Holcomb-Ga. 400 improvements on way
Roswell spending $2.2M to ease congestions at interchange ►►Page 10
Toxic Charity: Don’t hurt who you help Author says enabling dependency hurts community ►►Page 20
Students prepare Tanzania mission Young people take school supplies and more ►►Page 31
February 19, 2015 | johnscreekherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 19, No. 8
HATCHER HURD/Staff
Johns Creek residents take a close look at the proposed Central Business District and discuss their ideas for how and where a city gathering place should go. Using aerial maps of the 728-acre District, they discuss what they would like to see in it and where.
The journey begins: Residents look at shaping The District By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The process for developing a Downtown Central Business District – The District for short – began last week as a group of experts and consultants headed by Pittsburgh-based Urban Design Associates began to hold meetings with community focus groups to gather ideas and input about what such a district should contain.
Read why the city wants The District, Page 6 One of the biggest questions for most people is what will the 25-acre City Center be like and where will it be. The idea is to have an entertainment-shopping area that will serve both as a gathering place for residents and a place to
bring visitors. It would be “the face” of Johns Creek and that visual cue that would pop into a person’s mind when someone said “Johns Creek.” Urban Design also met with certain focus groups to get more specific ideas. They met with business owners within The District, the Johns Creek Arts and Culture Board and homeowner associations in those areas closest to The District, among others.
W. Thomas Lavash, an urban real estate consultant from WTL +a out of Washington, D.C., said it is his job to do the market analysis. “It’s my job to make the numbers work,” he said. “The market analysis is just the first piece of the puzzle. The second is economic feasibility. We look at property tax revenue, sales tax, new jobs and new companies coming to the city.” Ebix Corporate Vice President Darren Joseph said his
company, an international insurance and e-commerce software and services company, conducted a two-year search after outgrowing their space in Sandy Springs before deciding to come to Technology Park Johns Creek. Joseph said his company is interested in growing and increasing opportunities for expanding workforce opportunities in the city.
See DISTRICT, Page 4
public safety
2 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
4 arrested after ‘hit and run’
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Police Blotter 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.
They Tased him, bro ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A Stone Mountain man was arrested Feb. 1 at North Point Mall after allegedly leading police on a chase through the mall. Police were called to the Apple store after reports came in of a man attempting to buy a computer with a fake ID. When police arrived, they found Andrew Dean Forbes, 25, of Stone Mountain, on the phone with someone, acting nervous. When he saw the officers, Forbes allegedly said “I’m not going back there.” He ran out of the store and through the mall with police in pursuit. The officers cornered Forbes in the parking lot where he was Tased for refusing to drop to the ground. A search of Forbes’ clothing turned up several driver’s licenses, all with different names but his face, as well as several credit and debit cards, none having his name. Forbes was charged with forgery and obstruction.
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ALPHARETTA, Ga. – All four people involved in a traffic accident were arrested Jan. 28 for several reasons, including outstanding warrants, drug crimes and driving while unlicensed. Police were told by an 18-year-old driver that someone hit his car Jan. 27 and fled. The suspect car was described as a gray Ford Fusion. On Jan. 28, the victim reported to police he found the suspect car off Mansell Road. Police arrived and spoke with the occupants, a man and a woman. The driver, Robert Alexander Grogan, 22, of Fairburn, allegedly gave police a false name to identify himself. The passenger, Tiffany Marie Willoughby, 23, of Monroe, said she
MILTON, Ga. – A Milton man was arrested Feb. 7 after walking out on a $102 bar tab. The suspect walked into a local restaurant about 5 p.m. and opened a tab using a debit card. He proceeded to drink $102 worth of alcohol at the bar over the next three hours. He then
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left the bar, not paying for his drinks. When the bar tried to run the debit card, it was declined as invalid. Police managed to find the owner of the card through the bank and confirmed he was the suspect. He allegedly admitted to the theft, saying he knew he did not have enough to pay the bill, so he went to get cash from a nearby ATM only to find the machine was not working. So he went home. He was arrested for theft.
is an area the cleaning crew is not supposed to enter. Six laptops were reported missing, varying in value from $1,000 to $2,200 each. Another business next door in the same building also reported a theft of several iPads and uses the same cleaning company. Police contacted the cleaning company and were told the employee in question no longer works there.
Can you steal yourself a kitchen?
Employee suspected in $1,500 theft
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Someone stole kitchen appliances from a home for sale on Abbottbury Lane. The victim told police he had been away from the house since the beginning of December. When he checked on it Feb. 3, the garage was open and the door leading into the house was taken off its hinges. The refrigerator, cooking range and microwave were all missing from the home, with a total value of just over $3,700. There was no damage reported in the house.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – An employee is suspected of taking nearly $1,500 in gift cards from his employer between September 2014 and January 2015. Store staff told police they noticed irregularities in the store receipts during an audit. Someone would enter an item return and then place the monetary value on a gift card. This happened 10 times for a value of $1,477 and all occurred under one employee – Hadari Ahman Foster, 37, of Kennesaw. When questioned about the missing money, Foster allegedly admitted to the theft. He was arrested.
Cleaning company suspected in thefts
Possible thief ran away
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A local company is missing six expensive laptops, after a cleaning company employee may have made off with them. According to police, a security expert from a Sanctuary Park company explained video footage showed a janitor working for their cleaning company is seen entering a high value storage room several times Dec. 1, 2014. This
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MILTON, Ga. – A would-be thief was stopped Feb. 8 after police arrived at the scene. Officers received a call at about 10:30 p.m. about a suspicious vehicle on a construction site on Birmingham Highway. When police arrived, they found an abandoned U-Haul truck
See BLOTTER, Page 3
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was driving the car when the initial accident happened. She contended the accident happened several days prior and all parties agreed to handle the matter civilly, exchanging information. The initial victim admitted to lying about the hit and run. He was arrested for filing a false police report. A woman who accompanied him, Cindia Denis, 33, of Governors Circle, Alpharetta, was found to have an active warrant for her arrest. It turns out Grogan allegedly had heroin on him. He was arrested for possession of heroin and giving a false name to police. Willoughby was arrested for having an outstanding warrant for her arrest.
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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 ►► Kevin Tyler Sullens, 44, of
Providence Road, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 31 on Pine Grove Drive in Alpharetta for DUI and impeding traffic. ►► Anna Sprinkle Odum, 30, of Larkspur Court, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 29 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Thomas Jeffrey King, 43, of Winder was arrested Jan. 31 on Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI, open container, improper turn and failure to maintain lane. ►► Pavel Raznobriadsev, 58, of Amy Frances Lane, Johns Creek, was arrested Jan. 31 on Kimball Bridge Road in Johns Creek for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Russell Sullivan Harris, 39, was arrested Jan. 29 on Henderson Road in Milton for DUI and speeding. ►► William Jack Talbott, 25, was arrested Jan. 31 on Deerfield Parkway in Milton for DUI, failure to maintain lane, speeding and failure to obey a traffic control device.
Clary Lakes Drive, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 30 on McFarland Drive in Alpharetta for DUI, failure to maintain lane and open container. ►► Kari Sue Fitzpatrick, 45, of Caney Creek Lane, Cumming, was arrested Jan. 30 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane and open container. ►► Gavin G. Ralbag, 31, of Atlanta was arrested Jan. 30 on Buford Dam Road in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane and open container. ►► Patrick Ian Eggers, 22, of Havenridge Place, Cumming, was arrested Feb. 1 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI, speeding, open container and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Jessica Martinez, 37, of Gainesville was arrested Feb. 1 on Bannister Road in Cumming for DUI and failure to maintain lane. ►► Donovan Anthony Dinkins, 25, of Atlanta was arrested Jan. 31 on Peachtree Parkway in Suwanee for DUI, failure to maintain lane and open container. ►► Rachel Dyane Vice, 36, of Canton was arrested Feb. 4 on Nuckolls Road in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane and expired tag. ►► Audrey Candice Craft, 39, of Trenton, Florida, was
arrested Feb. 5 on Lakeland Plaza in Cumming for DUI and failure to obey a traffic control device. ►► Suzanne Perry Mueller, 47, of Oak Hill Terrace, Cumming, was arrested Feb. 5 on Castleberry Road in Cumming for DUI and open container.
Drug arrests ►► Shayne Marquis Brown,
30, of Norcross was arrested Feb. 1 on Westside Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ►► James Andrew Roberts, 24, of Summer Breeze Court, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 31 on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana, possession of drugrelated items and failure to maintain lane. ►► Roderick Javon Richardson, 21, of Ellenwood, Georgia, was arrested Jan. 27 on South Main Street in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. ►► Jamar Reshaad Mitchell, 21, of Decatur was arrested Jan. 27 on South Main Street in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ► ► Christian Bryant Holmes, 21, was arrested Jan. 30 on Highway 9 in Milton for possession of marijuana.
Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 3
Blotter: Continued from Page 2 backed up to the house, near a large pile of plywood. Two dozen pieces of plywood were already loaded onto the truck. No suspects were found nearby.
Driver flees police, apologizes ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A traffic stop ended with warrants for arrest and obstruction Feb. 4, after a driver allegedly fled police. Police say they saw two vehicles speeding on Morrison Parkway about 8:30 p.m. Both were clocked at about 60 mph in a 40 mph zone. An officer pulled them both over. When the officer retrieved and checked the driver’s licenses from both drivers, one of them, James Bothers, 45, of Norcross, returned as suspended. When the officer checked on the suspect vehicles, the vehicle belonging to Bothers was gone. He allegedly fled as soon as the officer began checking his ID. A warrant was issued for Bothers’ arrest for driving
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4 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
District: Experts, community weigh in on development Continued from Page 1 Kent Davies, vice president of World Financial Group, has its world headquarters in Johns Creek with a global workforce of 50,000 agents. “We like to bring our agents here for corporate training. We rent 1,000 hotel nights a year, but we don’t have the meeting space or the rooms to do it in Johns Creek. We have to go to Norcross or Gwinnett to do it,” Davies said. “We would rather keep them in Johns Creek when they’re here.” Global contact lens company Alcon has made a $2 billion commitment to stay in Johns Creek and is already planning a $200 million to $300 million expansion. Dan Callahan, Alcon director of workplace and facility operations, said their problem is their property is landlocked, or hemmed in on its property. A big problem for their employees is they can’t get out to go somewhere at lunch and be back on time. “We need more and better hotel service too. And having only one entrance to the property creates problems,” he said. So the business community is looking for more space, more connectivity within The District and transportation improvements. They also would like better workforce housing to attract quality people who are put off by longer commutes to the city. Mixed-use with housing on site and more restaurants is a way to begin solving those problems, Lavash said. But with limited space, the only way to go is up. Meeting with the Johns Creek Arts and Culture Board brought up the quality of life issues that many residents desire. From an early start, Johns Creek has enjoyed and supported the arts in the city with Performing Arts North, the Johns Creek Symphony, the Atlanta Chopin Society and the Johns Creek Arts Center, to name some.
The District would be ideal to house a home for these pieces of the puzzle. Arts and Culture Board member Deanna Maust said the board has been studying what other cities are doing for the arts. “We don’t want to duplicate facilities like the Cobb Galleria or the Gwinnett Civic Center. But we want a place where we can see a concert and have a place where we can take our children,” Maust said. “And it is not just the arts, but culture also. And we know it has to be something that is sustainable.” At the public meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10, tables filled the room, each with an aerial photo of The District. People were invited to use colored adhesive dots to paste on areas that they liked (green), those they didn’t like (red) and places that have good potential for better use (blue). The consultants gave residents some guidelines and answered questions, but mostly they were there to listen to their ideas. Kathleen Field, a member of the Johns Creek Community Association Board and a veteran city planner, said the “elephant in the parlor” for The District is transportation. “We need to solve that problem first,” Field said. “There are ways. Having housing [to serve The District] nearby is one – maybe some kind of internal shuttling. It is difficult to talk about more business and jobs with our dysfunctional intersections.” Resident Tracy Sullivan said she thinks Johns Creek does need a City Center. “We need to integrate it with an active lifestyle and green space,” Sullivan said. Nancy Clark said she liked the meeting to get ideas going for the area, which is defined roughly by a triangle with McGinnis Ferry Road as its base bisected by Medlock Bridge Road and narrowing to State Bridge Road. “I think we need a City Center. We need a place we can
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The Central Business Planning District encompasses 728 acres. It follows the Ga. 141 corridor beginning at Abbotts Bridge Road and is bisected on the north end by McGinnis Ferry Road.
HATCHER HURD/Staff
City consultants use focus groups to break down the needs and desires of different groups. From left, Kent Davies, VP of World Financial Group, and Dan Callahan, Alcon director of workplace and facility operations, watch as consultants and city staff mark down their ideas on an aerial photo of The District.
HATCHER HURD/Staff
Residents pack City Hall to begin the discussions of what the community would like to see in The District. call our town,” Sullivan said. Sandy Barocas said she liked the process of gathering ideas while seated around big maps of the area. She called the process a “Dotocracy,” placing the red, green and blue stickers on the maps. “It’s good to have input,” she said. “I love ‘boutique’ shops. But we have to remember we don’t have room to staff them. I’ve lived here since ’91.
It’s really exciting. I like tempered growth.” Another resident said she liked the consultants. She said they made her feel it was really possible to create places for “adults to play.” Resident Mel Dodd said the project was “interesting and daunting.” “There seems to be a lot of excitement about this,” he said.
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6 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
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Johns Creek unveils template for revamp of City Center No. 1 goal to create greater commercial tax base By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – When residents were asked to gather Feb. 10 for the first public meeting on redeveloping the 728-acre central business district – now called The District by city officials – most of the enthusiasm was concentrated on creating a 25-acre to 30acre community area. That would serve to bring residents and visitors together for shopping, dining out and entertainment. It would also provide more residential space for the millennials and workforce population who would work in The District. But the community area is not the driving force for the project. City officials say the city’s central business district is ripe for redevelopment and should include a “gathering place” for mixed-use development, but it is a means to another end – to create a stronger commercial tax base for the city. The city has identified $139 million in infrastructure needs for transportation, road improvements, parks, stormwater
Johns Creek economic snapshot* • 81 percent tax base residential • 19 percent tax base commercial • $139M capital needs over 10 years: • Transportation improvements • Parks improvements • Street paving • Police/fire vehicle replacement • Storm water improvements • Central business district underused (for revenue generation) *Figures: City of JOHNS CREEK
improvements and other recurring costs for big ticket items such as fire engine and squad car replacements. And the revenue generated by the current tax millage is simply insufficient to address those needs. Years of infrastructure neglect by Fulton County when Johns Creek was unincorporated is part of the reason. Add to that its phenomenal growth and increased demands for services. When the city was unincorporated Johns Creek, its tax base was shared in the Special Services District taxes collected for all of unincorporated Fulton County. As a city, its taxes are generated mostly
from its property tax base. In its current state, that burden falls mostly on the homeowners that furnish 81 percent of the property tax base. Councilman Steve Broadbent introduced the Feb. 10 meeting by emphasizing the importance of growing the city’s tax base. “There is no bigger project before the city than this. Since the city’s inception, no project will have more of a long-term effect than this,” Broadbent said. City Manager Warren Hutmacher pointed out the city has not had a master plan since the 1980s, when Technology Park Johns Creek
broke ground at Medlock Bridge Road and McGinnis Ferry Road. “This is now the fastest growing area of North Fulton. It has Hutmacher been a prize area for residential growth with its great schools. But as a city, it needs commercial development to pay the bills,” Hutmacher said. With a commercial tax base of only 19 percent, that is just not enough to maintain the pace of a growing community of around 80,000 people and the needs they generate. For each mill of property tax, residential property owners pay 51.5 percent of the value of that mill. In Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs, residents pay only about a third of the value of each mill. “We are facing the consequences of deferred maintenance, a desire for high quality of life and growing infrastructure needs. We need some roads widened, intersection improvements and old roads paved,” Hutmacher said. In all, the city has identified $139 million in capital needs
This is now the fastest growing area of North Fulton. It has been a prize area for residential growth with its great schools. But as a city, it needs commercial development to pay the bills.” WARREN HUTMACHER Johns Creek City Manager
over the next 10 years. The problem is a lack of revenue. The current millage rate for Johns Creek generates $5 million each year to meet $20 million of need in the city. Raising taxes is not an option – nor is scaling back plans
See REVAMP, Page 11
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Officer Meberg receives thanks from grateful CCOS JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Country Club of the South took the opportunity at its Jan. 20 annual homeowners’ association meeting to recognize the service of Johns Creek Police Officer M.D. Meberg for his special service over the years to the community. Meberg has worked in concert with the association’s Director of Safety Brian Evans since 2009. Meberg’s commitment to the community as a community liaison officer has assisted the Country Club of the South security staff to be better prepared to assist the Johns Creek Police Department during several incidents over the years. In presenting the officer with a recognition award, Country Club of the South residents and staff wanted to express their gratitude to Meberg for his time, talent and dedication.
Police: Beware of traffic accident scam
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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 7
Country Club of the South Director of Safety Brian Evans, left, presents Johns Creek Officer M.D. Meberg with a plaque for his assistance and cooperation since 2009 at Country Club of the South. Joining in the appreciation is Laura Dobbs, president of the Country Club of the South.
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Recent victim robbed at gunpoint after fender-bender on Ga. 400 ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Police are raising the alarm for residents after a local woman was robbed at gunpoint on Ga. 400. The victim was driving northbound on Ga. 400 Sunday, Feb. 8, about 3:30 p.m. when her vehicle was struck by a large black truck, possibly a Toyota Tundra with tinted windows. The victim and suspect vehicles pulled over, as in any other traffic accident. The victim got out of her vehicle. As she did, two men get out of the truck and walked up to the victim, pulling a gun. They took the victim’s purse and cellphone. They returned to their truck and left the scene.
As this type of “bump and rob” event is unusual, police believe it may be a new tactic being used by criminals to rob people who believed they were involved in a traffic accident. If you are bumped by another vehicle, safely get a license plate number and contact your local authorities to advise them of the accident. This may prevent further criminal activity. Anyone with information that can help identify the suspects or vehicle are asked to contact the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety’s investigative unit at 678-297-6319, contact a confidential tip line at 678-297-6307 or leave a tip online at www.alpharetta.ga.us within the public safety page.
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8 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
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North Fulton cities shaping their future Metro Atlanta cities, especially in North Fulton, have a choice. They can shape their city into the place they want it to be or let others do it for them. The growth of Atlanta into a worldclass city hosting the Olympics, home to the world’s busiest international airport and headquarters to more than its share of Fortune 500 companies has made it and the metro area a magnet of development. But as Mr. Monk would no doubt say, it has been a blessing and a curse for metro communities. Ga. 400 has been a pipeline of development for 30 years, and remorseless as the ocean’s tide, it has crept up to the very limits of North Fulton. It is the reason most of us are here. The benefits have been high-paying jobs, business opportunities, the largest concentration of top-flight schools anywhere in the country, home values that are a rock-solid investment and communities that possess that elusive term “quality of life.” So why all this fuss to reshape the cities we found so charming when we moved here? The short answer is neither time nor development ever stand still. In the world of a city’s development however, it can travel in either direction. The catchy phrase Ben Franklin so aptly coined is those who fail to plan are planning to fail. New cities such as Sandy Springs and Johns Creek, have sought out cityhood to put the reins of change in their own hands. Alpharetta is perhaps the poster
Hatcher Hurd
Executive Editor hatcher@ appenmediagroup.com
Ga. 400 has been a pipeline of development for 30 years, and remorseless as the ocean’s tide, it has crept up to the very limits of North Fulton. It is the reason most of us are here. child for planning ahead. In the 1980s, Mayor Jimmy Phillips and the city’s Development Director Marie Garrett embraced the office and commercial growth that was to come in the 1990s. Today, Alpharetta has a commercial property tax base that is the envy of its neighbors because it planned for the kind of commercial growth that would
seek out Ga. 400’s promise of open space and lower taxes. Roswell sought to withstand the tide, but today has found it better to bend to the wind. The city’s Canton Street area is not only the first geographic stop north of the Chattahoochee River. It is the cultural/entertainment must-see one as well. Its boutiques, art galleries and above all, its singular restaurants give the city an authentic trendiness that Avalon can only hope to recreate in Alpharetta. With the addition of the proposed $500 million mixed-use development at Ga. 400 and Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell can reap some of the benefits of that developmental artery. Bigger even is the potential of its Groveway District that would extend the Canton Street aura south of City Hall to Roswell’s Historic Square. It would make the city a national destination. Alpharetta has everything except a real downtown. That oversight is being corrected as these words are written with its new City Hall and library and plans to develop new mixed-use opportunities surrounding them. Now comes Johns Creek, that new-come city that has sprung out of nowhere around Technology Park. Residents there embraced the opportunity to incorporate as a city. But it has suffered from neglect as it grew from a crossroads to an amalgam of office buildings, high-tech manufacturing and some of the finest schools and
suburban housing in the state. Johns Creek had no real direction when it was unincorporated. It is only since cityhood that it has had any true community planning. Now the city is taking its great step forward to decide what will be the imprint of the city. They want the city to stand for something and to have its own personality. They want an answer to the question, “What is Johns Creek?” When people say Johns Creek, what image will come to mind? It was exciting to see the first town hall meeting at City Hall as people poured over aerial maps of the proposed 728-acre Business District that would transform under-used commercial area into a higher-density development that would raise the commercial tax base. Included in that is a proposed 25acre to 30-acre city center that would be a place for arts and entertainment, fine dining and residential but would also serve as “the face” of Johns Creek. As with Roswell and Alpharetta, the city of Johns Creek is laying out the kind of city it wants to be. What an exciting time to be living in North Fulton. wResidents have the opportunity to create an identity for the community and make it a place to gather, to bring friends and visitors and be a place that says, “This is who we are.” These are cities that don’t sit back and play the cards they are dealt. They are willing to reshuffle the deck and claim their city as their own.
Parents – send us your news! 2015 budget is set Nary a week goes by without my phone ringing by someone who has a question about content. Often, this question runs along the lines of, “Why does X school get so much coverage? I want to read about my school.” It happens a lot. So much so that here I am writing about it and how to rectify the issue. In short, I only print what I know about. While I and my staff are out in the community every day collecting stories of the issues we feel you, the readers, want to read about – City Council shenanigans, new construction, business news and so on – we made the decision some time ago that schools are on the bottom of that list. This is not to say their news is not important – far from it! Rather, it is because the schools have an asset we really want to hear from – the parents – who are typically better and more on-the-ball at collecting their news than us. Most of the school news you see in the paper comes ei-
jonathan copsey
Revue & News Editor jonathan@ appenmediagroup.com
ther from parents or teachers excited about their students achieving something. I rely on these parents (and even the students themselves) to send in information, and I make the guarantee that it will run in the papers. Everyone likes to see someone they know in print! If there is a school in the paper more than others, it is simply because that school’s parents or teachers have sent in more than anyone else. There are some schools who send items almost daily, and there are some schools from whom I never hear. So I am asking you, the community, to send me your news! Each page of the paper has links or information on how to submit your news to me. If you look at the top of
this page – this very one! – I bet you will find a little web address to visit. My email address is also here next to this story. For those who don’t want to do that (and why wouldn’t you?) here are step-by-step instructions. Submit your school news to news@northfulton.com. This can be anything from drama club to sports stories. Don’t be afraid. Be sure to include the basic information – who, what, when, where. Also, and this is very important, include a photograph. Please attach it to any email and try to make it as large as you can. Finally, in your email, please identify the people in the photo. From left to right is best. That way everyone knows who is who! If there are any questions about any of this, don’t hesitate to call us – 770-442-3278 – or email us at the above address and we will help you out. We want to tell your news just as much as you do.
Jan. 7, 2015 marked the inauguration of the Fulton County Commissioners. It was a very humbling experience for me to be sworn-in to service along with my six colleagues on the commission. I was honored to have several friends and family join me at the event. It was then time to get to work for the citizens of District 2 and Fulton County. We were tasked with approving our 2015 budget by the end of January. In a quick time frame, we engaged in a great deal of collaborative discussion and were able to put together a budget framework that provides a basis for greater fiscal responsibility, taxpayer relief as well as improved delivery of services. Though not perfect, it was a collective effort and resulted in an alternative general fund budget that I presented. It was approved unanimously by the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21, marking the first unanimous approval for a county spending plan since 1991. Some highlights of the budget include the following: Restoration of library hours to the fiscal year 2013 levels
BOB ELLIS
Fulton County Commissioner
(expected to be effective on April 1) Over $7 million in administrative cost reductions Revenue projections which presume some level of millage rate rollback (actual millage rate determined mid-year) In addition to the budget, I was pleased to have Chairman John Eaves and Commissioners Liz Hausmann and Lee Morris join me in co-sponsoring a resolution to double our minimum fund balance requirement (rainy day fund) from 8.33 percent to 16.66 percent of the general fund budget, which equates to two months of operational cost reserves and provides the county with a more solid financial footing. I am encouraged by the early work of the commission and am honored to serve you. Please feel free to reach out if I can be of service to you.
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Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 9 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com
Fulton asks relief from jail consent decree ATLANTA – Fulton County Attorney R. David Ware sought permission Feb. 15 from the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, to terminate the Fulton County Jail consent decree. The request comes after extensive efforts on the county’s part to alleviate overcrowding, increase staffing and improve overall conditions in the facility. “While I cannot comment on the legal issues involved in the filing, I know the county has worked tirelessly to address all of the issues which led to the case being filed,” said John H. Eaves, Fulton County Commission chairman. “We now have some of the most successful programs aimed at reducing recidivism and providing alternatives to incarceration.” Last year, both parties in ongoing litigation agreed that progress was being made in housing Fulton County Jail inmates. In August, attorneys representing both parties in the case of Harper v. Fulton County, Ga., agreed that the plaintiffs would withdraw their request that the county be held in contempt for failure to abide
by the terms of the consent decree. Eaves pointed to the success of several county initiatives with improving jail conditions. EAVES “Our accountability courts are among the best in the nation and the Board of Commissioners, along with our justice partners, are fully committed to maintaining and expanding those courts,” said Eaves. “We believe we have a sustainable model to address any systemic concerns faced by those who are housed at the jail and a commitment to operating a facility that meets or exceeds all applicable standards in a manner acceptable to the citizens of Fulton County.” Fulton County previously entered into several outsourcing agreements with neighboring jurisdictions to house inmates awaiting trial. The county also continues to work with its personnel department to ensure the facility is adequately staffed.
Dudgeon appointed to Education Reform Commission FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — State Rep. Mike Dudgeon (R-Johns Creek) has been appointed to the Education Reform Commission by Gov. Nathan Deal. The commission will study the state’s education system and provide recommendations to Deal for possible improvements. The commission will review funding, increasing access to early learning programs, recruiting and retaining effective educators and expanding school options for families.
“My primary focus throughout my eight years as an elected public official has been to help public education in Georgia,” said Dudgeon, who represents the 27th District, which includes Forsyth County. “I believe my background as a former school board member, an entrepreneur, and my openness to new models of funding and educational delivery will help the commission succeed in its mission to implement education reforms where it’s needed
in our great state.” Deal said the commission’s work will help him achieve his goals for education in the state. “Georgia families depend on our classrooms, and now it’s time we take the responsibility in full to provide the high-quality, technologically advanced education they so deserve,” Deal said. The commission will send their recommendations to Deal by Aug. 1. —Joe Parker
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Work begins on Holcomb Bridge, Ga. 400 projects Intersection will be improved over coming year By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com
JONATHAN COPSEY/Staff
Roswell’s mayor and members of the City Council, along with city staff and project leaders, break ground for improvements at Holcomb Bridge Road and Ga. 400 in Roswell.
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ROSWELL, Ga. – Driving on Holcomb Bridge Road across Ga. 400 is soon to get worse before it gets better. Roswell officials kicked off the construction of two major projects Feb. 10 at the intersection, which should be finished by the end of the year. The intersection is one of the most used in the metro area, said Roswell Transportation Director Steve Acenbrak, with more than 188,000 cars a day traveling Ga. 400 and more than 60,000 on Holcomb Bridge Road. The volume of traffic will make the project difficult. “We have significant constraints,” said Acenbrak, “[but] the combination of these projects will improve traffic flow, safety and the economic conditions.” One project is the Ga. 400 northbound ramp and elimination of the eastbound “trap” lane. This project will hopefully eliminate one source of traffic problems on Holcomb Bridge Road. Currently, when taking the northbound off-ramp from Ga. 400 and turning east (right), the lane looks like a throughlane, but turns into a rightturn-only lane at the intersection of Old Alabama Road. Cars not wanting to turn are forced to merge with the next lane over, while those who do want to turn must merge right. This creates a “weaving”
effect that causes accidents, said Acenbrak. About 11,000 vehicles a day use the offramp. To solve this, Roswell will add a right-turn lane to the Ga. 400 ramp and tweak the traffic light at the intersection of Holcomb Bridge and Ga. 400. This project will cost just over $1 million and is funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation. The second project will add a new westbound Holcomb Bridge Road lane between Old Alabama Road and Ga. 400’s northbound on-ramp. This project will also include sidewalks and streetscape improvements. More than 60,000 vehicles a day travel this stretch of road. The project will cost $2.3 million and is part of the 2012 Roswell Bond Referendum. Compared to “eating an elephant one bite at a time,” both projects are on the city’s list of 22 improvements needed to overhaul the intersection. “This is one of those instances where there is not one solution to the interchange,” said Councilmember Nancy Diamond, the council liaison to transportation. “We have 22 projects to eliminate the [traffic] problem.” Roswell Mayor Jere Wood was optimistic about the project. “Since Ga. 400 was built, it is a barrier dividing Roswell in half,” said Wood. “This is bringing Roswell closer together.” Acenbrak said he expects the projects to be finished by September, with much of the work taking place on off-peak hours and at night to minimize the traffic problems.
Rotary of North Fulton donates $20K to Child Development Association ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Rotary Club of North Fulton announced that its foundation, the RCNF Crawford Fund, has approved a grant in the amount of $20,000 for the Child Development Association’s Parents as Teachers program. The grant will be matched by the North Point Community Church’s Be Rich campaign. The Child Development Association offers a NAEYC-accredited education program for preschool children of the working poor. The Parents as Teachers program offers personal visits to families and supports parents throughout pregnancy until their children enter kindergarten. To learn more, visit www.northfultonrotary.org.
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Revamp: Continued from Page 6 for community improvements. Therefore the problem becomes how to increase the value of the millage rate on existing commercial property. The 728 acres identified in The District is “significantly underused,” Hutmacher said. Using that commercial property more efficiently could raise the value of the tax rate without affecting homeowners. City officials estimate 20 percent of The District is underdeveloped. Technology Park has been sold off piecemeal and suffers from inefficient development patterns and an
Goals of ‘The District’
• Provide long-term economic stability • Create a downtown with a “sense of purpose” • Provide housing options for multi-generational community • Begin a 20-year development plan now overabundance of surface level parking. Making The District more economically viable will have several upsides: Give the city economic stability by generating new revenue. Create a sense of place for
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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 11
Tax yield per acre and millage rate* City Alpharetta Roswell Sandy Springs Johns Creek
Residential/acre $1,257 (34%) $796 (36%) $1,078 (33.6%) $1,209 (51.5%)
Commercial/acre Tax Rate $2,380 4.95 $1,410 4.464 $3,209 4.731 $1,137 4.614 *Figures: City of JOHNS CREEK
residents that is sorely lacking. Provide multi-generational housing in the city. There should be a place for young people to return to the city to raise a family, and there should be housing to allow residents to downsize as they grow older and need less
space, Hutmacher said. “It is not a crisis today. But to create an overnight miracle, it will take 20 years of planning and work,” he said. “That is why we need to start now.” The City Center as envisioned will contain around 25 acres in The District and offer
more intense commercial density, not only with office space, but living space, cultural opportunities and entertainment. But it is just sub-component of The District as whole. The Feb. 10 meeting was the first step, collecting data and ideas from focus groups and citizens at large. The consultant team will return in April to hold a weeklong session of charrettes with residents to refine ideas and proposals, culminating in a large public community meeting. In June, more public meetings will be conducted before the adoption of a final master plan for the Central Business District.
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Sea Island, St. Simons and Black History Month While the objective of most travel is to entertain and relax, sometimes it’s important to take a look at some of our past that wasn’t quite so rosy. As part of Black History Month, I’d say that’s an auspicious conjunction to devote a few moments to look into the darker side of our history. With the weather outside being just this side of frightful, you can imagine how delightful it was two weekends ago to see daffodils in full bloom and stroll in the sunshine without a jacket on Sea Island and St. Simons Island.
Jemille williams
Senior contributor on TripAdvisor jemille@bellsouth.net So even though it’s not quite beach weather, the marquee resorts like The Cloister and the King & Prince do have indoor pools. And although it may not be warm enough to lie on the sand, it’s a great time to ride a horse on the beach!
If your budget can’t quite stretch that far, bear in mind that this is low season. There are accommodations to work with almost every wallet with condo and home rentals, and even resorts with specials in the double digits. If your property doesn’t offer an indoor pool, a beach stroll is absolutely possible, with lots of public access. Have a grand old time – gobbling up seafood and shopping at the cute shops – but on your way home, pause a bit to check out the Tabby Slave Cabins on Gascoigne
Tabby Slave Cabins Where: 100 Arthur Moore Drive, St. Simons Island, Ga. 31522 Cost: No admission fee, but donations welcome Scheduled opening Sat. Feb. 21 Hours: 10a.m. – noon More info: visit cassinagardenclub.org/ cabins_history or call 912-230-9194 Bluff. They are two of the best-preserved slave cabins in the entire country and merit a visit, however brief. This is an especially exciting time in the history of their preservation. They are painstakingly removing the Portland cement that had been applied in the 1990s in a well-intentioned (but misguided) attempt
to maintain them. The Cassina Garden Club are the doting docents who own and care for the cabins, and are so passionate about them. They are willing to meet with any Appen Media readers (if their schedules permit) to open them up and show you around. If you don’t make prior arrangements, you can still walk around and peek in the windows. The Golden Isles can be viewed as representing not just the nadir of slavery, but also the zenith of their emancipation when they were given their own land to have and to hold. They formed close-knit communities that kept the language and ways of their homeland alive. Few remain today, as their land was just too valuable not to sell to the hordes of sunseeking vacationers.
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From left are Bob Sapp, Bill Kabel, Montez Hammack and Shep Hammack.
Resident receives SAR award ROSWELL, Ga. —The Sons of the American Revolution Piedmont chapter presented the SAR Medal of Appreciation to a sister member in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Montez Hammack, a member of the Martha Stewart Bulloch DAR chapter, was recognized recently for her outstanding service rendered to the SAR. Hammack was instrumental in
recruiting six new members for the SAR Piedmont chapter. The presentation was made by SAR Vice President Bill Kabel. The Piedmont chapter meets the third Saturday of every month at 8 a.m. for breakfast at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center at 830 Grimes Bridge Road. Those interested joining are encouraged to contact Carl Bhame at 770-394-1282 or cbhame@bellsouth.net.
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Atlanta bank acquires CBB in $27.4 million transaction By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. – Community Business Bank of Cumming has been sold to Atlanta-based Community & Southern Bank. The $27.4 million deal, announced Jan. 30, will merge CBB’s two banking locations along the Ga. 400 corridor into Community & Southern’s network of 41 branches throughout metro Atlanta and north Georgia. “From our standpoint, it’s a great story making it through this economy with a victory,” said Community Business Bank Senior Vice President Grant Schmeelk. Founded seven years ago by Schmeelk, Carter Barrett and Chuck Welch, CBB launched during the height of the recession with $16.8 million in capital. Its assets today total $149 million. Under the arrangement with Community & Southern, the entire CBB team will remain in place to continue working to grow in that area, he said. When it was founded, Community Business Bank’s common stock was valued at $10 a share. The sale price places the value at $15 a share. “It’s a strong, 50 percent return for our 300 local shareholders,” Schmeelk said. “I think it gives us more power to grow this economy with [Southern’s] help, a bigger checkbook.” Schmeelk said he’s proud of the performance he and his partners turned in, growing revenues and establishing a
Schmeelk
Barrett
CLARK
name in the community over a time when close to 90 Georgia banks failed. “Our shareholders are local, our customers are local and our employees are local,” he said. “I’d say now we’ve got the strongest management team on the 400 corridor.” Barrett, president and chief executive officer of Community Business Bank, will become
regional president for North Atlanta with Community & Southern. He said the bank’s clients will benefit from being part of one of the strongest and most well capitalized financial institutions in the state. “We’ll be combining our existing team and their team into an even stronger team,” Barrett said. “Our focus will be developing the Ga. 400 cor-
ridor, from Sandy Springs to Dahlonega.” He said the combined operations will bring more resources to bear from the larger bank “while keeping our very gregarious team to help.” Community & Southern Bank has more than $3.4 billion in assets. Its president and CEO Pat Frawley said the acquisition will “signifi-
cantly expand our presence in Forsyth County and position Community & Southern Bank for future growth in one of the fastest growing markets in Georgia.” Completion of the transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including customary regulatory approvals and the approval by CBB shareholders.
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Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 17
Prosperity depends on big, bold action Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of excerpts from Frank Norton Jr.’s “Norton Native Intelligence Report for 2015.” The report, which reflects and synthesizes the views from more than 500 individuals surveyed and economic vital signs recorded, has been used to chart the North Georgia economy and real estate for more than 25 years. In late October, Native Intelligence was invited to speak with the business leadership of Lumpkin County about market conditions and a forecast for the region. Challenged to make it “fresh,” we dug deep into the raw numbers, interviewed a quick wide range of industry types, real estate folks and bankers and concentrated our public presentation on “Big, Bold Ideas” for Lumpkin. While the group was small, it was received enthusiastically and positively. The really big ones are generational. People are strange, on a micro-level. Everybody likes a new product, a new TV show, new software, a new smartphone. At the micro-level, people love change. At the macro-level, people hate change. Big, new ideas that challenge pre-conceptions make people angry. Big, bold, bodacious ideas we profess should push beyond a community’s comfort zone – not sting nor hurt, but challenge the existing status quo. It’s not thinking out-ofthe-box per-se, but increasing the size of one’s box. Big, bold ideas should capitalize on demographics, foundations of our infrastructure but should move the game board, create a fresh view of circumstances and of The Opportunity. Following our leadership theme for 2015’s Native Intelligence Forecast, we have dug deep into North Georgia’s raw data, expanded our survey and
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Frank norton Jr. CEO and Chairman The Norton Agency
interview discussions across a wide swath of the region and digested those new age thoughts into several “Big, Bold Ideas.” Here is a sampling: Turn North Georgia into a second home mecca. We’re not just talking about the occasional second home purchase or mountain cabin construction, we’re talking about an all out – all in second-home marketing promotion mindset mecca. The base foundation has already been set. We have second homes built and used throughout the North Georgia region, but the geography is too compelling for us not to better capitalize on positioning. Two important demographic points should be considered. First, North Georgia with its rolling mountains, forested ridges and settled valleys sits directly on top of six million people (2014,) projected to grow to 12 million (2050). Geographically, it is one hour to one-and-a-half hours to the largest potential second-home buyer demographic in the South. The affluence of that cultural melting pot is largely executive, service sector employment bases and homeowners and is accessible via the great transportation pipelines built well into our North Georgia region. The demographics are ripe for stronger second-home demand. Our story is too compelling. Second and emerging is Atlanta is awakening as an international high tech, Gen X
migratory point. Over the last 10 years, a projected hundreds of thousands Gen Xers have relocated to Atlanta, primarily inside the Perimeter, and a youthful, vibrant, exciting and diverse business community has evolved. We read of major job announcements and technology wunderkind business start-ups. Mailchimp, Yik Yak, Pardot and others already in the metro Atlanta region like AT&T, World Pay and Athena Health seek expansion space closer to the core of the city and the epicenter of this energetic labor base. What we are witnessing is an urbanization of Atlanta, a melding of Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead and an emergence of retro-fitted “urban” warrior communities like West Midtown, King Street, West End, Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown. But when demographics dig into the psycho-metrics of the demographic and look to similar communities around the country, they find this population to be young, affluent, energy sparked. More and more seek the “thrill of living in a cosmopolitan city by week and escaping by weekend to something different.” North Georgia is something different. Rock climbing, white water rafting, zip lines, rock cliffs, tracks, hiking, wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, farmers markets, camping, exploring, lake, mountains, rivers, fly fishing, forests; we are the right place, and the demographics are the right component. Second homes are a county’s best, purest tax revenue. The owners shop in our grocery stores, eat in our restaurants as regulars, play golf, hike, ski and leave their tax dollars behind. They rarely borrow a library book, access our social services, seek medical care, cause fire or police
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Listen to your employees’ opinions As a small business owner, do you make it a regular habit to listen to your employees’ opinions? Are your employees encouraged to speak out if they believe their opinion is worth sharing? Some of the best ideas in small businesses come from employees who are actively involved in the day-to-day operations. Providing them with the opportunity to be heard will reap significant benefits. Let every employee know that their opinion counts, and provide them with many ways to come forward with whatever is on their minds. This can be done either formally or informally, but employees need assurance that their feedback will not cost them their job. Just listening without taking action will negate your purpose. If an employee provides you their opinion, make it a
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priority to get back to them. Whether you do anything or not, be respectful that your employee took the time to share their opinion with you. At a minimum, you should at least take the time to acknowledge that. Listening to your employees’ opinions will help improve things and come up with new ideas. At the same time, it will help cultivate a collaborative culture at your small business. Listening to your employees’ opinions will ultimately help you to run your small business better.
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stress or, much less, vote and change the local political climate. Their needs are simple: environment, escape…something different. But to shift the chess board, we need to expand in three dimensions, play the game to win. Almost every community up our way plays to the occasional visitor, the annual adventure down the river, the annual Gold Rush pilgrimage, the annual apple picking in Ellijay or cutting a Christmas tree in Rabun County. The occasional tourist is the thrust of our business model. To win this gold, we need to shift our conventional
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Exide seeks approval for plan of reorganization MILTON, Ga. – Milton-based Exide Technologies is taking the next step toward reorganization. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved the adequacy of a disclosure statement with respect to Exide Technologies’ plan
of reorganization. With the court’s authorization, Exide will begin soliciting approval of the plan, and a hearing to decide the matter has been set for March 27. The reorganization plan, supported by two of the company’s principal credi-
tors, foresees reducing the company’s debt by $600 million. “This is a significant and meaningful step forward on the company’s path toward a consensual plan confirmation process and intended emergence from Chapter 11 by March 31,
2015,” said Robert M. Caruso, Exide president and chief executive officer. Exide Technologies manufactures and supplies lead-acid batteries for transportation and industrial application throughout the world.
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Morgan joins Keller Williams as home buyers’ specialist ROSWELL, Ga. — Donnie Morgan, a former firefighter from Valdosta, has joined Keller Williams Realty Consultants. Morgan specializes in the north metro area of Atlanta, first time home buyers and investment properties.
Harry Norman adds Forsyth agent
Onsite Shine opening third shop in Roswell ROSWELL, Ga. — Jim Thomas, founder of Onsite Shine, a luxury automotive and marine detailing shop and mobile detailing service, announced he is leasing the former Sky Wash building at 11865 Alpharetta Highway in Roswell. Thomas plans to renovate and expand the facility into an exclusive 3,000-square-foot detailing showroom, which will be his third detailing location. Thomas hopes to have the renovation completed by mid-March, at which time he will hold an open house and grand opening. For more information visit www.onsiteshine.com.
BUSINESS COMPUTER PROBLEMS? “Carmichael manages our IT. I have never worked with a more client-centric business before – ever. They return calls fast. They listen exceedingly well. They know what they are doing. They are honest, professional, and local. They are partners with Appen Newspapers / Appen Media Group in the truest sense of the word.” – Ray Appen, Publisher Appen Media Group Appen Newspapers
CUMMING, Ga. — Frederick Hogan has joined Harry Norman, Realtors at the company’s Forsyth County/Lake Lanier office. New to real estate, Hogan received his training from American Real Estate Schools. He graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in business finance and comes to the agency after working in information technology with Xerox.
Hitzel joins Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Janet Hitzel recently joined Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners as a real estate agent in its Suwanee office. Hitzel will be focusing on working with buyers and sellers in the North Atlanta area. A native of northern New Jersey, she now lives with her family in Alpharetta. She can be reached at 678-825-7382, listwithjanet@gmail.com or janethitzel.yourkwagent.com.
Aiken joins Keller Williams Community Partners CUMMING, Ga. — Jacqueline Arthur, managing broker of Keller Williams Community Partners in Cumming, welcomed Robert Aiken to one of the top ranked and fastest growing Keller Williams offices along the Ga. 400 Corridor. “Aiken brings over 35 years of experience as a real estate broker to our team specializing in farms Aiken and land, new homes and luxury properties,” Arthur said. Aiken can be reached at 706-429-8620.
EVENTS »
Chamber seeks sponsorships for Golf and Tennis Classic Call today for your free IT assesment.
– Tyler Jones, Principal
678-224-8000 • www.CarmichaelConsulting.net
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors for its annual Golf and Tennis Classic, scheduled for March 30 at Country Club of the South, 4100 Old Alabama Road. The golf tournament will begin with registration
at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Tennis registration is at 12:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. start. An awards dinner and reception will be held at 4 p.m. For information about sponsorships, contact Maria Rose or Robin Buckley at 770-495-0545 or Fred Van Patten at 678-273-4059. More information can be found at johnscreekchamber.com.
Local attorney to speak at justice convention JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Local trial attorney Render C. Freeman has been invited to speak at the winter convention of the American Association for Justice Feb. 21-25, in Palm Springs, California. Freeman will speak on the topic of jury selection. A 20-year resident of Johns Creek, Freeman is a partner with Freeman Andersen, Tate & Carr in Duluth and has been a Georgia trial attorney for over 20 years. He has been elected by the National Trial Lawyers to “The Top 100 Trial Lawyers” and, since 2014, has been designated as a Georgia Super Lawyer in the practice area of personal injury. Since 2005, Freeman has carried an “AV” rating from the Martindale-Hubbell National Legal Directory, the highest such designation given for both lawyer competence and integrity.
Health care to be topic of chamber breakfast JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Dr. Manfred Sandler of the Cardiovascular Group and Jayne Kulp, director of cardiovascular services at Gwinnett Medical Center, will be the featured speakers at the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce monthly membership breakfast. The breakfast runs from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Feb. 19 at The Standard Club, 6230 Abbotts Bridge Road. The meeting will also include city updates, community information and member highlights. Admission is $25 for members and $35 for guests.
BUSINESS »
Hotelier taps Agilysys system for cost-saving measures ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Resorts World Bimini has selected a cost-reduction system from Agilysys to automate processes at its 480-unit resort. The company will also use Agilysys’ Stratton Warren System at a new 305-room luxury hotel scheduled to open later this year. The system is an inventory and procurement solution that maximizes purchasing power and reduces operational costs. It automates the entire procurement process and identifies the most suitable suppliers, reducing labor costs and waste.
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EDITOR’S PICKS
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Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 19
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Submit your event to northfulton.com or email with photo to calendar@northfulton.com. For a more complete list of local events including support groups, volunteer opportunities and business meetings visit the calendar on northfulton.com.
Roswell’s 11th annual poetry slam during which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience at Roswell Historic Cottage, 972 Alpharetta Street in Roswell. Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visit roswellroots.com for more info. $1,000 cash prize
EVENTS:
GEORGE PRICE
A special performance by composer and bluesman George Price, including a tribute to the dearly departed Joe Cocker at The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta. Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased at thevelvetnote.com.
What: We are sincerely grateful to those who are able to donate. Each blood donation can save the lives of up to 3 people. Where: St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, 4633 Shiloh Road in Cumming When: Sunday, Feb. 22 Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Online: redcrossblood.org
SEED PROPAGATION WORKSHOP
What: Save money and expand your choices by starting plants from seed in this hands‐on workshop from the Master Gardneners Where: Coal Mountain Park, 3560 Settingdown Road in Cumming When: Thursday, Feb. 19 Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call: 770-887-2418 Online: ugaextension.com/forsyth
Performing Arts North presents ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare at The Dancing Goat Theatre, 10700 State Bridge Road in Johns Creek. Feb. 20 through 22, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $18. Visit performingartsnorth.org for more info.
THEATER:
FRIENDSHIP FORCE MEETING
Who: Friendship Force International, a nonprofit that encourages travel and friendship across geographical and cultural lines. Where: Muirfield Clubhouse in Windermere, 6215 Marlow Drive Cumming When: Sunday Feb. 22 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Contact: Fred Mullins, fredmullinsatl@gmail.com for reservations and info
FOOTLOOSE
What: Performances of “Footloose” When: Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Where: Johns Creek High School, 5575 State Bridge Road Cost: $15 adults; $12 students. Web: johnscreektheatre.com
‘FIRST TOP GUN’ TALK
What: Hear the author of “First Top Guns.” present on black soldiers in WWII aviation history with a special focus on the Tuskegee Airmen of Georgia. Where: Roswell Branch Library, 115 Norcross Street When: Saturday, Feb. 21 Hours: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Web: roswellroots.com
ROMEO AND JULIET
Hours: Introduction for 9th graders at 6 p.m., meeting at 6:15 p.m. Contact: chamblessa@fultonschools. org
SPORTS:
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All are invited to Broadwell Pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road in Milton, to celebrate the opening of the city’s newest park by dancing to tunes from a local string band, enjoying food truck treats and hot chocolate. Saturday, Feb. 21, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Contact courtney.spriggs@ cityofmiltonga.us for more info.
ST. BRENDAN’S BLOOD DRIVE
FOR THE LOVE OF BIRDS
What: Come out to experience live birds, live music, and leave with a greater appreciation for our feathered friends. Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road in Roswell When: Saturday, Feb. 21 Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Web: chattnaturecenter.org Info: Pre-registration required
KICK OFF JAMBOUREE
RUMC PRESENTS OKLAHOMA! CHS CHEER TRYOUTS
What: Informational tryout meeting for those interested in the football sideline/competition cheer team. Where: Band room at Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend in Milton When: Thursday, Feb. 26
What: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Presented by Roswell UMC’s Acting Up. When: Saturday, Feb. 20 Hours: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $10 general admission, $25 reserved seats Info: Friday night only Web: rumcactingup.webs.com
20 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald
community
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Bob Lupton: help without hurting
‘Toxic Charity’ author speaks on empowering communities By SHANNON WEAVER shannon@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. — Bob Lupton, author of “Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, and How to Reverse It,” wanted to share a message from the book with the audience at Roswell United Methodist Church – how to give help that really helps. At the Feb. 10 event hosted by North Fulton Community Charities, Lupton warned against charities that create dependency rather than longterm solutions. “Never do for others what they can do for themselves,” said Lupton, who is the founder of Focused Community Strategies Urban Ministries, which works with underserved neighborhoods in Atlanta. People who do charity work can insult and disempower the very people they are trying to help, Lupton said. “There is a reason why we don’t see the poor in our nation moving out of poverty,” Lupton said. “I think that it is largely because we have emphasized emergency assistance to folks who need learning-to-fish kind of support.” Part of the solution requires changing how society sees the poor, he said. “Instead of seeing them as people in need, we’ve got to start seeing them
as people with resources,” Lupton said. “No one is so poor in our community that they have nothing to bring to the exchange.” Guests had the opportunity to comment and ask questions. A graduate student from Kennesaw State University asked what government involvement should look like. “My initial reaction is no, we don’t need more government involvement; we need more of the kind of involvement that’s on the ground, that’s personal. It has a much better chance of having long-term redemptive impact,” Lupton said. There were two areas Lupton said the government was responsible for: education and health care. “We’re the only industrialized modernized society that doesn’t provide health care for its citizens. I think that’s a human right,” he said. “Frankly, I don’t understand the argument that says, ‘let people fend for themselves for their own health care.’” Ollie Wagner, senior pastor of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, asked Lupton his thoughts on raising the minimum wage. “I’m concerned minimum wage is too low for folks to make a living and be self-sufficient,” Wagner said. “Perhaps they know how to fish, but the waters are toxic themselves and there aren’t
I’m concerned minimum wage is too low for folks to make a living and be selfsufficient. Perhaps they know how to fish, but the waters are toxic themselves and there aren’t many fish.” Ollie Wagner Senior pastor of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church
many fish.” But Lupton wasn’t sure a minimum wage increase is the answer. “I don’t know the economic impact of raising the minimum wage. I tend toward market solutions,” Lupton said. “In the meantime, there are things we can do that enable people with small incomes to increase their buying power.”
Bob Lupton While Lupton warned that some charities create dependency, he praised the work of North Fulton Community Charities. “My sense is that you are doing as good a job as any city I’ve seen,” he said. “You may be a model for this country.” Vonda Malbrough, director of development at NFCC, appreciated Lupton’s message. “The purpose was to show if we’re going to give support, let’s provide dignity in that support,” Malbrough said. “I felt [Lupton] was a really great speaker; he gave a message of hope.”
Summit Counseling Center hosts inaugural gala Supports mental health services JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Many guests came together at the Atlanta Athletic Club Saturday, Jan. 24, to celebrate and support the Summit Counseling Center at its inaugural fundraising gala. The center provides counseling, therapy and support services for the greater North Fulton area and advocates for the end to the stigmas associated with mental or emotional health issues. Herschel Walker, former NFL running back, Heisman Trophy winner, author and mental health advocate, served as keynote speaker at the event. Walker shared the story of his life and diagnosis with dissociative disorder – the joys and hardships of childhood, his impact on college football and his professional career. Walker’s account testified to the strength of the human spirit and its overall resiliency to overcome one’s own challenges. The festivities were made possible through the support of the gala’s presenting sponsor, the Chick-fil-A Foundation. “The wonderful services that the Summit Counseling
Center provides to individuals regardless of their ability to pay, gives hope to those who may not otherwise have hope,” said Rodney Bullard, executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. Chick-fil-A is committed to raising awareness and to stop the stigma associated with emotional and mental health issues. Through the event’s sponsors and guests, the gala raised over $100,000 to be used in support of the organization’s work. “This inaugural event represents a major milestone for the Summit Counseling Center. For 25 years, the Summit has been providing counseling services to our community,” said David Smith, executive director of the Summit. “The funds raised from the gala will be used to further our mission and provide assistance to those that could not otherwise afford professional counseling services.” Three organizations and their leaders were recognized for their inspiration to others. This year’s Summit Spirit Award honorees were Kristin Connor of CURE Childhood Cancer, John and Susie Trautwein of the Will to Live Foundation and Dr. Christopher
Herschel Walker and Rodney Bullard of Chick-fil-A pose before the event. Matthews, assistant superintendent of Fulton County Schools. The event was also an opportunity for the organization to raise awareness and address the mental health needs of the community. “In a time when we are
looking to entities in our community to work toward partnerships to ensure the greater good, the Summit Counseling Center embraced that philosophy, joining with schools, businesses and religious institutions to get our citizens the help and counseling they
desperately need,” said John H. Eaves, chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. To learn more about the Summit Counseling Center, visit their website at www. SummitCounseling.org. — Adam Barth
community
Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 21 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com
Johns Creek active adults pay Fernbank a visit JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Park Place Adult Activity Center recently got a blast from the past after making a trip to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Active seniors age 62 or older looking for programs, activities and trips to keep active can give the center a call for more information at 678-512-3430.
JC Clubhouse Fitness adds ‘Shimmy Fit’ Newtown Park adds to MarchApril classes JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Those who still haven’t done much about that New Year’s health resolution to get into shape can now have more fun by trying Shimmy Fit at the MarchApril session of Johns Creek Clubhouse Fitness at Newtown Park. The Shimmy Fit class, which resembles belly dancing with its fusion of Bollywood and modern dance, allows participants to tone their core by working the hips, abs, back and arms in all sorts of new ways. Warm up with basic lowimpact isolation moves, and then move to up-tempo dance mix. A limited number of coin belts are available. Classes are at 4:15 p.m. Wednesdays. Clubhouse Fitness is also offering two additional night classes: Pilates with Props at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday nights, and Yoga/Pilates Fusion at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
On Saturdays, Clubhouse Fitness has added a new Springtime Yoga Flow at 9:30 a.m. and another LeBarre class at 11 a.m. Yoga, beginner and intermediate Pilates, traditional Zumba, Pilates-Barre Fusion and LeBarre classes are also offered. Classes, which are 45 to 75 minutes long, meet once a week for eight weeks beginning the week of March 2 through the week of April 27 (no classes the week of April 6-12 for spring break). Sessions cost $50 for residents and $75 for non-residents for eight-week courses. All fitness levels are welcome. Registration closes Feb. 20. All sessions are taught by certified instructors and are held at the Newtown Community Clubhouse located at Newtown Park at 3115 Old Alabama Road. Participants must be at least 16 years old. For information, call Sunnie McWalters at 678-5123200, email her at Sunnie. McWalters@JohnsCreekGA. gov or see the Clubhouse Fitness page on the city website.
22 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
schools
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King’s Ridge Christian could be ‘healthiest school in country’ ALPHARETTA, Ga. – High school students at King’s Ridge Christian School have been identified as attending perhaps “the healthiest school in the country” after completing a survey to measure the use, perceptions and attitudes about alcohol and drug use. As the 14-year-old independent school prepares their ninth class of college-bound graduates, King’s Ridge leaders sought a way to assess the culture surrounding substance abuse among the high school student body. The school engaged the expertise of FCD Education Services, a global nonprofit substance prevention organization. FCD helps provide private, public and parochial school students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy decisions about drug and alcohol use. FCD partnered with the independent school in September 2014 to administer an online survey to 202 high school students. The survey is highly complex in design with credibility checks throughout to identify errant participants.
Survey outcomes noted that King’s Ridge Christian School students are not following the same behaviors seen in the typical high school setting, in which substance abuse is a form of entertainment, a way to reduce anxiety and a rite of passage for acceptance into peer groups. “There are unbelievably great numbers of students who have never had a whole drink of alcohol,” reported Renee Soulis, a senior prevention specialist with FCD. “The survey results of the King’s Ridge students are incredibly well below national norms for teenage substance abuse in that 96 percent of King’s Ridge students don’t drink and 98 percent never use marijuana.” The results were communicated independently to the high school students, faculty and parents. “You have an outrageously healthy environment in respect to substance abuse and could easily be called the healthiest school in the country,” Soulis said. “We believe in filling the emotional cup of our students as they learn to identify and
accept their uniqueness as individuals in the journey for life impact experience,” said Lowrie McCown, associate head of school. “Our students understand that they are a work in progress and know they have a highly structured network of support amongst their peers, teachers and a faith-integrated high school program.” Ninety-two percent of the students surveyed felt teachers and staff care for them as individuals, and 88 percent felt valued as a person. “The survey results are very encouraging,” said Jeff Pickren, dean of students. “This is not to say there aren’t students using alcohol or drugs, it’s just that they are in the vast minority of our student body. “While we were thrilled with the survey results, the last thing we can to do is to sit back and become complacent,” he said. “We will continue to be vigilant to monitor and encourage our students that there are healthy alternatives to relieving stress and others ways to become engaged in a community beyond substance abuse.” –Adam Barth
The Alpharetta High speech team poses with trophy and awards.
AHS speech team takes 2nd in Atlanta competition ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta High School’s Alpha Speech Team brought home awards in multiple forensic categories at the final Georgia Forensic Coaches Association invitational meet of the year. Various high school teams from throughout the Southeast competed in the meet, which was held at Grady High School in Atlanta on Feb. 1. Alpharetta’s team took second place in the overall team sweepstakes in the
tournament. Alpha team members placed first in humorous, dramatic and duo interpretation, with another 13 students placing in multiple events. The Alpha team picked up two more bids for a total of 32 qualifying entries to the varsity state championship tournament at the Marist School in Atlanta on March 6-8. For more information, visit http://alphadramaspeech.weebly.com/. –Adam Barth
TREAT YOURSELF to A GETAWAY
Head south to Gainesville, and start each day with a gourmet breakfast at one of our historic B&B inns. Try delicious meals at Blue Gill, Mildred’s and The New Deal Cafe prepared by award-winning chef Bert Gill. Sip refreshing craft beer at First Magnitude and Swamp Head Brewery. Experience a taste of Florida in Gainesville.
352.374.5260
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schools
johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 23
Student Leadership JC teaches student about community By WILLIAM CUSTIS SLJC student
Students develop leadership skills for a lifetime
The 2015 class of Student Leadership Johns Creek (SLJC) completed their final program on Jan. 19. A member of that class, Custis Mount Pisgah Christian School student William Custis, wrote an article discussing the impact this program has had on him during his high school years. JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Student Leadership Johns Creek has been a highlight of my high school career and a source of pride. I wear my T- shirt often to publicize my participation. It was an amazing feeling to be selected into such a competitive program. I began the twoyear endeavor at the beginning of my sophomore year at Northview High School. I maintained a full course load of all honors and AP classes, achieving a 4.0, and I played varsity basketball. I was also a member of several national honor societies. The first year was challenging, as
Student Leadership Johns Creek participants Sneha Iyer, left, of Johns Creek HS and Jenna LeCates of Centennial HS shadow a city of Johns Creek engineer to get firsthand experience of what the job is like. I missed designated days of school each month and had to find the time outside of school to meet with team members. The guest speakers and field trips were both fun and informative. I especially enjoyed the day visiting the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. The program began with a team-building day to get to know the other members. The remainder of the year was packed with group projects to benefit others in the community as well
as provide us with hands-on experience working in groups to achieve common goals. It was very rewarding to go into the middle school to mentor younger students as well as present our work at the end of the year. The second year has been very different with the scope of experiences. Our assignments have been geared toward interviewing college students to help us prepare for our future experiences.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Student Leadership Johns Creek is a twoyear program for emerging leaders in their sophomore and junior years. Students apply in January. Participants in the first year of the program learn valuable leadership skills at the various program dates they attend and then go back to their “feeder” schools to teach these skills in creative ways to their younger peers. Students in the second year are working more independently. They are charged with two multi-media projects: They must interview a college student to determine the pitfalls that were not expected as they moved from high school student to college student. They also came up with a 30-day plan for transitioning from high school to college. The second project is to shadow a business professional in Johns Creek in a field they are considering pursuing. These presentations are due in March prior to the graduation ceremony at Northview High School in April. Program applicants for Student Leadership Johns Creek are accepted from Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek and Northview high schools. The program is run by an advisory council under the board directorship of Leadership Johns Creek in collaboration with Fulton County Schools. We also benefited from a day of shadowing a professional in a field that we are interested in. This has been very enlightening to see what is actually done in just a day while on the job. I feel as though I have learned so much about our immediate community as well as the extended greater Atlanta area. This is unique in that while I have learned so many details and met so many different leaders, I have also helped oth-
ers through the projects. Being in the different settings and being able to present my ideas as well observe other presenters has helped me grow in so many ways beyond the classroom. I am so grateful to have been a part of this wonderful program and meet all the great people who are involved with it. More information about Student Leadership Johns Creek can be found at the following website: www.leadershipjohnscreek.com.
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During the month of February visit our new location and register to win prizes. Call Diane to schedule your appointment.
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Dr. Leonard Zaprowski and Daughter, Carlin
24 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
Community
Lysa Terkeurst will be the guest speaker.
Beacon of Hope ‘Amazing Grace Gala’ sets goal of $250K Funds to serve those facing unplanned pregnancies ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Each year, the Beacon of Hope gala provides 50 percent of the funds needed to sustain its services to women and men facing unplanned pregnancy in the North Fulton community. Funds raised by the Amazing Grace Gala and Silent Auction help make it possible for Beacon of Hope to provide compassionate medical, emotional and long-term care that transforms and saves lives. When a woman walks through Beacon of Hope doors, she may be facing one of the most challenging times of her life. Beacon of Hope not only provides the medical services she is seeking but establishes a relationship that lets her know she is not alone. By providing compassionate support to the woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, they are also able to impact the unborn child and, in many cases, the father of the baby. The life change that begins when a young woman decides to continue her pregnancy or when a young man steps into the role of father has a ripple effect
If you go What: “Amazing Grace Gala” fund raiser When: Saturday, Feb. 28 6:30 to 10 p.m. Where: The Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta 5750 Windward Parkway Alpharetta, Ga. 30005 Register at: www.abeaconofhope. com that affects the entire community. Guest speaker will be Lysa Terkeurst. After finding great healing in her local medical pregnancy center’s post-abortion Bible study, Terkeurst has gone on to be a voice for the unborn. Terkeurst’s personal adventure of following God captured national media attention when she and her husband adopted two teenage boys from a wartorn orphanage in Liberia, Africa. Terkeurst’s amazing story led to appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Good Morning America” and “The 700 Club” and in USA Today newspaper, among other media. Terkeurst’s ministry, Proverbs 31, encourages 500,000 women through their daily online devotional. She is also a New York Times bestselling author of 16 books.
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sports
johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 25
4 local wrestlers capture state titles Cougars finish second in AAAAAA By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com MACON, Ga. – Chattahoochee and Cambridge each had two wrestlers take home state championships Saturday, with Chattahoochee placing second in the AAAAAA team competition. Chattahoochee was led by seniors Jordan Pitt and Sean Hoffman, who won state titles after coming close last year. Pitt, who was second in the 113-pound weight class in 2014, won Saturday at 120, pinning his first three opponents before winning 9-5 in the finals. He finished the season 52-3. Hoffman was third at 195 last year and was a champion in that weight class last weekend, winning on two falls (one in the finals) and 10-1 and 8-0 decisions. Hoffman finished 41-4, with one of his losses coming at sectionals, where he placed third. The Cougars qualified seven wrestlers for state, with sophomore Ethan Phillips placing fourth at 113, junior Matt Picus fifth at 152 and senior Carrington Hill fifth at 182.
Seniors Daniel Amram (170) and Perry Benton (285) also competed at state, with Amram losing his first match to the eventual state champion. Phillips (41-11) won four of his six matches, with his first loss coming in the second round to the runner up in his weight class. Picus (47-14) also went 4-2, with all four of his victories coming on decisions by eight or more points. He lost in the second round to the state champion. Hill (33-8) won four matches, three on falls and one on a 12-5 decision, with both losses coming by one point against wrestlers who placed second and third. Cambridge, which won a state title last year in AAAAA, finished sixth last weekend, with senior J.R. Salemi and junior Devin Kane both defending their individual state championships. Salemi, who won at 120 last year, moved up to 126 this season, and finished with a 58-7 record. After winning his first match on a fall, he won his next three 3-2, 3-2 and 4-1. Salemi lost in the finals at sectionals and defeated two wrestlers at state who beat the
Al Levine/Staff
Cambridge’s J.R. Salemi defends his individual state championship opponent he lost to the week before. Kane, who won at 145 last year, moved up to 160 and went 60-1. He won all four of
his matches last weekend on falls, just as he did the previous week at sectionals. Also reaching the state finals for the Bears was
sophomore Will Britain, who lost in the title match for a second straight year. Britain was second last year at 138 and wrestled at 145 last week. He won his first three matches 18-3, 4-0 and on a fall before losing 8-5 in the finals. Also placing for the Bears was senior Sean Kaira at 195. Kaira (46-15) won three of his first four matches before losing 1-0 in the fifth place match. Freshman Zach Corcoran (106) and senior Brock Nielson both went 2-2, but did not place. Both Corcoran (34-17) and Nielson (36-14) lost in the second round to wrestlers who placed second in their weight classes. Also qualifying for state was sophomore Dawson Brooks at 106. Roswell had five wrestlers compete in the AAAAA meet, with senior Demarco Gatti (160) placing third, senior Ryan Willis (220) fourth and junior Cameron Whiteman (285) sixth. Gatti (42-4) won his first two matches on falls before losing in the semifinals to the runner up, and won the consolation final 14-5 for his fourth victory in the tournament. Willis (39-12) lost his first match
See TITLES, Page 36
sports
26 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
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Raiders fall to Lambert in region title game Loss sets up playoff game against Milton By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. –The Alpharetta Raiders lost for the first time this season to a 6-AAAAAA opponent, falling to Lambert 58-56 Saturday in the finals of the region tournament at Chattahoochee. The Raiders went 18-0 in the regular season. They won their first two games in the tournament before letting a fourth quarter lead slip away against the Longhorns, who finished second behind Alpharetta in the final standings. Alpharetta outscored Lambert 20-12 in the third quarter to take a 48-42 lead. Roy Winston hit a second straight three-pointer to start the fourth period and put the Raiders ahead by nine. But Alpharetta struggled offensively the rest of the way and Lambert capitalized on several costly turnovers by the Raiders, scoring the winning basket with eight seconds to play after a steal. Greg James had 21 points for the Raiders including six three-pointers, but leading scorer Devontae Cacok was limited to 11 as Alpharetta had
problems getting the ball inside to the 6-foot-6 senior. Alpharetta advanced to the finals with a 70-56 victory Friday over Johns Creek. The Raiders broke the game open with a 13-0 run spanning the first and second quarters, with James hitting a trio of threepointers during that stretch. The Raiders turned up their defensive pressure in the third quarter and outscored the Gladiators 17-6 in the third period to take a 22-point lead to the fourth quarter. Jaylon Gamble scored 17 points, Cacok had 15 and Mark Eze 14 for the Raiders. Mark Lancaster had 22 and Roderick Whitlow 13 for Johns Creek. The Raiders opened the tournament with a 59-30 win over West Forsyth, leading 2912 at the half. Cacok scored 10 of his 23 points in the opening period and Alex Jones had seven of his 11, with the duo combining for all but two of the team’s 19 points in the quarter. Alpharetta (23-5) was scheduled to host Milton in the first round of the state tournament Wednesday. The Eagles won 62-60 in overtime on a
Sol Sims/ www.SolarviewPhotography.com
Alpharetta’s Eric McElroy battles to put up a shot.
neutral court in the only meeting between the two teams this season. Johns Creek won the consolation game 60-52 over Centennial, avoiding a first round meeting in the state tournament against No. 1 Wheeler. The Gladiators (14-4) will play at Pope (23-5), while Centen-
nial (16-12) plays at Wheeler (25-2) in the opening round, scheduled for Wednesday. The Knights jumped out to a 17-4 lead in the third place game, but Johns Creek scored the last six points of the quarter and outscored Centennial 22-10 in the second period and 21-16 in the fourth quarter. Ian Joseph had 19 points and Lancaster 16 for the Gladiators, combining for seven of the team’s 10 three-pointers. Whitlow had the other three, all coming in the decisive second quarter. Chase Campbell added 10 points for Johns Creek. Adam Saeed led Centennial with 19 points, nine in the opening period. In the quarterfinals, which determined which teams from the region would qualify for state, Johns Creek defeated Chattahoochee 57-52 and Centennial coasted past North Forsyth 56-41. The Gladiators outscored the Cougars 15-6 in the second quarter, taking advantage of an off shooting night by Chattahoochee standout Marcus Sheffield. Sheffield still finished with 23 points, mostly coming on slashing drives to the basket. The Cougars (16-10) came back to take a 47-46 lead with
3:19 to play, but a steal and layup by Whitlow put the Gladiators ahead for good at 48-47 with 1:30 on the clock. Johns Creek protected its lead at the free throw line, as the Cougars did not make a field goal in the final four-and-a-half minutes. Lancaster had 16 points and Joseph 14 for the Gladiators, with Campbell adding 10 points, Miles Clay nine and Whitlow eight. Centennial jumped out to an 18-3 lead after one quarter with Saeed scoring eight points. Centennial led 27-5 before North Forsyth closed within 16 at the half. The Knights put the game away in the third period, outscoring the Raiders 20-7 to take a 51-22 lead to the fourth quarter. Saeed took over in the third period, again scoring eight points, and finished with 18 on nine of 11 shooting, along with 10 rebounds and four steals. Terrill Dirton also scored eight points in the third quarter, hitting a pair of three-pointers. Northview (3-23) lost its opener 60-48 to West Forsyth, scoring just four points in the third quarter to trail by 20 going to the final period. Keith Chi scored 15 for the Titans, hitting three three-pointers. Garrett Stewart added 14 points and Justin Brown 11.
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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 27
St. Francis sweeps to region titles Both teams topseeded in Class A MABLETON, Ga. – Both St. Francis teams captured Region 6-A basketball championships Saturday and will begin the Class A state private school playoffs as the No. 1-seeded boys’ and girls’ teams. The St. Francis boys were uncontested in their three victories, winning 83-43 over Mount Paran, 87-47 over Mount Pisgah and 78-52 in the finals over tournament host Whitefield Academy. The Knights (25-3) got 69 points from their standout trio of Malik Beasley, Kobi Jordan-Simmons and Kaiser Gates in the title game against Whitefield (20-9). Beasley had 30 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Simmons scored 21 points and Gates added 18 for the Knights, who jumped out to an 11-0 lead. St. Francis led 30-8 after one quarter and 57-24 at the half against Mount Pisgah. Gates was seven of eight from the field and scored 18 points, with Simmons and Beasley adding 17 each. Chris Steele contributed 13 points, hitting three of four three-pointers. Beasley and Steele scored 18 points each, and Gates had 14 points, seven
rebounds and six assists against Mount Paran, with St. Francis leading 32-7 after one quarter. Mount Pisgah (15-12) opened the tournament with a 59-34 win over Mount Zion, Carrollton. The Patriots will join St. Francis in the Class A private school playoffs, which are scheduled to begin this weekend. The St. Francis girls (24-3) won 57-46 over Mount Paran in the tournament finals, getting a battle for a half. Abby Grant hit a three-pointer late in the second period to give St. Francis a 24-22 halftime lead and connected on three more in the third period as the Lady Knights outscored Mount Paran 20-10. Kasiyahna Kushkituah scored 10 of her 20 points in the first quarter as St. Francis took a 14-9 lead after the opening period. The Lady Knights opened the tournament with an 84-20 win over North Cobb Christian. Freshman Jala Jordan led the win with 17 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Kushkituah added 15 points and Yasmine Ratliff 12. Maya Dodson had 10 points and five blocks, and Nichel Tampa had eight points, 10 assists and five steals. St. Francis advanced to the finals with a 50-21 win over Fellowship Christian (15-8), which opened the tournament with a 46-27 victory over Mount
Sol Sims/www.SolarviewPhotography.com
Nichel Tampa dribbles up court.
Kobi Jordan-Simmons goes for a onehanded slam.
Zion. Cameron Swartz led Fellowship with 20 points. Both St. Francis and Fellowship
Christian are scheduled to begin state playoff action this weekend. – Mike Blum
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BT take consolation finals Centennial girls miss out on state playoffs ATLANTA – Blessed Trinity edged North Clayton 50-48 Saturday in the consolation finals of the Region 4-AAA basketball tournament at Douglass, earning the Titans a first round game in the state playoffs against a familiar opponent in another sport. The Titans (23-5) were scheduled to play Wednesday at Washington County (18-10), which has defeated Blessed Trinity the last two seasons in the state football playoffs. The Hawks’ top player is A.J. Gray, the state Player of the Year in football as a quarterback/safety. Had the Titans lost to North Clayton, they would have had to play a first round game in Augusta against Laney, the top-ranked team in AAA. The Titans held on down the stretch against North Clayton, with Cameron Johnson hitting four of six late free throws to keep BT in front. Johnson scored 12 points, and Jackson Svete had 13 for the Titans.
BT led by two points after three periods in the semifinals against South Atlanta (244), which hit several threepointers midway through the final quarter before putting the game away at the free throw line. South Atlanta tied with Cedar Grove for first in its sub-region, with the Titans going 10-0 to finish first in the other sub-region. Svete scored 20 points for the Titans, who won their tournament opener 51-31 over Washington. BT limited Washington to 10 points in the first half and increased its lead to 16 after three periods. The Blessed Trinity girls won their tournament opener 55-40 over North Clayton before losing 53-40 to Westminster in the quarterfinals. The Lady Titans (7-20) scored 21 points in the first quarter against North Clayton and led 36-20 at the half. Payton Fadem scored 19 points including three three-pointers. Kirsten Green had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and Emma Rogers added 12 points in the win over North Clayton.
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Edged by Lambert in region quarterfinals By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Centennial girls, who finished fourth in 6-AAAAAA behind the three dominant Forsyth teams, lost to Lambert 5148 in the quarterfinals of the region tournament to miss out on the state playoffs. The Lady Knights played without Brianna Perry, who scored 25 points in the team’s last regular season game. The Lady Knights (15-11) tied the game with 2:30 to play after trailing by as many as nine points early in the fourth quarter. Jillah Moede scored the tying basket and added two late field goals for Centennial, but the Knights could not capitalize on four straight missed free throws by Lambert in the final 30 seconds. Trailing by one point,
Centennial missed twice with a chance to take the lead in the closing seconds. Moede finished with 17 points, 11 in the fourth quarter, and 14 rebounds. Naomi Holloway led the Knights with 22 points and had six steals. She led the charge to get Centennial back in the game with nine points in the fourth quarter. Chattahoochee lost in the quarterfinals to No. 3 seed West Forsyth 61-33, with 6-foot-5 West Forsyth center Jenna Staiti scoring 33 points, 31 in the first three quarters. The Lady Cougars (14-12) were led by Aysia Key with 10 points, Siena Gore with nine and Alayna Ford with eight. The other three North Fulton girls’ teams played the first night of the tournament, with Northview knocking off Johns Creek 52-41 and Alpharetta falling 53-48 to Habersham Central in overtime. Northview (4-23) was just 3-15 in region play, but led Johns Creek 16-4 after one quarter. Shannon Titus led a
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balanced scoring attack for the Lady Titans with 12 points, and four of her teammates scored between seven and 10 points. Johns Creek finished 12-14. The Lady Titans put up a fight in the quarterfinals against tournament champion South Forsyth, losing 68-53. Northview trailed only 18-17 after one quarter and was within eight points at the half, but managed just six points in the third period. After managing just 22 points in the first three quarters, the Alpharetta girls (4-22) scored 20 in the final period to force overtime after trailing by four going into the fourth quarter. Teja Finley scored 13 of her 24 points in the fourth period, but was scoreless in overtime. Nebrina Harton scored 11 of her 13 points for Alpharetta in the fourth quarter and overtime.
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johnscreekherald.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 29
Eagles place third in region tournament Rebound after narrow loss against Pope By MIKE BLUM news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – Milton took third place in the Region 5-AAAAAA tournament, defeating Cherokee 47-40 Saturday, one day after suffering a tough 49-47 loss to Pope in the semifinals. Cherokee had a chance to knock off Wheeler, the No. 1 team in AAAAAA, in the semifinals, but missed a last second shot and lost 51-49. Wheeler had another close call in the finals, edging Pope 61-59. The Eagles led for most of Saturday’s consolation finals, getting strong inside play from center Chris Lewis, who scored 19 points. The Eagles got the ball to Lewis for three straight baskets in the second quarter to take a slim lead they retained the rest of the way. Alex O’Connell hit a pair of three-pointers in the final period to give Milton two sevenpoint leads, and Lewis clinched the win with a pair of late field goals. O’Connell finished with 12 points and Jordan Burrow added eight, hitting shots in the closing seconds of the first two periods. The Eagles trailed Pope by seven points with 45 seconds to play in the semifinals Friday and cut the lead to two on a three-pointer by reserve Charlie Newell and a rebound basket by Quarte Sapp, who scored seven of his 12 points in the final period. Milton missed opportunities to tie or take the lead before Newell hit a three at the buzzer for the final score. Lewis
Al Levine
Milton’s Quarte Sapp slams the ball with authority.
scored 14 for the Eagles, who were outscored 18-8 in the second quarter and trailed by seven at the half. A strong third quarter led Milton to a 56-50 win over Walton in the quarterfinals, earning the Eagles a spot in the state tournament. O’Connell
and Sapp both scored 14 points, Lewis had 12 and Keishon Kershaw nine. The Eagles trailed 28-27 at the half, but O’Connell and Kershaw hit three-pointers early in the third period. Milton outscored the Raiders 16-4 in the quarter, with Sapp contributing six of his points. Lewis had a pair of assists and a key basket in the final period and played outstanding defense against Walton standout Nick Wells to help preserve the win. Milton (17-11) was scheduled to open play in the state tournament Wednesday at Alpharetta. Milton won the regular season meeting between the two teams 62-60 in overtime. Roswell (11-15) suffered through a miserable shooting night and lost its quarterfinal game to Cherokee 67-35. The Hornets lost by two points at Cherokee late in the regular season, but struggled on both ends of the floor in the tournament on their home court, allowing 23 points in the first quarter and trailing 41-18 at halftime. The Roswell girls (6-21) won their tournament opener 56-48 over Walton before losing 5243 to Pope in the quarterfinals. Tatiyana Sekelick scored 16 points in the win over Walton, with Kasey Cwalina contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds and Emily Pruitt adding 10 points. Cwalina had 12 points and 17 rebounds in the loss to Pope, with Megan Toner adding 12 points and Pruitt hitting three three-pointers for nine points. Milton girls (6-18) lost their tournament opener 22-21 to Lassiter, which went 1-15 in the region during the regular season. Lassiter finished 2-25.
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CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-15-AB-04 PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers February 26, 2015 3:00 P.M. PURPOSE Consumption on Premises Liquor, Beer & Wine Sunday Sales APPLICANT FBM, Inc. d/b/a Dos Margaritas Mexican Restaurant 12460 Crabapple Rd., Suite 601 Alpharetta, Ga. 30004 Owner FBM, Inc. Registered Agent Joyce Gist Lewis
CITY OF JOHNS CREEK PUBLIC NOTICE PURPOSE An Alcoholic Beverage License Application was submitted to the City on February 13, 2015 for Consumption on Premises of Malt Beverage, and Wine. BUSINESS NAME A & S Culinary Concepts, LLC dba A & S Culinary Concepts 9945 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 303 Johns Creek, GA 30022 OWNER/OFFICERS BUSINESS NAME A & S Culinary Concepts, LLC dba A & S Culinary Concepts 9945 Jones Bridge Rd Suite 303 Johns Creek, GA 30022 Owner, Andrew Traub
30 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald | johnscreekherald.com
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AHS honors basketball seniors ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Alpharetta High School celebrates its senior basketball players. The girls, from left, are Deone
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Aaron Thomas, Devontae Cacok, Jaylon Gamble, Afam Maduka and Mark Eze.
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Knights name new head football coach ROSWELL, Ga. – Centennial High School hired former Chattahoochee assistant coach Lenny Gregory as the school’s new head football coach, replacing Jeff Carlberg. Gregory has coached on the staff at AAAAAA state power Grayson the past five seasons, most recently serving as defensive coordinator. During his five seasons at Grayson, the Rams won a state title in 2011, going 15-0, and won 10 games three other times, going 10-3 in four playoff appearances. Prior to coaching at Grayson, Gregory was on the Chattahoochee staff under Terry Crowder for three seasons. The Cougars won a state title in AAAA (now AAAAA) the season after Gregory joined the Grayson staff. Gregory takes over for Carlberg, who went 9-21 in his three seasons at Centennial after serving as defensive coordinator at Alpharetta. The Knights went 5-5 this past season, their best record during
Carlberg’s stint as head coach. Centennial has had just one winning season since 2003, going 6-4 in ’07. The Knights went 27-7 from 200103, but Mike Cloy, who started the Centennial football program in 1997, was replaced after a losing season in ’04. Gregory will be the fourth head coach hired since Cloy’s departure. The Knights return some talent on offense led by quarterback Casen Conway and versatile running back/receiver Caden Herring, but they struggled defensively this past season and lost most of their talent from the defensive unit. – Mike Blum
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Johns Creek Herald | February 19, 2015 | 31 Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com
Darasani gains support for Tanzanian school children Local nonprofit spreading to more N.F. schools By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com
Darasani Mission Statement
Darasani: Swahili. n.: Classroom; in the Classroom
Provide educational supplies directly to the school children in the rural villages of Tanzania to promote education for a long term solution to poverty.
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Last summer eight Northview students traveled to Tanzania, Africa, to bring school supplies to orphan Tanzanian students as part of Project Darasani. This year the goal is for 16 students to make the trip to change young lives in a faraway country and enrich their own. At a Feb.7 Project Darasani meeting at Sugar Mill clubhouse in Johns Creek, around 70 parents and students gathered to hear about Darasani and the plans to make the summer trip. Professor Lisa Kasmer, Ph.D., teaches math at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, but for the last seven years, she has been taking pre-service students in the Math & Education program to Tanzania on a six-week program to teach these Tanzanian students. There she met Rupesh Sharma and his daughter Saloni Sharma in 2013 at an outpost lodge. “I took Saloni to some of the schools where my students were teaching,” Kasmer said. “She became interested in what we were doing with the students.”
Darasani by the Numbers • School is free in Tanzania but many children can’t go to school as families don’t have money to pay for uniforms and school supplies • 80% of Primary School children drop out due to lack of resources • 1.3 million children have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and many don’t go to school due to lack of resources • Only 20% of students have access to text books For information or to donate, visit project-darasani.com. What 13-year-old Saloni saw were children at schools who needed everything. “I saw no textbooks. Perhaps one or two pencils. I was motivated to do something,” Saloni said. “They had so little. I knew I could do something.” With her father’s encouragement Saloni returned home and started Project Darasani to send a mission trip of students like herself to bring books and supplies to as many young students as she could. She started with a Darasani chapter in Northview High School where she goes to school. In August 2014, she and a group of fellow students made the trip bringing the books and
supplies they had collected during the previous school year. “My 2013 Darasani trip changed my life,” said Fatima Wehbe, an officer in the Northview Darasani chapter. “I saw how those students do so much for so little. Seeing that really changed me.” While education is free, it does cost money to attend – more money than the typical Tanzanian family can afford, said Kasmer. “Typically the oldest child attends. School is compulsory, but outside the cities attendance drops off. The government does not have the infrastructure to support the
Alpharetta High School Project Darasani chapter president Rohan Bagga explains his enthusiasm for the trip as NHS Darasani members from left Fatima Wehbe, Aashi Kalra and Saloni Rupesh, founder and NHS chapter president, listen.
HATCHER HURD/Staff
Stuti Rao, NHS chapter treasurer, listens as Ankita Shroff, NHS chapter chairwoman of communications, tells neighbors about Project Darasani.
schools in the countryside. You see two to three students share a desk meant for one,” she said. When Saloni and her friends got back from Tanzania they quickly sought to bring more students at other area schools into Darasani. “We want the program to grow, but sustainable growth. That is why it is not a one-year commitment,” she said. Sixteen-yearold Rohan Bagga heard about Darasani and became so enthused he started the Alpharetta High School chapter of Professor Lisa Kasmer, Ph.D., of Grand Darasani and will Valley State University, Michigan, met the make the trip. Sharma family while on a teaching trip to “I am ready Tanzania which led to the founding of Projto go, I am really ect Darasani. looking forward to doing this,” he said. ticipate or donate. One neighBagga plans to bring more AHS students into the program bor is an attorney who helped Darasani with its 501(c)-3 for a 2016 trip. designation. Kriti Lodh is a student “After our program at Sugar at Wheeler High School who Mill, one man donated $5,000. has founded a chapter at her What resonates is that a gift school. of money can get a child into “It is a chance to change a school. Some people give what person’s life, or many persons’ they can. One person gave us lives. Who wouldn’t want the 1,000 bags for 1,000 students chance to do that,” she said. to receive their supplies,” Rupesh Sharma said ProjSharma said. ect Darasani has been growing “It doesn’t take a lot of by word-of-mouth. Neighbors money to sponsor one child.” hear about it and want to par-
32 | February 19, 2015 | Johns Creek Herald
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Getting to know ‘Bachelorette’ Ashley Salter Milton grad finding fame on “The Bachelor” By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com Ashley Salter has packed a lot of living into her 24 years, and is still only about five minutes into what is likely to be her 15 minutes of fame. But something about Salter feels like it may just stretch a bit beyond that. A Milton High School and Auburn University graduate, Salter was among the 30 women culled from thousands looking for a shot at love and marriage on this season’s “The Bachelor.” The show remains a big draw, and within the group of female contestants, a few emerge more notable than the rest. This season, Salter, or “Ashley S. from Brooklyn, N.Y.” as she was referenced, became one of the more well-known contestants, despite the fact she, alas, did not get the final rose. Salter laughs when she talks about the New York tag, noting she has not lived in New York for long and her DNA is much more Georgia Peach than New York Apple. “When I found out I was cast, I lived in Brooklyn, and so they always referred to me on the show as ‘Ashley S. from Brooklyn, N.Y.’ Obviously I am not from Brooklyn,” laughed Ashley, recognizing perhaps that New York City might fit the script better than suburban Atlanta. On a visit back to Alpharetta, she spent time with Northside Woman magazine.
While I was there, I interviewed with salons and ended up getting a job offer on the spot at an Aveda salon in the Lower East Side. So I ended up staying – I didn’t go back home. My parents had to bring my clothes to me since I only had a few things. I found a place in Brooklyn and commuted into the city for work. What is life like in New York City? New York City is so urban, with such a great mix of generations, races, cultures, values, so everyone is very open and accepting. One thing I really appreciate is the ease of public transportation (the subway is always full of surprises) and the walkability to most anything, any time of day. You can have any kind of food delivered to your door, even milk and cookies. And then there’s shopping. Ahhhhhhhh… Love the shopping! I love New York…it is just full of energy. What did you miss most about Georgia? The thing I missed most about Georgia was the sense of community, particularly in the Alpharetta area, and my family and friends. And all of the outdoor activities, like swimming, golfing, tennis and cycling. It’s hard to find that in the city. I didn’t have a lot of down-time in New York – you really have to work to live there. One of my must-do’s when I’m back home is I have to eat at Milton’s. That is my absolute favorite local restaurant.
Surprisingly, the girls on the show are all great women, and through the process, I ended up making a lot of new friends. A couple of them will definitely be lasting friendships.
How did you end up in New York City from Alpharetta? When I graduated from Auburn, my parents allowed me to attend cosmetology school, which is something I had always wanted to do. I attended The Aveda Institute in Buckhead for a year. After I graduated, I went to visit a friend in New York City for what was supposed to be a quick visit.
Okay, onto “The Bachelor.” How did you end up as a contestant? I didn’t audition – I was nominated by a friend a year before they contacted me. I didn’t know my friend had nominated me, so when the show contacted me, I honestly thought it was a joke at first. From there, the interview process included meeting with casting directors and producers. I really don’t know how many candidates there were, but I know there were a lot. The show is cast from all over
Even though Ashley Salter lives in the Big Apple now, she still calls Alpharetta home. the country and Canada. This season, there were 30 girls selected, which was the largest group in “Bachelor” history. Once you decided to be a contestant, what was your goal going in? My goal was to take this opportunity to meet a really great guy and to see what would come of it. You can’t negotiate love. I was definitely interested in meeting (bachelor) Chris Soules, and if nothing came of it, then it would still be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I told myself going in, “If I can’t laugh at myself at the end of the day, then I’ll come home,” and that’s what I did. I have watched “The Bachelor” since Season I, but the experience of being on it was nothing like I expected. So, give us a peek inside the California mansion with
30 other contestants. Is it really the constant drama we see on television? Well, it is reality TV. There have been some surprises watching the episodes airing now because when the other girls are having one-on-one time with Chris, or out on a one-on-one or group date that you’re not on, you really have no idea what is happening or what conversations they’re having with one another, so that’s been interesting (as I watch it now). Tell me something that people would find surprising about your experience. Surprisingly, the girls on the show are all great women, and through the process, I ended up making a lot of new friends. A couple of them will definitely be lasting friendships. They’re all great people, and we were all there for the same purpose.
Tell me about the filming process. When did it start, how long did it last? Filming started in September, and depending on how long you make it through the season is how long the filming is. (Note: Ashley made it through three rounds of “rose ceremonies” before being eliminated in the fourth week. She was among the final 15 of 30 contestants.) Looking back, is being on “The Bachelor” something you would do again? And would you recommend others to give it a try? I don’t regret it. And, as far as would I recommend it to others, that’s not a question I can answer. To each their own. I know the show is not for everyone, but if someone really wants to try it, then I say, go for it.
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LIVE! In Roswell:
Ruthie Foster brings blues to Roswell ROSWELL, Ga. – Three-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster brought her blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel to Roswell Feb. 7 as part of the LIVE! in Roswell concert series. Performing at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, the show was part of the fourth annual series of live entertainment. Having worked with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Foster has been compared to Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin. With a strong, clear and soulful voice, Foster excels at richly textured music painted in blues. She’s received five trophies from the Blues Music Awards, including the coveted Koko Taylor Award for Female Artist of the Year (twice), and was nominated for a Grammy in 2013 for her album “Let it Burn.” Foster’s newest release, “Promise of a Brand New Day,” was produced by Meshell Ndegeocello and received a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album, her third nomination. There are still two more performances left in the LIVE! in Roswell concert series. For
More info
Roswell Cultural Arts Center 950 Forrest St. Roswell, Ga. 30075 770-594-6232 www.roswellcac.com more on these events, visit www.roswellcac.com. Dirty Bourbon River Show Saturday, May 9 – 8 p.m. Since forming in early 2009, the Dirty Bourbon River Show has brought their blend of “New Orleans Gypsy Brass Circus Rock” all over the United States. DBRS pushes the boundaries of modern-day music, with its quintet of highly versed multi-instrumentalists utilizing piano, guitar, accordion, trumpet, sousaphone, flute, bass, wind toys, saxophone and clarinet. An Evening with Shawn Mullins Saturday, June 13 – 8 p.m. Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins has undergone a series of transformative experiences
Drew Stawin/Special
Ruthie Foster performs Feb. 7 at the Roswell Arts Center as part of the LIVE! in Roswell series. leading to this captivating new song cycle. His experiences included delving into the collaborative creative process by intensive co-writing, and in
one instance putting him atop of the country charts via a key contribution to the Zac Brown Band’s “Toes,” marking his fourth No. 1 single (and first
purely as a co-writer), following 1999’s “Lullaby” and the 2006 Triple A/Americana chart-topper “Beautiful Wreck.” —Jonathan Copsey
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The cast of Barnwell Elementary School’s “Green Eggs and Hamlet” make the point that literature and music are fun as well as educational.
Barnwell students pack house with ‘Green Eggs and Hamlet’ Literary musical Inspires draws audiences of over 1,500 JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – With a cast of 72 talented and enthusiastic fourth and fifth grade students from Barnwell Elementary School, “Green Eggs and Hamlet” proved that William Shakespeare and Dr. Seuss make a powerful combination. The young dedicated cast members rehearsed the zany, yet inspiring musical parody for two months under the leadership of director Whitney King and PTA Volunteer Kim Rutledge. They delivered four performances on Feb. 5 and 6 at the Northview High School auditorium and at Barnwell Elementary Feb 10. The production, written by Whitney King, Jamie Moore and Eric Nash, paired up Seuss’s “Sam I Am” and Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to lead a group of literature-loathing kids into the books they think they don’t want to read. Sam/Hamlet’s role takes
the students on a magical journey through a variety of genres – Shakespearean, romance, children’s, science fiction and horror. The play drives home the importance of being yourself and always being brave. The play featured clever and comedic dialogue coupled with polished singing and dancing to songs such as “Hakuna Matata,” “The Time Warp,” “Play that Funky Music,” “Heard it Through the Grapevine,“ “I Want You Back,” “Happy,” “Brave” and “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think.” “The message in this play is so important. Believe in yourself and be true to yourself,” said Rutledge. “I loved that the kids understood that message and rallied around it. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to stand in front of nearly two sold-out crowds and sing, dance and act. Every child did this without hesitation.”
Avery Rutledge as Katherine from Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” hits a high note.
Jared Carlson, from left, Alec Grosswald (as “Dewey” Decimal) and Jaden Reese sing and dance to “I Heard it through the Grapevine.”
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Titles: Continued from Page 25 before winning four straight in the consolation bracket,
the first two on a fall and a 14-8 decision. After narrow wins by scores of 4-2 and 3-2, he lost 9-7 in the consolation final. Whiteman (18-7) lost his first match 5-0, but won three straight before losing 3-2 in
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ADVERTISEMENT INVITATION TO BID CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, FOR CISCO COMPONENTS ITB #15-010 The City of Alpharetta is accepting bids for the purchase of CISCO COMPONENTS. The ITB document, including project scope, specifications, and bidder requirements, is available online at www.alpharetta.ga.us, select Online Services then Procurement (Bid) Opportunities. Bids are due Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. For information, please contact Stephanie Cochran at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department at 678-297-6052 or via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us.
PUBLIC NOTICE Engineering Associates, Inc. and the City of Johns Creek propose to construct a 195’ self-supported public safety communications tower at 6410 Old Atlanta Road, near Johns Creek, Forsyth County, Georgia. Wireless telecommunications antennae will be placed on the tower and related equipment shelters will be placed at the base of the tower. In accordance with regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Engineering Associates, Inc. hereby solicits public comment concerning the effect of its proposal on historic properties. Any comments should be made within 30 days of the date of this notice, and directed to Ligita Kravchuk, AMEC Foster Wheeler, Inc. at 1075 Big Shanty Rd NW Ste 100, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Please include the tower location and the location of the historic resource that you believe might be affected.
Submit your news & photos to news@appenmediagroup.com | Recycled paper the consolation semifinals. Senior Tylor Johnson (24-8) went 2-2 at 195, winning both matches on falls, and senior Brian Slewitzke (31-15) lost his first match at 138 to the runner-up. Northview’s Jack Kenyon (27-6) won his first match on a fall before losing to the champion in the second round and to Willis 14-8. Centennial’s Julio Urbina (145) won his second match 7-4 after losing to the champion in the first round. He lost his second consolation match 1-0. Blessed Trinity sent six wrestlers to the AAA meet, with sophomore Noah Kile (120) placing third. Kile (42-5) won three of his four matches on falls and scored a 3-2 victory in the consolation finals. He
lost 18-5 to the champion in the semifinals. Junior Huiet Joseph (2313) went 2-2 at 220, winning a pair of one-point decisions in the consolation bracket. Senior Cameron Nolan (195, 27-9) and junior James Hawkins (285, 25-7) both won their first consolation match on falls. Freshman Ian Spittler (138) and senior Ben Pierce (152) also competed at state. All four St. Francis wrestlers in the Class A meet placed fourth or higher, led by freshman Will Smith (106), who won his first two matches on falls before losing in the finals to finish 16-10. Senior Seth Cecil (23-12) was third at 285, scoring all three of his wins on falls. He lost in the second round to the
runner-up. Also placing third was junior Ethan Sparks at 126, who won his last three matches including an 8-6 win in the consolation final. Sparks (20-14) made it to state as an alternate after placing fifth at sectionals. Junior Josh Snyder (30-14) went 2-2 to place fourth at 152. Nathan Shirley of Fellowship Christian (30-8) took third at 160. He lost to the champion in second round before winning on a fall in the consolation final. Mount Pisgah’s Karlos Nadal (106) and Pierce Erhardt (152) both went 2-2 and placed fifth. Nadal (48-17) lost 8-6 to the champion in the semifinals, with Erhardt (56-8) dropping a pair of three-point decisions.
CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza (new City Hall), Alpharetta, Georgia. Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday March 30, 2015 commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza (new City Hall), Alpharetta, Georgia. a. CLUP-15-01/MP-15-01/Z-15-01/V-15-01 KB 400 Master Plan 1699 Land Company, LLC Consideration of a request to rezone approximately 12.4 acres from O-I to CUP in order to develop 59 single family homes and 37 townhomes. A variance from CUP acreage and lot regulations is requested. A Master Plan amendment to allow Single Family attached and detached homes is requested and a request to change the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from “Corporate Campus Office” to “High Density” Residential. The property is at the southeast corner of Kimball Bridge and North Point Parkway. The property is located within Land Lots 807, 808, 849, 850, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. b. MP-14-09 Parkway 400/Hotel Consideration of a request to amend the Parkway 400 Masterplan in order to allow a Hotel as a permitted use on Building Sites 7 and 8. The property is located on Kimball Bridge Road. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lots 801 1st District, Second Section, Fulton County, Georgia. c. PH-14-20 UDC Changes, Climate Controlled Storage. Consideration of a change to the Unified Development Code in order to add the definition for climate controlled storage and add permitted zoning designations for the use. d. CU-14-07/V-14-30 CK Spacemax LLC Consideration of a conditional use to permit a climate controlled storage facility on property located at 11505 Morris Road on the south side of Old Milton Parkway as well as a variance to the parking requirements. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lot 856, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. e. CLUP-15-02/Z-14-13/V-15-03 Spruell Subdivision Consideration of a request to rezone approximately 5 acres from AG to R-8D in order to develop 21 single family detached homes. A request to change the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from “Low Density” Residential to “High Density” Residential is also requested. The property is located at 3500 Spruell Circle and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 7, 1st District, 1st Section, Fulton County, Georgia. Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 South Main Street.
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CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, March 5, 2015 commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza (new City Hall), Alpharetta, Georgia. A workshop will also be held by the Planning Commission at 6:30p.m. Items forward by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday March 23, 2015 commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza (new City Hall), Alpharetta, Georgia. a. CLUP-14-07/Z-14-11/V-14-26 Old Milton Holdings, LLC Consideration of a request to rezone approximately 21 acres from R-12, O-P, and C-1 to MU in order to develop single family detached and attached homes, office, restaurant, commercial, public space. A request to change the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from Professional/Business Office to Mixed Use is also requested. A total of 4 variances are being requested 1) 25 acres limit 2) less than 25% office 3) buffers and 4) allow “For sale� detached dwellings. The property is located on Thompson Street and Old Milton Parkway. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lot 749, 802, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. b. PH-15-02 Canton Street Commons/Peachtree Residential A public hearing for the approval of site plans. The property is located on Canton Street. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1252, 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. c. Z-14-15/V-14-32 Academy Street Tract Consideration of a request to rezone approximately 10.43 acres from R-12 to CUP as well as site plan approval. A variance to the CUP zoning land area is requested. The property is located at 76 Academy Street, 94 Academy Street, 140 Academy Street and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 1268/1267 2nd District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. d. PH-15-03 Avalon/Container Store Consideration of site plan approval and elevations for an outparcel fronting Old Milton Parkway within the Avalon development. The property is legally described as being located in Land Lot 802, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia.
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Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 South Main Street.
DEATH NOTICES Louise Frances Blalack, 93, of Cumming, passed away January 3, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Nelson Cazenave, 59, of Roswell, passed away February 10, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Christopher James Coffey, 44, of Johns Creek, passed away February 5, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Charlotte Eberhardt, 83, of Alpharetta, passed away February 10, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Roland Gerald Emmert, 92, of Cumming, passed away February 7, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. James Wesley Guyton, 66, of Cumming, passed away February 9, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.
Jimmie Ralston Hamby, 84, of Cumming, passed away February 7, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Barbara Jane Hontz, 82, of Cumming, passed away February 5, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. John Mayfield, 94, of Alpharetta, passed away February 4, 2015. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society.
Eleanor R. Minton, 82, of Cumming, passed away February 9, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
Victoria Jean Pastore, 65, of Alpharetta, passed away February 9, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Brenda Sue Roebuck, 56 of Dawsonville, passed away February 9, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Kayla Lynn Roy, 23, of Gainesville, passed away February 8, 2015. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Gracia Mohr Waddill, 87, of Cumming, passed away February 5, 2015. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.
Dorothy Grant Williams, 95, of Forsyth County, passed away on February 4, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Charles Arthur Wuthrich, Jr., 72, of Cumming, passed away February 3, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Daniel Ray Zizich, 64, of Hayesville, NC, passed away February 10, 2015. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home.
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