Johns Creek Herald - June 1, 2023

Medley tax incentives spark Johns Creek debate

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek officials raised questions about the estimated $4.2 billion economic impact mega-development Medley will have on the city in a larger discussion on tax abatements at its May 23 work session.

Medley, the 43-acre mixed-use project set to anchor Johns Creek’s Town Center, is projected to include 200,000 square feet of retail, restaurants and entertainment, 900 residential units and 110,000 square feet of office space.

Local media have reported 11 new tenants have signed leases at Medley, most of them food and beverage concepts. Phase I of the project is scheduled to open in the latter half of 2025.

The project was unanimously approved for tax cuts at a meeting of the Development Authority of Fulton County April 25. Medley will be taxed at 50 percent in the first year during the incentive period, bringing in an estimated $2.5 million, and will become fully taxable over a 10-year term.

Because inducement is the first step in a two-step process, Medley’s financing for $400 million in bonds was approved the same day as the city’s work session — prompting questions from councilmembers about the nature of tax incentives.

At issue is a loss in tax revenue for the City of Johns Creek. Kimberly Greer, Johns Creek assistant city manager, said the city will forgo $300,000 in tax revenue in year one. But she said the city would also be getting the same amount in taxes, an increase over the current annual tax revenue received of roughly

Samir Abdullahi, Fulton County Economic Development director, leads the City Council’s work session discussion on tax abatements, May 23. Medley, the 43-acre mixed-used development slated for the city’s Town Center, received unanimous approval for tax cuts at the Development Authority of Fulton County the month before.

$80,000.

Mark Toro, Medley’s developer, won similar tax concessions 10 years ago with Alpharetta’s Avalon. For that project, Toro was awarded $550 million in tax abatements over 10 years as its construction was underway in 2013. That action cost Alpharetta an estimated $1 million in tax revenues over the 10year term, according to officials with that city.

City asks for notification

Fulton County Economic Development Director Samir Abdullahi led the Johns Creek council’s work session discussion. Fulton County

Commissioner Bridget Thorne also

listened in.

Councilwoman Stacy Skinner questioned whether the Development Authority notifies the city in advance of tax abatement approval. While it wouldn’t be “first right of refusal,” Abdullahi said there could be a “courtesy notification.”

“There is no vote or voice that is in need from the city or the school in order to support the taxpayer,” he said.

Tax abatements apply to all tax structures, Abdullahi said, including the city, the county and the school system.

Councilman Larry DiBiase cited a comment made in front of the Development Authority Board, stating

See MEDLEY, Page 4

County leaders honor charities for service work

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Fulton County leaders visited the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell May 24 for a celebration event honoring 25 North Fulton nonprofit groups for their service to the community.

The celebration came after the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve more than $7 million in grant funding for non-profit groups like the Chattahoochee Nature Center and North Fulton Community Charities as part of the county’s Community Services Program and Veterans Services Program at a meeting May 17.

Speaking to the gathered crowd of representatives and local leaders at the center’s riverside pavilion, District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis said Fulton County would not function efficiently without the nonprofit partners that provide a safety net for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.

“Really the beauty of this program is that it leverages the strengths that you all bring and the heart that you all bring,” Ellis said.

Since the Community Services Program’s inception in 2016, Ellis said it has brought about $50 million in funding back to community partners throughout Fulton County and has served more than 900,000

See NONPROFIT, Page 6

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Golf course worker loses $10,100 in tools

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A contractor at Rivermont Golf Club reported to police May 17 that an someone stole $10,099 worth of tools from his work trailer.

He said the incident happened sometime between 3:30 p.m. May 12 and 3:30 p.m. May 15.

The victim said he left the enclosed trailer, a Husky Cargo, within the gated area of the club where contractors store their equipment. He and his employees store their tools and equipment within the trailer and secure its doors with padlocks, the police report said. The victim said they take the added precaution of blocking the doors with large equipment like a tractor when they are not working.

After police inspected the trailer, it was found that a chainsaw, a gas cut-off saw, three drills and one sod cutter had been stolen.

There were no suspects at the time of the report.

Fraud victim on hook for $4,000 in charges

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police May 18 that someone used his identity to obtain AT&T mobile services.

The victim explained to police that while in the process of getting a mortgage to purchase a home, he was informed that he had an outstanding debt on his line of credit from AT&T.

Because he hadn’t been affiliated with AT&T, the victim contacted the

company to get more information and found that an account was opened May 7, 2021 and closed two months later. During that time, the account ran up more than $4,000 in charges, the victim said.

The address on file for the account was Westmore Drive in Atlanta. The victim did not know who the suspect could have been but believed it to be someone who got his information in 2021 when had been house shopping.

Man’s home burglarized while attending church

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man off Cameron Parc Circle reported a burglary to police May 19.

The victim said he went to church earlier that day at around 5 p.m. and came back at around 9 p.m. to a house in disarray. When he returned, he saw that the glass back door had been shattered and his firstfloor office had items that had been rummaged through.

Police cleared the residence and found no one inside. At the time of the report, it is unknown what was taken. Detectives took over the investigation.

Victim extorted for $1,000 after sending nudes online

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police May 20 that he was extorted to pay $1,000 to a stranger over Snapchat.

The victim said he received an unsolicited snap from an account he believed belonged to a female around his age and was asked to exchange nude photographs.

After complying with the request, the suspect demanded $1,000 over Cashapp to prevent the photos from being posted to the victim’s social media pages. The man did not send any money and blocked the person while police were on the scene.

Woman reports assault while taking out garbage

ROSWELL, Ga. — A Roswell woman told police she was assaulted on May 20 right outside her home on Roswell Creek while taking the garbage out.

She said a man approached her from behind while she was outside and demanded to know who lived in her residence. The man got upset after she said she lived there with her husband and hit her on the mouth with his fist and then again on the head. Police said she had a small cut on the inside of her lip, but she refused medical treatment. The woman said she and her husband have no issues with anyone, but a similar incident happened three weeks ago.

Officers told her to call 911 if the male suspect returns.

Pharmacy reports theft of over $1,000 in items

ROSWELL, Ga. — Employees at the CVS on Crabapple Road told police on May 22 that over $1,000 in drugstore skin and facial products were stolen from the shelves sometime over the weekend.

Two employees were working over the weekend but told police they did not notice any suspicious activities. The store manager did not notice the items were stolen until he did inventory the morning of May 22.

He saw several CeraVe and La Roche Posay skincare items had been snatched off the shelves. The manager told police he had not yet gone through security footage to identify a suspect. He told police the CVS on Alpharetta Highway was also missing similar items from the store.

Employees at both stores told police they will search security footage for more information. The case remains active.

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.

Roswell officials push forward on Canton Street task force

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — After tense discussion between the Roswell mayor and City Council at the May 23 Community Development and Transportation Committee meeting, the city is moving forward with creation of a task force to address plans to close Canton Street to vehicles.

The original city plan to turn the highly trafficked street into a “pedestrian promenade” on weekends over the summer sparked controversy among officials, residents and Canton Street business owners across three public meetings.

At a May 19 City Council workshop, councilmembers agreed to create a taskforce to “come up with a plan” for Canton Street that addresses issues like traffic, parking, business revenue and timing.

Two Canton Street business owners, John Michael Brunetti of Rock ‘N’ Taco and Jenna Aronowitz of 1920 Tavern, proposed a separate task force composed of business owners. They proposed a three-week timeline to get perspectives from “everyone” and return to the city with recommendations.

At the May 23 committee meeting, the council appointed City Administrator Randy Knighton to create a framework for the task force, including the selection process.

The recommendations for the task force, gathered by Knighton and other city staff were to be presented to the City Council on May 30.

City Councilman Mike Palermo said the task force was a “great idea,” but he stressed the group will not make official decisions.

“They were not elected by the people of Roswell,” Palermo said. “The decision ultimately has to be made by City Council.”

Councilman Peter Vanstrom took issue with the one-week timeline, saying he “does not understand the rush.”

“I want to assure (residents) that we’re not rushing to get ahead of them by any stretch,” Vanstrom said.

Palermo said the timeline could be pushed to the next committee meeting in June but cautioned against “death by committee.” He said somebody opposed to the concept could postpone action indefinitely.

Mayor Kurt Wilson resisted the idea that the timeline is a “rush,” calling the statement “political fodder.”

Wilson said when the businesses presented a three-week timeline for their informal task force suggestions, and they did it under the assumption that the city would have its own task force.

“I don’t think they thought we would be tripping all over ourselves creating a task force,” Wilson said.

In a released statement on behalf of a group of Canton Street business owners and residents, 1920 Tavern owner Aronowitz argued against the short timeline.

“We are pleased the mayor and council will be creating a taskforce and hope we will all get a chance to be on it, however we’re not fond of the rush they’re putting on this process yet again,” Aronowitz said. “This kind of decision involves a lot of businesses and residents and significant investments in the community, this needs to be done slowly and carefully.”

Aronowitz echoed her previous statements that closing Canton Street should not even be an option until the city addresses parking and traffic downtown.

With the three-week timeline for the business owner task force, Mike Palermo said the weeklong task force assignment for city staff makes the most sense.

Councilman Vanstrom disagreed, citing other projects, like the city’s general

obligation bonds and fiscal year 2024 budget approval process, as more pressing responsibilities.

“I just feel like there’s no reason to have to hurry and have it done in seven days,” Vanstrom said.

Wilson called the statement unbelievable.

“It’s political grandstanding,” the mayor said.

Councilwoman Sarah Beeson said the process was a rush — she first heard about the plan as a serious option on April 17 with a start date of Memorial Day weekend, six weeks later.

“That’s pretty quick,” Beeson said. The councilwoman alleged that she had been left out of some email communications regarding the road closure, a maneuver she called “disingenuous.”

Mayor Wilson called the comment “highly charged,” and said the rest of the council was part of the fast timeline decision. He apologized to the councilwoman for leaving her out of communications.

With the motion approved, City Administrator Knighton said staff will create a document that creates a necessary apparatus for the task force for the City Council to review.

Boutique education service to launch in north Atlanta

ATLANTA — TutorVille, the Texasbased boutique education service founded in 2009, will expand to Atlanta this July, offering personalized and holistic educational support to local students.

“We’re thrilled that Atlanta is our first expansion market,” TutorVille President and CEO Jess Rogers said. “This community puts a premium on education, which is reinforced by the high percentage of private school enrollment. Additionally, given the number of top colleges and universities

in the area, it offers an excellent pool of candidates for a carefully curated and vetted team of tutors.”

TutorVille offers holistic, individualized and nurturing approach to tutoring, homeschooling and allaround support from primary school all the way through college, officials said.

This branch of the TutorVille franchise will serve nine zip codes in Buckhead and will be operated by the Atlanta-based start-up entrepreneur, Ryan Moore.

— Alexander Popp

TUTORVILLE/PROVIDED

Ryan Moore and Jess Rogers sign closing documents for the Buckhead franchise of Tutorville.

Medley:

Continued from Page 1

that Medley was “dependent upon” the tax abatement.

“That's a pretty serious statement,” DiBiase said. “To me, as a council person, I'd like to know that that's going on, that the project is teeter-tottering on whether … it's going to go forward or not based on what the Development Authority, and the citizens of the Development Authority, [decide].”

He asked what the “guardrails,” the “transparency” and the “standard operating procedures” were to educate and inform local governments.

“This all worked out wonderfully. It could have not, also,” DiBiase said. “It could have gone the other way, and we would all have been flat-footed. The city would have been flat-footed.”

Abdullahi said there are no standard operating procedures, but the city has similar powers to the county in providing economic incentives.

In an interview, Mayor John Bradberry said Medley is integral to the city’s Town Center and that it’s already having a “ripple effect.”

“We will see over time that the benefits will far exceed anything that we may have given up in the short term,” Bradberry said.

Hortons loses zoning case

At its regular meeting following the work session, the City Council voted 4-3 to deny a zoning application for contract owner Abid Khutliwala, who planned to build a Tim Hortons restaurant on a .84-acre parcel a few feet away from the Abberley Township gate off State Bridge Road. Councilmembers Dilip Tunki, Bob Erramilli and Erin Elwood cast the dissenting votes.

The property holds a joint-access easement, connecting Abberley’s private drive through a strip mall to the Goodwill parking lot, that would have been used in the business’ drive-thru. A major concern brought forth in previous public input meetings and at the City Council meeting was traffic congestion.

Khutliwala had revised the site plan in hopes of mitigating resident concern.

“Abid, don’t give up,” Mayor Bradberry said. “I know that that’s tough. We do want to see you succeed in Johns Creek.”

The city also recognized Kirk Franz for his 16 years of work as recreation manager. Franz, who recently accepted a position as Forsyth County Parks and Recreation director, received a standing ovation.

“Mr. Franz’s positive contributions to the city will continue to resonate for years to come,” said Greer, Johns Creek assistant city manager.

Karen Solomone, spokesperson for Abberley Towneship, speaks to Johns Creek officials May 23 about some of the concerns her group has with allowing a Tim Hortons restaurant within walking distance of their neighborhood. In a 4-3 vote, the City Council denied the zoning application.

‘Down and Derby’ Spring Fling raises $161,000 for Children’s Healthcare

MILTON, Ga. — More than 400 Milton residents came together to support the inaugural Down and Derby Spring Fling at Chukkar Farm May 6, which raised $161,000 to support Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Funds will allow 161 children with complex health and medical conditions to attend specialized camps this summer, free of charge. Hosted by the Milton Friends of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the event was the largest single-day fundraiser since Milton’s incorporation in 2006.

In the farm's main area, guests kicked up their boots with a variety of themed events, ranging from optional race wagering on derby horses to a ring toss, a live polo match, live coverage of the Kentucky Derby on numerous large-screen TVs, an extensive silent and live auction, live music and a surprise visit and performance from Dolly Parton’s doppelgänger.

For guests who preferred a more exclusive experience, the event boasted a “Fillies and Stallions” VIP experience, an exclusive lounge area with a private bar, top-shelf bourbon and bubbly, private photo opportunities with a polo horse, local gourmet food, a dedicated

Held May 6, the inaugural Down and Derby Spring Fling raised $161,000 to fund more than 160 children with complex medical conditions to attend specialized camps this summer, free of charge.

TV to view the Derby, a private restroom and seating area, a premiere bourbon tasting experience provided by Angel’s Envy, VIP gift bags and morning-after takeaways.

Moving forward, the Milton Friends of Children’s is already planning a second Down and Derby on May 4 next year as well as a variety of other exciting seasonal fundraisers. To

learn more about how to sponsor a Milton Friends of Children’s event, or to become a volunteer with the group, please email friendsofchoamilton@ gmail.com.

MEGAN BOWMAN/PROVIDED

Nonprofit:

Continued from Page 1

county residents.

Last year, the program was expanded to include funding for groups aimed at specifically helping local veterans. That addition provided grants of more than $1 million in 2023, he said.

Representatives of one veteran’s group, Vision Warriors, which provides housing and support to men who are in recovery from drugs and alcohol, said that without that vital funding, they would not have been able to expand their mission to fight addiction in the community.

Rena Olsen, communications director for Vision Warriors said that with grant funding from Fulton County, they were able to perform specific outreach targeting veterans in the community to serve them better. Vision Warriors was awarded $86,000 in Veterans Services Program grant funding in 2023.

“The heart of our ministry is to serve the hurting and the broken,” Olsen said. “You have men who are working to stay sober, who are working to get their lives back together, and we’re just so excited to welcome veterans into that

community and to walk with them.”

Other nonprofits honored at the event included Camp Kudzu, Champions Community Foundation, Community Assistance Center, InCommunity, Erin’s Hope for Friends, Jewish Family and Career Services, Los Ninos Primero, Mary Hall Freedom Village, North Fulton Child Development Association, North Metro Miracle League, Raksha Inc, Rach Out and Read, Revved Up Kids, Senior Services North Fulton, STAR House Foundation, The Drake House, The Lionheart School, The Summit Counseling Center and U Hope CDC.

“These programs are so important because they are a key ingredient when we look at the social determinants of health, all of those nonmedical conditions that actually impact health outcomes,” said Pamela Roshell, chief operating officer of Fulton County’s Department of Health, Human Services and Public Works. “All of this is connected, not only to their overall well-being and peace of mind, but also to their health outcomes. And we’re grateful for that.”

For more information about the organizations awarded with grant funding by Fulton County in 2023, visit fultoncountyga. gov/2023communitypartners.

PHOTOS BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Fulton County Commissioners for Districts 1 and 2, Bridget Thorne and Bob Ellis, speak to a group of nonprofit representatives and local leaders at a celebration event held at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell May 24.

Roswell sells first round of $107.6 million bonds

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — The City of Roswell has sold the first round of general obligation bonds approved by voters in the November 2022 election. At the May 22 Roswell City Council meeting financial adviser David Cheatwood of First Tryon Advisors announced the $86.2 million sale had gone through that morning.

The nearly $180 million general obligation bond referendum approved by voters was split into three major project areas: parks and recreation, public safety and a downtown parking deck.

The largest of the bonds, $107.6 million for parks and recreation will fund updates to various parks across Roswell, bike and pedestrian improvements and sidewalks across the city.

Voters also passed a $52 million public safety bond for a new police and fire headquarters and fire stations and a $20 million bond to fund a parking deck in Historic Downtown Roswell.

The parking deck has gained recent attention due to a city plan to close Canton Street to cars for weekends over the summer. Mayor Kurt Wilson has promised that the deck will be completed within the next two years, although the city is still working on real estate deals to secure a site for the project.

Cheatwood explained that the bonds were separated into taxable and tax-exempt portions. The sale will handle the first issuance of bonds, covering a portion of the parks and recreation bonds and the public safety bonds and the entirety of the parking garage bond.

With the bonds split, different firms bid to underwrite the taxable and tax-exempt bond portions. As underwriters, the firms purchase the

bonds directly from a bond issuer and resell them to investors.

Cheatwood said Citigroup Global Markets had the best bid for the “2023A series,” which covers parks and recreation and public safety. The firm had the lowest interest rate at just under 4 percent.

For the taxable “2023B series” which handles the parking deck project, the lowest interest rate was at about 5 percent. Financial services company Raymond James won the bid.

Mayor Wilson said the city is “elated” to see favorable reactions from the market, with multiple bidders on each “series” of bond sales.

The debt will be paid over 30 years, costing about $4-$5 million dollars in the first two years with payments then decreasing to about

$3.7 million annually until 2053. With the sale approved, the money will be wired to the city in about two weeks.

“This is a very exciting time,” City Councilwoman Christine Hall said. “The voters demanded it, and we were able to execute.”

The council unanimously approved both bond sales.

Also at the May 22 meeting, the council held the first reading for fiscal year 2024 city budget. The council first reviewed the budget at a special called meeting May 11. The second budget reading and adoption was moved from May 25 to a regular City Council meeting on June 12.

The proposed $194.3 million budget is up almost 14 percent from the current year, with $100.5 million going to the general fund that pays for day-to-day city operations.

The budget also includes an estimated 4.463 millage rate, the same as fiscal year 2023, though the official property tax costs will be determined at a later point in the year before tax bills are issued.

Councilman Mike Palermo said he was glad the schedule was adjusted, but he questioned whether the budget laid out city “priorities.”

“I think we have a lot of great priorities for the residents of Roswell, but I do feel we have some that are not being set as priorities,” Palermo said.

He advocated for a greater focus on repaving and resurfacing roads,

saying that in past years the city has not “appropriately funded” road and sidewalk projects.

Councilwoman Sarah Beeson also said the city should use its “own funds” instead of bond money to fund sidewalk projects.

The proposed budget includes a five-year commitment of a minimum annual $4 million payment to the Transportation Department. The mayor said that payment could change as the council learns more about what the department needs financially.

The 2024 budget proposal also includes over $21 million for transportation projects, including trails, bridge replacements and road resurfacing.

Transportation Department Deputy Director Dave Cox said there has been work to get more “bang for our buck” using a combination of state and local funds to cover certain transportation-oriented projects.

Palermo said the budget proposal will likely change before the second reading and approval of the budget, because he wants to be “as happy” with the 2024 budget as he is with the current budget.

“My concern is with this budget, are we setting ourselves up to make sure that we are prepared if we do see a decrease in revenue?” Palermo said.

The proposed $194.3 million budget will be discussed further and put up for approval at the June 12 City Council meeting.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell City councilmembers discuss the sale of the first round of general obligation bonds that will fund transportation, parks and recreation and a downtown parking deck. The May 22 meeting also included a first reading of the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget.

Roswell comes alive with monthly street festival

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Despite rainy weather on May 18, crowds packed Canton Street for 2023’s second Alive in Roswell festival. Hosted by the city, the free monthly festival runs from April to October, with live music, food trucks and local vendors.

“I feel like I’m back at Shaky Knees,” a young woman shouted walking through the crowd. Alive in Roswell isn’t quite the size of Atlanta’s annual music festival, but the monthly event attracts thousands of visitors.

On average, city officials said the event garners about 5,000 attendees. From 5-9 p.m. they can shop from over 75 vendors, watch live music on two stages and buy beverages from several tents on the street.

Roswell Special Events Manager Chris Ward said the work behind Alive in Roswell is a year-round job. The team spends months getting sponsorships, coordinating vendors and working with the Roswell police and fire departments.

“The idea started several years ago, basically it was to get people to come to Canton Street on a Thursday night,” Ward said.

The event has grown since its creation, now offering various food trucks alongside the Canton Street restaurants and drink tents from Top Job Beverage and Events.

Ward said the feedback from Alive

in Roswell has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly because it appeals to everyone.

“If you walk down Canton Street, you’re walking through all demographics,” Ward said. “There’s not

really one group that owns the event. Roswell City Councilwoman Christine Hall worked as a “celebrity bartender” at one of the Top Job Beverage and Events tents on May 18, where she fundraised for the Children’s Development Academy in Roswell.

“I raised $675, so that’s really exciting,” Hall said.

She attends the event frequently to relax and run into people in the community.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to get together,” Hall said. Many come from out of town, though. Ashley Duke, a Vinings resident, said it was her second time attending Alive in Roswell. Her family visits the event frequently.

When she does attend, Duke said it makes her wonder why she doesn’t come more often.

“Nowhere else does this,” Duke said. “I know people who came here from Vinings, Buckhead and Johns Creek.” She said part of the draw of Alive in Roswell is the community feel, with live music, street vendors and open container policy that lets her carry drinks from place to place.

See ALIVE, Page 11

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Roswell City Councilwoman Christine Hall bartends at one of the Top Job Beverage and Events tents to raise money for the Children’s Development Academy at Alive on Roswell on Canton Street on May 18.

Forsyth County officials conflicted on smart kiosks proposal

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A proposal to add smart kiosks that could collect public data along major roadways drew concerns and differing opinions among Forsyth County commissioners at their May 23 work session.

Commissioners approved an encroachment agreement with Smartpoint.io allowing it access to county right-of-way for a study to determine the locations and public benefits of up to seven interactive kiosks.

The kiosks, which are proposed on roadways like McFarland Parkway and Ronald Reagan Boulevard near Halcyon, could display county information and advertisements.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard said the devices could also collect data, which developers say could be used in public safety matters and for communicating with vehicles.

County Commission Chairman Alfred John said the kiosks could be helpful infrastructure for autonomous vehicles as technology advances.

“Transportation is going to change,” John said. “I think it’s fundamentally

Forsyth County Commissioner Kerry Hill, second from left, cites concerns about privacy and data collection during discussion of a proposal that may allow smart kiosks along roadways. Commissioners agreed May 23 to allow a private firm to conduct research in public right of ways for possible installation of the devices.

going to change where it’s going to be a lot more autonomous vehicles, and we have to have the infrastructure in place for that, whether it’s going to be led by states, whether it’s going to be led by counties or cities, or whether it’s going to be a combination of public-private partnership.”

But, commissioners expressed concerns about the data the kiosks could collect, how it would be monetized

and which entities own the information.

Scott Evans of the County Chamber of Commerce said the data collected by the kiosks would be no different than what is already gathered by smartphones.

Smartpoint.io CEO Eric Hornsby said no information would be shared without the permission of Forsyth County.

Even so, Commissioner Cindy Jones

Mills said she was concerned with the emergence of advertising on public roadways. She said residents had long expressed interest in reducing street advertising, and the county had made efforts to remove traditional billboards from along roadways.

Mills said the kiosks would be better suited in a mixed-use development with foot traffic, like Halcyon.

“And these people came out in droves in our community that were against billboards,” Mills said. “Just driving down the road, having these signs in people’s faces, I think people are going to be irate.”

Commissioner Todd Levent proposed amending the agreement to allow county staff to research the public benefits of the kiosks and explore ways to remove advertising from the devices.

Smartpoint.io will return with more details on the project and study findings before any commitment is made.

The Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the amended agreement. Mills cast the dissenting vote.

In other matters at the meeting, the County Commission unanimously approved a new policy to reimburse up to $1,000 in tuition for eligible full-time county employees each year.

Planning officials approve rezoning for businesses near neighborhood

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County residents are set to see a new commercial area on Dr. Bramblett Road that could draw a microbrewery, restaurants and retail within walking distance from nearby neighborhoods.

The County Planning Commission unanimously approved the site rezoning from an agricultural district to a commercial business district at a public hearing May 23.

The property, which was previously not recommended for a zoning change by county staff, will add 186 parking spaces and 38,000 square feet of office, retail and restaurant space at the corner of Spot and Dr. Bramblett roads.

Rod McBain, who lives nearby on Chadwick Drive, spoke in opposition to the plans. He said the development would raise traffic concerns in the area, noting its proximity to Sawnee Elementary School.

“The amount of traffic that’s there is becoming quite bad,” McBain said. “I think this type of facility may be the worst choice in terms of trying to keep that to a minimum.”

McBain also said the commercial space was unnecessary because of its proximity to gas stations, the Greens Corners Shopping Center and a proposed Publix supermarket.

Addressing McBain’s comments, project attorney Christopher Light said the most recent update to the plans makes an intentional effort to add a vehicle connection south of the property to mitigate traffic issues.

Planning Commissioner Nedal Shawkat, whose district encompasses the project, said other residents in the area had said they liked the possibility of having a restaurant, shops or a liquor store within walking distance. The Big Creek Greenway also runs along the northern boundary of the property.

“I think if we keep some modest, low-intensity commercial development on the corner, hopefully we can manage it well,” Shawkat said.

Drive-thrus; car service shops, washes and rental and sales dealerships; personal care homes; and senior housing are not permitted on the property.

The Board of Commissioners will decide whether to formally approve the rezoning at an upcoming meeting.

FORSYTH COUNTY/SCREENSHOT

FORSYTH COUNTY/SCREENSHOT

Forsyth County resident Rod McBain speaks in opposition to plans for a new commercial area on Dr. Bramblett Road at a County Planning Commission public hearing May 23. Planning commissioners approved the rezoning, which McBain said could create traffic concerns.

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Local businesses, like 1920 Tavern, run beverage tents where people can purchase drinks to walk around Canton Street during Alive in Roswell May 18.

Alive:

Continued from Page 9

Special Events Manager Ward said the city prioritizes Roswell-based businesses, with about 60 percent of the booths run by local businesses.

Amanda Miller, owner of resin homeware and jewelry business the Golden Girl spent the May 18 festival selling her products at one of the event booths.

This is Miller’s second year as a vendor at Alive in Roswell. To sell at the event, she pays a flat fee to set up a booth for the whole “season.”

Miller, who grew up near Canton Street, said she has always been familiar with the event. When she started her business in 2020, she knew Alive in Roswell would be a natural choice.

“I really like just being a part of the local community,” Miller said.

The large crowds are also a guaranteed profit for the shop owner, who said there aren’t many events like Alive in Roswell.

“This is the only place to go outside the perimeter,” Miller said.

The open container laws have caused some local business owners to call the festival a “drunk fest,” specifically after 9 p.m. when the event is officially over.

Roswell Police Chief James Conroy said the festival gets “pretty rowdy” as the night continues. Around 9:30 p.m. officers start clearing the street.

Roswell Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Pabel Troche said the festival is “pretty tame” compared to other areas like downtown Atlanta. He said the fire and police departments typically have to deal with people stumbling and falling, or occasionally getting too inebriated.

As the night stretches on, many of the Canton Street businesses close their doors. A few businesses, like Rock ‘N’ Taco stay open until 1 a.m. where people line up to keep the night going.

The next Alive in Roswell will be June 15.

Hawkers loads senses with street food culture

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — A glow emanates through Hawkers’ indoor space, lighting pouring through red umbrellas that line the ceiling. Colorful, cartoonish comics cover the walls and newspaper images, the tables. The design is busy, cutting edge.

“For the price of a meal, we can transport you to the streets of Asia,” said Kaleb Harrell, Hawkers cofounder and CEO. “You can save the plane ticket and overnight flight.”

The energy is certainly reminiscent of that. It’s disruptive, pop music over the speakers — one-third of the business mantra immediately fulfilled. “Be disruptive. Always care. Never compromise.”

The second and third pieces show themselves later.

Hawkers, which launched in Florida, opened its newest location in Dunwoody April 24.

“We want to challenge the status quo on what restaurants look like in today’s environment,” Harrell said.

Hawkers, named after travelling food vendors, was started by Harrell and his best friends — Allen Lo, Wayne Yung and Kin Ho — with a love for travel and street food. They still have family in Asia and made sure to incorporate generations-old recipes for the Hawkers menu.

“I always got the local version of wherever I went,” Harrell said.

Street food, an Asian subculture

Harrell said street food, especially in Southeast Asia, is its own subculture for locals but also “adventurous tourists.” He described it as a “sensory overload,” consisting of the sounds of ladles clicking against the wall, the smell of delicious food and smoke from the wood-burning grills, the neon lights.

“Everything around you is new and different, and you’re experiencing it with all five senses,” Harrell said.

Whenever they would get back to the states, Harrell said they “joked” about taking street food from Asia and making it approachable for the mainstream palate. But that’s exactly what they did, opening their first location on Mills Avenue in Orlando in 2011.

There’s a total of 14 locations now. Georgia had its Hawkers introduction on Atlanta’s Beltline in 2019, which is currently under renovation. Harrell hopes to reopen it by the end of the year.

With more locations, Harrell described the need to examine integrity.

“Maybe the way that we make our pork belly is not exactly how we did it when we started,” Harrell said. “But if we need to make it easier on the team, or more scalable, how do we do it in a way that’s even a better experience for the guests, rather than diluting what we’ve built?”

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA Ashanti Bates, server, and Samantha Benson, general manager, stand together inside the restaurant.

In late April, Ashford Lane saw the newest of 14 Hawkers locations. See HAWKERS, Page 13

We want to be contributors to the community and not just takers of it.

KALEB HARRELL, co-founder and CEO, Hawkers

Hawkers:

Continued from Page 12

The menu, consisting of small plates, boasts all kinds of flavors, like Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese, and comes with a complimentary spice tray. While the food may be the biggest focus, Harrell also made sure to emphasize Hawkers’ beverage program, which includes craft cocktails, beer, wine and sake.

A place for regulars

Sitting at a table feels like fast living, but also a place where you want to hang out for a while and be a regular. Harrell was attracted to Ashford Lane for a number of reasons, including the green space right outside the door where visitors can linger. Harrell said he didn’t want Hawkers to be somewhere patrons just grab a meal and go.

In just the first couple weeks of opening the newest location in Ashford Lane, some faces are now recurring, like a man and his dog Oreo. The patio is dog friendly, and general manager Samantha Benson said the staff are dog lovers.

“In fact, it’s a requirement,” Benson said. Soon, Hawkers will offer dog treats, and the patio will have dog bowls. Benson has been a part of the

Hawkers team for four years. Dunwoody was her third opening, the most recent in Nashville. Benson was once a regular herself, frequenting an Orlando Hawkers for a year before hopping on board.

“It’s just a really cool concept — it’s

uniqueness, the fact that they care about their people,” Benson said.

Each location has distinct features, she said, like Dunwoody’s arched walls. Hawkers has its own shop where all the furniture is made. The detail of the

restaurant’s design harkens back to Harrell’s comments about the intention of each opening.

“We want to be contributors to the community and not just takers of it,” Harrell said.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Founded by Kaleb Harrell and three friends in 2010, Hawkers boasts street food culture with night vibes and small, authentic plates from different Asian countries as well as a comprehensive beverage menu, consisting of craft cocktails, beer, wine and sake.

June

Thurs, June 1 – 11am

Tues, June 13th – 4pm

Tues,

June 27th –

• How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs?

• How can my family avoid probate?

Brought

to you by-

Holly Geerdes, Geerdes & Associates

Being the beneficiary of a Will has been the plot point of novels and movies since the very beginning, but what novels and movies don’t detail are the things that the beneficiary has to do in order to obtain his or her inheritance. Unsurprisingly, this isn’t as simple as the lawyer reading out a decedent’s Will. Here are three things that you need to know as a beneficiary.

1. Where is the Will? Do you know some Wills are never executed because the original copy cannot be found? That’s right - the court requires you to have the original Will document with wet signatures. If you can’t find the original Will, it doesn’t matter if you are the beneficiary. Getting your inheritance will become very difficult, especially if everyone who witnessed the signing of the Will has passed away.

2. Reading the Will is No Longer Common Practice: Just because you

ISTOCK

are the beneficiary doesn’t mean you get to read the Will. Only the Executors are able to do so, and he or she is not legally obligated to give you a copy of the Will.

3. No Time Limit for Informing the Beneficiary: The Executor does not have a deadline to inform the beneficiary about the Will. If the Executor is a bank, solicitor firm, or a professional estate planning lawyer, they will contact you as soon as the Will needs to be executed. However, if the Executor is not a professional and you are not familiar with him or her, you will want to keep an eye on whether the Executor has filed the Will with probate court yet.

“Where there’s a Will”

Five ways to make sure your landscaping impresses this summer

Brought to you by –

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

While summer is the perfect time to showcase your outdoor spaces, it can be challenging to keep everything looking its best. Here are five easy ways to keep the springtime momentum going, add life to your landscaping and give your curb appeal a little something extra!

1. Meet with a landscape designer. Looking to install features like a patio, a retaining wall, pathways, a fence, an arbor or a pergola in your yard? Need expertise in which plants would work best for your landscape? Landscape designers are trained

to evaluate the challenges and opportunities of a site and make sure that each element works together in harmony. The mark of a good professional is an ability to creatively solve problems and plan for the overall aesthetic of your yard.

2. Make a garden plan. A good garden plan needs to address issues of space, soil, drainage and function. Do you want to grow vegetables, flowers or trees? How much sunlight will a particular plot get during the day? What’s the hardiness zone? What type of soil do you have, and do you need to adjust the pH?

3. Install seasonal plantings. Once you have the basic foundational plan in place, it’s time to fill it in with plants that will provide color and bloom throughout the year. Remember that most plants are seasonal, meaning that not all plants work for all regions and times of the year. Check with your local garden center to find out which ones flourish best in your area, then group them for year-round color and

variety.

4. Check your planters. Do a wellness check of your containers and planters. Do they need a little TLC after the winter months? Does the soil need to be turned? Is there any weeding to be done? What about adding a little compost?

5. Spread mulch now. It’s always easier to mulch when you don’t need to worry about damaging new blooms, and having an extra layer of insulation for your seeds and plantings is always a good idea!

By taking a proactive approach and planning ahead, you can create a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy all season. If you need assistance staging your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you!

Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/ Copyeditor

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad

Town at Trilith: Award-winning community among America’s most exciting places to live!

Brought to you by- Holly

Geerdes, Geerdes & Associates

Imagine walking out of your front door and bumping into Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Olsen, or the Rock. That scenario is actually possible for residents of the Town at Trilith, an award-winning community in Fayetteville, Georgia, only 30 minutes south of downtown Atlanta.

Located adjacent to Trilith Studios, one of North America’s largest film studios renowned for producing blockbuster movies like Avengers: End Game, Spiderman: No Way Home, and the hit television series WandaVision, lies a creative community with a pedestrian-friendly layout.

The town boasts a meticulously curated Town Centre that includes an array of distinctive restaurants and retail establishments including Enzo Steakhouse & Bar, Sensu Sushi and Woodstone Bakery & Cafe to name a few.

What sets this town apart is its diverse architectural influences, which encompass a spectrum of global styles ranging from enchanting Provencal cottages and captivating Eastern Asia-inspired townhomes to elegant Scandinavian residences and grand

Mediterranean estates.

“Trilith is a place where makers live, create and inspire the world,” said Rob Parker, president of the Town at Trilith. “Each home stands out as its own work of art while simultaneously blending into the town’s overall look thanks to a talented network of builders, designers, town planners and interior decorators.”

If you’re eager to be part of this lively community, there are currently a handful of homes on the market, including:

Cottage Homes starting at $579,900 Terrace Homes starting at $685,000 Village Homes starting at $1,350,000

Trilith has captured the hearts of residents and visitors alike with its abundance of natural beauty and a plethora of recreational offerings. Nestled amidst 51% green space, the community boasts an impressive array of amenities that cater to all ages and interests, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and leisure seekers.

One of Trilith’s standout features is its extensive network of 15 miles of walking trails, which meander through the town’s lush surroundings, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Residents can enjoy a

leisurely stroll or an invigorating jog while immersing themselves in nature’s embrace. Accompanying these trails is a dog park, where four-legged companions can frolic and socialize to their heart’s content, fostering a sense of community among pet owners.

The town’s commitment to preserving green spaces is evident in the meticulously curated outdoor art collection, which serves as a visual feast for visitors. As they explore the community, individuals can discover captivating sculptures, murals and installations, adding a touch of creativity to their outdoor experience.

Sports enthusiasts need not look further, as Trilith offers an impressive array of athletic amenities. Tennis courts, pickleball courts and basketball courts cater to those seeking an active challenge. Children can revel in the excitement of a well-equipped playground and a delightful splash pad, providing them with endless hours of fun and laughter. Additionally, numerous fire pits throughout the community create the perfect ambiance for gatherings and shared moments with loved ones, especially during cooler evenings.

Trilith’s commitment to providing a holistic lifestyle extends beyond

recreational amenities. The Piedmont Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art facility, offers a comprehensive range of health and fitness services to residents. With a dedicated team of professionals, the center aims to promote well-being and a balanced lifestyle through personalized programs and innovative classes.

Exciting developments are also on the horizon for Trilith, as the town recently announced plans for an impressive new entertainment venue, Trilith LIVE. Spanning seven acres, this future destination has already broken ground and is set to be completed in 2025. Among its highlights is an 1,800seat auditorium, two live audience television stages, and a luxury cinema.

Adding to the town’s allure, a boutique hotel, Portal Guesthouse, will be completed in 2024, offering 192 guest rooms and suites, including 36 apartment-style units designed to meet the needs of a new category of professional travelers seeking flexibility, freedom and exclusivity.

Model homes are now available for touring seven days a week. For more information, call the sales office at 678519-1008 to schedule a private tour or visit Trilith.com.

Muralist brings smarts to street art class

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Areas of sidewalk at the Spruill Center for the Arts are now covered in chalk murals, created by a class of around a dozen who participated in a street art course recently.

Since mid-April, Brave Nu Ventures’ Rachel Griner and a team of local street art experts and creatives have led workshops on the history and varied meanings behind the medium that covers Atlanta. Students also made their way around the city’s Castleberry Hills neighborhood and South Downtown to get a first-hand look at the work — big, often colorful and thought-provoking.

Separated into two groups, students brought their drafted designs in the course’s last class May 20. Using a homemade projector, one group made stencils to illustrate a theme based on the concept of enlightenment. The second group, which received passerby participants, chalked a waterway with the slogan, “We’re all drops in the river.”

Changed perspective

In the last class, students also spent time reflecting on what they had learned throughout their time examining street art, Griner said. One student admitted to having a preconceived notion of graffiti as a “blight” on city surfaces but now sees it as an “entire culture.”

Griner, who developed the course curriculum over a year, said many students foresaw driving through the city, seeing a blank wall, and asking themselves: “Why isn’t there graffiti on it?”

While Griner was familiar with street art, she too learned something new — the transcendent and interrelated quality of art communities, how the barriers between street art, graffiti and public art are more porous.

“There was just a hunger and veracity for learning and for connecting with people,” Griner said regarding the students and the instructors. “We just felt connected by our curiosity and our sense of community and our commitment to art as a form of self-expression.”

Because of its success, Griner said “Exploring Street Art in Atlanta” will be a standard course offered at the Spruill Center every spring and fall.

Uplifting communities

Aysha Pennerman, a professional muralist, guided students as they

etched their images on concrete.

The week before, she led an artist studio and introduced students to her experiences with communitybased murals. Pennerman also led discussion on how street art can be used to improve public safety, or tactical urbanism. She once created a “tactical walkway” mural in the Adams Park neighborhood in Atlanta because there weren’t any sidewalks.

Pennerman said public art can be transformative and inspirational, that it can become a source of pride for areas that are disinvested or neglected.

“It has the opportunity to bring voices to the forefront,” she said.

Pennerman often creates murals in low-income communities, at schools, and involves others in the process. From a concept developed over three sessions with students at Harper-Archer Elementary School, Pennerman and students filled in her paint-numbers design that harkened back to the school’s mascot — the Trailblazers.

“I thought of a light … they will be the ones that will continue to spread light wherever they go and make an impact,” Pennerman said. “I wanted to continue to speak that into them and into the community, that they are all lights. They can all make a difference in the world.”

A student of the Spruill Center for the Arts’ “Exploring Street Art in Atlanta” course and muralist Aysha Pennerman, on right, talk during the last day of class May 20. Students installed chalk murals on sidewalks at the Spruill Center, with Pennerman as a guide.

PHOTOS BY SPRUILL CENTER FOR THE ARTS/PROVIDED Students create chalk murals at the Spruill Center for the Arts in the last class of a course on street art. Because of its success, “Exploring Street Art in Atlanta” will be be offered every spring and fall at the Spruill Center.

How a city can paint itself into a corner

reducing the number of polling places is counterproductive. Is that progress? I suppose by some standard it may be.

What about early voting?

it take to handle the paperwork involved and if it was possible to maintain transparency and credibility of processing those votes – with only three staff people.

Publisher Emeritus

So, officially, I am 90 percent retired from the newspaper business. However, I still go into the office. I still manage a few relatively minor – with one exception – parts of the business. So, I am still privy to at least some of the goings on, including the newsroom.

I had a conversation with my son Carl who is managing the newsroom, and among several topics, the state of Milton’s decision to take elections in-house as opposed to continuing to allow Fulton County to manage local elections came up.

All other North Fulton cities (excluding Sandy Springs, which has no municipal election this year) thought about managing their own elections and decided to not do it. The surface reason for all the fuss was the idea that the cost of having Fulton County run the elections was excessive and that by bringing them in-house, the cost would be significantly less. At least that was my understanding.

So, Milton has taken a few steps toward setting up to administer elections. The number of polling locations in Milton has now gone from eight previously to two – one at Milton City Hall and one at Milton City Park and Preserve.

To me, that seems like it should cut expenses, I suppose. But it also feels like making it harder to vote by

I asked Carl how Milton was going to manage early voting. In the last election I voted early at the Alpharetta library. If I had been a Milton resident, I also could have voted early at the Alpharetta library, because within Fulton County, any legitimate voting location could accept early votes regardless of what city they lived in.

Hmmm. So, I am guessing now that because Milton is conducting their own election, the only location where one would be able to vote early would be at Milton City Hall.

That does not feel terribly like progress to me unless of course the goal were to be to reduce the amount of early voting.

After I asked Carl about the early voting, it occurred to me to ask him how Milton was planning to manage handle absentee voting. I asked him whether Milton was planning to have dedicated staff to manage the voting process – with the thought that maybe that person could walk me through how absentee voting was going to be handled. He told me that he was aware of three city employees who were at present going to be involved in managing the voting.

“Are those three people up to speed in voting procedures and law,” I wondered to myself. I wondered exactly how many early and absentee votes were cast in the last Milton city election and, from an administrative point of view, how many people might

I wondered whether these three staff people have other responsibilities with the city. How much of their time will be available to work on this city voting plan? What if there were disputes on absentee votes or early votes for some reason? Who was going to handle that? And, how about Milton residents who, because they were able to do it last election, try to vote early at the Alpharetta library or somewhere, not Milton? Who on the Milton team is going to be responsible for coordinating with Fulton County election workers and officials to deal with these types of circumstances?

It turns out that at present, the three people tasked with managing Milton voting are the city manager, an assistant city manager and the city clerk – all, one would assume, are already busy managing their “main” responsibilities.

It’s complicated

The more I thought about the scope of taking over the administration of voting by any city – as opposed to having Fulton County continue to do it – the more I began to see that it is a very big deal from a staffing, logistics, process and execution point of view, and certainly not something that should be decided generally and primarily to “save money.”

Of course, I do not know that was the primary reason Milton decided to administer its own election. When

the issue was hot and being talked about a few months back, I seem to recall frequent opinions about the “outrageous cost” if Fulton County administered the election. Maybe it was something else. Regardless of the reason, one must wonder if the decision was made with at least an adequate consideration of the breadth and scope of the task.

One last comment that son Carl made really threw me for a loop. He mentioned that if in the next election there was a county-wide referendum on something – like increasing a homestead exemption – that the City of Milton could not administer the election and that it would kick back to Fulton County automatically. That sounded like a curve ball if ever there was one, especially if you are a city trying to decide whether to administer your own elections.

So, at the end of the day, one also needs to ask what the goal should be in administering any election. One hopefully would respond that the goal is to facilitate the maximum number of legitimate votes in a transparent, accurate and reliable way. One would think that increasing the convenience and ease of voting would be part of the goal – not the opposite. More votes, in more locations, cast more conveniently and with maximum transparency and credibility, surely should be what we seek. I would think “cost” should be included, but way back at the end of the list of priorities – way back.

I bet, in hindsight, Milton may wish they had passed on this one, like all the other cities. Let’s see how this plays out.

Florence Barnard Boykin: ‘Mother of Camp Gordon’

Florence Barnard Boykin was given the nickname “Mother of Camp Gordon” during World War I because of her volunteer work at the training camp. The camp was built on 2,000 acres in Chamblee in 1917.

After the gates of Camp Gordon opened September 5, 1917, it was apparent that the social life and morale of soldiers was an important issue. The YMCA and Knights of Columbus had buildings at the camp, inviting soldiers to come there for

relaxation and entertainment. The camp also began holding religious ceremonies, singing classes and forming athletic teams.

Florence Boykin recruited women volunteers to welcome soldiers to the YMCA Hostess House and make them feel at home. She also organized entertainment activities each week for the soldiers. Up to 25 activities were held each week. Her volunteers were part of the Woman’s Division of the Young Man’s Christian Association and the Overseas Canteen Service. Prior to Boykin’s involvement, volunteers at the YMCA were men who were too old or not healthy enough to serve during WW I.

Boykin began her efforts soon

after Camp Gordon opened, having a special interest because she had two sons serving at that time. An August 11, 1918, article, “YMCA recruits women to run huts and canteens both in France and over there,” in the Atlanta Constitution wrote of Boykin, “A large part of the credit for opening the eyes of Y officials to the possibility of women workers in the camps is due to an Atlanta woman, Mrs. B.M. Boykin.”

Florence Boykin was president of the Atlanta Woman’s Club and used that position to help at Camp Gordon and in her other causes. She served as chairperson of the war savings stamp drive during WW I, recruiting 270 soldiers to sell $1 million in

stamps. (Atlanta: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, by John Hornaday, 1922)

The Atlanta Commission on Training Camp Activities held a meeting in March 1918 to recognize the efforts of various organizations and individuals who worked to help the soldiers of the camp. Florence Boykin was given a wristwatch at the meeting in recognition of her work. (Atlanta Constitution, March 2, 1918, “War workers hold meeting on Friday”)

Boykin had other causes beyond Camp Gordon, including the AntiSaloon League, Poppy Day, and the anti-tuberculosis league. The Anti-

See FLORENCE, Page 28

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Lessons/Studio

A quick discussion of the art of gardening

Vincent Van Gogh

I enjoy teaching adult classes at the Johns Creek Arts Center in hopes of inspiring students to treasure their gardens and feel more confident in caring for them. As an artist, it is a pleasure to help guide students to develop or refine their artistic ability. Combining the knowledge of plants with painting or drawing yields more authentic renderings in botanical representational art. I invite you to check out my class on art and gardening at johnscreekarts.org/product/the-artof-the-garden-summer-2023/ which begins June 29th at the Johns Creek Art Center.

A beautiful garden is an ongoing process that requires planning, implementation and maintenance. The reward is an outdoor refuge of calm, beauty and nature that replenishes the gardener and all who see it.

Nature provides both the palette and the canvas to create a personal and fulfilling vista for the senses. Design principles in art readily apply to gardening. These include scale, proportion, repetition, harmony and balance. A garden should feel like a welldesigned room, with consideration for the furnishings, floor, walls and ceiling. Grass or ground cover is the rug or carpet on which to walk. A meandering stone path through the grass can provide a destination that invites the visitor to explore the space or reach a sitting area.

The “walls” of the garden are determined by the structures surrounding it. In a backyard, there may be a fence or tall trees and hedges. There may be no barriers and just a view into the distance. If it is an attractive view, it may be enhanced by framing it with shrubs or trees or by adding an arbor that can be covered with flowering vines. Tall shrubs and plants that have yearround interest can be used to define the boundaries and provide vertical interest.

A variety of textures, color and scale will enhance the periphery and prevent monotony. Selecting a color palette of ornamental plants and flowers can be one of unity or contrast. An all-white garden, such as Vita Sackville West’s renowned Sissinghurst Garden in England, has ethereal, timeless beauty. Gardens can be monochromatic, in vivid primary colors or done in soft pastels. Continual flowering year-round is a

hallmark of an English garden and is doable in Georgia with planning and research.

It is desirable to have a destination in the garden if the space allows. Benches and chairs give an invitation to sit and absorb the calming influence of one’s garden. Accent pieces such as sculpture or bird baths serve as decorative accessories and bring contrast to the space. A water feature, such as a fountain or pond, can provide soothing “music” and help the birds and pollinators thrive.

As the sky is the main ceiling, overhead canopies of tall trees add to the sense of being in a room. The changing light throughout the day adds or subtracts shadows and gives emphasis on focal points. Curves in a flower bed lend a sense of rhythm

PROVIDED

and intrigue. Symmetry can be either boring or appealing depending on one’s preference but can compromise flexibility. Symmetry also requires more maintenance. Garden plants grow, spread and die at varying rates, as a garden is never static. Planning to accommodate the changes and incorporating a vision of peaceful beauty is the sine qua non of the gardener.

You will have the opportunity to witness the art of gardening at the June 3 inaugural Celebration Garden Tour hosted by the North Fulton Master Gardeners. Five home gardens of master gardeners in the Sandy Springs area will be on display for Celebration Garden Tour ticket holders. The tour runs from 10 am to 4 pm, rain or shine. For descriptions of the gardens, please visit drive.google.com/file/d/1WU1_9ZhwL-

pSQ7BWvjyLkFjL9ZieNAc6/ view?usp=share_link.

Tickets may be purchased at https://bit.ly/GardenTour2023. $22 for adults and children under 18 years of age are free. If still available, tickets may be purchased on-site for $25 per ticket.

Happy Gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net.

About the author

This week’s guest Master Gardener “Garden Buzz” columnist is Linda McGinn. Linda has lived in Johns Creek since 1990. She is an artist and recently graduated from GSU with a degree in science and art. Prior to that, Linda had a 40-year career as a registered nurse. She and her husband are continually upgrading their garden and loving the opportunities to improve it each year. She has been gardening for 30+ years and recently became certified as a Master Gardener in 2021.

“Art is But an Imitation of Nature.”

GARDEN BUZZ

LINDA MCGINN

Guest Columnist

Design in Linda McGinn’s backyard garden

Painting of sunflower by Linda McGinn

The evolution of financial planning

In the 1960s, and prior to that, financial advice, such as it was, came largely from purveyors of products such as stockbrokers, insurance agents and bankers. Each had a vested interest in selling their company’s products and solutions. Training primarily was based on techniques designed to “close the sale.”

LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP Columnist The Investment Coach

birth to the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (ICFP). Hearing about this new concept of financial planning in late 1973, this writer began studying for the CFP exam, graduating in 1975 with the third class from the College. With a new body of knowledge and a certification, yours truly was the 171st Certified Financial Planner on the planet. Later, I was privileged to serve on the board of directors of the ICFP for eight years, including as national president, 1986-1987, and chairman, 1987-1988. In 2000, the ICFP and IAFP merged to form today’s Financial Planning Association (FPA).

allowing one to feel safe, secure, and confident.

A new idea took flight on December 12, 1969, when 13 business leaders with backgrounds in mutual funds and financial services gathered in a meeting room at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport Hilton hotel. Led by Loren Dunton, the group sought a better way to deliver financial services without consumers enduring sales pitches from multiple providers. The group outlined steps to further the idea that the public could benefit from a true profession that integrated knowledge, practices and client-centric solutions from across the myriad facets of the financial services spectrum. Out of that came an educational institution, the College for Financial Planning, and a new membership organization, International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP). Dunton (1918-1997) is regarded as “The Father of Financial Planning.”

In 1972 the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation was introduced and 40 men and two women graduated with the first class in 1973. The graduates decided to create an “alumni association of sorts,” giving

Access to financial planning

The primary mission of FPA is to help to ensure that comprehensive financial planning is available to the public through proficient and ethical financial planners. Financial planning is now taught in numerous colleges and universities in undergraduate and graduate formats. We have come a long way in forging a respected profession. At the annual convention of FPA this year in Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 27-29, the 50th anniversary of the founding of financial planning as a profession will be observed, recognizing graduates of the 1975 first class of CFP designates as well as the next classes of the 1970s.

Financial planning as a concept tends to revolve around money. But money is but a tool designed to benefit your life and the life of those you love and who depend on you. Financial planners in the 1980s began to think more broadly about life events, both positive and negative, as well as the money and assets required to meet a person’s fundamental necessities,

Sooner or later, a person realizes that he or she is on this planet only for a relatively short time when measured against eternity. When America was founded in 1776, the average person could expect to live to the age of 35, a time when many folks today are starting to get serious about security, career, family, purpose and meaning. Now, for a couple, planners plan for a life span of 100 years and a surviving spouse living for 30 to 35 years in retirement. Even retirement overall is being rethought. How money relates to a life of meaning and purpose increasingly is considered, before and, especially, after retirement.

Financial planning preoccupations naturally follow the age wave in terms of the challenges involving money that one confronts. How to pay for educations, for oneself or children? Marriage. Buying a first home. Career decisions. Continuing education and training. Investments to bolster income and net worth. Bumps on the road of life, illness, injury, disability, untimely death, divorce. The freedom to work or to not work. Economic independence.

Planner specialties

We see planners developing specialties to deal with life events and aspirations. College and trade school educations. Career planning. Nurturing a closely held business and ultimately harvesting the value one has built. The psychology of investing. Planning for the vagaries of aging and care for self, spouse, parents and grandparents. Charitable giving and philanthropy. Retirement security devoid of boredom.

As the early financial planners grew in wisdom and understanding through education and real-life conundrums based on their lives and those of clients, financial planning became life planning at one point. But recognizing that financial advisers generally are not therapists, author and writer Mitch Anthony popularized the term financial life planning. Planners need to know your story ─ who you are, how you got to where you are, and where you wish to go; your values; goals and dreams; your concerns; identifying those who depend on you or who may do so in the future, such as aging parents. In several of his books, including “The New Retirementality,” Mitch asserts that the “ultimate goal of money is a greater return on life.” Money is but a tool to help answer life’s “what if?” questions, and to facilitate the fulfillment of your life’s aspirations, and whatever you think awaits you in the hereafter.

Financial planning as a concept and career path has come a long way from those early events in 1969 and 1973. As life’s possibilities expand, along with improvements in health care and longevity, life-focused financial planning will continue to grow as a career path and as a personal lifeaffirming planning necessity.

Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group (CIG); 770441-3553; lewis@capitalinsightgrp. com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA), which is otherwise unaffiliated with CIG. Lewis a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).

Mystery thrillers can sweep you from Manhattan to London

My latest reads took me to modernday Manhattan and Victorian-era England, and both drew me in. You’d never know from my accent that I lived my first 13 years in New York City and Long Island. As an adult, I often traveled there on business and even had a stint of weekly visits for several months. Because my father introduced me to so many Manhattan sights when I was a child,

revisiting them on foot years later made for heartwarming trips down memory lane.

This was during a time when it was safe to walk from Grand Central Station to Bloomingdales and to explore Fifth Avenue and Broadway on my own. These days, I take those trips only through books.

And England? Anyone who reads this column knows I’m an Anglophile and could read book after book set in England without tiring of the setting. That’s why the T-shirt I’m wearing as I write this column is so apropos. It reads, “I’m a bad girl. I read past my bedtime.”

“The Cartographers” by Peng Shepherd

When I reserved this book at the library, I thought it was a mystery, pure and simple. It is much more than that. Doing a bit of research after I finished reading it, I noted Amazon categorized it not only as a mystery but also as “Paranormal & Urban Fantasy.” They’ve also labeled it as an Editor’s Pick for one of the best books in the “Mystery, Thriller & Suspense” category.

The blurb describes it as an “ode to art and science, history and magic—a spectacularly imaginative, modern story about an ancient craft

and places still undiscovered.” The ancient craft is cartography, the study and practice of making and using maps.

The mystery concerns what else? A map. What’s odd is that it’s an old gas station map, not an exquisitely drawn old world map. How many of us still have one tucked somewhere in our homes or in a pocket in our cars? What deep, dark secret could a gas station map contain?

Author Peng Shepherd has crafted a captivating tale about maps and the places maps can take us.

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

THE INK PENN

Harley deal was sealed with a hug

Admittedly, I was never a huge Harley Davidson fan. Then I bought one.

In actuality, that’s not a fair appraisal. What really happened was that I made a friend, had the distinct pleasure of listening to a life story that darn-near brought me to tears, then I bought a Harley Davidson Road Glide 3. And before you say: “Lordy, the boy has gone crazy. Why does he want to ride around on two wheels?” Let’s handle this right up front, my Harley has three wheels.

Think about it: Three wheels. More stability. No tipping over. Just a sweet, sweet ride on a beautifully American made…Trike.

After toying with the idea of getting back on a motorcycle, I was worried Vicki and oldest son Chris might plot ways to send me packing. I grew suspicious when I saw them shaking their head amidst whispered conversations every time I mentioned my wants and desire to don a helmet and not play football.

“Why don’t you just drive around with the sunroof and windows open?”

was Vicki’s well-intentioned plea. After tossing out mental health care facility brochures not-so-subtly left on the counter, we reached a compromise: Why not a threewheeler?

I had a trike when I was a toddler, remembering the green police cruiser with a trunk in back. I wore out the pedals until brother Matt absconded with it one day, modifying my usedto-be mine mode of transportation that was better and faster.

I relented and decided to drive to Buford, figuring a few minutes at Frazier’s Harley Davidson would be a great way to kill a late afternoon. Then I fell in love.

It was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen, even if it did have two wheels in the rear. I was in awe, sort of like wanting to ask that pretty girl for a date, knowing she was way out of my league.

Then I met “Little” Billy Rabon. We talked of previous motorcycles owned, why I wanted to ride, what this shiny black beauty offered a geezer like me, a guy not wanting to succumb to being old.

Heading home, mulling the sheer lunacy of my visit with Billy, I opened the sunroof and windows while blasting George Thorogood. I reported my activity and that took care of my

new-found trek to the lunatic fringe. Or so I thought.

Dropping by unannounced has always been a habit, figuring feigning disinterest was a bargaining chip. I never expected Billy would share his story that plum tore my guts out. It’s easy to spot a sales ploy after being in the sales game for 40-plus years. Billy’s tale was delivered straight from his heart.

Describing his alcoholism that has provided him more than 25 stints in rehab, Billy has now been sober for 14 years, a remarkable achievement. It’s a disease that’s relatable because of my family history.

But that’s not the part that ended up with me wanting to write Billy’s story.

On the night of July 1st in 2012, Billy’s daughter went out to get some food. She never made it home, being killed by an intoxicated driver. Billy told me the story of his 16-year-old daughter snatched from him way too early. Her name was Angel, and now she is one.

Before I bought the Trike, I manhugged Billy and told him his story was one I had to put on paper. I also spent some time at Frazier’s and watched the crew at work. Like Billy, they are all about treating people the way they would want to be treated.

Penn:

Continued from Page 25

As I did, you may figure out who the villain is, but I doubt you’ll predict the twists and turns that ensue even after that revelation.

“A Curious Beginning” by Deanna Raybourn

After falling in love with Raybourn’s “Killers of A Certain Age,” I searched for her other books, and was delighted to discover she’d written two historical mystery series set in Victorian England. She shifted to a modern day setting without a hitch.

Equally enchanted with this first book in her Veronica Speedwell series. I plan to pick up her Lady Julia Grey mysteries soon. Raybourn is a master at rapid, witty dialogue, no matter the era, and her Victorianera heroine has some of the best lines in the book.

Is it believable that 25-year-old Veronica has traveled the world on her own as a lepidopterist

It’s working pretty well for the former technician for Coke’s fountain division, who says he had never sold anything in his life. He’s the top dog at Frazier’s, selling 200-250 bikes a year. Along with outstanding people skills, he knows (and loves) his product.

“I’ve always loved Harleys. Before I got hired, I offered to wash them here,” says Billy.

It’s a good group at Frazier’s and friendships have been forged. One of the sales guys, “Big” Carl Miller, has been so patient, never pushy. My bombardment of questions after riding a bit has been relentless.

One-by-one, they have been answered and explained. I’m certain Carl might think with customers like me, being back in real estate sales never looked so good.

Last Sunday, with lunch concluded, Vicki and Chris asked me where I was going on a ride.

“Anywhere I want,” was my Harley lifestyle reply.

I think I’m hooked.

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

(butterfly collector)? No, but then she is a woman beyond her time. Many mysteries require a willing suspension of disbelief, and I, for one, want to believe in this heroine.

This novel checked all my boxes: a strong female protagonist, a twist I never saw coming, and an exploration of a topic I knew little about. Add a favorite setting to the mix, and I was in heaven.

Come to think of it, both mysteries checked all my boxes. Will they do the same for you? Let me know.

Note: Are you in a book club? Would you like to have a local author speak to your group? Contact me to arrange a date! inkpenn119@gmail. com

Author Kathy Manos Penn is a nominee for the 2023 Georgia Author of the Year Award. Find her cozy mysteries locally at The Enchanted Forest in Dunwoody and Bookmiser in East Cobb or on Amazon. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

MIKE TASOS

Columnist

Florence:

Continued from Page 22

Saloon League was a temperance movement, with a goal of making America dry. One of the ways they hoped to accomplish this was by closing bars and saloons.

She continued to volunteer with the Atlanta Woman’s Club and was elected corresponding secretary of the Georgia State Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1924. Her post-war volunteer work included coordinating a costume musical.

Florence Barnard was born in Georgia in 1874 and married Basil Manly Boykin from Shelby County, Alabama, in 1893. Their son Barnard served overseas in the 327th infantry, 82nd division.

Florence Barnard Boykin and her husband are both buried at Decatur Cemetery in Decatur.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Sandy Springs. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@ gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

Facilities/Property Manager for church in Alpharetta area.

Bene ts.

Needs basic competency of the practices, methods, and equipment utilized in facility maintenance, construction, and repair activities; including skills and abilities related to plumbing, janitorial, electrical systems, painting, carpentry, construction, and heating and air conditioning systems. Basic understanding of IT and AV technology would be helpful. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage contractors/volunteers. Requires successful completion of a criminal record and child abuse background check, a valid driver’s license and the ability to perform physical tasks.

Quali ed candidates please send resume to Alpharettajobopening@gmail.com.

GENERAL CLERK III - CUSTOMER SERVICE

Sawnee EMC is seeking a General Clerk III – Customer Service to assist in a high-volume call center. Requires high school diploma or equivalency, computer, communication and general o ce skills. Two years of related experience preferred. Position is full-time; must be exible to work irregular hours, to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, June 2, 2023. Apply online: www.sawnee.com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and A rmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable quali ed individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ENGINEER

Sawnee EMC is seeking an Electrical Distribution System Engineer. Requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, civil engineering or similar engineering discipline. Preferred experience in design, modeling and maintenance of distribution power systems. Must have strong computer, mathematical and communication skills.

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, June 2, 2023. Apply online: www.sawnee.com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an Equal Opportunity and A rmative Action Employer of Females, Minorities, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Sawnee EMC is VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable quali ed individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Drug Free Workplace.

Administrative Assistant for Youth and Children

Protestant church in downtown Alpharetta seeks a parttime (15-18 hours per week) Administrative Assistant for Youth & Children’s Ministries. In addition to normal administrative duties the candidate will assist with scheduling, social media, securing supplies, maintaining attendance records, planning events and mission trips.

Quali ed candidates are a person of outstanding character who is friendly, organized, able to prioritize, exhibits an understanding of the importance of con dentiality, and is willing and able to work in an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all people.

Community Events Manager

The Community Events Manager is responsible for all aspects of NFCC’s community events, from inception through execution, including helping secure sponsorships. Events may include annual golf tournament, annual fundraising gala, community engagement events, donor recognition events, and other community events. Position requires a highly organized, creative, and motivated person to lead event planning, sponsorship, and community engagement. Bachelor’s Degree preferred with 2-3 years special events and fundraising experience. To view entire listing visit: https://nfcchelp.org/workat-nfcc/  To apply, send a resume to Sandy Holiday, sholiday@nfcchelp.org.

HIRING ACCOUNTANTS!

Entry level to Senior level.

Direct Hire and temp to hire.

Resume to lauren@discoversta ng.com or call or text 678-393-9313 for more details.

HIRING EXPERIENCED TREE CLIMBERS

CDL

770-292-1998

SUSIE@TREECAREOPS.COM

Human Resources Manager

Handles all employee-related processes and procedures. This role will be responsible for Recruitment and Onboarding, Job Design, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Training and Development, Employment Compliance, Total Rewards and Talent Management. This position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and will interact with the entire management team by providing guidance on all Human Resources related topics at NFCC. Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related eld and 3-5 years of Human Resources experience, preferably in multiple HR disciplines required. Please visit https://nfcchelp.org/ work-at-nfcc/ to see the full job description. To apply, submit a resume to sholiday@nfcchelp.org and to mburton@nfcchelp.org.

Agilysys NV, LLC seeks Senior Software Engineer in Alpharetta, GA to execute in a tech startup environ incl. green eld designs & implementations, build systems, eng processes & deliv sysems. 100% telecommuting permitted w/in U.S. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref: 96645

Geiger Automotive in Suwanee, GA is seeking a Supply Chain Management Consultant responsible for providing and advising strategies for organization, optimization, and assurance of the supply chain to optimize provisions of input materials and supplying to customers on schedule and with optimal use of existing ERP systems. This position requires 10% domestic and international travel. Send email to Yvonne Ranson at Yvonne.Ranson@geigerautomotive.com. Please reference job title on resume.

Volunteer Services

Volunteers Needed! Looking for a fun, impactful volunteer opportunity? One Good Deed Friendly Visitor Program of JF&CS matches older adults with volunteers for friendship and fun! Help a senior in your community. Learn more at //jfcsatl.org/ogd or call 770.677.9489.

A degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. Computer competence within O ce 365, editing, and writing skills are required. Experience with REALM is a plus.

Successful completion of a criminal records and child abuse background check is required. Send resumes to alpharettajobopening@gmail.com.

Donor Operations Associate

The Donor Operations Associate greets and removes donations from vehicles and sorts merchandise in a designated area.  They are responsible for keeping the merchandise secure, all areas free of debris and the donor door area neat and clean.  This position is the face of NFCC so they are expected to provide excellent customer service and treat each donor with a professional and friendly demeanor.  High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Ability to perform low to moderate facility maintenance tasks.  To view entire listing visit: https://nfcchelp.org/work-atnfcc/  To apply, please complete an application for employment and email to Marten Jallad,  mjallad@nfcchelp.org.

Pinestraw PINESTRAW, MULCH

Delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612

Concrete/ Asphalt Retaining Walls

Brick or Wood

Contact Ralph Rucker. Many local references. Honest, punctual, professional and reasonable prices!

678-898-7237

Legal Services

PUBLIC NOTICE: Municipal Communications, LCC is proposing to build a 180-foot Monopole Telecommunications Tower located at 1200 Mountain Park Road, Roswell, Fulton County, Georgia 30075 (34˚ 03’ 57.18” N, 84˚ 24’ 25.76” W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to C. Malec, Terracon, 2105 Newpoint Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; 770-623-0755; cyra.malec@ terracon.com. Reference Terracon Project No. 49237305A.

Home Improvement

DECKS BUILT & REPAIRED-PAINT

Decks repaired/built. Labor payment upon completion. 30-plus years experience. John Ingram/678-906-7100. Act now before prices increase next year! Heritage Home Maintenance HOMEREPAIRGA@GMAIL.COM, (HERITAGECONSTRUCTIONGA.COM)

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS

Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432

Landscaping

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo!

Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Tree Services

24 hour emergency service. Licensed, insured. Workers Comp, insurance claims. 25+ years experience. Family business. Free estimates. We Love Challenges!

Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts 770-512-8733 • www.yellowribbontree.com

COMPLETE TREE SERVICES

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Tree removal, Pruning, Stump grinding, Free mulch. Fully insured. Emergency 24/7 770-450-8188

Haulers

Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc.

Many local referencesCall Ralph Rucker 678-898-7237

Bargains – Miscellaneous

ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHER, A.R. Blue Clean plus surface washer $115. ABOVE GROUND POOL PUMP and motor, new ETJ $200. 770-640-6250

Yard Sale

ROSWELL-30075, Devereux Downs, multi-family. 1000 Devereux Chase. Saturday 6/3, 8am-2pm; Rain/shine!

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo. com/ads

DISH TV $64.99 For 190

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MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system.

Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure!

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Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once.

HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/ Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/ads

Diagnosed with lung cancer? You may qualify for a substantial cash award - even with smoking history. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help!! Call 24/7, 1-877-648-2503

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Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866479-1516

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available.

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• Easily accommodates up to 5 people

• O ce has great light. Ground floor

• .7 mile to Alpharetta City Hall on Hwy. 9

• Smaller o ce space also available in same building

• Short or longer term lease. Reasonable $