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Mayors reject transit on TSPLOST ballot

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Education legislation awaits formal signing

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KATIE ANDERSON/HERALD

Honoring the lost and living Scores of veterans, their families and others turned out Saturday at induction ceremonies for the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2020 at Newtown Park. The event, originally scheduled for last November, was delayed because of the pandemic. Read more, Page 5.

City Council members announce mayoral bid

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2 | April 8, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

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Youth club members cited for selling with no permit JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded to a pair of calls reporting that kids were selling items door to door March 27 and cited three people for ordinance violations. Officers were dispatched to a residence on Magnolia Circle for one report. Police found a 17-year-old, who said he’d been canvassing the Seven Oaks neighborhood for hours selling items for the Georgia Peach Youth Club. The officer noted the youth had no signs or permits and cited him and his manager, Miguel Baez, for permit required for solicitation “door to door.” Baez, 27, of Atlanta, was also cited when officers were dispatched to a call on Byers Road for a different juvenile soliciting door to door. Baez and Romane Roberts, another volunteer for the organization, said the youth didn’t need a city permit to solicit. After the officer explained that they did, the men walked away with the child and continued to knock on doors. Police then cited Baez and Roberts, 25, of Jonesboro, for soliciting without a permit.

Pot seized from man at gated community 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Officers recov-

PUBLIC SAFETY ered 131.6 grams of raw marijuana after they responded to a home on Saint Ives Country Club Parkway on March 28. Police were called out one day after an overnight security guard stopped a man in the gated subdivision carrying a backpack that contained the drugs. The guard did not report his find to police but left the pot in a companyowned security truck. Managers for the security company called police the following day and turned over the backpack. They also identified the suspect. Officers notified the Johns Creek Alpharetta Forsyth Drug Task Force to investigate.

Task force investigates pot bust at house party JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Two teens were detained after police seized marijuana at a house party along Olmstead Lane March 26. Officers responded to the gated community after someone reported dozens of cars entering the subdivision through an exit gate that was open. Security told police the cars were heading to a party. When an officer showed up to the home to investigate, he found a 19-year-old Roswell man ducking down in a parked car in the driveway. The officer approached the vehicle to question the man and smelled marijuana. Upon searching the car, he found a backpack filled with 56 grams of marijuana and THC wax, a digital scale, smoking device and other paraphernalia. The officer could not determine if the backpack belonged to the teen or

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DRUGS & DUIS arrests Austin Jay Ivie, 25, of Riverclift Drive, Covington, was arrested March 22 on Jones Bridge Road for DUI. Haven Dunmore Ayres, 33, of Jasmine Parkway, Alpharetta, was arrested March 23 on Nesbit Ferry Road for DUI. Vanessa Navas Mattesich, 47, of Stonevalley Lane, Cumming, was arrested March 25 on Medlock Bridge Road for DUI, speeding and failure to maintain lane. Richard Christopher Layer, 40, of Plantation Glen Court, Johns Creek, was arrested March 25 on State Bridge Road for DUI, too fast for conditions and failure to maintain lane. George Bruce Johnston, 54, of Planters Ridge Lane, Alpharetta, was arrested March 26 on Old Alabama Road for DUI and lights and headlights required. Victoria Lynn Turner, 25, of Exchange Circle, Bethlehem, was arrested March 26 on Abbotts Bridge Road for DUI, failure to maintain lane and driving on a divided highway/restricted access. Maria A. Salazar Navarro, 25, of Sunberry Court, Alpharetta, was arrested March 28 on State Bridge Road for DUI and impeding traffic flow. the vehicle’s driver, who came out during the search. No arrests were made. The investigation was turned over to the Johns Creek Alpharetta Forsyth Drug Task Force, police indicated.

NEWS

Fulton County mayors derail transit as part of TSPLOST ballot question By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmedia.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Transit funding appears off the table as part of a new countywide transportation sales tax referendum this November. Mayors from a majority of Fulton County cities voted thumbs down April 2 to include regional bus and rail funding as part of the official ballot question. That doesn’t exclude cities from using their share of the money to help fund transit, though. Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said that in discussions with his city council, he wants to ensure that Alpharetta reserves the right to invest its TSPLOST dollars in whatever project list they can all agree on. The 14 cities outside Atlanta are mounting an effort to give residents a vote to renew some form of the current transportation sales tax, or TSPLOST, after the current one expires next March. The current .75-cent sales tax was approved through referendum by voters in 2016 and has brought in hundreds of millions in transportation dollars to local jurisdictions. Cities are in the early stages of building their own project lists for funding if voters favor renewing the tax for another five-year term. Transportation officials estimate the tax would bring in an estimated $500 million to Fulton County jurisdictions outside Atlanta, which has its own transportation tax. Although not unanimous, most mayors polled at the April 2 meeting with Fulton County officials said they favor continuation of the current tax of .75 cents on each dollar with proceeds divided among the cities according to

population. The vote was an almost certain death knell to earlier proposals that would have included a share of the proceeds earmarked for MARTA or other transit operations. Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann had argued earlier that adding transit funding would increase the area’s chances of receiving federal transportation grants to help with other local projects. Even so, the mayors indicated they wanted their city councils to have the say on how much funding went to transit. Roswell Mayor Lori Henry said her city prefers renewing the tax in its existing form. “We would love to see a [bus rapid transit] station in Roswell, and I think our council is willing to support that, but at this time we don’t have those guarantees, and council is not comfortable with just allocating 10 percent to MARTA to do whatever they may choose to do with it,” she said. Johns Creek Mayor Mike Bodker said his city council is not prepared to endorse any specific sales tax option at this time. Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said his council supports whatever option gets the issue on the ballot to voters. “We’ll support whatever the will of the majority is,” he said. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said the cities should now move forward with developing lists of projects they would fund with TSPLOST money. The lists will have to be shared with all cities so that an intergovernmental agreement can be drafted this summer and the issue can be placed on the November ballot.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | April 8, 2021 | 3

4 | April 8, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Forsyth County Schools challenges stimulus funding formula By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com CUMMING, Ga. — Officials with Forsyth County Schools are questioning a formula for federal stimulus funds they say is lopsided and unfairly penalizes the district based on the makeup of its student population. Georgia’s public schools have received nearly $6 billion in federal stimulus funds in the past year aimed at helping K-12 schools respond and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The school-based funding has been included in three separate stimulus bills approved by Congress over the past year. The first two rounds under thenPresident Donald Trump were referred to as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act; the second under President Joe Biden were included in the recently-approved American Rescue Plan. Lawmakers mandated the education funds be allocated to school systems based on the percentage of students receiving Title 1 services tied to lower family income. Fewer than 14 percent of Forsyth County’s 51,500 students fall into that category, according to the Georgia Department of Education. The statewide average is nearly 57 percent. The formula puts Forsyth County Schools, with its low Title 1 population, at a distinct disadvantage for COVID relief funds. Officials have maintained the district is facing the same challenges as all districts in providing education under pandemic disruptions. In total, Forsyth County Schools

received $20.5 million in federal funds, equal to $397 per student. By contrast, Atlanta Public Schools with 1,000 fewer students, received the equivalent of $6,234 per student. In an email sent in January to the Georgia Department of Education prior to the second round of stimulus funding, a Forsyth County Schools official questioned the continued reliance on the Title 1 formula for future allocations. “If Title 1 is used again…Forsyth will be shorted again, and some school districts could receive more in CARES Acts fund than the austerity cuts,” wrote Larry Hammel, chief financial officer for the Forsyth County School System. The email was obtained under the Open Records Act. Most Georgia school systems began the school year in the red after $950 million in state education was cut through “austerity reductions.” A mid-year budget adjustment restored 60 percent of the cuts, but many school systems, including Forsyth County Schools, still struggled. “Forsyth had a $23 million deficit in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, and receiving $1.7 million in the first round of CARES Act funds did not help,” Hammel wrote. The formula remained unchanged through all three rounds of stimulus funding for Georgia, which grew from $411 million in the first round to $3.8 billion in the latest round approved last month. A spokesman for the Georgia Department of Education said the decision on allocations is out of the hands of education officials, at both the state and

Top 10 recipients of Federal Stimulus Funds for K-12 Education in Georgia Total stimulus funds (3 rounds)*(in millions) DeKalb County $ 486.1 Gwinnett County $ 440.4 Atlanta (Public) $ 314.4 Clayton County $ 263.9 Fulton County $ 262.5 Cobb County $ 247.5 Richmond County $ 181.5 Bibb County $ 155.0 Chatham County $ 154.1 Muskogee $ 147.5

School System

2021 Enrollment** (change from 2020) 92,353 (-864) 177,402 (-2,817) 50,433 (-1,606) 51,844 (-2,305) 90,219 ( -3,371) 107,068 (-4,639) 29,158 (-1,240) 21,097 (-492) 35,709 (-1,511) 30,514 (-864)

Federal stimulus funds per student $ 5,264 $ 2,482 $ 6,234 $ 5,090 $ 2,910 $ 2,312 $ 6,225 $ 7,347 $ 4,315 $ 4,834

Forsyth County $ 20.5 51,548 (+587) $ 397 Georgia $ 5.9 billion 1,723,127 (-37,612) $ 3,424 *Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CARES1); CARES 2; and American Rescue Plan Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Allocation (ARP) ** Based on Georgia Department of Education full-time enrollment counts in March 2020 and March 2021

national level. “The funding method was determined in law, not by the U.S. Department of Education,” said Matt Cardoza, external affairs director for the department. Of the 193 school districts in Georgia, 10 systems received almost half of the nearly $6 billion in federal stimulus funds allocated to the state. Forsyth County Schools ranked 60th among the 193 districts in terms of total funds received, despite its size as the 6th largest in the state with 51,548 students. DeKalb County Schools, the state’s 3rd largest school district, received the most federal stimulus among the state’s school districts. It has received $486

million to date — $5,264 per student. The district recently returned to face-toface instruction after seven months of universal remote learning. Forsyth County Schools was the largest school district in the state to open last August with in-person instruction. Cardoza said the federal stimulus funds do not come with any incentives or mandates to open schools to face-toface learning. “We have allowed local districts to determine [their instruction model], but State Superintendent Richard Woods has stated clearly he believes face-toface is the best model for the majority of students,” Cardoza said.

Lawmakers adjourn session with education impacts Vouchers, sports eligibility await governor’s signature By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmedia.com ATLANTA, Ga. — The Georgia Assembly ended the first half of its two-year session on March 31 with more of a whimper than a wail as most of the headline-grabbing bills passed in the days before adjournment. Most of the highly debated legislation, including voting reform and expansion of special needs vouchers for public school students, was on Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk before the final day of the 40-day session. The final day was busy as lawmakers passed legislation dealing with homeschooled students’ eligibility to play on public school teams, the rights of “pandemic pods” for small groups of students, and adding vaping product information to the drug and alcohol courses. Approved measures are now before Gov. Kemp

who has 40 days to sign or veto the legislation. The governor can also do nothing and allow the bill to go into law. Education advocates across the state came up short on their annual push to defeat expanding the program that provides private school vouchers for students with special education needs. Since its original passage in 2007, lawmakers have sought to expand the Special Needs Scholarship program to include an expanded list of what defines a “special need.” Of the three voucher bills introduced this session, Senate Bill 47 sponsored by Rep. Steve Gooch (RDahlonega), made it across the finish line and awaits the governor’s signature. The bill allows students with 504 plans access to vouchers, and not just Individualized Education Plans as defined under federal law. Education advocates lobbied that 504 plans are often temporary and can be mitigated by changing the learning environment for the student. Another piece of education legislation, the “Tim

Tebow bill,” made it to the governor’s desk after years of consideration. Now renamed the “Dexter Mosely Act,” the bill allows homeschooled students to participate on public school extracurricular teams. The student must be enrolled in at least one class at their home school. The bill did not pass on its own. It was added as an amendment to Senate Bill 42, dealing with student discipline data, after failing as a standalone bill. The General Assembly also passed House Bill 81 which is the state’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget. It is the only piece of legislation that must be introduced and passed each session. The budget contains an austerity cut of approximately $380 million to the Quality Basic Education formula, the state’s primary mechanism for funding K-12 public schools. Although significant, the cut could have been worse. The original austerity cut proposed to balance the state budget in the wake of the COVID-19

See EDUCATION, Page 18

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | April 8, 2021 | 5

Johns Creek hosts Veterans’ Hall of Fame induction By KATIE ANDERSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Georgia veterans, their families and friends, were honored Saturday at the induction ceremony for the Class of 2020 Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. This 8th annual ceremony was delayed due to COVID from November 2020. The ceremony has in the past always occurred at St. Luke’s Ministry Center in Columbus, Ga. The Johns Creek Veterans Association and the City of Johns Creek helped co-host and sponsor the event so that it could take place in The Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater at Newtown Park. The park is also home to the 4-acre Veterans Memorial Walk and the Wall That Heals. The walk features a trail with black, granite monuments recognizing each conflict involving American armed forces since World War I. It also includes special monuments to Purple Heart recipients, POW/MIAs and women in service. “This city is a very patriotic city, it’s a Purple Heart City,” Col. Rick White, director and chairman of the board for the Georgia Military Veteran’s Hall of Fame, said. “It is home to the largest privately funded veteran’s park in the United States.” The 2020 class was made up of 16 veterans who were honored for service, valor and achievement. Five of the inductees honored Saturday had been killed in action or were inducted posthumously. 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. and Maj. Charles Livingston Kelly were killed-in-action, and Master Sgt. James Rylance Greene, Rear Adm. Irve Charles “Chuck” LeMoyne and Lt. Gen.

John Nicolas McLaughlin were inducted posthumously. An honor bell was rung as these men were inducted, and family and friends accepted the awards in their place. Col. Robert Shane Kimbrough was also unable to attend the ceremony because he is in a quarantine before his third space mission this month as commander of SpaceX Crew 2. Kimbrough has logged 39 hours of spacewalking time in 189 days in space. He received his induction for achievement. The Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or JROTC, of Allatoona High School, assisted in the ceremony. They posted the colors and presented each inductee plaque. Col. Rick White said that their involvement during the ceremony gave him faith in the young people of America. “One quick thing about JROTC, it’s about leadership,” White said. “And the U.S. military is a vehicle to teach leadership, they’re doing great things for America.” Among those inducted into the 2020 class was legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley. Dooley joined the Marine Corps for two years in 1954 and then reverted to reserve status until his honorable discharge in the rank of captain in 1967. Around 20 of Coach Dooley’s previous football players showed up to support him including some from his 1980 National Championship Team. The Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame is working with Dooley to create a scholarship for JROTC students in Georgia. Last year, the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame awarded five Georgia ROTC students with the intention of going into military service upon graduation with $3,000 scholarships.

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Lt. Col. Mike Mizell, president of the Johns Creek Veterans Assocation and Coach Vince Dooley, left to right, with Dooley’s Georgia Military Veteran’s Hall of Fame induction plaque. “When you have 200 to 300 ROTC cadets around the state that competed in a program physically and mentally and then you can only give five scholarships, it kind of hurts,” Lt. Col. Mike Mizell, president of the Johns Creek Veterans Association said. “We’d love to give them all one.” Mizell said that they hope that having Dooley join the effort will bring more attention to the scholarship program. He said they hope to implement the Vince Dooley Memorial Scholarship Fund for ROTC candidates by this fall. The other inductees of the class of 2020 include Capt. John Daniel Allen, Maj. Gen. Peter James Boylan, Jr., Col. Earnest Wayne Dill, Col. Mayo Addison “Bill” Hadden, III, Capt. Edward “Rusty” Holman Hightower, Chief Warrant Officer Robert “Bob” Edward Pennington, Lt. Col. John William Phillips, Sgt. Maj. Michael Earl Roby and Capt. Dr. James Llewellyn Story, Jr.

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City sets August for completion of Newtown Park Perimeter Trail JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek City Council is set to approve completion of the Newtown Park perimeter loop trail. The perimeter loop trail currently terminates behind the tennis and pickleball courts and by the edge of the lacrosse fields. This project will fill in the roughly 0.16-mile gap from the lacrosse field to the tennis and pickleball courts making the loop a full 1.04 miles. This addition will create a continuous perimeter trail for Newtown Park so walkers and joggers will no longer need to cut through parking lots but have a consistent, dedicated trail. The connection is to be made with the same 10-foot-wide asphalt as the existing portions of the trail. Funding for the project will come from the Johns Creek Park Bond. The $40 million park bond was passed by Johns Creek residents in November of 2016 for enhancements and additions to the city’s parks and green spaces. Around $1.2 million of the park bond funds were originally allocated toward Newtown Park improvements. An additional $167,000 of park bond money was allocated in 2019 specifically for trail improvements. With approval of a construction contract with Summit Construction and Development for $164,649 and a project contingency of $16,465, the expected total construction expenditure of $181,114 falls within the $233,757 available for completing the Newtown Park trail. Plans call for the trail to traverse a steep hill, and construction includes measures to ensure compliance with guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. “There was some work to be done to make sure that we were going to get the proper slope as we go up the grade to

KATIE ANDERSON

Currently, walkers and joggers enjoying the Newtown Park trail have to cut through parking lots to create the full loop.

make sure that the trail is accessible for everybody,” Parks and Recreation Manager Robby Newton said. Councilman Chris Coughlin said he supports the plan and thinks it a great addition to Newtown Park, but he added that he was concerned about the trees in that area of the park. Newton assured him that the construction plan is set to go around all the specimen trees and it may wind and weave after the hill to ensure the trees are left intact. “They’re sort of foremost in the design consideration,” he said. The council unanimously expressed its support for the project. Newton said the project is due largely to requests from citizens. “This is going to add some additional and safer walking space,” he said. “Our number one requested amenity from the citizens in our strategic plan was more walking space and green space. So, this is what we’re trying to do to provide, you know, what people want.” Site grading is expected to begin in May with completion anticipated in August. Newtown Park has seen other improvements already this year, including a returfing and updated drainage system in the popular Newtown Dream Dog Park which reopened to the public March 31.

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | April 8, 2021 | 7

City Council members launch bid for mayor

PHOTOS BY CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER

Visitors can experience the scenic beaty of the river at Chattahoochee Nature Center during Earth Day festivities.

Nature centers host events in observance of Earth Day BY ADAM DARBY adam@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Earth Day is right around the corner, and there will be special events to honor the occasion Thursday, April 22. To recognize Mother Nature’s big day, the Chattahoochee Nature Center and Dunwoody Nature Center will be hosting special events. The family-friendly events will demonstrate the importance of nature preservation firsthand in a variety of ways. Each date will showcase a specific aspect of nature to please all groups and ages with free admission or affordable online registration. For health and safety, masks and social distancing will be required. Here are some of what these locations have to offer: Chattahoochee Nature Center: 9135 Willeo Road Roswell, GA 30075 Events: 2021 Georgia Scavenger Hunt to the Sea April 1 to Oct. 31 A Scavenger Hunt Through Georgia’s Interconnected Water System where you can visit 14 unique sites. Some are entirely virtual and others can be completed online, but contact information about how you can visit in-person. Nature Club Dine and Discover: State of the Chattahoochee River with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth April 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Jason Ulseth, over Zoom for this virtual Nature Club presentation. Jason will discuss the work of a Riverkeeper and

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Two sitting members of the Johns Creek City Council have announced plans to campaign for the seat long held by Mayor Mike Bodker, who will not seek reelection. BRADBERRY John Bradberry, who was first elected to the council in 2017, is a local businessman who founded his own landscape design and contract company. His campaign heralds inclusive representation to guard against overdevelopment and WEAVER maintain the quality of life for residents. The campaign keys on the elements of building community, increasing mobility and economic rejuvenation. He also espouses making Johns Creek a leader in modern policing with increased community

policing, crisis intervention training and mental health counseling for victims and would-be assailants. Bradberry is a retired U.S. Marine and is married with one daughter. Brian Weaver was elected to the council in 2019, having retired after 37 years in law enforcement. He was part of the inaugural squad and senior command staff for the Johns Creek Police Department when the city was incorporated and retired as a major. His platform includes continued efforts to foster relations between public safety and the community. He helped organize a partnership between Johns Creek Police and Behavioral Health Care allowing healthcare professionals to accompany police while responding to calls with mentally distressed people. He has a wife, two sons and three granddaughters. Following a spate of unsigned attacks on social media, Bodker announced in 2018 that he would not seek another term as mayor. He was first elected to the office in 2006 when the city incorporated.

Family-friendly events for children of all ages are on tap throughout the year at Chattahoochee Nature Center. the current issues facing the Chattahoochee River including the Water Wars, water pollution, and more. You will receive a Zoom link after you register and before the event. Register online. Admission for ages 16 and up is $10 for the public and $5 for CNC members. Advance registration required by Wed, April 21. Dunwoody Nature Center 5343 Roberts Drive Dunwoody, GA 30338 Events: Free First Saturday - Embrace Earth Day! Sat, April 3 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Nature Center kicked off Earth Month Saturday teaching visitors about sustainable swaps everyone can make

See EARTH DAY, Page 15

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It was the right time and the right place for Roswell. NANCY TOLBERT YILMAZ, Dancer 8 | Johns Creek Herald | April 8, 2021

Dance school fills need in Roswell By ZOE SEILER newsroom@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — At age 3, Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz knew she wanted to take ballet. So, her mother, not knowing what ballet was, searched for classes for her toddler. For a couple of years, Yilmaz danced in the basement of her teacher’s house near Lenox Square. As time passed, Roswell created its own recreation department, and Yilmaz was in one of the first dance classes offered. “All of the kids in Roswell signed up for everything that was suddenly offered,” Yilmaz said. “I mean this was all new to us. We’d never seen any of this. So, I started with what was the very first recreation department.” At age 21, the sixth-generation North Fulton resident opened Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance in 1979 with fellow dancer Mary Lynn Taylor. The pair aimed to fill a need in the community to offer classes to children in the city when there weren’t many options at the time. “I really, sincerely thought this would be just something maybe once a week, go in, teach classes, continue with my professional career and, yeah, it changed,” Yilmaz said. “It changed overnight.” The studio started out in a small, fixer-upper house on Canton Street. On the first day of class registration, they expected a few dozen kids. To their surprise, 350 children showed up to take dance classes. “It was the right time and the right place for Roswell,” Yilmaz said. “Families were moving in. It was the time that

things were changing.” The studio is now located on Houze Way in a new 24,000-square-foot facility that opened last August. “We have our own black box theater in there,” Yilmaz said. “We have Atlanta Dance Medicine as one of our tenants, so they see dancers for physical therapy and injuries. We have a full costume shop. I’m so excited about our costume shop, because we have a dry cleaning rack that we put our costumes on.” The studio has grown from having two teachers to now 27 faculty members and 13 other staff members over the last 42 years. Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance is a ballet-based studio that focuses on building a good ballet foundation and providing opportunities for students to also learn other styles of dance. The studio offers ballet, hip hop, acrobatics, tap, and musical theater classes. Students can also learn how to perform using aerial silks. In addition to the dance studio, the school has three performing companies. One is the Roswell Dance Theatre, which is the ballet company students 10 years old and above can audition for annually. The studio also offers a modern dance company and a pre-professional dance company. The pre-professional program consists of dancers that do ballet and modern dance who are on track to receive a college scholarship. Members of the Roswell Dance Theatre have received scholarships to some of the finest performing arts schools in the country, like The American School of Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Marymount Manhattan College. Students have also gone on to per-

NEWBUSINESSSPOTLIGHT

Name of Business: Monkee’s of Alpharetta Owner: Ally Caldwell Business description: Upscale women’s boutique Opened: March 2021 Address: 4170 Avalon Blvd, Alpharetta Phone: (864)704-4094 Web address: shopmonkeesofalpharetta.com

KIM KENNEY/SPECIAL

Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz opened Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance in 1979 to fill a need in her community at a time when local dance classes were limited. The performing company’s biggest winter production is the Nutcracker.

form for the New York Metropolitan Opera, Walt Disney Productions, Universal Studios, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Tyler Perry Studios. In 2020, the studio had to reinvent itself during the pandemic. The studio was closed until July, so teachers and dancers shifted to virtual classes, recorded recital dances, using Zoom for every class. Students began returning to the studio in July, about everyone was back by September. “So, what we did was we were extremely strict,” Yilmaz said. “We did not allow anyone in the studio before they had a temperature check, hand sanitizer and a mask. Then we had hired a cleaning crew to come in and clean the studio between each hour.”

The staff also created a carpool line for picking up and dropping off students. Only dancers and faculty members are allowed into the facility. “The COVID guidelines that we have done have made it successful,” Yilmaz said, adding that their safety measures have not changed since the summer. The studio has reported only two cases of COVID-19 among students since August and there are almost 1,000 dancers enrolled. Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance is at 601 Houze Way. Registration for 202122 dance classes is now open and summer classes are available.

Coffee & Commerce – Virtual • Thurs., April 15, 2021 7:30 am – Networking 8:00 – 9:00 am – Featured Presentation

GUEST SPEAKER Dr. John Robison

alpharettachamber.com

Director of Public Safety, Alpharetta

www.alpharettachamber.com

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Sponsored Section

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Small Business Benefits. Are they worth it? Brought to you by Josh Dougherty josh.dougherty@xperiencebenefits.com Why are benefits such an annual challenge for small businesses? Each year, the health insurance options change, DOUGHERTY price typically increases, and most of all, there is a significant amount of time that it takes to research these options. Although it can be a major investment of both time and money, it is a critical component of retaining and attracting quality employees to work for a firm. Studies show that primary reasons why people stay with a job is for the quality and levels of benefits. So why doesn’t everyone offer benefits? For starters, employers generally need to contribute at least half of an employee’s monthly premium to sponsor a plan. Also, small businesses do not have

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10 | April 8, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Self-Advocacy and Second Opinions Brought to you by - Premier Dermatology and Mohs of Atlanta Second opinions can be invaluable. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that a diagnosis was changed or discovered in 21% of patients seeking a second opinion, and nearly 66% of all patients seeking a second opinion had their diagnosis refined. Receiving care for the wrong diagnosis or, more often, not receiving care for an undiagnosed issue can be life altering or sometimes even prove deadly. Recently, a surprising number of patients have told me about experiences when their own initiative or a second opinion proved to be lifesaving. One patient was told that an incidental finding of low platelets (thrombocytopenia) was dismissed by his first physician as likely of little consequence. This patient sought a second opinion, and a bone marrow biopsy identified leukemia and led to treatment. Another patient’s doctor told her that a mass could be watched and that since imaging was not necessary, it would not be covered by insurance. She paid out of her own pocket for a CT scan that identified the cancer that she suspected she had. Multiple other patients shared similar stories. And whereas this may come as a shock to some, it is, sadly, not surprising to me. Physicians are not infallible. I genuinely believe that patients should be their own advocate. Good physicians support their patients seeking additional professional opinions. In fact, my patients and I share similar stories because a second (fifth actually) opinion saved the life – or more accurately the quality and course of life – of my son: I count my blessings that my wife holds to her convictions and advocates for our family. Multiple “second” opinions at her insistence saved my oldest child from a lifetime of developmental struggles and unnecessary deafness. Our oldest effectively stopped talking at about 14 months old. He never had a diagnosed or suspected ear infection. And although he would eventually turn towards us when we called his name, my wife was convinced that he could not hear. She took him to multiple pediatricians and was repeatedly dismissed with the counsel that “boys will be boys” and “not everyone is a talker.” These were board-certified, well-trained physicians. Over the course of a year, his speech deteriorated from a dozen words at 14 months to only 2 words at 2 years old. A pediatric ENT, an audiologist and another pediatrician examined him and suggested autism, but when asked, they could not support their conclusions convincingly. The diagnosis just didn’t fit, as there were no other symptoms of autism. Finally, at our second pediatric ENT and audiology appointment, the audiologist determined that the way sound waves

bounced back from his ear drums was not consistent with open, air-filled middle ears. Dr. Matthew Whitley (Pediatric Ear Nose and Throat of Atlanta) scheduled an appointment to place tubes in his ear drums and explore further. Shortly into the surgery, Dr. Whitley discovered that my son had “glue ear,” which is when a gluelike semisolid forms behind the ear drum. Our son could hear sounds, which explains how he passed his first hearing test at one year old, but sounds were heard as if underwater, and he could not differentiate between many sounds which made speech unintelligible. Dr. Whitley inserted tubes, removed the glue-like material from our son’s middle ear and restored his hearing. Within one week our son went from speaking two words to twenty words. We were informed that in a case such as our son’s, it would likely have taken years for the glue ear to resolve on its own. Had we stuck with our first, second, third, or fourth opinion, our son would have been severely affected by deafness (and thus speech) during critical developmental years. Mohs surgery is a method of curing skin cancer by removing small pieces of tissue and checking the edges under the microscope until clear, cancer-free margins are obtained. Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate (usually 99%) of any procedure for the most common skin cancers and is considered the gold standard treatment for skin cancer on the head and neck. Physicians have an obligation to present patients with the most reasonable treatment options, even when that treatment option is not available in their own practice. I sleep well at night knowing that I genuinely give my patients treatment that I would not necessarily pick for myself. My job is to present facts and to be a guide but not to choose for my patients. Just today, I saw a patient who was referred to me for Mohs surgery of a basal cell carcinoma on the lower edge of the nose. We reviewed his treatment options together. He had never considered radiation therapy until I presented it as an alternative to Mohs surgery, and ultimately radiation therapy is what he selected. Likewise, I occasionally have patients referred to me for Mohs surgery who select imiquimod cream instead of surgery after I present it as a treatment option for certain types of basal cell carcinoma. When non-surgical options exist, it is a surgeon’s responsibility to help educate a patient about treatment options worth considering. The providers at Premier Dermatology believe in second opinions and in patient advocacy. I, along with Kathryn Filipek, PA-C, strive to truly listen to our patients and empower them to seek second opinions and alternative courses of treatment. At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, whether we are your first or second (or fifth!) opinion, we make you and your family our priority.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | April 8, 2021 | 11

12 | April 8, 2021 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Helping Your Older Loved One Move Ahead Older adults often have a great amount of resiliency, as they’ve seen and lived through many trying experiences in life. The extended impact of the COVID pandemic, however, can be especially hard on them as the isolation of staying home and avoiding large gatherings can lead to a decline in both physical and mental health. As record numbers of the population over age 65 who are most at risk receive a COVID vaccination, you may find it possible to begin to reconnect with your older loved ones beyond a phone call or online zoom session. As we start to emerge from this pandemic, it’s important to take stock of things that may have changed or are different with them and their environment. The CDC notes that even under normal conditions the signs of depression, anxiety or worsening memory loss often go unnoticed in seniors. Here are a few things to watch for and some ideas to help transition as we begin to look forward to brighter days. Some cautionary flags to watch out for include a loss of interest in things they used to enjoy. Is their house or yard messy when it was previously well kept? A loss of weight may mean they’re not cooking or eating like they used to. New or increased sleeping difficulties along with forgetting to take or skipping medications are critical signs. Are they having more difficulty with personal care, showering less or wearing the same clothes repeatedly? Are their finances in shape, with bills paid or do they miss or overpay them? Has their energy level

changed, or have chronic conditions worsened? Consulting with their primary doctor is important when you see your older loved one struggle. Taking some steps to help boost their spirits can make a big difference as well. Helping with some backyard cleanup and new spring plantings can help create a peaceful little oasis to enjoy spring and nature. Consider a daily calendar that can help organize their daily routine. Take on some home repairs and refresh their environment. Plan for some safe social engagements with a neighbor or small group they used to participate in to increase interest and new learning. It’s also an appropriate time to consider the benefits a skilled in-home care professional can provide. Even if your older loved one is in a care facility, the one on one dedicated care and warm emotional connection a heart centered Home Helpers caregiver provides can be life changing. We also provide proactive attention to detail by a team that has depth and skill. Our Care Managers form a critical link with our families as needs arise so we can quickly address questions and concerns in real time. From several days a week to 24/7 full time or live in care, a Home Helpers caregiver has the skills to assist with all personal care, help around the house, safely speed up recovery from surgery, or provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. For a free consultation please call Home Helpers of North Atlanta at (678) 430-8511.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Make your smile beautiful with veneers By Dr. David Remaley Your smile speaks volumes about you. A wide, full smile usually tells others that you are open and friendly. A pursed, straight-line smile typically indicates that you are shy and closed off. Healthy, clean teeth are the mark of someone put together and organized. Have you stopped and taken a second to consider what your smile is saying about you? If it’s not very positive, chances are that your teeth are to blame. • Common Causes of Unsightly Teeth • Discolorations • Stains • Chips • Gaps • Crookedness DISCOLORATIONS/STAINS Your morning coffee and that glass of wine at dinner, while making you extremely happy, are staining your teeth. Discolored teeth can age you and make you appear unattractive. It is important to maintain a regular cleaning routine to keep your pearly whites, well, white. CHIPS/BROKEN TEETH Only pro hockey players can pull off chipped or broken teeth, and that’s because they have the amazing story to explain it away. For the everyday person, chipped and broken teeth create an unbalanced smile. Tooth decay can cause your teeth to become weak and break easily. So, even if your tooth loss is due to an accident, people may take it as a sign that you don’t have the best oral hygiene. Talk about embarrassing. GAPPED/CROOKED TEETH Gapped and crooked teeth throw off the uniformity of a smile. In regard to beauty, balance and symmetry are very

important for creating an appearance that is attractive to the eye. Gaps and crookedness that create an asymmetrical look can affect how appealing your smile is. When Brushing Just Isn’t Cutting It It can’t be stressed enough that a daily, thorough oral regimen will help by leaps and bounds in providing you with an attractive smile. Healthy teeth are the most important part of a smile. But even if your teeth are healthy, they may not be aesthetically pleasing. Sometimes it’s impossible to fight discoloration and the fact that you are sporting a huge front gap. Brushing certainly isn’t going to bring back a chipped tooth, and it can be embarrassing living with unattractive teeth. Luckily, you don’t have to. You can reclaim your beautiful smile with the help of porcelain veneers.

Thank You for Voting US Best Dentist in North Atlanta for 6 Years!

Dr. David Remaley

2015