Johns Creek Herald - August 3, 2023

Residents seek tax rate rollback

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — In the first public hearing for the property tax millage rate, Johns Creek highlighted that its current rate — one it plans to keep — is the lowest in Fulton County. But residents went before the council July 25 with criticisms, saying this is an apples-to-oranges comparison.

The city has tentatively adopted a property tax rate of 3.986 mills, unchanged from last year. Even so, property owners may face higher tax bills because of rising values. According to the preliminary tax digest from Fulton County, the value of Johns Creek property has increased by more than 10 percent.

Property taxes account for about 30 percent of the city’s General Fund revenue base, funding public safety, city administration, capital projects and enhancements as well other strategic priorities the City Council identifies.

The Johns Creek fiscal year 2023 budget anticipated $20.2 million in property tax revenue. Based on the property value increase, the current millage rate would generate $2.7 million more than anticipated. If a rollback rate of 3.646 mills is adopted, the city would generate $0.7 million more.

All three residents who spoke at the public hearing asked for the rollback rate.

Royce Reinecke, a former City Council candidate, said the city

Johns Creek holds first of 3 hearings on 2023 mill levy

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek officials conducted the first of three public hearings July 25 to set property tax rates for 2023.

The city’s proposed levy of 3.986 mills would be the same as last year. Even so, property owners may face higher tax bills because of rising values.

The second and third public hearings are set for Aug. 8 at City Hall on Lakeview Drive. There will be a morning session at 11 a.m., then the final hearing during the regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m. At the close, the council will take a formal vote on the levy.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Royce Reinecke, Johns Creek resident and former City Council candidate, appeals to the City Council for a rollback on the property tax rate at a July 25 meeting.

The three residents who spoke at the public hearing asked for the rollback rate of 3.646 mills, as opposed to the proposed current rate of 3.986 mills.

should compare itself to other cities in terms of the millage rate because every city has a different level of exemptions.

“In other cities, where the millage rate is higher, they have very much higher exemptions,” Reinecke said.

“So, you have to look at the total burden, not just the millage rate burden. So, don’t get deluded into thinking that somehow our millage rate is uniquely low because it isn’t.

We have very few exemptions in

Johns Creek.”

He also said the cap on property increase does not pertain to all property owners. The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation in 2016 allowing Fulton County to cap property value increases at 3 percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.

The cap does not protect business owners, Reinecke said. Property

Under Georgia law, maintaining the same millage rate when property values rise is regarded as a tax increase, and the city is required to hold a public hearing to give residents an opportunity to comment.

Had the City Council opted to keep property tax revenue the same as last year, the mill levy would have been reduced – or “rolled back” – to 3.646 mills.

Each year, the Board of Tax Assessors is required to review the assessed value of taxable property in the county. When the trends of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicate there has been

See LEVY, Page 3 See TAX, Page 20

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Senior couple dies in single-car crash

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office reported an elderly couple died July 27 from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash on Flowery Branch Road.

Officials said the County 911 Center received reports of the crash around

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Police investigate burglary at Mount Pisgah school

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police responded to a burglary at Mount Pisgah Christian School on Nesbit Ferry Road July 17, where they found several ransacked classrooms with items missing.

Police visited rooms throughout the school and noticed disarray, with a chair tipped over, a thrown keyboard, golf balls scattered around, among other vandalism.

A Bose Bluetooth speaker was stolen as well as several knives from a kitchen area, the police report said. One knife was dented and appeared to have been used to open a case of Gatorade, the report said. Two small bottles on two separate floors of the school were found.

Employees said there had been a set of keys and a keycard in a pickup truck near the school, which was left unlocked. Both the keys and keycard were missing, the report said.

Camera footage was being obtained, the report said, and detectives arrived on scene to continue the investigation.

Man reports fraud after mailbox raided

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police July 17 that someone used his credit card without permission and made purchases totaling nearly $400.

The victim said he ordered the credit card by mail in June but never received it. He began to receive notifications on his cellphone advising someone was using his credit card in California, the police report said.

The victim opened a case with his bank for the incident and was informed the card had been activated using his

1:30 p.m. The two occupants, Alice and Jimmy Jackson, both 91, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates the driver, Alice Jackson, was traveling west on Flowery Branch Road and drifted out of the lane near Shadow Lane. She

cellphone number, the report said.

Business receives invoice for fraudulent shipments

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The president of a Johns Creek business reported to police July 21 that he received an invoice from UPS for more than $8,700, though the bill is usually less than $20.

When looking through the invoice, the man found 162 fraudulent shipping transactions on the account, from an identified sender in Alpharetta. Packages were sent to numerous people with addresses nationwide, the police report said.

The man provided police with two packages returned to his address after shipment could not be made, and a check was found in each, totaling more than $70,300. Both packages were on the business’ invoice.

The man contacted UPS and requested a fraud report.

Cumming man charged in bear-shooting case

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Cumming man July 19 who allegedly shot a bear in his front yard.

A woman told deputies around 8 p.m. she had heard three loud gunshots and saw a bear running down a hill and into the woods on Marsha Circle. She said the bear continued to run, but then there was another gunshot, and the bear fell, curled up and stopped moving.

A second neighbor said she was in her backyard and also saw the bear get shot, the report states. Deputies found the bear, which was not moving and was covered in flies.

Deputies and a representative from the Forsyth County district of the Department of Natural Resources met with a 50-year-old suspect, who said the bear was in his front yard when he was tending his chickens.

The suspect said he ran inside because he felt threatened, and the bear ran behind his house and toward the woods, the report states. He said he then got his rifle, returned outside and shot the bear.

Deputies reported observing the

then over-corrected, and the vehicle left the roadway, overturned and came to a stop on an embankment.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

— Shelby Israel

suspect was slurring his words, and his face was sluggish. The suspect said he “may have had a beer” while cutting the grass earlier.

He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm while under the influence and reckless conduct.

Deputies arrest suspect linked to vehicle burglary

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a Peachtree Corners man July 13 on theft and fraud charges in connection with a 2022 vehicle burglary.

A woman told deputies Sept. 17, 2022, her driver’s license, cash, debit card and her personal and business credit cards had been stolen from her wallet, which she had left in her unlocked vehicle during a Girl Scout event at Matt Community Park.

She reported one of her cards had been used for two $504 purchases at the Walmart on Marketplace Boulevard. Her business charge card was also used for a $1,500 purchase at the store.

The suspect, 45, was charged with two counts of felony transaction card theft, two counts of fraudulent use of transaction card and one count of identity fraud.

Gainesville man cited for stalking on Facebook

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County deputies arrested a 43-year-old Gainesville man July 17 on aggravated stalking charges after he allegedly commented “lol” on his ex-girlfriend’s Facebook post.

The woman reported June 17 her ex-boyfriend had commented “lol” under her Facebook post using a fake account.

Deputies reported the suspect had been served with a temporary protective order that required him to have no contact with the woman. The Facebook account that left the comment had no profile picture or account information, the report states.

The man was charged with felony aggravated stalking.

Forsyth County officials break ground on long-anticipated Denmark Library

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Library staff and local and state officials gathered on a humid morning July 27 to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Denmark Library, a $15 million facility in southwest Forsyth County.

Most of the bill, $9.7 million, is covered by SPLOST VIII revenue. Some $4.4 million is funded through state grants and county impact fees. In June, the Forsyth County Commission granted the library $280,000 to cover construction costs.

The 9.5-acre site, the second library in County Commissioner Todd Levent’s District 3 and the first in the southwestern corner of the county, was purchased in 2018. The 22,504-squarefoot facility will feature 75,000 books and materials; a quiet room for studying and reading; and personal study rooms tailored for remote working.

Further plans include adult, children and teen sections, as well as a bookstore. Denmark Library will also be the first to have a drive-up window for retrieving books on hold.

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture is charged with the design of the facility, and construction will be completed by Albion General Contractors.

Levy:

Continued from Page 1

an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by law to re-determine – or reassess – its

Staff estimate construction will be finished in late 2024 or early 2025. Denmark Library is the county library system’s fifth branch. It follows the 2013 opening of the $7 million Post Road Library, also in District 3, and the 2018 expansion of Sharon Forks Library, which originally opened in

value.

Residents are invited to email comments to public.comment@ johnscreekga.gov. For additional information on the proposed 2023 millage rate please visit the city website at www.johnscreekga.gov.

– Amber Perry

2000.

“Post Road Library is at max capacity, could even be seen that tables and chairs are always full,” Levent said. “So, making today a reality is a must.”

The facility neighbors Denmark High

School on Fowler Road and the future site of the new Midway Elementary School on Mullinax Road. Officials at the groundbreaking emphasized the library will be an invaluable resource for all county residents, including students.

“There really is no greater gift that you can give to the children and families of your communities,” Georgia Public Library Service State Librarian Julie Walker said. “We've never needed libraries more than we do today.”

PHOTOS BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA Forsyth County leaders and library system officials break ground for construction of Denmark Library July 27 at a site on Fowler Road near Denmark High School. Leaders said construction will be finished in late 2024 or early 2025.

Forsyth County Library Director Anna Lyle speaks to a crowd July 27 during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Denmark Library on Fowler Road.

Drug enforcement seizures aid Alpharetta police funding

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Every year, the Alpharetta Public Safety Department receives funding from the city for operational costs. But, some of the department’s expenses are also covered through local drug enforcement.

These funds are generated through the Equitable Sharing Program, an asset forfeiture program run by the U.S. Department of Justice that allows assets or proceeds from federal crimes to be liquidated. Assets that are seized from illegal drug activity are managed by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Once these assets are liquidated, Alpharetta Police Lt. Andrew Splawn said the funds can be used for anything besides salaries, benefits and recurring expenses. This can include weapon accessories, accommodations and supplies — even Yeti cups.

In 2022, the department used $102,525 in confiscated asset funding for a range of expenses, including equipment and machinery; employee training and travel; and general supplies and materials.

For example, some $21,579 was used for firearms. Of the $15,425 used for supplies, the department purchased $13,953 in Yeti cups for all Public Safety employees, with the remainder funding miscellaneous items such as magnets, weapon lights and phone chargers.

But, before an asset can be converted into real dollars, it must undergo a process of oversight.

Splawn said two Alpharetta police detectives are assigned to DEA task forces. One is assigned to the highdensity drug trafficking area, or HIDTA, task force, and the other is assigned to the financial investigation team, or FIT.

The HIDTA task force is responsible for drug enforcement, while the FIT task force investigates money laundering. FIT investigations are not always drugrelated but oftentimes are, Splawn said.

“Throughout the course of their investigations, if there's any money or property that is either helping facilitate the illegal activity, or it's a proceed or benefit from the illegal activity, those funds are seized,” Splawn said.

The department also has a Special Investigations Unit, which focuses on narcotics, vice and human trafficking offenses. While this is not one of the DEA task forces, Splawn said assets seized by the unit are still counted in

The Alpharetta Police Department displays customized Yeti cups for the 911 Center and Fire, Police and Public Safety departments July 27. The department said the cups, which were purchased in 2022 with confiscated asset funds, were given to all public safety employees as part of a recruitment and retention initiative.

the department’s confiscated assets fund.

“There's no difference in how we spend the money, whether it comes federally or locally,” he said. “But once we have the money, it can be spent on things like training, equipment, initiatives. In fact, much of our second floor is paid for with asset forfeiture money. We got a SWAT bus and some other high-dollar items that are typically hard to budget for.”

Once an asset is seized, a judge determines if it had aided a crime or was the benefit of a crime. If the judge rules that it was not, the asset is returned to its owner. If it was, the Department of Justice uses a formula to determine how much an agency receives from the forfeiture.

“That's kind of the key thing that sometimes gets missed is that whenever assets are seized, assets or money is seized, whoever the property is taken from has a right to a hearing,” Splawn said.

Such assets can include land, homes and, most often, vehicles.

To liquidate the assets, the Alpharetta Police Department submits the funds to GovDeals, an online auction-based marketplace for governments and educational agencies. After the assets are awarded to the department, the rest of the process is conducted through the state, Splawn said.

He said to provide a layer of oversight and prevent abuse, all expenses covered by asset forfeiture must be approved by the chief of public safety.

ALPHARETTA POLICE DEPARTMENT/PROVIDED

Wire and Wood festival lists new acts

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Wire and Wood organizers have named over 30 performers for the 10th annual songwriters festival in downtown Alpharetta Oct. 13-14.

On the festival’s first day, Soul Hound will perform at 5 p.m. on the Brooke Street Park stage, followed by Brother Mojo at 6:30 p.m. and Funk You at 8:15 p.m. That night on the Canton stage, Eliot Bronson, Matthew Kahler and Connelly Crowe will perform as the Atlanta Songwriters Round at 6 p.m., followed by Mike Kinnebrew at 8:30 p.m.

Sophie Gault is set to perform at 5:45 p.m., Mildly Aggressive Folk at 7:30 p.m. and Bee Taylor at 9:15 p.m. on the Formal Garden stage Oct. 13. Ben Bostick will take the Market Street stage at 5 p.m., followed by Sasha Hurtado at 6:30 p.m. and Eliot Bronson at 8:15 p.m.

Final acts for the opening night include Hughes Taylor at 5:45 p.m., Rissi Palmer at 7:15 p.m. and the Lauren Morrow Band at 9 p.m. on the Town Green stage. The night concludes with performances on the Main on Milton stage beginning at 5 p.m. with Pasadena, Gibson Wilbanks at 7:15 p.m. and ending 9:30 p.m. with headliner Marc Broussard.

Music continues 5 p.m. Oct. 14 with The Future Babes, followed by The Honkey Collective at 6:30 p.m. and The Madame Vega 8:15 p.m. on the Brooke

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Street Park stage. Saturday performers on the Canton stage include Dusty Roads at 5:45 p.m. and Michael Logen, Emily Earles and Jeff Cohen as The Nashville Round at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the Formal Garden stage will feature Bri Love at 5:45 p.m., Rosey at 7:30 p.m. and Sans Abri at 9:15 p.m. Market Street stage performers are listed as Liz Kate at 4:45 p.m., Nicolas Edward Williams at 6:30 p.m. and Abe Partridge at 8:15 p.m.

Performances on the Town Green stage commence 5:30 p.m. with The Murphs, 7:15 p.m. with Cicada Rhythm and 9 p.m. with John Paul White. Wire and Wood’s second night will conclude 5 p.m. with Walden on the Main Stage on Milton, followed by The New Respects at 7:15 p.m. and headliner Susto at 9:30 p.m.

The festival will be preceded by a kickoff on the plaza at Avalon Oct. 12. During the event, Music Match will highlight local musicians at participating businesses downtown in partnership with Wire and Wood.

Admission is free, and the festival will take place rain or shine. Updates and lineup information can be found at wireandwoodalpharetta.com.

Name: The Market Place at North Point

Owner: Lisa Williams and Gregory Patterson

Description: The Market Place at North Point is an 8,000-square-foot store in North Point Mall dedicated to providing opportunities to Georgia small business owners and entrepreneurs to sell their products, merchandise and services. Additionally, we offer fun and exciting events e.g., arts and crafts, soap making, and small event opportunities. The Market Place at North Point is more than a store; we are a destination shop for all mall shoppers.

Opened: May 2023

Address: 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA

Phone: 770-595-8086

Web Address: @The_Market_Place_GA (Instagram)

Just opened?

Appen Media publishes New Business Spotlights to highlight local businesses as they get started. Submit yours for free at appenmedia.com/newbusiness.

— Shelby Israel

Forsyth County agencies gather for annual active shooter drill

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County public safety agencies gathered at Horizon Christian Academy July 18 for an annual active shooter drill.

Sheriff’s Office Capt. Rob Heagerty said the operation is a joint effort between the Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Office and Central EMS, the county’s ambulance contractor.

Heagerty said the drill is designed to ensure clear communication between the departments, which may use differing language. He said when deputies say a room is clear, it means there is no threat, but to a firefighter, “clear” means there are no victims.

“That way, when we’re talking in unified command — Sheriff’s Office, Fire and EMS … everybody understands each other’s language,” Heagerty said. “When it happens, we run efficient and effective because we work out the kinks here in training.”

He said the agencies first practiced joint drills for large scenarios in 2014. While active

shooter training is annual, the departments practice a large-scale scenario every other year. School resource officers have separate training and protocols for threats.

The training units are dispatched at staggered intervals to simulate

arriving on the scene from different points around the county. Leaders will also introduce challenges, such as chained doors, for the participants to overcome.

Deputies use a combination of blanks and simulated ammunition

during the drills. Heagerty said there are also weighted mannequins strategically placed throughout the scenario.

The drills, from neutralizing the threat to rescuing the mannequins, take about 30 minutes.

Rabid raccoon captured in south Forsyth County

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County officials confirmed July 19 a raccoon captured in a subdivision in the southeastern portion of the county tested positive for rabies.

The animal was captured by

County Animal Services July 16 in the Grand Cascades subdivision in Suwanee near Rivercrest Lane. The raccoon was transported to the Georgia Public Health Lab, where it tested positive for the virus July 18.

Residents and a dog who encountered the raccoon were treated for exposure. The virus is transmitted to humans and domestic animals through saliva when it is introduced into bite wounds; mucous membranes such as the eyes or mouth; or open cuts.

County staff urge people who may have had contact with a raccoon to contact County Environmental Health at 770-781-

6909.

To report an animal behaving strangely, people should avoid the animal and contact Animal Services at 770-781-2138 during business hours and the 911 Center at 770781-3087 after hours.

To report bites, county staff said to call the Georgia Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

— Shelby Israel

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Members of the Forsyth County Fire Department gear up for an active shooter drill July 18 at Horizon Christian Academy in Cumming. The agency teamed with members from the Sheriff’s Office and Central EMS for the annual training session.

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Stand-Alone Gloss

Sandy Springs wine shop shares craft with patrons

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Tucked away in a small plaza on Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs, Beer and Wine Craft invites guests to step away from the traditional retail and tasting rooms and into the world of winemaking.

The shop, which also includes the Sandy Springs Boutique Winery and Tasting Room, first opened in 1969 as Wine Art. Following decades of relocation around the Atlanta perimeter, head winemaker Joe Keenan bought the business in October 2012. From there, he dedicated it to teaching customers the art of vinification.

Keenan sold the shop in June to his wife Shanie Mattox, a graphic designer who makes most of the labels for the store. Together, the couple sell signature wines by the bottle and offer tastings, events and beer and winemaking classes.

Although Keenan’s interest in wine was sparked by a winemaking kit Mattox had gifted him, he is well-versed in millennia of wine history, which he warmly shares with customers at the beginning of his classes.

To Keenan, winemaking is a craft he has enjoyed for 16 years, and through the shop, he shares that craft with the community.

“This is unique to Atlanta,” Keenan said. “This store here, there’s nothing like it.”

An artistic process

Beer and Wine Craft buys concentrated grape juice from a distributor. Customers can choose from more than 100 grape varieties, some grown in the Napa Valley in California; Tuscany, Italy; Bordeaux, France; the Barossa Valley in Australia; and the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

“We don’t bring in the grapes,” Keenan said. “I don’t ever want to bring in the grapes. Once you pick that grape, it is on its way downhill faster than you know. It’s got bad microbes in it that [causes it to spoil] real easy. It oxidizes real easy. Everything goes wrong with it.”

The juice is treated with sulfites, which are naturally occurring in grapes. It is then placed into a primary fermenter, where it stays for 15 days.

Keenan also ferments wine in his beloved Hungarian oak barrels, a process that lasts between two and three months.

While French, American and Hungarian oak barrels come from subspecies of the white oak tree, he said the Hungarian barrels leave a perfect finish because of the size of the cellulose cells.

“This is an art, not a science,” he said. “You have to taste it on a regular basis.”

After the wine rests for the allotted time, it is fined and cleared, which involves stopping the

PHOTOS BY SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Owner Shanie Mattox and head winemaker Joe Keenan operate Beer and Wine Craft at 203 Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs. Keenan bought the business in 2012 before transferring ownership to Mattox, his wife, in June.

Beer and Wine Craft, 203 Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs, includes a tasting room where guests can sample a variety of house-made wines. The American Wine Society awarded the shop’s private reserve a silver medal in 2022. See WINE, Page 9

This is unique to Atlanta. This store here, there’s nothing like it.

JOE KEENAN, head winemaker, Beer and Wine Craft

Wine:

Continued from Page 8

fermentation process and adding sulfites and clearing agents. The wine is then transferred into a carboy, a large, clear jug.

The wine remains in the carboy for roughly two weeks before it is transferred to another carboy to remove unwanted sediment. The beverage is refined for two more weeks until it is siphoned into a third carboy. Then, it is ready to be bottled.

From start to finish, the process takes between six and eight weeks. Keenan said every 6 gallons of wine yields 30 bottles.

In the back of the shop, customers can also buy supplies to make their own beer. Here, there are kits complete with instructions, hops, spices, yeast and malt extract to create a variety of ales.

However, because the shop does not have a license for beer tasting, it only offers classes and sells supplies.

Beer and Wine Craft will host winemaking classes from 10 a.m.2 p.m. Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2. Each class is $75 per person.

Beer making classes are set at the same time on Sept. 23, Nov. 11 and on an undetermined date in December. Beer classes are $55 per person.

Fruits of labor

After a decade of leading its wine production, Keenan has cemented Beer and Wine Craft as a Sandy Springs staple where customers can enjoy wines that cannot be found anywhere else.

“It’s just a really, really nice craft, and people enjoy it,” he said. “It takes less than two hours to make 30 bottles of it. It takes about half an hour to start it, half an hour to fine and clear it and about 45 minutes to bottle it.”

In addition to offering guests the opportunity to make their own batch, the shop keeps red, white and dessert wines stocked by the bottle and for tasting. Its standout selection is its private reserve, a Chianti-style blend that won Keenan a silver medal at the American Wine Society’s Commercial Wine Competition in 2022.

Beer and Wine Craft is open every day, with hours varying from late morning or noon to early evening. More information on tastings and classes can be found at beerandwinecraft.com.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Fermenting red wines await bottling July 25 in the back of Beer and Wine Craft at 203 Hilderbrand Drive in Sandy Springs. Customers can make their own red, white and fruit wines at the shop, which requires three visits over four to eight weeks.

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How important is it to put your property into a trust? Let’s do a case study. There once was a Mr. Smith who was unfortunately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Knowing that he didn’t have long to live and wanting to make sure his children did not have to suffer through the tedious probate process, Mr. Smith signed his property over to his three children. He had the real estate attorney draft a special deed with joint right of survivorship language. With this language, if one of his children passed away, the remaining two would get the deceased sibling’s share without having to go through probate.

Here’s the catch - the joint right of survivorship only delays probate for as long as one of the owners is alive. When the last owner dies, the property still must go through probate if it is not placed in a trust. When Mr. Smith’s children realized this, they went to speak to Mr. Smith, but it was too late. The deed had already been recorded. What’s worse was that one of the three siblings was legally incompetent, meaning that he could

not sign any legal document. Now, while the three siblings could avoid probate after Mr. Smith’s death, they could not sell the property or take any protective measures because of the legally incompetent sibling. On top of that, due to owning a share of the property, the legally incompetent sibling lost his government benefits. Equally worse, Mr. Smith’s attempts to shortcut probate caused him to impose heavy capital gains tax burden that otherwise could have been waived for his children if he had transferred the property into a trust.

Although Mr. Smith did his best to protect his property for his children, his lack of knowledge caused him to make a costly mistake. If he had placed the property in a trust, he would have been able to avoid the probate process and allow for his legally incompetent child to have his share of the property without losing his government benefits. This isn’t his fault - but it’s an example of why you should always consult an estate planning attorney local to your area to understand the specific laws governing estate and assets in your county and state and choose the best estate plan for you while you are healthy and competent because emergency decisions involving your assets and family rarely accomplish your goal and do more harm than good.

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7 Timeless kitchen trends that will never look outdated

cabinet fronts, these functional features will never be outdated.

Between expensive appliances, custom cabinets, and costly countertops, we spend a lot of money on our kitchens. In fact, according to John Hogan, Owner of Remodeling Expo Center in Roswell GA, the median spend on a kitchen remodel was $32,000. To make sure that all of this money isn’t creating a kitchen we’ll want to update again in five years, the trick is to incorporate timeless design elements that won’t soon go out of style. By choosing kitchen features that can stand the test of time, you’ll save yourself money (and the work of remodeling) down the line.

So, what are the kitchen trends that won’t make you cringe a few years from now? Skip the trendy color of the year and follow these timeless kitchen ideas that have been loved for decades.

Neutral Paint Colors

The classic white kitchen is sometimes critiqued for being a little boring—but there’s one solid reason to opt for this color in the kitchen: It will never go out of style. According to Remodeling Expo Center, a whopping 43 percent of renovating homeowners opted for white cabinets. Not sure which shade of white to go for? Don’t worry, soft greys are also just as popular and combining the two work well also.

Shaker-Style Cabinets

Known for their simple design and recessed-panel doors, Shaker cabinets have been in-style for more than 100 years. Shaker cabinets are popular in farmhouse kitchens, transitional kitchens and are the perfect element to update an otherwise traditional house.

Drawer and Cabinet Organizers

I’m calling it: Organization will never go out of style. And while features like built-in baking sheet dividers and pull-out cabinet drawers haven’t been around for that long, when hidden behind unfussy, timeless

Built in Appliances

Nothing finishes off the look of a kitchen like the smooth finished look of a built-in appliance. Especially the refrigerator and the microwave. And conversely, nothing looks more outdated than a refrigerator or microwave sticking out or on the countertop. A thoughtful kitchen design should include clever and seamless appliance installation.

Natural Materials

Adding in natural materials like wood and stone will ground the space and keep it classic. If you want a timeless look, resist the urge to create an ultra-modern kitchen full of shiny stainless steel and engineered materials. Resist the feeling that “natural” equals “old”

White Marble “Look” or Butcher Block Countertops

The white marble look will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider using quartz. For a more classic look consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years and you can prepare food directly on it.

Subway Tile

Subway tile is not only versatile enough to work with many different decor styles, but you probably won’t get sick of it in five years (after all, the look’s been around for over 100 years). While it may be tempting to go with a trendy backsplash, like metallic tiles, sea glass, or bright geometric tiles, opt for something a little simpler if you want a backsplash with staying power.

To learn more, contact The Remodeling Expo Center at 404 910-3969 or stop in at 48 King Street, Roswell, GA 30075. www. RemodelingExpo.com

Brought to you by - Remodeling Expo Center

Luxury resort living at The Manor Golf & Country Club

Brought to you by-

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties

The last few remaining lots in an exclusive gated community with awardwinning schools are selling out quickly, and this is the final chance to live in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in metro Atlanta.

Just north of Atlanta, The Manor Golf & Country Club offers an unparalleled lifestyle with Georgia’s only Tom Watson-designed championship golf course, country club amenities including tennis and indoor/outdoor swimming, private lessons with a pro, dining, spa treatments, and a year-round calendar of activities to keep little ones engaged and bring adults together to create memories.

With a 32,000-square-foot European inspired clubhouse overlooking Manor

Lake, The Manor Golf & Country Club is part of Invited Clubs, a network of several Atlanta clubs and a national network of 200 clubs where members can find a home away from home and make new friendships when they travel.

The Manor Golf & Country Club has a few exclusive remaining readyto-build homesites offered by renowned custom luxury design and construction firm Loudermilk Homes. This stunning 2.2-acre double lot that overlooks picturesque Manor Lake at 605 Stilwell Court is a tree-lined gem that’s easily walkable to the clubhouse, with unobstructed natural preserve views across the street. A handful of other private estate-sized lots and double lots are also available and are selling quickly.

The Manor Golf & Country Club also offers luxury homes that are almost complete and ready for move-

in soon, including this 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home at 1069 Kent Court, which overlooks the 7th and 8th holes of the golf course. Nestled on a 1-acre homesite in a quiet and private culde-sac, this home features a modern design, breathtaking views of the golf course, exquisite architectural details, custom millwork, and quality craftsmanship with bespoke professional designer selections. The open floor plan includes a gourmet chef’s kitchen with custom cabinets and professional grade appliances, a second catering prep kitchen, a spacious owner’s suite on the main level with a spa-inspired bathroom, and four additional large bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The current list price for the home is $2,895,900, and it is drawing intense interest.

Located in the highly rated Milton school district, The Manor Golf &

Country Club is just minutes from historic downtown Alpharetta and the Avalon luxury shopping and restaurant district, as well as charming historic downtown Roswell, Crabapple and other communities. The local equestrian community is a big draw for families, and there are numerous stables and riding trails nearby. Homes in The Manor are priced from the $2 million range up to $8 million or more for a truly bespoke private estate mansion custom designed and built by awardwinning Loudermilk Homes.

For additional information about The Manor Golf & Country Club, please call 678.578.6766 or visit www.themanorhomes.com. Sales and marketing by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Top tips for planning a kitchen remodel

you.

3. Enlist professional help.

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad

Even with less-than-ideal function and a cringy design, it’s easy to put off a kitchen remodel because, well, the disruption. However, fear of change or logistics doesn’t need to hold you back from making room for a fresh look and layout. Here are a few pro tips to help you get ahead of the decision-making, so you can stop settling for the devil you know and get ready for a stunning dream kitchen that adds value to your lifestyle as well as your resale price.

1. Figure out your motivation for renovating.

Do you need to improve an inefficient design? Want to customize and personalize your space? Lower energy costs? Accommodate multigenerational living? Increase property value or repair damage? Identifying the ‘why’ gives the ‘how’ clarity and direction, making the rest of your decisions much more apparent.

2. Identify what you love about your existing kitchen…

…and don’t fix things that aren’t broken. If you can work with the existing plumbing locations, retain the current square footage or preserve windows and walls, there is no need to change them. Your budget will thank

Unless you’re a builder, save the DIY for projects that don’t involve building codes or plumbing and electrical. Even then, partnering with professionals not only alleviates a significant amount of stress throughout the remodel but also often protects you against potential issues after completion in the form of warranties or quality guarantees.

4. Prioritize function.

More than any other room in a house, the kitchen relies on an efficient layout and workflow, so take your time with planning for things like the work triangle (the relationship between the sink, stove and refrigerator), ample storage, task lighting and practical countertops. Focus on making it work before you make it pretty.

5. Choose appliances early.

Representing a large chunk of your overall budget, appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and cooktops also influence your overall layout. Making these choices early allows you to plan the rest of the design effectively.

With the right help, remodeling can be a successful endeavor that enhances your life instead of something you dread and postpone indefinitely. 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!

by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/ Copyeditor

PRESERVING THE PAST

Forgotten history: Bethlehem Methodist Cemetery and Church

Bethlehem Cemetery on Clubhouse Drive in Alpharetta’s Windward community of Alpharetta is an example of how a cemetery can become largely forgotten despite its significant historic value. With burials as early as 1828 and records dating back to 1838, according to attorney and local historian Tim Spruell, the cemetery is the final resting place of some of the area’s earliest settlers, some with familiar last names such as Cunningham, McGinnis, Dodd, Nesbitt, Douglas, Pace, Shirley and Tribble. There are at least 74 markers, most of them illegible, and numerous other fieldstone markers without names, and some graves without markers, possibly the graves of slaves. Twenty-six marked graves are those of babies less than 1 year old, and many graves are young children, a testament to the hard life and diseases of the time.

According to Spruell, in 1890 the Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church, South (the church’s complete name) reported on their deed. The value of the church and property was estimated at $250, but the deed was “conditional” on remaining a church property. The membership, which had been declining,

moved from Bethlehem Church to the newer Ocee Methodist Church in 1920 and was completely dissolved in 1932 meaning that according to the terms of the deed the property would revert to the original owner. Spruell believes the original owner was Cornelius Cauley who had two daughters. One was Judah Ann Cauley Rogers and the other married a Shirley. Since the Ocee Methodist Church was the last to exercise any church function ownership of the property, ownership may be an open question today.

The church, according to research done by Windward resident Betty Cruickshank, now deceased, was one of the oldest in old Milton County. It was one of six churches on the Alpharetta Methodist Church circuit. Some congregations could only afford a preacher once a month, and members rotated between circuit churches on Sundays. Methodist churches of the time were often served by itinerant circuit preachers not only for economic reasons but also because John Wesley (1703-1791), founder of the Methodist church, believed that itinerant preachers were more effective at spreading religion than those who remained with one church.

In 1736, Wesley traveled to Georgia with James Oglethorpe and preached in the Savannah area for almost two years before returning to England.

The cemetery is on land encircled by the 1,500 acres once owned by James Wright Shirley, which is now part of the Windward Community. According to Billy Bates (1926-2021), who spearheaded efforts to preserve North Fulton County cemeteries, James Wright Shirley always insisted on being present when plowing was done near

the cemetery because he knew that slaves and Indians were buried there in unmarked graves.

Mobil Land Development purchased the land in 1978. Don Rifenberg, who was vice president of Development Operations for Mobil, managed the construction of the Windward Community. He recalls discovering the cemetery that was unknown and completely overgrown when he was scouting locations for a new road. Fortunately, Don, who has ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, has a keen sense of history and was determined to save the cemetery. Well, the cemetery was almost unknown. Tim Spruell recalls Halloween hayrides to the cemetery in the mid1970s for Ocee Methodist Church Sunday School children organized by his great uncle Billy Brooks, a school bus driver and owner of a pick-yourown-crops farm.

After the cemetery closed and families died or moved away due to development, the cemetery was abandoned until Don rediscovered it. From time to time, Boy Scout troops or volunteer groups have had cleanups and performed repairs, but the cemetery currently is basically not cared for like scores of other cemeteries in Georgia.

Betty Cruikshank did extensive research on the Bethlehem Church “which sat on the northeast side of the cemetery.” She described the church: “The parishioners came from the surrounding farmland by buggy, surrey and wagon, tying their horses to the trees. The front door led to a center aisle flanked on each side with rows of handmade wooden benches with slat backs….In one pulpit was the ‘Amen Corner,’ two or three benches placed lengthwise, reserved for the elderly whose sight and hearing might be somewhat impaired.”

Betty reported that during the Great Depression, several families took up residence in the rotting church building before it eventually collapsed and was burned. She believed that it was likely that an earlier church, probably made of logs, sat on the site.

The cemetery is worth a visit by those with a love of history, especially out of the way places with interesting stories to tell.

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

BOB MEYERS Columnist

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

Some of the headstones in Bethlehem Cemetery are in good condition, but due to erosion are difficult or impossible to read.

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Lessons/Studio

Walk in the woods, exploring the agents of decay

In July of 2020, my next-door neighbor found a fungus extraordinaire in the woods behind our homes, and she graciously shared this photo and the location with me. I am amazed at what can be found when we take a walk in the woods! Look at this beautiful creation of nature! To track down the name of this exquisite fungus, my neighbor consulted a fungi expert. It is commonly known as Chicken of the Woods, since it is edible. It is classified in the genus Laetiporus.

What a unique and beautiful architectural design! The fungi looks like it was constructed of concentric, half circles of orange with white margins piled in decreasingly smaller sizes to create a knockout, look-at-me fungus extraordinaire! Note its size by comparing my neighbor’s feet with the Chicken of the Woods growing on the ground in front of her.

This year, I searched for Chicken of the Woods early. I was amazed to find two Chicken of the Woods in the same location as in 2020 but three months earlier. In April 2023, I was again attracted to the size and design of this unique fungus. But this year, the design was off. The 2023 architectural playbook was different from 2020. Instead of a symmetrical, cylindrical form, the form was chaotic. Small, orange, half-sized and quarter-sized, circular sections were haphazardly piled on top of each other, along with white and orange blobs. Possibly the fungus’s growth was interrupted by the four days of March frost, and when the warm weather returned, the growth continued.

Fungi, though plant-like, are not plants. Fungi do not produce the green pigment chlorophyll, do not carry on photosynthesis, and create spores instead of seeds. When the soil temperature, soil moisture content and air temperatures have reached the proper balance, the reproductive cycle ramps up! Spores begin to germinate underground and send out a network of hyphae. These hyphae in turn form an underground, lace-like network of mycelium. The above-ground hyphae then coalesce to produce the fruiting body or mushroom you see in the pictured illustration.

Like all fungi, the Chicken of the Woods is doing its job – finding organic matter to decompose, which in turn provides nourishment for growth and reproduction. This massive fungus can usually be found inhabiting woodland

areas where once a mighty oak tree resided. On close examination of the Chicken of Woods growing in the North Fulton County woods behind my house, it was feasting on the remains of and aiding in the decay of a fallen oak tree! If you turned this fungus or any mushroom upside down, you will find its gills which radiate out like the spokes of a wheel. Lining every surface of these gills are thousands of spores ready to be released to create more of its own type and kind!

I hope I have piqued your interest in fungi. I challenge you to visit your yard and woods to observe the beauty of fungi.

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.

Learn more

• Fungi are adapted for Nutrition by absorption - https://bodell.mtchs.org/ OnlineBio/BIOCD/text/chapter18/concept18.1.html

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Carole MacMullan, a Milton resident and master gardener since 2012. Carole describes herself as a born biologist. Since childhood, she loved to explore the out-of-doors and garden with her mother. When she entered college, she selected biology as her major and made teaching high school biology her career for 35 years. After retirement in 2008, she had three goals: to move from Pittsburgh to Atlanta to be near her daughter and granddaughter; to volunteer; and to become a Master Gardener. Shortly after moving, she became involved with the philanthropic mission of the Assistance League of Atlanta (ALA) and in 2012, completed the Master Gardener program and joined the North Fulton Master Gardeners (NFMG) and the Milton Garden Club. Carole uses her teaching skills to create a variety of presentations on gardening topics for the NFMG Lecture Series and Speakers Bureau. She also volunteers weekly at the ALA thrift store and acts as chair of their Links to Education scholarship program. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking and reading.

CAROLE MACMULLAN/PROVIDED Chicken of the Woods Fungi found in Milton, GA in April of 2023

CAROLE MACMULLAN Guest Columnist

MR. BLACK’S ARMY/WEEBLY Parts of a fungus

CAROL WAHL/PROVIDED Chicken of the Woods found in 2020

PAST TENSE

Moonshine stories abound from the Great Depression

The name “moonshiners” evolved because the people who produced alcohol operated their stills at night. The necessity of keeping stills and the production of alcohol secret was due to Prohibition, and later, taxes that would be due if discovered. (georgiaencylcopedia.org)

Richard Adams recalled that his father and two of his father’s brothers made and sold moonshine. One of the Adams brothers lived along what is now Hewlett Road in Sandy Springs. A large amount of glass was discovered behind the house by the homeowner.

Adams grew up along what is now Dunwoody Club Drive and shared the story of the night there was a raid on the family home.

“We had considerable bottles of white lightning. Knowing the cost issues if found, my mother placed the filled bottles under the mattress and got in bed pretending to be sick.”

The marshals asked a young Richard Adams if he knew where his daddy’s liquor was hidden, but Adams knew to say he knew nothing about his dad’s business. (Memoirs of Richard Adams)

When Ralph Glaze was a boy growing up along Winters Chapel and Peeler Road, he remembers the rumor of moonshine production between Happy Hollow and Winters Chapel Road along what is now Dunwoody Club Drive. Adults used to say, “Don’t go down there,” sometimes using the story of a monster to keep children away. The monster was a moonshine-producing still. (Ralph Glaze oral history for Dunwoody Preservation Trust, 2017)

J. W. Wilborn and Frank Self of Sandy Springs shared the story of Tubby Sewell and his multiple stills. They recall him as a local bootlegger

who kept residents in whiskey. Sewell drove a 1944 coupe that “could go down the road 90 miles an hour and turn around and meet the police coming back, turn that thing around at ninety miles an hour right in the middle of the road.” (Sandy Springs Gazette Volume 1, 2017)

In the 1930s, Tubby Sewell was the main supplier of whiskey for Sandy Springs.

“If you needed a pint of whiskey, why you called this number, and he said put two dollars in the mailbox. When you went back by you picked up your whiskey.”

The Ware family once lived on land where Life Center Ministries is today on Mount Vernon Road. The cottage that still stands on the property was built by Bill Ware’s great grandfather John Ware. Farmers sometimes tried the moonshine business during the Great Depression to help their families survive, but Bill Ware says the Wares’ difficulties started before the Depression. (From Bill Ware oral history for DPT, 2017)

When farming was not enough, his grandfather William Ware opened a

store in Roswell and tried moonshining. Rather than keep a still on Ware land, it was built across the road where Brooke Farm is today. The family eventually sold their land and moved in with a relative who had a home in Kirkwood.

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

PROVIDED

The Ware family home, built in the late 1800s, is now on the property of Life Christian Ministries. William Ware operated a still across the road in what is now Brooke Farm subdivision.

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF

Columnist

Tax:

Continued from Page 1

owners must have a homestead exemption for the cap to take effect.

Another resident, Gibb Green, said he has lived in Johns Creek for less than four years and his mortgage payment has gone up almost $400, in part due to the city’s millage rate. He also said he has been “battling” to secure the homestead exemption.

“Folks like me live on a fixed income,” Green said. “I’d just really like you to consider the effect [the millage rate] has on the homeowners.”

Resident Azure Duan also asked the council to consider those with a fixed income.

“If we increase the millage [rate], it might not affect the high-income families, the affluent families that are in Johns Creek that much …” Duan said. “This will affect more the people who rely on fixed income ... nurses, police officers and also retired people that may have limited income.”

The second public hearing will be Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. in the Ocee Conference Room at City Hall. The third and final public hearing will be held during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8.

INVITATION TO BID CITY OF JOHNS CREEK

ITB #23-243

STATE ROUTE 141 / MEDLOCK BRIDGE ROAD AT SKYWAY DRIVE / ABBOTTS BRIDGE ROAD / BELL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

The City of Johns Creek extends an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to GDOT-prequalified construction firms for the State Route 141 / Medlock Bridge Road at Skyway Drive and Abbotts Bridge Road / Bell Road Intersection Improvement project. ITB’s will be received electronically via the City’s bid platform, BidNet no later than 2:00 PM on August 31, 2023. A recommended virtual Prebid teleconference will take place August 7, 2023, 1:00 PM via Zoom. Questions are accepted and answered online only via BidNet. Deadline for questions is August 24, 2023 at 5:00 PM.

Quotes, bids, and RFP’s are electronically managed through the Georgia Purchasing Group by BidNet, our online bidding/vendor registration system, on the City website: https://www.johnscreekga.gov/Residents/Purchasing. To access the ITB document you must register with BidNet. Go to the City website above and click the link “register and view quote/bid/RFP opportunities”.

The City of Johns Creek, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 78 Stat. 252, 42 USC 2000d—42 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, part 21, Nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award.

All offerors must comply with all general and special requirements of the ITB information and instructions.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Neil Trust at the City of Johns Creek Procurement Division at purchasing@johnscreekga.gov or (678) 512-3233. The City of Johns Creek reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to wave technicalities and informalities, and to make award in the best interest of the City of Johns Creek.

See solution Page 23

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Workforce Development Coordinator is responsible for developing programs and services for NFCC clients and students seeking employment, post-secondary education, or other career options. The workforce development coordinator collaborates with local employers to help match job seekers to open positions. They work directly with clients on the job application, resumes, and interview preparations and provide tips for successfully securing and improving employment to foster financial stability.  Bachelor’s degree in a human services, human resources, or other related field required and 2 years of professional experience in human services, human resources or career counseling preferred.

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GLOBAL TALENT ACQUISITION LEAD: NCC Group (Americas) Inc., Alpharetta, GA 30009 – Manage delivery of divisional specific recruitment needs across mult global regions & manage & train a team across the UK, North America, Europe, and APAC. Req 3 yrs exp. View full job description @ https://www.nccgroupplc.com/careers/, Click “Search Roles”, Search Job ID: R7364. Email resume & cover letter to NCC Group (Americas) Inc. @ us-recruitment@nccgroup.com

Infor (US), LLC has an opening for a Solution Architect in Alpharetta, GA. Position responsible for proposing a specific Infor Enterprise Solution that will fit within the customer’s business environment and business objectives; understanding of Digital Transformation, Industry Solutions, enterprise application software like ERP, future state architectures, cloud transformation roadmap from on-premise application, business opportunities and challenges. Travel required up to 75%; Telecommuting permitted up to 100%. How to apply: E-mail resume, referencing IN1008, including job history, to careers@infor. com. EOE.

Senior Manager Energy Optimization (Alpharetta, GA): Lead the energy policy implementation within the region. Coordinate with the procurement team the energy strategy for the region in a portfolio that exceeds $120 million annually in purchases of solid fuels, power and diesel. 50% domestic and international travel. Mail resumes to Argos USA, LLC, Attn: Mark Prybylski, General Counsel, 3015 Windward Plaza, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Reference job number #CJ354983.

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