J u n e 2 3 , 2 0 2 2 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 2 5 , N o . 2 5
Final design nears on new campus for county offices By R.J. TURNER newsroom@appenmedia.com
JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA
Forsyth County resident Susan Bova holds her dog Gracie at the podium to speak in favor of the county’s proposed ban on retail pet sales June 16. The Board of Commissioners passed the ban unanimously.
County bans retail pet sales By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners gave final approval to a county-wide ban on retail pet sales June 16. The resolution modifies the county’s animal control ordinance to ban the
sale of cats and dogs within a pet shop, although animal control facilities and rescue organizations may still reserve space in pet shops to adopt out animals. The resolution also bans the roadside sale of cats, dogs and domestic rabbits, except by a state or county fair or similar exhibition or educational programs.
The bans do not apply to animal shelters or rescue organizations in any way. The resolution is intended to combat animal mistreatment and abuse often associated with “puppy mills,” or large-scale breeding operations in which animals are sold for profit.
Methodist churches respond to ruling
North metro cities to celebrate Fourth
Fetch Park venue for dogs to open
► PAGE 3
► PAGE 5
See SALES, Page 18
► PAGE 8
CUMMING, Ga. – Forsyth County officials are heading into the final design phase for a new Administration Building campus on Freedom Parkway near Ga. 400. The new government complex, with an estimated price tag of $95 million, is needed because the government and the services it provides have outgrown the downtown Cumming headquarters, county officials say. “The county has had to rent space on West Maple Street paying $400,000 in rent per year,” Forsyth County Manager Kevin Tanner said. The new campus will be a onestop-shop service facility, where “everyone will be under one roof,” Tanner said. The campus will occupy 42 acres and include the Administration Building and Employee Center, the Whole Health Building and greenspace amenities. The new four-story Administration Building headquarters is
See BUILDING, Page 19
2 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
POLICE BLOTTER 770-442-3278| ||ForsythHerald.com NorthFulton.com 770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 770-442-3278
319 Main Street, Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 30009 319 N. N. Main Alpharetta, GA
319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen
PUBLISHER Appen PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen PUBLISHER: Hans Appen Appen PUBLISHER: Hans MANAGINGEMERITUS: EDITOR: Patrick Fox PUBLISHER Ray Appen MANAGING Patrick Fox MANAGING EDITOR: EDITOR: Patrick Fox PUBLISHER: Hans Appen EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta: ext.118, 118, Roswell ext. 122 Alpharetta: Roswell: ext.122 Alpharetta:ext. ext.QUESTIONS: 118, Roswell ext. 122 EDITORIAL Dunwoody Crier: ext. 143 DunwoodyCrier: Crier:ext.ext. Dunwoody 143143 Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Forsyth Herald: ext. 118 ForsythHerald: Herald:ext.ext. Forsyth 118118 Alpharetta: Johns Creekext. Herald: 118, Roswell ext. 123ext. 122 JohnsCreek CreekHerald: Herald: ext. 123 Johns ext.123 Dunwoody Milton Herald: Crier: ext. ext. 139 143 MiltonHerald: Herald:ext.139 ext. 139 Milton Forsyth Herald: Calendar: ext. 122 ext. 118 Calendar: ext. 122 Calendar: ext.122 Johns Creek Herald: ext. 123 Milton Herald: ext. 139 TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: Calendar: ext. 122 TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored News / Press Releases: AppenMedia.com/Sponsored Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: Calendar / Events: AppenMedia/Calendar News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: ext. 100 General Advertising: General Advertising: ext. 100 advertising@appenmediagroup.com General Advertising:QUESTIONS: ext.100 advertising@appenmediagroup.com ADVERTISING Classified Advertising: ext. 119 Classified Advertising: ext. 119 advertising@appenmedia.com classifieds@appenmediagroup.com General Advertising: ext. 100 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com Classified Advertising: ext. 119 advertising@appenmediagroup.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ext. 100 Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ext. 100 classifieds@appenmedia.com Classified Advertising: ext. 119 circulation@appenmediagroup.com circulation@appenmediagroup.com Circulation / Subscriptions / Delivery: ext. 100 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com circulation@appenmedia.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ext. 100 OUR PUBLICATIONS: OUR PUBLICATIONS: circulation@appenmediagroup.com Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation OUR PUBLICATIONS: Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation Johns PUBLICATIONS: Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation OUR Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation 28,000 circulation Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Johns Milton Creek Herald: Herald: 10,000 circulation circulation Dunwoody Crier: 18,00020,000 circulation Milton Herald: 10,000 circulation Dunwoody Answer Book: Crier: 40,000 18,000 circulation circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Milton Herald: 10,000 circulation Milton Herald: 10,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation
319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 PUBLISHER: Hans Appen
319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
AppenMedia.com THECRIER.net THECRIER.net
Honored as as a Honored newspaper a newspaper of General of General Excellence Excellence Honored as 2018 2018 a newspaper of General Excellence
2018 THECRIER.net 2018 2018
2018
Serving ages 14 months to 12 years
Enrolling Now. Schedule a Tour Today! 678-208-0774 3034 Old Atlanta Road Cumming, GA 30041 info@montessoricumming.com www.montessoricumming.com
All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
Fake sheriff’s deputy tries to scam woman FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 53-year-old Cumming woman reported June 8 that a person claiming to be a Fulton County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to scam her and threatened her over the phone. The woman told Forsyth County deputies the caller said she had to pay $5,000 because she had missed jury duty and did not pay a citation. The woman did not recall ever having been summoned for jury duty or having a citation against her. The caller told her that if she did not pay, the case would be handled criminally. He gave her a location to drop off the money. The woman called back shortly after to confirm the location the man gave her, then told him she would be reporting him to law
PUBLIC SAFETY enforcement. The caller then threatened to assault the woman. During the conversation, the man said that he was located on Castleberry Road, according to the report. A Forsyth County deputy attempted to call the man multiple times. The one time he answered, he hung up as soon as the deputy identified himself.
Couple’s items taken during visit to park FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Cumming woman reported that her and her daughter’s belongings were stolen at Pooles Mill Park June 6. The woman said she and her daughter were taking photos at the park and had put her daughter’s belongings down on the ground and walked away. When they returned, the items were gone. The items taken included an iPhone X, a designer bag containing the daughter’s driver’s license, two car keys and a debit card. The woman told police they had only seen three other people in the park and that all three had left. The mother was able to track her daughter’s phone using her own cellphone. She advised police that the
daughter’s phone was near the south end of the county. Later in the night, deputies located the stolen items in a trash can at a QuikTrip gas station. According to the report, deputies were aware of a suspect and planned to seek warrants once they secured video footage of the incident. A 50-year-old Norcross woman is listed as the suspect in the report.
Woman loses $12,000 in check fraud forgery FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 75-year-old Alpharetta woman reported June 9 that a check she attempted to mail had been intercepted, written over and cashed. The woman said she placed the check in a mailbox at the Kroger on Atlanta Highway around 1 p.m. June 8. The check was made out to her credit union in the amount of $589. The woman then found that the check had been altered and cashed for $12,089. She contacted her bank, which requested a police report for the incident. The responding deputy asked the woman to send a copy of the check through email for the report.
Roswell police charge mom for leaving kids in hot car By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — A Cumming woman was arrested June 14 for allegedly leaving her two children unattended inside a hot car. Eneilu Espinoza, 27, was charged with first degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct. Roswell police spokesman Tim Lupo said a witness in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree at 608 Holcomb Bridge Road called 911 to report the incident. When they arrived at the scene, officers found a 3-month-old and a 5-year-old child inside the car, which was unlocked and turned off with the windows rolled up, Lupo said. Both children were removed from the car and were allegedly showing early signs of heat-related illness. Lupo said the
external temperature at the time was 93 degrees. After making an announcement over the store loudspeaker, Lupo said Espinoza came forward, stating that she had only stopping inside for a few minutes. She was then taken into custody and transported to the Fulton County Jail. The 3-month-old child was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and the 5-year-old was transported to the Roswell Police Department, where he was later
released to his father. Lupo said the children’s dad was not at the scene at the time of the incident. Police say heat exhaustion and heat stroke can set in very quickly in high temperatures in an outside environment, let alone inside of a sealed car. “If you cannot bring your children inside your destination, leave them at home in the care of a responsible guardian,” police advise.
Alpharetta police arrest suspect after standoff with SWAT team ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta police arrested an armed Avondale Estates man June 14 who was inside HomeGoods on North Point Parkway after a standoff with SWAT. Lt. Andrew Splawn of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety said police were dispatched to the store at 10:59 a.m. after the man, identified as Eric Gibson, 33, had brandished a firearm and made threats to an employee. When they arrived on scene, police evacuated the store and neighboring businesses and began searching for the suspect. SWAT personnel and hostage negotiators joined police at the scene, Splawn said. When police located Gibson in a room in the back of the store, negotiators
took over to create a dialogue, although Splawn said no hostages were taken during the incident. Splawn said Gibson surrendered peacefully around 1:30 p.m., and no shots were fired during the incident. Police recovered a handgun from the area he had been hiding. After speaking with employees, police determined Gibson was a disgruntled HomeGoods employee, according to a press release. Gibson was charged with reckless conduct and simple assault. Alpharetta police thanked Milton, Roswell and Johns Creek police for their assistance during the incident. — Jake Drukman
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 3
United Methodist Churches navigate debate over LGBTQ+ ruling By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com CUMMING, Ga. — For many in Forsyth County, and in North Metro Atlanta, church is an integral part of life and community. Organized religion offers a space for many to gather with those who share their beliefs and values and foster companionship. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, however, religious congregations can represent a frightening uncertainty. While some churches may be accepting of those with differing sexualities or gender identities, others may see those individuals as an affront, incompatible with their beliefs. The United Methodist Church is a force of Christianity in North Georgia, with dozens of churches in North Metro Atlanta alone, each operated independently but with a shared set of beliefs. That unity was shaken early this month when the United Methodist Church’s North Georgia Conference announced that more than 70 churches in the area would disaffiliate from the greater United Methodist Church. The split represents about 9 percent of the conference’s more than 700 North Georgia churches, though the disaffiliat-
ing congregations were mostly in small rural communities, representing about 3% of the UMC’s North Georgia membership. The disaffiliation, which is set to take effect at the end of the month, came amid debates within the UMC regarding same-sex marriage and the ability of gay people to become clergy members. John Hutchinson, interim director of communications at Cumming First United Methodist Church, said disaffiliation is not a decision churches can make lightly. He said their church buildings and furnishings are owned by the UMC itself, rather than by the individual church. Congregations have to go through several processes and receive approval from their conference to disaffiliate. In addition to being a lengthy process, Hutchinson also said disaffiliation is expensive for the individual churches. Christian Headlines reported June 7 that some of the more conservative UMC congregations are planning to join the Global Methodist Church, a newly launched theologically conservative denomination, while more progressive UMC churches may also disaffiliate in the future to join the Liberation Methodist Connexion, an LGBTQ+ friendly denomination.
ADVERTISE IN OUR Real Estate Report with each ad purchased receive a free adveRtorial of equal size! Reach North Atlanta with a circulation of 93,000 the first week of each month.
To advertise your business in the next section, call 770-442-3278 or email: mike@appenmedia.com
Cumming First UMC, which has about 2,500 members, is not disaffiliating from the church. Hutchinson, who also serves as the church’s director of music, worship and arts, said the church is accepting of LGBTQ+ members, though its members have varied opinions on the issue. “We have the full gamut of opinions on this from the very conservative to the very progressive,” Hutchinson said. “We have gay members who are very open about that, and who we welcome in every way, shape and form. We really do strive earnestly to welcome all people, to love all people and value all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, physical, mental, emotional ability, any of that. So that’s our church position.” Hutchinson also said Cumming First cannot perform same-sex weddings under the UMC’s codes. The denomination’s policies are codified in what it calls the Book of Discipline, which also prohibits the ordaining of “practicing” homosexuals as clergy. Hutchinson said that Cumming First strives to be inclusive of all people, and that if the greater UMC opts to change its policies on homosexuality, Cumming First will follow its guidance.
We have the full gamut of opinions on this from the very conservative to the very progressive.” JOHN HUTCHINSON Interim Director of Communications at Cumming First United Methodist Church “We are a United Methodist Church, and as such, we follow the Book of Discipline, period,” Hutchinson said. “At the same time, we do everything we possibly can to welcome everyone, love everyone regardless of who they are. We do everything we can to include people up to what the church allows, which quite frankly is just about everything. And if the church changes, then we will be even more inclusive.” In addition to Cumming First, Appen Media reached out to six other UMC congregations in North Metro Atlanta. Some did not respond, and those that did either declined to comment or did not engage on the topic of LGBTQ+ issues.
FULL BATHROOM / KITCHEN REMODELING
10% OFF
ALL PRODUCTS SELECTED Kitchen Remodeling & Design Bathroom Remodeling & Design Basement Finishes
Come see our brand new showroom: 5725 State Bridge Rd., Ste 202, Johns Creek, GA 30022 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm | Sat 10am-2pm | Sun Closed Call for your FREE Home Consultation.
We Do It Right
A.I.R. KITCHEN & BATH CENTER
470-805-5522 | www.airkitchenandbath.com | info@atlantaintercontinental.com
4 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
Former solicitor threatens to sue Milton, Alpharetta
By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A former employee of Alpharetta and Milton is threatening legal action after she was passed over to fill the position of solicitor. In a demand-letter sent to the cities’ mayors and staff on May 5, Fran Shoenthal McQueen says that in selecting a “much younger replacement,” the City of Alpharetta violated its own charter. It also claims Alpharetta misclassified McQueen as an independent contractor to avoid paying her fringe benefits such as group health insurance, retirement benefits, sick days and paid holidays during the 20 years she spent working for the city. Appen Media obtained a copy of the 10-page letter by McQueen’s attorney, Debra Schwartz with Shwartz Rollins Employment Law, through an open
records request. In a June 10 email to Appen Media, both cities confirmed they had received the demand-letter but declined to comment. They are expected to provide a response no later than June 17. According to the letter, McQueen began working for Alpharetta in 2002 and for Milton in 2007. While the duties and attributes of the position are nearly identical, McQueen was classified as an independent contractor in Alpharetta and a part-time employee in Milton, representing a combined roughly 105,000 residents in court. Under Alpharetta’s charter, the solicitor is an appointed position that has the same term as the judge of the Alpharetta Municipal Court, subject to good behavior and at the discretion of the mayor and City Council. The solicitor acts as a prosecuting attorney for minor cases such as misdemeanors and traffic violations.
GARAGE SALES See more garage sales in the classifieds
MILTON: 673 Dunbrody 30004; Estate sale, Friday-Sunday 6/24-6/26 10AM4PM. Moving across country everything must go! Household, holiday decorations, toys (Thomas the Tank, superhero, children books etc) Tons of designer clothes and shoes, mens and Womens. Additional parking Crabapple Market parking garage MILTON: Multi Family yard sale. Crabapple Station on Crabapple Road; Close to Crabapple Road and Broadwell in Downtown. Friday- Sunday 6/24-6/26 10 am-4pm; Additional parking Crabapple Market Garage
DEADLINE
To place garage sale ads: Noon Friday. Call 770-442-3278 or email classifieds@appenmedia.com CDAR Member SWIFT Code: GMCBUS3A
SBA Loans (Small Business Administration Loans) 770-455-4985
SBA LOANS RANKED #1 IN GA
(Fiscal year 2009-2012, 2014-2021 in total dollar amount)
Residential Mortgage Loans
Trinh Pham (NMLS#1369150) 678-672-3926 (Norcross Branch) Jimmy Song (NMLS#1218336) 770-454-1871 (Duluth Branch) Sandy Na (NMLS#983548) 770-454-1861 (Norcross Branch) Headquarters | 5114 Buford Highway, Doraville, GA 30340 Metro City Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of MetroCity Bankshares, Inc, (Nasdaq: MCBS).
Please Contact Us For More Information 770-455-4989. www.metrocitybank.com
Having failed to satisfy the requirements of the city charter in hiring the new solicitor, Ms. [Kelsie] Mattox is without proper authority to be prosecuting cases in the Municipal Court of Alpharetta …” FRAN SHOENTHAL MCQUEEN Former solicitor for cities of Alpharetta and Milton The letter states that because Judge Barry Zimmerman began another four-year term on Jan. 1, McQueen is entitled to remain as the city’s solicitor through Dec. 31, 2025. Separately, Zimmerman announced his retirement on June 13 to resolve an investigation against him for possible ethical lapses. According to Alpharetta’s charter, before an individual can be appointed as the solicitor for the city, the candidate must be a lawyer and member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia, of good moral character as attested to by at least three citizens of the city and supply the judge with
at least three statements of their legal reputation and proficiency from members of the State Bar of Georgia. The letter alleges neither of the last two requirements were performed in hiring the new solicitor. Additionally, McQueen says she received nothing but praise for her work during her two decades with the cities and was at no time advised that her job was in jeopardy or that her performance was deficient in any way. “Having failed to satisfy the requirements of the city charter in hiring the
See SOLICITOR, Page 21
Alpharetta municipal judge steps down amid ethics probe By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta Municipal Court Chief Judge Barry Zimmerman announced his retirement June 9, a move that put an end to an ethics investigation regarding his conduct. The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, which investigates and prosecutes allegations of judicial misconduct, was investigating Zimmerman for allegedly violating the state’s code of judicial conduct. A report filed with the Supreme Court of Georgia ZIMMERMAN alleges the commission’s investigative panel found “reasonable cause” to believe Zimmerman had been “improperly involved” in several of his cases within the city court, and that he had worked on cases that he should have recused himself from. The report also alleges the panel found evidence that Zimmerman “improperly represented a party in a person-
al matter” in another jurisdiction, while the unnamed party regularly appeared before him in the Alpharetta Municipal Court. Zimmerman sent a letter to Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin June 9 announcing that he would retire “due to personal reasons,” effective July 1. “For the last 42 years it has been my honor to serve my community as a Municipal Court Judge, the majority of which were served with the City of Alpharetta,” the letter reads. “It has been a great pleasure, and an honor, serving the citizens of Alpharetta.” The Judicial Qualifications Commission filed a consent agreement with the Georgia Supreme Court the next day, in which Zimmerman agreed to retire and refrain from seeking another judicial office in the future. In return, the Judicial Qualifications Commission will not file formal charges against him. Zimmerman has served as chief judge for the Alpharetta Municipal Court since 2014. The City of Alpharetta confirmed that Zimmerman notified them of his intent to resign but declined to comment further on the matter.
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 5
ISTOCK
Cities across north metro plan Fourth of July events BY ADAM DARBY adam@appenmedia.com The Fourth of July holiday is commonly associated with outdoor grilling, festive parades, patriotic music, swimming pools and fireworks displays. With school out for summer, parents can find a variety of holiday events throughout north Metro Atlanta this year. The cities of Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek, Cumming, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs are holding celebratory events for America’s birthday. Here are some major holiday celebrations scheduled throughout the area to mark on your July calendar.
Cumming
The Cumming Fairgrounds continues its annual tradition with an all-day celebration on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event begins with a steam engine parade and will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Families of all ages are welcome to enjoy food vendors, live music, a designated kids zone, a dance contest and other activities. While parking is free, admission is $5 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. For more information, call 770-781-3491.
Alpharetta
The city is holding its annual fireworks display at Wills Park on the big day. Families are invited to celebrate our nation under the stars. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic meal as they enjoy time together outdoors. Fireworks begin at dusk. Charcoal grills are strictly prohibited, but small propane grills are allowed with a permit granted to the first 50 applicants. All the park’s main parking lots will be open until they reach capacity. For more information or to submit your grill permit for Wills Park, email hlew@alpharetta.ga.us or call 678297-6382.
Milton
Leading up to the holiday, Milton is holding its Independence Day Celebration and Walking Parade in Crabapple on July 2 starting at 10 a.m. The parade is expected to last 20 minutes going through nearby neighborhoods before circling back to the Broadwell Pavilion. Guests, residents, and families of all ages are welcome to decorate their pets, bikes or strollers in red, white and blue. Once arriving at the pavilion, participants can enjoy a bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, arts and crafts, games, a playground, compli-
mentary snacks and beverages, Kona Ice truck, along with an award for best patriotic decorations of pets or people. For more information, email Anna Stockstill at anna.stockstill@miltonga.gov.
Dunwoody
Enjoy the largest Independence Day parade in the state with Dunwoody’s annual Fourth of July Parade hosted by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. The free event starts on July 4 at 9 a.m. at Dunwoody Village. The celebration includes marching bands, floats, clowns, animal units and local celebrities. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, call 770-354-7653.
Roswell
The City of Roswell is also hosting a fireworks display on July 4 starting at 6 p.m. at Roswell Area Park. All ages are welcome to enjoy live music, entertainment and food trucks. Fireworks are set to begin at sunset and guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Parking and attendance are free. For more information, email Andie Gambrel at agambrel@roswellgov.com or call 770594-6443.
Johns Creek
Johns Creek’s fireworks extravaganza will be on July 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Newtown Park. This free event is perfect for guests and families of all ages. Participants will enjoy live music from The Platinum Band, activities and food trucks. Fireworks begin at sunset. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Outside alcohol, pets or tents are strictly prohibited. For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Division at 678512-3200.
Sandy Springs
The city will hold its annual Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration as they light the sky over City Green on July 4. The lawn opens at 4 p.m. with live music from Electric Avenue beginning at 7:30 p.m. before wrapping up the night with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Families and guests can bring their own picnic, purchase food from nearby restaurants, or enjoy food trucks starting at 6 p.m. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased at the event. Tents and personal sparklers are not permitted. Admission is free for all ages. For parking updates and more information about the event, visit citysprings.com/events/starsand-stripes.
6 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
Dunwoody’s Edge City 2.0 gains steam in community By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody residents will hear more about Edge City 2.0 this summer as the project moves into a new phase to invigorate the Perimeter Center over the next 20 years. In May, the city’s consultant, Pond and Company, released an updated market analysis showing how the Edge City 2.0 node compares favorably to competitive markets like Buckhead, Alpharetta and Peachtree Corners in terms of basic demographics, daytime employment and rental rates. The node has the third highest average household income behind Buckhead and the Alpharetta North Point Activity Center. It also has the largest daytime employment by a wide margin, followed by the Cumberland Community Improvement District and Buckhead. It has average rental rates that trail Buckhead and the Alpharetta Downtown Livable Centers Initiative area/Avalon nodes, according to Pond and Company. But, Michael Starling, director of Dunwoody Economic Development, says the goal moving forward is to collect community input to develop Dunwoody’s own blend of community. Unlike the other cities, Dunwoody relishes its MARTA and interstate connectivity, a large base of existing employment, and hotel and shopping, all in a concentrated area. “Maybe it’s not one or the other,” Starling said. “Maybe it’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We’re looking at creating our own unique place so to speak. … The vision for this is to create a community-driven and market-feasible vision for the Perimeter area.”
Comparing apples to apples
Starling said Pond and Company’s research began at the start of the year to find out the market demand for office, hotel, retail and residential. It found that 6.2 million square feet of office space was constructed prior to 2000 and that the average lease rates are higher than both the submarket and metro average. Vacancy rates topped 23 percent, which is significantly higher than the 10-year average of 17.5 percent. Additionally, there are nine existing hotels in the node that total 2,100 rooms, with four new hotels having opened between 2016 and 2021. There is also approximately 3.4 million square
Certainly, long-term office development is probably not going to be as strong as what we’ve seen in the past, so we need to understand that and be aware that we can’t rely on more office development in the future. We may have to look at some other sectors like hotels or retail or residential.” MICHAEL STARLING Director of Dunwoody Economic Development feet of existing retail inventory, with 1.56 million square feet, or nearly half, lying within Perimeter Mall. The research found, there are approximately 5,300 multifamily units in the study area, which saw 30 percent rent growth throughout 2021. Vacancy has averaged 5 percent to 6 percent over the past decade. Starling said the next step is for Pond and Company will be to develop three different growth scenarios ranging from low to high. However, the consultant already has “five big ideas” intended to elevate the quality of life in Dunwoody, facilitate sustainable development and continue economic growth. The plan is for Edge City. 2.0 to “bend the curve” and establish a community heart with lots of things to do and see for local residents. It also calls for introducing new formats of residential to provide something for all including townhouses, rowhomes, stacked flats, seniors living and mixeduse apartments. The idea is that this will create a livable community, foster community interaction and generate neighborhood pride. Another idea is to foster an envi-
See GROUNDWORK, Page 7
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 7
Groundwork: Continued from Page 6 ronment that offers different formats of employment where people can live, work and come together. The competitive analysis also seems to show that Dunwoody has a prime opportunity to shape its future compared to other nodes in North Atlanta. Lastly, with Perimeter Mall being the largest property in the study area, it is expected to have the largest impact through phased infill and redevelopment. Pond and Company says it has the potential to become the “heart” for the community when integrated with High Street, which would connect various uses to MARTA.
Connections and greenspace
Through community involvement this summer, Starling said the city hopes to learn more about what kinds of amenities residents are looking for, but also the level of development and investment they’re comfortable with. He said while it’s possible there’ll be less demand for office space post-pandemic, the city is looking at ways to better connect those office buildings that are farther away from MARTA, so they compete with those that are nearby. “Certainly, long-term office development is probably not going to be as strong as what we’ve seen in the past, so we need to understand that and be aware that we can’t rely on more office development in the future. We may have to look at some other sectors like hotels or retail or residential.” One amenity that seems to be nonnegotiable is adding greenspace such as multi-use trails similar to the Beltline and Path 400. “We’re hearing very clearly from the community that they not only want to see those, but they want to see more,” Starling said. “That also goes hand-inhand with what we’re hearing as far as the types of retail they want to see. They want more dining and entertainment that is focused outdoors. I think lining up those types of amenities will be core to whatever scenario we select.” Starling said he wants the community to understand there’s going to be more opportunity for outreach and public meetings, and probably late summer, more information will be shared about the different scenarios, so they can have their voices heard and input taken.
twitter.com/appenmedia
We’ve listened to our guests’ overwhelming desire to add more locations to the metro Atlanta area. STEPHEN OCHS, founder of Fetch Park
8 | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022
Bar, dog park to open in Alpharetta By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — If you enjoy dogs and drinks, you’re going to love the new attraction soon to come to Alpharetta. Fetch Park, an “off-leash dog park bar and social hub” concept, is set to open its fourth location at 11440 Maxwell Road, up the street from Ameris Bank Amphitheater on June 24. The space will feature a full-service bar and an “expansive” greenspace for dogs and humans alike. The Alpharetta location will join Fetch Park’s two Atlanta locations and one in Columbus. It will also feature outdoor televisions, cooling stations and shaded seating. It will contain an Airstream equipped with a selection of beer, wine and spirits, as well as a coffee bar. The park is designed to resemble an old-school minor league baseball field, a nod to founder Stephen Ochs’ past in baseball. The park will be decorated with murals and illuminated signage and enclosed with fences. Attendants, called “Woof Wardens,” will be present to ensure the safety of guests and dogs and maintain park grounds. The park will also contain a second, on-leash area with a patio, a shipping container bar with coffee and cocktails, a food truck lane and two beach volleyball courts that will host leagues and tournaments. No dogs will be allowed on the volleyball courts. “We’ve listened to our guests’ overwhelming desire to add more locations to the metro Atlanta area,” Ochs said. “We’re thrilled to work hand in hand with the City of Alpharetta to make Fetch hap-
pen in the best way possible for the many dogs and humans in the neighborhood who love the Fetch Park experience but want it closer to home.” The park will host regularly scheduled events, including a live music series, stand-up comedy shows, trivia and singles’ nights. The park will be free for humans to enter, and a membership program will be available for dogs, ranging from a $10 daily rate to monthly and annual memberships that include access to all Fetch Park locations. Dogs are required to be spayed or neutered and have up-to-date vaccinations. Fetch Park Alpharetta will hold its grand opening at 6 p.m. June 24.
Fetch Park operates two locations in Atlanta, like the one here, and one location in Columbus.
PHOTOS BY FETCH PARK/PROVIDED
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 9
TIFFANY MORGAN/APPEN MEDIA
From left, Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry listens as City Councilman Chris Coughlin remarks on the hurdles the city has overcome to make major improvements at Haynes Bridge and Old Alabama roads.
Johns Creek OKs contract for intersection upgrade BY TIFFANY MORGAN newsroom@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. –– Tens of thousands of commuters who endure delays each day at Haynes Bridge Road and Old Alabama may have some relief soon. The Johns Creek City Council approved a construction contract June 6 that will pour $4.5 million-worth of upgrades to the intersection the city hopes will reduce congestion, aid traffic flow and increase pedestrian connectivity. Construction is under contract with Summit Construction for $4 million, not including a $400,000 contingency and a construction engineering inspection allotment of $89,000. Work is scheduled to begin by the end of June or early July. Funding for the project comes from the city’s portion of the countywide transportation sales tax (TSPLOST). Brian O’Conner, TSPLOST manager with City of Johns Creek, said the construction will take up anywhere from 12-18 months. Traffic at the intersection will remain open and flowing when construction begins. The improvement includes changes on two legs of the intersection: • On Old Alabama Road turning north onto Haynes Bridge Road, the single
left turn lane is replaced with two left turn lanes. • On Haynes Bridge Road headed southbound, the left/through lane is replaced with separate lanes for each movement, so once improved, Haynes Bridge Road southbound will have dual left turn lanes, a through lane and a right turn lane. Work will also include a sidewalk connection along Haynes Bridge Road from Alvin Road to Berkshire Manor Drive that will tie into the existing sidewalk in Alpharetta and provide pedestrian connectivity to the Big Creek Greenway. The City of Johns Creek Traffic Count Dashboard shows nearly 20,000 vehicles per day travel the intersection of Old Alabama Road and Haynes Bridge Road. The latest numbers, from 2020, fell dramatically from a high of 19,843 average vehicles daily in 2018, most like influenced by a decline in work commuting from the COVID-19 pandemic. By far, the busiest intersection in Johns Creek is at Medlock Bridge and State Bridge roads, which sees more than 40,000 vehicles a day. The city is in the early stages of implementing some $13.6 million worth of upgrades at that intersection that serves as a crossroads for major east-west and north-south commuter traffic.
twitter.com/appenmedia
10 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
THE INVESTMENT COACH
OPINION
Leading you where you don’t want to go The Gospel of John recounts the appearance of Jesus before seven disciples in Galilee following His resurrection. He said to Peter, “When you were LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP younger you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18) Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. But Jesus also described our life’s journey from birth to death, from the robustness of youth with the excitement of goals fulfilled and milestones achieved, challenges met and difficulties surmounted as we progress through adulthood, and a potential final endgame circumstance. Every
caregiver, care giving professional, and the patient cared for knows this journey well. The loss of major bodily functions is not a respecter of age, as young and middle-aged people experience stemming from accidents, battlefield injuries or illness. But somewhere beyond age 60 the potential impairment of mental and physical functions encompassing decision making, mobility and independence increases, along with the likelihood of needing care. Per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading causes of death among those ages 65 and older are heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, flu and pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney diseases and accidents. Death often is preceded by a period of needed care. This is why providing for short-, intermediate-, or long-term disability or care is a financial and estate planning concern for one’s self and family members, and for loved ones who are caring for family members or other cherished persons
and those who may be called to do so in the future. A 2020 report from National Alliance f0r Caregiving and American Association of Retired Persons revealed a jump in the number of family caregivers from 43.5 million in 2015 to 53 million in 2020, an increase of 22 percent. Of the one in five Americans who are caregivers, 61 percent are women and 39 percent are men. This is a particular challenge to “sandwich generation women” caught between children needing care and aging parents and grandparents, presenting time and financial squeezes, and often, job and career pressures. Twenty-one percent of caregivers report their own health as only fair to poor. For many of the medical conditions cited as a prelude to death, a point may be reached when a “medical fix” is not feasible. Keeping the patient comfortable becomes the primary concern. There are growing efforts by states and the federal government to facilitate home- and community-based services. When a loved one is hospitalized, the question is, “After discharge, what’s next?” One option may be “hospice at home.” Does the patient no longer want aggressive treatment or chemo? Does he or she desire not to go back to the hospital? Is the loved one plagued with uncontrolled pain, frequent ER visits and hospitalizations, ongoing urinary tract infections, wounds that won’t heal, confusion and weakness, significant weight loss, frequent falls or risk of falling, sleeping more, decreased food and liquid consumption, increased need for assistance with activities of daily living? Hospice care is 100 percent covered by Medicare and Medicaid, paying for 24/7 on-call nursing services; medications related to the patient’s primary diagnosis; costs of medical equipment such as a bed, wheelchair, walker or oxygen; personal supplies such as diapers, underpads, wipes, shower chair, etc. The caregiver and patient gain a team of doctors, home aides,
nurses, chaplains, social workers, grief counselors and volunteers. The team can arrange for respite care for the caregiver and other help if one needs to be away. If the patient’s needs outstrip the capabilities of the family caregiver and the hospice at home team, other alternatives can be presented. Many hospitals have professionals on staff who can advise family members on palliative care and hospice care options. In addition to financial concerns, the health and welfare of caregivers is important in the choice of care for a loved one. Senior citizens should explore options before a crisis ensues. When a loved one needs to be rushed to the emergency room, often the first phone call is to 911. After the patient is stabilized, who in the family will get the second call? Usually that’s the go-to “alpha child,” the daughter or son who may be called to step in as a caregiver and decision maker at some point. What does he or she know about your wishes and affairs? Your financial adviser can arrange for a meeting to discuss caregiving and end-of-life options and planning, in addition to a family meeting at some point. Key legal documents should be reviewed with an attorney well-versed in living and testamentary estate and trust planning. Religious needs and preferences should be considered. Decision-making at a time of pressure and grief rarely is optimal. Planning for the certainty of death and the uncertainty leading up to death is a gift to loved ones, with a “peace of mind” dividend for you. Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group; 770-441-3553; lewis@lewwalker.com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Lewis is a registered representative and investment adviser representative of SFA, otherwise unaffiliated with Capital Insight Group. He’s a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor.
twitter.com/appenmedia
OPINION
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 11
PRESERVING THE PAST
Community shares in Milton’s historic ‘barn for books’ The Milton Library may be the only library in the United States with its own book barn hand built by volunteers from wood salvaged from two historic barns on the library property. The barns were to be demolished to make BOB MEYERS room for the construction of the library. The volunteers salvaged the precious siding and beams and stored them. Once the new library was opened in 2015, the volunteers used the wood to construct the barn. Saving historic buildings can take various forms. The most common these days are adaptive reuse –which alters a building for a new use such as a restaurant – and historic preservation, which retains a building’s original design and materials. Neither approach was practical in the case of the barns on the library property due to their age and condition. A compromise solution was to salvage the wood and use it in a new structure that would reflect and honor the designs of the original barns. T.R. (Theodore Roosevelt) Dinsmore (1910-2005) and his wife Imogene Tatum Dinsmore (1911-2009) purchased the property in 1945 from J.J. (Joel Jackson) Rucker (1880-1960) and Nora Rusk Rucker (1878-1976). Fulton County purchased the property from the Dinsmore estate in 2012, by which time the property had shrunk from 8.5 acres to 4 acres. The age of the barns is not known, but they were probably built in the early 1900s based on their methods of construction. T.R. operated a general store in the large brick building that still graces the five-way intersection in downtown Crabapple. That building dates back to the early 1900s. T.R.’s farm was across the road from J.J. Rucker’s cotton gin, where Milton’s Restaurant stands today. The original cotton seed hopper still stands behind the restaurant. Interestingly, J.J. Rucker, who was a citizen of some influence, was at least partially responsible for bringing electric power to Crabapple. In 1930, Georgia Power installed 3.62 miles of lines in Crabapple serving 15 customers. Industrial users were often the impetus for expanding service. J.J. used to describe how he had power lines run from Alpharetta to his home on Old Rucker Road and then up Broadwell Road to the cotton gin. By the 1930s,
PHOTOS BY BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
The Book Barn adjacent to the Milton Library is home to thousands of gently used books. Proceeds of book sales support many Milton Library programs. The barn was constructed with siding removed from two historic barns dismantled on the Dinsmore Farm prior to construction of the library. A view of the partially dismantled monitor barn showing the structure of the main center portion of the barn. The side sheds were easily removed. Much of the effort by volunteers was devoted to removing firmly imbedded nails from the siding and structural elements.
One of two historic barns on the Dinsmore farm that were dismantled to make way for construction of the Milton Branch of the Fulton County Library System. Local volunteers painstakingly salvaged the barns’ siding and used it to construct a unique Book Barn adjacent to the library. The original barn housed animals and had a floored area for the storage of seed and corn. The painted sign on the door says “Unsafe Do Not Enter” indicating that the barn had deteriorated substantially over the years.
This image shows that the two barns were fairly close together. The residence was to the right of the azalea bush.
90 percent of urban dwellings in the U.S. had electricity, while only 10 percent of rural dwellers did. Companies who provided power to consumers felt it was too expensive to electrify small, isolated towns, and besides, they reasoned, farmers were too poor to afford electricity. The book barn project was spearheaded by former Milton City Council member Bill Lusk, a retired building contractor. The first task was to dismantle the two barns on the property. Friends of the Milton Library volunteers quickly learned how challenging it is to remove hundreds of bent and rusted nails from very well-seasoned boards. The boards were transported by trailer
to the nearby backyard of Bruce Harris where they remained for 10 months until the new library was completed and the construction of the barn could begin. First, a concrete slab was poured. Next, the framing of the structure was installed on the slab by commercial contractors. Then, dedicated volunteers installed the siding and windows. Finally, the roof, doors and an airconditioning system were professionally installed. The entire building was painted white by volunteers. To top it all off, Bill Lusk made a massive 10-foot-long table out of structural beams salvaged from the barns. Lusk says, “Everyone involved was dedicated and enjoyed the fellowship. The result was a first-class facility where the public can shop for book bargains in a nostalgic atmosphere. It was built with respect for the history of the community, the property and its original structures.” A generous donation from the Shannon Family Foundation paid for the majority of the construction costs.
Fulton County supported the project in important ways. Fulton Country Commissioner Liz Hausmann said “I’m very proud of the work we did to locate the Milton Library in the heart of the downtown of the new city of Milton, and the work we did with the community to preserve and incorporate the history of the Dinsmore Farm site into the library campus. The coordination with the Friends of the Milton Library to build the book barn was a special addition to this great community partnership.” The library has become an integral part of the community and a destination for children, students and adults. All proceeds from the sale of books in the barn are used to support library programs. Bob is the Milton Historical Society Director Emeritus. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net.
12 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
Alpharetta’s Juneteenth gala highlights Black artists By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Sunday marked Alpharetta’s first community-wide celebration of Juneteenth, commemorating the full emancipation of Black Americans from slavery on June 19, 1865. The celebration, held in conjunction with St. James United Methodist Church, featured storytelling, song and dance at Brooke Street Park just outside City Hall to honor the history and distinctiveness of Black culture throughout the evening. But just as the seven-hour celebration kicked off Sunday afternoon, a number of Black artists from near and far set up stands at the park to showcase and sell the work that they’ve dedicated themselves to. Rebekah Jackson, a southwest Atlanta artist and owner of jewelry business Vigor & Gems, brought handcrafted jewelry from the business to Brooke Street Park. The jewelry, all crafted by Jackson personally, came in the form of rings, earrings, necklaces and circlets. Many of Jackson’s pieces were made using copper, while others were made of beads. Some of the beads were made of crystal, while others were imported from Africa and used materials such as brass, cow bone, wood and glass. Jackson said the jewelry is designed to harness natural healing properties of the crystals and copper materials. Jackson got started making copper jewelry for personal use due to issues with inflammation and pain. When friends began requesting jewelry for themselves, Jackson began making it on a larger scale. Four years later, Vigor & Gems is a thriving business. On the topic of Juneteenth as a federally recognized holiday, Jackson said its growing presence in the public mind is a step forward for the recognition of the hardships Black Americans have faced, but education on the day’s history is still lacking. “I think it is popularizing something, but still not educating people on the true meaning and history of Juneteenth,” Jackson said. “Now employees are getting a paid day off work, but are you recognizing the meaning behind that day? I think what’s more important is to understand the history of Juneteenth and how we are still reeling from the effects of institutionalized slavery.” Kamon Sherriff, a Stone Mountain painter, illustrator and digital artist originally from California, showcased his artwork that largely blends African American culture with traditional Japanese culture, depicting Black samurai warriors. His booth sold art prints, Tshirts bearing his artwork and even an original coloring book he illustrated and published. Sherriff said he’s always enjoyed drawing but began making art professionally about six years ago. His early art was inspired by Japanese anime, and even his more traditional pieces still incorporate the fantasy elements that come along with it. “[My art is] kind of just representing Black people in different ways that we might not actually see,” Sherriff said. “I think that goes right along with Juneteenth.” Shellton LaBron, a painter from Statesboro, also showcased his paintings at the celebration, mixing surrealism and abstraction to create eye-catching portraits, many of which he works on for days. “[Juneteenth] is another way to exhibit the spirit of America,” LaBron said. “It’s inclusive of all citizens. Freedom and justice for all. So, it’s a great way to recognize people’s heritage.”
Shellton LaBron displays his art at Alpharetta’s Juneteenth celebration June 19.
PHOTOS BY JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA
Rebekah Jackson showcases Vigor & Gems’ handcrafted jewelry at Alpharetta’s inaugural Juneteenth community celebration June 19.
Kamon Sheriff’s artwork blends themes of African American culture and traditional Japanese culture.
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 13
Roswell honors Juneteenth By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell’s Juneteenth celebration ended with community members gathered around the table, reflecting on the city’s past. About two dozen people visited Roswell Presbyterian Church June 19 to watch performances by actor Tiffany Porter and John Doyle, who gave a half-hour theatrical presentation, “Reflections on Slavery in Roswell.” The performances were followed by a potluck dinner with dishes community members brought to share. Juneteenth, which is short for June Nineteenth, marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. It was originally celebrated in Texas on June 19, 1866, the day African Americans there learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, more than two years after it was issued. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in celebration and recognition of the end of slavery and to honor the culture and achievements of African Americans. Historic Assets Manager Dena Bush said the city partnered with Roswell Presbyterian Church and Friends of Mimosa Hall and Gardens to bring Doyle back by popular demand. In February, Doyle partnered with Roswell Roots in celebration of Black History Month. “Reflections on Slavery” is based upon a real-life individual, Luke Monroe, whose life in Roswell spanned before, during and after the Civil War. Through his performance, Doyle touched on themes of the interconnected lives of all people in the small town of Roswell and how enslaved people tried to maintain some agency over their own lives. Porter, on the other hand, premiered a new play, “Welcome to Normal,” that will be shared at the Equitable Dinners event in September, where 5,000 people will gather to “inspire anti-racism action through art and courageous conversation.” Equitable Dinners is a collaboration between Out of Hand Theater and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, The King Center, Partnership for Southern Equity and Fulton County Remembrance Coalition, among others. It is a free monthly series geared toward
community learning. Bush said the program on June 19 was intended to be all about community. “When we first started this, we really wanted to provide the opportunity to enjoy this from a performance standpoint, but then also provide the opportunity to just gather around the table, perhaps meet someone new and have a conversation,” Bush said. While eating dinner, the community was encouraged to reflect on the play and the story, what they connected with personally and what the performances inspired them to do differently. Roswell’s Juneteenth celebration began on June 17, with Grammy-nominated producer and Billboard No. 1 artist Aaron Nigel Smith, who performed at the Cultural Arts Center. The King and Queens Chapter of the American Bridge Association and Roswell Roots also sponsored the sixth annual Bid Whist Card Party at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center on June 18. PHOTOS BY CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA
Actor John Doyle portrays a man reflecting on the lives and experiences of the enslaved people of Roswell at the Juneteenth celebration on June 19 at Roswell Presbyterian Church.
Roswell’s Juneteenth celebration ends with a community potluck dinner at Roswell Presbyterian Church.
About a dozen people, including State Rep. Mary Robichaux, at left, enjoy a potluck dinner at Roswell Presbyterian Church following performances by actors Tiffany Porter and John Doyle celebrating Juneteenth.
14 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
Milton studies running its own elections By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Seeking greater oversight and cost savings, Milton’s new Municipal Election Feasibility Committee held its inaugural meeting June 15 to study whether the city should run its own municipal elections. The committee will work to determine whether it is practical for the city to operate its own elections for city positions, rather than outsourcing the operations to Fulton County, as it has done in the past. Regardless of the outcome, county, state and federal elections would still be run at the county level. A group of residents petitioned the City Council last summer to oppose the city’s agreement to have Fulton County run its municipal elections. The group cited integrity concerns and costs to taxpayers. Elected officials moved forward with the county contract, but informally agreed later in the year to identify a group to study the issue. On April 18, 2022, the City Council approved the committee’s formation. The six-person panel was intended to represent three stakeholder
groups: City Council members, city staff and Milton residents. The committee is made up of City Councilman Rick Mohrig, Councilman Paul Moore, Deputy City Manager Stacey Inglis, City Clerk Tammy Lowit and residents Mark Amick and Lisa Cauley. The committee’s first meeting consisted largely of discussion about how it will operate and identifying its objectives. Members opted not to appoint a formal chair and agreed that at least one member of each of the three stakeholder groups must be present for the committee to make any formal decisions. The committee assigned members to look into the costs associated with the city running its own elections, from staffing and training to renting voting equipment. Members have also been assigned to contact other Georgia cities that run their own elections, such as Peachtree Corners, Lawrenceville, Loganville and Eatonton, to research associated costs and benefits. The committee already has some general information from the cities, though costs to Milton would still largely depend on how it chose to operate its elections. Georgia law mandates
Commission to study feasibility of running own balloting process
JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA
Members of Milton’s Municipal Election Feasibility Committee gather on the second floor of City Hall for their inaugural meeting June 15. From left are: Mark Amick, Tammy Lowit, Stacey Inglis, Lisa Cauley, Rick Mohrig and Paul Moore. that county, state and federal elections be conducted on electronic voting machines, but municipal elections can be conducted either electronically or on paper ballots. Committee members also discussed its meeting schedule going forward, tentatively deciding to hold a session every
three weeks, beginning with Thursday, July 14. The committee has five months — until Oct. 15 — to make recommendations regarding the feasibility of city-run municipal elections to the City Council. The resolution that created the committee states that it will be automatically terminated come that date.
CUSTOM HOME ORGANIZATION Solutions for every room in your home Complimentary Consultation
Custom Design
We offer complimentary design consultations with 3D renderings
High-quality, furniture-grade product customized to your space, style, and budget.
Quick 1-3 Day Install*
Affordable Financing
Enjoy your new, organized space in as little as 1-3 days.
We offer multiple financing options to make your project affordable [on a monthly basis].
Call or visit for your Hello there,
in your area. Our local team is based with a free you vide pro to We’d like Home in-home or virtual Custom n and quote. Organization consultatio
Frank Paras
Home Depot Installation Local Team Leader
Ser vices
FREE IN-HOME OR VIRTUAL CONSULTATION HOMEDEPOT.COM/MYHOMEORGINSTALL
770-744-2034
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY The health and safety of our customers, associates and services providers is our top priority, and we’re continuing to take extra precautions. Visit homedepot.com/hscovidsafety for more information about how we are responding to COVID-19.
Home Depot local Service Providers are background checked, insured, licensed and/or registered. License or registration numbers held by or on behalf of Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. are available at homedepot.com/licensenumbers or at the Special Services Desk in The Home Depot store. State specific licensing information includes: AL 51289, 1924; AK 25084; AZ ROC252435, ROC092581; AR 0228160520; CA 602331; CT HIC.533772; DC 420214000109, 410517000372; FL CRC046858, CGC1514813; GA RBCO005730, GCCO005540; HI CT-22120; ID RCE-19683; IA C091302; LA 43960, 557308, 883162; MD 85434, 42144; MA 112785, CS-107774; MI 2101089942, 2102119069; MN BC147263; MS 22222-MC; MT 37730; NE 26085; NV 38686; NJ 13VH09277500; NM 86302; NC 31521; ND 29073; OR 95843; The Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. is a Registered General Contractor in Rhode Island and its Registration Number is 9480; SC GLG110120; TN 47781; UT 286936-5501; VA 2705-068841; WA HOMED088RH; WV WV036104; WI 1046796. ©2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. All rights reserved. *production time takes approximately 2 weeks. HDIE20K0022A
Sponsored Section
June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | 15
A father’s impact
Brought to you by - Village Park Senior Living Parenthood is composed of several challenges, triumphs, and responsibilities. Parents offer support and guidance for their children. From adolescent confidence to their views into adulthood, a child’s overall disposition in life is shaped by their parents. Although the presence of both parents is impactful, fathers specifically have a unique influence on their children. Fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers residing at Village Park Senior Living shared their advice on how future generations can navigate the challenges of fatherhood. 1. “Apply your marriage oath to your position as a father.” -Edward W. The vows you’ve made to your partner may also apply to the way you parent your children. Loving husband, father and grandfather, Edward says, “Take your marriage oath, take the better for worse, everything, and do the same thing as a father.” Throughout his life, Edward has seen the significance of simply talking to children and taking the time to understand what is happening in their lives. This provides fathers the opportunity to step in and offer im-
pactful advice or guidance. Just like marriage, Edward points out the best thing you can do for your children, saying, “Above everything else, love them.” 2. “Trust your children to do the right thing.” -Delos K. According to retired decorated veteran and devoted great-grandfather, Delos K., the most important skill you can teach your children is decision-making. Although it may be scary to put the responsibility of making the right choice in the hands of a child, it is imperative for children to learn how to make decisions that are in the best interest of themselves and others rather than ones made for instant gratification. Emotional development is one of the many advantages Delos identifies as significant of a father’s presence in a child’s life. “You’ve got to trust your children to be intelligent and do the right thing,” Delos explains.“Then reward them when they do.” 3. “Hang in there.” -Chuck M. Fellow father and grandfather, Chuck M., says his best advice to fathers is to simply “hang in there.” It can be tough being a father. Aside from guiding your children, you have to manage your job, your fi-
Bungalows & Cottages City Homes Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Village Park Milton 555 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 470.509.4557
Village Park Alpharetta 12300 Morris Road Alpharetta, GA 30005 678.740.3499
PROVIDED
nances, your personal life, and it can take a toll on your health. All of these accumulated tasks are difficult and mistakes will happen. It is okay to ask for help. Although life can be hard, the rewards of being a father are much greater than theobstacles before you. At Village Park Senior Living, we are beyond grateful for our expert fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers. Share your experiences, legacies, and advice with our neighbors here at Village Park. Learn more about our communities and call (470)509-4557. We look forward to meeting you.
16 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
Renting may be better than selling Brought to you by - Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC I had a client come into the office this week. His parents were 91 and 94 years of age. They were still living independently, mostly. Their kids and one other caregiver came in almost every day to help. We talked about the Medicaid EDWP Program – Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program – which provides caregivers in the home and could supplement the assistance they were receiving privately. We also talked about skilled nursing care since Dad had fallen recently and the children thought it would be only a matter of time until he fell again and wouldn’t be able to live safely in an independent setting. Their son asked if they could simply sell the home. Houses are excluded as a resource when you apply for Medicaid. The problem with houses is that, when you sell a house, you no longer have an excluded asset. You have a big pile of money. That big pile of money is countable. Considering Mom and Dad’s age, we don’t have the option of giving away property to an asset protection trust, for example, because they would likely need help within five years. As an alternative, I suggested renting their
Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies • Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis Paige Gorman Agent
• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services
770.315.8145
www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com
home if they moved to assisted living or later to skilled nursing care. Rental income would provide additional cash to pay for care privately and allow Mom and Dad to qualify with the house still being counted as an excluded asset. I know a few great property managers who can help if kids don’t want to mess with tenants. We can help you create a team of professionals to support you. “What if your income is over the Medicaid limit with the rental income?”, their son asked. WILSON You can use a special bank account that allows you to have more income than Medicaid allows so long as Medicaid is the beneficiary of income remaining at your death. At Wilson Legal, we look at your situation or your parents’ situation – financial, health, family and where they want to live. Sometimes it’s better to rent than to sell. Our Eldercare Roadmap Strategy Session is designed to find the best options for your situation. How will you (or your parents) live your best life? Michelle Wilson, Attorney (770) 205-7861 Wilson-legal.com
Is your wallet prepared for nursing care? Brought to you by - Jay Looft, Medicare Insurance Broker, SeniorSource Medicare Solutions Many believe that Medicare insurance will pay for assisted living and nursing home care, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Medicare will provide coverage up to the first 100 days of Skilled Nursing Care, also referred to as Rehabilitation Care. Staying in a “Rehab” facility usually takes place after a surgery to help get you back on your feet. Rehab is not a long-term care situation. With average costs for full time care in a nursing home now reaching nearly $8,000 monthly (source: www.acl. gov), it is wise to plan ahead. You hope it won’t happen to you, but that is a risky bet. If you are of lower income, you may qualify for Georgia Medicaid; however, that typically requires a “spend down” of your assets. You could also self-pay, but if your long-term care needs last longer than average this could mean a sizable amount of your estate has been forked out to provide you care.
A better way to preserve what you have worked so hard for is by obtaining Long-Term Care Insurance. LTC Insurance comes at a cost, like most insurances do, but costs are lower if you purchase between the ages of 50 and 60 versus waiting until you are in your seventies. Long-Term Care Insurance companies will examine your health in order to qualify you for their insurance, so it’s better to get it while you are younger and healthier if possible. If you are 70 or older and in good health, it may still be possible to get approved for an affordable LTC plan. The Long-Term Care Insurance business has changed in recent years, with new policy designs and new companies entering into the business. At SeniorSource Medicare Solutions, we keep up to date with the latest news and changes in the Medicare and LongTerm Care Insurance industries. If you have thought about getting LTC Insurance for yourself or a loved one, please give us a call today! Call us at (770) 315-8145 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.
EMPTY NEST • Sponsored Section
PROVIDED
Can a skin biopsy diagnose neurologic disease? Brought to you by - Brent Taylor, MD Don’t worry. This is not an invitation to invest in Theranos 2.0, and Elizabeth Holmes is not the ghost writer behind this article. Testing for at least one disease by a simple relatively non-invasive method (in this case a skin biopsy) is real. ADASIL stands for “Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy.” In layman’s terms, this name means that CADASIL is a disease of the brain in which bad arteries cause strokes. Autosomal dominant means that you need a single bad copy of a gene to develop disease. CADASIL is the most common known hereditary disease responsible for strokes; and about 4 out of every 100,000 people are thought to be affected. A gene called Notch 3 is mutated in CADASIL. Notch 3 encodes a protein that builds up in smooth muscle cells in diseased individuals. Muscle cells then become enlarged. Arteries contain these muscle cells, so arterial function worsens. Blood flow to parts of the brain diminishes, and individuals suffer strokes. The tragedy of CADASIL is its young age of onset with an average age of 46 and usual range of 30 to 70. Affected individuals often first develop migraines, mood disorders or dementia before developing classic stroke-like symptoms. One feature that makes CADASIL unique is that smooth muscle cells are affected both in the skin and the brain,
so a skin biopsy can be used for diagnosis. A regular skin biopsy with a traditional stain called PAS can sometimes show the build-up of a material within the muscle of blood vessels. And a skin biopsy sent for special testing by electronic microscopy will reliably exhibit a granular material that is proof of the disease. It is important to note that the work-up of neurologic and psychiatric diseases is best performed by a neurologist or a psychiatrist, and, in general, a dermatologist would not perform a skin biopsy for CADASIL testing just because a patient with migraines, mood disorders, strokes or early dementia comes into clinic. In general, a neurologist or psychiatrist would refer a patient in whom CADASIL is suspected to a dermatologist specifically for a skin biopsy as part of the patient’s work-up. And as the cost of genetic testing decreases, direct sequencing of the patient’s Notch 3 gene may come down in cost so much that patients in the future may receive genetic testing instead of skin biopsies to diagnose this condition. After that deep dive into a very science-heavy disease, congratulations are in order! You are now one of the few people who can explain how a skin biopsy can sometimes explain why someone has had a stroke. We hope that you found this article interesting. If you or a loved one has a skin care need, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta.
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 17
18 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
Former NBA star works with Milton youth
By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Former NBA star Dale Ellis visited Mill Springs Academy on June 17 to work with Milton’s youth basketball program. The camp, organized by Halftime Sports, which is a basketball program partner for the City of Milton, hosted Ellis, along with several high school counselors and 50 participants ranging in age from 5 to 13. Ellis, a Marietta native and former Seattle Supersonic, was the first player in the NBA to hit 1,000 threes. He is known as the first “undisputed king of the long ball.” A 2014 article in Sports Illustrated states that before there was Reggie Miller or Ray Allen, there was Ellis. He retired from the NBA in 2000. But, Ellis says he’s always enjoyed training young athletes. On June 13, the first day of camp, Ellis said he spoke with the kids and answered all their questions on anything they wanted to know about. “That’s what I do,” Ellis said. “I enjoy working with them, so I’m just glad for the opportunity. I’ve been teaching since I was a high school ball player, so for the
CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA
Former NBA star Dale Ellis works with 50 kids ranging in age from 5 to 13 at Mill Springs Academy on June 17 as part of Milton’s youth basketball program. past 30 years. You’re teaching kids how to play basketball and at the same time, you’re teaching them life skills. It’s just a part of me. I love giving back.” Just before noon on June 17, Half-
time Sports Owner and Operator Kim Coleman said the kids were working on skills, such as dribbling, passing, rebounding and shooting, at different stations around the gym. They switched stations every 10 minutes, while Ellis watched and provided pointers on how
Sales: Continued from Page 1 The ban has been in the works since March, and it has garnered significant public support from animal rights activists as it has throughout its development. Five public speakers voiced their support for the ban at Thursday’s meeting. No one spoke in opposition. County resident Susan Bova brought her dog, Gracie, to the podium as she spoke in favor of the ban. Bova said Gracie was rescued from a mass breeding operation in Berrien County in 2019. The puppy mill bust saw more than 700 dogs rescued. “Breeder dogs like Gracie spend their entire lives in cramped cages and are forced to have litter after litter after litter,” Bova said. “Once the puppy mill operators have depleted the breeder dogs, they are either killed or tossed out, sick and broken, usually dying shortly thereafter.” Debra Berger, Georgia director for The Humane Society, requested the board add additional language to the resolution that would have explicitly restricted pet stores from charging fees
they could improve. “They’re having fun,” Coleman said. “… Even the little bitty ones are now doing things they normally wouldn’t do.” Coleman said each kid left the camp with an autograph and picture with Ellis. to provide in-store space to animal rescues for adoptions. Commissioners seemed open to the addition, but County Attorney Ken Jarrard voiced concern over adding the stipulation and passing it the same day. Jarrard said the commission should either hold the resolution for a third public hearing before passing it with the added rule, or pass the original resolution immediately and hold two more public hearings to add the rule. Commissioners unanimously chose to pass the original resolution. In other business at the June 16 business meeting, the board gave final approval for a change to the county’s conflict of interest policy that will allow commissioners to hold office in cities that are not within or bordering Forsyth County. The amended policy still prohibits commissioners from holding state office, county office within another county or a second office within Forsyth County. They could, however, serve on the city council or police force in a municipality that does not border Forsyth County, such as Dawsonville. If a commissioner accepts a sworn position within a city, they must still disclose it to the board “within a reasonable time.”
6/23/22 Crossword woody Crier
Across 1 4 8 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 23 24 25 28 30 33 34 35 36 37 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 49 52 56 57
PuzzleJunction.com
1
Final (Abbr.) Disease cause Sums (Abbr.) Printer’s amount Creepy Chess piece Hindu wrap It’s a gas Hideous Clapping Steamed Mexican dish Mosaic piece Rascal Frolic Biblical pronoun Rx approver Prayer’s end Zoo inhabitants Fleur-de-___ Golden, in France Catch sight of Poison ___ Carpet New money on the Continent Corn cake Before, in verse Headliner Annoyed the eardrums Baseball bat wood Winter wear Move with stealth Wallaby kin Mix Washer cycle
2
3
12
4 13
16 19
5
6
15
17
18 21
20
26
10
11
30
31
32
54
55
22
27
28
29
34
36
37
40
41
43
44
35
38
39 42 45
47 50
9
24
33
49
8
14
23 25
7
46
48
51
52
56
57
60
61
63
64
53
58
59
JERICHO DESIGN GROUP/PROVIDED
62 65
Copyright ©2022 PuzzleJunction.com
59 Gold medalist Lipinski 60 Property claim 61 Vote to accept 62 Peepers 63 Challenge 64 Pinches 65 Drunkard Down 1 ___ Major 2 Vault 3 Waterproof cover 4 Honkers 5 Donegal Bay feeder 6 Popular vacation spot
7 8 9 10 11 13 14 20 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34
References The Donald Forum wear Hang out Hebrides isle English poet John ____ Rejoice It’s mostly nitrogen Entertain Inner circle French romance Brink Indonesian island Brewers’ needs Elevator stop Cheers role Appealed Turkish money
37 Painting surface 38 Certain Protestant 42 Gourmet’s sense 45 Lisa of The Cosby Show 46 Record keeper 47 Do penance 48 Stinging insects 49 Tattled 50 Hip bones 51 Dock 52 Door feature 53 Tanners catch them 54 Creme cookie 55 Brewer’s kiln 58 Writer Tarbell SOLUTION, Page 23
CADILLAC JACK MY SECOND ACT New Show, Same Ride. APPENMEDIA.COM/PODCASTS
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 19
Solution on next page
This is an aerial view rendering of the new Forsyth County Administration Building, Employee Center and Commissioner Meeting Room that will sit on 42 acres on Freedom Parkway near Ga. 400.
Building: Continued from Page 1 approximately 130,000-square-feet, enough space to house nearly 14 county departmental functions, such as bill payment, permitting, business licensing and other administrative services. The first floor single-story Commissioner Meeting Room will occupy a large wing of the building, with an above outdoor roof deck. With public and secured access areas, room interiors include commissioners and administrative offices, conference, training facilities, and other services rooms. The facility will have state-of-theart capabilities for the county’s broadcasting operations., “The Communications Department will have a quality system for in-person and virtual meetings,” Tanner said. The Employee Center, located in the same building, will be approximately 25,000-square-feet and is designed to attract and retain long-term employment for Forsyth County. “Having a healthy work force in mind…the county sent out a survey to employees on what they would like to see,” Tanner said. “The center is a place where employees can go and get a PA (physician assistant) nurse, medication, 24-hour gym, attend nutrition classes, the wellness center, and lounge.” County officials are reviewing the results of the surveys received. Commercial options for the building, Tanner said, include room for from two to three retail spaces available for, most likely, food vendors who will submit offers to the county to operate
in the building. The Whole Health Building, approximately 65,000 in square footage, will contain a new mental health facility along with the Forsyth County Department of Health. Avita Community Partners (formed by the Georgia Legislature with facilities throughout the state), will operate a health unit for inpatient and outpatient mental health and other services for adults and youth in one part of the facility. After relocation, the County Health Department will continue offering services such as healthcare, vaccines, WIC and dental services in another. Greenspace on the campus includes a passive park with walking trail and picnic area. Ample parking will be available onsite. Tanner estimates that the Administration Building will cost about $47 million, about half the $95 million price tag. The Employee Center has an estimated cost of $11 million, and $34 million will go for the Whole Health Center. Forsyth County will pay for the cost of the Administration Building and for making the Whole Health Building pad-ready. Part of the cost for the Employee Center will be provided through savings garnered from employee insurance. The Whole Health Building is funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury, American Rescue Plan Fund. Completion of the final design is scheduled for September. County leaders are evaluating proposals to decide a contractor for site development and construction. Work is slated to begin in spring 2023, with completion in 18 months.
20 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 21
Milton agrees to North Fulton CID expansion By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Milton consented at the June 6 City Council meeting to a proposed expansion of the North Fulton Community Improvement District. The CID is a self-taxing district that draws its revenues by assessing commercial properties within its boundaries. The money is used to pay for local improvements within the district. The North Fulton CID includes various commercial properties extending out on either side of the Ga. 400 corridor. Its boundaries run from just south of Mansell Road up to the Forsyth County line in Alpharetta. Its current boundary extends only slightly into Milton including north of Windward Parkway. The expansion will add 74 properties to the district, 11 of them commercial. The other 63 properties that fall within the expanded district are non-commercial and do not pay the CID tax. The expansion will increase tax revenues for the North Fulton CID by $101,000 a year. Of the 11 commercial parcels, none are within the city limits of Milton, according to a letter by North Fulton CID Executive Director Brandon Beach
Solicitor: Continued from Page 4 new solicitor, Ms. [Kelsie] Mattox is without proper authority to be prosecuting cases in the Municipal Court of Alpharetta and it is unclear what impact that might have on the prosecutions, including the overturning of sentences and the city having to reimburse fines paid by its citizens,” it states. Mattox was sworn into office during the April 18 City Council meeting. She
CITY OF MILTON/PROVIDED
North Fulton Community Improvement District Executive Director Brandon Beach speaks before the Milton City Council June 6, seeking approval to expand the CID’s boundaries. The North Fulton CID was founded 19 years ago and has since initiated millions of dollars’ worth of upgrades to landscape and infrastructure within its borders. to Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison. But, because the North Fulton CID is comprised of Alpharetta, Milton and Roswell, adoption is required by all three cities.
Of the 74 properties being added to the district, 26 are in Alpharetta, 13 are in Roswell and the rest are scattered across North Fulton. During the meeting on June 6, Beach said that
serves in the same capacity for the City of Milton following an intergovernmental agreement between both cities. Alpharetta pays 60 percent of Mattox’s salary, while Milton pays 40 percent. The shared court solicitor position is intended to strengthen the bond between the North Fulton County cities which already share court facilities and a municipal clerk. Alpharetta and Milton also share a police training center, which opened in early April. The letter goes on to state that in addition to not meeting the qualifications
set forth in the charter, Mattox does not meet the minimum qualifications for the solicitor position officially posed by Alpharetta and Milton, which ask for five years as a member of the Georgia Bar Association. Mattox is allegedly in her fourth year. “Thus, the decision to terminate Ms. Shoenthal McQueen’s employment and replace her with a far younger and less experienced African American employee raises issues of both age and race discrimination in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment ACT (ADEA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
when the CID was founded 19 years ago, the founders made the decision to not raise the millage rate. Beach said while most CIDs are at 5 mills, the North Fulton CID is at 3 mills. Even so, the North Fulton CID has either directly funded or played a role in funding millions of dollars’ worth of improvements over its history. The CIDs purpose, Beach said, is to provide engineering, environmental, right of way and other work to get projects shovel ready. Over the years, he added, the North Fulton CID has had $32 million worth of money come in but completed about $145 million worth of projects by applying for and matching grants and by paying for engineering studies for improvements that local governments can then adopt as their own. Its first project was the Westside Parkway and Bridge Expansion, but it has since poured millions into interchange beautification, the addition of MARTA bus shelters and other projects. Milton City Councilman Paul Moore moved to approve the resolution, which received a second from Councilwoman Juliette Johnson. The measure passed unanimously, with Councilwoman Carol Cookerly absent.
1964 (Title VII),” it states. McQueen is demanding lost back pay and benefits from the date she was terminated or not hired, reinstatement or front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress and loss of reputation, punitive damages and/or liquidated damages and costs and attorneys’ fees, which so far total $7,500. Milton approved a joint defense agreement and conflict waiver with Jarrard and Davis on June 6. Ken Jarrard, a founding partner of the law firm, is the City Attorney for Milton, and his firm represents Alpharetta.
DEATH NOTICES Sylvia Dickinson, 81, of Cumming, passed away May 27, 2022. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home & Crematory. Charles Bythewood, 88 of Cumming, passed away June 9, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Laurie Murphy, 60 of Roswell, passed away June 12, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Rita Mark, 73, of Alpharetta, passed away June 10, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Leonard Curtis, 78 of Milton, passed away June 14, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Wendy Blumeyer, 63 of Milton, passed away June 13, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
William Whigham, 75 of Roswell, passed away June 12, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
22 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
JOIN THE TEAM Appen Media Group is looking for a Reporter to cover local news in the north Atlanta area. Appen is investing in its newsroom, expanding when (and where) others are contracting. This position will contribute to that goal by covering city and county governments, as well as collaborating on stories with other members of the team. There will be additional opportunities to cover themes in health, business, sports or the arts. We are looking for a team player who will make a difference in the community and our workplace. A commitment to communication is critical. The ideal candidate would be able to spot unique angles and stories that address broader questions of the community. We are looking for someone with professional reporting experience, though it can be from a collegiate newsroom. If you’re excited by a fast-paced environment and genuinely care about community journalism, we want to hear from you. Applicants should email a resume and selected clips to Director of Content and Development Carl Appen at carl@appenmedia. com. Preliminary questions about the position, environment or hiring process are also welcome. Professional discretion is guaranteed.
ONLINE INCLUDED Call today to place your ad 470.222.8469 or email c l a s s i f i e d s @ a p p e n m e d i a g r o u p . c o m • FA X : 7 7 0 - 4 7 5 - 1 2 1 6
Full-time
Part-time
Facilities/Property Manager for church in Alpharetta area. Benefits. Needs basic competency of the practices, methods, and equipment utilized in facility maintenance, construction, and repair activities; including skills and abilities related to plumbing, janitorial, electrical systems, painting, carpentry, construction, and heating and air conditioning systems. Basic understanding of IT and AV technology would be helpful. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage contractors/volunteers. Requires successful completion of a criminal record and child abuse background check, a valid driver’s license and the ability to perform physical tasks.
GENERAL CLERK IL Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk IL (Building and Grounds/Custodial/ Maintenance) (part-time position) to perform facility maintenance and grounds keeping duties. Requires some heavy lifting, high school diploma or equivalency and a valid GA driver’s license. Related experience with outdoor maintenance equipment and a valid CDL are preferred. Hours: Availability for alternate shift assignments and irregular work hours. Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, July 1, 2022. Apply online: www.sawnee.com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568. Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.
Qualified candidates please send resume to Alpharettajobopening@gmail.com.
POOL TECHNICIANS WANTED Part-time & Full-time positions available. Pay is $12-$14 per hour. Hours starting at 6:30AM, Monday-Friday. Pick-up truck not required but must have your own reliable transportation. Gas allowance provided. Looking for people who enjoy working outside and are enthusiastic, dependable & punctual. Able to contribute independently or on a crew with consistently friendly attitude. Well-established commercial pool maintenance company providing service in the North Atlanta Metro area.
Call Bill: 404-245-9396
PLACE YOUR AD HERE 770.442.3278
Announcements
A c c o u n t a n t 30 hrs week
North Fulton Community Charities has an immediate opening for a childcare associate to care for children ages 2-11 while their parents take classes. Morning and evening shifts available. Visit //nfcchelp. org/work-at-NFCC for more information on the position and how to apply, or email NFCC Program Manager Wynona Kuehl at wkuehl@nfcchelp.org. HIRING? Call us at 770-4423278 and run your listing in the Herald & Crier newspapers. 93,000 copies delivered around town every week!
Accountant needed for a business located in the Johns Creek area. The position is responsible for accounting, b o o k k e e p i n g , r e c e i v a b l e s / invoicing, payables, monthly financials. The individual must have experience, excellent computer skills, a quick learner and a positive attitude. Qualified candidates can forward their resume to jobjohncreek@ y a h o o . c o m
PLACE YOUR AD
HANDYMAN HELPER,
HERE
Call John 678-849-2818
770.442.3278
4 hours per day.
KRIEGER CHIROPRACTICE OFFICE closing as of July 1, 2022. All inquiries, call 917-549-5886
Sales Estate Sale MILTON: 673 Dunbrody 30004; Estate sale, Friday-Sunday 6/246/26 10AM-4PM. Moving across country everything must go! Household, holiday decorations, toys (Thomas the Tank, superhero, children books etc) Tons of designer clothes and shoes, mens and Womens. Additional parking Crabapple Market parking garage
Yard Sale MILTON Multi Family. Crabapple Station on Crabapple Road; Close to Crabapple Road and Broadwell in Downtown. FridaySunday 6/24-6/26 10 am-4pm; Additional parking Crabapple Market Garage.
Wanted to Buy I &
BUY vintage antique dolls,
clothing & more. Local: 214-883-8215
NATIONAL ADVERTISING Miscellaneous Vivint Smart security. Professionally installed. 1 connected system for total peace of mind. Free professional installation! 4 free months of monitoring! Call to customize your system. 1-833-841-0737
AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/ month w/12-mo agmt. 1 TB of data/mo. Ask how to bundle & SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. 1-855-364-3948
DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-479-1516 Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306
Looking for assisted living, memory care, or independent living? A Place for Mom simplifies the process of finding senior living at no
cost to your family. Call 1-844-428-0445 today!
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725
Put on your TV Ears & hear TV w/unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original - originally $129.95 - now w/this special offer only $59.95 w/code MCB59! 1-888-805-0840
Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176
Donate Your Car Today! Help and Veterans. Fast up. 100% tax
Call
1-800-245-0398
Paying top cash for men’s sportwatches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 833-603-3236
The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877-539-0299
Aloe Care Health medical alert system. Most advanced medical alert product on the market. Voice-activated! No wi-fi needed! Special offer w/ code CARE20 for $20 off Mobile Companion. 1-855-341-5862 Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads
to Veterans Support our FREE pick deductible.
Health & Fitness
Concrete/ Asphalt
Dental insurance - Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www. dental50plus.com/ads #6258
Retaining Walls
VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00. 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-4455928 Hablamos Español 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
Miscellaneous HughesNet - Finally, superfast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/ mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141
!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID. CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277.
MONEY DOWN & LOW WITH A HOME STANDBY$0GENERATOR
MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS
ContactPAYMENT a GeneracOPTIONS dealer for full $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY
$20 OFF Mobile Companion Offer code: CARE20
CALL NOW 1-855-521-5138
terms & conditions.
Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE REQUEST A FREECALL QUOTE
(866) 643-0438
CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE
*To qualify, consumers must request (866) 643-0438 a quote, purchase, install and activate
the generator with a participating *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the Callof for a full of terms generator with a participating dealer. Call fordealer. a full list terms andlist conditions. and conditions.
SELL IT, FIND IT, BUY IT IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS PLACE YOUR AD HERE
770.442.3278
Brick or Wood
Contact Ralph Rucker. Many local references. Honest, punctual, professional and reasonable prices!
Haulers
FREE
7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value!
Home Improvement
Gutters AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS Repaired and Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 770-934-2766
PLACE YOUR AD HERE 770.442.3278
newspapers reach
Call Ralph Rucker
Driveway
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.
and Crier
Many local references-
678-898-7237
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 $4,500.
Herald
Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc.
678-898-7237
$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!
Roofing
The
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 678-887-1868 for a free estimate
Flooring
Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR
SERVICE DIRECTORY
Health & Fitness
Miscellaneous
Prepare for power outages today
AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | June 23, 2022 | 23
Landscaping
93,000 homes 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
and thousands more online!
Tree Services
Full Service LANDSCAPING Company Retaining walls (brick or wood), grading, sod, tree services, hauling, topsoil & more.
Ralph Rucker
678-898-7237 Pinestraw PINESTRAW, mulch delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and
24 hour emergency service. Licensed, insured. Workers Comp, insurance claims. 25+ years experience. Family business. Free estimates. We Love Challenges! Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts 770-512-8733 • www.yellowribbontree.com COMPLETE TREE SERVICES Appen-Rated 98 Text or Call us for a FREE quote appointment. Tree removal, Pruning, Stump grinding, Free mulch, Fully insured, Emergency 24/7 770-450-8188
PLACE YOUR AD HERE 770.442.3278
24 | June 23, 2022 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth
ALPHARETTA-ROSWELL HERALD | FORSYTH HERALD | JOHNS CREEK HERALD | MILTON HERALD | DUNWOODY CRIER Serving Metro Atlanta Since 1977 | Hello@AppenMedia.com | 770.442.3278
Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers 2022 Georgia Press Association 1st – Health Care Advertising 1st – Serious Column 1st – Investigative Reporting 1st – Food Advertising 1st – Signature Page 2nd – News Photograph 2nd – Feature Writing
2nd – Food Advertising 2nd – Service Advertising 2nd – Special Issues/Sections 2nd – Business Writing 3rd – Business Writing 3rd – Page One 3rd – Locals News Coverage
3rd – Spot News Photograph 3rd – Breaking News Writing 3rd – Lifestyle Feature Column 2022 Association of Community Publishers 1st – Orig. Editorial Photo Sports 1st – Orig. Writing Opinion
1st – Orig. Writing Sports 2nd – Feature Article Layout 2nd – Front Page Special Section 3rd – Orig. Editorial Photo Feature 3rd – Food & Drink Single Ad Color 3rd – Grocery/Liquor Single Ad Color 3rd – Special Promotion/Section Stand-Alone Gloss