New state law invites more ‘slot machines’ ► PAGE 6
County officials gather Oct. 30 for a ceremony marking the opening of a new fire station on Trammel Road near Cumming.
Ceremony welcomes new county fire station
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County marked the opening of a new $7 million fire station Oct. 30.
The fire station, 1725 Trammel Road near Cumming, replaces a previous facility on Ga. 20 that was built in 1998.
The ceremony featured remarks from Chairman and District 2 Commissioner Alfred John, County Manager David McKee and Forsyth County Fire Chief Barry Head.
“The original Station 15 was never
meant to be a long-lasting station but a temporary relief to the demand of the time,” Head said. “The department having this new station serves the same mission as the original back in 1998 — saving those precious seconds in responding to the call and listening to the demands of the time.”
The new station is 12,500 square feet and features four bays with fire, water rescue and medical response vehicles. It was built to accommodate future growth,
according to the county.
The station’s design is based on a standard county template, which has been improved over the years.
Kevin Price Construction was the general contractor. Croft and Associates was the architect.
The fire station was funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VI and VIII programs.
— Jon Wilcox
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — Great things are on the horizon for the Atlanta Metro area, Anna Roach, executive director & CEO of the Atlanta Regional Commission, said at the State of the Region address Nov. 1.
Roach is optimistic about progress in a number of areas, from the green manufacturing industry to regional transportation projects.
This year’s State of the Region, held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, welcomed hundreds of officials from counties across north central Georgia. They enjoyed breakfast at the gala-style function while listening to presentations from representatives from the ARC and other organizations.
The ARC is about connecting communities, Roach said.
“When I travel across this region, I hear neighbors from all corners say that they are eager to break this cycle of the prosperity divide, and it's because that they know, like all of us in this room, knows, that when we finally accomplish that, the entire region is going to be better,” Roach said. “Our economy will grow, and we will be stronger as a region.”
See ARC, Page 15
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Man arrested on warrant for attempted bank heist
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 28-year-old Roswell man was arrested Oct. 25 on a warrant stemming from a 2023 bank robbery.
Deputies transferred the man from the Cobb County Jail to the Forsyth County Jail after identifying him, according to an arrest report. The report did not specify the Cobb County charge the man had been arrested for. On Dec. 30, 2023, a robbery was reported at a Regions Bank on McGinnis Ferry Road.
An employee told deputies a man wearing a baseball cap and surgical mask had entered the bank and demanded money.
The suspect gave a handwritten note to a teller that said, “Give me all your 20s, 50s and 100s,” the employee said.
The teller slipped the note back and said “no.”
The suspect responded by raising his jacket above his waistband, but the teller did not see a weapon.
The teller said, “No, you need to leave.”
The suspect then exited the bank.
Authorities could not locate the suspect.
— Jon Wilcox
Witness arrested for drugs during domestic dispute call
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 39-year-old Jasper man was arrested Oct. 24 on a possession of methamphetamine charge after deputies were dispatched to a reported domestic dispute.
Deputies were sent to a home on Bethelview Road after receiving a report of a dispute involving a person with a knife, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report. While conducting interviews, a man approached deputies, telling them he had witnessed a man throw a chair through the
door of his room.
Deputies asked the man if he was in possession of any weapons, requesting him to empty his pockets. The man complied and pulled out a black cord and then a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine, according to the report.
When the man saw what he had in his hand, he said, “Oh (expletive), I forgot about this.”
A field test kit confirmed the substance was methamphetamine.
— Jon Wilcox
Empty whiskey bottles found in driver’s glovebox
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 34-yearold Cumming man was arrested on DUI charges Oct. 26.
Deputies were dispatched to a QuikTrip gas station at Keith Bridge Road and Freedom Parkway after receiving a report of a man stumbling to his vehicle, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report.
Deputies located a Kia matching the witness description on Freedom Parkway at Pilgrim Mill Road. The vehicle was traveling slowly and failing to maintain its lane, according to the report.
After stopping the vehicle, deputies observed the driver’s speech was slurred and his eyes were drooping. The man also walked unsteadily after deputies asked him to exit the Kia.
Deputies arrested the man after conducting a field sobriety test.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies found five empty Jack Daniel’s whiskey bottles in the glove box.
The man was arrested on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of an open alcohol container by a driver and failure to maintain lane.
— Jon Wilcox
Police arrest Augusta man for alleged threats, drugs
ROSWELL, Ga. — Police arrested a 27-year-old Augusta man Oct. 24 after he allegedly broke into an apartment and threatened to kill a construction worker.
Dispatch told officers that an armed, shirtless man had threatened people with a knife at a residence within the Landings Martin Lakes development.
Officers said they quickly located and detained the suspect around 9:30 p.m. after setting up a perimeter.
One victim, a 40-year-old Roswell resident, said the suspect entered the apartment, pulled out a switch blade and began yelling and saying he was going to kill somebody. The victim told officers he feared for his life during the incident and was there for a construction job.
Officers said they then spoke with the worker’s boss who said she was also at the apartment during the incident.
When she first saw the suspect, the victim said she ran to her vehicle in the parking lot. Eventually, she said the suspect exited the residence and walked toward her before she drove off.
Officers said they provided both victims with a case number and told them to reach out with any other information.
During a search of the suspect, officers said they found crystallized substance and two glass pipes with residue.
Officers said a field test of the substance was positive for fentanyl.
An ambulance transported the suspect to Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center to be evaluated for a possible overdose.
Officers then secured warrants for aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
After being denied at the North Fulton County Jail in Alpharetta, officers transported him to the Rice Street facility.
— Hayden Sumlin
County maintains focus on drawing new business
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — County officials are working to ease homeowners’ tax burdens by boosting contributions from businesses.
In 2023, about 20 percent of property tax revenue collected by Forsyth County came from commercial properties. Residential properties paid the other 80 percent.
That balance leans too heavily on residents and represents a serious issue, said James McCoy, president and CEO of the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.
“Ensuring we are continuing to grow commercial investment is the single most (important) challenge in this community,” he said. “If we don’t do this, we are in trouble.”
If the county fails to increase revenue from commercial properties, taxes in Forsyth County could become unsustainably high for residents, McCoy said.
“There are communities that have done that, and you end up with communities that are too expensive for anyone and too hard for anyone,” he said. “You end up with a bedroom community.”
In August, commissioners unanimously approved a property tax rate at 7.896 mills, which has remained the same since 2021.
One mill generates $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which by state law, is 40 percent of a property’s real – or fair market – value. A home that is worth $100,000 on the market would have a taxable value of $40,000, and a levy of 1 mill would cost the homeowner $40 in taxes.
The imbalance can be traced to the county’s explosive population growth, County Commissioner Laura Semanson said. She said she would prefer about 40 percent of the county’s property tax revenue come from the business community.
Forsyth County’s population growth is among the highest in the state, increasing 57.5 percent since 2010, according to USA Facts.
The county’s highly rated schools, low crime rate, natural beauty and relatively low taxes makes it an attractive
place to live, Semanson said. Commissioners are working to manage that population growth and the increased demand on services it brings.
“Forsyth County fortunately is a desirable area, but we are still lagging in bringing that commercial element here where it makes a considerable offset to the residential (tax) component,” Semanson said.
Semanson said the solution is attracting businesses to the county and keeping them here so they can reduce the burden on residents.
Businesses require far fewer services than residences, she said. They have no children who attend public schools. They do not use parks and recreational facilities, and they do not consume senior services.
Businesses also are not eligible for homestead exemptions.
“They pay full freight, and they don’t consume services,” she said, adding, “That’s why it’s so critical.”
Semanson and McCoy said that’s why cooperation between the county and the chamber is so important.
Forsyth’s highly educated workforce is an attractive resource for businesses, making relocating there a safer decision, McCoy said. The
county is home to many who have training in technology, life sciences, professional services and business management.
Matching talent with business also provides residents with jobs within their community, reducing commutes and making Forsyth a more desirable place to live, McCoy said.
The chamber has had increasing success in attracting businesses, he said. It’s common for the chamber to announce as many as 40 new arrivals each year and as much as half a billion in investments.
County Commissioner Todd Levent said elected officials can make the county more enticing by streamlining the permitting process. Commissioners should work efficiently with businesses and developers to ensure they establish themselves faster, he said.
“They are seeking places to do business with less hassle and less waste of money,” he said. “Every day is interest they have to pay.”
Less hassle means more money to the county and more residents, he said.
“The more successful a business does in any jurisdiction, the more successful the local government is, as well,” Levent said.
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MILTON 35, ROSWELL 20
Milton takes regional title and first seed to playoffs
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga — The Roswell Hornets traveled to the Nest at Milton High School Nov. 1, and feathers flew in the regional title game against the defending state champions.
Milton senior and inside linebacker Hayden Tumminia recorded his 200th career tackle during the game, helping the Eagles defeat the Hornets for the sixth consecutive meeting. The 3520 win also secures Milton’s seventh straight undefeated region title.
Roswell got on the board first with a 32-yard field goal by junior Balint Vorosmarty. Milton battled back with a 40yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Tristen Payne.
The second quarter began with a receiving touchdown by Roswell senior Synkwan Smith, who grabbed an interception on the Eagles’ next drive. The Hornets increased their lead with a 48-yard field goal, bringing the score to 13-7.
The Eagles went back on top with a rushing touchdown by senior running back TJ Lester.
With a minute left in the half, Milton
frame, both teams received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
The fire on the field was no surprise for Eagles running back TJ Lester.
“It’s always heated, it’s always a big game between the two,” he said, crediting the coaching staff and the offensive lineman for great blocking all season.
Milton head coach Ben Reaves was no less surprised.
“Two historic programs, we knew the emotions would be there tonight,” he said.
Milton’s defense held the Hornets scoreless in the second half, while the Eagles notched two more touchdowns in the third quarter, both coming from senior tight end Ethan Barbour.
Milton goes into the playoffs as the first seed and defending champions. After the game, Eagles head coach Reaves told Appen Media, “I’m proud, I don’t want to take any win for granted.”
Both teams will have a bye next week because of delays in south Georgia caused by Hurricane Helene.
quarterback Luke Nickel concluded a long drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Roswell responded quickly with an 80-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Nytrevain Davenport,
reaching the end zone within 15 seconds of game clock after Milton’s touchdown. With the score 21-20 at the half, the 70-year-old rivalry heated up in the third quarter. At one point in the third
The first playoff games are Nov. 15. Milton will play at home against the fourth-ranked seed from Region 6, Woodstock (7-3). Roswell will face River Ridge (7-3).
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The Milton Eagles and Roswell Hornets line up for the snap at the Nest Nov. 1. Milton would go on to beat Roswell 35-20, achieving their seventh straight undefeated region title.
6 | Forsyth Herald | November 7, 2024
New state law invites rise of ‘slot machines’ in stores
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — With legal, skill-based “slot machines” popping up at convenience stores across the state, some Metro Atlantans want to know how they work.
A new law passed during the 2024 legislative session expanded the kind of rewards machines could offer players, inviting an increase of awards-based gaming in stores around town.
Coin-based amusement machines, different than slot machines in Las Vegas and Native American casinos, are classified as skill-based games in state law.
Instead of pressing a button and randomly winning a prize, coin-based operating machines, or COAMs, require players to make a decision before any prize is awarded.
It’s a small, but important step that avoids the language of a bet for money.
State statute defines two types of coinbased amusement machines. Class A ones, like typical arcade games, kiddie rides and
pool tables, do not allow players to carry over points after a play or game.
Class B coin-based amusement machines are also games of skill that may al-
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low a successful player to carry over points won on one play to a subsequent play or plays.
For retailers, the licensing for a Class B machine is 400 percent more than Class A machines.
Class B machines, often resembling Vegas slots, are what has folks’ attention.
Most forms of gambling, including sports betting and Vegas-style table games, are illegal in Georgia. Since the early 1990s, the traditionally conservative state has been relaxing its gambling laws.
In 1992, voters approved an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution that allowed a government-run lottery. Former Gov. Zell Miller signed a bill the same year
creating the Georgia Lottery Corporation with the mission of supplementing traditional education funding in the state.
Revenue collected through the state lottery funds the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally Scholarship. It also funds the state’s Prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds.
The HOPE Scholarship program provides Georgia students with a 3.0 GPA or higher with an opportunity to attend a public college or university at a fraction of the price. Since 1992, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has transferred $28.3 billion to Georgia students.
Les Schneider, an attorney and lobbyist for the Georgia Amusement and Music operators Association, said legislation surrounding coin-based amusement machines is all about ensuring the well-performing industry is efficiently regulated and legally operated.
In 2013, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation regulating the coinoperated industry under a division of the Georgia Lottery Corporation.
The COAM Division oversees strict licensing standards, financial responsibilities and communication. It says awareness and education are fundamentals for license holder, which is especially important after the General Assembly passed House Bill 353 during the 2024 legislative session.
The new state law allows valid COAM Location License holders to award winners with non-cash redemption gift cards, which can be redeemed anywhere in the state for a product.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
At a gas station in Metro Atlanta’s Central Perimeter, a woman plays one of the store’s coin-based amusement machines, which resemble Las Vegas-style slot machines. Under state law, these types of coin-based amusement machines are legal because of their skill component.
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Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division Big Winners at 44th OBIE Awards
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The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association hosted the 44th annual Professionalism (OBIE) Awards Saturday, October 19th at the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division, led by President Lori Lane, and their builder clients took home an astounding 22 gold and 6 silver awards.
With over 100 different categories, the OBIE awards celebrate outstanding achievements in homebuilding and highlight those in the homebuilding industry for excellence in building, marketing, and personal achievement. This year Berkshire Hathaway’s New Homes Division was honored to receive 14 gold and 2 silver marketing awards including Best Website - Community, Best Website – Associate, Best Online Banner Ad, Best Interactive Tool, Best Social App, Best Marketing Campaign, Best Brochure, and Best Newspaper ad to name a few. In addition to winning numerous marketing accolades, Berkshire Hathaway’s builder clients Trilith Development, Patrick Malloy Communities, JW Collection, McKinney Builders, Baker Homes, Vision Development Partners, and David Patterson Homes all received top honors.
Lori Lane has earned her reputation as a powerhouse in the new home construction industry. Alongside her dedicated team, she has crafted innovative strategies for the marketing and sale of new construction, resulting in the accumulation of hundreds of
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industry awards.
As a testament to their unwavering determination and tireless efforts, the New Homes Division also continues to deliver outstanding sales results. For the past 18 months, the New Homes Division has consistently held the position of the #1 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in the region. It also earned a prestigious spot as one of the top 30 offices across the entire Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices global network.
Lori Lane, the President of the New Homes Division at BHHS Georgia Properties and Senior Vice President of Luxury and Global, attributes this success to the team’s unwavering commitment. She emphasizes, “True success is a journey fueled by dedication and passion; it’s about building not just homes, but lasting relationships and a legacy of excellence.” Lane expresses her deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with builder and developer clients she respects and enjoys.
Lane and her New Homes Division are redefining the landscape of new home and luxury real estate sales and marketing in Atlanta. Their continuous contributions are leaving a lasting impact on the city’s real estate industry.
The success of the New Homes Division reflects the resilience and commitment of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties as a whole. The division’s unwavering dedication to excellence in sales, marketing, and client relationships has propelled it to the top ranks of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices regional and global network. BHHSGANewHomes.com.
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How to winterize your outdoor oasis
Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty
Colder months are upon us, and it is time to think about prepping your backyard and indoor-outdoor spaces for winter. Whether you have a cozy patio, a lush garden, or a small urban balcony, winterizing these spaces ensures they remain beautiful and functional through the colder season. Here are a few of our best tips for year-round comfort and style, even when the temperature drops:
1. Protect plants and greenery. Start by identifying any sensitive or tropical plants that may not survive freezing temperatures. These can be moved indoors or into a greenhouse if possible. Plants that must stay outside may benefit from a bit of insulation, such as burlap wrapping or frost blankets. Add a layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and protect the roots from freezing.
2. Winterize water features. Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc with plumbing if water is left to stagnate, so begin by draining fountains, hoses and any other water elements to avoid water freezing inside and causing cracks or other damage to pumps and pipes. If your water feature has a pump, remove it, clean
it thoroughly and store it indoors to extend its life.
3. Prioritize comfort.
There’s nothing nicer than enjoying colder temperatures in comfort. Start by layering your furniture with weatherproof cushions and keep blankets handy for warmth. Incorporate heat sources like fire pits and outdoor heaters, and consider adding outdoor rugs to provide warmth underfoot and insulate against the chill of hard surfaces like stone or concrete. To create a more intimate atmosphere, add soft lighting with string lights, lanterns or candles that complement the cozy vibe.
4. Plan for seasonal activities.
Think creatively about how you want to utilize your space during winter. From making s’mores to watching birds at the feeder to hosting a holiday get-together, each activity transforms your space into your home, because you put a piece of yourself into it. This is the key to transforming your outdoor area into a magical winter retreat.
As winter approaches, taking the time to create a cozy outdoor retreat ideal for cold-weather use is a smart way to deepen your connection with your environment and enjoy a stylish home year-round. If you need assistance renovating your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!
Compiled and edited by Angela
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Mickey – actually it is Minnie- and there are three of them – all dancing – all sewn into the comforter she is sitting on – red polka dot dresses, yellow slippers, red bows in their hair. Her bed is made. She sits in the middle - near her pillows. But then, her bed is always made; she doesn’t like to disturb the covers. She is a very “just-so” – a five-year-old who likes order.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
A box of crayons lay under her elbow as she puts the finishing touches on the rainbow on her sketch pad – green, yellow, orange, blue, then crested in a bright fire engine red - under a Carolina blue sky and facing emerald-green blades of grass. Dark colored birds fly above and close to the rainbow. Their wings are jagged. Her focus is steady, poised, and still – so much so that she is unaware of where she is or time.
You make me happy
I study the picture and realize that her focus remands me of that intense focus of a cat – frozen, but advancing, in that moment just before it lunges at the robin in front of it on the ground.
Her room is as quiet as her rainbow now. It is a quiet that is all and only hers. The silence fills the room, permeates the comforter, the paint on the walls, her pink shirt, the carpet, and the pile of picture books on the floor by her bed that she practices “reading” almost every night.
It is an insulated quiet that she wills into being – without effort or intention. It’s bedtime – her time just before sleep. and after her long, hot, busy, loud Saturday.
When skies are gray
Her teeth are brushed; her hair combed and still damp from her bath. Her thoughts have begun to diminish and fade. Her respiration slows and her heart pumps softly. She has selected her pink princess tee shirt for the night, and soon she will stop coloring with the red crayon and pause. Then she’ll put it back in the box, and stare. She’ll study her rainbow and the birds.
Maybe she’ll hear crows.
Then her eyelids will begin to slip –heavy and heavier until they softly close - and dreams will begin to leak into her room, into her rainbow picture – into her night, displacing the silence and filling it. Rabbits. Brown bunnies. Pink princesses. Water slides and puppies. Goldfish. A tent in the back yard and how dark the night is. Noises outside. Unfamiliar smells – scents. Food. Icecream. Her playground and her friend Poppy. Balloons.
I’m not inviting you to my birthday party and you can’t be my best friend. Slips. Falls. Floats. Runs. Clings to her daddy. Calls out for mama. Is lost then found. Pulls her sheets higher until they cover her up until just some of her brown hair is visible under the sheet.
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Tosses and turns. Reaches for her pillow and squeezes it. Remembers. Changes her mind.
So please don’t take Its ok, you can come to my birthday party.
My sunshine
I want you to be my friend forever.
Away
Gigantic Snickers bars meets ‘free’ threshold
“I’m ready to head for Fist City with them Cracker Barrel folks!”
Burford “Slats”
McElroy was calling, jogging my memory about how I’d forgotten to get a new phone number which he would only get by spending 12 years dialing random numbers to see if he could hit paydirt.
“Why in the name of instant grits would you want to go to fists with those fine folks at Cracker Barrel? Burnt biscuits? Runny grits? A waitress with a runny nose who left used tissues on the table?” was my reply.
It was nothing obscure that had raised Slats’ hackles.
“They sent me a message that I could come in and get a free Christmas ornament. I figured I’d get after that right away, especially since them lights from last year are still hanging up on the double wide’s porch. When I grabbed that free ornament and went outside to sit in a rocking share, Glenda, that sweet ol’ cashier lady told me I had to buy $10 worth of goods to get a free ornament.
“I ain’t so good at cipherin’, but I reckoned if I had to pay to get something free, it wasn’t free in the first place.”
Once again, I started getting a “Slatsache,” a headache that comes from listening to his homespun nonsense.
Slats told me he solved the problem by buying a pair of colossal Snickers bars that he could eat while watching the Georgia-Florida game.
Crisis averted. Slats got his sugar fix and a Dolly Parton ornament for his plastic tree. He’ll drool over the image of Dolly for two months. I tell him he has no chance.
“That’s what the holidays are about for me. Making dreams come true.”
It’s barely November and Slats is way ahead of the curve. From now until New Years, you can bet we’ll be moving at warp speed.
But I’m not in a hurry. Let me enjoy some turkey. I don’t want any part of holiday madness. Christmas, as we know, will be here before we know it. Let’s pump the brakes. We’ve made it through another election season, one that gave lots of folks a mega “Slats-ache,” no matter if you prefer red or blue.
I’m glad I voted early, but I have never witnessed more “bull butter.” I am adamant that politicians aren’t truthful. Their main function is to talk nonsense and take your money.
I had a political discussion with youngest son Gregory about the two presidential candidates. We agreed that neither candidate was perfect, so I hitched up my britches and imparted a dose of wise ol’ Dad advice that is true in business, politics and life, in general.
I told Greg that often there is no right or wrong choice. The smartest thing to do is look at both sides, take a deep breath, and make the best choice. Like anyone else, politicians are human (I think), have some redeeming qualities (some do), so put an “X” next to the name that is, to you, that best choice. And don’t ever vote “Yes” for any tax increase. “Temporary” tax increases never go away.
He’s young enough to not have a care in the world. I love his passion about politics and improving his golf game.
I’m grateful that he’ll never lose sleep over a free Christmas ornament.
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 Columnist
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Solution
ARC:
Continued from Page 1
The Atlanta Regional Commission is a planning agency serving 11 counties in Metro Atlanta, including Fulton, DeKalb and Forsyth.
Interstate highways, rail networks and other transportation infrastructure play a vital role in cities’ growth, but they also divide, Roach said. With local government partners, the ARC has received more than $500 million in grant funding to bridge communities, Roach said, citing the Flint River Gateway Trails as one example.
Through a $64.9 million federal grant, the project will connect College Park, East Point, and Hapeville with almost 15 miles of multi-use trails, according to ARC.
“It will connect these communities in an entirely new way, making it easier to access jobs and services, and most exciting, it will feed into and connect to the Beltline and complement existing and planned transit in this area,” Roach said. “The Flint River Gateway Trails is a game changer for our region.”
Roach also lauded progress made in other projects.
The Atlanta Gulch Redevelopment Project is breathing new life into Atlanta’s historic downtown. The 50-acre revitalization project aims to bring 8 million square feet of commercial and residential space, including multiple hotels, Class-A office space and homes to the Centennial Yards District.
The city is experiencing a boom in green manufacturing as the electric vehicle and battery industry continues to develop, Roach said.
“I heard one consultant call us the battery belt,” she said. “Imagine that. These jobs offer good wages and benefits while addressing climate change, which is a critical issue.”
Machines:
Continued from Page 6
Previous law only allowed winners to redeem their prizes for merchandise sold in the store where the machine they played is located.
Schneider said one of the arguments in favor of the bill anticipated increases to state sales tax revenue because of the gift card initiative.
Opponents of the bill say that the gift cards create more incentives for people to play Class B machines, which can be destructive and addictive to those who use them.
The bill also changes when COAM Location License holders report their gross retail receipts from a monthly to a quarterly basis.
Schneider said the best thing that
Anna Roach, executive director & CEO Atlanta Regional Commission,
year’s State of the Region address to hundreds of local officials at the
Roach also highlighted transportation projects, including an “innovative design” Ga. 400 interchange at North Druid Hills and bus rapid transit projects in Clayton County and elsewhere in the city.
Roach also discussed ongoing challenges, noting rising home prices and rents.
According to the results of the Metro Atlanta Speaks survey, nearly two thirds of respondents said they could not afford to move to another home in their current neighborhood.
The hybrid phone and online 2024 survey, administered by Kennesaw State University’s A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service and Research, polled 4,081 adult residents across 11 counties in Metro Atlanta.
It also found transportation, once consistently a top issue, has taken a backseat as the region’s fourth top challenge.
A plurality of about 42% of respon-
reform bill did was to regulate and bolster the Georgia Lottery Corporation’s education revenue. He said he thinks the state may get the funding for universal pre-K as a result.
The bill also increases the tax rate, divided evenly between machine owners and retailers, from 10 percent to 13 percent.
Schneider said Class B coin-based amusement machines are not Vegas-style slots for a handful of reasons.
For one, the most you can win per play is $5. If you play a Class B coin-based amusement machine 100 times, the most you can win is $500.
In October, Appen Media went to a gas station along Roswell Road (Ga. 9) in Metro Atlanta’s Central Perimeter to check out some of the Class B machines.
When players sit down at a Class B machine, they are shown grand prizes of a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars. The problem is that most players
dents also said they felt artificial intelligence would mostly have a negative effect on society.
Local officials from Dunwoody and Forsyth County who attended the event said the commission’s partnership with their governments has provided numerous benefits.
“The biggest reason for the importance of staying involved in the ARC is the transportation piece of it,” Forsyth County Manager David McKee said. “ARC is responsible for the regional transportation dollars and helping distribute (them).”
Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said the ARC’s work is special because of its regional focus, which benefits many communities.
“I love the theme of connection,” she said. “I think in a big city, whether it’s Dunwoody or Metro Atlanta, it’s critical for people to feel connected to each other.”
think they’re sitting down at a Vegas-style slot machine and have a shot at winning the jackpot on a spin.
For a player to be eligible for a $2,000 payout, they’d have to play 400 times at a minimum.
The reality of gambling or any skillbased game is that players will lose.
Not all games from the same manufacturer require the same level of skill or decision-making, and often, the required action is a simple as clicking a button.
When your reporter went to cash out his $5 in prizes, he received a scratch off lottery ticket, one of the options for “winners.”
With an original stake of $10, the reporter lost all his cash. The lottery ticket didn’t yield an early retirement.
While there are some ethical questions about how Class B machine makers design and create their skill-based games, the legal ones seem to be cleared up.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
delivers this
Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta Nov. 1.
