Forsyth Herald — October 28, 2021

O c t o b e r 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 | 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 4 , N o . 4 3

Cumming mayoral candidates engage in legal dispute ahead of election

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com

PHOTOS BY: SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA

Cumming City Council members hear a presentation from City Attorney Kevin Tallant about proposed changes to the city’s alcohol ordinance which would bring it in line with statewide legislative changes.

Cumming advances contracts for City Center project

By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com CUMMING, Ga. — Cumming’s City Center project moved one step forward Oct. 19 when the City Council approved bids for lighting and audio at the proposed amphitheater, stage and a structure designated “Building A.” Both bids, presented by City Administrator Phil Higgins total $127,634.

They were the lowest cost bids proposed to the city and were approved unanimously by the council members.

The city broke ground on the 75-acre City Center project located off Ga. 20 in

See PROJECT, Page 4

City Administrator Phil Higgins presents audio and lighting construction bids to the City Council for the proposed City Center amphitheater.

Council members approved Higgins’ recommendations unanimously.

CUMMING, Ga. — Cumming attorney and mayoral candidate William Stone and first-term Mayor Troy Brumbalow are up in arms over firewood.

In a cease-and-desist letter sent to the Cumming Department of Planning and Zoning, Stone alleges city resources are being used to “threaten, attack and harass” him before the Nov. 2 election.

City Attorney Kevin Tallant said Stone’s claims are unfounded.

In a seven-page letter, dated Sept.

2, Stone states he believes that shortly after he declared his intent to run for mayor, Brumbalow instructed Councilman Joey Cochran to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning to initiate a code violation and zoning action against one of Stone’s long-time tenants who had been selling firewood out of his Cumming property.

Cochran denies the accusation.

Stone also claims Code Enforcement Officer Lenny Mancinelli at-

See DISPUTE, Page 19

2 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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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.

Driver cited in fatal crash that killed car passenger FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Roswell man has been charged with vehicular homicide in the death of a female passenger in his car that was struck from behind on Canton Highway Oct. 7.

Daniel William Manca, 21, of Roswell, was arrested Oct. 14 and charged with second-degree homicide by vehicle and making an improper U-turn.

The crash occurred around 8:45 p.m. in the 3700 block of Canton Highway.

According to deputies, Manca was driving a Toyota Corolla westbound on the highway near Post Road. There, five occupants in the car and one of the passengers asked Manca to stop at a RaceTrac gas station.

Deputies said Manca missed the turn-in to the RaceTrac and did a three-point turn in the middle of Canton Highway to turn around. A GMC Sierra traveling eastbound struck the Corolla from behind as it was coming out of its turn, deputies said. The impact of the collision knocked the Corolla off the roadway and into a ditch.

Two of the five occupants in the car were unscathed, two suffered minor injuries. Carly Jo Rich, of Ball Ground, died at the scene. No one in the pickup truck was injured.

PUBLIC SAFETY Deputies suspected neither driver of impairment.

Drug & DUI arrests

Authorities charge suspect in 2019 battery incident

Misty Dawn Hiltner, 33, of Vandiviere Road, Dawsonville, was arrested Sept. 27 on Pilgrim Mill Road for DUI. Douglas Connor McVey, 32, of Maco Street NW, Atlanta, was arrested Sept. 28 on Ga. 400 for DUI. Mickensie Lynn Motes, 28, of Heardsville Road, Cumming, was arrested Sept. 28 on Veterans Memorial Boulevard for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug-related objects.

Todd Louis Kaelin, 50, of Custer Avenue, Atlanta, was arrested Sept.

28 on McGinnis Ferry Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Linda Mason Henry, 22, of Holbrook Road, Cumming, was arrested Sept. 29 on Bannister Road for DUI and speeding.

Bryan Darrell Shepherd, 48, of Pearl Point, Sandy Springs, was arrested Sept. 29 on Ga. 400 for DUI, speeding and possession of open alcohol container by driver.

Jesus Love Montgomery, 27, of Bradley Park Lane, Cumming, was arrested Sept. 30 on Peachtree Parkway for possession of marijuana over 1 oz. and defective or no brake lights/turn signals.

Lorena Guillen Cabrera, 40, of Bass Circle, Sugar Hill, was arrested Sept. 30 on Samples Road for DUI, possession of methamphetamine and speeding.

Miles August Heidorn, 35, of Heritage Manor Drive, Cumming, was arrested Oct. 1 on McFarland Parkway for DUI and tag light required (white light).

Christopher Lee Mays, 42, of Sequoyah Drive, Alpharetta, was arrested Oct. 1 on Atlanta Highway for possession of methamphetamine, affixing reflective materials to windshield or windows and obscuring or missing license plate.

Michael Minjin Chung, was arrested Oct. 1 on Ronald Reagan Boulevard for four counts of possession of schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to distribute, driving while license suspended or revoked, speeding and possession of drug-related objects.

Verie Diane Singletary, 44, of Abbeville, South Carolina, was arrested Oct. 1 on Buford Highway for possession of schedule I controlled substance, possession of marijuana and speeding.

Jasmine Olena Richardson, 32, of Barrett Lakes Boulevard NW, Kennesaw, was arrested Oct. 1 on Ga. 400 for DUI, speeding, possession of marijuana and possession of open alcohol container by driver.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies made an arrest in a 2019 auto theft case.

Richard Paul Black, 49, was arrested in Lawrenceville on Oct. 12 and charged with simple battery and theft of service.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, a driver delivered a vehicle to an auto yard in the 700 block of Union Hill Road for an agreed upon $500 delivery fee in November 2019. When the driver arrived, Black pushed him out the way then jumped into the vehicle and drove away without paying the delivery fee, according to deputies.

Women faces charges of making death threats FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Cumming police arrested a Woodstock woman accused of threatening to kill a resident along Meadow Drive during an Oct. 17 argument.

Natasha Monique Cothren, 49, was charged with disorderly conduct. According to police, the victim told officers Cothren visited her home from time to time. She said Cothren went on a “crazy” tangent during one of the visits and repeatedly threatened to kill her.

When police questioned Cothren, she accused the victim of threatening her, due to her medication dosage. But officers said Cothren made several bizarre statements and gave them a false last name when they asked her to identify herself.

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NEWS

Cumming mayoral candidates provide their visions for future

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmedia.com CUMMING, Ga. — Early voting is underway in Cumming where two candidates are vying for mayor.

Incumbent Troy Brumbalow is facing a challenge from local attorney William Stone As a lifelong resident of Cumming, I share the values embraced by the taxpayers who make our community a great place in which to live, work, play and retire. I am a graduate of Forsyth Central High and the University of Georgia and am professionally engaged as a tax attorney.

Q: What do you see as the city’s greatest challenge near-term, and have you any ideas on how to address it?

A: We live in uncertain and challenging times. To protect our quality of life, we must reduce unnecessary, wasteful government spending that leads to increased intrusion and high taxes.

In the middle of a nationwide pandemic, now is not the time to compete with private industry and deplete our city’s rainy-day fund. For too long, we have witnessed government’s out-ofcontrol spending at the expense of taxpayers, families and businesses.

Unfortunately, the Washington mentality of “spend-then-tax” has made its way to Cumming. I am running to protect our community’s legacy, preserve our heritage and offer bold, new solutions that position Cumming to achieve greatness.

Rather than spending $65 million to transform our city into a monopolized landlord, as some have suggested, I will promote private sector growth and achieve long-term sustainable outcomes. While families and businesses are struggling to survive financially, our city’s government does not hesitate to continue swiping its taxpayer-funded credit cards, driving us into a $38 million deficit. I will cut taxes permanently, eliminate excessive government regulation and provide a thriving community that attracts a quality workforce. The resulting environment will support more real jobs and allow Cumming to become the best place in the nation in which to do business. We can achieve greater long term economic prosperity by reducing the size and role of government — not expanding it

William Stone.

Candidates were asked questions specifically addressing issues facing the city. Each was given the same total word limit for their combined responses.

Here is a brief sketch of the candidates along with their responses to the questions: Q: How does Cumming deal with increased traffic as more and more people move to Forsyth County?

A: We must incentivize reinvestment in our community and infrastructure by attracting quality development that provides opportunities for those looking to call Cumming home, rather than those who are seeking temporary housing. In the last three years, the city has approved the zoning of more than 2,000 new housing units — with more than 75% of those units being townhomes, condos or apartments. I support impact fees on local construction and will ensure the fees collected are used to decrease the impact of growth on our quality of life. As the only candidate for mayor who has not accepted any contributions from real estate developers, I am not beholden to anyone other than the taxpayers.

Q: Is the new City Center the proper way to foster economic development? Are there other ideas, or should the city be less concerned with economic growth?

A: The proposed city center will result in the city becoming the largest lease holder in Cumming. This form of government intrusion, overreach and market manipulation will lead to unprecedented levels of public debt that will last for generations — this is the type of project one would expect to see from the Washington ruling class who holds our values in contempt, not from our local government.

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 3

Troy Brumbalow The incumbent mayor married his high school sweetheart Jodie, and they have two children. Zach is getting his master’s in biomedical engineering at Mercer University, and Riley is a senior at Forsyth Central High School and plans to study chemical engineering at Georgia Tech next year. Troy was the valedictorian at South Forsyth High and the senior class president. He has owned multiple businesses for the past 28-plus years.

Q: What do you see as the city’s greatest challenge near-term, and have you any ideas on how to address it?

A: Transforming the city into a destination instead of somewhere you simply pass through. The new Cumming City Center will be the greatest destination north of Atlanta where families can spend time and make memories.

Q: How does Cumming deal with increased traffic as more and more people move to Forsyth County?

A: The city is troubled with a square that is the intersection of two state routes (Ga. 9 and 20). We are currently building a southern bypass of the square that will be completed in the next few months. There are plans for a northern bypass connecting Highway 20 to Ga. 400. We are working with GDOT to make that a reality right now.

Q: Is the new City Center the proper way to foster economic development? Are there other ideas, or should the city be less concerned with economic growth?

A: The City Center will transform our city and keep people in the city/ county instead of going out of the county for the same experience. The City Center offers almost everything anyone could want and is bringing in the best of locally owned restaurants, shops, etc. It will be the spark that will lead to economic development west of our downtown area.

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NEWS

Governments scramble to make Big Creek Greenway connection

Continued from Page 1 August 2019. The city says the development is expected to open in early 2022 and should provide residents a “main street Americana” feel.

City Council members also heard proposed changes to the city’s alcohol ordinance which are intended to reflect state-level legislation changes of the past year.

City Attorney Kevin Tallant presented the changes, which include shifts to hours of sale, licensing, home delivery and tastings. Council members asked clarifying questions, but no action was required.

In other matters: • Council members directed city staff to renegotiate the terms of an intergovernmental agreement with Forsyth County regarding the addition of a 900-horsepower pump to the city’s Raw Water Intake Facility.

• Mayor Troy Brumbalow proclaimed the week of Oct. 24-31 Family Promise Week, honoring Family Promise of Forsyth County, an organization dedicated to helping families experiencing homelessness find sustainable housing and employment.

• The city also acknowledged 22-year-

By SYDNEY DANGREMOND sydney@appenmedia.com

SYDNEY DANGREMOND/APPEN MEDIA

Cumming City Attorney Kevin Tallant delivers a presentation to the mayor and City Council regarding proposed changes to the city’s alcohol ordinance which would bring it in line with legislative changes made during the 2021 General Assembly.

old Cumming native Cole Devlin, a world-ranked bull rider.

• Council members unanimously approved an annexation application and a rezoning application for two commercial properties.

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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Spanning more than 20 miles from Roswell to the Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Forsyth County, the Big Creek Greenway connects thousands of people in Metro Atlanta.

After years of steady progress, the City of Alpharetta finally, if not temporarily, closed its chapter on the Greenway in June with the last leg of its trail completed near the border with Forsyth County.

It took the city almost three years and $11 million to complete the final 2.8 miles of trail running from Marconi Drive north to Union Hill Road. The final link into Forsyth County will have to wait because of road widening work along McGinnis Ferry Road.

Alpharetta took the initiative in July to build a makeshift Greenway connector to the county line, extending about 800 feet.

Alpharetta Parks and Recreation Director Morgan Rodgers said the connection took city workers about a week to complete, and it ended up costing the city almost nothing.

“It was a very timely and a very costeffective temporary connection,” Rodgers said. “We’re real proud of the Public Works folks for thinking outside the box, or, in this case, off the trail.”

Alpharetta Public Works Director Pete Sewczwicz told the City Council in July the makeshift connection would cost about $275,000. But it turned out, his department was able to lay the path using asphalt millings donated and delivered to the site by a contractor for free. Millings are the debris left after a road is prepared for resurfacing, and they are usually discarded.

In this case, the Public Works Department applied a bonding agent with the millings to form the temporary path, suitable for feet and bicycles, but not durable enough for motor vehicles.

The McGinnis Ferry Road widening project is well over a year away from completion, but when its time comes, the temporary connection will be removed, and a permanent link will be placed.

Of Forsyth County’s roughly 15 miles of completed Greenway trails, 3 miles are currently closed to the public for repairs.

“It’s a trail system that weaves its way through nature,” Forsyth County Assistant Director of Communications Russell Brown said. “Here in Forsyth County, it goes along swamp lands, wetlands, a lot of trees. So, as you can imagine, over time, the wood there on the boardwalk will deteriorate and need some updates.”

The closed portion of the trail runs from south of Fowler Park to north Mac-

FILE PHOTO

Cyclists navigate a turn near the Union Hill trailhead of the Big Creek Greenway.

Farland Parkway.

Brown said the first section of those repairs which include the trail from MacFarland Parkway to Union Hill is expected to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting. The repairs have been budgeted $5 million from the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VIII. The remaining portion is expected to be completed by fall 2022. Bids for the second phase of repairs are currently under review so the funding source has yet to be determined. Both repairs, Brown said, are entirely expected from wear-and-tear.

“Once that opens up, we’re talking connectivity all the way to the northern end of Forsyth County up here in the lake country, so it’s about as beautiful as it gets,” Brown said.

All sections of the Big Creek Greenway in Alpharetta are currently open to the public, Rodgers said.

“The Greenway connects so much of what we in Alpharetta hold important which is greenspace, waterways, community coming together, access for all and inexpensive quality of life,” Rodgers said. “I think that the value of the Greenway falls in its connection and how many people it connects to literally and figuratively.”

Both Alpharetta and Forsyth County use social media and their websites to communicate updates about the greenway with residents.

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 5

Join us for our 9th Annual

CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOW

Blessed Trinity High School Main & Aux Gym 11320 Woodstock Road • Roswell, GA 30075

Saturday, Nov. 6th • 9am – 5pm Sunday, Nov. 7th • 10am – 3pm Over 110 vendors with a large variety of unique and beautiful gift items – Jewelry, Wreaths, Pottery, Fine Art, Holiday and Home Décor, Accessories, Knits, Children’s Items, Huge Bake Sale and much more!

• Tons of parking • All booths are indoors • Enter our Titan Tidings Raffle to win prizes

• Concessions will be available • No Strollers Please • $3 Admission

NEWS

6 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Symphony SP K-tacular Saturday, October 30 at 2:30 p.m.

Presented by: Emory Johns Creek Hospital Wear a booooooo-tiful costume to this spooky family matinee concert celebrating Dia de los Muertos and other Halloween traditions! Pre-concert activities provided by Johns Creek Arts Center.

Concert at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road

Tickets: $15 - $42.50; Infants 0-2 FREE www.JohnsCreekSymphony.org | (678) 748-5802

Tickets to this concert are limited due to social distancing restrictions, and tickets may sell out in advance of the day of the show.

COVID-appropriate masks required inside the church

THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS: Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

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Lambert junior succeeds with just the right words Student makes history in debate competitions

BY TIFFANY MORGAN newsroom@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Lambert High School junior is riding the crest of his gift as a public speaker to further his education.

Sahil Sood, 16, has been involved in speech and debate club since middle school. Initially, he said he thought it would be a good path to develop friendships, but it also developed into a passion. Since entering the arena of debate, he has gravitated to public forum, a form of debate that focuses on current events.

Logic and evidence are the tools skilled debaters use to build their arguments. For public forum debates, team members have weeks to research their current events topic prior to a tournament.

With 60 members, the Lambert High School debate team is divided into tiers. Most debate in local and regional tournaments, 10 compete nationally.

For most of his years in debate, Sood had no professional coaching, and as he gained more skills, he wanted to guide younger students in debate programs by volunteering as a mentor.

Their success became his. Sood said he connected with several students across the nation, and it helped him grow his own craft.

In his sophomore year, he attended Princeton University’s international debate tournament as one of more than 500 entries. He and his debate partner placed first in the competition. Sood said it was a defining moment in his debate career.

Sood said his parents’ support played a key role in his successes.

And, the list is long: Ranked third in the world for Public Forum debate in 2021 by the National Debate Coaches Association Highest ranked Public Forum debater of all time from the state of Georgia Champion of Princeton Classic, an international debate tournament hosted by Princeton University Champion of Bellaire Forensic Tournament, a national tournament in Texas, where he became one of the few debaters ever to win a national tournament with a perfect record

PROVIDED

Sahil Sood, a 16-year-old junior at Lambert High School in Forsyth County, is the president of his debate club.

Runner Up at Grapevine Classic, a national tournament in Texas Third place at the Tournament of Champions (Silver Division), an international tournament hosted by the University of Kentucky open to only the top 1 percent of debaters worldwide Third place at the Strake Jesuit Round Robin Tournament, a national competition open to only 16 teams Top 10 individual speaker at Nano Nagle, a national tournament held in California Sood pins his greatest advance in debate on the coaching he received from his father on articulation and delivery of his debate points rather the content he delivered. “[My dad] was the one that told me the biggest issue isn’t the content, it’s the way you deliver it,” Sood said. “My dad helped me get more of a calm but firm demeanor.”

Sood said he hopes to pursue a career in the medical field, and top-tier medical colleges offer speech and debate scholarships, which is something on his radar when the time comes.

“I want to attend a college that has both a good science and pre-medical program as well as a well-established debate team so I’m able to retain presentation and speaking skills that I’ve worked so hard on and be able to translate them into my future career,” Sood said. “Inevitably I think being able to be an effective public speaker to some extent is going to help in any capacity at some point in your professional career.”

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 7

Court clears Alpharetta in decision to ban Confederate flag in parade

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A federal appeals court decision in September has breathed new life into efforts to revive the traditional Old Soldiers Day Parade.

The Northern Arc Old Soldiers Day Foundation gave up on efforts to stage its own parade this year after failing to agree on costs with the City of Alpharetta over police and public works expenses. The impasse came after a nearly 50-year partnership between the city and the local American Legion Post 201 to sponsor the event every August. The city withdrew its formal support in 2019 after it was named in a lawsuit filed by members of the Roswell Mills Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans.

At issue was whether the city could sponsor an event that banned the group from displaying the Confederate battle flag in the parade. While the city won an initial court ruling, and the 2019 parade went off without incident, the Sons of Confederate Veterans members appealed the decision, and Alpharetta officials voted later in the year to pull out of the partnership.

Now, a federal appeals court has ruled the city did not violate the constitutional rights of the Sons of Confederate Veterans when it banned the flag. The judges wrote that the parade honors veterans who fought for the rights of “everyone,” and it was permissible for the city to deny the flag request.

Tom Richardson, chairman of the Northern Arc Old Soldiers Day Foundation, said Monday that the nonprofit will renew its efforts to get Alpharetta back on board.

The Foundation was formed to conduct and support activities that honor and recognize veterans, Richardson said, and it would serve as sole sponsor of the parade event. It would apply for the appropriate permits, “thus becoming the legal party of record for the conduct of the event, removing the City of Alpharetta and American

Legion Post 201 from legal responsibilities but still allowing them to participate and support the parade.”

During meetings this summer, members of the Foundation’s Parade Committee said the event is not locked in Alpharetta and could be held elsewhere.

Nevertheless, the group found itself parsing costs with Alpharetta as August approached. But, the tab for city services was more than the Foundation could meet.

So, as in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit held a private event to honor service veterans on the American Legion Post 201 grounds in August.

Thomas said that in light of the court ruling, the Foundation will renew efforts to hold the parade.

“The Northern Arc will approach the City of Alpharetta to request the City Council to reverse their decision to sponsor the parade, and with the removal of legal jeopardy, the city will provide police and public works support the 2022 Old Soldiers Day Parade which would be held on the first Saturday in August,” Thomas said in a statement. “This event, honoring veterans, was always a highly attended event with high school bands, football teams and cheerleaders; groups representing a cross section of military and military support groups that recognized the participation of the United States Military from the Revolutionary War all the way through Afghanistan.”

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin, who at the time of the lawsuit called it a “damn shame,” said he could not comment on the appellate court ruling because the case may be appealed to a higher court.

Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard said there has been no discussion about reviving Alpharetta’s participation in the Old Soldiers Day Parade.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’re out of the parade business,” Drinkard said. “We haven’t had any further discussion about it since the decision was made [to] remove our sponsorship of the event.”

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A lot of water under the bridge After more than a century spanning the Chattahoochee River, Rogers Bridge was taken down Oct. 11 to make way for a new pedestrian bridge connecting the cities of Johns Creek and Duluth. The 50-ton structure was suspended by crane for about an hour before being lowered onto the Johns Creek side of the river.

According to the City of Johns Creek, construction of the new bridge — which will be of a similar size — is expected to be completed in the summer of 2022.

Johns Creek will pay $385,000 of the $7.4 million estimated cost of the project.

The balance will be split between the City of Duluth, Fulton County and Gwinnett County. Johns Creek and Duluth will also split 10 tons of salvaged steel from the original structure for use as public art.

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8 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

NEWS

Roswell deals with fallout from Oxbo Road project investigation

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell has begun implementing recommendations cited in an investigation into the mismanagement of the Oxbo Road realignment project.

Interim City Administrator Michael Fischer made the announcement at an Oct. 12 City Council meeting. Two days later, with no public announcement, the city suddenly unlisted director of Transportation Muhammad Rauf from its staff directory.

He was replaced by Dan Skalsky, who is currently listed as both the interim director of Transportation and director of Environmental and Public Works. Transportation project fact sheets have also been updated, naming Engineering Manager Greg Nicolas as the project manager.

Community Relations Director Julie Brechbill declined to share any details about Rauf’s employment with the city.

“The City of Roswell does not discuss personnel matters with the media or the public,” Brechbill said in an Oct. 14 email.

The investigation, launched in February, came in the wake of delays associated with the Oxbo Road realignment project that has ended up costing the city millions

in cost overruns. It was conducted by the law firm Jarrard & Davis.

Rauf was named director of Transportation in 2019 after Steve Acenbrak retired from the position after 15 years. Rauf worked as Acenbrak’s deputy director.

At the Oct. 12 City Council meeting, Fischer said about 26 recommendations were listed in the report to improve the city’s transportation project practices, including five “minimal and key modifications.”

They include identifying a project manager, tracking the project’s progression, adopting a resolution to be legally entitled to acquire property without appraisals for low-value properties, using an acquisition checklist and creating a more robust and demanding agenda approval process.

Fischer said the first recommendation city staff acted on was naming the director of transportation the project manager, starting Oct. 12. However, that has since changed.

As project manager, Nicolas will be responsible for coordinating staff across various city departments, with outside engineers, contractors, service providers and vendors, with legal counsel and elected officials.

The report, released to the public Sept.

30, outlined several “problems” dating

back to 2006 when the city began discussing the project, and it concluded that it was the mismanagement by city staff that led to delays and millions of dollars in cash settlements.

The report stated that on many occasions the land acquisition manager was meeting with property owners and agreeing to revisions without consulting the engineering staff as to the feasibility of the changes.

“In many cases,” it states, “the land acquisition manager was requesting a third-party surveyor to complete revisions related to design, right-of-way, and easement takes and then proceeding to closure without notifying the project manager/engineering manager of the changes.”

“Right-of-way staff should have a knowledge of transportation projects or be accompanied by the project manager/ engineering manager, or his representative from the transportation department when meeting with property owners about design issues during their negotiations,” the report states. “Design changes should be completed by the engineer of record.”

As part of the investigation, the law firm interviewed close to a dozen current and former city officials who had been directly involved in the project, some since

the project’s earliest days. This was the only time Rauf was mentioned by name in the entire report.

It also mentioned City Attorney David Davidson, Transportation Deputy Director Rob Dell-Ross, Land Acquisition Coordinator Claire Bruce, Nicolas, former Land Development Manager Clyde Stricklin and Acenbrak. Davidson and Dell-Ross are still listed in the city’s staff directory.

Moving forward, Mayor Lori Henry said updates about the city’s transportation projects would be shared at each City Council meeting in the “Mayor’s Report.”

“I had promised to the public we would be updating you on a regular basis on transportation processes that we’re putting into place so that Roswell will function and carry on in a much more productive manner,” Henry said at the Oct. 12 council meeting.

The City Council is set to consider allocating another $616,802 to the Oxbo Road realignment project at the Transportation Committee meeting at City Hall on Oct. 27.

Officials estimate the project will cost close to $14 million. Initial estimates had put the total cost at $9 million. The project is expected to be completed next fall.

Neither Henry nor Fischer responded to requests for comment.

COMMUNITY

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 9

‘Day of the Dead’ festival slated at Roswell City Hall

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell is hosting its second Dia de los Muertos festival at City Hall, featuring traditional Mexican entertainment, food, face painting, costume contest and margarita tasting.

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is traditionally celebrated Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in the central and southern regions of Mexico. The holiday is centered around remembrance of lost loved ones, as communities come together to celebrate their memory and pray for their safe spiritual journey.

The city hosted its first Dia de los Muertos festival in 2019, but the event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s festival is slated for 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, and visitors of all ages are welcome to attend.

The festival is free to the public, except for food vendors and one special ticketed experience.

Along with entertainment by Aztec dancers, Oaxaca Group and a mariachi band, there will be food vendors on site selling Mexican cuisine such as empanadas and tamales.

There will be a Catrina and Catrin contest at 5 p.m. for those who dress in a Day of the Dead costume and paint their face. Cash prizes will be

awarded for best costume.

Of course, no Dia de los Muertos celebration would be complete without traditional candy skull face painting, which will be available at the festival. A showing of Disney’s “Coco” will start at 6 p.m.

The tequila/specialty margarita tasting experience will showcase the unique flavors of Mexico. It includes tasting tokens and a souvenir tasting glass for the first 500 participants.

For $35, participants will receive eight tokens that can be used to taste any combination of six different types of specialty margaritas and four different types of tequila, including a Blanco, Joven, Reposado or Anejo.

Vendor, artist and exhibitor opportunities are available. All vendors must be Day of the Dead themed, and products must be sold by the artist or direct representative.

Roswell City Hall is located at 38 Hill Street.

This year’s festival is presented in partnership with the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces.

For more information about the event, to sign up to be a vendor or artist, or to buy tickets for the tequila/specialty margarita tasting experience, visit RoswellGov.com/DayoftheDead.

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Participants attend the 2019 Dia de los Muertos festival in Roswell.

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JANET RODGERS, president & CEO of Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau 10 | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021

Topside Tap Trail encourages tourism to local breweries

BY TIFFANY MORGAN newsroom@appenmedia.com NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The local brewery scene in Roswell, Alpharetta and Sandy Springs announced their partnership to launch Topside Tap Trail.

The trail was established in October of 2020 by the destination marketing organizations for the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Sandy Springs and Visit Roswell with the intention to support North Fulton County’s craft beer culture along the Ga. 400 corridor.

Janet Rodgers, president & CEO of Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the Tap Trail is another unique way that Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs can invite travelers to visit and enjoy local destinations.

Each brewery on the trail offers a variety of craft beer, food and atmosphere.

The trail includes seven local breweries: From The Earth Brewing Company, Gate City Brewing, Variant Brewing Company, Currahee Brewing Company, Jekyll Brewing, Pontoon Brewing and Porter Pizza & Brewery.

“The craft beer industry is thriving in Georgia, and our cities have seven of the best breweries and brewpubs in the state,” Rodgers said.

With the addition of the Passport Adventure, visitors can now take a commemorative koozie home with them to “remember the great time” they had along the Topside Tap Trail, Rogers said.

Variant Brewing Company puts out new beer almost every week.

Owner Matt Curling said to expect several varieties of beer during the Tap Trail. In previous weeks, Curling said his

Currahee Brewing Company in Alpharetta is one of the seven breweries participating in the Topside Tap Trail promotion. brewery released Tiramisu, which is an Imperial Pastry Stout, and was No. 9 on the top-rated new beers among 548 new beers released across the U.S. last week, according to Untappd.

A Roswell native, Curling said owning his own brewery in the city has meant a great deal.

“I was born and raised in Roswell,

CONNECTING JOBS AND TALENT IN NORTH FULTON

so being able to open a business in my hometown and be a part of the local community is everything to me,” Curling said.

Curling also said the Georgia craft beer scene has flourished over the years within the close-knit community.

“It’s wonderful to see events and promotions like Topside Tap Trail. It was just four years ago breweries in Georgia

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couldn’t even sell beer on site and such an event would not even be possible,” Curling said.

The trail will be in full swing until June of 2022. For more information, go to www.topsidetaptrail.com or visit each city’s tourism bureau for their event schedule, social media as well as e-newsletters.

For More Information, Contact Mark Goodman at: mgoodman@gnfcc.com www.gnfcc.com

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 11

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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 13

Are there any changes to my medicare plan?

Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Medicare Insurance Broker, SeniorSource Medicare Solutions The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here! Almost two weeks into the Medicare AEP, the most common question we seem to get is “Are there any changes to my plan?” It is important to remember that from one year to the next, your plan will almost always change in some way. For instance, your insurance carrier could lower or raise a hospital copay, change the prescription formulary, or come out with new plan options all together.

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14 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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Premier Dermatology – Providing excellence. Every patient. Every time.

Brought to you by - Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Congratulations to Premier Dermatology and Mohs surgery of Atlanta for its fourth year in a row of being voted Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist of North Fulton! Since opening in 2017, Premier Dermatology has quickly become the go-to dermatology practice for quality and comprehensive dermatologic care. As in years past, I decided to sit down with Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C to get their take on their success and to learn a bit more about them.

Alyssa: Hey you two! Thanks for meeting with me again. Winning the Best Dermatologist and Best Vein specialist for four years in a row means you must be doing something right! To what do you contribute your continued success?

Dr. Taylor: Thank you! Well, I believe that my patients understand our sincerity and our dedication to their healthcare. Kathryn and I and our amazing team all honestly care about our patients and their wellbeing. I hope that that sincerity comes through during our interactions. We always strive to give our patients our complete attention and to learn more about an individual as a person as well as a patient. There are plenty of times when a patient brings something to our attention or when a case compels us to do additional research. Kathryn and I are constantly collaborating and advocating on our patients’ behalf. I believe that comes through.

Kathryn: I agree with everything that Dr. Taylor said, our team really is wonderful. And we have received a lot of compliments that the practice has a personal and “boutique” feel, even as we deliver care that is scientific and academic.

Alyssa: Dr. Taylor we all know that you are a board-certified dermatologist, and a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon.

There is no doubt of your ability to skillfully handle dermatology and skin cancer patients. How many surgeries have you performed now?

Dr. Taylor: Oh, probably over 10,000, but more important than the number is the type of cases that we are treating. I believe that we are one of the only practices in the state of Georgia that performs true Mohs surgery for melanoma on the face. Many of the surgeries that we perform are truly lifesaving, and I am proud of the type of work that we perform.

Alyssa: How does varicose vein treatment fit into your practice and

what advancements did Kathryn Filipek bring?

Dr. Taylor: We are beyond grateful for the addition of Kathryn! She really is a fantastic and knowledgeable provider. Most importantly, our skillsets really complement one another. For example, my focus in the vein clinic portion of our practice is on treating venous disease that results in leg swelling or pain, and Kathryn has years of experience performing aesthetically-focused cosmetic sclerotherapy.

She brought PRP for hair rejuvenation to the practice as well as chemical peels and is a truly outstanding injector of Botox® and cosmetic fillers.

The addition of another provider also means that we are frequently able to accommodate patients for same day or next day appointments.

Alyssa: Well, I think that will help our readers understand more of what helps you both win Best Of year after year. But, as is now tradition, I thought we could ask a few casual questions to allow your readers get to know you both a little better.

When you started working at Premier Dermatology, what surprised you?

Brent: The administrative side of running a practice was more complicated than I had anticipated. I was not wearing rose-tinted glasses when we opened, but electronic medical records, government reporting, and the insurance-side of medicine all were more challenging than I expected. I want to thank all the patients who put up with the hiccups in the first two years for their understanding as we were working out some of the kinks.

Kathryn: Prior to joining Premier Dermatology in early 2020, I had spent almost 19 years working in larger dermatology practice settings. In starting here, I was pleasantly surprised by the “family” feel of the practice and not only how close the staff were to each other, but how close some of the patients were to my current coworkers. It is comforting to be a part of a true “work family.”

What are your pet peeves?

Brent: I think most of my pet peeves involve reckless or aggressive driving.

On the road, people all too often act like they see cars as obstacles rather than as fellow travelers.

Kathryn: Expecting instant gratification without the willingness to do the work. I believe hard work is often necessary to achieve your goals. This is something I tell my kids about homework and good grades, as well as my patients who

See PREMIER, Page 16

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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 15

Changing the Game Brought to you by – Village Park Whether you shout Roll Tide or Go Dawgs, one Village Park resident will surely have you saying War Eagle. Former Auburn Football All-American National Champion, Don Braswell says that stepping out on the field led him to scoring touchdowns throughout his life.

There’s nothing like stepping foot onto the crisp green turf of a football field before game time. Although it’s been several years since he last played the game, Don Braswell recalls his moments as a player on Auburn University’s undefeated 1957 football team as if it happened yesterday.

Don is affectionately known as ‘Coach’ by his friends and family and with good reason.

Coach’s inspirational career with the Tigers has the ability to motivate anybody. Although having just one eye, Coach played guard for the historically undefeated team.

Coach played football in junior high where his skills were quickly noticed.

Initially, Coach was known for his speed but later his talents in defense shined through. He had a rare ability to successfully play both offense and defense.

During football season, Coach says he

and his teammates gave it all they had.

Although the practices were tough, and he endured various injuries, Coach says he enjoyed almost every minute of it.

“It’s wonderful really,” Coach said.

“You know, if you work enough a certain way, you got a chance to win and that is surely a fact.”

His experiences at Auburn University taught him how to improve himself both physically and mentally.

“You will feel the results,” Coach says. “Auburn proved that to me, that’s why it was so good.”

His passion for the game continued after the season inevitably ended. After he finished playing the sport he loves, Coach became a coach. Coach became a role model and taught future football players for more than 35 years. His advice for future football players and coaches is simple yet, powerful.

“You got to have a team to practice together,” Coach emphasizes. “You got to have some speed and you got to have some determination.”

Teamwork, talent, and dedication are essential to any group of people’s success story.

Coach Don Braswell was inducted into the Albany Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and his knowledge and insight of

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the game he loves continues to carry through the players he coached. In spite of our best efforts and nudging, Coach still remains true to his Auburn roots and refuses to say ‘Roll Tide.’ Instead, with kindness and pride, he grinned and said ‘War Eagle.’

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Learn more about our communities by giving us a call at (470) 509-4557. Be sure to stay up to date with our residents and their stories by following us on social media at @VillageParkSeniorLiving. We look forward to seeing you!

16 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

Premier: Continued from Page 14 often require a regular routine to maintain or improve their skin conditions.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it have been?

Brent: Blueberry pie and fresh cut grass. My grandfather had a blueberry and Christmas tree farm and my mom is a fantastic baker. I am beyond lucky to have been able to play outside all day, explore the farm, catch various critters then come inside to homemade desserts.

I had a fantastic childhood.

Kathryn: Basically, the outdoors in Michigan. Nose-closing crisp air in the winter, water (from the snow melting) in the spring, fresh grass and dirt or sap on my hands as a kid, and leaves in the fall (which basically ended in September for me.)

What is the most ridiculous outfit you’ve ever worn?

Brent: I once won a Halloween contest by dressing up as a bag of Jelly Belly jellybeans. My neighborhood Costco gave me a huge clear plastic bag, and I punched holes in it for my arms and legs and filled it up with dozens of different color balloons then taped a Jelly Belly logo across it. My costume was the hit of the party, and nobody could get past

EMPTY NEST• Sponsored Section

me because I was seven feet wide.

Kathryn: Anything in the 80’s. Don’t even ask about my hairstyle. Perms rocked!

Lastly, if you could tell your 16-year-old self something, what would it be?

Brent: To not put too much stock in timelines. I was raised very traditionally, and I thought that I was going to meet my wife in college, get married right after we graduated then start a family a few years later, and it made me worried when I hadn’t met the right person by the time that I expected. My advice to the teenage me would be to just pour yourself into positive and worthwhile activities and that the result would be becoming who you are supposed to and meeting who you are supposed to all in its own time.

Kathryn: Stop stressing. You’ll make it happen. I was so focused on my future, worrying about not achieving my goals, and how I was going to put myself through school that I didn’t stop to enjoy being 16. In hindsight, I realize that having a bit more faith would have gotten me to the same endpoint without all of the pressure I put on myself.

Thank you to Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek for sharing a little more about themselves and congratulations again for winning both Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist in North Fulton for 2021!

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AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 17

18 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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SOLUTION ON PAGE 21

Solution on next page

Dispute: Continued from Page 1 tempted to intimidate his tenants when he visited them on June 25 to give them a verbal warning.

In addition, Stone accused Brumbalow of sharing his finance disclosure statement with “some of his most adamant supporters,” despite it not being publicly available at the time.

“These inappropriate actions have led to the mayor’s surrogates defaming and slandering me on social media with accusations that I have committed multiple felonies,” Stone states in the letter.

Stone states that unless Planning and Zoning Director Scott Morgan can provide evidence to support the allegations, he and his tenant will seek monetary damages and equitable relief to the fullest extent available under the law.

Because the letter makes allegations related to the city’s enforcement of its zoning ordinance and against various city officials, Tallant said the letter was referred to him. In an equally long response on Sept. 8, Tallant refutes Stone’s allegations.

“I trust that when viewed through the objective lens of time, you can see just what the City of Cumming did to avoid political entanglement in this matter,” Tallant stated. He also said the city would seek legal expenses if the matter is pursued.

On July 7, the Department of Planning and Zoning sent Stone’s tenant a notice of violation indicating that all firewood sales activity had to cease by the end of the month. The tenant had been selling firewood on the property for more than two years, according to Stone.

He said the occupants of the property immediately took down all signage and discontinued all sales of firewood, but Tallant claims that when a city code enforcement officer called the business almost two months later, the person who answered the phone offered to sell them firewood.

Stone said he applied for a business license and home occupation permit to help compensate for the “collateral damage” that his tenants experienced as possible fallout from his campaign for mayor. But Stone’s application was denied because the property is zoned single-family residential, according to an email from Morgan.

“The business which you wish to locate on the property is identified as firewood sales,” the email states. “Not only is the sale of firewood already occurring on the property, but a significantly large pile of firewood is being openly stored on the property. The City of Cumming Zoning Ordinance does not permit this type of use on the property.”

Tallant said Stone took no action to

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 19

have his property rezoned after receiving the notice.

Then, on Aug. 26, both Stone and his tenant were sent a formal notice, accusing them of continuing to operate “an illegal firewood sales business” in violation of the code. Tallant said the formal notice was addressed to Stone for the first time because he had applied for the business license and home occupation permit.

That same day, an alleged supporter of the mayor took to Stone’s Facebook page and questioned him for failing to list the business in his finance disclosure statement, calling it a “felony crime to lie by omission.”

When Stone asked City Clerk Jeff Honea whether anyone had requested his finance disclosure statement, Honea confirmed that no one had, according to a copy of the email exchange.

“This response undeniably shows that someone with the City of Cumming had reviewed my disclosure statement and shared it with [the person who posted on Facebook], as well as shared the above mentioned applications submitted to you, your denial of them and the notices issued by code enforcement,” Stone states.

“Subsequently, other surrogates of the mayor began posting similar defamatory messages in multiple Facebook groups.”

Stone alleges that the mayor and possibly other elected officials are using city resources to access information and harass him and his tenants.

Tallant said the city has concerns about Stone applying for a business license and home occupation permit as the owner of the firewood sales business when he did not list it in his campaign finance disclosure statement. The city attorney also stated he had no idea how Stone’s information had found its way to Facebook.

“You make the general contention this entire enforcement action is motivated by a desire for retribution against you for your political activities in running for mayor,” Tallant stated.

“However, … the City of Cumming took no action with respect to you at all until you identified yourself as the business owner…. Rather than being the product of some sort of political animus, it appears the city and its officials did everything they could to avoid political entanglement.”

In his letter, Stone reiterated he has never sold or financially benefitted from the sale of firewood on his property. He stated that he filed the application on behalf of his tenants to compensate them for the political fallout they had suffered.

“I will always seek to protect my tenants’ ability to support their family,” he wrote. “Notwithstanding the above, an application for a business is just that – an application. I have never engaged in firewood sales nor expressed any previous interest in firewood sales.”

Neither Brumbalow nor Stone provided further comment.

20 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

OPINION

It’s leaf-looking time I’m eating lunch with my buddy George today. We’ll go find some barbecue and sweet tea and solve a few of the world’s problems.

And we’ll talk about old times.

How did I get old STEVE HUDSON enough to talk about Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net old times? It just sort of happened, I guess.

One day I’m all young and spry, bouncing from rock to rock on the trail and sprinting uphill. And then one day I’m not.

It must be that “aging” thing I keep hearing about.

George and I go way back, and we’ve shared a lot of trail time from the north Georgia mountains to the backcountry trails of Cumberland Island. But one adventure I’ll always remember was a day one fall at Raven Cliff Falls.

We’d gone north from Atlanta to photograph fall color. I remember that.

I also remember that we got sidetracked at the Raven Cliff Falls trailhead. It’s the old “If you build it, they will come” thing.

Somebody had built a trail, and we had to see where it went.

Where it went, of course, was to Raven Cliff Falls, a neat waterfall where the creek drops through a huge crevasse which was created when a massive piece of rock separated itself from the main mountain and moved a few feet. The creek really does fall through the crack, and it’s a neat place to see. I recommend it – especially this time of year when the leaves are

starting to turn.

Anyway, on our way to the falls, we kept looking at the leaf-colored hillsides around us. I looked at them. George looked at them too. Leaf-covered hillsides?

Natural slides in the making! And so up the slope we went, just a few yards at first, and then we sat down and slid back to the trail.

Then a few more yards and do it again. And again. It was like a waterslide made of leaves, and it was fun.

Could I do that now? Maybe not. The knees might balk at climbing the slope, and (how to put it) the rest of me might not like bouncing down the hillside. Alas, my days of leaf sliding are probably done.

But I still like to check out fall color. I still love to look for fall leaves.

This is the time to do it, too.

Where should you go?

There’s really no bad answer to that question. Sometimes I simply point the car north, drive till I spot a Forest Service dirt road, and then turn off the pavement to see where that gravel byway might take me. Pretty much every time I try that, I’m rewarded by spectacularly colorful vistas that I would otherwise never see.

You’ll find great fall color all over the place this time of year, but here’s a list of 10 top state parks that are prime leafwatching destinations. Enjoy the leaf color, and say hello if you see me on the trails!

Amicalola Falls State Park (Dawsonville) – Besides being the site of the Southeast’s tallest waterfall cascade, this park offers numerous hiking opportunities to help you see fall leaves. A favorite is the

staircase trail that takes you to spectacular viewing spots where you can see the falls framed in fall color. The staircase trail is challenging, but it’s worth every step.

Black Rock Mountain State Park (Clayton) – This park, Georgia’s highest with an elevation of 3,640 feet, offers roadside and summit overlooks which provide grand vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also check out the Tennessee Rock Trail (a moderate 2.2-mile hike) or the James E. Edmonds Backcountry trail, an all-day hike of 7.2 miles.

Cloudland Canyon (Rising Fawn) – Unforgettable canyon rim overlooks give you a bird’s-eye perspective on fall color.

Favorite hikes for leaf watchers include the staircase-and-footpath Waterfalls Trail, which carries you into the canyon (strenuous but worth it) and the moderately difficult 5-mile West Rim Loop Trail.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park (Pine Mountain) – Most folks think of going north to see fall leaves. But this park, located south of Atlanta, will take you into a kaleidoscope of fall color via the Wolf Den Loop trail, a 6.7-mile section of the much longer Pine Mountain Trail. The trail traverses rolling hills and hardwood forests that will soon make you forget you’re not in the mountains farther north.

Fort Mountain State Park (Chatsworth) – One big attraction here is the mysterious rock wall which snakes along near the summit of Fort Mountain; another is the many unforgettable fall vistas which await you along the park’s trails. Hikes range from a fairly easy 1.2-mile loop around the park’s lake to

the challenging Gahuti Trail, an 8-mile all-day excursion.

Moccasin Creek State Park (Lake Burton) – This is Georgia’s smallest state park, but it boasts two noteworthy trails (the 2-mile-long Hemlock Falls Trail and the 1-mile Non-Game Trail) which are of interest to fans of fall foliage.

Smithgall Woods State Park (Helen) – Centered on the sparkling waters of Dukes Creek, Smithgall Woods offers a variety of great fall foliage hikes. It’s hard to pick a “best” trail in this park, for all can be spectacular. But be sure to explore the Martin’s Mine Trail, a fascinating trail which helps you understand some of the region’s gold mining history.

Tallulah Gorge State Park (Tallulah Falls) – The centerpiece here is spectacular Tallulah Gorge, and trails along the rim take you to many memorable overlooks. It’s great at any time but particularly when the leaves are changing. If you’re up to it, you can also take the staircase trail down to the suspension bridge over the gorge for some fantastic canyon photos from the middle of the span.

Unicoi State Park (Helen) – This popular park offers a wide range of fall hiking opportunities. A perpetual favorite is the Lake Loop Trail, an easy trail that takes you around the park’s lake and offers great opportunities for photos of fall color reflected in the mirror-like waters of the lake. For a more challenging adventure, tackle the 4.8-mile (one way) Smith Creek Trail which leads from the state park to Anna Ruby Falls.

Vogel State Park (Blairsville) – Seasoned hikers will appreciate the views from the 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail, while hikers looking for an easier adventure will want to check out the Lake Loop Trail.

There is nothing more memorable than the sight of vivid orange and yellow and red leaves reflected by the lake’s surface.

Why we publish local crime stories Any mayor will tell you that their most important obligation to the people that elected them is to keep them safe.

How safe do residents feel walking in the park at night? How comfortable is a business with entrusting local law enforcement to protect its employees and customers? Are my kids safe getting HANS APPEN off the bus and walking home? Do Publisher people of faith feel safe worshiphans@appenmedia.com ping as they see fit?

These are all important questions that we attempt to answer with our reporting on public safety issues in north Atlanta. Our intent is always to inform readers and hold local elected officials and public safety departments accountable to their constituents.

Every two years, you have an opportunity to elect

new leaders on your city council or county commission if you think your current representation isn’t up to the task. If you don’t know what’s going on, or what public safety measures are falling short of expectations, then you are not equipped to make informed decisions come election time…or when it’s time to buy a house, send your children to school, park your car and go shopping, etc.

An informed decision will tell you who the best people are to staff your public safety departments and provide direction on what they understand are YOUR wishes and priorities for allocation of public safety resources.

So, for the most part, our focus as a newsroom has always been on felonies, violent crimes and crimes of opportunity.

And lastly, we publish the names of those arrested for DUI and drug offenses.

That said, we also have some self-imposed restrictions on what we publish:

1) Generally we only publish names for those accused aged 22-or-older. Exceptions are made for especially alarming or violent crimes.

2) We do not publish the names of those accused of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana if that is the only charge.

3) We generally try to avoid publishing the names of those involved in domestic disputes.

These are not necessarily industry standards, but we developed them after decades of public safety coverage, talking to hundreds of readers about it, and accounting for our own comfort level with the topic.

I hope this helps explain our thinking and the purpose of our crime coverage. It is not to sensationalize crime. It is not to get more clicks on our website. It is to provide the public with a resource to make more informed – and safer – decisions.

As always, we are always open to feedback and ways we can improve.

SCHOOLS

Solution

AppenMedia.com/Forsyth | Forsyth Herald | October 28, 2021 | 21

S P A A G L A

PROVIDED BY BRYAN WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY + ART

Pinecrest Academy students, from left, are: Ava Grace Fazzalaro, James King, Kate Prados, Michael Kutter, Peter Birozes.

Pinecrest Academy tops rankings among state’s Catholic high schools CUMMING, Ga. — Pinecrest Academy, a private pre-K through 12th grade college preparatory school, was ranked the top Catholic high School in Georgia for 2022 by education website Niche.com after a review of key statistics and reviews from students and parents.

Ranking factors include SAT/ACT scores, the quality of colleges that students consider, student-teacher ratio and Catholic school ratings, according to Niche. Data is sourced from the U.S.

Department of Education, Niche users and the schools directly.

Pinecrest Academy was also ranked the 9th best private high school and 9th best private K-12 school in Georgia in the 2022 rankings.

Since opening in 1993, Pinecrest Academy has earned honors at the state and national level, noted school spokeswoman Vivian Heard. The school has maintained a 100 percent graduation rate since its first graduating class of

2007, was named a national 2014 Blue Ribbon School, and been a Cardinal Newman Catholic School of Excellence since 2007.

“The Class of 2021 received numerous academic accolades, with three acceptances to military colleges, and high acceptance rates to the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia,” Heard said, noting two graduates are in their first year at West Point Military Academy.

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DEATH NOTICES Mary Elizabeth Belz Buckner, 74, Cumming, passed away Oct 19, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Armand DeLaPerrierre, 83, of Milton, passed away October 11, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Patricia Loos, 74, of Roswell, passed away October 15, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Wayne Travis Willoughby, 66, of Cumming, passed away October 17, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mary Cox, 64, of Alpharetta, passed away October 15, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Tamara Fingerit, 65, of Roswell, passed away October 14, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Rona Watson, 53, of Alpharetta, passed away October 15, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Annie Wolfe, 89, of Roswell, passed away October 13, 2021.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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ROOF

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ROOF TROUBLE? • Ceiling Spots • Blistering • Rotting • Buckling Spots Call For A

FREE Roof Analysis 770.744.5700

99 Top Rated • Appen Rated • BBB • Angie’s List

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

ROOF REPAIR & REPLACE

LEAKS

Call for a FREE Estimate!

770-284-3123

STOP

$200 Leak Repairs or 10% OFF New Roof

$200 leak repair. Up to 8 penetrations. (1-story house, up to 7/12 pitch). Some restrictions apply

$500 OFF* New Roof Purchase

Cannot combine with any other offer or discount.

Valid GA only. Present coupon AFTER getting quote.

Roof Repair and Replacement

99 Serving North Atlanta Since 1983.

Affordable Quality Roofing. Based in Roswell.

*Offer expires 10 days after publication

*Offer expires 10 days after publication

CONCRETE

CONCRETE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY SPECIALIST

McKemey concrete

Driveways • Patios • Walls • More Call or Text to

YELLOW RIBBON TREE EXPERTS

WE

678.648.2010

Call Us For A FREE Quote

$150 OFF

*

Any service over $1500

Competitive Pricing Many Local References

TREE SERVICE

30 Years Experience

NEW DRIVEWAYS

Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs

$250 OFF*

Mention ad for $250 Off. New Driveway. Cannot combine coupons.

BBB A+ Rating

FREE ESTIMATE Call 678-250-4546 Minimum job is $5,000

ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC.

TREE SERVICE

BOLD TYPE WILL MAKE YOUR AD STAND OUT. Tree Services

Call or Text to

770.744.2200

Call Us For A FREE Quote

99 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

• Highest rated by customers • Tree removal and tree trimming

• We save trees too • Certified arborist • Licensed/insured

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2011 thru 2017

770.450.8188

Call Us For A FREE Quote

98 • Tree Removal • Tree Pruning • Stump Grinding

• Full Insured • Free Mulch • Emergency 24/7

24 | October 28, 2021 | Forsyth Herald | AppenMedia.com/Forsyth

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