 area youth participate in recreation programs at the Polo Fields through county affiliate organization UFA. The county leases the fields from the property owners, and UFA pays the county for their use. UFA also pays to maintain the soccer fields. In recent years, developers have made efforts to rezone Polo Fields to allow residential and commercial developments on the property. When the county

See COMMISSION, Page 5

CUMMING, Ga. — The Cumming City Council unanimously approved a multi-million-dollar plan to advance projects aimed at improving the city’s water systems. At a March 1 work session, the council voted to approve the construction of a 6 million gallon clear well at the city’s potable water production facility at an estimated cost of $18-$20 million. The project will be funded with a loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to be repaid over two decades. The clear well will serve as a storage tank for the plant’s fully treated water, increasing the city’s capacity for storing potable water. The potable water production facility is permitted to treat up to 24 million gallons of raw water from Lake Lanier daily. Cumming will receive the loan at an interest rate of just 0.13% due to its classification as a WaterFirst Community. The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority awards the distinction to local governments that it recognizes for responsible water stewardship. Absent the designation,

See CUMMING, Page 17

2 | January 20, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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Former Roswell Police Officer Daniel MacKenzie is placed in handcuffs Feb. 28 after pleading guilty to punching and tasing a handcuffed man in 2018. MacKenzie will serve 12 months in jail, followed by five years on probation.

Former Roswell police officer pleads guilty to using excessive force in 2018 incident Judge sentences MacKenzie to one year in jail, probation By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — Former Roswell Police Officer Daniel MacKenzie was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody Feb. 28 after pleading guilty to punching and tasing a handcuffed man in 2018. Under an agreement with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, MacKenzie will serve 12 months for battery and simple battery, followed by five years on probation for aggravated assault, making

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a false statement and two counts of violation of oath by a public officer. A “nolle prosequi” was filed for a single charge of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The motion acts as if the charge had never been filed and is often used in cases where the prosecutor feels there is insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction but leaves the door open to pursue the same charge again in the future. MacKenzie was initially indicted in September for allegedly committing assault when he tased and punched Mario Godoy in 2018. At the time of his arrest, Godoy was accused of attempting to break into several cars in the parking lot of a Roswell apartment complex. While MacKenzie admitted to tasing and punching Godoy in the back seat of his police vehicle, he wrote in the incident report that it was because Godoy had been violently thrashing and attempting to get into the driver’s seat. But in 2021, 11Alive reported that the Roswell Police Department had released a police report to the public that left out any mention of MacKenzie punching the handcuffed man, including six additional pages of officer narrative. Following the incident, the Roswell Police Department conducted an internal investigation and commissioned an audit of its police department by an outside agency. It also placed MacKenzie on ad-

ministrative leave without pay. All charges against Godoy were dropped after 11Alive alerted his public defender about the missing pages in the police report. A week later, MacKenzie resigned from the department. During his plea hearing on Feb. 28, MacKenzie apologized for his actions, saying that he didn’t deserve any grace for what he did. “During my detainment of Mr. Godoy, he did not receive the compassion and assistance he was entitled to,” MacKenzie said. “… If he was present today, I’d take this moment to apologize to him in person and to tell him how profoundly sorry I am.” Just days before the incident took place, MacKenzie said he had attended the funeral of former Gwinnett County Police Officer Antwan Toney, who he had helped train before he joined the Roswell Police Department in 2016. Toney was gunned down by a suspect in 2018 while in the line of duty. In addition to not being able to take time off after Toney’s death, MacKenzie said he could not sleep and felt guilty that he wasn’t able to help his friend. He added that as an already introverted, quiet, reserved person, he isolated himself even more after the funeral. MacKenzie said he was “appalled” and

See OFFICER, Page 17

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | March 10, 2022 | 3

Secretary of State talks election security

County will sponsor information sessions to recruit poll workers

By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger touted Georgia’s election security March 1 in a meeting with the North Forsyth 400 Rotary Club at the Coal Mountain Community Center. Raffensperger, who is up for reelection this year, has faced criticism from fellow Republicans since the 2020 general election saw President Joe Biden win the state, giving Democrats their first presidential win in Georgia since 1992. Some Republicans have accused Raffensperger of complicity in voter fraud, though the claims have been almost entirely debunked. Gubernatorial candidate David Perdue — who was seeking reelection to his U.S. Senate seat and lost — even called for Raffensperger to resign in the wake of the 2020 election. In his talk with the Rotary Club, Raffensperger was quick to dispel any rumors of electoral fraud among the crowd of about 25. He emphasized that the state had recounted by hand every ballot cast in the November 2020 election, and the state never found any significant variance in the numbers. He said there was a miniscule number of voter fraud cases in the state, but that every offender was facing consequences. The Secretary of State largely attributed former President Donald Trump’s loss in the state to the 28,000 voters whom he said voted in their state or local elections but did not vote for a presidential candidate. Raffensperger also touted Senate Bill 202, also known as the Election Integrity Act, the sweeping elections reform bill the state Legislature passed last year. The bill passed amid widespread criticism from Democrats, who argued the bill’s provisions would lead to voter suppression. Raffensperger said that while there was no widespread fraud, some areas did face challenges in running the election. He pointed to Fulton County, where

JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks to the North Forsyth 400 Rotary Club March 1 at the Coal Mountain Community Center. Raffensperger spoke on Georgia’s election integrity and rumors of electoral fraud during the 2020 election. thousands of voters faced hours-long lines, both during the 2020 primary and general election. Raffensperger said the law introduced measures to hold county election departments accountable for such “meltdowns.” Opponents argued that the measures constitute a state takeover of local elections. “The number one thing that voters hate, we found, is long lines,” Raffensperger said. “So they think that all voting should be like going to Chick-fil-A: keep those lines short.” Raffensperger pointed out that The Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based conservative policy think

tank, ranked Georgia as the no. 1 state for election integrity this year. In his closing remarks, Raffensperger said he wished for more honesty from political candidates who lost their elections. He noted lawsuits had been filed against the state by organizations associated with Stacey Abrams after her 2018 loss against Gov. Brian Kemp, as well as Trump’s challenges to Georgia’s elections process after the 2020 election. Raffensperger faces challenges from other Republicans in the May 24 primary election, including from U.S. Rep. Jody Hice.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Office is hosting informational sessions for those interested in serving as poll workers for the 2022 election cycle. Morning, afternoon and evening sessions will be held March 7-11 at the Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Drive in Cumming, for residents seeking more information on becoming a poll worker. Frequently asked questions, including poll worker requirements, duties, volunteer versus paid opportunities and more can be found at forsythco.com/pollworkers. “Poll workers play an essential role in enabling citizens to participate in one of our nation’s most cherished freedoms,” Voter Registrations & Elections Director Mandi Smith said. “We are truly grateful for the residents of all backgrounds and ages who serve our community as poll workers.” Meet and greet sessions will be held at: • Monday, March 7 from 5:30–7 p.m. • Tuesday and Wednesday, March 8-9 from 10–11:30 a.m. and 5:30–7 p.m. • Thursday, March 10 from 5:30–7 p.m. • Friday, March 11 from 2–3:30 p.m. To receive additional information about the meet and greet sessions or to make a reservation to attend, please email pollworker@forsythco. com or call the Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Office at 770-781-2118. Reservations are required.

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4 | March 10, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Pickleball takes center court in metro Atlanta By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Four and a-half years ago, Bob Gerndt picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time. He hasn’t put it down since. Gerndt, 76, plays five or six days a week and coordinates a roster of over 300 beginning-level pickleball players at Forsyth County’s Fowler Recreation Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pickleball — a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong — is the fastest growing sport in America, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Almost 5 million people are playing across the country, nearly double the number five years ago. Metro Atlanta is deep into the pickleball craze. More often than not, there are more players than available space at the Fowler Center courts, so there’s some decent downtime between games. “We get so many people that we all spend a lot of time sitting on the bleachers, and we get to know each other,” Gerndt said. “And pretty soon we’re going out to lunch with each other and really getting to enjoy learning about each other.” Evan Hecht, an avid player from Johns Creek picked up the sport last fall. “If you’re interested in a great exercise while having fun, pickleball is probably one of the easiest things you can do to get both,” Hecht said. The low threshold of entry is a major draw. Paddles and balls can be had for less than $100, and many local parks have them available for loan. Phenomenal growth Pickleball first made its way to the north metro area about six years ago. Forsyth County got its first pickleballcompliant courts around 2015 when it striped some courts at Fowler Park, Recreation Supervisor Zak Moore said. The sport takes up less space than a tennis or basketball court, so many areas

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Pickleball players prepare to serve in a game at Fowler Park Recreation Center March 3. The players are members of a beginners league in the fastest growing sport in America. have simply added the regulation court lines to existing courts. Gerndt’s Tuesday/Thursday pickleballers play in the basketball gyms at Fowler, with three pickleball courts occupying the same space as two basketball courts. But the group often ends up taking up both basketball gyms — a total of six pickleball courts, Gerndt said. Roswell began its dive into the sport around 2019 after converting a skate park on Grimes Bridge Road into four outdoor courts. “From there, we saw them being utilized constantly,” Athletic Supervisor Whit Carlisle said. “We would start getting more and more calls regarding pickleball and more interest from the community.”

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So, they started to expand the city’s recreation offerings. In fall 2021, Carlisle said, Roswell launched beginner lessons in pickleball, “and those filled up almost instantly, so we doubled the amount of offerings very quickly based on the demand, and those filled up almost immediately too.” In the winter, Roswell launched a competitive pickleball league which Carlisle said has also been a great success. He said the city plans to add additional pickleball courts by lining tennis courts at its Lake Charles facility and tennis courts at Grimes Bridge, adjacent to the existing four courts. Carlisle also said the upcoming master plan is “definitely going to include another facility with pickleballspecific courts.” In 2019, the same year as Roswell, Johns Creek re-painted two of its six tennis courts at Newtown Park and replaced them with four pickleball courts. Plans for Cauley Creek Park, which is still mainly undeveloped, include an additional five pickleball courts, Public Works Director Chris Haggard said. Hecht, a millennial, plays with his friends at the Newtown Park courts and occasionally treks to Alpharetta’s courts at Webb Bridge after work and on weekends, “whenever the weather is nice,” he said. The competition and the social component are part of what keeps him coming back, he said. “There’s really not a reason to not take

a chance on it,” Hecht said. A generational draw Most pickleball players in metro Atlanta are baby boomers. In Roswell, most are 50 years and up, Carlisle said. Gerndt’s players in Forsyth County are mostly in their 50s to 70s, and about half are former tennis players. Coming from the same generation, Gerndt said a lot of his players carry the same first name. On his 302-person roster, there are nine Bills, seven Bobs and six Dianes. In a mass email to the players last October, Gerndt explained the Diane situation and attached a photo of the ladies as a visual aid. “We have five ‘Diane’ gals playing in our group who attend so often we are having to call them out as, Diane 1, or Diane 2, etcetera,” he wrote. “No problem, but there has been some competition for who gets top honors. For now, pending future challenges, they are from left to right Dianne 1 (Hart), Diane 2 (Fotner), Dianne 3 (Gagnon), and Diane 4 (Marlin).” The players have their names written on blue tape on their paddles, which are used to help build the constantly shifting four-player teams that take to the courts. Gerndt makes an effort to learn about all of his players. He said one started call-

See PICKLEBALL, Page 5

Commission: Continued from Page 1 agreed to the land swap, residents feared those planned developments would move to Denmark Park. One opponent of the swap was Kay Veal, who had sold the county much of the land Denmark Park sits on. She said her late husband had loved the property and had turned down offers of $10 million because he didn’t want houses built on his land. Veal said her husband wanted it to be a park. Last month’s meeting saw neighbor pitted against neighbor, with 19 residents speaking to the commission on the issue. About half urged the county to purchase Polo Fields and sell part of Denmark Park. The others were passionately against. County Commissioner Todd Levent, whose district encompasses both properties, had justified the sale of the parkland, arguing it would be years before the county had the funds to develop soccer fields and other amenities at Denmark Park. The Polo Fields has fields in place, he said. Commissioners indicated at the February meeting that the county simply didn’t have the money to purchase Polo Fields without selling

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | March 10, 2022 | 5

part of Denmark Park. County Manager Kevin Tanner said Thursday the county has the funding to purchase Polo Fields outright thanks to “extremely strong” sales tax collections and conservative spending over the past few years. He said the purchase won’t put any other county projects at risk of delay unless the county faces a major economic downturn. Levent said the county had considered purchasing Polo Fields about six years ago, but the owners wanted more than $12 million at the time. He was pleased the county was able to purchase the fields now for about $5 million less, despite property values in the county skyrocketing in the interceding years. Some residents who had advocated keeping Denmark intact last month returned to the podium Thursday to thank the commission for rescinding the sale. Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills said she was happy that Denmark Park would be saved. “It really resonated with me when the Denmark people kept standing up and talking about the need for a park there,” Jones Mills said. “When all was said and done, we were still going to need a park there. We were going to wind up having to go back and buy that park, probably at double what we had paid for it.”

Continued from Page 4 ing him “the pickleball pastor,” because he knows each of his “flock” and checks up on them. Because his roster is so large, his emails always include a request that any players no longer interested in participating should let him know. “And I get back about 10 emails say-

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The Fowler Park Recreation Center in Forsyth County is home to a dedicated group of pickleball athletes. Bob Gerndt’s Tuesday/Thursday league is made up of 302 beginner-level pickleball players from the Forsyth County area.

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ing, ‘Bob, as soon as I get my shoulder surgery,’ or ‘when my left knee starts working,’ and ‘when my mother gets better,’” Gerndt chuckled. “They have all kinds of reasons, but they plan to come back. They miss their pickleball, and it’s nice to have somebody I think that cares about them and we as a group, when somebody gets sick, we care about them.” For more information on how to get involved with pickleball near you, visit the Forsyth County, Roswell or Johns Creek websites.

It’s like their home away from home, it’s like a family. WILLIE CHANDLER, owner of Gilly’s

6 | Forsyth Herald | March 10, 2022

Gilly’s in Dunwoody makes the cut for ‘Bar Rescue’ By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Local watering hole and Dunwoody staple since 1977, Gilly’s The Spot will be featured on an upcoming episode of the show “Bar Rescue” on Paramount Network. Gilly’s, located on Dunwoody Park, is best known for its wings and welcoming atmosphere. After securing a spot on “Bar Rescue,” the local favorite got a face lift. “Bar Rescue” features host Jon Taffer who visits bars across the country looking for a makeover. He brings with him contractors and mixologists to renovate and revitalize the businesses. Gilly’s owner Willie Chandler said he had been trying to get on the show for five years when he finally got the call. The bar had landed an interview with producers of the show years prior, Chandler said, but there wasn’t enough drama to earn them a space on the reality show. When the producers gave Chandler a second chance, he was ready. “So, the second time they came, we had a meeting and just made up a whole bunch of stuff,” Chandler said laughing. The crew at Gilly’s is like a family, he said, so any in-fighting or drama on the show was just for the cameras. It worked, and preparation for the show began. Chandler said producers asked for his input on what he would like to see changed in the bar ahead of the renovations, but the ultimate decisions were made by host Jon Taffer. Some relics remain During the 36-hour renovation from

PHOTOS BY SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA

Gilly’s owner Willie Chandler makes a drink Feb. 17. The bar underwent renovations in December and will be featured on the show “Bar Rescue” in March. Dec. 8-10, contractors from the show brought in new furniture, put up wallpaper and light fixtures, wood paneling and a rock backsplash for the bar. They also moved the bar televisions and installed new signage. But the renovations couldn’t cover up Gilly’s colorful history. The Wollen Hole – a fist hole in a wall made during the Falcons’ 2017 Super Bowl loss – remains intact, although it’s now surrounded in plaid. Taffer opted to change the name of the bar to “The Stadium Club” because

he said the rounded front of the building looked like a stadium, Chandler said, but it’s one change that’s not sticking around. “I’m not getting rid of [45] years of history just because the building is curved, so we are going to go back to Gilly’s,” Chandler said. Taffer also left Gilly’s with a new drink menu, including a signature cocktail named for Chandler called the Willie Wild Bloody Mary. The drink uses a new Gilly’s special bloody mary mix and comes with a slider on top. Members of the “Bar Rescue” crew

arrived in Dunwoody Dec. 4, Chandler said. They did some preliminary interviews that weekend before the show really began. “That Monday it was on. Jon Taffer came in yelling, kicking, screaming cursing,” Chandler said. Taffer had two days in the bar talking to the Gilly’s crew before barring staff and starting the renovations, Chandler said. “They kicked us out of here 9:00 Wednesday night and we re-opened

See GILLY’S, Page 8

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8 | March 10, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Georgia Milestones on deck for students Georgia revives exams that direct placement By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmedia.com ATLANTA, Ga.— High stakes testing returns to the classroom this spring after two years of COVID-19 disruption meant few penalties for low performance and participation. That won’t be the case this year. “[Georgia] Milestones tests will proceed and they will count,” said Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones during the February meeting of the Fulton County Board of Education. The federally-mandated Georgia Milestones assessments were waived in spring 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, assessments returned, but testing was optional and scores could only help – not hurt – a student’s final grade. This year, the Georgia Department of Education is again requesting some flex-

ibility from the U.S. Department of Education for the Milestones assessments. A spokeswoman for the GDOE said the state was allowed to cancel Georgia Milestones in 2020 and make significant adjustments in 2021. This year federal authorities are tightening the reins. “However, they are allowing states to submit [adjustments to their plans] for 2022, to account for data limitations resulting from the pandemic,” said Meghan Frick, communications director for the GDOE. The requests for flexibility focus on letter grades for districts and schools, attendance requirements, school “climate” ratings, financial reports and other segments disproportionally impacted by the pandemic. The 2022 Milestones results will essentially create new baselines for scores moving forward. “It’s important for us as these scores come in, because we can’t compare them

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Gilly’s: Continued from Page 6 about 7:00 on Friday,” Chandler said. “It’s crazy and it’s real how fast they are.” Overall, Chandler said he’s happy with the renovations, but it got him thinking more about the future of Gilly’s. He’s already drawing up plans for his next big update. Gilly’s is a labor of love. After Chandler moved to the Dunwoody area, his first night in town he was looking for a place to play poker and found Gilly’s. He became a regular. Serious soul-searching When his mother passed away suddenly, Chandler went to Gilly’s and sat at the bar. It was out of character for Chandler, who typically sat in the back. Then owner Jim Gilmore struck up a conversation, sharing that his wife had died earlier the same week. “And I said, man, we got to get busy living, I gotta start doing things that I want to do,” Chandler said. “And he said, ‘Man what I need to do is sell the bar.’ And that’s how it happened.” Chandler said that if his mom hadn’t passed away, he would never have sat at the bar and had that conversation with Jim that changed his life. The rest was history. When he took over the bar about a year later, he inherited the regular customers who came with it. “They have a routine and Gilly’s is part of that routine,” Chandler said. “It’s like their home away from home, it’s like a family.” Mike Sheffield has been going to Gilly’s for more than 20 years. “It’s a total cliché, but it’s just a local, friendly bar,” Sheffield said. “You walk in, and pretty much everybody knows you and they remember what you

drink.” For Sheffield that’s a Bud Light. He’s a fan of their burgers too. “It’s a fun place to just sit around and chat with the locals, watch sporting events,” Sheffield said. Now in his 50s, Sheffield has been a member of the community about the same amount of time as the bar itself. He graduated from Chamblee High School and still supports their football team to this day. When Chandler took over the bar six and a-half years ago, he made sure to support the Chamblee Bulldogs and the Dunwoody High School Wildcats, Sheffield said. “Willie is such a supporter of the area,” Sheffield said. “He just tries to stay active in the community and has done a really good job since he’s taken over Gilly’s.” Chandler said the Gilly’s episode of “Bar Rescue” is set to premiere on March 20, and the bar will be hosting a watch party to celebrate. CDAR Member SWIFT Code: GMCBUS3A

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Nutrition and a healthy future Brought to you by - Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs Many of us are thoughtfully planning for our future, but one item that is often overlooked is the importance of nutrition. March is National Nutrition Month, and the issues facing an older loved one are often more complex and may even mask a case of malnutrition. Here are a few facts and tips to help insure a healthy future. As we age, weight gain or loss can be a problem. Our metabolism burns fewer calories after age 40, and if there is a loss of strength or mobility that leads to less activity it can lead to a rising trend of obesity. Just as concerning are the issues that can lead to weight loss. A decreased sense of smell or taste, difficulty chewing or swallowing, loss of appetite, medication side effects and chronic health problems can lead to accelerated weight loss. It’s important to watch for unintended weight loss. If an older loved one has a weight loss of 5% or more, consult your doctor to make sure there isn’t a health problem. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and osteoporosis are all chronic health problems that need prompt attention. You can take steps to make changes that can help match changes in taste, energy, hydration and changing caloric needs. Oversalting is a typical reaction to taste changes. Recognizing salty and bitter tastes is often increasingly difficult. Because sweet tastes are typically retained the longest, reaching for high calorie desserts may go overboard. Rather

than adding salt, look to season food with spices and olive oil. For sweet cravings, look to natural fruits or cook with sweet peppers. Focus on leafy green vegetables, whole grains, high fiber foods and low-fat milk products. With diminished appetites, don’t overwhelm with large meals. Serve smaller, more frequent meals and snacks. Make meals colorful and appealing and include portions from every food group. Mealtime can also be more enjoyable if you increase social opportunities with friends. The importance of proper hydration is critical, and with aging we are less aware of thirst. Try for smaller amounts of fluid throughout the day to reach 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. Consult your health provider or dietician for any special instructions and ask if a liquid nutrition supplement is a good idea. At Home Helpers, we understand the importance of keeping your older loved one safe and well nourished. A carefully matched, heart centered caregiver provides the security of a trained professional who can assist with food preparation, make sure connections with family members are maintained and allow your older loved one to thrive. A Home Helpers caregiver has the skills to 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. We’re here to help - from eight hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 and livein care. For a free consultation contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs today at (770) 681- 0323.

10 | March 10, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

HCTZ and Skin Cancer -- How Much Risk is a “Small” Risk? Brought to you by - Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Recently, several articles were published demonstrating an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma) and use of blood pressure medicine hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Armed with this data, the FDA has changed the labeling on HCTZ to reflect this increased risk. What is interesting, however, is the way the fda.gov website characterizes this risk. The FDA’s website states, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved changes to the hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) drug label to inform health care professionals and patients about a small increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer.” …… Small? Judge the data for yourself: Taking HCTZ was overall associated with nearly double the ratio of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The odds ratio was 1.9 meaning someone taking HCTZ is 1.9 times as likely to develop SCC as someone not taking this medicine. But some people take HCTZ for longer periods than others, and the odds ratio of 1.9 was for patients who had taken the medicine for less than four and half years. Often, once people are put on blood pressure medication, they remain on it for life. When factoring this, the risk of the usage of HCTZ becomes, in this physician’s opinion, much more than “small”. Studies report: • A cumulative HCTZ dose of 50,000 mg or greater (about 6 years’ use) was associated a risk of SCC that is four times as high. (Odds ratio 4.0) • A cumulative HCTZ dose of 200,000 mg or greater (about 20 years’ use) was associated with a risk of SCC that is is 7.7 times as high (odds ratio 7.7). Much of this data comes out of Denmark. So what does that mean for the average Georgia resident? It is reasonable to assume that a person of Northern European descent living in a sunny southern latitude like Georgia or Florida could be at even higher risk than what was reported above. When judging whether risk is “small,” we must consider the baseline risk. According to skincancer.org, about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70 with nearly all cases developing in non-Hispanic whites. Individuals in that demographic therefore have a high baseline risk. In addition, the most recent data suggests that more people

might now be dying each year from SCC than melanoma. We usually think about melanoma as more dangerous, and, on a case by case basis, melanomas are more dangerous than squamous cell carcinomas, but melanoma is rare and SCC is common, so the total number of SCC deaths is reaching or exceeding melanoma deaths. Exact numbers are not available because SCC is not a reportable disease, but approximately 15,000 people die of SCC each year in the United States. Underlying risk factors can lead to even greater mortality. Patients who have received an organ transplant are approximately one hundred times (100x) more likely to develop skin cancer than the general population. By comparison, tanning bed use has been associated with an increased risk of SCC of 90% (odds ratio 1.9). Thus, with respect to squamous cell carcinoma, HCTZ use has roughly the same risk as tanning bed use! As of 2019, HCTZ was one of the top 20 most commonly prescribed medications in the United States with more than 38 million prescriptions per year. We don’t often think about oral medications as increasing our skin cancer risk. But this is true for HCTZ. Every medication has risks and benefits. It is important to consider pros and cons before starting a new medication. When a medication is discovered to have previously unknown risks, companies and agencies, including the FDA, should be careful not to minimize risks that might be significant. Instead, risks of SCC need to be weighed against the risks of hypertension, and consideration should be given to questions such as: Is there an alternative blood pressure medication with a better side-effect profile? and Is this patient at high-risk for skin cancer? What do you think? Is an odds ratio ranging from 1.9x to 7.7x or higher a “small” risk? If you or a loved one has a skin cancer or a skin care need, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C are delighted to help you achieve your skin health goals. Dr. Taylor graduated from Harvard in three years, is board certified in dermatology, board certified in micrographic dermatologic surgery (Mohs surgery), fellowshiptrained in Mohs surgery and venous medicine and certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Kathryn Filipek has greater than 15 years of dermatology experience with expertise in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Health and Wellness: Brought to you by - Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC It was 2013 when I was in an emergency room with my grandfather (Papa). The triage nurse asked me about his medications and his medical history and I was stuck. I knew he had broken his back twice but I had no idea what his current medications were. I really wanted to avoid going over to his house because he had two very aggressive miniature French poodles. I had and went over to his home avoiding the ankle-biters to take photos of his medications and vitamins. Thankfully, I lived within driving distance of the hospital he was in. Some emergency contacts live far away. They can’t run over to your home and take pictures of your medication bottles or figure out what medications and what vitamins you take. It’s important to make sure that your emergency contacts have the ability to access that information. There are two ways to do that: Make a list and send it

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With warmer weather right around the corner, most of us will start becoming active again. Whether it is playing tennis, a home renovation project, or just getting out of the house, this is the time of year shoulder injuries are prevalent.

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14 | March 10, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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SOLUTION, Page 16

Come Meet the Author “Cumberland Island: Strong Women, Wild Horses” Author Lecture and Q&A Thursday March 31st at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall Meet author Charlespage Seabrook and learn the colorful history Solution on next of one of Georgia’s natural treasures. Free and open to the public.

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16 | March 10, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Milton’s beloved horse statue stands anew By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Crews were hard at work March 3 reinstalling Milton’s beloved horse statue back to its rightful spot in downtown Crabapple. The custom, bronzed horse statue was erected in July 2020 after the community raised more than $11,000 for the Milton Arts Council to fund the project. But less than a year later, it was found toppled and broken with several of its legs snapped. To this day, no suspects have been charged in the incident. In addition to serving as one of the city’s few pieces of public art, the horse statue has become a symbol of Milton’s rich equestrian heritage. Milton Arts Council President Bill Purdie said while the damage to the statue was tragic, he is happy it is back on display, where it will continue to stand as a memorial for Milton arborist Mark Law. The longtime former city employee died in 2019 after a battle with cancer. “The statue concept was conceived by Milton’s late City Arborist Mark Law,” Purdie said. “Mark was a valuable asset to our city, and this statue stands as a lasting memorial to him and his love for Milton … We hope to be able to fund, through donations and grants, other arts

the Milton Arts Council only paid $960.61 for the return shipping. Now restored to its former glory, the statue again stands tall at the Mayfield Road, Heritage Walk, Charlotte Drive roundabout across from the Milton Library. Communications Director Greg Botelho said the only noticeable difference is that it’s been shifted ever so slightly so no driver gets an initial view of the statue’s rear end. The city also plans to install lighting around the roundabout to shine a light on the horse and any potential vandals. Workers who bolted the horse statue back into place renamed it “Second Chance.”

CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA

Crews reinstall Milton’s custom, bronzed horse statue honoring former Milton arborist Mark Law at the roundabout across from the Milton Library March 3. Laws died in 2019 after a battle with cancer. projects like this for our city.” Neither the city nor the manufacturer knew if the statue could be repaired when

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the incident first occurred, but its creator, Icon Poly, of Nebraska, eventually agreed to fix the statue at no charge. Purdie said

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | March 10, 2022 | 17

Students: Continued from Page 8

Georgia Milestones tested subjects Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG)

English/Language Arts (ELA) Grades 3-8

End of Course (EOC)

American Literature & Composition

[over previous years],” Jones said. “They don’t compare to 2018…and they certainly don’t compare to last year.” Beginning in April, Milestones assessments will be given to all students in grades three through eight (End of Grade tests), and to students taking certain high school subjects (End of Course tests). Testing will continue into May. The scores will be used for promotion and retention decisions in elementary and middle school, and count as 20 percent of the final grade in tested high school subjects. Jones is most concerned with hitting the 95 percent participation rate this year – a requirement waived last year. If the level is not met, schools will be penalized in their overall achievement score. Unlike past state testing, parents cannot opt out of Milestones assessments. Last year, not one Fulton County schools came close to meeting 95 percent participation. The participation rate ranged from 5 percent to 61 percent of students testing. “If we don’t get the participation rate, and we don’t get students trying their best, then we’re not going to have accurate data to make to inform our decisions,” Jones explained.

While the results of Milestones assessments provide student data, the scores are also used to create the “report card” of the school and the overall district, known as the CCRPI (college and career ready performance index). This information is valuable to parents looking to enroll in the Fulton County School System, or to compare their school to other schools. School board member Gail Dean (Sandy Springs) said it is important for teachers and administrators to understand the impact of the scores, and to encourage participation. “A lot rests on these scores,” Dean said. “Especially when we look at where somebody wants to live and what school district they want to move into.” And as Fulton County Schools is

Cumming:

Officer:

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the city would have to pay an interest rate of 1.13%. The city also quickly approved around $485,000 to replace water probes, control meters and other equipment at the city’s advanced water reclamation facility and replace a control panel at the Sawnee Creek pump station. The City Council also voted unanimously to declare March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness of the disease and encourage citizens to get screened.

“disgusted” by his actions when he saw the bodycam footage of the 2018 incident with Godoy. “I hope law enforcement can recover from another black eye that I placed on this profession,” MacKenzie said. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kelly Ellerbe said she appreciated the former police officer’s acknowledgment for what he referred to as appalling, disgusting behavior and actions. “Those are strong words,” Ellerbe said. “I heard your acknowledgment of

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Grades 3-8

Grades 5 & 8*

Grade 8

*Physical Science Biology

US History

Algebra 1 / Coordinate Algebra

focused mitigating the impact of the pandemic that spans three school years, assessments are key. “It’s really important to understand where our students are at the end of this year, so that we can plan for their learning and recovery from learning disruption,” Jones said About Georgia Milestones In 2001, the federal No Child Left Behind Act mandated annual testing of public school students. School districts were responsible for ensuring all students performed at acceptable levels. Penalties were issued to districts that failed to show improvement. In 2015, No Child Left Behind was replaced by the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA). The new law removed federal violating your oath of office and for your hopes that this will provide additional invocation to even your children of the importance of taking responsibility and building character. Once you’re in this situation, I think you did the best you can do. … It was very tough to see Mr. Godoy go through what he went through.” Ellerbe ruled that MacKenzie cannot reapply for any post-certified law enforcement position after he completes his sentence. She also approved his request to seal records pertaining to his case but refused to specify whether he will serve his sentence in the county jail or elsewhere. She said that decision is in the hands of the Department of Corrections.

penalties and pushed more decisionmaking to the states on strategies to raise achievement levels. ESSA requires all states to have, at minimum, an annual assessment to measure student achievement in math, English/language arts and science. In Georgia, students are given Milestone End of Grade (EOG) tests in grades three through eight, and End of Course tests for specific high school courses. Students are also tested in social studies (EOG) and U.S. history (EOC). EOG tests in middle school subjects are used for student promotion and retention. EOC tests in high school courses count as the final exam in tested subjects and count for 20 percent of the student’s final grade.

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Robert Murray, 73, of Milton, passed away February 27, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Sharon Soafer, 86, of Roswell, passed away February 26, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Victoria Famakinwa, of Alpharetta, passed away February 22, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

John Rosser, 88, of Roswell, passed away February 25, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Andy Standridge, 85, of Roswell, passed away March 1, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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SELL IT, FIND IT, BUY IT IN

Work from Home for Appen Newspapers of Alpharetta

Full-time

Moving Sale. Furniture, home goods, sporting equipment, Xbox and computer games, dvd's and more. Too much to list! 8am to 2pm Saturday 3/12/22. 1060 Fieldstone Trail Milton 30004

If you are looking for something you can do at home to earn money - on your schedule - we need help bagging newspapers. The requirements of the work is as follows: Once a week, come to our office in Alpharetta and pick up bundles of our newspapers. Take the newspapers home and bag them individually. When you are finished, bring the bagged papers back to our office. We provide the bags, the newspapers, pay for your gas to come pick up the papers and return them, and pay you on a per paper bagged rate. You work on your own schedule within the several day window we give you to do the work. The work equates to roughly $12 per hour but varies according to how fast you bag. The work is performed on an independent contractor basis. Call our office at 770442-3278 to request an application..

OUR CLASSIFIEDS

Garage Sale

PLACE YOUR AD HERE

770.442.3278

March 12 & 13, 8am to 5pm 755 Nettlebrook Ln

Director of Open Arms Special Needs Ministry Alpharetta Presbyterian Church has an opportunity for a compassionate and energetic individual who enjoys working with special needs children, youth, and adults to direct our Open Arms ministry. Responsibilities • Lead the Promise Class (where our special needs community congregates) during Sunday morning services in worship through music, Bible lessons, crafts, and other activities. • Supervise, work with, and coordinate volunteers and staff. • Direct quarterly respite events at the church. • Work alongside the Open Arms committee and Associate Pastor to identify opportunities to sustain and grow this ministry. Hours vary but average six per week, with 3–4 hours every Sunday morning. Compensation is up to $18/hour plus 3 Sundays (weeks) of paid vacation per year. Requirements • Annual Background Check and Child Safety Training • Current American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) CPR training/certification for infants, children, and adults (or complete within 3 months of hire) • Proof of vaccination against COVID-19, since you will be working with a vulnerable population. • Degree in Special Education and experience managing staff preferred. • Age 21 years or older. Interested? Send us a letter telling us why, along with your resume: jobs@alpharettapres.com To learn more about Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, please visit us in person or at https://alpharettapres.com/.

Newspaper Delivery Routes Open We have several delivery routes open in the Alpharetta-Roswell / North Fulton area. The work is once a week and requires the following: Reliable transportation, very clean driving record (we do a record check), and professional work ethic. We prefer the ideal person to have experience delivering newspapers but that is not an absolute requirement. The delivery route is to every home in the subdivision - and is NOT subscriber based. The route can be done on your schedule - within our specific 2-3 day window - depending on which paper you deliver. We pay for all your gas, provide bags, and pay you as an independent contractor on a per home delivered basis. Call our office at 770-442-3278 to request an application. The typical route pays approximately $140 plus gas per week and takes about 4-5 hours to deliver.

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | March 10, 2022 | 19

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Health & Fitness Dental insurance Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info

Health & Fitness

SERVICE DIRECTORY

kit! 1-888-623-3036 w w w. d e n t a l 5 0 p l u s . com/58 #6258 Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587 VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00. 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-4455928 Hablamos Español

Overnight Camps Georgia Camp Woodmont on Lookout Mtn in NW GA is a traditional, overnight camp for boys & girls ages 6–14. Just 2 hours from Atlanta, Camp Woodmont features horseback riding, high-ropes, climbing, sports, dance, crafts, canoeing, archery & more! Founded in 1981, Camp Woodmont is the perfect place to build lifelong friendships and everlasting memories. Our deepseeded traditions, close family atmosphere and caring counselors make campers feel secure, welcome & reassured! Counselors are collegeage and live in the cabins with the campers. Our camp program is very well-suited to firsttime campers. Come tour the camp at our Open House May 15, 2022 from 2-5 pm. 423472-6070 or go to www. campwoodmont.com

Miscellaneous

Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator

Flooring

Tree Services

PHILLIPS FLOORING Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes. Re-grouting is also available. Call 678-8871868 for free estimate.

COMPLETE TREE SERVICES

Gutters AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Repaired and Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 770-934-2766

Home Improvement Phillips Home I m p r o v e m e n t We offer drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Basements finished, kitchen and bath rehabs. All types flooring. Also total home rehab for those who have a rental house or one to sell. Call 678-8871868 for a free estimate

Junk Removal Call Junk Express For professional full service junk removal. Licensed/insured. Same day service available. Ask about our specials. 7 7 0 - 8 2 4 - 1 0 0 0

$20 OFF Mobile Companion Offer code: CARE20

CALL NOW 1-855-521-5138

FREE

7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!

Limited Time Offer – Call for Details

Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval.

*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

YELLOW RIBBON TREE EXPERTS

24 hour emergency service. Licensed, insured. Workers Comp, insurance claims. 25+ years experience. Family business. Free estimates. We Love Challenges!

From Atlanta to Athens, Landscaping Concepts & Retaining Walls Inc. Paverstone Patio & Driveway. Bobcat work. 678-508-5990. www. landscape concepts1ga.com

Pinestraw PINESTRAW, mulch delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612.

Haulers

ROOF LEAKING? Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Quote: 770-284-3123. Christian Brothers Roofing

Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc. Many local references-

Call Ralph Rucker

678-898-7237 Landscape

Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts, 770-512-8733. www.yellowribbontree.com

Full Service LANDSCAPING Company

Concrete/Asphalt

Retaining walls (brick or wood), grading, sod, tree services, hauling, topsoil & more.

Ralph Rucker

Retaining Walls Brick or Wood

Contact Ralph Rucker. Many local references. Honest, punctual, professional and reasonable prices!

678-898-7237

Landscape

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!

866-643-0438

Appen-Rated 98 Text or Call us for a FREE quote appointment. Tree removal, Pruning, Stump grinding, Free mulch, Fully insured, Emergency 24/7770-4508188

Roofing

Driveway $250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs. A+ BBB rating. FREE ESTIMATE. Call Rachael at 678-250-4546 to schedule a FREE Estimate. 30 years of experience. ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. Please note we do have a minimum charge on accepted jobs of $5,000.

678-898-7237 Addiction Recovery

ADDICTION RECOVERY CONFIDENTIAL

It’s Time! warrioraddictionrecovery.com

678-310-8960 Is Your Company Hiring?

Submit your opening at appenmedia.com/hire

20 | March 10, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

St. Paddy’s Celebration March 17 - 20 @ Vickery Village Location St. Patrick’s Day Beer Specials, Food Specials & Irish Whiskey Specials

Rick Tanner’s Food Specials | March 16 - 20 Authentic Irish Meals, Lunch & Dinner Menu Available March 12-13, 19-20 | Traditional Irish Brunch Saturday & Sunday 9am-1pm Live Music 3/17 6-9pm Chris Channon 3/18 7-10pm Crooked Wits 3/19 7-10pm Jive Revival

Save the date! Join us April 23rd at our Halcyon location for our Spring Beer Fest! @CherryStreetBrewing / @CherryStreetVickery 5810 Bond Street Cumming, GA (770) 205-5512

Forsyth Herald - March 10, 2022

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Secretary of State visits Rotary Club uPAGE