FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners are trying to track down how a major roadway widening project that cost the county $82.5 million is limping to a finish months late.
County officials are calling for an audit to help analyze what caused the delay and how it can be prevented in future projects.
A proposed audit would look into the project to widen Ga. 369 after construction of an overpass over Ga. 400 was delayed by a structural flaw.
Commissioners asked county staff members to research and provide a plan for the potential audit at a Dec. 10 work session.
Officials expect construction of the overpass at Ga. 400 to be delayed by as many as nine months for repairs. Completing the already-underway construction is expected to take another three months.
See AUDIT, Page 14
SCREENSHOT
Amy Bartlett, associate superintendent of teaching and learning, updates Forsyth County School Board members with a timeline for implementation of a new policy for paid coursework. The policy would allow students to receive only one credit per semester from the courses, which have increased in popularity recently.
School district seeks to expedite limits on paid coursework allowed to students
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A policy to limit the number of credits Forsyth County high school students can earn from paid coursework could go into effect next year.
Two high school principals presented research to the School Board Nov. 19 claiming that paid online courses are creating a toxic situation for students.
Aaron Archambeau, principal of West
Forsyth High School, and Amanda Thrower, principal of Lambert High School, said the courses are contributing to destructive competition, exhaustion and cheating. The classes also are undermining mental health and providing no real advantage in college admissions, they said. Paid online courses have become more popular with Forsyth County students. Many schools’ top students have begun boosting their grade points by taking the classes at home after completing their regular work at school.
“We know that students can't achieve, grow or authentically engage in learning if they are overextended, piling on classes and maxing out their schedules with no healthy boundaries,” Thrower said. “We have many students who are taking full loads … face to face during the school day, then going home to upwards of five additional online (courses).”
Many neighboring school districts already impose limits on paid coursework.
FORSYTH COUNTY/PROVIDED
Construction of the Ga. 369 overpass over Ga. 400 was delayed by months because of a mistake by surveyors.
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Driver faces DUI charge after Coal Mountain crash
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 52-year-old Cumming man was arrested on an intoxicated driving charge Dec. 5.
Deputies were dispatched to a crash at Browns Bridge Road and Dahlonega Highway in Coal Mountain about 7:20 p.m., according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report.
Deputies determined the man was responsible for causing the crash, which involved another vehicle, according to the report.
Witnesses said they saw the man’s car enter the intersection on a red light and strike a van that had a green signal. Other witnesses said they smelled alcohol on the man.
While speaking with deputies, the man’s speech was thick and slurred. He told deputies he had “a lot” to drink that night and was unable to drive safely.
The man was unable to keep his eyes open for a test of his involuntary eye movements.
Deputies determined the man was too intoxicated to drive and arrested him on charges of misdemeanor driving under the influence, failure to obey a traffic control device and expired or failure to obtain a Georgia license.
After the man was informed of his arrest, he responded, saying “good,” according to the report.
— Jon Wilcox
Wrong-way driver cited for driving under influence
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 39-year-old Cumming woman was arrested on driving under the influence of drugs Dec. 6.
Deputies stopped a car after observing it traveling the wrong way on an onramp to
southbound Ga. 400 at Keith Bridge Road, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report. The woman said she had not intended to get on the ramp after executing a U-turn. While speaking with the woman, deputies noticed signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes.
The woman also spoke quickly, going on tangents and giving deputies more information than they asked.
She declined taking drugs recently but admitted to using methamphetamine before.
Deputies determined the woman was unsafe to drive and arrested her on misdemeanor driving under the influence of drugs, driving on the wrong side of a roadway and improper turn charges.
— Jon Wilcox
Counterfeit bill reported at Cumming grocery
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies investigated a report of a customer using counterfeit money at a Cumming grocery store Dec. 8.
Deputies were dispatched to a Matt Highway grocery store and met with a manager, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report.
The manager said a man had attempted to purchase a $25 gift card with a $100 bill. The man was wearing a green baseball cap, black hoodie, khaki pants and white sneakers.
After the clerk called him over, the manager took the bill to the store’s money room for testing.
The bill passed the marker test, but the manager noticed inconsistencies.
The manager said the bill’s microprinting and red and blue fibers were absent. The bill also had no embossing.
While the manager was testing the bill, the man left the store and drove off in a dark SUV.
— Jon Wilcox
Harassment case linked to suspect in earlier report
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Officers investigated a report of harassment Nov. 25 after
a woman said a man had repeatedly messaged her.
A 23-year-old Alpharetta woman told police she had received numerous disturbing messages from the man, according to an Alpharetta police report. She said she had met the man the previous night and he had driven her home.
The woman was unable to offer a physical description of the man or his vehicle, but she provided two numbers she suspected him of messaging her from. She also gave officers his first name.
Police were unable to contact the man via the phone numbers.
A search of police records yielded a Johns Creek harassment report that included one of the numbers. The report included a suspect with a first name matching the one provided by the woman.
According to the police report, statements in the police report were similar to those received by the woman.
Officers identified the suspect as a 24-year-old Alpharetta man.
Jon Wilcox
Batteries worth
$72,000
stolen from tower site
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a burglary at the Verizon cell tower off Old Dogwood Road after an employee reported a break-in Dec. 5.
The employee said the storage building underneath the cell tower was burglarized sometime between June 23 and Dec. 5. The company reported 24 batteries used for backup power at the tower, each valued at $3,000, had been stolen.
Officers said the steel door had been pried open and destroyed along with an electronic lock to the building. They said the damages and stolen batteries total $74,000.
After the employee was unable to provide officers with a description of a suspect or the date of the burglary, officers said they contacted the Criminal Investigations Division.
The pending felony charge is seconddegree forced burglary.
Hayden Sumlin
Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm, re-imagining how bath & kitchen remodels are done. Complete Remodeling Design and Installation Services. We even remove walls! Guiding you through the whole design process. Ask about our 3D Renderings.
Milton’s insurer taps former chief justice in wrongful death case
Appeal verdict to impact state's counties, cities
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Milton’s fight against a $35 million wrongful death judgment, upheld in September by the state Court of Appeals, just got a boost.
City Manager Steve Krokoff told Appen Media Dec. 5 that the agency providing Milton’s legal representation has retained the former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court.
Harold Melton, who served as chief justice from 2018-21, and his firm Troutman Pepper will now help lead a drive to have the case reviewed by the Georgia Supreme Court.
The city’s representation in the case is through the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency, which is affiliated with the Georgia Municipal Association.
In 2016, Joshua Chang, a senior with a full-ride scholarship to Yale University, died after hitting a concrete planter along Batesville Road in Milton on his way home during Thanksgiving break.
Chang’s parents sued the city for wrongful death, ultimately receiving a Superior Court judgement for $35 million.
The Court of Appeals upheld the ruling.
Some residents, citing the $10,000 in post-judgement interest accruing each day, asked the city and its insurer to stop fighting the case after the verdict came in this fall.
But, it appears the fight isn’t ending soon.
Through amicus briefs, surrounding cities joined Milton to petition the Supreme Court to overturn the decision in November. The cities say the judgement risks putting municipal residents across the state on the hook if a person leaves the road, hits an object and is killed or seriously injured.
Melton also serves as the Sanders Scholar in Political Leadership at the University of Georgia’s School of Law and teaches a seminar there. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and his law degree from UGA.
Krokoff said Troutman Pepper attorneys are skilled in presenting complex legal arguments and have a track record of success in appellate litigation, particularly in high-stakes and precedent-setting cases.
“Their legal sophistication makes them a valuable asset in advocating
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SCHOOL OF LAW/PROVIDED
The Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency is tapping Harold D. Melton, former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, and his firm, Troutman Pepper, to lead its effort to have the state’s highest court overturn an appellate court’s $35 million judgement against the City of Milton.
before the state's highest court,” Krokoff said. “Yesterday, former Chief Justice Melton filed a petition … with the Georgia Supreme Court, formally requesting the court to review the case.”
He said a decision on whether the court will hear the case is typically expected within 90 to 120 days.
During a Nov. 18 City Council meeting, Milton Families First President Adam Hollingsworth raised questions about the city’s allowing Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA) to represent them in the wrongful death lawsuit.
“The decisions made — from selecting underqualified legal counsel to rejecting reasonable settlement offers — have left the City of Milton and its citizens bearing an unconscionable financial burden,” Hollingworth wrote. “This case not only raises serious doubts about GIRMA’s ability to serve its members effectively but also highlights systemic issues that jeopardize public trust.”
The development is likely to raise spirits throughout Milton, though.
“The City of Milton is pleased that GIRMA has taken the steps to retain former Justice Melton and Troutman Pepper,” Krokoff said. “The talent that he and his firm bring will result in Milton putting its absolute best case before the Georgia Supreme Court to hopefully persuade [it] to take the case and weigh in on a judgment that has monumental adverse consequences for cities throughout Georgia.”
Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm
Housing market report confounds economists
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — This may be the time for prospective homebuyers to call an agent.
John Hunt, chief analyst and principal of MarketNsight, says current mortgage rates at around 6.5 percent are keeping home sales below pre-pandemic levels, despite a chance that rates will climb next year.
Because of a drop-off in economic activity amid an uncertain election cycle, pending home sales are increasing with mortgage rates. Hunt calls this “opposite world,” because home sales should decrease as mortgage rates increase, which was the case in 2022-23.
Economists generally consider a balanced housing market as having six months of supply. Hunt said Atlanta has about three and a-half months today, up from less than 30 days in December 2021.
Speaking at the virtual Dec. 12 MarketWatch with industry professionals and economic forecasters Hunt said that while mortgage rates have dipped slightly, a shortage of housing supply is keeping costs high for buying a home.
“Less inventory is going to equal higher prices; it’s just like 2020 all over again, the pandemic housing boom,” he said. “It’s the definition of insanity; we did not address the right problem, which is the supply side.”
Hunt said he can sound like a broken record while harping on the lack of housing affordability across the country.
“It is an indisputable fact that we have a housing shortage of epic proportions in this country,” he said. “Attainable housing is the defining issue of our time.”
He offers prospective buyers valuable insight into market trends and industry professionals advice on how to get sales done.
When 30-year fixed mortgage rates breached 5.25 percent in June 2022, the short-lived pandemic housing boom turned into a 20-month wait for inventory to recover.
While higher mortgage rates kept homeowners on their lots, prospective buyers left the market because of inflationary pressure on home prices, less inventory and the declining value of their dollars.
Since 2019, Atlanta home prices in November are up 62 percent, hitting a record-high of $540,000 in June.
Americans who own a home saw their investment create wealth, while prospective buyers saw their chances of doing the same diminish.
Unlike the Great Recession’s housing bubble, analysists say there is no lack of demand or oversupply in the market.
It’s good news for the health of the
MARKETNSIGHT/PROVIDED
A graph from MarketNSight shows the relationship between the 30-year fixed mortgage rate and pending home sales from 2022-now, which analysts say will not close any time soon. MarketNSight Principal John Hunt said pending sales went negative as soon as rates breached the 5.25 percent threshold, showing a negative correlation between the two when there is not a presidential election.
U.S. economy and homeowners, but prospective buyers are largely unable to afford the homes available in the market, Hunt said. He encourages people to drive until they qualify.
The problem is lower rates lead to higher demand for homes, which keeps their already historically low supply at a high price point.
“Zoning and land use regulations are the crux of the problem,” Hunt said. “We’ve been underbuilding for decades in this country.”
In April 2020, Hunt and his team were the first in the nation to call the bottoming out of housing demand in the U.S. economy.
By May 2021, MarketNSight’s weekly analysis was reporting builders intentionally slowing sales of new homes as the housing supply hit a nationwide low.
Dementia day care offers peace of mind to patients, families
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
MILTON, Ga. — Twice a week at the Bethwell Community Center, Laila Stamer and her team at The Tulip Place offer personalized care for those with dementia.
For members of The Tulip Place and their families who often care for them around the clock, Mondays and Wednesdays are special. The group meets from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a wide range of symptoms affecting people’s ability to perform everyday activities on their own. Common symptoms include behavior changes and a decline in memory.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, marked by symptoms that accelerate over time, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Members of The Tulip Place range in age from 63 to 98. It is rare for someone to develop dementia symptoms before age 65.
There were 10 members at the Wednesday, Dec. 11 session. Each group kicks off the same way. Members spend the first 30 minutes enjoying a cup of decaf coffee, laughing and trading stories and experiences.
Everyone in the group takes turns going around the table, introducing themselves and talking about why they love coming to the Bethwell Community Center.
Greg, a retired Air Force pilot who specialized in aerial refueling, spoke Dec. 11 about his time in the service and recounted the intensity of some of his experiences.
Dave, sitting to Greg’s left, also served in the armed forces. Ohio State Buckeyes football immediately became a conversation topic. The Tulip Place stays in the moment with its members.
“I think it’s a wonderful place for people who have the same thing,” Dave said. “These ladies are part of my family now.”
All aspects of care
What makes The Tulip Place so unique is Stamer and her staff. Tara Samples, activities and engagement director, works along with Genevieve Harrowing to support social, cognitive, physical, creative and musical activities throughout the day.
Staff ensures the group is fed lunch, often based on the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with bolstering cognitive function.
More importantly at The Tulip Place, staff makes sure members have a sense of belonging in the group,
making affordability difficult for some.
Stamer said there’s a pilot program underway to explore future coverage. With a staff-to-member ratio of 4-to-1, it’s a great deal for those who can afford it.
When the group was asked what keeps them coming back every week and why they enjoy being together, everyone smiled. That answers the question.
Over the past six months, group members have gotten to know one another. They smile, shake hands and talk about whatever is in front of them, whether it be a football or a canvass.
The severity of dementia in the group is not entirely consistent. Spouses care for members, which means dropping them off twice a week with the team at The Tulip Place.
Stamer, founder and program director of The Tulip Place, said patients ask their spouses if they’re going to group almost every day. She said their spouses have a similar question, why can’t the program run five days a week?
After securing its license and permitting from the Georgia Community Health Department, The Tulip Place opened in May to serve interested families and patients.
Stamer and her staff are certified dementia practitioners with extensive experience providing care and a deep understanding of the disease.
Continuing family practice
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Stamer has a quarter century of experience helping families deal with dementia. Since her professor opened the first-ever “dementia day center” at the University of Amsterdam in the late 1990s, Stamer’s passion for helping families struggling with dementia care has not wavered.
which sometimes does more for a person with dementia than anything else.
Stigma is hurdle for people living with dementia, but The Tulip Place fights it by holistically supporting families through monthly educational programming. Respect and dignity come first before all the laughing, chatting and fun can manifest.
Stamer said many spouses think they can handle full-time care before symptoms become too much to handle. The education helps them learn what to look for, who can help and that they’re not alone.
The Tulip Place’s dementia day care costs $150 per session, or $25 per hour. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover respite hours for individuals living with dementia,
“This is a project that comes from the Netherlands, and I didn’t know if it was going to work here,” Stamer said, her accent and a warm smile sneaking through. “We started a little bit, but then COVID came … we just picked it back up again recently.”
Because she wasn’t sure if the program would take off in America, Stamer decided to start renting the community center off Hopewell Road from the City of Milton.
The building’s open layout and homey feel makes the perfect spot for a dementia day care.
Todd, one of The Tulip Place members, spent his Air Force career building hospitals across the globe for the military.
THE TULIP PLACE/PROVIDED
From left, staff at The Tulip Place, Tara Samples, activities and engagement director; Genevieve Harrowing, activities coordinator and social media manager; and Laila Stamer, founder and program director, get ready to welcome members to its biweekly dementia day care program at Bethwell Community Center.
Care:
Continued from Page 6
“What takes away from your life is when you don’t have this,” Todd said, gesturing to the men and women sitting around him. “Now, I can’t remember much over the past two months, but I think it really makes a difference.”
Several members are veterans. One is a former attorney for the Atlanta Braves. Lee, who just became a grandmother, is traveling to Denver soon.
If any member forgets one of their accomplishments, Stamer and her staff are there to remind them. It’s what makes The Tulip Place special.
The National Institute on Aging says scientists have made tremendous progress in better understanding Alzheimer’s disease, but they still do not know what causes it in most people.
The best guess is that the causes include a combination of age-related changes in the brain along with genetic and lifestyle factors.
After heading out, Todd said a lot more can be done to educate people about dementia.
He encourages young people with family members who have dementia to understand their risks.
With early education and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, scientists and
The staff and members of The Tulip Place, a dementia day care program meeting twice a week at the Bethwell Community Center, take a break from coffee and conversations Dec. 11 to smile for a quick group picture. The program, founded and directed by Laila Stamer, meets every Monday and Wednesday for six hours, helping individuals with dementia and their families enjoy better lives.
researchers have some ways to protect against dementia. While they can’t say for certain the changes work for everyone, researchers say managing weight and blood sugar while getting seven to eight hours of sleep goes a long way.
Stamer said she’d love to be open for more days. She said there needs to be more female members interested in joining the group. Right now, there are just three.
“What we do is great for the group,
but it is mostly to have families be able to keep it going at home,” she said. “We take the pressure off for a little bit.”
For more information about the dementia day care program, visit thetulipplace.com.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Christmas at Midway Midway
December 24th
Christmas Eve
3:00 p.m. Children’s Pop-up Christmas Pageant
This family-friendly service invites children to help tell the story of the very first Christmas! Wear a costume or borrow one from the church.
5:00 p.m. Modern – Sanctuary
7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. Traditional – Chapel
Join us for one of these candlelight and communion services as we celebrate the birth of Christ.
Tuesday, December 24
Dear Mom and Dad
Brought
to you by
– Wilson Legal, PC
CONVERSATION STARTER: Maybe you’d like to know how to talk to your parents about planning ahead for emergencies. Here’s an example:
Dear Mom and Dad,
We love you so much and we are noticing that all of us are not getting any younger. And we are starting to worry a little bit. If you had a fall or needed help, how can we help? If you’ve told us before where things like your power of attorney or healthcare directive are, we don’t always remember. It occurred to us kids that since we're all together as a family during the holidays, we could review your plan. We could make sure your power of attorney and healthcare directive are where you think they are. By the way, an attorney I know suggested that you keep a copy in the glove compartment of your car so it’s handy when you have a doctor’s appointment. I think that’s a great idea. What do you think? She also said that the banks you use should have a copy of your power of attorney so that it’s easier
for the one you named as first agent to access your finances and makes sure bills get paid. Could you show us where you keep information about your doctors, your medications or other health info? Maybe we could create a shared folder so that we can access it easily and without going by your house. What if we need to pay bills, do you have a list of passwords (and security questions) in a safe place? Have you ever thought about using a password manager?
Note for Parents: You can have this same conversation and look like heroes to your kids when you tell them that you want to be proactive about your financial and physical health. “Kids” for you maybe a close friend or neighbor. Whomever you would call in an emergency needs to know the things mentioned in the conversation above.
Be proactive and protect yourself ahead of the emergency. For more information, please check out our website at: Wilson-legal.com/events for the locations and times we will be presenting on the topics of estate and eldercare planning.
Estate planning and mental health
As we navigate the complexities of estate planning, one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is mental health. It’s a topic that deserves our attention, especially as we think about the future not just for our assets, but for our loved ones' well-being. Life can bring unexpected challenges, and mental health issues can arise at any stage. When creating an estate plan, it’s important to consider the possibility that beneficiaries may need support during difficult times. This might mean setting aside funds specifically for mental health care, or perhaps even designating a trusted individual to help advocate for their needs. Open conversations about mental health within families can foster understanding and support. Encourage discussions about emotional wellness and ensure your loved ones know they’re not alone in facing life's challenges. It can be incredibly empowering for beneficiaries to know they have a plan
in place should they need mental health resources. Additionally, as we age, our own mental health can come into play. Planning for our own wellbeing—whether through advance directives or appointing a power of attorney—can ensure that our voices are heard, even when we may not be able to articulate our wishes. Remember, estate planning is not just about distributing wealth; it’s about safeguarding the emotional and psychological health of those we care about. Let’s prioritize mental wellness as we plan for the future. After all, true legacy goes beyond assets—it's about the love, support, and care we pass on to the next generation.
HOLLY GEERDES Estate Law Center USA Top
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Magical holiday moments continue through the years
MIKE TASOS Columnist
Robert Popp
Sergey Savin
Helen Scherrer
Kate Seng
Carol Williams
I miss Santa Claus. I know, you can’t watch TV, view a Coke ad or walk through a mall without catching a glimpse of the jolly fat man.
I guess, simply put, I miss being Santa Claus.
I miss Christopher and Gregory having their anticipation meters go through the roof. Santa was a great tool for calming the brothers down when they participated in that ageold brother activity: Whomping the living bejezus out of one another.
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Vicki would be out doing shopping, handing the babysitting reins to dear old Dad. I’d flip on the TV with hopes that “Blue’s Clues” would provide me with an opportunity for a (not-so) long winter nap. I’d be snoozing and immediately feel like I’d been hit on the noggin with a nine iron. Uproarious giggles would fill the air from across the room, the boys taking great pleasure at beaning Dad with their building blocks.
I’d jump out of my “bear chair” stumbling and slobbering, much to the delight of my two sweet sons, who wanted me to get in on the “Blue’s Clues” action.
As a parent, being committed to keeping the Santa magic alive required some craftiness. In retrospect, it’s a young man’s (or Dad’s) game. Should I try to pull off some of the long time ago Santa shenanigans, disaster would be assured. I am fully aware of my mental acuity limitations. In other words, no doubt I would have slipped up with an erstwhile clue about what Santa was bringing.
“I think I saw a bag with ‘Guitar Player’ in it,” one of the boys told me.
Crafty old me said: “You shouldn’t go snooping around in the basement.”
“But Dad, the bag was on the kitchen table.”
No, being Santa required a heaping helping of mental craftiness. After buying a “mac-Daddy” air hockey table, with a box labeled “Some Assembly Required,” words that make me scramble for Maalox.
It took some subterfuge, but on Christmas morning there was a note from Santa that Chris and Greg needed to go to the basement because their gift wouldn’t fit down the chimney. The tore down the stairs and exploded into the rec room (now Man Cave) to find the air hockey table ready for smashed fingers and pucks filling the air.
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Tasos:
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It was the penultimate Santa magic, with some subterfuge and sleight of hand mixed in. A gentleman saved the day, assembling the table, while I absconded the boys for a “Toy Story” matinee. They watched Buzz and Woody, I snoozed while being pelted with Junior Mints and popcorn. We kept the youngsters out of the basement and Santa, once again pulled it off like only he could.
I miss the days of cookies left for Santa (a yummy late-night snack), accompanied by a thank you on behalf of St. Nick and the reindeer. Christopher insisted on leaving some leafy greens for Rudolph and his pals. I scattered the veggies, and we all figured the reindeer were happy with the repast.
Memories of the two Munchkins in car seats belting out “Feliz Navidad” with Jose Feliciano will always be indelibly etched in my psyche. There’s a certain innocence with kids at Christmas. I know, there are those opposed to carrying on the myth of Santa, but I think all the dreaming is good for developing imagination.
What could have been better than hearing the boys tell of how they saw
Santa as he was leaving or that they heard his bells?
One year, our Knights of Columbus group helped a single mom whose outlook for gifts was bleak. A gargantuan shopping spree at Target with Chris and Greg offering pointers on what was cool. Can’t remember everything we bought, but the haul was impressive.
We loaded down a truck and delivered the presents to a meager, miniscule country house. Mom met us on her lunch break, saw the gifts and immediately broke down and hugged the boys. After the delivery, I answered Chris’s question as to why there was so much mom emotion and appreciation.
“Without our help, the family wouldn’t have had many gifts to open,” I offered.
Chris, still in full “Santa wonder” mode, used child innocence logic. “Dad, doesn’t she know that Santa would bring her presents so she shouldn’t worry.”
Again, an example of Christmas magic that lives on to this day.
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.
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Schools:
Continued from Page 1
In Cobb County, credits from outside the district are mainly limited to electives and require a thorough approval process. Fulton and Cherokee counties limit credits earned outside school hours to one per semester.
The principals proposed allowing students one credit from paid courses per semester. Forsyth County currently has no limit to the number of additional credits students may choose to add to their transcripts.
School Board members asked Thrower and Archambeau to explore how the district can expedite a new policy after the principals said it could take four years to implement restrictions.
Amy Bartlett, associate superintendent of teaching and learning, told School Board members at a Dec. 10 meeting the policy could apply to rising freshmen and sophomores and begin during the 2025 summer semester.
The policy would apply to all subsequent classes.
Bartlett said the response to the recommended changes has been “by far all positive.”
“We have heard in our office thank yous,” she said. “Interestingly, several parents said, ‘I wish my children would have had this.’”
Audit:
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Commissioners asked staff to present a plan and options outlining how an audit might be conducted at their next meeting, which is scheduled for Dec. 19.
Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills said an audit might provide details of how funds were spent and processes were employed.
“How can we take the mishaps that have occurred on this and make sure we have policies and procedures in place, so that it doesn’t happen again on the next project,” Mills said.
Construction of the overpass is part of a larger project to expand about 2 miles of Ga. 369 from two to four lanes from Ga. 9 to slightly east of Ga. 306.
The project was identified by the Forsyth County Major Transportation Plan of 2006 and funded by a county transportation bond.
Despite the overpass’s flaw, county officials have assured drivers the overpass’ two lanes remain safe to travel on.
Crews will replace a cracked beam after discovering Baldwin Paving Company surveyors had misaligned the layout of
Housing:
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The purpose of the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes between March 2022 and July 2023 was to squash demand in the U.S. economy, but Hunt said price points for homes did not come down as a result.
When the Fed cut its primary interest rate from a 20-year high in September, mortgage rates started climbing, which means more Americans cannot qualify for a mortgage and down payment.
Hunt pointed to comments from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell in September, echoing his analysis and saying the
SCREENSHOT
Commissioners discuss a potential audit of the Ga. 369 widening project at a Dec. 10 work session after a flaw was discovered in an overpass beam. The Commission asked staff to research how an audit might be conducted and present findings at their next meeting.
the bridge by a few inches. Although the work will be paid for by Baldwin, commissioners said the entire project could benefit from transparency.
Commissioners made no decision about whether an audit would be completed by county staff or by a third party. Mills questioned whether the county should rely on an internal audit.
“I don’t know if you get a true depic-
Fed cannot fix high prices in the U.S. housing market, which are due to a lack of supply.
“There’s a correlation between 2020 and 2024 that I want to make note of … we saw a downward track all the way to first week of November,” Hunt said. “Before every election, activity and investment of all types tends to fall off because uncertainty kills it.”
Following both elections, MarketNSight data shows spikes in home resales, seemingly confirming an election season has its impacts on the national housing market.
From 2022-23, Hunt said rate dips saw jumps in pending sales, but the trend reversed itself in 2024 amid the presidential election.
“We live in opposite world in 2024 because when we peaked the fourth week in April at 7.22 percent, rates fell very nicely, and over that same period, pending sales collapsed,” Hunt said. “That’s not what should have happened.”
When mortgage rates began to climb in September, pending sales went up along with them.
“It makes no sense, it defies logic,” Hunt said. “But it’s happened.”
There are two factors prospective homebuyers can monitor that influence mortgage rates, the Fed’s prime rate and 10-year Treasury bond yield.
tion if you do it all internally,” Mills said.
Mills also said transparency might help the county raise voters’ confidence for future construction projects and voter referendums for transportation sales taxes.
“If we are going to ask voters to consider TSPLOST again one day, we have got to have better accountability,” she said.
Commissioners also said an audit might protect the county from any lawsuits related to the project.
In 2022, voters shot down a transportation sales tax that would have generated more than $250 million over five years.
County Manager David McKee said a review of the Ga. 369 project might be completed at least in part by the county’s auditor. McKee said the county already has gathered many of the documents and information that an audit might review.
Commissioner Kerry Hill said the cost of hiring an auditor might be reduced by asking the county auditor to perform preliminary work, such as gathering documents and work products.
“They are going to have to gather up deliverables anyhow,” Hill said. “I think we can start that process and assess from there and move on.”
Dhawan, an award-winning economic forecaster, said he anticipates a 25 basis point cut in December, but also sees no economic signals that would lead the Fed to rush lower rates.
He said tariffs proposed by Presidentelect Donald Trump will damage the 10-year Treasury bond yield, which may spike mortgage rates. Dhawan said the strength of the U.S. dollar and its role as the world’s reserve currency makes him doubt tariffs will cause meaningful inflation.
His regional concerns include workforce participation, job quality and his forecast of rising mortgage rates taking prospective buyers out of the market.
Dhawan was largely optimistic throughout the December MarketWatch, which he has been a part of for more than eight years.
In terms of consumption and consumer behavior, he said year-over-year inflation data is showing higher confidence and a declining rate of price increases.
Lori Lane, president and managing broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ New Homes Division, said 2024 started out stronger than years past, but things have only recently picked up after the election.
Professor Rajeev Dhawan, holder of the Zwerner Chair of Economic Forecasting and director at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at GSU, also spoke about the impact of Fed policy on the housing market.
“A common trend was that [the election] kept people on the fence waiting to see what would happen,” she said. “We’ve seen an increase in traffic and more serious buyers getting back into the market, and I think people are realizing they will never see rates that low again.”
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