County schedules forums to discuss sales tax renewal
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A series of public information open house meetings, designed for resident feedback on the types of projects to be funded by the proposed continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program, was set to begin July 24 and continue through the fall.
County staff and executive leadership from various departments will be on hand at the open house meetings to speak with residents on future projects that could be funded by SPLOST IX and what the program has funded in the past as well as to answer questions and gather feedback from participants. The meetings are “drop-in” style and will have the same information provided at each meeting.
“The meetings are a great opportunity for the community to see how SPLOST funds are currently being utilized to improve traffic, enhance our parks system, bolster our public safety and first response to emergencies, and more,” County Manager David McKee said. “Ahead of a vote to continue the penny sales tax later this year, we want to provide as many opportunities as possible for residents to see proposed plans for how SPLOST IX could be utilized in the future, the role SPLOST plays in funding and to get feedback on the projects residents want to see funds used for.”
See SPLOST, Page 12
County’s impact fee plan draws business backlash
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Business leaders addressed the Forsyth County Commission July 18 over their concerns over a proposed increase in impact fees that would be dedicated to fund transportation improvements.
Industrial, retail, office, institutional developments currently do not pay
impact fees in the county. Residential developments would see increases ranging from more than 300 percent to more than 800 percent.
Impact fees are assessed on new construction to compensate local governments for the wear and tear on its services, like more traffic and larger public safety coverage.
The increase in fees for roads was determined by a study conducted by
TischlerBise, a fiscal, economic and planning consulting firm.
Objections to the new fees for business interests run the gamut.
Justin Abernathy, development manager for Abernathy Development Company; Cade McDonald, a broker with Hughes Commercial Real Estate; Brett Russell, president of Atlanta Landscape
See FEE, Page 12
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Jake Rodgers, president and head of school at Pinecrest Academy, addresses Forsyth County commissioners July 18 about potential impacts from increased impact fees on July 18.
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POLICE BLOTTER
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Tyrone man arrested on check forgery charge
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 51-year-old Tyrone man after a check forgery was reported at a business on July 12.
Deputies were dispatched to a Regions Bank at 5530 Bethelview Road for a forgery in progress, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report. After arriving at the bank, deputies detained and handcuffed the man.
A bank teller suspected a $4,650 check was fraudulent after the man attempted to cash it. The man allegedly received the check from an Orlando man for roofing services.
The teller verified the check was never issued to the account, which had been closed. An attempt to contact the account owner was unsuccessful.
Property crime investigators interviewed the suspect, who was taken to the county jail and charged with third-degree-felony forgery.
Deputies charge couple with providing fake IDs
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies arrested a man and woman who allegedly were in possession of drugs and provided false names on July 15.
Deputies arrested the man after he led them on a chase in a neighborhood on the western side of Lake Lanier. They deployed a Taser to subdue him and used K9s to track him. The woman was arrested without incident.
A deputy encountered the man, 50, and woman, 38, both of Cumming, while checking a secluded construction site at 4209 Beaver Ruin Road
about 2:40 a.m., according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report.
After approaching the pair, who were both sitting in a parked car, the deputy noticed the man was sweating profusely and acting nervous. The woman had meth sores, and her face was sunken.
The deputy could see Ziploc bags in the woman’s purse and suspected illegal drugs were being used.
The man offered the deputy a driver’s license, but the photo did not match. In fact, the deputy recognized the photo as someone he knew. The woman provided a name that could not be confirmed.
After checking their identities, the deputy returned to their vehicle and noticed a baggie containing a white substance in the man’s pants pocket. A marijuana grinder also fell from the man as he turned to speak to the deputy. When asked to hand over the baggie, the man fled on foot.
While chasing the man, the deputy deployed his Taser twice. The man eluded the deputy and escaped into a woodline but was apprehended hours later in the area.
The woman was arrested and taken to the county jail.
While searching their vehicle, deputies discovered IDs for the man and woman, confirming they had provided false identities.
Deputies charged the man with fraudulent use or possession of counterfeit information of a real person, possession of marijuana, obstruction of law enforcement officers, giving a false name as well as loitering and prowling. The woman was charged with loitering and prowling, giving a false name as well as a probation violation.
Police arrest SUV driver on drugs, firearm charges
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police arrested a 45-year-old Roswell man July 8 after they found more than a dozen ecstasy
pills, marijuana and a handgun while conducting a traffic stop.
Police stopped the 2007 GMC Envoy for nonfunctioning tag lights around 3:45 a.m. at Old Alabama and Nesbit Ferry roads. Officers reported spotting what appeared to be a THC cartridge inside the vehicle, a suspicion later verified on inspection.
A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed 15 designed pressed MDMA pills, a marijuana cigarette and a black Taurus handgun, which police confirmed as stolen. The driver told police his cousin gave him the gun, according to the report.
Police charged the driver with a violation of required tag lights, two counts of possession of schedule I controlled substance, possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies and theft by receiving stolen property.
The suspect was transported to the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta.
Dental office employee reports caller’s threats
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — An employee of a dental office off State Bridge Road told police July 12 that someone called threatening to shoot up the office after being told the practice didn’t offer braces.
The office only offers Invisalign, according to the incident report.
The employee said the suspect made multiple calls, which included asking irrelevant questions about his age, the report says. In one call, the employee told police the caller threatened to pull up to the office and shoot it up.
The employee said the caller, who claimed to be from Jonesboro, followed up to say the threats were made by her daughter.
Police were unable to confirm the identity of the caller through phone logs, but they advised the business to request extra patrols.
Georgia Express Lanes Network Map
Residents weigh in on impacts of I-285 express lane project
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Dozens of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody residents were on hand July 16 to grasp the scope of the state’s next regional project for Metro Atlanta’s Perimeter.
More than 135 people attended the Georgia Department of Transportation’s open house at Dunwoody City Hall.
Another meeting at City Springs in Sandy Springs July 18 drew equal interest as residents learned more about GDOT’s Top End I-285 Express Lanes project.
There is another massive transportation project around Ga. 400 and I-285 anticipated to begin construction in 2027.
As the Transform I-285/Ga. 400 project wraps up its punch list, GDOT is meeting with residents to get their feedback on the next stage of elevated lanes in one of the most congested corridors in the United States.
The Top End I-285 Express Lanes project significantly expands the Transform project’s flyover ramps and new collectordistributor lanes with two new, barrierseparated express lanes alongside existing
general-purpose lanes on the top end of I-285 from Cobb to DeKalb counties.
It also includes elevated lanes through Sandy Springs’ section of Ga. 400, running from Glenridge Connector to the North Springs MARTA station.
The project along I-285 stretches 11 miles through Sandy Springs and 5 miles along Dunwoody’s southern border.
Top End I-285 falls under GDOT’s Major Mobility Investment Program, which focuses on creating additional capacity, improving freight movement, enhancing safety and decreasing travel times on the state’s most congested roadways.
What is coming next
After GDOT officials meet with residents along the corridor to get feedback on draft environmental documents, they will submit feedback on the latest concept design and mitigation measures.
The project is slated for delivery through a public-private partnership (P3) model, which looks to use private sector capital to help fund and finance the work.
LANE, Page 15
A Georgia Express Lanes Network Map shows projects around Metro Atlanta in operation, scheduled for the Major Mobility Investment Program and other potential longrange additions. While the map shows the Top End I-285 Express Lanes project connecting to I-20, a decision to extend it that far south has not been made.
7506 Wilderness Parkway Big Canoe, GA 30143 bigcanoeanimalrescue.org
Facts About Me
Breed: Terrier Mix
is Miss Delta!
Color: White w/ black markings (Short haired)
Age: 8 months old
Weight: (Current) 35 lbs
Fully Grown: Medium Size (55lbs)
Sex: Female
My Info
Good with children & dogs
May need potty training
Currently attendding obedience training
Healthy – shots current
Chipped & spayed
My Story
What is it that makes me so special?
Well, first of all I’m a puppy, but besides that have you noticed the little beauty marks above my eyes? No other puppy is as unique as me. My brother Porter and I are enjoying our other canine friends here, but I really would rather be at home with you playing, enjoying belly rubs and cuddling. Want to go for a walk? Come meet me. Bring treats, I have puppy kisses waiting for you!
All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org
County library marks uptick in summer reading activity
By HANNAH FRAZER hannah@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Public Library Board met July 15 to elect officers and note the success of its summer programs.
Forsyth County libraries hosted more than 280 in-person events, attracting an overall attendance of around 17,000.
The 500 Books Before Middle School program encourages children to maintain their reading habits, addressing the decline noted by presenter Kim Ottesen. The goal of the program is to prevent this decline through active participation.
“It encourages them to read 500 books before middle school,” Ottesen said. “Typically, kids slow down and stop reading in about third grade, and we want to encourage them to keep [reading].”
The summer reading challenge counts the number of minutes read. This year, with the two programs running simultaneously, there has been a 28 percent increase in books being logged for the summer reading challenge. This equates to over 2,000 elementary students being actively engaged in both challenges.
Also, during the meeting, representatives from Forsyth County Public Library Friends and Advocates group presented a $30,000 check to the library system. The FCPL Friends and Advocates are an independent, nonprofit organization in operation since 1995. The money will assist in the establishment of the outdoor terrace adjacent to the adult side of the Denmark Library. The patio space will be referred to as the Friends Terrace.
FRAZER/APPEN
Forsyth County Public Library Friends and Advocates group members Webb Edwards, Glen Barber, Terry Manly, Juline Berry and Jodie Barger present a $30,000 check to the Forsyth County Public Library Board July 15.
The meeting also featured an update to the library programs policy. Although there has always been criteria and a library program approval process, the criteria will now be added to the policy, making the process more transparent. Additionally, the board underwent several changes at the meeting. Board Chairwoman Kristin Morrissey retired from her position during the last meeting, creating a vacancy in the role. As a result, the board elected Christy Winters, previously the vice chair, to assume the position. Another change included the addition of Flo Valdes to the board. Finally, the board recognized Mary Helen McGruder for her 28 years of service on the Library Board of Trustees, with her term ending on July 31.
New device applies radiation directly targeting brain tumors
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s Forsyth campus has added a new therapy for treating brain tumors.
"GammaTile represents a significant advancement in the treatment of brain tumors," said Dr. Jim Robinson, medical director for the Brain & CNS Tumor Program.
Physicians can implant GammaTile, a tiny, square-shaped device, during tumor-removal surgery to deliver radiation directly, according to a Northside Hospital statement. The device minimizes the need for additional radiation, reduces side ef-
fects and can be used for newly diagnosed and recurrent tumors.
GammaTile is designed to protect healthy tissue and can minimize hair loss, according to the device’s website. It is most commonly used for tumors known as glioblastomas, brain metastases and meningiomas.
The new therapy also is available at Northside’s Atlanta campus.
About 94,000 people will be diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2024, according to the National Brain Tumor Society.
Patients interested in learning more about GammaTile should consult with their neurosurgeon or radiation oncologist.
HANNAH
MEDIA
6 | Forsyth Herald | July 25, 2024
Wedding planner driven by love and flowers
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Lisa Chandler, owner and lead planner/designer of SomeTheme Wedding and Events, said the wheels to venture into the industry had been in motion for a long time.
The spark was her own wedding day 25 years ago, on Valentine’s Day. With a budget of $100, she wore her “old, comfy, faithful” T-shirt and ripped jeans to a courthouse. It was her and her husband’s first fight about money and the biggest to date, a sun-up to sun-down affair.
“Little did I know that that day was going to fuel my passion for what I do now,” Chandler said from inside the bridal suite of the venue, spread across the third floor of a commercial building off Heritage Walk in Milton.
It’s been her purpose to make one of the most important days of a couple’s life more special than her experience and to do it in an intimate setting.
“This is where my passion for the elopements comes in,” Chandler said. At SomeTheme, they can be planned in as little as one week. “I had the elopement where I didn’t even have a bridal bouquet or anything.”
She spoke excitedly about her son’s recent elopement, with her on wedding flower duty and the bride’s mother on bridal bouquet duty.
Chandler and her husband intend to renew their vows inside SomeTheme, before the first scheduled wedding. Since opening in July, Chandler has one wedding in the books for the fall and a baby shower just around the corner.
By the end of the year, Chandler will have served 589 clients. She officially began her business in 2012, back when she’d take cold calls off sites like
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Lisa Chandler, owner and lead planner/designer of SomeTheme Weddings and Events, makes herself comfortable in her wedding venue’s bridal suite equipped with vanity units. While Chandler started her wedding planning business in 2012, she opened her first venue off Heritage Walk in Milton in July.
WeddingWire.
Chandler told herself she wasn’t getting any younger and the freelance work, mostly floral design and decor installations, was taxing on the knees. The location in Milton would allow clients to come to her, though her offices and floral studio are based in Acworth.
The right spot
When she chose the location, the building hadn’t been erected. It was a plot of dirt. But, she said Milton felt right because of its quaint atmosphere.
“I feel like it’s one of those close-knit
communities that I grew up in, and I loved that,” Chandler said. She grew up in Lithonia.
The bridal suite of the venue features vanity units, with plugs-ins for curling irons and the like, white decor and seating. Through a doorway, locked during the event, are bathrooms and showers.
“If it’s a bride, she won’t have to be seen,” said Chandler, who’s more oldfashioned herself, preferring the big reveal the moment the bride walks down the aisle, though she said getting a “first look” might be more practical.
The 3,000-square-foot ballroom down the hallway, which serves as the ceremony and reception space, features elegant sconces and chandeliers. The biggest ceiling fixture, at the entrance, will become transformed, wrapped with flowers.
A shuttle takes guests from a dedicated parking area about a mile down the road.
Full-service wedding planning starts at $35,000, a project that takes an average of six months. Chandler also offers scaleddown experiences.
“We’ll help you choose everything from napkin color to the getaway car,” Chandler said of the largest package, adding that she has an extensive vendor list.
The only thing she doesn’t offer is photography, but that’s because that requires a personal touch, she said. However, she will make recommendations.
It began with flowers
Chandler recently rebranded her floral design service, a sister company named SomeTheme In Bloom headed by her business partner Lauren Johnston. Chandler’s entry into wedding planning began with flowers, how she gained her passion for events. It happened by accident.
A friend at her church, the preacher’s wife, wanted her to design the arrangements for an International Women’s Day event. So, she went home and looked up everything she could possibly find on flower arranging, how to keep them fresh, and she practiced on bouquets from the grocery store.
“When the event came around and I brought the flowers in, it looked like someone with 20 years of experience had done those flowers,” Chandler said. “I even surprised myself.”
See CHANDLER, Page 7
Phil Van Gelder Emcee
Jenni Bonura President &
Marietta native Jon Wilcox joins Appen reporting team
ALPHARETTA, Ga — Appen Media Group announced July 17 that Jon Wilcox will join its staff as a reporter. Wilcox will cover local government and business in Alpharetta and Forsyth County. He will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and he will be based in Alpharetta.
“Jon developed sharp reporting and editing chops in a Texas newsroom similar to ours,” Appen said in a statement. “We’re excited to have him here with us now and to see what he can do back in friendly territory.”
Wilcox grew up in Marietta and graduated from Texas State University in 2015 with a major in journalism. During his time at Texas State, Wilcox took courses exploring creative writing, English and mass communications. After graduation,
To contact Wilcox with news tips or story ideas, email jon@appenmedia.com.
Wilcox served at the Victoria Advocate newspaper in Victoria, Texas, as a breaking news, public safety and courts as well as entertainment reporter. He finished his time at the Advocate serving as local editor.
“I have a passion for informing audiences through hard-hitting news stories and compelling storytelling on a daily basis. There’s so much that goes on in our communities that we would not know about without local journalism,” Wilcox said. “It’s a privilege to do that work in Alpharetta and Forsyth County in the incredible newsroom here at Appen Media.”
Lisa Chandler, owner and lead planner/designer of SomeTheme Weddings and Events, stands inside the 3,000-square-foot ballroom of her venue featuring columns and chandeliers with elegant lighting. The venue, which holds up to 150 guests, is in Suite 301 at 3100 Heritage Walk.
Chandler:
Continued from Page 6
Some rules of thumb are in-season flowers and no hydrangeas. Chandler often must redirect brides away from hydrangeas, a perennial, because they wilt within half an hour.
Another strong suggestion Chandler makes is to ensure the time on the invitation matches the start of the ceremony. Brides tend to accommodate their “time-challenged” guests, and Chandler said that’s a no-no.
Bridezillas are a special kind of fun for Chandler — witnessing the transformation of a client, who is not only nitpicky but rude, on her wedding day. It’s an emotional time, she noted, and it’s her job to bring relief.
She trains her brides to let go of some of the control. If she is chosen as the wedding coordinator, an optional service, Chandler chooses to handle all the guests’ questions.
“They’ve spent a pretty penny on me, may as well use me,” Chandler said.
Her services include a day-of emergency kit, a rolling cart stocked with duct tape, a steamer, toiletries, breath mints. A butler will also be on hand to assist, someone who really knows how to tie a tie.
Aside from blooms and the challenge that bridezillas bring, love keeps Chandler going.
“I just love love,” Chandler said. “I love seeing two people in love, all giddy on their wedding day, and you know, even though I was mad as all get out at my husband, still, deep down, I got to marry my best friend.”
7506
This is Nugget!
bigcanoeanimalrescue.org
706-268-1346
Facts About Me
Breed: Pekinese Mix
Color: Red/Brown
Age: 1.5 yrs. old
Weight: (Current) 23 lbs
Fully Grown: Small – (20-30 lbs)
Sex: Male
My Info Neutered/Chipped/Healthy Shots current Great w/ kids & dogs Sweet/shy and affectionate Cats ??
My Story
Are you looking for a little nugget of sweetness and love? Well look no more!
My name is Nugget and I’m ready to make some lucky family very happy. Take me for a walk and let’s play at the dog park. Cuddling, no problem. I’m waiting for you!
All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please. Visit pets every Saturday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (706-268-1346) or visit our website for adoption information at www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist
Insist on the BEST
Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.
He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.
Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
“How do you know how deep to go?”
Accepting
One of the most common questions that patients ask before Mohs surgery is how the surgeon knows the depth to cut. Mohs surgery is a method for curing skin cancer that involves removing tissue in layers. But how does the Mohs surgeon know how much to remove each time? The answer to that question has layers of its own.
Mohs surgery is performed on many different locations on the body, so the answer to how deep to cut varies by location. If a cancer is the size of a plum and on someone’s back, then the Mohs surgeon’s first stage will be cut as a relatively thick layer. In contrast, if the skin cancer is on the edge of someone’s eyelid, then the Mohs surgeon will cut a very thin layer of tissue – often only a millimeter thick on each side of the tumor – in order to preserve as much healthy eyelid as possible.
The details on the biopsy report influence the depth of cancer resection. Some basal cell carcinomas are characterized as “superficial type.” These cancers usually grow on the surface like moss on a tree, and deep cutting is often unnecessary. For other tumors, the pathologist may say the “deep margin” is involved. This means that the cancer went to the bottom of the biopsy. The Mohs surgeon cuts deeper on the first layer to ensure a level below the biopsy’s depth.
Sometimes, the surgeon can even feel the likely thickness of a cancer
with (glove-covered) bare hands. Some tumors feel like a thick disk that is growing wide, not deep. Others feel like icebergs with abundant tumor lurking below.
One of the most important factors affecting second and subsequent layers is the amount of cancer seen under the microscope. If a tiny spot of cancer is left, then only a small amount of additional tissue removal may be necessary. In other cases, strands of cancer are diffusely visible under the microscope, and the surgeon knows that a substantial next cut is necessary to make progress.
Sometimes, when patients ask me how I know how deep to cut, I think that what they are asking is not what was discussed above but rather how I know how deep not to cut. How does the doctor know where the critical nerves or arteries are? The answer to that question is all the years of training focused on anatomy and experience gained during residency, fellowship and in practice. Mohs surgeons are expected to learn what layers of tissue are present in different locations and where the “danger zones” of critical nerves or blood vessels are. When a Mohs surgeon anticipates that an important structure is at risk, the Mohs surgeon will generally discuss this with the patient in advance of cutting and give the patient the opportunity to weigh the risks and benefits of proceeding.
We hope that this article was helpful and interesting. But a word of caution: please remember that this discussion of Mohs surgery is not exhaustive. Do not try this at home!
Dr. Brent Taylor
Brought to you by – Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
Be aware of fraudulent transfer of properties in Fulton County
to you by – Geerdes & Associates
In the last few years, our clients have asked about the possibility of fraudulent transfers of properties without the owner being notified. While this does not happen for homeowners who have their properties in a trust, those who don't have a trust yet must be aware of this risk. Fortunately, Fulton County has set up an alert system to notify you when there is a change of ownership or legal document filed for a designated property. This alert system is called the Filing Activity Notification System (FANS) Spearheaded by the Clerks of the Superior Court, FANS is an opt-in notification system. By simply creating an account and setting your notification preferences, you can immediately receive alerts about deeds, mortgages, and liens that are filed on your property. FANS operate by connecting directly with the Superior Court’s index database, which contains records of all the documents filed for every property
in Fulton County. When you set up an account, FANS will automatically send you a notice whenever documents are filed for a designated property.
In today’s fast-paced world, staying informed about important legal filings related to real estate is crucial. Whether you are a homeowner, a real estate agent, or simply interested in tracking property records, FANS’s timely alerts allow you to keep a close eye on the legal documents related to a property - and act swiftly in the case of fraudulent filings. Take advantage of the transparency of FANS and make sure you cover this aspect of your asset protection today.
Change is coming in 2025
For insurance agents specializing in Medicare insurance, it kind of feels like the Annual Enrollment Period has already begun. Though it officially runs from October 15th - December 7th, 2024, a lot is happening already!
First off, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is changing in 2025. Because of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the hard cap of $2,000 per Medicare beneficiary in prescription drug spending goes into effect.
This is great for those Medicare beneficiaries that spend $2,000 or more in prescription cost for the year. For those that stick to low-cost generics, what is the new law expected to bring for prescription coverage?
Expectations point to higher premiums and higher deductibles for next year. Everyone on a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan will need to review their coverage and will probably need to shop for a new plan, even if it’s just a new plan with your current carrier.
What’s also happening next year, 2025, is existing and new Medicare Advantage companies are coming into Georgia.
More competition usually makes for
stronger Medicare Advantage plans!
Traditional big players in the Medicare Advantage space will need to keep bringing better benefits to their members, otherwise market share will be taken by these newer plans.
Moving into next year, I see an emphasis on better quality customer service and better benefits that actually matter to the Medicare beneficiaries.
This will be one of those Annual Enrollment Periods where those who review their plan, and the other plans that are coming, are going to be the ones more satisfied with their Medicare experience in 2025.
If you would like to review your plan this coming fall, or just want to get on our text/email information list, give us a call today or visit our website at www. SeniorSourceMedicare.com/ContactSeniorSource
• Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.)
• Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust?
• What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts?
• How do Irrevocable Trusts work?
true and what’s not?
• How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy?
• How do I remain in control?
• How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs?
• How can my family avoid probate? July/August Upcoming Workshops:
Paige Gorman Agent
Brought
Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare
Plenty of time on hand to not be out of my
It’s been a little over a month since I was “sunsetted” from my previous company after a 15-year stint. That was the term that an ex-boss used. It conjured up the days when someone mounted his horse, tipped his hat to the ladies and rode off to parts unknown.
I don’t mind sharing that it has been a difficult transition.
For instance, I have to decide whether I want to go back to work. (Not quite yet!) Do I want to do some yardwork? (Only on days that don’t end with a “y.”) Is today a good day to ride Black Beauty to Ellijay and pick up a peck of Red Globe peaches? (As long as I leave early before north Georgia turns into a tropical jungle with humidity that begs for running enough air conditioning that will do its part to keep Georgia Power flush.)
Actually, meandering to Ellijay has been that has become a welcome blessing, allowing me the opportunity continue to appreciate the hills and mountains of our area. If only it wasn’t so blasted humid. This retirement gig has afforded me time to make decisions. For instance, do I want to… See, that’s the difference. There’s a lot of “do I want to’s” as opposed to the nasty “do I have to’s.”
One of youngest son Greg’s good friends is getting married soon. It’s an honor to be invited to see Garrett Bollinger walk down the aisle. It’s a Friday evening ceremony and has resulted in a “have to,” as in “Do I have to wear a tie?”
This is a sweat-provoking dilemma. I used to wear a tie, the most useless piece of clothing ever invented, every day at work. I’ve got a huge tie rack on a closet wall. Wide ones, skinny ones, you name it.
Don’t have a bolo tie that would go great with my straw Justin cowboy hat.
Maybe I’ll wear that and could tell people it’s what I wore when I rode off into the sunset. I better wear something else, lest those at the wedding start asking me if I knew what color an orange is. I’m fairly certain I could handle that one.
Having all this spare time has afforded me the opportunity to meet some remarkable people I previously would have been too busy to visit with.
On a recent peach-buying run, I noticed a huge display of gourds. The hand-painted sign read “Gourds” so being of sound mind with an ability to tell anyone who asked what year it is, on the way down the mountain, I pulled into the driveway.
Now, if you might think me and gourds have no business with one another, other than being told at times “you’re out of your…”, my sister-in-law and mother-inlaw have a purple mountain family that have become squatters above their front door. Possessing an encyclopedic supply of trivial information, and no longer having a plane to catch, a meeting to attend, or a report to write, I stopped and met the sweetest 77-year-old lady who told me all about providing a home for those purple squatters.
Naturally, I now own a gourd and hope to provide a residence for the birds, but will have to wait until March, since that’s when purple martins like to build nests. The gourd lady did tell me that bluebirds will maybe build their nests this time of year. At $7 a gourd, I might just knock out some early Christmas shopping.
I wonder if gourds in the backyard will get me in trouble with the HOA?
Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.
MIKE TASOS
OPINION
The Cagles, a traditional family in rural North Fulton
Like many early families in North Fulton, the Cagle families trace their origins to Europe, specifically to Germany and Holland with some French overtones.
In a previous column I profiled the numerous Cagles associated with the Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church, a small country church founded in today’s Milton in 1837.
It is thought that the Cagles of Georgia and thousands of Cagle families throughout the United States are descended from Leonhart Kegel, also known as Leonard Cagle. He arrived at the port of Philadelphia in 1732 from Holland after migrating to that country from Germany. Records show he arrived on the ship Loyal Judith. It is thought that after some years in Pennsylvania he moved to the colony of North Carolina where he may have anglicized his name to Cagle.
His son, John “Dutchman” Cagle, resided in Moore County, North Carolina. John’s son Henry is thought to be the first Cagle to settle in Georgia. His family settled in Hancock and Jones counties circa 1794. Pioneer Cagle families lived in several Geogia counties in the late 1790s and early 1800s.
The surname Cagle was first found in medieval Normandy in the region of Calvados, France, where it is still a popular name. The Cagle House in Cagletown, Jasper, Georgia is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1871 by Peter and Rachel Cagle who migrated to Cherokee County in 1839 from Moore County, North Carolina. Moore County can be considered the ancestral home of many Cagles who began to migrate from there throughout the South, Midwest and West Coast beginning in the 1790s.
Closer to home, Charles Ubert Cagle (1903-1983), known as Charlie or Grandpa, and his wife Sarah Ardella Phillips Cagle (1905-1992) lived on a farm of approximately 70 acres on Dinsmore Road in today’s city of Milton. In 1950, they purchased a 50acre farm on Bethany Road with a handshake, a common practice in those days. They raised cotton and watermelons as cash crops and vegetables for the family. They had 12 children. Grandpa Charlie Cagle raised sweet yellow and orange meated watermelons and developed quite a business selling them. He plowed the
BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA
The Cagle Farm had a large bank barn measuring 20 feet by 40 feet. Because It was built on the side of a hill, or bank, it could be entered at the upper and lower levels. The barn was built by previous owners, probably prior to 1920. The main upper level has a door above the entrance to a loft for storage of feed and tools. The lower level was for animals, wagons and equipment. The barn still stands in fairly good condition.
JOAN PRUITT GLAZE/PROVIDED
Charles “Charlie” Cagle and wife Sara Phillips Cagle purchased a 50-acre farm in 1950 with a handshake. They raised 12 children, all of whom learned farming at a young age.
land with a with a horse named Dan and later with a mule named Ginny and sold melons and vegetables during the harvest season to some two dozen customers in Alpharetta out of the large trunk of his 1946 blue Ford. The family barn was large and still stands as a rare example in Georgia of a bank barn, built on a hillside with entrances on two levels.
JOAN PRUITT GLAZE/PROVIDED
Farmer Charles “Charlie” Cagle (19031983) was well known for his sweet yellow and orange meated watermelons that he delivered to customers in Alpharetta in the trunk of his Ford car. Here he is shown plowing his field with his mule Ginny. Charlie refused to use a tractor and never owned one. He also grew corn, wheat, vegetables and sorghum cane for his family and to generate income.
Their oldest son Charles N Cagle Sr. (1930-2023) spent his early years on his parents’ farm on Dinsmore Road. As a teenager, he moved to his grandmother Mary Maggie Westbrook Phillips’ home on Birmingham Road. Later, he moved to his parents’ farm on Bethany Road.
At age 20, Charles Sr. was drafted by the Army during the Korean War.
He spent 18 months in Korea until he was severely wounded by a phosphorus grenade. He was returned to the U.S. where in 1955 he married Bonnie Sanders Cagle (1931-2011) who also came from a family with 12 children. They met at the Piney Grove Church off McFarlin Road which burned down in the 1980s.
After his military service and marriage, Charles Sr. built a house on Bethany Road across from his parents’ home on 1 acre his father sold him. He later expanded the land to 3 acres. He lived in the house for 67 years. The City of Alpharetta now owns the property. Charles Sr. and Bonnie had two sons, Charles N Cagle Jr and Tim Cagle, who lived across the street from their grandparents. They currently live on Old Jones Road in Alpharetta.
The unofficial historian of the family is Faye Jones, first cousin of Charles Jr. She has been collecting family stories for many years and lived with her grandparents for several years as a young girl.
“Every morning in the summer you could hear Grandpa Cagle gehawing to the mule as he plowed his watermelon patch,” she says. “He refused to use a tractor and never had one. He just walked through the dirt.”
Faye says her mother began plowing at age 9.
Grandfather Cagle stacked his yellow watermelons under an ancient sycamore tree in the front yard to keep them cool. Faye learned a lot by eavesdropping under the tree which was a gathering place for Grandmother Cagle and Faye’s mother and aunts who would sit around “stringing and breaking beans for canning.”
Grandpa also grew peanuts for his family.
“After we got off the school bus in September, we would pull the peanuts off the vines and then Grandpa would dry them and put them in a barrel in the smoke house,” Faye says. “In winter we would have parched or roasted peanuts, or Grandma would make peanut brittle in a skillet on top of the stove.”
Everyone I spoke with for this column agreed that the Cagles were and still are a loving, caring, traditional Georgia family who worked hard and helped each other.
Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
Fee:
Group; Bob McLeod, chief financial officer for McDonald Development company; and Jake Rodgers, president and head of school at Pinecrest Academy said they had serious concerns about the increases during a public hearing portion of the meeting.
They appeared at the first of at least two public hearings to discuss the changes.
Many said they support impact fees and the projects they fund, but they worried the sharp increase would hinder the local economy by discouraging residential and commercial projects.
They asked commissioners for additional time to review the fees.
Tenants likely will be unwilling to pay fees, pushing the costs to developers and causing deals to “implode,” Abernathy said. “We all know where the economy is now. The costs have increased substantially, so to put that additional impact fee on the developer, the tenant, you are going to stymie any potential commercial growth. That’s going to be a significant detriment to the community.”
In fact, developers often work to improve intersections and traffic features on their own while working on projects, he said.
The fees also could affect local private schools, Rodgers said.
The added costs would pose a “significant financial obstacle” to Pinecrest Academy’s mission to educate local students, Rodgers said. He urged commissioners to consider alternatives.
After they exhausted the public hearing time allotted to speaking against the fees, Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills asked Forsyth Chamber of Commerce President and CEO James McCoy to speak.
The proposed impact rates are many times higher than those in neighboring communities, McCoy said. For example, the proposed retail rate is about 655 percent higher, he said. The fee for office use is about 480 percent higher than Forsyth County’s “competitors,” he said.
“Economically, we count on that commercial investment … Those tax dollars are going to go into the general fund, and those are funds a homeowner does not have to pay,” he said.
McCoy said he was unable to yet provide data showing what a competitive fee rate might look like and asked commissioners to give the public hearing and decision-making process more time.
That’s a bigger discussion. There’s an answer there,” McCoy said.
After the public hearing, Mills questioned the process to determine the fee schedule, saying opinions from residents and the business community should have been considered from the beginning. She also doubted whether a spike in funding for roads would be enough to solve the county’s traffic problems.
“It is so unprofessional and so unbusinesslike … we’re not taking into account our business community,” Mills said.
Although commissioners will invite public speakers to discuss the fees at a second public hearing, they also considered additional meetings to gather community feedback.
More information
Residential developments would see an increase in impact fees for roads under a proposed Forsyth County ordinance. Nonresidential developments would incur a road fee divided by 1,000 square feet.
“It’s worth a discussion to understand … what level of impact fee makes us noncompetitive in the market.
“It’s getting very expensive to build roads … We have to figure out a way to fund these things, so I think this is an ongoing conversation,” Commissioner Kerry Hill said. Continued from Page 1
SPLOST:
Continued from Page 1
A total of 10 public input meetings will be held throughout the county, all between 6 and 7:30 p.m. Each county commission district will host two meetings to enable as many residents to attend as possible.
The county sales tax has been in place since 1987, when it was first approved by Forsyth County voters. Voters have subsequently approved seven
additional referendums continuing the program. SPLOST IX is scheduled to be on the ballot in November.
Past SPLOST programs have provided funding for a number of important infrastructure projects in transportation, public safety and the animal shelter.
Sales tax information meetings
Ten public input meetings will be held throughout Forsyth County from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information or to provide feedback online, visit www.forsythco.com/SPLOST
• July 30: Brandywine Elementary School, 175 Martin Drive, Alpharetta
• Aug. 13: Mashburn Elementary School, 3777 Samples Road, Cumming
• Aug. 27: Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming
• Sept. 10: Forsyth Central High School, 131 Almon C. Hill Drive, Cumming
• Sept. 12: East Forsyth High School, 8910 Jot Em Down Road, Gainesville
• Sept. 17: Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road, Cumming
• Oct. 1: Settles Bridge Elementary School, 600 James Burgess Road, Suwanee
• Oct. 7: Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road, Cumming
• Oct. 14: Big Creek Elementary School, 1994 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Commissioners Kerry Hill and Alfred John listen to a speaker during a public hearing for proposed increases to impact fees on July 18.
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Lane:
Continued from Page 3
Kyle Collins, GDOT’s P3 communications program manager, said the strategy optimizes public funding, while transferring risk to the private entity.
“The amount of state and federal funds required will be a factor in selecting a private partner to develop the project,” Collins said. “Under this agreement, the entity would design, build, finance, operate and maintain.”
GDOT officials said the goal is to submit a final environmental assessment to the Federal Highway Administration for its decision on the project’s proposed design.
Approval from the federal agency would allow procurement for the first phase of the Top End I-285 Express Lanes to begin by the end of 2024, Collins said.
It is unclear if procurement of the project’s first stage will happen before New Year’s.
GDOT officials said the new elevated express lanes will integrate into the state’s Peach Pass system, with the State Road and Toll Authority helping establish rates.
Impacted citizens chime in Perimeter residents, especially those near the I-285 and Ga. 400 corridors will be some of the most impacted people in Metro Atlanta when construction is anticipated to kick off sometime in 2027.
During virtual open houses, mimicking in-person gatherings at city centers, most questions revolved around the height of elevated lanes, some 50 to 60 feet, and sound walls along the corridor.
There are several Sandy Springs neighborhoods and developments abutting I-285, including Riverwood High School and Allen Road Park, sure to be impacted by construction and new elevated lanes.
Based on GDOT’s traffic analysis, noise abatement is proposed in 30 locations along the entire corridor where barriers would be replaced, extended or constructed.
GDOT Air and Noise Section Manager Miles Kemp noted barriers are based on preliminary information and the findings are subject to change based on design refinements in the future.
Communications manager Kyle Collins said the public-private partnerships accelerate project delivery, provide access to additional capital, enable a longer-term view of asset management and optimize public funds.
If Georgia wants to offer enhanced and expanded mobility options for public and freight transportation, the P3 model may deliver the projects quicker.
Collins said potential private-sector partners are incentivized to ensure performance of the project, since the developer is relying on motorist usage and the resulting revenue to pay for the project.
Elected officials weigh project
At Dunwoody City Hall July 16, Mayor Lynn Deutsch said she’s focused on pushing GDOT to include temporary sound walls during construction of the express lanes, 50-to-60 feet above the existing general-purpose lanes.
Addressing one of the mayor’s concerns, GDOT officials said they will include contract provisions that require the developer to repair affected interstates and local roads to pre-construction conditions.
Deutsch said she expects traffic counts in Dunwoody and along I-285 to continue to increase as the phased project draws closer.
Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor and council members worked to ensure construction on the Chamblee Dunwoody Road bridge is done all at once, rather than staged.
Deutsch said a connection to Peachtree Boulevard (Ga. 140) would go a long way to helping with congestion at its intersection with I-285 and throughout Dunwoody.
City Councilman Tom Lambert, echoing comments from other Dunwoody officials, said he’s had significant concerns about the project since 2020, which have since grown as GDOT moves forward with procurement.
Lambert’s primary concerns involve design of the Ga. 140 and I-285 intersection, and the public-private partnership (P3) procurement model chosen to bankroll the project.
“This is one of the most congested highway segments in the entire country, and GDOT’s plan not only fails to improve it, but can actually make congestion in this area worse,” Lambert told Appen Media. “I fear this model will lead to decisions on this project being made to prioritize profit over function, which can have long-term negative consequences.”
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