Forsyth Herald — May 6, 2021 by Appen Media Group

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Denmark sweeps Duluth

County begins updating mobile home protocols

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PHOTOS BY JOE PARKER/HERALD

Teddy Davenport waits greet Sammy Leis (5) following his home run in Game 1 of Denmark’s first-round playoff series against Duluth April 29. Sophomore pitcher Francesco Capocci, left, threw a 5-inning perfect game in the first game, while Leis drove in six runs to lead the Danes to a 10-0 win. Denmark, the Region 6-7A champs, trailed in Game 2 but took the lead for good in the fifth inning with a home run from Brody Wheeler in the Danes’ 7-4 win. Denmark will host North Gwinnett in the second round of the postseason this week.

Local schools named among best in U.S.

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New campus extends charity’s outreach

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2 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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Deputies make arrest in storage unit burglary FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies arrested a man they say is tied to a break-in at a storage facility earlier this year. Dylan Solomon Beaumont, 27, of Ellenwood, was arrested in Paulding County on a Forsyth County warrant April 10. Local deputies picked him up from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center two days later and transferred him to the Forsyth County jail. He faces a charge of second-degree burglary, stemming from an incident that was initially reported Jan. 11. Employees of a storage facility reported finding Beaumont

PUBLIC SAFETY in a storage unit used by a Polk County plumbing company. Beaumont claimed he was looking for his cell phone. But when the employees escorted him to his car, they spotted a bag in his trunk filled with copper fittings, deputies said. The employee took the bag and other workers identified Beaumont as part of the cleaning crew contracted to work at the storage facility. He remained held with no bond.

Man charged in incident involving sexual battery

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A man accused of touching a female co-worker was arrested April 15 along Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Juan Martin Luna, 56, turned himself in to deputies at the Forsyth County jail and was charged with sexual battery. According to deputies, the charge stems from an incident that was reported in February. Luna was released from jail on $5,520 bond.

Sheriff discloses murder-for-hire scheme hatched at county jail By MATT BRUCE news@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Five people have been arrested after Forsyth County sheriff’s deputies foiled an alleged murderfor-hire plot orchestrated by an inmate at the county jail, according to Sheriff Ron Freeman. “We believe our victim was hours, if not days, from an attempt on his life,” Freeman said at an April 27 press conference. Kwame Abayomi, 31, of Douglasville, has remained in jail the past two years awaiting trial on charges tied to stealing a motorcycle during a Craigslist heist. Freeman said the Douglasville man masterminded a “hit” on the victim in the armed robbery for which he was arrested in early 2019. Three other suspects, including one of Abayomi’s cellmates in the Forsyth

County jail, helped him contract a hitman who agreed to kill the intended target, the sheriff said. “They were going to take the life of a man, who was already a victim in an armed robbery case, for $6,000 to keep him from testifying,” Freeman said. “In three decades of doing this, this is the first time that I have seen this many individuals conspire to commit the murder of the victim of a crime. It’s not a case to take lightly. Make no bones about it, they’re not very good at their craft or what they were trying to do. But this is a serious case.” Abayomi’s criminal case had been stalled in the courts for the past year due to COVID restrictions. But investigators say he began hatching his plan after courts recently re-opened for jury trials.

See SCHEME Page 16

DRUGS & DUIS arrests Devin Christian Black, 33, of Rockton Wood Way SW, Atlanta, was arrested April 12 on Peachtree Parkway for possession or purchase of controlled substance, failure to maintain insurance and vehicle defective or no headlights. Jenny Marie Webb, 45, of Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, was arrested April 12 on Peachtree Parkway for possession or purchase of controlled substance and giving false name, address, or birthdate to law enforcement. Katherine Marie Shewbart, 60, of Longwood Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested April 12 on Sewells Farm Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane. Reagan Talley Rowland, 41, of Beacons Place, Alpharetta, was arrested April 12 on Bardfield Court for DUI and driving while license suspended or revoked. Joshua Curran Jeffords, 38, of Wynfield Drive, Cumming, was arrested April 13 on Atlanta Highway for DUI, laying drag and speeding. Kenneth Brandon Wilbanks, 30, of Shady Grove Road, Cumming, was arrested April 14 on Drew Drive for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug related objects and failure to maintain lane. Diego De Saraiva, 38, of Mundy Court, Cumming, was arrested April 14 on Veterans Memorial Boulevard for possession of hydrocodone. Sean Patrick Collins, 40, Chastain Drive NE, Atlanta, was arrested April 14 on Ga. 400 for DUI, failure to maintain lane and possession of open alcohol container by driver. See Arrests, Page 5

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NEWS

County considers reframing ‘lot of record’ designation By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com

FH MANUFACTURE HOME

The Forsyth County Planning Commission voted April 27 to recommend updated regulations for manufactured or mobile homes in the county that are built outside of mobile home park zones. Commission members removed one proposal that would require the homes be constructed on at least 2 acres.

County planners shelve zoning proposal they say could hurt low-income families By JOE PARKER joe@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Planning Commission voted April 27 to nix proposed regulations they say would limit lower income families from the calling the county home. The issue stemmed from proposed changes to the county’s regulations governing manufactured or mobile homes. County officials said the changes were initially spurred by cases in which developers have tried to create de-facto mobile home parks outside of areas zoned for the structures. While planning officials agreed with many elements of the changes — mostly related to aesthetics — they balked at a proposed minimum lot size requirement of 2 acres for a manufactured home built outside of districts the county has zoned for mobile homes. Proponents of the 2-acre requirement say it would move Forsyth County closer to reflecting standards of neighboring counties. But some commissioners said Forsyth County’s steep land costs could price out many families if the lot size minimums were raised from 1 to 2 acres. Taylor Jackson, vice president of Dahlonega-based Bob’s Family Housing, said Forsyth County “probably” has the highest cost per acre of all areas in which it does business throughout

North Georgia. Jackson said his firm provides “the American dream of home ownership” at a lower price point through manufactured homes, and that doubling the lot size requirement would greatly hinder people from achieving that goal in Forsyth County. He said many banks will not issue loans for manufactured homes, and those that do will still not finance if the land and property improvement costs match or exceed the price of the home itself — on average about $70,000 to $80,000. Planning Commissioner Nedal Shawkat said doubling the lot size minimum would put “an enormous cost burden” on lower-income families. “We’re looking at record land prices and record building costs,” Shawkat said. “It’s still not appropriate if those things were at a lower cost, but it’s particularly bad timing to put that cost on folks.” With the cost burden in mind, commissioners agreed to keep the minimum lot size at 1 acre in residential zones outside of mobile home parks. Mobile home parks allow up to eight homes on a single acre. Commissioner Jessica Thorsen said a developer subdividing an 8-acre tract for eight manufactured homes would present a far different appearance than a standard mobile home park.

“One acre is a lot of property, that’s bigger than the tract I own,” she said. The minimum size for manufactured homes was also discussed. County planning staff proposed a minimum heated floor space of 900-square feet, but the Planning Commission voted instead to align minimum floor space requirements with those outlined in each zoning district. For agricultural properties, the minimum size of a manufactured home would be 700-square feet. “We’re talking about an affordable product here for people who maybe don’t have a choice,” Shawkat said. “So, I think it’s wrong to push on folks what size home they need.” Jackson, with Bob’s Family Homes, said a large portion of the homes his company sells are between 600 to 800 square feet. Planning commissioners voted in favor of other proposals — requiring skirting around homes and that exterior wall finishes be “comparable in composition to standard residential construction,” with metal siding prohibited. They also signed off on requiring that utility meters be mounted in non-visible areas, when possible, and that manufactured homes cannot be used as an accessory structure on a property. The Forsyth County Commission will review the planning board’s recommendations, then will take a formal vote on the update sometime in June.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County has proposed a change in how it designates a “lot of record,” for properties that were recorded before it formally adopted its unified development code. If approved, the change would allow certain properties to be developed as they were recorded, through a land survey or another avenue, between Sept, 24, 1973, to May 22, 2000. Currently, if a plat was recorded in 1995, for example, but was not formally approved by the county, it would not be recognized. A new plat would have to be recorded following current zoning standards. If the proposed change is approved, the county would now recognize that lot as valid, and it could be developed without further approval from the county, Planning and Community Development Director Tom Brown said. The proposal was spurred by what Brown called a “pretty informal process” of recording plats and rezoning in the 1970s and 1980s. Interpretating the intentions of those approvals can be tricky. There is some concern that, during that time, some developers or residents believed they had created a valid lot based on the process at that time based on advice from county staff, and this move would ensure those lots are valid. Prior to 1973, Brown said properties to be developed were essentially given a “free pass” because Forsyth County did not have its zoning regulations in place. In May 2000, the county passed its unified development code, and all developments are required to meet those stipulations to receive a building permit. The scope of the change, if approved, would be limited, though. “For a typical homeowner living in a formal subdivision, or a swim/ tennis community, it is unlikely this change is going to have much to do with their lots,” Brown said. “More often it would be about agricultural lots, or lots created decades ago.” The Planning Commission voted April 26 to recommend approval to recognize these plats as lots of record. The issue will soon go before the Board of Commissioners for a vote.

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Arrests: Continued from Page 2 Jeffery Lancaster Bowman Jr., 27, of Northcliff Drive, Suwanee, was arrested April 15 on Old Atlanta Road for possession of marijuana over 1 oz., and tag light required. Michael Perez Johnson, 39, of Stanton Road SW, Atlanta, was arrested April 15 on Ga. 400 for DUI, possession of marijuana and failure to maintain lane. Joseph Adam Leath, 45, of Cherokee Drive, Ball Ground, was arrested April 15 on Buford Highway for DUI, possession of methamphetamine and speeding. David Andrew Culmone, 48, of Forest Place, Roswell, was arrested April 15 on Ga. 400 for DUI, possession of marijuana and defective or no brake lights/turn signals. John Mark Tyner Harter, 20, of Westchester Place, Cumming, was arrested April 16 on Bethelview Road for DUI, possession of open alcohol container by driver, traffic offenses and failure to maintain lane. Jacob Matthew Hartsfield, 20, of River Park Court, Cumming, was arrested April 16 on Buford Highway for DUI. William Ferguson IV, 24, of Preston Pointe Way, Cumming, was arrested

April 16 on Ga. 400 for possession, purchase, manufacture, distribution or sell of controlled substance, possession of marijuana over 1 oz., possession of drug related objects and failure to maintain insurance. David Scott Crown, 44, of New Cherry Lane, Roswell, was arrested April 16 on Bethelview Road for DUI and improper/erratic lane change. Jennifer Elizabeth Bosak, 50, of Deerfield Point, Alpharetta, was arrested April 16 on Veterans Memorial Boulevard for DUI. Jose McCartney-Diaz, 21, of Buford Highway, Suwanee, was arrested April 16 on McGinnis Ferry Road for DUI and speeding. Ronnie Ellis, 53, of Mount Albert Way, Sugar Hill, was arrested April 16 on Veterans Memorial Boulevard for DUI and failure to maintain lane. Jung-Hyun Hyun Park, 45, of Vista Brook Drive, Suwanee, was arrested April 16 on Old Alpharetta Road for DUI, failure to maintain lane and too fast for conditions. Matthew Taylor Priebe, 33, of Faircrest Way, Suwanee, was arrested April 16 on Buford Highway for DUI and failure to yield right of way to vehicle. Juan Antonio Guerrero-Olvera, 31, of Sinclair Shores Road, Cumming, was arrested April 17 on Ga. 400 for DUI, driving without a valid license, possession of open alcohol container by

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6 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

SCHOOLS

‘Best U.S. High Schools’ include most Forsyth County schools CUMMING, Ga. — Forsyth County high schools are well represented on U.S. News and World Report’s list of “2021 Best High Schools.” In its annual ranking, the magazine reviewed data from nearly 24,000 public high schools across the country and ranked approximately 18,000. The publication has compiled the annual list since 1985 using a range of factors including college readiness, math and reading performance and graduation rates. Topping the list for Forsyth County schools is Lambert High School which ranked 261 nationally, followed by South Forsyth at 399, West Forsyth at 1,164, Forsyth Central at 1,670 and North Forsyth at 2,712. The district’s two newest high schools, Denmark and Alliance Academy for Innovation, were not eligible to be included in the 2021 U.S. News ranking. Data for this year’s list drew from data covering the 2018-19 school year. Statewide, Lambert placed as the 7th best high school in Georgia out of 426 public high schools. South Forsyth was ranked 13, with the remaining high schools ranked in the top 15 percent of public schools.

“We congratulate the staff and students of our five high schools for being included in U.S. News’ top 65 high school list for Georgia,” said Jennifer Caracciolo, director of communications for Forsyth County Schools. “This recognizes their commitment to having all students graduate and be college and career ready.” She said the district has the highest graduation rate for county school systems in Georgia at 94.6 percent. While the national rankings have been compiled for 35 years, U.S. News significantly changed the criteria in 2019 to open the survey to more schools, including charter and magnet schools. Prior to 2019, only about 14 percent of the nation’s public high schools were evaluated, based primarily on performance and participation in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. Today, any public high school with at least 15 students is eligible. A statement from U.S. News noted the publication “wanted to greatly expand the number of schools that are evaluated so that there is broader differentiation among all high schools, not just those that are top performing.” Also gone are the familiar gold, silver

See SCHOOLS, Page 21

2021 Best High Schools ranking for Forsyth County Schools High School Score Georgia Ranking National Ranking Lambert 98.54 7 261 South Forsyth 97.77 12 399 West Forsyth 93.48 33 1164 Forsyth Central 90.65 41 1670 North Forsyth 84.81 65 2712 Indicators used to rank ‘2021 Best High Schools’ College readiness - Proportion of 12th grade students who took and earned a qualifying score on AP and/or IB exams. College curriculum breadth – Proportion of 12th grade students who took and earned a qualifying score on AP and/or IB exams in multiple content areas. Math and reading proficiency – Performance on state-required tests. In Georgia the study looked at results from the End of Course tests from the Georgia Milestones Assessments. Math and reading performance – Whether performance on state assessments exceeded expectations given the school’s proportion of underserved students. Underserved student performance – Based on how Black, Hispanic and low-income students performed on state assessments compared with those who are not underserved in the state. Graduation rate – Proportion of students who entered ninth grade in 2015-2016 and graduated four years later. Source: US News and World Report

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COMMUNITY

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | May 6, 2021 | 7

Convention bureaus team up to promote craft brewery trail NORTH ATLANTA, Ga. — The destination marketing organizations behind Visit Roswell, Awesome Alpharetta and Visit Sandy Springs have announced the launch of the Topside Tap Trail. The brewery trail includes seven branded breweries in metro Atlanta’s “topside,” in the cities of Roswell, Alpharetta and Sandy Springs. The trail was created to recognize North Fulton county’s craft beer culture. Along the trail, beer lovers will find five taprooms and three full-service restaurants offering handcrafted beers brewed on site. Topside Trail breweries include: Roswell From The Earth Brewing Company, the first brewpub in Roswell, featuring locally sourced cuisine, world-class beer, and craft cocktails in a fun, easygoing environment. The brewpub offers 10-12 house beers, 4-6 rotating local/ regional drafts and a non-alcoholic root beer. The kitchen features chefdriven seasonal fare at a reasonable price. Gate City Brewing, Roswell’s first brewing company, is located in Roswell’s Historic District. The name is rooted in neighboring Atlanta’s historical moniker as the “Gate City of the New South,” due to its reputation as a hub for culture, commerce and transportation. Gate City offers a large taproom filled with highboys, a long bar, and soft seating, with several garage

doors that open to outdoor space with tons of picnic tables and a separate private event space. Variant Brewing Company employs a collaborative approach and passion for the art of the brewing process to create experiential blends for the occasional beer drinker and craft beer enthusiast. Matt Curling, owner and brewmaster, says the focus is on variety. Variant features a taproom style environment with bar, highboys and tables, as well as a large brick outdoor patio. Alpharetta Currahee Brewing Company, located downtown on Main Street, specializes in German and Belgium-style beers including a crisp Belgium golden ale, hoppy German lager and a rich coffee stout. The two Currahee Brewing Company founders built a brewery with beer aficionados in mind. Currahee’s favorite brews include Frankenstark, Garand IPA and Wayah Lager with seasonal and limited releases also offered. Jekyll Brewing, Alpharetta’s first brewery, honors Georgia’s first brewery which opened on Jekyll Island in 1738. Each brew on tap offers up cool nods to the South with clever nomenclature like Cooter Brown, Big Creek, Southern Juice IPA and Hop Dang Diggity. While you’re at Jekyll Brewing, kick back to enjoy a flight of their greatest hits and be sure to tour the

brewery to see just how the magic’s made. Jekyll Brewing has recently expanded. The brewery has brought its beers and a new restaurant to Downtown Alpharetta. Their second location includes a tasting room, restaurant, and a rooftop patio three stories above Academy and Market Streets in the heart of Downtown Alpharetta. Sandy Springs Pontoon Brewing Company was the first microbrewery to open in Sandy Springs. Founded by longtime friends,

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8 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

COMMUNITY

Duffy Center expands charity’s outreach to those in need By JEFFREY ALBERTSON newsroom@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — North Fulton Community Charities extended its outreach April 13 with the opening of the two-story Barbara Duffy Center in Roswell. The new building will house administrative offices and boost capacity for childcare, education and workforce readiness programs. Adding a second building to the campus will free up space to extend food pantry and clothing assistance operations in the main center. Barbara Duffy, the namesake for the building, served as NFCC’s first full-time Executive Director for 29 years until she retired in 2019. She began as a volunteer at the Community Clothes Closet, providing apparel, household goods and furniture to those in need in the years before creation of the NFCC in 1983. From 1980 to 1990, she held a volunteer chairman position. She was a member of the first elected school board in Fulton County in 1984 and served as the board’s vice president in 1988. Her community service also included service as a Girl Scout leader and charter member of the North Fulton Chemical People organization, a group focused on adolescent

substance abuse. “What I want you to remember is that every individual (and) family who walked in our door was treated with dignity and respect,” Duffy said in the dedication speech. “I was just so proud to watch how this staff pivoted and continued to help and made it possible for more and more families to reach out to get help that they needed.” NFCC assisted 8,454 North Fulton residents last year, distributing $1.4 million in direct assistance to keep families in their homes — a 56 percent increase from the prior year. In all, 584 adults participated in English as a second language, General Educational Development exam preparation and other educational programs. Food was provided 17,543 times. The charity also offers a path to selfsufficiency through money management and tax preparation programs. The Duffy Center was made possible by a three-year, $6.2 million capital campaign called “Growing with Purpose.” The campaign was about $30,000 shy of its $6.2 million goal on opening day. “For the first time, our families will have a place to seek both financial assistance and the tools needed to help

JEFFREY ALBERSON/HERALD

The new Barbara Duffy Center on the Roswell campus of North Fulton Community Charities provides added space for families to become self-sufficient during times of need. them learn skills and connect them to services to work towards financial stability,” NFCC Executive Director Holly York said. “This center doubles our classroom and technology lab capacity to help families increase their workforce readi-

ness, which is especially important in a post-pandemic economy.” More information about North Fulton Community Charities and hours of operation can be obtained from the web address, nfcchelp.org.

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I am thrilled to be part of the inaugural NextGen Connects Mentor Match program. JON-PAUL CROOM, president, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | 9

North Fulton Chamber launches 2021 mentorship match program ROSWELL, Ga. — The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce has launched a Mentor Match Program geared to pair its NextGen Connects young professionals with high-level professionals from a range of commercial, nonprofit and government backgrounds. Under the Mentor Match Program, professional mentors will team with young professionals by advising and offering a firsthand look at business operations in the area. “I am thrilled to be part of the inaugural NextGen Connects Mentor Match program,” said Jon-Paul Croom, president, Wellstar North Fulton Hospital. “The GNFCC has long served as the premier catalyst for connecting leaders in North Fulton. I appreciate the opportunity to mentor an emerging leader and help make those connections that will serve our community in the future.” The Grater North Fulton Chamber has retooled operations since the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic. As soon as fears prompted businesses to close their doors, the chamber assembled a series of business workshops online free to members and nonmembers. The topics were timely, dealing with topics like financing, securing Payroll Protection Program assistance and how to promote consumer confidence. One event featured a town hall with all five mayors from major North Fulton cities. The Chamber also teamed with economic development heads from four cities to survey local businesses about conditions, layoffs and sentiment. It also formed its own Economic Recovery Task Force made up of public and private leaders from throughout North Fulton. This year’s Mentor Match Program

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GNFCC PHOTO

Mentors and mentees for the 2021 Greater North Fulton Chamber’s Mentor Match Program were announced in March at the Phase Events Center. connects 13 pairings announced in March 18 at the Chairman’s Circle and Next Gen Connects event at Phase Events Center. The match pairings include: • James Connelly, concierge physical therapist/ owner, Results Rehab • John Herbert, managing partner, Herbert Legal Group, LLC • Chris DiCarlo, benefits consultant, Snellings Walters Insurance Agency • Greg Garmon, senior VP Media & Entertainment, Diversified • Ivanna Evans, bookkeeper, LogicSpeak Cheryl Blazej, managing partner, Blazej Accounting & Bookkeeping • Sam Farmer, commercial real estate broker, DTSpade • Jon-Paul Croom, CEO, Wellstar North

Fulton Hospital • Andrew Garmon, training director, Chick-fil-A • Travis Turner, director, Business Development E-Commerce & Supply Chain, Hire Dynamics • Ayanna Hawkins, marketing director, Phase Family Learning Center • Lisa McGuire, business growth advisor & marketing consultant, Lisa McGuire Co. • Christopher Henderson, senior personal financial representative, LGE Community Credit Union • Harvey Snider, senior VP, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. • Russ Kanner, assurance manager, Smith and Howard, PC • Brian Whelan, senior VP, Atlantic Capital Bank

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• Tori Kerlin, communications coordinator, Greater North Fulton Chamber Lisa Tilt, founder & CEO, Full Tilt Consulting • Nicole Mazzucca, office & marketing director, Atlanta Divorce Law Group • Christy Cross, president & CEO, CoZzzy Comfy • Victor Malheiros, owner, The American Pasta Factory • Luke Christian, CEO/ founder, Surcheros Franchising Corporation • Tukker Penrod, outreach fundraising coordinator, The Younique Foundation Geoff Smith, mortgage banker, Assurance Financial • Stephen Weed, CEO, Georgia Office Interiors • Teddy Russell, CEO, Russell Landscape

Shop the month of May with your card. Part of the proceeds from card sales will benefit The Drake House. Purchase your card soon at bit.ly/3kLyXr9 Learn more at AlpharettaChamber.com

*Retail stores do not include restaurants. See website for complete details and to purchase your Alpharetta Retail Month card soon.

10 | Forsyth Herald | May 6, 2021

Sponsored Section

6 Things Buyers Want in a Home This Spring Brought to you by – BILL RAWLINGS, Senior Vice President & Managing Broker, North Atlanta Office Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty This time last year, you might have postponed any plans to put your home on the market due to the pandemic. With cities reopening and more vaccines being administered, the real estate market is abuzz with activity, especially in the Metro Atlanta area. The pandemic has transformed many industries, and real estate is no excepRAWLINGS

tion. Buyers are looking for specific home attributes to correspond with significant lifestyle changes and habits they have accumulated this past year. Read on to discover six things buyers are looking for in a home! Great Outdoor Areas With more time spent at home than perhaps ever before, buyers and homeowners alike crave a gorgeous outdoor space to unwind at the end of the day. By installing a pool, refreshing your landscaping or adding a kitchen, fire pit and stylish seating, you can boost the appearance of your yard and curb appeal.

See HOME, Page 14

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Seller Beware – Why Expert Advice is Important Even in a Seller’s Market Brought to you by Ansley Atlanta You’ve more than likely heard a few by now - the stories of homes selling within hours of hitting the market if they make it to the market at all. Or the bidding wars LIPPERT that stack up offers in the double and even triple digits, where buyers are waiving even the most provident of contract contingencies and forking out tens of thousands of dollars over list price to win a contract on a home. The shortage of homes for sale in metro Atlanta predates the pandemic, and sellers are reaping the benefits in cozy terms and windfall sale prices. But even in a seller’s market, don’t assume that record-breaking results are a given, or that it doesn’t take some finesse. Read on to learn how expert agents are helping their sellers make the most of the market. Making the Effort While more and more homes are selling in record-breaking time and for thousands above list price, getting the best price still takes considerable work. Even in a seller’s market, carefully planned and executed marketing and skilled negotiation are paramount. While it’s true that the slightest indication you may be up for selling can sometimes be enough to drive hordes of buyers to your front lawn, don’t expect that to necessarily result in the highest sale price, or even a closing. Contract drop-out rates are especially high in these market conditions because buyers are having to act quickly without the luxury of time to think things through. Experienced agents are working the phones constantly, carefully reviewing each offer with intense scrutiny, and advising their sellers carefully on how to choose between sometimes dozens of nearly identical offers. And even once an offer is accepted, the best agents will continue marketing the property to seek backup contracts, an important negotiation strategy that many sellers aren’t aware is an option.

Getting the Best Offers Assuming you’ve taken the advice of an expert agent to prepare and properly market your property to buyers, you may well end up with the happy conundrum of deciding which offer to negotiate or accept. But not all offers are created equal, and even though the current demand for homes is driving bids higher and higher, don’t assume that a higher price equals a better offer. And as mentioned above, with a higher-than-normal contract fallout rate, the best agents will work diligently to continue generating offers, and ideally a backup contract. The current market conditions are indisputably the best we’ve seen for sellers in recent history. But as fatigued buyers get more and more decided on what they want for the higher prices they’re paying, it’s imperative to seek the expert advice of an experienced agent to help you get the absolute best results. Ansley Real Estate agents have the skill and knowledge to help you strategically navigate any market with careful preparation, precision marketing, and expert negotiation. Make sure you’re well-represented, and well-advised. Cynthia Lippert Managing Broker – Ansley Real Estate | North Atlanta Office 770.284.9900

REAL ESTATE • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | May 6, 2021 | 11

Who You Work with Matters. quality, trust, professional expertise FOR SALE

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1285 Rolling Links Drive | Alpharetta

6850 Harleigh Way | Alpharetta

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The Winn | Lawrenceville

6787 Riverside Drive | Atlanta

2405 Saddlesprings Drive | Milton

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prices starting at $425,000

offered for $2,600,000

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134 Academy Street | Alpharetta

4992 Rebel Trail | Atlanta

1820 Ballybunion Drive | Johns Creek

offered for $1,125,000

offered for $1,795,000

offered for $1,300,000

offered for $975,000

LARA DOLAN & TRACEY CRAFT

MONICA BLANCO

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4499 Winged Foot Circle | Marietta

6070 Greatwood Terrace | Alpharetta

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offered for $2,750,000

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MARY LOU LANAUX

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810 Fawn Meadow Court | Roswell

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5075 Eves Place | Roswell

505 Glynn Meadow Lane | Roswell

965 Gunter Court | Alpharetta

270 Saddle Road | Alpharetta

offered for $674,900

offered for $609,900

offered for $719,000

offered for $650,000

2331 Millhaven Street SE | Smyrna offered for $295,000

LAURA HERRERA

NIXON ZYGMONT TEAM

JODY TIRONE

TAMMY WEAVER

MARLENE GREEN

3 1 C H U R C H S T R E E T | D O W N TO W N A L P H A R E T TA | 7 7 0 . 2 8 4 .9 9 0 0 | A N S L E Y R E .C O M All data believed to be accurate but not warranted. If you have any existing brokerage relationship, this is not intended as a solicitation. Equal housing opportunity.

12 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

2285 MOUNTAIN ROAD

MILTON, GA 30004 | $3,800,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860

13715 PROVIDENCE ROAD

REAL ESTATE • Sponsored Section

2270 BLACKHEATH TRACE

14785 EAST BLUFF ROAD

ALPHARETTA, GA 30005 | $1,960,000 Amy Lynn | 678.488.1540

MILTON, GA 30004 | $3,250,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860

4120 LOWER ROSWELL

MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,200,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860

MARIETTA, GA 30068 | $1,149,000 Maryam Schwegman | 404.987.4942

1760 HORSHAM TRAIL

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MILTON, GA 30004 | $785,000 Allison Katula | 262.442.0474

MILTON, GA 30004 | $775,000 Suzanne Anderson | 678.773.6411

1077 CANTON #1

ROSWELL, GA 30075 | $1,050,000 Butler Swayne Team | 770.241.9165

585 GLYNN MEADOW LANE

ROSWELL, GA 30075 | $615,000 Kim Ballew | 770.475.0505

MARY WARGULA

Work With The Best

Senior Vice President | Managing Broker O. 770.475.0505 Mary.Wargula@BHHSGeorgia.com

REAL ESTATE • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | May 6, 2021 | 13

REAL ESTATE REDEFINED FEATURED LISTINGS

1310 MOUNT PARAN NW

ATLANTA, GA 30327 | $1,750,000 Phil Houston | 404.597.2749

14515 MORNING MTN WAY

MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,024,000 Stephanie Holland | 404.510.4001

NEW CONSTRUCTION

2735 MANOR BRIDGE DRIVE MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,399,000 Susan Feddersen | 773.710.4709

131 NAKOMIS PLACE

MILTON, GA 30004 | $899,000 Butler Swayne Team | 770.241.9165

NEW CONSTRUCTION

3973 WEBB BRIDGE

ALPHARETTA, GA 30005 | $1,250,000 Rhonda Hofer | 770.871.9600

2737 JOHN PETREE

POWDER SPRINGS, GA 30127 | 850,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860

NEW CONSTRUCTION

4180 AVID PARK, MARIETTA, GA | $791,120

MILTON RUN, MILTON, GA | $800’s - $1M+

WESCOTT, SOUTH FORSYTH, GA | $700’s - $1M+

BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 404.238.7990

BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 678.578.6821

BHHSGANEWHOMES.com | 770.254.5358

NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 33 South Main Street, Suite 201, Alpharetta, GA 30009 | 770.475.0505 ©2021 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.

14 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

REAL ESTATE • Sponsored Section

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties named 5th top large workplace employer Brought to you by - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2021 honor by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by an employee engagement technology partner. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties was recognized as the 5th Top Large Workplace Employer in Atlanta. “During this very challenging time, Top Workplaces has proven to be a beacon of light for organizations, as well as a sign of resiliency and strong business performance,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward. Top Workplaces draw on real-time insights into what works best for their organization, so they can make informed decisions that have a positive impact on their people and their business.”

“We have an amazing team of agents, managers and support staff who are all dedicated to the success of our clients,” said Dan Forsman, President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Georgia Properties. “Our associates and employees are our business family. We live, work and play together every day and it is truly an honor to be nominated as one of the Top 5 Large Workplaces to Work in Atlanta.” About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties has over 1,600 associates and 26 locations across the Greater Metro Atlanta and North Georgia area. The company generated over $4.4 billion in sales volume and 11,606 transaction sides in 2020. Trendgraphix reports that Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties is ranked #1 in home sales for the Greater Metro Atlanta area. Led by president and CEO Dan Forsman, the organization offers a full suite of real estate services including residential real estate, luxury real estate, new homes services, condo/ high-rise services, commercial real estate, corporate relocation, property management, mortgage lending, title and settlement services, home warranties and insur-

ance. Equal Housing Opportunity. Visit www.BHHSGA.com. About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is one of the world’s fastest-growing residential real estate brokerage franchise networks, with more than 50,000 real estate professionals, nearly 1,500

offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East, and more than $119 billion in real estate sales volume. The network, among the few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name, brings to the real estate market a definitive mark of trust, integrity, stability and longevity. Visit www.berkshirehathawayhs.com.

Home: Continued from Page 10 A Home Office and/or Classroom Most industries have completely changed the way their employees work – most of whom will be working from home through the end of the year or permanently. Because of this and athome learning, a home office and/or classroom space is essential. If you do not currently have one, staging a guest bedroom would be an easy solution. Segmented Spaces Open floor plans have become less popular because more household members are at home for extended periods of time. By adding barn doors, pocket doors or room dividers, you can create different ambiances in each room and provide the privacy, quietness and separation that many households yearn for. Room for a Gym During the pandemic, many gymgoers were unable to physically go to a gym, so they resorted to working out at home. Many homebuyers are looking for in-house gym equipment or at least an area where they can do interval train-

ing, Pilates or yoga. If you have a basement, this could be ideal for creating an at-home workout space. An Updated In-Law Suite If you have a guest house or an in-law suite, this can be especially attractive to buyers with multigenerational households or those looking for additional rental income. Ensure your in-law suite is up-to-date, especially the kitchen and bathroom. A Beautiful and Functional Laundry Room Cleanliness and hygiene have become top priorities during the pandemic, meaning laundry rooms are more important than ever. Since people

are doing laundry and washing bedding more frequently, homebuyers are looking for a functional, spacious laundry room that is as beautiful as the rest of their home. Upgrading your home to fit buyers’ desires will ensure your property is attractive and checks all the boxes, which could lead to a higher sales price and shorter days on the market. If you need assistance selling your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you! Compiled and edited by Holly Haynes, Marketing Coordinator

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | May 6, 2021 | 15

16 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Georgia is the epicenter of politics. Don’t miss a thing. GEORGIA POLITICS PODCAST

Optimist Golf tourney to benefit kids FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The SawneeCumming Optimist Club will host its charity golf tournament May 17 at Chestatee Golf Club in Dawsonville with proceeds benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Forsyth County and the club’s youth programs. Registration and warm-up will open at 8:30 a.m. The tournament will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 10:00 a.m. with prizes, raffles and silent auction. The entry fee in-

State outdoor burn ban runs until September

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SPORTS

NORTH GEORGIA —A state-mandated ban on all outdoor burning is in effect from May 1 through Sept. 30. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has imposed the ban to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, careless burning of debris is the leading cause of wildfires in Georgia. The Open Burning Ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris. This rule is in addition to the year-round state ban on the burning of household garbage. In the hot months of summer, the ozone in the air can reach unhealthy levels. Outdoor burning is a significant contributor to the pollutants that form ozone, according to the Georgia EPD.

cludes green fee, cart, range balls, box lunch and cookout to follow the tournament. Entry forms and registration fees are due by May 6. “Our future is in our young people, and everything Optimists do is directed at making a difference in their lives,” Brenda Basey, chairperson of the golf tournament, said. “One of our major projects, the golf tournament raises funds for the fight against childhood

Scheme: Continued from Page 2 He and all four of his alleged accomplices have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and they remain held at Forsyth County jail without bond. The suspects include Shelby Fairley, 29, of Cumming; Maliyah Franklin, 19, of Douglasville; Claritza Castillo Gomez, 30, also of Douglasville; and Quinton Ingram, 30, of Atlanta. Each face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Abayomi first encountered the victim in November 2017 when he responded to a Craigslist ad. The victim was selling a 2002 Aprilia RSV4 motorcycle on the online classifieds site, and Abayomi arranged a meeting to take a look at the bike. Abayomi introduced himself as “Robert” and showed up with a friend he identified as “Ty,” the victim claimed. When Abayomi asked to test drive the motorcycle, the seller asked to hold the cash as collateral. Abayomi went to his vehicle and grabbed a black bag and the other suspect pointed a gun at the victim. The victim told them to take the motorcycle and he ran away. Abayomi drove off on the bike, according to deputies. Abayomi was arrested in January 2019 after investigators identified him as

cancer through Children’s Healthcare, along with Optimist Club children’s programs. We encourage golfers to sign up and join us. It’s fun, but most important, it supports our kids and our community.” Individual entry fee is $135 and teams may sign up for $540. Corporate sponsorships and packages are also available. For more information, contact Brenda Basey, 770-519-9490, or at bsbasey@com. one of the men who stole the motorcycle at gunpoint. He was charged with armed robbery, hijacking a motorcycle and two counts of aggravated assault. Abayomi pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his next court appearance was scheduled for May 21. Authorities said Abayomi and Fairley were inmates in the same pod at the Forsyth County jail. Fairley had been in custody since June 2020 on strong arm rape, child molestation and aggravated sexual battery charges. Investigators say Fairley reached out to his brother, Ingram, to carry out the murder on Abayomi’s orders. Castillo Gomez, who is the mother of Abayomi’s child, facilitated the hiring of a hitman after she received a note smuggled out of jail, authorities said. But, the hired gun ran off with the money without fulfilling his end of the deal. Castillo Gomez and Franklin, Abayomi’s current girlfriend, then began communicating with a second hitman, Ingram, who agreed to perform the murder, authorities said. Detectives found the victim’s photograph, address and family members’ information in the possession of all three. Acting on a tip, Freeman assigned detectives from the Major Crimes Unit to investigate. They spent a month following

See SCHEME, Page 20

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | May 6, 2021 | 17

Coming Soon!

Nominations for Best of North Atlanta (Nomination Period: May 15 – June 15)

FOOD & BEVERAGE: Best All Around Restaurant Best Asian Food Best Bakery Best BBQ Best Beer (LOCAL) Best Breakfast/Brunch Best Brewery/Brewpub Best Burger Best Cajun/Creole Food Best Coffee Shop (LOCAL) Best Dessert Best Family Dining Best Fine Dining Best German Food Best Happy Hour Best Indian Food Best Italian Food Best Local Flair Restaurant Best Lunch Spot Best Mexican Food Best Patio Dining Best Pizza Best Salad Best Smoothie/Juicery Best Takeout Food MEDICAL: Best ABA Therapist Best Adult Day Care Best Audiologist Best Chiropractor Best Cosmetic Surgery Best Counseling Services Best Dentist Best Dermatologist Best ENT

Best Family Practice Best Gastroenterologist Best Hair Restoration Best Holistic/Alternative Medicine Best Home Care for Seniors Best Hospice & Palliative Care Best Internal Medicine Best Med Spa Best Medical Weight Loss Best Memory Care Best Mobility Store/Services Best Music Therapy Best Nutritionist Best OBGYN Best Occupational Therapist Best Oncology Best Ophthalmology Best Optometry Best Oral Surgery Best Orthodontist Best Pediatric Dentist Best Pediatrician Best Physical Therapy Best Podiatry Best Senior Activity Center Best Senior Living Community Best Speech Therapy Best Substance Abuse/Addiction Treatment Best Urgent Care Best Urology Best Vein Specialist Best Veterinarian RECREATION: Best Art Lessons/Studio Best Community Event Best Dance Lessons/Studio

2021

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

Categories are subject to change.

Best Date Night Hotspot Best Day Spa / Massage Best Farmers Market Best Golf Course Best Group/Corporate Activity Best Gym / Fitness Facility Best Music Lessons Best Performing Arts / Theatre Best Place for Kids to Have Fun Best Sports Program Best Summer Camp Best Wedding Venue RETAIL: Best Antiques Store Best Apparel Boutique (LOCAL) Best Art Gallery / Retailer Best Beverage / Wine Store (LOCAL) Best Boutique Shop (LOCAL) Best Bridal Shop Best CBD Retailer Best Consignment Store Best Florist Best Furniture / Home Décor Best Jeweler Best Pharmacy (LOCAL) Best Shopping/Entertainment Plaza SERVICES: Best Auto Service Repair Best Bank / Credit Union Best Barber Shop Best Car Wash Best Commercial Real Estate Company Best CPA Best Dry Cleaner Best Electrician Best Esthetician

Best Family Law Attorney Best Financial Planner Best Funeral Home Best Graphics & Printing Shop Best Hair Salon / Stylist Best Heating & Air Services Best Home Builder / Developer Best Information Services Best Insurance Agency Best Interior Design Services Best IT/ Business Services Best Landscaping Services Best Law Firm Best Maid Service Best Merchant Services Best Mortgage Lender Best Networking Group Best Painter Best Personal Injury Attorney Best Pet Daycare / Lodger Best Pet Grooming Best Pet Supply / Boutique Best Photographer Best Plumber Best Pool Services Best Pre-School / Day Care Best Private K-12 School Best Promotional Products Best Real Estate Brokerage Firm Best Realtor (Individual) Best Realtor Team Best Renovation/Home Improvement Services Best Senior Information Service Best Shredder Services Best Travel Agency / Service Best Tree Service

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18 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

LEFT LANE

OPINION

Diner and drives in the brilliant Mazda CX-5 Opened in 1995, the Marietta Diner in Marietta, Georgia, has become a quasilandmark and part of the local lore of the North Metro Atlanta area. Aside from its massive location and JOE PARKER 24/7 service — ownEditor er Gus Tselios has joe@appenmedia.com joked the front door doesn’t even have a lock — the restaurant has a menu so extensive and diverse to call it overwhelming might be an understatement. Want a huge American omelet with a side of teriyaki glazed vegetables? No problem. Craving a burger with a side of pancakes? They’ve got you. Can’t decide between baby back ribs, baked Greek pastitsio, fried catfish, stuffed grape leaves or seafood primavera? You don’t have to. How about a steak, paella, lasagna, fried chicken, jambalaya, Belgian waffles, a turkey melt, grilled chicken, eggs benedict or fajitas? It’s all there. I’m convinced you could eat three meals a day at the Marietta Diner every

day for several months and not have the same thing twice. I haven’t actually done the math on that because, well, I’m lazy, but I think it’s a pretty safe assumption. You need to have some sort of idea of what you want to eat before walking through the diner’s doors, otherwise the staggering menu will simply turn your brain to Jell-O (and yes, they offer Jello-O, too). Just like you need some semblance of what you desire out of a compact crossover/SUV if you’re in the market. There is a plethora of options, and many of them are good. So, like the good friend who gives your recommendations on what to eat when the restaurant’s menu rivals Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” for page count, let me help you slim down your choices in the compact SUV/crossover market. “I’d get the CX-5,” I would say. “And maybe an order of pancakes.” Among all the options available in the non-luxury, the Mazda simply stands a cut above the rest. It provides driving pleasure where most compact SUVs deliver mundane experiences behind the wheel. It is beautifully sculpted in a market dominated by high-riding boxes with meaningless character lines and

unnecessary angles. Its cabin is serene and refined where its rivals mostly have utilitarian interiors that, even in their Sunday best, fall short of the richness offered by the Mazda. In a compact shopper’s quest to throw down on some new wheels, the Mazda’s appeal begins even before the engine is brought to life or butts hit seats. It looks fantastic. Where the Toyota RAV4’s appearance can be described as “rugged,” the Honda CR-V as “bland,” the Hyunda Tucson as “conservative” and the Kia Sportage as “a bit weird,” the CX-5 can be tagged “gorgeous” with flowing lines and an overall harmony that can’t be found anywhere else in the segment. That opulence extends to the cabin. I spoke about how the Mazda is the leader of the non-luxury compact market, but in higher trims, its cabin rivals that of luxury automakers. High-touch surfaces are made with softer materials, knobs and buttons have a quality feel and the styling is both graceful and ritzy. Where the CX-5 truly stands above the rest is when you put those styling looks in motion — the Mazda doesn’t sacrifice driving pleasure in delivering a small-SUV experience. It is enjoyable to drive, fun even. Steering is responsive and appropriately weighted, its brakes are effective with a smooth pedal motion and smart and snappy gear changes are served up by the 6-speed automatic. A peppy 187-hp four-cylinder is standard, but for the ultimate driving experience (outside a BMW, if brand taglines are to be believed) buyers should consider the 250-hp turbocharged engine available in the top two trims or as an optional extra in mid-range Carbon models. The turbo engine provides plenty of grunt with a peak torque figure of 320 lb.-ft. While the turbo can get a bit winded higher in the rev range, power is ample for everyday driving and for a bit of spirited fun. Front-wheel drive is standard, but power can be sent to all four wheels across the CX-5 range for $1,400. On the daily commute, the CX-5’s supple but non-floaty suspension irons out bumps in the road with ease, and it glides through corners in comfort. Overall, the Mazda provides a driving experience that is typically only offered in models that cost tens of thousands more. And limited dollars go a long way. Base models are well equipped with safety features and technology, which now includes a 10.25-inch digital display with a Wi-Fi hotspot with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Still,

2021 MAXDA CX-5 Pros and cons Pros: Beautifully sculpted looks, luxury-like cabin and built quality, engaging to drive Cons: Limited cargo area and rear seats, base engine a letdown compared to turbocharged option Overall: The CX-5 is top of the class in the compact crossover market Starting prices: Sport: $26,545 Touring: $28,285 Carbon Edition: $30,130 Grand Touring: $31,375 Carbon Edition Turbo: $31,935 Grand Touring Reserve: $36,560 Signature: $38,680 MPG figures (city/highway/combined) Front-wheel drive: 25/31/28 All-wheel drive: 24/30/26 Front-wheel drive turbo: 23/28/25 All-wheel drive turbo: 22/27/24

perhaps the best bang-for-buck can be found in the Carbon Edition which includes unique exterior accents and 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, power liftgate, leather-trimmed seats, steering wheel and gear selector, a Bose stereo system and an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with position memory. My top-of-the-range Signature model added a host of features like genuine wood trim, a 360-degree view monitor, heated and ventilated front/rear seats with Nappa leather trim and navigation while remaining under the $40,000 mark. The CX-5 is not without its downsides. The rear seats are a bit tighter and provide less leg and head room than some competitors, and the cargo area, while still relatively spacious, is smaller than some CX-5 rivals. But these are small complaints with viewing the Mazda’s overall package. For its price, amenities, driving dynamics and upmarket feel, the CX-5 is a clear standout in a crowded market. So, if you’re in that market, don’t be overwhelmed by the bevy of options. My suggestion is to start by looking at the Mazda. If you’re going to the Marietta Diner, I do not have a suggestion, because I’m still overwhelmed by its menu.

OPINION

Take a wildflower watching walk Springtime means fishing time, and you’ll find me on the water as often as I can get there. Usually, spring fishing is good. But some days they just aren’t biting. That’s how it was STEVE HUDSON the other day. I was Get Outside Georgia, fishing for bass in aa4bw@comcast.net Little River, a tributary to Allatoona Lake, but the fish were having none of it. So I’d admitted defeat and had decided, instead, to simply enjoy an afternoon of hiking. The trail was level for a while, but then it took me up a steep slope. At the top I stopped for a moment to catch my breath. And that’s when I saw them: a half dozen splashes of bright purple just inches from my feet. It was a little patch of wildflowers – and it was a reminder that wildflower season is here again. Not being a flower expert, I had no idea what I was seeing. So I pulled the trusty phone out of my day pack and snapped a few pictures. Then, as I often do when hiking, I sent one of the photos to my daughter. She’s a plant person, and I figured if anyone could identify what I’d found, then she could. Pretty soon, the phone dinged to alert me to an incoming text – and sure enough, she had identified the flowers as “dwarf crested iris.” Now I have no idea whether the dwarf crested iris is particularly unusual or otherwise noteworthy, but I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s a spectacular flower. And I had found it! Like discovering a new secret fishing spot, spotting new wildflowers turns out to be a heady thing. It just might be as addictive as fishing. On that day, what else did I find? Well, there were bright yellow “creeping buttercups.” There were some purple ones called the “common vetch.” One I especially liked had fringed white petals and a bright yellow center – I believe it’s called “prairie fleabane.” Now lest you be impressed by my farranging knowledge of things botanical, let me confess that I had help from technology. It turns out that there are various apps for your phone that’ll help you identify wildflowers. Search for “Georgia wildflowers identification” or even just “wildflower ID,” and you’ll find a bunch of them. For some, in fact, all you have to do is upload a photo. That’s kind of neat. In fact, it occurs to me that an interactive wildflower ID app might be a good way to pique young folks’ interest in the out-of-doors. I’ve learned long ago that where kids are concerned, it’s hard for the outdoor world to complete with the

strong, strong lure of technology. But a wildflower ID app challenges kids to put that phone to work in the field – and you might be surprised how that plays out. There are also more traditional guides to wildflowers, too, and (even with the power of technology tucked away in my daypack) I want a traditional Georgia wildflower field guide to carry with me as I hike. Any suggestions from our more experienced wildflower watchers? This is all new to me, and recommendations are welcome. Please let me know what you recommend. What about the “where” of wildflower watching? When I spotted those little iris blooms, I was hiking at Olde Rope Mill Park near Woodstock. Other close-by favorites for finding wildflowers turn out to be the trails of the Jones Bridge, Gold Branch and Johnson Ferry North Units of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the trails of Birmingham Park in Milton, and the trails at Kennesaw Mountain. Many parks and nature centers host guided wildflower walks, too, so there’s yet another possibility for you to enjoy. But remember that wildflowers, being wild, can be anywhere. You can even look in your own back yard. Ours seems to be a sanctuary for wild violets. While I know they’re considered to be weeds, they sure are pretty to look at. Besides, if I am admiring them, I don’t have to worry about pulling them. That’s another plus to the wildflower watching game! The next few weeks should be great ones for spotting these hidden gems of color. Keep your eyes open as you hike this spring. It’s a great deal of fun, and there’s no telling what you might see. There are many great wildflower viewing opportunities to be found close to home in the units of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and Steve Hudson’s book HIKING THE HOOCH will give you detailed info on the many hiking trails awaiting you there. It’s available from Amazon, and signed copies are available from the author at flykits.net.

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20 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

OPINION

How to navigate roundabouts in North Fulton/Forsyth County Roundabouts have been cropping all over North Fulton and Forsyth County over the last decade, and if local road plans are any suggestion, we will all be traversing many more in the years ahead. JOE PARKER Traffic circles can Editor be a bit daunting for joe@appenmedia.com those unaccustomed to using them, so I’ve put together a “how to” on, well, how to traverse local roundabouts based on how people actually do so here. This will help you tackle those supposedly intimidating asphalt monsters with ease. Note, this article is sarcastic. Should you find yourself nodding sagely at any of the advice below, know that you have caused your otherwise sensible, calm neighbors to wonder what your head would look like on a spike. Always come to a complete stop

before entering a roundabout: Oh sure, so-called traffic experts and those with an IQ in double digits will tell you that the roundabout is an amazing tool for eliminating “always stop” situations like stop signs or traffic lights, but you should always come to an abrupt stop before entering any roundabout. This will allow you plenty of time, a suggestion is waiting at least two full minutes, to assess that there is not another single car within a 1-mile radius of traffic circle, before entering. You should never exceed the speed of smell through a roundabout: Ever notice how you don’t see a posted speed limit inside a roundabout? That’s because they should only be traversed at a speed comparable to the movement of tectonic plates. Do not enter a traffic circle if there is another car in it: Some people may argue that when a car is entering a roundabout on the opposite end of your entry point, you have time to go ahead and enter the traffic circle, especially considering their speed of travel means you could

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likely roast a 20-pound turkey in the time it takes for them to reach your point in the circle. However, this is a common misconception. Only one car is permitted inside a traffic circle at any one time, so be sure to follow rule No. 1 and come to an abrupt stop at your entry point and wait until the circle is completely clear before entering. Consider keeping bottled water and dehydrated meals in your car because this process could take hours. Also, ignore all those angry people behind you honking, yelling and waving their arms. They clearly don’t know how roundabouts work. Only yield to traffic within the roundabout if you feel like it: If you do not come to a complete stop before entering a traffic circle, it’s best to not yield at all and charge through the roundabout without any concern for those who might already be traveling through it. They’ll stop. Hopefully. In dual-lane roundabouts, use whatever lane tickles your fancy: Disregard any notion that specific lanes in dual-lane roundabouts are for specific purposes,

Scheme: Continued from Page 16

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leads, collecting physical and electronic evidence, and got statements from many of the suspects. “We’ve been doing this for a (long) time between us. And the fact is these are rare cases,” Freeman told reporters. He said the plan was to make the man’s “murder look like another crime gone bad.” He said they used various means of communication, including a series of coded messages, to facilitate the plan. Deputies seized a decryption mechanism in Abayomi’s jail cell, which helped investigators decode many of the messages he and his alleged accomplices used to coordinate the plan. “This was a twisted plot to make the victim look like the bad guy in his own death,” Freeman said. Investigators were not certain how Ingram planned to carry out the murder.

including through lanes or those used to exit at certain points. You should pick whatever lane you like — inside, outside, it doesn’t matter. That’s because if you get it wrong, you can always just switch lanes abruptly and without warning, never mind if other people happen to be driving in that other lane and you cause them to slam on the brakes or take evasion action. If you don’t feel confident enough to pick a specific lane, just use both. Drive your subcompact Toyota Corolla like it was an 18-wheeler. It’s fine. I hope these tips will help locals, and those moving to the area, understand how roundabouts are traversed in North Fulton and Forsyth County so they can start to view this type of intersection as the beautiful bit of engineering it is instead of some demonic, anxiety inducing traffic solution. I leave you with one final tip, and this is a legitimate one — with more roundabouts cropping up in our area, be sure to always make sure your car insurance is up to date. You’re going to need it. “I think he was planning to shoot him. The evidence that we have suggests that, but I don’t have a solid answer to that question,” Det. Tim Connor said when asked by a reporter. The investigation remains ongoing, and more suspects could be arrested, detectives indicated. Authorities said they contacted the intended target during the investigation to alert him, and they described him as “concerned and scared” when he learned of the plot. The sheriff read a statement from the intended victim during the press conference. “This all seemed surreal and something you would see in the movies,” the man wrote. “To receive the news all the people involved have been arrested is a sigh of relief. The detectives have kept me up to date and made sure I was aware of what was going on. I can’t believe how determined and caring these deputies were in making sure I was safe and these individuals were arrested.”

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Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman, standing with detectives, addresses a press conference April 27 to reveal details of an alleged murderfor-hire plot that was allegedly arranged by an inmate at the county jail.

Arrests: Continued from Page 5 driver and failure to maintain lane. Eduardo Joshua Granados, 26, of Cedar Tree SW, Lilburn, was arrested April 17 on Ga. 400 for DUI and failure to maintain lane. Zamiaha K. Mansfield, 21, of Columns Drive, Cumming, was arrested April 17 on Ga. 400 for DUI and failure to main-

Schools: Continued from Page 6 and bronze medal categories for schools. Instead, U.S. News numerically ranks the top 75 percent of the schools nationally, and it lists the bottom 25 percent alphabetically along with the ranking range. Schools are now assigned a 0-100 percentile scoring system. Lambert High School has a score of 98.54, which means fewer than 2 percent of all schools nationally scored higher. Private schools are not included in the rankings because most do not give statewide accountability tests, such as the Georgia Milestones Assessments, which are

PUBLIC SAFETY tain lane. David Nathan Frankel, 59, of Collingham Tree, Cumming, was arrested April 17 on Bethelview Road for DUI. Kristin Michelle Haverhill, 30, of Hickory Ridge, Cumming, was arrested April 17 on Ga. 400 for DUI and failure to maintain lane. Bettina Noelle Barrett, 39, of Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, was arrested April 17 on Buford Highway for DUI and speeding. Elizabeth Lane Cantlin, 54, of Misty Cove Lane, Gainesville, was arrested federally mandated for public schools. Statewide, Georgia’s percentage of schools in the top 25 percentile of the nation puts it closer to the top of the list than the bottom. Georgia is ranked 21st out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., with nearly 25 percent of its 426 public high schools ranked in the top 25 percent nationally. Among Southern states, Georgia is behind only Florida, which is ranked 6th in the nation with 36 percent of its high schools in the top 25th percentile. Topping the list of 50 is Massachusetts with nearly half its high schools making the top 25 percent. At the bottom is Maine, which researchers noted did not provide sufficient test scores to be adequately evaluated. View the entire report at: usnews.com/ education/best-high-schools.

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April 18 on Browns Bridge Road for DUI. Casey Lynn McDonald, 23, of Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, was arrested April 18 on Ga. 400 for DUI and failure to maintain lane. Joel Stephen Hensley, 35, of Oakcreek Tree, Cumming, was arrested April 18 on Canton Road for DUI and following too closely. Anita Rahnama, 28, of Brands Hatch Boulevard, Cumming, was arrested April 19 on Ga. 400 for DUI and speeding. Solution L A S S O

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Mary Blackstone, 91, of Milton, passed away April 15, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Betty Day, 88, of Alpharetta, away April 23, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

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(Gearin) Dills, 51, passed away April 28, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory. Pamela Lynn Gruen, 68, of Cumming, passed away April 22, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Jeffery Wayne Heard, 70, passed away April 22, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

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George Johnston, 75, of Alpharetta, passed away April 16, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery. Dolores Kontra, 90, of Roswell, passed away April 27, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Wanda Jean Lanter, 61, Cumming passed away April 24, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Roswell Funeral Home of Green Lawn Cemetary Faithfully Serving Families Since 1839

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Thomas Hyatt, 72, of Milton, passed away April 23, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

William Johnson, 83, of Cumming, passed away April 16, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

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Diane Linscott, 82, of Alpharetta, passed away April 16, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Stanley Burke Long, 64, of Cumming, passed away April 22, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home. Donald Edward Morgan, 75, of Cumming, passed away April 25, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

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Tera Morris, 93, of Alpharetta, passed away April 19, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

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Teresa Peacock, 51, of Roswell, passed away April 23, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

Joanna Price, 60, of Alpharetta, passed away April 24, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory. Dr. Teresa Matherley Quesenberry, 57, passed away April 26, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home. William Harvey Swanger, 85, of Cumming, passed away April 22, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory. Jimmy A. Teasley III, 76, passed away April 28, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home.

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Wakefield, 57, of Milton, passed away April 21, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory. Roswell Funeral Home

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Delores Tulloss, 69, of Alpharetta, passed away April 19, 2021. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery.

22 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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ROOF TROUBLE?

AT&T Mobility, LLC is proposing to construct an • Ceiling Spots • Blistering approximate 36-foot overall height metal pole within a Rotting The proposed • Buckling public •right-of-way. pole wouldSpots support a telecommunications antenna equipment. Call and Forassociated A The proposed pole willRoof be locatedAnalysis at 1235 Rucker Road, FREE Alpharetta, Fulton County, Georgia 30009 (N34° 4’ 28.0” 770.744.5700 and W84° 19’ 31.0”). AT&T Mobility, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the proposed 99 undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, Top Rated Appensignificant Rated •inBBB • Angie’s List structures, or •objects American history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that are listed or * for listing in the National determined be eligible $500to OFF Register of Historic Places under National Historic New Roof Preservation Action Section 106. Comments pertaining Purchase specifically historicwith resources may be sent to Impact7g, Cannotto combine any Attention other offer orMs. discount. Inc., Casey Radke 9550 Hickman Roofat Repair and Valid GA only. Present couRoad, Clive, IA 50325 or call 404-509-6488. ponSuite AFTER105, getting quote. Replacement Comments*Offer must expires be received 30 days of the date of 10 within days after publication this notice. CS 153/CR

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AT&T Mobility, LLC is proposing to construct an approximate 36-foot overall height metal pole within a public right-of-way. The proposed pole would support a telecommunications antenna and associated equipment. The proposed pole will be located at 1299 Rucker Road, ROOF REPAIR &30009 REPLACE Alpharetta, Fulton County, Georgia (N34° 4’ 23.9” Call for AT&T a FREE Estimate! and W84° 19’ 19.0”). Mobility, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the proposed 770-284-3123 undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures,$200 or objectsLeak significantRepairs in American history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that Roof are listed or or 10% OFF New determined to be eligible for listing in the National North Atlanta 1983 RegisterServing of Historic Places underSince National Historic Affordable Quality Roofing Preservation Action Section 106. Comments pertaining Based in Roswell specifically to historic resources may be sent to Impact7g, Inc., Attention Ms. Casey Radke at 9550 Hickman 99 Road, Suite 105, Clive, IA 50325 or call 404-509-6488. Comments*Offer mustexpires be received withinafter 30 days of the date of 10 days publication this notice. CS 152/CR

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24 | May 6, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth