FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners are targeting an operating loophole that allowed a former county manager to send lobbyists to Washington D.C. to seek guidance on how federal COVID-19 funding could be spent.
The current policy allows the county manager to add items to a commission meetings’ consent agenda, which is normally approved as a block of measures with no discussion. Usually, items on the consent agenda have already been discussed and unanimously agreed upon in commission work sessions.
The Board of Commissioners discussed the potential rule change at a Feb. 25 work session during a presentation about the County Administration Campus. Under construction since March 2024, the $114-million campus is about 2 miles northeast of Cumming on Freedom Parkway.
Commissioners said former County Manager Kevin Tanner added an item to the Sept. 2, 2021, regular meeting agenda to send lobbying firm McGuireWoods to Washington. The firm, which was paid through the county manager’s discretionary fund, was to determine how the county could spend $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
In total, the county paid $38,000 to McGuireWoods.
County Commissioner Laura Semanson said the McGuireWoods item was placed on the agenda “without our knowledge.”
Fellow Commissioner Todd Levent said new items should be identified at the start of meetings.
The $114-million County Administration Campus now under construction is expected to be completed in
The campus on Freedom Parkway lies outside the Cumming city limits. County officials said the building will provide offices for 17 departments and serve as a one-stop location for services.
“We need to change that rule,” Levent said.
Tanner resigned as county manager in 2022 to head the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Responding to the accusations March 3, Tanner said that he had followed the
Board of Commissioners’ policy.
At the beginning of every meeting, commissioners review and vote to approve the agenda. They also may decide to add or remove any items.
“Every item on the agenda was properly presented, voted upon and approved in accordance with Forsyth County’s
policies and procedures,” he said.
A whole health building, which would have housed a mental health center to provide a host of services, was to be located at the County Administration Campus on Freedom Parkway.
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Deputies arrest driver on felony drug charge
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 61-year-old Flowery Branch man was arrested after deputies found what is alleged to be a methamphetamine pipe in his vehicle Feb. 20.
Deputies stopped a van on Market Place Boulevard at Buford Dam Road because no registration was displayed, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report. The man was driving the vehicle.
While speaking to the man, deputies noted he was randomly laughing, fumbling his belongings and getting hung up on words. He had poor dental hygiene and sunken cheeks.
Continued use of methamphetamine often results in severe tooth decay.
The man also said he had been arrested about a year ago on a methamphetamine possession charge.
The man declined a search of his vehicle, but a K-9 was called to sniff the exterior.
The K-9 gave a positive alert for the presence of drugs, which provided probable cause for a more extensive search.
A search revealed a clear glass pipe with burn marks and residue. A field test indicated traces of methamphetamine.
The man was arrested on a felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor expired or no license plate or decal charges.
— Jon Wilcox
Sugar Hill man cited for cocaine possession
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 31-year-old Sugar Hill man was arrested after deputies discovered what they allege to be cocaine during a traffic stop Feb. 23.
Deputies stopped a vehicle on Buford Dam Road near Lower Pool Road about 8
p.m. after the vehicle drove in the wrong lane, according to a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office report.
A 24-year-old Dacula woman who was driving said she had consumed marijuana and alcohol earlier. A driving under the influence investigation determined the woman was unsafe to drive, and she was arrested.
A search of the vehicle found an empty bottle of vodka on the front passenger floorboard. The search also found a clear plastic bag containing cocaine between the front passenger seat and center console.
The Dacula man was sitting in the front passenger seat. Deputies observed the man’s eyes were dilated, indicating he may have used a stimulant.
The man denied using drugs, but the woman said she suspected he used cocaine. She also concluded the bag was his.
Deputies arrested the man on a felony possession of cocaine charge.
— Jon Wilcox
Shop finds its own items up for sale on Instagram
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police investigated a reported theft of sports trading cards valued at more than $1,000 on Feb. 14.
Officers were dispatched to a Windward Parkway store on the report of the theft, according to an Alpharetta Police report.
The shop’s owner told police an employee had noticed several of their trading cards had been posted on a competitor’s Instagram account. Staff identified the cards by familiarity, serial numbers and unique identifiers.
The cards were missing from a display wall at the store.
The owner reviewed security camera footage and noticed a man shoplifting several cards from the display. The suspect was wearing a blue long-sleeve Nike shirt, white basketball shorts and sneakers.
The suspect allegedly stole about 15-20 cards, placing them in a white box he had brought with him.
The cards were valued at a total of $1,660.
The incident was classified as a felony theft by shoplifting over $500.
— Jon Wilcox
Narcotics unit tracks man picking up drug shipment
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 46-year-old man Feb. 7 for trafficking illegal drugs after catching him receiving a 20-pound shipment of marijuana from Josephine County, Oregon.
A Roswell Police narcotics detective said a sergeant with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office contacted him Jan. 31 about a large shipment of marijuana headed to an address in Roswell.
The detective said he contacted a local United States Postal Service security team, which held the package at its Old Ellis Road facility when it arrived Feb. 7.
The narcotics unit reported the box had been damaged, and marijuana was visible. The contents were later confirmed by a Sandy Springs K9 unit.
After securing a search warrant, officers documented the contents and repackaged them to be delivered to the intended address for an undercover operation.
A detective, dressed up as a USPS delivery driver, placed the box on the front porch of a vacant residence along Park Avenue while plain clothes officers conducted surveillance.
Eventually, a man driving white Jeep drove past the residence slowly after circling the area for some time. The detective said the driver parked in a garage one street over and approached the home.
After the man grabbed the box, authorities detained him as he was approaching his vehicle.
The detective said the man was identified with his Delaware driver’s license.
During a search of the man’s Roswell residence, officers said they found eight pistols and one rifle, which were “clean” and properly stored.
In the man’s Jeep, the detective said they found a Glock pistol and two THC vape pens.
Police transported the man to the North Fulton County Jail on an arrest warrant for drug trafficking.
Jail records show the man was released Feb. 9 on a $4,000 surety bond.
— Hayden Sumlin
Coalition gathers local data to study youth substance abuse
By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek substanceabuse group is exploring two programs its members hope will change state law to better protect young people.
At their Feb. 26 meeting, One Johns Creek community coalition staff said the two projects will focus on capturing, analyzing and reporting data related to the sale and marketing of alcohol.
The coalition surveyed businesses in North Metro Atlanta to take stock of alcoholic beverages they say are marketed toward young people. The group also plans to collaborate with Technology Association of Georgia data scientists to analyze data from online food and drink delivery services to determine whether minors are using them to obtain alcohol.
Alyse Hensel, program director for One Johns Creek, said the two projects represent an opportunity for the organization and its parent nonprofit Pathways2Life in their mission to prevent substance abuse among young people.
“The more data we get, the better picture we get,” said Hensel, a Johns Creek resident of 30 years.
One Johns Creek partnered with community volunteers to survey businesses that sell alcohol. The coalition kept a special eye out for beverages that feature high-alcohol content and fruity flavors in large bottles and cans they say are especially attractive to teens.
“I don't think people understand what's available
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Alyse Hensel, One Johns Creek program director, discusses a survey examining how alcohol is sold at local businesses during a Feb. 26 meeting at Johns Creek City Hall.
here and how easily accessible it is by our youth,” Hensel said.
They sought to survey at least 200 businesses that sell alcohol.
The surveys examine how beverages are advertised at businesses, product inventory, promotions and pricing.
The coalition hopes the data will give area adults and younths the knowledge they need to understand the risks in their community. Although education is the coalition’s primary goal, it also hopes the information may fuel changes in law.
“Data drives activity and action, and so what we hope to do over time is actually change state laws around some of these really, really dangerous products,” Hensel said.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol remains the common substance abused by those under 21.
About 4,000 underage Americans die each year of excessive alcohol consumption.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, adults 26 and older are 3.6 times more likely to suffer from alcohol abuse disorder if they began drinking before age 15.
By analyzing data on alcohol deliveries through third-party apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash, One Johns Creek hopes to change state law.
Currently, drivers for the apps services can deliver alcohol to recipients who present ID showing they are 21 or older. Drivers must be 21 or older, pass a criminal background check and pass a training course.
But Hensel says she wonders how often drivers who work through the apps are delivering to minors. She said a better option might be for deliveries to be completed by employees of liquor stores and other alcohol-selling businesses.
“There’s a lack of accountability,” Hensel said.
4 | Forsyth Herald | March 6, 2025
Longtime senior living provider calls for continued local support
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — To celebrate six decades as one of Metro Atlanta’s leading providers of affordable housing for seniors, Campbell-Stone held a grand reveal Jan. 16 for its renovated Buckhead campus.
The nonprofit, which calls itself an affordable living community with heart, serves nearly 600 residents across two facilities in Buckhead and Sandy Springs.
Affordability isn’t Campbell-Stone’s only priority, the nonprofit has used decades of community support to provide high-quality, safe and caring community for seniors.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock contributed remarks for the 60th anniversary ceremony, while the Fulton County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Jan. 16 “CampbellStone Senior Living Appreciation Day.”
Dickens, who has made housing a priority in his first term, said Campbell-Stone is a trusted partner for legacy residents that enhances their quality of life.
The celebration, including a tour of its newly renovated lobby and bistro at its Buckhead campus, centered around Campbell-Stone’s dedication to the well-being of aging adults and its role as a champion for subsidized senior living in Metro Atlanta.
Fulton County commissioners Dana Barrett and Bob Ellis joined state Sens. Josh McLaurin and Jason Esteves to celebrate the nonprofit’s impact since 1964. Its other facility is just outside of I-285 off Carpenter Drive in Sandy Springs.
At Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs, the nonprofit has a dedicated floor of licensed professional care with staff available 24/7 to work with patients and their families on a plan tailored to their needs. Its Sandy Springs operation provides seniors with the option to “age in place,” allowing residents to start in residential living and then transition to personal care if necessary.
Campbell-Stone CEO Maria Manahan said the nonprofit is proud of the progress it has made over the past 60 years, but the work is far from over.
satisfy the admission criteria for Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs.
Some residents, detailing their experiences at both facilities online, compare the apartment community to being on a cruise ship surrounded by friends and fun.
The Sandy Springs facility has 197 residential apartments, including 22 for licensed personal care. The facility off Pharr Court South in Buckhead has 342 apartments.
“Providing senior housing is more critical than ever, and our mission is to ensure that all seniors in Atlanta not only have a place to live, but a place to thrive,” Manahan said. “We are excited about the future and the ongoing impact we can make in our community.”
While the Christian Church in Georgia sponsors Campbell-Stone entities, housing and services are offered to all.
An applicant for occupancy must be at least 62 years old or qualify as mobility-impaired. Applicants also must meet the eligibility requirements of the Section 8 rental assistance program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and
HUD subsidizes fees for qualified residents, making the personal care facilities among the few in Georgia with rental assistance.
Housing affordability has become a national issue in the United States. According to a 2023 report from Harvard University, fewer than 15 percent of single adults aged 75 or older can afford both the costs of housing and long-term care services, such as inhome medical care, household support or assisted living facilities.
See
Page 5
CAMPBELL-STONE/PROVIDED State legislators and county commissioners join Campbell-Stone CEO Maria Manahan, front left, for the nonprofit’s 60th anniversary celebration Jan. 16. With facilities in Sandy Springs and Buckhead, Campbell-Stone specializes in affordable communities for nearly 600 seniors.
CAMPBELL,
New novel-turned-miniseries lights up March author events
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
“Will Trent” fans take note: Emily Carpenter is poised to become the next Atlanta-area author to have a novel adapted for television.
“Gothictown,” the Roswell resident’s 10th title, was simultaneously optioned for both print and production two years before the book’s March release.
“It was a whirlwind for sure and not what I had ever experienced,” said Carpenter, who will be co-producing the miniseries. While an executive producer/ showrunner has also been named, a script, cast and locations have not.
“Apparently, TV moves even slower than publishing does,” joked Carpenter, who will share more at her free “Gothictown” launch party in Roswell March 25.
PROVIDED
Bestselling author Emily Carpenter is launching her latest suspense novel, “Gothictown,” which has been optioned for television.
Here are the details, along with other March events
Saturday, March 8, Kimberly Brock . Friends of the Sandy Springs Library and Bookmiser will host Brock recounting her latest novel, “The Fabled Earth.” 2 p.m. Free. Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway Northeast, Atlanta. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/events.html
Tuesday, March 11, Colleen Oakley launching “Jane and Dan at the End of the World.” 12.30 p.m. Free. Bookmiser, 3822 Roswell Road, Marietta. 770-509-5611. bookmiser.net/ events.html
Thursday, March 13, Kimberly Belle . The USA Today and internationally bestselling author will recap her thriller, “The Paris Widow.” 6:30 p.m. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com
Wednesday, March 19, Daniel Stone author luncheon spotlighting “American Poison.” 11:30 a.m. $40, which includes lunch. Polo Golf and Country Club Clubhouse, 1300 Polo Fields Parkway, Cumming. Sponsored by Altrusa International of North Georgia with book sales by Read It Again Bookstore. ticketleap.events/ tickets/altrusangaevents/authors-luncheon-with-daniel-stone
Wednesday, March 19, Delilah Dawson detailing her latest novel, “It Will Only Hurt for a Moment.” Free. 7 p.m. Johns Creek Books, 6000 Medlock Bridge Road. 770696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com
Saturday, March 22, Atlanta SelfPublishing Conference for indie authors and anyone considering
self-publishing. Sponsored by the Atlanta Writers Club. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $139-$199. Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, 800 Spring St. NW, Atlanta. atlantaselfpublishingconference.com/ Saturday, March 22, Aimie Runyon discussing “The Wandering Season” with Grace Helena Walz. Free. 1 p.m. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-7975566. Poeandcompanybookstore. com
Tuesday, March 25, Emily Carpenter “Gothictown” launch party with sips, snacks, books and gifts. Free but a book purchase is appreciated, available through Bookmiser. 6 p.m. Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Room, 1055 Canton St., Unit 100, Roswell. RSVP to Emily@ emilycarpenterauthor.com
Wednesday, March 26, Colleen Oakley celebration hosted by Poe & Company Bookstore. 5:30 p.m. $40, which includes a copy of “Jane and Dan at the End of the World,” drinks and heavy appetizers. Brookfield Country Club, 100 Willow Run Road Roswell. 770797-5566. poeandcompanybookstore.com/all-events
Thursday, March 27, Emily Carpenter, “Gothictown.” 6:30 p.m. Free. Read It Again Bookstore, 3630 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 314, Suwanee. 770-232-9331. read-it-again.com
To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.
Campbell:
Continued from Page 4
As the population of older adults is increasing at historic rates, Campbell-Stone says it remains dedicated to ensuring that Metro Atlanta’s aging adults never have to chose between affordable housing and a safe, caring community.
During the Sandy Springs City Council’s annual retreat in early February, elected officials discussed high housing costs and the aging homeowners occupying homes with
limited downsizing options in the city. With a limited stock, consisting mostly of single-family residences, alternative or missing middle housing can alleviate pressures on existing and prospective homebuyers in Metro Atlanta.
Looking ahead, Campbell-Stone wants to grow its philanthropic support from individuals and the corporate community.
While HUD subsidies go a long way, the nonprofit says the surge in need for affordable senior communities intensifies its need for supplemental funding.
To learn more about CampbellStone, visit www.campbellstone.org.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs, an affordable-living senior facility just north of I-285, has residential apartments and licensed personal care. The nonprofit celebrated its 60th anniversary in January with remarks from local and state leaders.
A life-changer from a Sunday phone call
“I could live my whole life, without a phone call, the likes of what I got today.”
The late Texas troubadour, Jerry Jeff Walker, spoke to me on that late January morning when my world crumbled like a week-old muffin. The above lyric from “I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight” smacked me in an unexpected way that put me into a month-long funk that I’m pretty sure I’ve crawled out of.
Thanks to Vicki, the boys and lots of friends, some sense of normalcy has returned. I’m back, but not all the way back. Melancholy, profound sadness and a big dose of “why” bewilderment, sneaks in without warning, leaving me to deal with an adjustment I never wanted to, or thought I would have to deal with.
After attending 9 a.m. mass on that cold January morning, I was nestled in the Man Cave, all set to watch the Eagles and Commanders try to get to
the Super Bowl in New Orleans. An easy, relaxing day.
The phone rang and my sister-inlaw Suzanne was calling. Cheerily, I was chipper and gave her a “Hey, what are you up to?” That’s when the whole Sunday and many days since slammed me with a “Life is really short” message.
Suzanne was crying hysterically. Not good. She told me my 64-year-old brother Matt had died in his sleep in Idaho. Totally unexpected. Matt and I had spoken Friday afternoon. In retrospect, maybe Matt knew something wasn’t right.
He insisted on staying on the phone for nearly an hour and wanted to talk about everything. We talked about family, friends, politics, business. In a quintessential “if I knew then what I know now moment,” the hour-plus call should have gone past dinner. In retrospect, his wanting to talk so long has fortified my belief that he knew something wasn’t right.
Matt’s family was shattered and I spent Sunday fielding their calls. Then there were calls from friends in Bakersfield who wanted to know what had happened.
In simple terms, Matt took a snooze on the couch and never got up. Kenny Rogers sang “The best you can hope for is to die in your sleep” and that’s what Matt did. No suffering. No fuss. No muss.
Apparently, Matt’s heart was lessthan-robust. One artery was 100 percent blocked, another more than 80 percent blocked. I keep reasoning that he had to feel bad.
My little brother was a pillar of the Bakersfield community. Social media erupted with tributes and gratitude. There were more than 1,000 messages detailing all the good he had done while operating a successful livestock/ pet supply store.
As the tributes appeared on various message boards, I was profoundly proud at all the philanthropic deeds he had done. And in typical Matt fashion, the deeds were done without anything close to needing to take a bow.
He just did the right thing by a lot of people. Never wanted credit for the good he had done. That was just Matt.
My two younger brothers are no longer with us. I miss the laughs. It’s lousy being “brother-less.” Never in a million years did I think I’d be
the “last man standing.”
Friends and family have diligently been checking in, making sure I’m okay. The first few weeks were awful, filled with tearful recollections of regular phone calls. Good friend Klint Schahrer reached out and warmed my heart, saying “I’ve always considered myself your brother.” That one resulted in few more tears.
So, that’s where I’ve been for the past few weeks, not having the ability to sit down at the MacBook and write. Like the old bull rider, I needed to jump back on, and even though I’ve been thrown, I needed to ride until I got thrown again.
Through all this, even though Matt up and died without a proper goodbye, I had to be thankful for the last thing I said to him on that chilly Friday.
My last words to him: “I love you, Brother.” I meant it then and mean it now.
Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@ gmail.com.
MIKE TASOS Columnist
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County:
Continued from Page 1
Commissioners decided last summer to scrap plans for the building and redirect funds to infrastructure to return treated water from the Fowler Water Reclamation Facility to Lake Lanier. In the 3-2 vote, Levent and former Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills voted against the motion to redirect the funds.
Initial guidance from the federal government required American Rescue Plan Act funds to be spent on lost county revenue, pandemic economic response, mental health as it directly related to the pandemic, premium pay for essential workers and investment into water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.
The whole health building would have housed the County Health Department, a mental health center operated by Avita Community Partners and a sexual assault nurse examiner unit.
Forsyth County spent its American Rescue Plan Act funding on a variety of projects, including returning water to Lake Lanier, first responders and a vaccine clinic program, County Manager David McKee said.
McGuireWoods lobbyists determined the American Rescue Plan Act funds could be spent on the whole health building despite its tangential connec-
tion to the pandemic, McKee said.
“They believed that it could be tied to (mental health directly related to the pandemic), and that as long as we submitted our quarterly reports and the Department of Treasury didn’t object, then we should be in the clear,” McKee said.
Commission Chairman Alfred John said the possibility of tying the men-
tal health building tangentially to the requirements could have opened the door for other projects. He said staff had misrepresented that point in discussions years earlier.
“The question was asked in 2021, instead of the whole health building, was there any opportunity for infrastructure investment with that $30 million, (and) I was repeatedly told ‘no, no no.’ Why
would that happen?”
McKee said he was unable to answer why that had happened.
Commissioner Laura Semanson said the representation of how the funds could be spent was “a flat out lie.”
She also accused former Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills of “unilaterally deciding” and deceptively earmarking the money for the whole health building when the funds could have been spent on other projects.
“The ARPA money was completely misrepresented to the board,” she said.
Semanson and Commissioner Kerry Hill said although they understood the importance of mental health, they thought the project was flawed.
Hill and Semanson pointed to a requirement that would have the building operate as a state facility that might give no priority to county residents.
In an interview following the meeting, former Commissioner Mills said Semanson’s accusation was unfounded, arguing the board knew how the funds could be spent.
She also said Forsyth County still needs better mental health services, which are underserved in part because the whole health building was passed over.
“We need it desperately,” she said. “Anyone you talk to who deals with mental health have all shared the same sentiment. There is great need.”
Each line in the puzzle below has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
BASEBALL BITS
1. Eagle’s home. Base on balls. Destiny
2. Round-tripper, in brief. Chess piece. Nothing at all.
3. Short fly. Bee’s residence. It’s on the front of the house, usually
4. Music genre. Unfeeling. One way to get your uniform dirty.
5. Diva’s solo. Food fish. It’s on the sideline.
6. Chubby plus. Umpire’s call. Cowboy’s rope.
7. Margarita fruit. Poe’s bird. It could lead to an unearned run.
1 Eagle’s home. Base on balls. Destiny
2. Round-tripper, in brief. Chess piece. Nothing at all.
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Short fly. Bee’s residence. It’s on the front of the house, usually.
4. Music genre. Unfeeling. One way to get your uniform dirty
5. Diva’s solo. Food fish. It’s on the sideline
6. Chubby plus. Umpire’s call. Cowboy’s rope
7. Margarita fruit. Poe’s bird. It could lead to an unearned run
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OPINION
Revelations from Earth and beyond the heavens
PAT FOX Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com
I addressed my local school board in Dawson County last Tuesday. Turns out, I was the second person in two years to speak during the public comment portion of a school board meeting or work session. That doesn’t include public hearings about the budget, setting the tax rate or the new statewide homestead exemption. Those hearings were all advertised well in advance.
But, regular meetings? Why, I wondered, do so few residents talk at our school board meetings?
As it happens, our school district has a policy requiring anyone wishing to address the board during the public comment portion of a meeting to file a 24-hour notice. The notice must include your name and the topic you wish to discuss.
Problem is that the school district does not post the meeting agenda until around noon the day of the meeting. The agenda lists items the board will discuss that evening.
“As I understand it,” I told the School Board, “district policy requires patrons to submit a request to speak on a topic 16 hours before they can possibly know what they want to talk about.”
I recounted a couple of recent measures the board approved – one involving $5 million in expenditures – that the public did not know about until the day of the meeting. Even then, according to the policy, they wouldn’t have been allowed to comment.
To their credit, the board and superintendent tacitly agreed the setup was absurd. The superintendent immediately recognized the problem when I spoke to her before the meeting.
She told me it would be fixed.
One School Board member thanked me for bringing the issue to light. She said it’s simply the way things had always been done.
So often, government officials have no idea what it’s like to be on the outside, how difficult it is for the average Joe to be heard.
Space jumble
Late last year, astronomers at the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile detected a small asteroid moving away from Earth. Further observations calculated that the object is on a path that may bring it on a collision course with our planet on Dec. 22, 2032.
Latest studies estimate the asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4, is between 130 and 295 feet wide, and its chances of striking Earth are close to 2 percent.
Tracking the object will continue through May. After that, it won’t be visible again for another three years. This is a real deal.
Don’t confuse it with a similar sighting announcement Jan. 2 from the Minor Planet Center at the HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics at Cambridge, Mass. That object was tracked as having come within 150,000 miles of Earth. That’s closer than the moon.
But, within a day, the Planet Center deleted the warning when the object turned out to be a car – Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster launched in 2018. Yes, it’s still up there, with a dummy astronaut behind the wheel and roughly 4 million miles on its odometer. The tires are still good, though.
Suppose for a moment that as it approaches in 2032, the YR4 asteroid strikes the Tesla Roadster, diverting it just enough to miss Earth. Musk will again have saved the planet.
And, yes, I checked. The Roadster is equipped with airbags.
