D e c e m b e r 2 9 , 2 0 1 6 | Fo r s y t h H e r a l d . 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 1 9 , N o . 5 2
Happy New Year!
Editor Kathleen Sturgeon’s take on 2016 ►►page 8
Tax commissioner leak Accidentally releases Social Security numbers ►►page 4
1
County commits to fifth library
2
Buys land to share with Denmark HS ►►page 4
Welcome new elected officials Commissioners, sheriff sworn in ►►page 7
3
A look back at 2016
Each year, our editors comb through the year’s archives of stories to select the most talked about and impactful articles. This year’s selections look at stories
at the local level that are helping to shape Forsyth County and the city of Cumming.
See “Year in Review,” Pages 10-11 1. Forsyth County’s very own mixed-use development, Halcyon, broke ground Feb. 5. 2. Various Forsyth County Schools officials, City of Cumming councilmembers, Forsyth County commissioners, construction workers and other dignitaries break ground Nov. 17 on the Alliance Academy for Innovation. 3. Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the Georgia Department of Transportation broke ground on the Ga. 400 widening project Nov. 4.
Sports year in review Look back on the best athletic moments ►►page 12
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Public Safety
2 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com
Man fights with security after accused of shoplifting 770-442-3278 | ForsythHerald.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell: ex. 118 Forsyth Herald: ex. 143 Johns Creek Herald: ex. 121 Milton Herald: ex. 143 Business Post: ex. 116 Northside Woman: ex. 102
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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A man was arrested for battery Dec. 16 after reportedly fighting with store loss prevention officers. The 27-year-old man was seen on camera taking items into a dressing room at Belk on Lakeland Plaza, then trying to leave with a single pair of jeans. When confronted, the man reportedly started to run away from the loss prevention officers, but one of them caught him, so he began to fight. During the fight, the man reportedly scratched one of the loss prevention officers’ arms and
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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.
Woman reportedly assaulted after returning items FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A woman called the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 16 after she was reportedly assaulted after returning items to a store she often frequents. The 46-year-old woman told deputies she went to a local bookstore to return items. While returning the items, she said the owner ecame upset. After getting her money back, the woman went into her car to leave. While in
DUIs & Drugs 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.
DUI arrests ►► Lejla Avdic, 28, of River Chase
Drive, Ballground, was arrested Dec. 18 on Atlanta Highway in Cumming for DUI.
scuffed the knee of the other. A Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the scene, and helped take the man into custody. One of the loss prevention officers said he wanted to press charges on the man for “fighting with him and causing visible damage to his body.” The man had an active warrant out in Forsyth County. He was charged with battery, theft by shoplifting and wanted person located.
her car, she said the owner reportedly opened the store and pulled her out of the car. The woman then called 911. The owner said the woman has a history of returning items after purchasing and using them. The owner reportedly gave the woman twice the amount of money needed for the return and asked the woman to leave and not return. The owner then reportedly followed the woman out of the store and told her not to return, but never grabbed or touched the woman. The woman was issued a criminal trespass warning and told not to return.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth
County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched Dec. 16 to Estates at Old Atlanta in regard to criminal damage to the property of the subdivision. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with a neighbor who was notified of damage to the sign in the front of the subdivision. The neighbor said around Halloween, four entry lights were broken. During the night of Dec. 16, the neighbor said an unknown person broke the entry sign to the subdivision and pulled up the landscaping lights and wiring. The deputy saw the lights were smashed, with a foot possibly, and were pulled up from the ground and thrown into the roadway. The wiring had also been pulled from the ground. The estimated cost to replace everything is roughly $5,200. There is no suspect at this time.
►► John Joseph Walsh, 57, of East
DRUG arrests
Unknown person attacks neighborhood entrance
Leigh Circle, Suwanee, was arrested Dec. 18 on Creek Vista Drive in Cumming for DUI and speeding. ►► Rhea Adams Chester, 48, of Weldon Sheriff Road, Dawsonville, was arrested Dec. 16 on Keith Bridge Road in Gainesville for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Brandon Clay Duerr, 23, of Bulldog Drive, Griffin, was arrested Dec. 18 on Market Place Boulevard in Cumming for DUI, suspended registration and suspended license.
►► Charles Anthony Varesi, 40, of
Canton Highway, Cumming, was arrested Dec. 16 on Atlanta Highway in Cumming for possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug related items, no insurance, suspended registration and misrepresentation of registration. ►► Nancy Elizabeth Emm, 36, of Isham Drive, Lawrenceville, was arrested Dec. 17 on Shady Grove Road in Cumming for possession of marijuana.
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“Eyedentify” Diabetes Complications (part one) Diabetic patients, particularly older ones, may present with several diabetes-related ocular complications on a daily basis. As eyecare providers, we are uniquely qualified to not only manage the disease’s ocular complications, but to also educate patients on how best to take care of themselves. Here, I discuss diabetes in the eye, the most up-todate treatment. Ocular adnexa Uncontrolled diabetic patients (those who do not check their blood sugar often enough and/or do not follow a strict regimen of diet and exercise) are at high risk for developing infections, such as preseptal and orbital cellulitis, vs. their controlled counterparts due to a weakened immune system. Preseptal cellulitis presents as acute lid erythema and edema restricted to the soft tissues preceding the orbital septum. The bacterial infection is usually due to the local spread of dacryocystitis (nasolacrimal sac swelling), a neighboring sinusitis, from eyelid trauma, hordeolum or an external ocular infection. The most efficacious treatment is oral antibiotics. Orbital cellulitis is characterized by a severely edematous painful upper eyelid, often accompanied by ophthalmoplegia, lid erythema and fever. An afferent pupillary defect may be present depending on the amount of optic nerve involvement. This condition places patients at risk for meningitis and can lead to death. The management protocol for orbital cellulitis is immediate referral to the nearest ER for stat CT, blood cultures and iv antibiotics.
Happy Holidays from the Milan Eye Center team.
Ocular musculature Uncontrolled diabetes, which is a microvascular disease, may cause poor circulation of the microvasculature that feeds the extra-ocular muscles. This can elicit ptosis secondary to levator weakening, as well as strabismus secondary to cranial nerve (CN) III, IV or VI paresis. Generally, CN VI tends to be more commonly affected at 50%, with CN III a close second at 43%. Cranial nerve IV is rarely affected at 7%, says a study in Ophthalmology. When a diabetic patient presents with strabismus, consider the “whole” patient. If the patient is age 55 or older, the pathology is most likely microvascular. If the patient is younger than age 55,we need to rule out compressive lesions affecting the cranial nerves by having the patient perform a visual field test and referring him/her for a neurological evaluation. The ocular surface Peripheral neuropathy, which is diabetes-induced nerve damage that causes loss of sensation, numbness and occasionally feet, leg or hand pain, can affect corneal sensitivity, interrupting the neurotransmission feedback loop. This, in turn, causes an increase in ocular surface inflammation and an elevated risk of dysfunctional tear syndrome. So, diabetic patients tend to have dry eye disease. Treatment for these patients involves the aggressive use of preservative-free tears, as well as anti-inflammatory therapy (when inflammation is present) to alleviate any epithelial defects, which can place these patients at risk for keratitis. The tears can be used as much as necessary. Steroids are typically prescribed q.i.d., and cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan) or Lifitegrast 5% (Xiidra, Shire) is usually prescribed b.i.d. Research reveals diabetic patients also exhibit a growing incidence of corneal epithelial pathology, such as punctate epithelial erosions, recurrent corneal erosions and corneal ulcers. The reason: Type 2 diabetics have an increase in sorbitol (a sugar alcohol the body slowly metabolizes), which can, in turn, damage the corneal epithelium. Specifically, increasing levels of glucose in the blood cause an increase in sorbitol, which induces a decrease in hemidesmosomes in the corneal epithelium. This reduction causes a weakened adhesion of the epithelium to the underlying stroma, leading to an increase in the breakdown of the epithelium. For this reason, when selecting contact lenses for diabetic patients, prescribe strict daily wear, explain the importance of compliance on lens disposal, and educate on the significance of using efficacious cleaning and storage solutions. Also, direct these patients to immediately remove lenses if redness, discomfort, foreign body sensation or decreased vision occurs, as this may signal a serious infection. Check back next week as we cover more on this topic.
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NEWS
Tax commissioner: nearly 20K Forsyth Social Security numbers released By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Nearly 20,000 Forsyth County residents’ protected information, including Social Security numbers, were inadvertently released recently, according to the county Tax Commissioner Office. Forsyth Tax Commissioner Matthew C. Ledbetter released a statement Dec. 16 saying his office became aware of the release Nov. 18. Forsyth Communications Director Jodi Gardner said the number of affected people was 19,793. “This information was erroneously made available electronically to two authorized parties, who had requested other non-confidential tax digest data. This accidental release was not due to any form of hack, cyber-attack or other malicious activity and Forsyth County’s data systems have in no manner been compromised,” Ledbetter said in the statement. Upon learning of the release, Ledbetter said his office and a team of county administration, risk management, information technology staff and legal counsel have “worked diligently to investigate and assess the situation ensuring all necessary steps and measures are taken to safeguard the privacy and identity of our citizens.” “While I am confident this inadvertent release has been contained, I also recognize the very serious nature of this error,” Ledbetter wrote. “For this oversight I personally take full responsibility and I sincerely apologize for the concern and inconvenience this may cause our citizens.” Ledbetter said a data file consisting of electronic property tax digest records, some having Social Security numbers, was erroneously made
While I am confident this inadvertent release has been contained, I also recognize the very serious nature of this error.” Matthew C. Ledbetter Forsyth Tax Commissioner
available via a password-protected File Transfer Protocol, web portal to two authorized parties that subsequently downloaded the data upon requesting other non-confidential tax digest data. This data did not contain dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, nor any other form of confidential information. The matter was brought to Ledbetter and his office’s attention by one of the two parties who had authorized access to and subsequently downloaded the file. Once the department was notified, the FTP portal was immediately shut down and the file which contained the confidential information was removed. Ledbetter said he has taken measures to ensure similar errors don’t happen again and will continuously evaluate the office’s practices and procedures to safeguard the integrity of information. “Our office has received documented confirmation from each of the two parties that neither has used the Social Se-
curity number information,” Ledbetter said in the release. “Both parties have also confirmed that neither wanted nor has use for Social Security number information, and acquiring such information was in no way their intention when accessing the county’s FTP portal. Of the two parties who completed a download of the file, one, without knowing Social Security information was in the file, re-transmitted the information to three business affiliates, each of which has confirmed having deleted the file.” Forsyth County has now removed all full Social Security numbers from its property tax assessment database. Any data requested from the tax commissioner office in the future will be subject to multi-level review and approval prior to release. The nearly 20,000 residents are being contacted by direct mail if they may have been directly affected by the lapse. Additionally, in partnership with ID Expects, a toll-free incident hotline and website have been established to provide assistance and answer any questions citizens may have. “We are also providing to those affected complimentary MyIDCare services – which include 12 free months of credit monitoring, a $1,000,000 insurance reimbursement policy, exclusive educational materials, and fully managed ID theft recovery services,” Ledbetter said in the statement. “I encourage all concerned to contact ID Experts and, if eligible, take full advantage of this offer. The deadline to enroll is March 20, 2017.” For information regarding this incident or to determine eligibility/enroll in the MyIDCare services, call 1-844-2568540 from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., or visit myidcare.com/forsythcountyga.
Commissioners commit land for county’s fifth library Space may be shared with Denmark HS fields By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — It’s looking like the county will soon have a fifth library. At its Dec. 20 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a 9.5 acre piece of land on Fowler Road. It was recently
conveyed from Forsyth County Schools to the county. The land will likely be shared with the future Denmark High School, which will use the property for sports fields. A land survey will be performed to determine what can fit in the space, including a possible site for a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office satellite office. A future meeting will be scheduled for the entities interested in acquiring some of the space. Of the 9.5 acres, Forsyth Library Director Anna Lyle said at least 5.5 acres is needed for the building which
she anticipates being about 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. “We’ve been talking with the schools about the possibility of having the library on a portion of that site for the past couple of years,” she said. Currently the county has four libraries: Cumming Library, Hampton Park Library, Post Road Library and Sharon Forks Library, which is under construction. Based on the county’s increasing population and traffic times to the four
See LIBRARY, Page 6
ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 29, 2016 | 5
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6 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com
Cumming Council approves 2017 budget By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com
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CUMMING, Ga. — The Cumming City Council approved its 2017 budget Dec. 20 calling for $13.8 million in expenditures. General fund expenditures include $1,172,850 for administrative; police $2,190,800; municipal court $380,600; street $1,824,400; planning and zoning $661,700; parks and recreation $1,837,800; aquatic center $1,536,050; garbage $370,000; fairgrounds $1,439,000; Cumming Playhouse $459,150. Additionally, capital improvements used $804,150 and contingency used $1,200,000. The city expects revenues of $8 million from administrative; police $22,500; municipal court $400,000; planning and zoning $780,000; parks and recreation $846,500; aquatic center $1,422,500; garbage $400,000; fairgrounds $1,495,000; and Cumming Playhouse $427,000. The 2017 general fund revenues
Library: Continued from Page 4 branches, Lyle said the library system would eventually like six locations in the county. “We’ve been looking for land in southwest Forsyth for the past couple of years,” Lyle said. “It is cost prohibitive. So we are interested in this land for a future library site.” Chairman of the library board of trustees Mary Helen McGruder said impact fees will be available for this purchase. “We have tremendous demand for library services in this part of the county,” she said. “The Sharon Forks Library is the busiest in Georgia, and the Post Road Library is the sixth busiest out of over 400 libraries in Georgia. Even with the expansion of the Sharon Forks Library, the demographics already support another location in south Forsyth.”
and expenditures totals were slightly above 2016 at $13,521,500, and below 2015 at $14,189,600. The 2017 water and sewer revenues and expenditures totaled $19,532,500. The revenues included water sales $10 million; sewer plan reserves $3 million; and sewer charges $5.5 million. The water and sewer expenditures included distribution $4,214,000; production $2,634,050; waste water $2,632,000; fixed charges $232,000; and capital improvements $9,820,450. The total water and sewer revenues and expenditures for 2017 were up from 2016 which was $17,735,000 and 2015 at $14,965,000. The total transfers from the general fund and total expenditures from capital project are $804,150 for 2017, which is down from 2016 at $1,460,100 and 2015 at $1,670,790. Of the expenditures for capital projects, site improvements took $8,000; equipment $88,405; vehicles $24,400; and other $683,345.
The land will likely be shared with the future Denmark High School, which will use the property for sports fields. A land survey will be performed to determine what can fit in the space, including a possible site for a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office satellite office.
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Forsyth commissioners, sheriff sworn in Two new commissioners, one reelected and new sheriff take oath By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Four elected officials were sworn into their new roles Dec. 21 by Forsyth County Probate Judge Woody Jordan. District 4 Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills was sworn in to serve her second term. She brought a family heirloom Bible to use during the ceremony. “There are letters in here from 1918. I thought ‘this is why I do this.’ It’s because of my deep roots I have here. It’s the love and care from people I’ve never had a chance to meet,” she said. She said she often looks to the Bible when facing tough decisions within her position. “Doing what’s right and best isn’t always agreed upon. People have different points of view,” she said. “But one thing I hope people can see in my work ethic and the way I try to serve is I love this county. I want to do what’s right by it and that’s not always the easy or popular thing.” Laura Semanson was sworn in as the new District 5 commissioner. “I am honored and humbled to be of service,” she said. “I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. I hope to serve you with honor and integrity.” Rick Swope was sworn in as the incoming commissioner for District 2. “A little more than a year ago we embarked on this adventure not really knowing where it would take us,” he
KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald
The newly sworn in Forsyth County Commissioners are, from left, Cindy Jones Mills, Laura Semanson and Rick Swope. KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald
Sheriff-elect Ron Freeman gets sworn in to his office.
said. “I will say each day I gain a keener appreciation of what a great county we have. But more importantly, what great people are here. I’m looking forward to serving.” Additionally, Ron Freeman was sworn in as sheriff, which he said was the culmination of a lifelong dream. “Whether you supported me in the election or not, I’m happy to serve you as sheriff,” he said. “It is an honor to serve as your sheriff. We have a big road ahead of us and we have a great opportunity. I look at the men and women in the uniforms and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead those men and women to protect you and to do the things we need to do in this county for the right reasons.”
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OPINION
Smoltz preaches message: Dare to dream I had the opportunity to attend one of the weekly Rotary Club of Alpharetta meetings a couple of weeks ago at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Now it could have been just because they serve HATCHER HURD the best breakfast in Executive Editor hatcher@appenmediagroup.com town, but knowing John Smoltz was the speaker made it a no-brainer. Smoltz will forever be associated with the Atlanta Braves’ glory years. You know the drill: 14 consecutive division championships, World Series appearances, one glorious World Championship, Cy Young Award. But the Smoltz I have gotten to know is much more than that. He is a passionate man. And by that I mean when he decides to get fixed on a project, he follows it right down to the ground. When he spoke to the Rotarians, it was mostly on how to stay focused on your dreams and your goals. It is something he has done all his life since he was 7 years old. “That was when my life changed,” he said. That is when he decided he wanted to be a Major League pitcher. That is when he drew a plate and batter’s box on the wall by the kitchen door and began to pitch to it. What he did, though, was create in his mind that that he was pitching in the World Series and it was the seventh game.
“I did all the voices in my head. I was the announcer, I was in the crowd cheering, and I was the guy with the ball. I played that game over and over in my head while I pitched. By the time I got the chance to pitch in a real Game 7, I wasn’t afraid because I had practiced for that my whole life,” he said. What he practiced was visualization, although he did not use that word. He did more than that though. He was always throwing a pitch while he did it. There were no athletes in the Smoltz family. But they supported his quest anyway. His Italian mother told him to pursue any good goal – just have a back-up plan. Moms like back-up plans. He did not say if he had a back-up plan. I don’t think he did. It’s not in his DNA. His next plan is to make it onto the Senior Tour. That is where golf pros go when they retire to keep making dough playing the game we mortals pay to play when we retire. But Smoltz is serious. He has always been a scratch golfer, and despite a second career now as a sports broadcaster, he wants to be a pro golfer on the senior circuit. I understand he has always been a good golfer but to go out and play at 50-plus with the guys who have done it professionally is what they call in my favorite game – a sucker bet. But I’m not betting against John Smoltz. I have seen his passion and his zeal too often in other areas. He and some like-minded stars in their own fields had an idea to build a Christian school in North Fulton. They had a good plan, good backing but every-
HATCHER HURD/Herald
Johns Smoltz makes a point addressing the Alpharetta Rotary Club this month.
where they tried to build it, the area residents raised a ruckus. Despite repeated OKs from the Fulton Board of Commissioners, homeowners would file lawsuits to block it. A private Christian school would “ruin” their communities. Rather than fight, they moved on. If you ever get the chance to visit the campus of Kings Ridge Christian School, you will get the chance to see what faith and determination will do. It is a gorgeous campus with beautiful buildings, and young people K-12 are
getting a great education. John Smoltz is chairman of the board. I watched all of those zoning battles and have followed the progress of the school. I have also seen John Smoltz get involved in other local organizations such as the Alpharetta Police Athletic League. I can’t list all his community involvement here, but he does not believe in half measures. He does believe in preparation. When he went in to pitch in the World Series, he expected good things happen because he had prepared for it. In the case of baseball, it was that wall in his backyard. His “cathedral,” his “refuge” he called it. He would put himself in all situations and then pitch out of it. “I’m not afraid to fail,” he said. “When it is the last inning of the seventh game of the World Series, there are not many pitchers on any Major League team who want the ball in that situation. I want the ball. I’ve already pitched in more game sevens that anyone – there in my backyard.” “Embrace change,” he said. As a 15-year-old he was pitching in an all-star tournament with 19-yearolds. He didn’t care. And they shellacked him – four 2-run home runs in one inning. He didn’t make excuses. He made a lesson to get better. “If you want to satisfy your dreams, you need to get out of your comfort zone,” he said. How many of us take even a baby step out of our comfort zones? As for Smoltz making golf’s Senior Tour? I’m giving odds he does.
Positively looking forward to 2017 If the year 2016 were a type of candy, it’d be black licorice. At times it had a similar feel to realizing the sock in your shoe is wet. Or seeing a car just barely parked over the line in the parking lot of a busy store, taking up two spaces and leaving you nowhere to park your own car. I think you get my point. Kathleen Sturgeon This year has not been our Editor kathleen@appenmediagroup.com best. And because of that, it seems like everyone I know is ready for 2016 to be over. Honestly, with some of the events that took place, I really can’t blame them. We saw devastation, destruction, death and despair. The year seemed longer than 366 days and felt like it would never end. Bad thing after bad thing kept occurring. And being in the news business, we had our fair share of unpleasantness and therefore had to pass on
the “bad news.” Sometimes we were blamed for the bad news we shared, as if we caused it. With the final few days of 2016 upon us, it’s made me reflect on the year that will most likely be infamous. But like rain on your wedding day, thought by some to be lucky, or the Chicago Cubs’ losing streak, which ended this year, there is always a silver lining and curses usually come to an end. Yes, 2016 had its bad moments, probably more than many other years. But we are forgetting all the beauty, love, joy and positivity that come after tragedy. Mr. Rodgers once said his mother would tell him, after seeing scary things on the news, “look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” If we can learn anything positive from 2016, I think that’s it. When there were shootings or bombings or fires, the heroes and helpers were there. Donations poured in and resources were readily
available for those in need. People opened their hearts and wallets to total strangers, in a generous effort to help. As a human race, we can mark this year as a growing pain and do what we do best, learn from it, grow and move on. There were so many positive things that happened this year. We can’t let the bad times create dark clouds over the bright spots. If anything, this year should push us to be better in all that we do, so we don’t repeat our mistakes. I’m using the lessons I’ve learned from this year for my New Year’s resolutions. I will try to be kinder, more patient, lend an ear when needed and love my fellow people. T.S. Elliot once said, “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.” So, here’s to you, 2017. May your voice be one of hope, happiness and love.
COMMUNITY
ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 29, 2016 | 9
Avalon and Northside Hospital team up to benefit The Drake House Local organizations join together to raise awareness in North Fulton this holiday season ALPHARETTA, Ga. — This holiday season, Avalon in Alpharetta has partnered with Northside Hospital for a special giveback benefitting The Drake House. Avalon invites guests to show their support during the holidays by bringing gifts to the mixed-use community that will be donated to The Drake House. Gifts can be dropped off at Avalon’s Concierge in exchange for a $3 discount on Avalon on Ice tickets for that day. Throughout the holidays, Avalon will provide guests several other opportunities to give back to The Drake House during festive events. Avalon on Ice: Families of The Drake House will join guests for a skate night at Avalon on Ice on Dec. 28 to benefit the organization by donating a percentage of sales. Throughout the holidays, donate a gift to The Drake House and receive $3 off a ticket to Avalon on Ice to be used same day. Santa House: Guests will have the option to give back by donating to The Drake House at Avalon’s high-tech Santa House experience throughout the season. “Through Avalon’s giveback initiative, we can give extra support and comfort during this holiday season to the mothers and their children at The Drake House,” said Freda Hardage, Northside Hospital Foundation director. “It’s a wonderful program and we are excited to be working with both of these great community partners and bringing some holiday cheer to Avalon and North
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10 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com
year in review
Ground and record breakings seemed to be the theme of 2016 for Forsyth County. From topping many lists, to starting construction on new parks, entertainment locations and educational facilities, Forsyth did not slow down this year.
Prominent Forsyth County government officials with RocaPoint executives break ground on Halcyon.
This map shows the potential boundaries of a proposed city of Sharon Springs.
Sen. Williams: Sharon Springs city-lite legislation withdrawn FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — In a statement released through Facebook Jan. 4, State Sen. Michael Williams announced that legislation was officially withdrawn to create the county’s second city of Sharon Springs. Williams said he’s had many conversations with members of the Sharon Springs Alliance, a nonprofit composed of neighbors studying whether the formation of a new city in Forsyth County is feasible. Williams said it’s abundantly clear that people are frustrated, mad, disappointed and hurt. In March 2015, State Rep. Mike Dudgeon introduced House Bill 660 that would initiate a referendum to incorporate the city of Sharon Springs in southern Forsyth County. However, in December 2015 at a pre-legislative breakfast, Dudgeon said the delegation decided the bill was “unconstitutional” because it was fashioned as a city-light, with the bare minimum of municipal offices. Williams said at that event that legislators want to regroup and find another way to go about creating Sharon Springs.
Forsyth County breaks ground on $370M Halcyon development FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County’s very own mixed-use development broke ground Feb. 5 as the community ushered in the beginning of the
project named Halcyon. Halcyon, by real estate groups RocaPoint Partners and The Georgetown Company, is a $370 million development off Exit 12 on Ga. 400. It is expected to open fall 2017. Phase I plans include 125,000 square feet of retail space. The commercial village will include a movie or entertainment venue, gourmet market, outdoor outfitter, up to 10 local and regional full-service and fast-casual restaurants, a boutique fitness club and service retail. Up to 65,000 square feet of loft offices and built-to-suit spaces are included in phase one of the village, as well as a 110-room hotel developed by Tharaldson Hospitality, a ground-up hotel developer. When complete, the project will have two hotels and more than 360,000 square feet of office and retail. In November, CMX, a state-ofthe-art cinema venue, was announced as the development’s anchor. The theater will have 10 screens, 500 seats, 38,000 square feet and is slated to open April 2018. In addition, the development’s for-sale residences include 87 single-family units and 155 townhomes with prices starting in the high $400s. There will also be 448 luxury apartments. In total, there will be more than 3,600 residents who will live within a half-mile walk of Halcyon’s commercial village.
line is showing enrollment reaching 50,000 students during the 2018-19 school year. Current enrollment in August was at 45,684, an increase of 1,570 from the same time last year. This year the district registered 5,536 new students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Forsyth County is the seventh largest school district in the state, he said, behind Gwinnett (176,196), Cobb (112,355), DeKalb (100,875), Fulton (95,683), Clayton (53,797) and Atlanta (51,120). However Forsyth had the highest percentage growth, of 4.7 percent, among the top 12 counties. That enrollment growth rate falls just behind five other systems, including Bremen City (5.1 percent change), Jefferson City (5.9 percent), Decatur City (7.6 percent), Long County (13.7 percent) and Vidalia City (28.1 percent).
Lake Lanier alligator captured
Forsyth’s population, schools to reach impressive numbers
LAKE LANIER, Ga. — An alligator spotted several times over the summer at Lake Lanier was captured Sept. 1 by the Southeastern Reptile Rescue group, just in time for Labor Day weekend. The 2-3 foot-long alligator was seen about four times in the popular boating spot since mid-July, according to Melissa Cummings, communications and outreach specialist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The alligator posed little threat to anyone, so the DNR was not planning to move it, Cummings said. Since the alligator was most likely someone’s pet, the SRR said they are planning on keeping him in captivity for educational purposes.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A study released by the Norton Agency said in 2015, Forsyth was among the largest populations in north Georgia coming in at a little less than 225,000 residents. Only Cherokee County exceeded Forsyth by a small margin. But, population predictions say Forsyth will have well over half a million people in the county by 2042. And to continue that trend, Forsyth County Schools reported in August that the system’s trend
This small alligator seen swimming in the waters of Lake Lanier is not native to the area and was probably brought up from the south.
year in review
ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 29, 2016 | 11
Forsyth principal, parapro post racist Facebook remarks FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Lambert High School Principal Gary Davison was put on a leave of absence following a meeting Jan. 28 with Forsyth County Schools Superintendent, Jeff Bearden regarding posts on Davison’s personal Facebook page. Davison returned to school Feb. 8. In a statement, Davison said he “learned a great deal from my mistakes and I am committed to regaining your trust.” “Please know that every student at Lambert HS is very important to me,” Davison said. “I appreciate all that (Assistant Principal Pam) Bibik, the administrative team, teachers and staff have done for the school during my leave of absence. I pledge to each of you to further support the students of Lambert HS.” Then in October, a Forsyth County paraprofessional was fired for reportedly posting multiple racist remarks on her Facebook page. Jane Wood Allen was relieved from her duty at Chestatee Elementary School after controversial images from her personal social media account surfaced Sept. 30. She had been working for the district since 1989.
Ga. 400 north widening complete FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Officials cut the ribbon Oct. 5 on an eight-mile portion of the highway from McFarland Parkway to Ga. 20. The lane completion fell just short of a year after its groundbreaking in November 2015. The project includes construction of an additional lane in each direction on Ga. 400 from McFarland Parkway to Ga. 369, including widening bridges at Big Creek and at Lake Lanier/Sawnee Creek. The target completion date for the remaining northbound expansion is spring 2017. That stretch will run from just past Ga. 20 to Ga. 369. The entire project, both northbound and southbound, is scheduled to be open to traffic in October 2018. The project was funded through a partnership between Forsyth County and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Forsyth voters approve ESPLOST, senior homestead exemption FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — More than 80 percent of registered Forsyth County voters turned out Nov. 8, voting to extend an education sales tax and pass a revision to the county’s homestead exemption. The education sales tax passed with 63 percent of the vote. It establishes a one-cent sales tax for education that runs five years or until the cap of $195 million is reached. By law, special purpose local sales taxes imposed for schools can only be used for capital projects and to make payments on bonds. Forsyth County voters approved similar referendums in 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011, with the current SPLOST expiring in June 2017. The second major ballot issue was a senior homestead exemption which would reduce a property owner’s eligibility for school tax exemptions.
The Alliance Academy for Innovation will be the county’s first college and career academy. Forsyth voters approved this measure with 60 percent in in favor. In 2001, Forsyth voters approved a 100 percent senior, or age 65 and up, homestead exemption for school taxes. Since that time, Forsyth County’s population has grown from 98,407 to 212,500, and school enrollment has increased from 17,249 to 46,061. In 2015, senior exemptions amounted to over $19 million in lost revenue. This revision will not change those who have senior exemptions and do not have children residing in their homes, the district’s website said. Also, it will not change exemptions for those seniors with legal guardianship of children living in the home. No other homestead exemptions will be affected. Effective Jan. 1, 2017, homeowners 65 and older who are not the legal guardians of the students residing in rental and residential properties will pay school taxes.
est-growing U.S. counties with 10,000 or more residents, Forsyth County ranked 11th, according to recent data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. In April 2010, Forsyth’s estimated population was 175,511. But in July 2015, it was 212,438, an increase of 36,927 or 21 percent. However even with the population increase, Forsyth is no longer the fastest-growing county in Georgia. Long County, south of Savannah and near Jesup, took the top spot for the state. It saw a rise of 22.7 percent with a population estimate of 17,731. Other metro Atlanta counties grew in population, with Fulton County now home to over a million residents. Gwinnett County’s 2015 population estimate was 895,823, Cobb was 741,334, Cherokee 235,900, Hall 193,535 and Dawson 23,312. The metro Atlanta area still ranks ninth in the nation for largest population.
Community breaks ground on Alliance Academy for Innovation
Forsyth schools continue to top charts
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County’s groundbreaking new school, the Alliance Academy for Innovation, officially broke ground Nov. 17. The school is located at 1100 Lanier 400 Parkway off Ga. 400 and is set to open Aug. 2018. The school will serve up to 1,200 students in grades 9 through 12 in a “creative and innovative environment,” according to Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden. This campus will provide secondary, post-secondary and continuing education for individuals, organizations, small businesses and corporations, along with financial literacy and business ethics training for middle and high school students. The career development opportunities will not duplicate career pathways at existing high schools but will focus on high-demand, high-growth occupations in the region, allowing students to work in simulated environments of business and industry, earn industry credentials and college credit. The career programs include schools of: criminal justice; healthcare and first responders; mechatronics and logistics; energy and aviation; and hospitality and design.
Census: Forsyth 11th fastestgrowing county in nation FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Out of the 100 fast-
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Schools continue to top the charts both in metro Atlanta, statewide and nationally. Some of the accomplishments for this year include: • Highest College and Career Ready Performance Index score in state • Highest graduation rate in metro Atlanta (and in district history) • Highest ACT and SAT math scores in state; highest SAT score in metro Atlanta • Highest financial efficiency rating in state – the only 5 star rating • 2nd highest Standard and Poor’s rating in state • Lowest per pupil cost in metro Atlanta • Lowest operational millage rate • Forsyth Central High School teacher Marlo Miranda named a state finalist for 2017 Teacher of the Year • 2016 ranking of public high schools by U.S. News and World Report listed three Forsyth County high schools among the best in Georgia: South Forsyth ranked 16 in the state, Lambert was at 22 and West Forsyth was listed 24. Nationally, the schools ranked 513 for South Forsyth, 691 for Lambert and 709 for West Forsyth. • Liberty Middle named Lighthouse School • Sharon Elementary School honored as Blue Ribbon School • Denmark High School groundbreaking • DeSana Middle School and Brandywine Elementary Schools opened
12 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com
year in review
Forsyth sports year in review By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com
Region realignment brings all Forsyth schools into one region Effective at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, the Georgia High School Association’s region realignments moved all Forsyth County schools to one region in the new Class 7A. Forsyth Central, which moved up from Class 5A, joined North, West, South, Lambert and Milton in Region 5-AAAAAAA, allowing the cross-town schools to extend or create rivalries.
West Forsyth girls basketball wins region, plays in Final Four The West Forsyth Lady Wolverines had their best season in program history in the 2015-16. West accumulated a 25-7 overall record and won its first region title in Region 6-AAAAAA. West also made its first appearance in the Final Four of the state championships in February where the Lady Wolverines fell to eventual state champion McEachern.
Lambert captures first football region title, playoff game
After finishing second in the region standings four times since 2009, Lambert won its first region title in Region 5-AAAAAAA in November with a 4-1 record. A week later, Lambert won its first state playoff game, defeating Central Gwinnett 44-14.
Staiti and Myers part of top recruiting class in nation West Forsyth’s Jenna Staiti and South’s Sarah Myers, who both enjoyed standout careers at their respective schools, committed to play basketball at the University of Maryland. The Terrapins’ recruiting class was considered by some outlets to be the top recruiting class in the nation for 2016.
Longhorns celebrate first ever playoff win.
Lambert girls golf wins region, state championship
captured a state championship in April. Lambert’s Kate Owens scored the lowest round of the state championship event with a 73.
For the seventh straight year, Lambert girls golf won its region title and for the fourth consecutive year, the Lady Longhorns also
Frank Hepler returns to Forsyth to coach Forsyth Central football Frank Hepler began the West Forsyth football program in 2007 and spent seven seasons at the helm. After leaving to coach in Florida, Hepler came back to Forsyth to take over the Forsyth Central program in its first season in Class 7A.
West girls soccer wins region, makes state championship appearance
West Forsyth girls basketball wins region.
Just a month after the Lady Wolverines captured their first region title in basketball, the Lady Wolverines soccer team won the Region 6-AAAAAA title using some of the same players from the basketball team. West compiled a 16-5-1 overall record and made its first appearance in the state championship game. West would fall in the exciting title game, 2-1, to Lassiter.
West Forsyth’s Jenna Staiti (right) and South’s Sarah Myers.
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Book brings Cold Warriors together 60 years after serving in Alaska, 2 vets named Evans discover they almost met each other By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. – More than 60 years ago two men almost shared the same experiences serving their country at the top of the world to stave off the Soviet menace. They also shared the same name, Evans, but they missed each other by four years. No, Sam Evans and Wayne Evans had never met, although they live today not eight miles apart. Sam is in Roswell and Wayne in Milton. Then Wayne Evans wrote a book about his experiences about serving in Alaska during the height of the United States’ cold war with the Soviet Union. The base there had one purpose: To give early warning should Soviet bombers attack from over the North Pole, which was the shortest distance from the USSR to America. The base was a link in the DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line, America’s radar defense system. In the Cold War days, the threat was believed to be real and the arms race was full steam ahead. “Searching for the Good War,” is a fictionalized account of Wayne Evans’ experiences working for the government above the Arctic Circle at Cape Lisburne Air Force Base, Alaska. He served from 1959 to 1960 in that frigid post, and it was a defining point in his life. An article in the Milton Herald about the book and its author fell into the hands of longtime Roswell professional engineer Sam Evans. Sam also did a tour at the same frozen Alaskan base, only it was from 1954 to ’55. Sam Evans’ son tracked down the author of the same last name (but no relation) and arranged a “non-reunion” at the Milton Library last week to compare notes about serving their country at the Top of the World. Both octogenarians now, Sam and Wayne sat down and reminisced about those days. They had an immediate bond that reached out through the mist of time so that they fell to talking as if they were old comrades instead of new acquaintances. The armistice for the Korean War was barely a year old when Sam was stationed there and relations with the Soviet Union were tense. Cape Lisburne was the early warning base to relay the word if a Russian sneak attack was ever launched. It also would likely be the first target eliminated should such an attack come.
Sam was 22, a fresh-faced second lieutenant just out of The Citadel when he was posted to Cape Lisburne. He was the “ranking second lieutenant” among the five lieutenants and 120 soldiers on the base. “I understood the Army a little better than these other guys because The Citadel is a military academy. These other guys were pretty much lost up there,” Sam said. “But the commander was a major who found reasons to be in Anchorage most of the time. “If you are a major and they send you to be in command of Cape Lisburne, it means you did something pretty bad to get sent there.” Four years later, Wayne, an ex-GI himself, was there as a civilian electronics expert working for the government. But both had to learn to live by the 30-30 rule that influenced most of life at the base. “That meant if you’re outside for 30 seconds in a wind of 30 miles per hour, any skin exposed would be frozen,” Wayne said. “That’s when we would put a T-shirt on,” said Sam with more than little bravado. So it was a harsh climate with a hard job to do. The radar station was at the top of a mountain with the base some miles below. Sam and the soldiers used a cable car to get up the 2,400foot mountain. The trick was when it was windy – which was most of the time – they had to time their jump getting out of the cable car as it swung in the wind. “That’s why you had to time it just right,” said Sam. “And that’s why we civilians drove up in the truck,” said Wayne. “We left those cable cars to those crazy GIs.” That seemed a lot saner, except that road was buried under varying feet of snow packed tight until it began to melt during the thaw. If you hit a soft patch, over the side you could go. It was the land of the midnight sun when the axis of the earth tilted toward the sun. For several months the sun never set. Then in winter, it tilted in the other direction and the sun never quite rose. “You had to use a blackout curtain to get some decent sleep. I remember being sleepy all the time,” said Sam. In winter with little or no sunlight, it could get down to minus 70 degrees with winds up to 159 knots. The wind chill factor was off the chart. Sam said the joke was if the Russians invaded
HATCHER HURD/Herald
Two brothers-in-arms having served above the Arctic Circle meet for the first time. Wayne Evans, left, and Sam Evans shake hands as Wayne presents a copy of the book he wrote about his arctic experiences to Sam. during the winter, they would just invite them in for tea until spring. Then they could begin fighting. “It was something we thought about a lot. We’re up there preparing for war and there is nobody to help you and nowhere to go,” Sam said. “And the Russians liked to play their mind games on us.” On off-duty time, one of the few diversions was listening to music on the radio. Reception was sketchy most of the time except for Moscow Molly – the Russian version of Tokyo Rose. Molly would intersperse depressing propaganda in between the Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett records. “Around Christmas, Molly said she felt particularly sorry for the guys stationed at Cape Lisburne for the holidays. Then she proceeded to name each officer and soldier on the base and gave their serial number,” Sam said. “That was quite a shock.” Life is rugged there, the troops only serve 12-month tours because it is considered psychologically demanding with the weather, the isolation and no leave possible.
“They had to get you out after a year, otherwise you would just go crazy,” Sam said. “Some did anyway,” said Wayne. Wayne said the duty there left him with delayed post-traumatic stress syndrome that didn’t surface until an event triggered it many years later. Sam said service their affected him too. “Everything was on you if it broke down. And things often did,” said Wayne. “There were power outages all the time. The roads were just packed ice and treacherous.” Even little things like flushing toilets were a chore because they had to melt ice for water to flush. It took seven buckets of melted ice to flush one toilet, Sam said. Still it was an experience that each say they are glad to have had. Sam thanked Wayne warmly for having written his book. It took Sam back to a younger time if not necessarily a happier one. “It brought back memories I thought were gone. I’m glad to get them back,” Sam said.
Financial institutions are increasingly focused on deepening relationships with commercial customers. Jeffery Yabuki, President and chief executive officer of Fiserv 15 | Forsyth Herald | December 29, 2016
Fiserv to acquire Atlanta fintech company Transaction continues list of high-dollar deals affecting Alpharetta By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Corporate acquisitions continue to make headlines in the North Fulton-Forsyth area. Less than a month after Siemens announced it will acquire Oregon-based Mentor Graphics for $4.5 billion, news surfaced last week that Wisconsin-based Fisserv has entered into an agreement to acquire Atlanta’s Online Banking Solutions (OBS). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Online Banking Solutions, a private fintech company founded in 1992, provides a secure, modern cash management system designed for digital channels, such as smartphones tablets and wearable devices. It offers a secure browser that provides a gateway to applications offered by financial institutions to their commercial customers. Fiserv, with regional headquarters in Alpharetta, expects to gain additional cash management and digital business banking capabilities to complement its existing solutions. “Financial institutions are increasingly focused on deepening relationships with commercial customers,” said Jeffery Yabuki, president and chief
executive officer of Fiserv. “The addition of Online Banking Solutions’ technologies further enables Fiserv clients to provide greater value to their commercial customers through sophisticated cash management solutions when and where they need them.” OBS received the “Up-And-Comer Award” in the Aite Group U.S. Cash Management Vendor Evaluation 2016. OBS products are already integrated across a number of Fiserv systems and with other core processing platforms. OBS product integration is available across Fiserv core account processing platforms such as Signature, Premier and Cleartouch, and post-closing will include DNA. “Our relationship with Fiserv is already established through our activities with several mutual clients,” said Dan Myers, CEO of Online Banking Solutions. “Joining Fiserv allows us to create new opportunities for our associates and to broaden the reach of our leading solutions to more banks and credit unions, ultimately enabling them to better serve their commercial customers.” The transaction is the latest in a recent succession of major corporate announcements touching Alpharetta.
Fiserv regional headquarters in Alpharetta.
EndoChoice bought by Boston Scientific In October, medical-devices company Boston Scientific announced plans to buy Alpharetta-based EndoChoice Holdings for roughly $210 million. And, earlier in September, the 152-acre Sanctuary Park office park on Ga. 400, was sold for $265 million to Rubenstein Partners.
MagicJack opens HQ in Alpharetta In August, MagicJack for Business opened its headquarters in Alpharetta, hiring more than 100 employees. And, a month earlier, Dutch conglomerate Philips announced the purchase of Alpharetta startup Wellcentive.
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16 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com
BUSINESSPOSTS
A huge year for huge projects in the metro area Seminars can Commercial development was in full swing this year with the addition of two major stadiums and either the ground-breaking or proposal of several high-rise Geoff smith developments. Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com The following projects are really only the highlights as many more were proposed, broke ground or are on the way. Mixed-use tech projects for Alpharetta: Two major projects were announced this year in Alpharetta that will cater to the city’s booming tech market. Fuqua Development LLC is working on a 62-acre, mixed-use project at the southwestern corner of Ga. 400 and Haynes Bridge Road. It would include 430 apartments, 70 townhomes, 78,800 square feet of retail, 36,000 square feet of restaurants, 500,500 square feet of office and 17 acres of greenspace. Initial renderings show 10-story office buildings, and five-story buildings with streetlevel retail. The other project is a 220,000-square-foot building on 24 acres just south of Windward Parkway. It will be broken into two buildings connected by a 5,000-square foot clubhouse housing a conference center, coffee bar and gym. Avalon Phase II: This project is well underway with delivery of product scheduled for next year. It will include 550,000 square feet of office space with Microsoft as a tenant, multifamily units, a hotel and a 74,000-square-foot conference center. Five-tower Sandy Springs MARTA Project: Initial plans were submitted, and from what I’ve heard, this project is close to be-
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coming a reality. While I hear the allowable height of this project has been lowered by some degree, plans initially called for five, 50-story buildings surrounding an existing pentagon-shaped office building on 13 acres next to the Sandy Springs MARTA station. Plans are also in the works to build a tunnel from the development directly underground to the MARTA station. Four-tower mixed use at Dunwoody MARTA Station: Plans were released for a project being called Dunwoody Crown Towers that would include two 24-story office towers, a 28-story hotel, two 30-story condo towers and a 13-story building with a mix of condos and a hotel. The project would sit north of I-285 and south of the Best Buy shopping center along Hammond Drive, near the Dunwoody MARTA station. A large-scale project had been in the works for years on this site. I have not heard anything lately about it, but 2017 is right around the corner. 16-story tower proposed at Dunwoody MARTA Station: A Texas developer released plans to build a high-rise on the north side of Hammond Drive next to the Dunwoody MARTA station and Perimeter Mall. $95-million mixed-use around Avondale MARTA Station: This project broke ground in November and will include 378 apartments, 92 affordable senior living units, a new plaza and 21,000 square feet of commercial space. Brookhaven’s new City Center around MARTA: A company has been working with the City of Brookhaven and its residents to develop a large, mixed-use development centered around the Brookhaven-Oglethorpe MARTA Station. It would include an eight-story office building, a 125-room hotel, 340 apartments, 107 condo units, 100 senior living units and almost
56,000 square feet of restaurants and retail. Norcross creating new urban center: Norcross put out requestfor-proposals for development of 6.8 acres located at two key corners of its Lillian Webb Park. Initial concepts include two new parking decks, and three- and four-story, multi-use buildings housing retail, commercial and residential components. Sandy Springs building its downtown: Sandy Springs broke ground on a development that will include a new city hall, a studio theater with meeting space, and a performing arts center, all centered around a four-acre park with large water fountains. Atlanta, Buckhead serious about capping highways: Leaders in Atlanta and Buckhead have proposed building caps over I-75/I-85 and Ga. 400 in order to create more developable real-estate, which would go a long way in bringing more eastwest connectivity to those areas. The Buckhead ‘cap,’ or bridge, would be a nine-acre park over Ga. 400 and MARTA’s Buckhead Station. The intown cap is a little more vague, but renderings show parks and highrises. $700-million mixed-use project on man-made river in Hall County: The project would sit on 508 acres and include 265-single-family homes, 215 townhomes, 600 multifamily units, 242,000 square feet of retail space and 424,000 square feet of office space. And yes, all would sit along a man-made river. Geoff Smith gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group
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Are you having trouble attracting new customers? Have you ever wished you could convey your message to a lot of potential customers at the same time? Conducting seminars is a very productive way to save time and attract new customers. dick jones Most small business Founder & President owners think that the only Jones Simply Sales way to get new business is to meet with new prospects, and they are right. They just go about that process in a suboptimal way. Driving to a prospect’s business, meeting for an hour or so, then driving to the next meeting takes a lot of time. Having prospects come to you, and spending approximately the same amount of time with them conducting a seminar, allows you to communicate with many people at the same time and saves a lot of time. Seminars are not meant to be a selling event, but more of an educational or communication venue for you to convey important information about a particular subject to many people at the same time. The first step in conducting a seminar is to determine whom you want to invite and what you are going to talk about. Promoting the seminar comes next, and there are a lot of avenues you can utilize to get the word out. Many small business owners who already do this use Email, newspaper ads, direct mail, and social media to maximize attendance. Making it easy to sign up and offering something for attending will attract more attendees. Conducting seminars to generate awareness and interest in your product or service is a great way to get the word out simultaneously to a lot of people. Including seminars as a part of your overall marketing and sales strategy will help you to attract new customers and grow your small business.
BUSINESSPOSTS
ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 29, 2016 | 17
2016: A Year in Review:
U.S. election ‘Trumps’ 2016’s most notable events Dollar stronger since Trump’s election; Vehicle sales, home sales up also ATLANTA – Clearly, the most notable news item to happen was the election of Donald J. Trump as president. The lead-up to the election was wrought with anemic investment which brought RAJEEV Dhawan down overall GDP Director Economic Forecasting Center growth. We hope that going forward, the uncertainty of the election rhetoric will get out of our systems and result in better investment, but only time will tell in that regard. However, looking at our financial markets, there really was no uncer-
tainty there. After it was determined that Mr. Trump was projected to win on Nov. 8, there was a brief “blip” in financial markets. But since his “soothing words” at his gracious victory speech markets have been on the up-and-up! Financial markets were more disrupted by Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in June. There, markets fell over 5 percent in the following days, while here, the election of Mr. Trump pushed markets higher by 1 percent! Furthermore, the pound has yet to recover from the Brexit fallout and remains down 15 percent. The dollar, meanwhile, continues to appreciate. By broad measures, the dollar is up 3.4 percent for the year, but up more than 4.5 percent since the Brexit vote.
Atlanta Accounting & Taxation Group celebrates 10 years ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Atlanta Accounting & Taxation Group, under managing partner Adrian Mulko, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary. The group has been providing customers with professional accounting, consulting and taxation services in the metro Atlanta area since 2006. They cater primarily to small and medium-sized businesses to help them control costs, pay fewer taxes and improve profits. Atlanta Accounting & Taxation Group is located at 4080 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 1006 in Alpharetta. For more information, contact them at 678-557-2458 or csr1@atlgroup.biz.
Bill Rawlings named to LLS Board of Trustees ATLANTA — Bill Rawlingsy, vice president and managing broker of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, has been named to the Leuke-
Global market uncertainty stems from anemic economic growth in Europe as well as in China and its suppliers. Thus, here at home, economic growth had to come from within – in other words, from domestic oriented sectors. For one, consumers seemed insatiable to vehicle purchasing and bought 17.5 million cars on an annualized basis thus far this year – surpassing the strong 17.4 million units last year. Light trucks were the purchase of choice due to low gasoline prices driven by persistent low oil prices (another result of the weakened global economy). The housing market also made headway this year. Overall, existing home sales were up 2.9 percent while
new homes sales jumped 12 percent. Thus, consumption in the economy clipped along at a fairly decent 2.8 percent in the third quarter GDP growth figures. Consumption growth was helped by a healthy labor market in 2016. The economy averaged 180,200 monthly job gains in the first 11 months but was a bit off the monthly average of 229,400 new jobs witnessed last year. That is an indication of anemic investment. Sectors affected mostly this year were those facing global headwinds such as manufacturing, transportation, and the corporate sector. Meanwhile, sector such as retail trade, hospitality and financial activities – those sectors that are influenced by domestic demand – did not decelerate in their job creation pace in 2016.
BUSINESSBriefs mia & Lymphoma Society Georgia Chapter Board of Trustees. Rawlings joins a group of 18 fellow trustees to provide strategic guidance, financial oversight and fundraising assistance for the organization. The Georgia Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in Atlanta, helps Rawlings those diagnosed with blood cancers throughout the state with financial and emotional support. The north Atlanta office of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty opened in 2009 and is based in Sanctuary Park, specializing in northern suburban areas such as Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming and Milton. Rawlings has been in the real estate industry for more than a decade in roles including sales associate, career development vice president, chief operating officer and managing broker. In 2016, Bill was named one of the 100 Most Influential Atlantans in real estate by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Medicine and Emory Healthcare. Dr. Aaron Weiss, assistant professor in the department of urology at Emory University School of Medicine, is leading the Emory Urology Team at Johns Creek. He said a key goal of the new urology practice is to be greater convenience for patients in the Johns Creek area. Eunice Goetz, PA-C, says the practice hopes to work closely with Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University doctors and staff at EJCH to treat patients with bladder, kidney and prostate cancer. Emory Clinic’s Johns Creek urology office includes seven exam rooms. The practice is located at 6300 Hospital Parkway in Suite 145. For information about urology services at Emory Healthcare, visit urology.emory.edu or call 404-7784898 to make an appointment.
Emory Healthcare expands urology services ATLANTA – A new Emory Clinic urology practice is now open to patients at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. The practice provides diagnosis and treatments for patients with urologic conditions such as urologic cancers, kidney stones, male infertility and elevated PSA. “We’re excited to expand Emory Clinic Urology services to treat patients in Johns Creek and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Martin Sanda, chairman and chief of urology at Emory School of
Aaron Weiss, left, and Eunice Goetz will be helping treat urologic conditions at Emory Johns Creek.
18 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com
CALENDAR 870 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: roswellgov.com
ALPHARETTA GREETINGS FRIEND YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE IS REQUIREDWhen retired schoolteacher Rhonda Charles opens an email in her spam folder, the journey of a lifetime begins. This is the world premiere comedy from Atlanta playwright Topher Payne. Shows will take place Jan. 5-Jan. 22, times vary, at the Georgia Ensemble Theatre. The theatre is located at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center on 950 Forrest St. in Roswell. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at get.org. Looking to get the word out about your event? Submit it to our online calendar at NorthFulton. com/Calendar.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS: CHRISTMAS AT SMITH PLANTATION HOME
What: Enjoy images of Christmas, including reminders of traditions from years-gone-by. Decorations are set up in all 10 rooms, plus an outdoor cook house and exteriors. When: Through Jan. 2, 2017 Where: Smith Plantation House, 935 Alpharetta St., Roswell More info: visitroswellga.com/ christmas-2016
CHRISTMAS AT THE ROSWELL VISITORS CENTER
What: Santa is holding court as the Visitors Center salutes the North Pole with an old-fashioned tree featuring bubble lights, tinsel, icicles and many vintage Santas from days gone by. Stop by for a family photo. When: Through Dec. 31, times vary Where: Roswell Visitors Center, 617 Atlanta St., Roswell More info: visitroswellga.com/ christmas-2016
SANTA’S VILLAGE LIGHT DISPLAY
What: Come see this holiday light display made up of about 14000 lights, including several additional displays and an animated singing Santa Band. Train rides are available. When: Through Dec. 31, 6-9 p.m. Where: 405 Waverly Hall Drive, Roswell More info: bit.ly/2fKmTbB
AVALON ON ICE
What: Ice skate on the Rockefeller Center-sized ice skating rink in the plaza. Watch for theme nights and enjoy warm, tasty treats rink side. Enjoy special events throughout the season and sign up for ice skating lessons. When: Through Jan. 22, 2017, times vary Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta
Cost: general admission starts at $18 More info: experienceavalon.com
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING: JOHNS CREEK
What: Recycle trees, fluorescent bulbs, fats, oils and grease for free. Remove any electric lights, tinsel, ornaments or other decorations. Mulch will be available for free upon request. When: Saturday, Jan. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: The Home Depot parking lot, 5950 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov
MILTON
What: Milton Grows Green, with Casey Tree Experts and the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, are hosting a Christmas tree recycling event. Or, for a $15 fee, Boy Scout Troop 841 will pick up your tree. When: Dec. 26-Jan. 7 Where: Scottsdale Farms, Milton High School and Home Depot, Milton More info: facebook.com/ events/1826737317602568
FORSYTH COUNTY
What: Keep Forsyth County Beautiful invites residents to recycle their Christmas trees during the annual ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ event. Wood chips from recycled trees are available first-come, first served. When: Dec. 26-Jan. 7 Where: Six locations across Forsyth County More info: keepforsythcountybeautiful. com
ROSWELL
What: Residents dropping off trees to recycle can also get free seed packets, while supplies last. The trees will be chipped into mulch, which will be available at no charge. When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: The Home Depot parking lot,
What: Drop off a Christmas tree to recycle and get free garden seeds in exchange, while supplies last. Free mulch is also available with a filled out request form, available online. When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: The Home Depot parking lot, 5300 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta More info and request form: alpharetta. ga.us
MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: SYNERGY
What: Thirteen artists from the Brushwork Society of Atlanta will present their artwork in the 2016 exhibition. Enjoy a variety of paintings, including landscape, still life and figurative work. All are for sale. When: Through Dec. 30 Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: thebrushworksociety.com
registration is required. When: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta More info and registration: johncreekarts.org or 770-623-8448
EVENING ESL CLASS
What: Sharpen your English as a Second Language skills with this free class. Join your peers in conversational English. All levels are welcome and no registration is required. When: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: 770-640-3075
BEGINNER DAHN YOGA
What: Join for a free introduction to Dahn Yoga, with a combination of stretching, breathing and meditation. Classes are limited to first 25 participants. Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose clothes. When: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org
DECKER BABCOCK
What: See a live performance of jazz trombonist Decker Babcock for one show only. Babcock has taught at multiple colleges, has performed with artists like Lady Gaga and has played for several commercials. When: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7:30 p.m. Where: The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta Cost: $10 More info and tickets: thevelvetnote. com
HOLIDAY SHOW
What: Get into the holiday spirit with great local artwork at this annual Holiday Show. View works in a variety of mediums, including acrylic, oil, watercolor, clay and more. When: Through Jan. 13, times vary Where: Roswell Visual Arts Center, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: roswellgov.com
SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: GEORGE GRAY
What: Come see the works of lifetime artist and Johns Creek resident George Gray. Gray has spent over 40 years of photo retouching by hand. When: Jan. 2-30, times vary Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: behance.net/georgegray
LIBRARY EVENTS: SMALL, SMALL WORLD
What: Children ages 2-4 can take a sensory journey to learn about children around the world through music, movement art and literatures. The program is free, but advanced
OCEE YOUTH CHESS CLUB
What: Children ages 5-13 can join this free chess club to learn strategies and game variations, and possibly participate in a tournament. When: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta More info: 770-360-8897 or afpls.org
DROUGHT INFORMATION MEETING
What: The Department of Public Works will hold an informational meeting with the public to explain and answer any questions about what is and is not allowed in a Level II drought. When: Thursday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-noon Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info: 404-612-7400 or jennifer. mclaurin@fultoncountyga.gov
ZUMBA
What: Zumba instructor Nicole Gordon will be offering a free class. Program is limited to first 25 participants. Wear comfortable clothes. When: Thursday, Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-noon Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: 770-640-3075 or afpls.org
PET ADOPTIONS:
CALENDAR
ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | December 29, 2016 | 19
FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185
FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958
OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE: GILLIAN WELCH
What: See singer-songwriter Gillian Welch live with guitarist David Rawlings in a show featuring a combination of Appalachian, bluegrass and Americana music. When: Thursday, Dec. 29, 7-8 p.m. Where: Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta Cost: $34 in advance, $37 day of the show More info and tickets: varietyplayhouse.com
FESTIVAL OF THE SEASON
What: Get ready to experience an underwater winter wonderland at Georgia Aquarium’s Festival of the SEAson, including family favorites like Wake Up Santa, Scuba Claus and the Holidazzle light show. When: Through Jan. 1, times vary Where: Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $30 More info and tickets: georgiaaquarium.org
DANCING WITH THE STARS LIVE
What: See a live performance of ABC’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” showcasing every type of ballroom and modern dance. When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Where: The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $60 More info and tickets: foxtheatre.org
2017 PEACH DROP
What: Ring in the New Year with the 2017 Peach Drop. The celebration will include family-fun entertainment, food, street performers and more. Ne-Yo will headline the event. When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Where: Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. SW, Atlanta More info: peachdrop.com
Get outside Georgia:
Gearing up for Delayed Harvest trout Last week’s volunteer-assisted “bucket brigade” stocking of the Chattahoochee Delayed Harvest (DH) water at the Whitewater access was by all accounts a great success! I’d hoped STEVE HUDSON to get out there and Get Outside Georgia, Chattahoochee Media Group fish some in the days that followed, but I confess: I stayed home and had fun with the grandkids instead. It takes a lot to supersede anything fishing related, but one thing that’ll do it every time is grandkids! Anyway, while I was playing with electric trains and toy pots and pans, quite a few volunteers were putting trout into the river -- a job well done. It means that there are now plenty of eager trout. I hear that other stocking efforts put fish into other parts of the Hooch DH water as well as in Georgia’s other Delayed Harvest streams too. That just might make for some great holiday fishing these next couple of weeks on just about any of our Delayed Harvest streams. But here’s the big question: what does it take, gear- and lure-wise, to catch some of those trout? Delayed Harvest fishing, you’ll recall from last week’s column, is catch-andrelease fishing (either fly fishing or spin fishing) with artificial single-hook lures. Hereabouts, the closest DH water is that section of the Chattahoochee starting at the mouth of Sope Creek (above Cochran Shoals) and extending downstream to the US 41 bridge. If you’re spin fishing (and that’s a great way to introduce young anglers to the sport) try a light to medium light action rod with 4- or 6-lb. test line. For lures, use in-line spinners such as Roostertails or Mepps spinners in bright, flashy colors. You can also do well with a simple white lead-headed jig fitted with a white or yellow curly-tail
grubtail about two inches long. Cast across the current, allow the lure to sink for a second or so, and then reel it back to you. If fish are present in the water you’re fishing, that may well be all it takes. When spin fishing on waters which have been designated as Delayed Harvest waters, remember that only single-hook lures are permitted. It’s possible to purchase single-hook in-line spinning lures at many fishing shops; however, if all you have is lures with a treble hook, you’ll need to either remove the treble and replace it with a single hook or use your heavy-duty wire cutters to cut off two of the treble’s three hooks. Don’t forget! For fly fishing, the rod of choice on the Chattahoochee DH water is usually an 8- to 9-foot, 4- to 6-weight rod. I use a 9-foot 6-weight, and it provides plenty of versatility to let me fish a variety of flies, even if it’s windy. What about the flies themselves? Most DH trout will be caught on subsurface flies. One good bet is to try egg imitations (favorites are Pink Sucker Spawn or orange and yellow Y2Ks in size 12 or 14) fished with enough weight to get ‘em down deep. San Juan Worms in red or chartreuse (size 12 or 14) also work well. Also try small (size 14 or 16) subsurface insect imitations such as Pheasant Tails or Soft-Hackle Emergers, again with enough weight. Very small “midge” emergers (flies such as the Zebra Midge or the Blue Assassin) in sizes 18 or 20 can also work well during this part of the season. They’re tiny (in fact, I find myself wondering how the fish even see ‘em!) but the can be very effective. Another favorite of many DH fly fishers is some sort of minnow imitation. For DH trout, I like size 8 versions of the Rolex, beadhead Woolly Buggers (maybe even in oddball colors such as pink!), and a fly called the Hudson Streamer. These should be cast across the current, allowed to sink for a few seconds, and then retrieved on a tight line using 6- to 12-inch strips. The idea
is to imitate a minnow, and such a retrieve style animates the fly and makes it swim. Remember to hold your rod tip low and close to the water, since that helps you keep a “tight line” between you and the fly and will help you hook more fish. One challenge that you’ll encounter on Delayed Harvest waters (and not just on the Chattahoochee but on Georgia’s other DH streams as well) is what I call the “DH Conundrum.” A conundrum is defined as a challenging question of some sort, and on DH water that question is, “Do I target freshly-stocked fish (like the ones stocked last week) or more experienced fish (like the ones that were stocked a month or so ago)? Why the difference? Well, the fresh stockers will be more likely to hit egg imitations and very flashy streamers or spinners, while the more experienced fish may favor more natural or more subdued looking flies. You can have both classes of fish in any given stretch of the river, so the well-prepared DH angler will carry a variety of flies or lures and will be willing to swap ‘em out to find the one that works on those fish on that particular day. But figuring it out is part of the fun! The kids and grandkids are here for a little while yet, so for the next few days I’ll be spending more time sitting on the floor and playing with the trains. But in a few more days I’ll be back on the water. If you see me fishing at Paces Mill or at Whitewater on the Chattahoochee, be sure to say hello! Learn more about Delayed Harvest trout fishing, and find detailed profiles of each of Georgia’s Delayed Harvest streams, in Steve Hudson’s book GEORGIA DELAYED HARVEST TROUT GUIDE.. It’s available from local outfitters, on Amazon, or direct from the author at chattahoocheemedia.com.
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Commissioners recognize planning commission Chairman Jayne Iglesias FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — At their Dec. 15 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners presented a resolution of recognition to Jayne Iglesias for her dedicated service as a member of the Planning Commission of Forsyth County. Iglesias has served on the Planning Commission since April 9, 2013, and currently serves as chairman.
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Sugar Mill Tennis named Junior Academy of the Year Na’im Azhar built program three years ago By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek’s Silvia Tennis Academy, located in Sugar Mill, has been named the Junior Academy of the Year by the Georgia Professional Tennis Association. The program, begun just three years ago and, headed by Na’im Aazhar, has become one of the most prolific and proficient academies in the state for junior players. Beginning with just 14 players, the program has expanded to over 80 players, five of whom are ranked in the top 150 in the South as well as one player who is ranked in the top 100 nationally. Coach Azhar, 25, is a graduate of Cumberland University with a degree in exercise science. Azhar represented the United States twice in the Davis Cup, dubbed the World Cup of tennis. Azhar began playing tennis at the age of 14 and considers it to be the most important decision he ever made. He joined Sugar Mill in Jan. 2015, starting with just two players. Since then, his “high performance” program has continued to grow. With its success, the academy has drawn players from many areas of the Southeast. “We take the title of coach very seriously and know our role, whether it be a mentor, a trainer or a coach,” said Azhar. “Building the kids, and the time spent on court, was and continues to be the most rewarding [aspect] as we plan to continue growth both in quantity, and more importantly, quality. We are huge believers in personal development and in instilling a successful frame of mind for the kids’ success throughout their athletic careers, professional careers and personal endeavors.” “Tennis has given me an education,
DEATH NOTICES Donald Michael Blanck, 89, of Cumming, passed away December 19, 2016. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Thomas Bower, of Roswell, passed away December 19, 2016. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Azhar and STA coaches over 80 junior players, five of which are ranked in the top 150 in the south. the tools for success, the chance to travel the world and so much more,” said Azhar. “Tennis can truly change lives, and the possibility of playing a role in another individual’s journey through life on and off the court is what motivates me to give 100 percent each and every day. Whether creating a world-class player or a world-class citizen, promoting health or providing the therapeutic edge needed to survive life’s tough moments, tennis is a lifetime sport that provides countless benefits.”
Gene Burgess, of Cumming, passed away December 19, 2016. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Frances Dishroom, 84, of Cumming, passed away December 17, 2016. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Anita Vivian Guffin, 66, of Alpharetta, passed away December 19, 2016. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Silvia Tennis Academy’s Na’im Azhar began the Silvia Tennis Academy three years ago. The program was named the top junior tennis academy in the state.
Eljoria Aline Hudson, of Cumming, passed away December 13, 2016. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Li Jun Li, 82, of Alpharetta, passed away December 16, 2016. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.
Bill Jarmon, 71, of Cumming, passed away December 15, 2016. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Cary Mustaki, 73, of Cumming, passed away December 16, 2016. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Ada Jeffery, of Milton, passed away December 14, 2016. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors.
Doris Ann Palmer, 72, of Cumming, passed away December 15, 2016. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Edgar E. Ward, Jr., 96, of Roswell, passed away December 18, 2016. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.
22 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | forsythherald.com
ONLINE INCLUDED
» Hiring? Pay once & we’ll run your ad until your position is filled.* » Selling Something? Pay once and we’ll run your item until it’s sold!*
*Some Restrictions
Call today to place your ad • 770-442-3278 • classifieds@appenmediagroup.com • FAX: 770-475-1216 •
Help Wanted Full-time
Now Hiring: Advertising Sales Executive Job Description & Duties: Appen Media Group is hiring sales executives for the marketing and advertising department. Primary responsibilities will be managing a book of existing business by consulting on and selling advertising campaigns, and growing the existing book of business through cold calling and networking. Qualifications: Must be ambitious, hard working, good with people, and goal oriented. Previous sales experience preferred, but not required. Compensation: Base salary of $18,200/ year with aggressive monthly commission. Full medical benefits, matching 401k and PTO.
four weekly newspapers in the north Fulton and south Forsyth markets totaling 75,000 in circulation per week. In addition to its weekly coverage, AMG also publishes the monthly womens magazine, Northside Woman, as well as quarterly community guides, called Answer Books. Digitally, AMG has a vast online presences through various social media platforms and through its operation of northfulton.com and northsidewoman.com. Email a resume and cover letter to: christina@appenmediagroup.com and CC hans@appenmediagroup.com.
About Appen Media Group: Appen Media Group is a multimedia news company with a focus on print newspapers. AMG publishes
Full-time
Part-time
Part-time
Client Scheduler
ADMIN ASSISTANT/ ACCOUNTING: Computer input, bank recs, time and billing, receptionist, P/R tax-S/T return prep, binding/compiling tax returns, F/S for mailing. MondayFriday, 9am-3pm. Fax: 678-957-1370
PET SITTER/DOG WALKER FT/PT. Must have flexible schedule. www.happytailscare. com
for premier homecare agency in Alpharetta. Must have excellent communication skills and enjoy working with elderly. CNA or LPN certification desired. Prior homecare or scheduling experience a plus. Call 678-230-5971 PRESCHOOL TEACHER openings available for a NAEYC accredited Alpharetta Private School. Full (9:006:00) and part time (2:30-6:30). Send your resume to resumes@ mcginniswoods.org
PICTURE FRAME SHOP Needed immediately; part-time work in a picture frame shop. Experience preferred but will train. Salary based on experience. About 30 hr per week. Start now. Call Buddy at 678-296-2829 for an appointment.
ROSWELL CPA FIRM: Seasonal & permanent. Tax or QuickBooks experience preferred. Send resume to: P.O. Box 800053, Roswell, GA 30075
FRAME YOUR AD Do you want your ad to stand out? Ask your classified sales rep how you can enhance your in-column line ad with a
BORDER.
Appen Media Group 770-442-3278
Animals Horses
PONIES
7 fabulous, loving, well-mannered ponies! 10 hands to 14.2. They ride English & Western. . $1000 & up. 770-663-7565
Bargains Building Supplies VELUX SKYLIGHTS, used. (Eight, 21”x44”, two miscellaneous sizes). $475/all. 770-992-6848 leave message
Fill your position today! Call 770-442-3278 to advertise
Building Supplies
Furniture
DRIVEWAY GATES; two, 10’ wide total, wrought iron. $800 both/obo. 678-492-2300
DINING ROOM table, chairs: Thomasville Queen Anne; excellent condition! $650. 404-310-5541
Cemetery
BEDROOM SET: Single headboard, night-stand, chest, desk with hutch and chair $200. 770-889-8209
GREENLAWN ROSWELL Fountain-B Section. 4 plots. Fair market value $5000/each. Asking $4000/each OBO. C. Palmer 615-764-6170 GREENLAWNROSWELL Garden of Peace, Lot 36-B, Space 2, Included: 1 cremation vault, 1 memorial plaque 16”x20” engraved, 2 openings, 2nd vault needed for 2nd opening. Greenlawn will show location and handle deed transfer. $2,778 (Exact price paid in 19098, current retail $8,800). 770-605-7747 GREENLAWN Five privately-owned side-by-side; exclusive, very serene Lakeside surrounded by mature pine trees, overlooking beautiful lake. Greenlawn will show location and handle deed transfers. $1500/ lot includes private granite memorial bench directly in front of lots. Sidney 504-454-3168 or senglander10@ gmail.com
Furniture BAR STOOLS, swivel seats & backs. Two 24”, one 29”, all wood construction; great condition! $20 each. 770-888-2790
BARSTOOLS 30” cherry 404-889-3233
(3) $300.
SOFA: Light green. Excellent condition! Pictures on request. $450. 770-889-8209 CHILDRENS’ TABLE, cherry Delta $90. 404-889-3233 DINING ROOM TABLE, glass top, cherry inlay, 6 covered roll-back chairs $800. 404-889-3233 ROLLAWAY BED; Folding, single. Used once. Mint! Plus single-sheet set. $150. Originally $208. $45 extra for single bed quilt. 770-343-8075 CHERRY HUNT TABLE with mirror, $700. 404-889-3233 SWIVEL ROCKER RECLINER, LazyBoy: Beige. New! $850. Retail $1099. 678-957-8335
Medical Equipment
Musical Instruments
P O W E R WHEELCHAIR: Invacare Pronto M-91. New batteries. Like new! $1250. 404-396-7807
PIANO: Kimball Upright with bench, in excellent condition! Completely refurbished and tuned. $100. 770-861-7537
Miscellaneous
Recreation
JOHN DEERE KIDS’ GROUNDLOADER $150. 404-889-3233
SKIS, BOOTS, POLES, womens’ and mens’ 7/1/2 and 9-1/2. $400. 404-889-3233
DUNE RACER (kids) $150. 404-889-3233 LITTLE TYKES COUPE and Fire Engine, both for kids $70. 404-889-3233 MENS’ DANCE SHOES: Black, size 10. $40 firm. 770-241-3273 POLARIS 4-Wheeler 404-889-3233
Kids’ $150.
JOHN DEERE GATOR for kids $200. 404-889-3233 YAMAHA 4-WHEELER 404-889-3233
kids’ $150.
STROLLERS 404-889-3233
$40.
Musical Instruments
Household
PIANO, Baby Grand: Elegant case, matching bench; warm, rich tone. Sacrifice $1650 obo. 678-445-3654
F R I G I D A I R E FREEZER $125. 404889-3233
PIANO, BG, Yamaha. Elegant, walnut, with bench. $1850 obo. 404-455-8845
SEWING MACHINE, Graybar with case $200/firm. 770-241-3273
PIANO: Henry F. Miller Upright, matching bench $500/firm. 770-552-4034
GOLF CLUBS: Ladies’ complete set, Lynx irons, graphite woods, ball retriever, wood covers, new bag $275. 770-740-9757
Wanted to Buy RECORDS: LP’s. Pay cash, rock & Roll. Mojo Vinyl, Roswell 678-534-5043 Vintage Barbie and Friends, Ginny, Madame Alexander, and other dolls, clothing and accessories. (Local). Cell 214-883-8215
Entertainment & Event Services Weddings Tianna’s Place Creating impeccable memories, one event at a time. Full-service, special event-planning. Focusing on corporate and celebratory events. w w w. t i a n n a s p l a c e . com. 678-879-5253/ 404-903-2441
BOLD TYPE
will really make your ad stand out. 770-442-3278
BUY IT! SELL IT! FIND IT! IT’S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS! TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL 770-442-3278
® HANDYMAN REMODELING
678-455-2434
www.HandyHero.net
24 | December 29, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com
Now Enrolling Private Pre-K and Private Kindergarten
Life is a daily adventure when you are a child, and the Kids ‘R’ Kids curriculum provides plenty of opportunities for your child to explore and grow. Come in to see the Kids ‘R’ Kids difference! • Now enrolling children ages 6 weeks to 12 years • Healthy snacks and hot lunches, including a vegetarian option • Internet monitoring is available • Smart Board technology • SACS CASI accredited program • Curriculum coordinator onsite daily • Degreed, experienced teachers • Transportation provided to and from local schools We offer a fun, safe environment for your child to learn and excel.
3036 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, GA 30041
(678) 648-3175 www.krk52.com