Milton Herald - April 4, 2024

Ga. 9 lane-widening delayed in Alpharetta, work moves to Milton

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — Motorists face an additional year of delays on the state’s Ga. 9 widening in Alpharetta.

The $50 million transportation project has run into utility and right-of-way hurdles.

Ga. 9 is a major artery for Metro Atlanta and North Georgia drivers, beginning in Sandy Springs and running 86 miles north into Lumpkin County.

The Ga. 9 improvement project, which will widen 3.6 miles of the highway from Upper Hembree Road to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta, kicked off in April 2021 with a completion date of spring 2024.

In January, the Georgia Department of Transportation, which oversees the project, announced the end date has been pushed back to late 2025. GDOT cited difficulties with utility relocation and changes to design plans to accommodate new subdivisions as reasons for the delay.

This month, GDOT crews have worked on constructing sidewalks, concrete islands, curb and gutter, and driveways between Upper Hembree Road and Devore Place in Alpharetta. Widening and storm drain installation between Devore and Maxwell Road is starting.

See ROADWAY, Page 21

North Fulton cities revive coordinated elections

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — North Fulton County mayors and city officials discussed forming an elections authority that would oversee municipal elections in the future.

Such a move would wrest city election oversight and operations out of the hands of Fulton County, which bills the cities for its work.

The North Fulton Municipal Association meets monthly, except

during the summer, and includes elected officials and senior staff from the six North Fulton cities.

The informal luncheon provides city leaders an opportunity to discuss broader issues involving the county and other agencies, like Fulton County Schools, the Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Regional Commission and MARTA.

The March meeting drew five of the six North Fulton mayors. Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul did not attend, but City Manager Eden

Freeman and Councilwoman Melissa Mular were in attendance to represent North Fulton’s largest city.

The group raised the question of how North Fulton cities could coordinate efforts to form an umbrella agency to oversee municipal elections.

Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson said the time is now to discuss hiring a superintendent to set up and manage the local elections process for the six North Fulton cities.

See EXPLORE, Page 28

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

From left, Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson, Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry, Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison and Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin discuss municipal elections March 28 at the Avalon 10000 Building in Alpharetta. City officials are studying whether North Fulton cities can coordinate efforts to run their own municipal elections.

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POLICE BLOTTER

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

Men cited for soliciting while ‘canvassing’ homes

MILTON, Ga. — Police cited two men after they were seen soliciting in a neighborhood near Haystack Lane March 22.

When police arrived, they spoke with a driver sitting at the entrance of the neighborhood who said the vehicle behind her had just picked up a man walking door to door, according to the incident report.

Police made contact with the suspect driver, an Orlando, Florida, man, and his passenger, a Houston, Texas, man. Both were wearing lanyards that read “Duty America,” and the passenger had a sign that read “Stop Bidemonics,” the report says.

When police asked the suspects if they had permits to solicit, the passenger said they were not “soliciting” but rather “canvassing” to gauge the political climate, according to the report.

Police cited both suspects in violation of the soliciting permit requirement.

Woman taken for $30,000 in Social Security scam

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman reported March 15 someone claiming to be with the Social Security Administration extorted her for $30,000 in Bitcoin.

The victim reported receiving an email that appeared to be from the Social Security Administration Feb. 16. She said she called the provided number and spoke with a woman, who told her the email was legitimate.

The victim said she received more emails and calls from people who claimed they worked with the SSA and

the Drug Enforcement Administration, the report states.

The fake agency representatives reportedly accused her of wiring money to 10 to 15 Mexican bank accounts and said there was a vehicle rented in her name that was found in Texas with blood and narcotics inside.

The victim reported the suspects threatened to suspend her Social Security number and to obtain a warrant for her in Texas.

She reported being told things like, “This is an open investigation, and we cannot go into any details,” whenever she questioned what was happening.

The victim said the suspects told her to move $30,000 from her bank accounts and into Bitcoin so she could access the money after her Social Security number was suspended, and they directed her to a specific machine on Haynes Bridge Road, the report states.

The victim reported making the transactions between 4 and 5 p.m. March 14.

No suspects have been identified.

Wheels reported stolen off vehicle outside home

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An Alpharetta man reported March 16 someone removed the wheels and tires from his vehicle outside his home on Gardner Drive.

The victim reported parking his vehicle around noon March 15, and when he came outside the next morning around 8 a.m., he found his vehicle sitting on two cinder blocks with all four wheels missing.

He said the lug nuts were left on the ground beside the vehicle, the report states.

Sinks found destroyed at Webb Bridge Park

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A parks employee reported March 17 that someone had smashed sinks and vandalized the

men’s bathrooms near the baseball fields at Webb Bridge Park.

Employee shared a video that showed large rocks and trash scattered on the floor and feces thrown on the walls of one of the stalls. All the sinks were cracked and unusable with large holes in them.

Officers went inside the second bathroom and found two sinks crushed by large rocks. There were more rocks on the floor, a trashcan had been flipped, and one toilet was clogged by a trash bag, the report states.

The employee reported he saw two teenage boys leaving the bathroom and giggling, but officers could not locate them.

No suspects have been identified.

Pistol stolen from Jeep parked at restaurant

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police are investigating a car break-in March 22 in the parking lot of Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill at Ga. 9 and Ga. 92.

Officers said the victim, a 27-yearold Roswell man, went to the restaurant around 10 p.m. to visit his girlfriend who works there.

The victim said he returned to his Jeep Grand Cherokee after about 30 minutes inside the restaurant to find the rear driver side window broken.

The victim also reported his Glock 29 pistol and two spare magazines as stolen, totaling around $700.

The restaurant’s manager spoke with officers and provided security footage from the parking lot.

Officers said the footage showed a white Toyota Camry pulled into the parking lot around 10:15 p.m., turned off its headlights and began pulling up next to parked cars.

Multiple people were observed exiting the Camry and shining lights into vehicles, officers said.

As of publication, officers say they have not yet identified any suspects. The investigation is ongoing.

The Grove @ Wills Park • 175 Roswell Street

Educational speakers, Fleatique, Children’s activities, Plant Vendors, Food Vendors, and Master Gardeners to answer your gardening questions.

For more information: www.nfmg.net/garden-faire

The popular North Fulton Master Gardeners

The North Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society will have a selection of around 2000 native perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees.

The Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program will have around 5000 unique varieties of organic, heirloom, and non-GMO plants, grown from seed at Old Rucker Farm.

RENDERINGS PROVIDED BY FULTON SCIENCE ACADEMY/PROVIDED

A rendering of Fulton Science Academy Atherton, an international school opening on Jeju Island, South Korea, in 2026 shows a glimpse of the future campus. A South Korean governing body approved the school’s education plan March 21.

Fulton Science Academy expands to South Korea

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Fulton Science Academy announced March 22 its global expansion will include a new school on Jeju Island, South Korea.

Fulton Science Academy Atherton, which will be situated in the Jeju Global Education City, aims to serve around 1,350 students by September 2026.

Jeju Island is one of two special self-governing provinces in South Korea. The Korean government created the Global Education City, sporting seven international schools, to retain South Korean students in the early 2000s.

In partnership with Korean investment firm AIS Global and international education experts ISC Research, the Alpharetta-based Fulton Science Academy intends to create a leading international school for students from kindergarten to 12th grade.

The curriculum will blend science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and humanities.

In anticipation of the initiative, Fulton Science Academy established Global Education Management and Services to oversee programs at the new school.

One milestone in the project’s

development came March 21 with the Jeju Office of Education’s approval of the school’s plan.

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Education recognized Fulton Science Academy, an accredited and STEMcertified institution, as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Kenan Sener, CEO and head of school at Fulton Science Academy, shared his enthusiasm about the expansion.

“The international extension of Fulton Science Academy represents our dedication to excellence in education on a global scale,” Sener said. “In partnership with AIS Global, we are thrilled to launch FSA Atherton, a step towards cultivating internationally minded individuals equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.”

Sang Yoon, CEO of AIS Global said he sees this collaboration as a meaningful endeavor to advance education.

“Our partnership with Fulton Science Academy is a reflection of our shared commitment to educational innovation and excellence,” Yoon said. “We are proud to be part of creating a learning environment that promises to shape the educational experiences of future generations.”

A bird’s-eye view of Fulton Science Academy Atherton shows the layout of the campus, anticipated to open for classes in September 2026. The school will be located on Jeju Island, South Korea.

We Listened. Made Changes. Please Support Us and Vote Yes.

Our dream to become vintners started out of a passion for wine several years ago. We hold our farmland, livestock, family, and friends in Milton at the core of our greatest treasures and accomplishments. My wife and I dreamed up the concept of turning our home on 18 acres, into a Georgia Farm Winery during the Covid era. We brought the concept to City of Milton in summer of 2020 once the world reopened. Almost three years later, after getting unanimous approval by the City of Milton in May of 2021 for a Farm Winery, we are still unable to sell our products and start our business.

There is no longer a public tasting room should the vote be yes on April 8th thus no more concerns of traffic, noise, or drunk driving even though the city had placed very strict initial guidelines of no more than 10 people at a time. In fact, we have agreed to a deed restriction on our property should the vote be yes on April 8th. We simply want to grow and sell our grapes and farm products. Please understand this land was an old cattle farm that currently backs up to an existing one with over 100 acres. This farmland was here long before the neighborhoods were created and has right to exist and operate.

The Georgia Farm Winery Act requires a liquor license tied to an agricultural property to grow, bottle, and sell wine EVEN IF it is sold elsewhere. Thus, we need a liquor license to hang on our property even though there is no on-sight consumption, or package sales. The license would then allow us to open up OFF-SITE, commercially zoned tasting rooms NOT AT THE PRESENT PROPERTY.. Responding to our neighbors’ concerns, our new plan, if our license is approved at the upcoming session of the Council, is to distribute our wine off-site, at restaurants, festivals, online and other commercially zoned locations. Please note, licenses are renewed annually, and they are specific to individuals not to a specific property.

We want to set the record straight as there continues to be misrepresentations of the facts. We have made many compromises and this situation has created an extreme hardship on our family of six and the community. No citizen should ever be placed in this situation after years of transparency, hard work, accommodations, expenditures and following the law and direction of the city. What if this was your business, your family, your livelihood? We are fighting for our rights to run our home-based business and earn an honest living like many of our surrounding neighbors do. We need a final license for this to happen.

This is more than alcohol permitting matter as we have removed all on-site distribution effects of a license. This matter is now one of civil, property, and privacy rights. If “Keep Milton Rural” is truly what our community stands for than owning land, growing crops and doing so without overreach is something everyone should support.

Thank you for your time and support. Please help us by calling or emailing the members of Milton’s City council at 678-242-2500 and showing up next Monday April 8th at 6:00p at Milton City Hall. 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. Please sign our petition by scanning the QR code to the right.

Soccer league plans Roswell stadium for women’s matches

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — United Soccer League

Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis says a key aspect of his organization’s plan with Roswell is to advance women’s soccer.

Papadakis, a Roswell native, was joined by Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and others in a press briefing March 26, the day after councilmembers approved the league’s letter of intent to partner with the city for an anticipated stadium and entertainment district.

If negotiations go well, the stadium will house a USL Super League professional women’s team and a USL Championship professional men’s team. The organization would also serve as

County for the location of the National Training Center, and Atlanta was chosen as the host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

The league’s letter of intent speaks to a nine-month exclusive negotiation with the city. The site for the stadium has not been selected, though it will seat at least 10,000, and Wilson said costs for the project are too early to project.

the “anchor tenant” of the stadium and have the right of first refusal to serve as the stadium operator/manager.

North Point Pulmonary Associates provides board certified physicians to diagnose and treat patients with pulmonary disorders.

We offer state-of-the-art testing such as pulmonary function testing, digital chest radiography, robotic bronchoscopy, and lung cancer screening programs to treat an array of lung conditions.

“There’s been so much investment in men’s sports across the country, and definitely in Georgia and Atlanta, and so to have a stadium that provides an equal platform for the women, just showcase and have a first-class fan experience, is critical,” Papadakis said.

There’s a “strong path” in Roswell to have the largest women-anchored stadium and entertainment district in the world, he said, and the decision to select Roswell for the project in part spawned from Atlanta United proving there was potential for soccer in the area.

“Just as Atlanta United show with the men’s side, [that] this would be a top soccer market in the country, no doubt we can show that on the women’s side,” Papadakis said.

U.S. Soccer also announced last December that it selected Fayette

“Real estate site selection is a delicate process, and the reality is we have several sites that we are considering,” Wilson said, responding to a question from Appen Media on how residential communities closest to the site would be engaged. “Once one of those sites begins to be consummated, we will work very diligently with the local community who might be impacted by that and say, ‘Hey, this is what’s going on.’”

Comparing the district to other sports venues nearby like The Battery Atlanta in Cobb County, Wilson said the district will be about soccer but also about entertainment where parents can drop their children off to watch a soccer game while they eat or where corporate entities can host an event.

He said The Battery had to pivot once its initial retail focus fell off.

“This is going to be a true multipurpose thing,” Wilson said. “The envisioning of this is going to be so widespread and so incredible, and there’s going to be so many people coming to enjoy this.”

North Fulton Community Charities celebrates 40th anniversary at gala

CUMMING, Ga. – North Fulton Community Charities welcomed close to 200 guests to its “A Night in Tuscany” gala March 23 at Greenfield Farm.

The event celebrated 40 years of the nonprofit’s work in the community while raising funds for its programs that prevent hunger and homelessness and foster financial stability for North Fulton families in need. North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) serves thousands of local residents each year at two facilities in Roswell.

“This event was a chance to look back on NFCC’s history and celebrate its impact in the community while recognizing that the need in our community for NFCC’s services remains great,” said Executive Director Sandy Holiday, who offered welcoming remarks and a toast at the gala. “We are grateful to all our attendees and everyone who came together to make this event a

success — our sponsors, our volunteers, our committee members, silent and live auction donors, and our special guest speakers, Reva, Millard and Penny Hart, for sharing their story with attendees.”

Penny Hart, former Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks player, and his parents Reva and Millard Hart shared the story of their struggles after relocating to Roswell from Chicago in the 1990s and the role NFCC played in their path to financial stability.

After a Tuscan-themed dinner, Barbara Duffy, who served as NFCC executive director from 1991 to 2019, took to the stage to reflect on the nonprofit’s growth since its founding in 1983 and to introduce a retrospective video that paid homage to the organization's modest beginnings, showcased its growth and recognized the continued need for assistance in the community.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

United Soccer League Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis, center, addresses a small crowd at a press briefing March 25. From left is Peter Sorckoff, founder and CEO of consulting company Seer World, Fulton County Manager Dick Anderson, Roswell City Administrator Randy Knighton, Roswell City Councilmembers Will Morthland and Christine Hall, Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson, and Roswell City Councilmembers Lee Hills, Allen Sells and David Johnson.

The goal continues to be to strike a deal that is beneficial to the county, its residents...and Krause Sports and Entertainment, and present a solid plan to the NHL for consideration as they ponder possible expansion.

VERNON KRAUSE, CEO, Krause Sports and

8 | Milton Herald | April 4, 2024

The Gathering hangs in balance as county alters terms

Hockey fans cheer for NHL franchise

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County officials drew cheers from hockey enthusiasts after approving a formal agreement March 26 with The Gathering at South Forsyth, a development that proposes to bring an NHL franchise to its campus.

More than a dozen people donned jerseys and red shirts in a show of support for the $2 billion development off Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road.

The agreement commissioners approved in its 4-1 vote outlines a $225 million commitment from the county — a lot less than an initial proposal it tossed out in January.

The measure outlines terms and allows Gathering staff to begin preconstruction planning, pending amendments to the Ronald Reagan and Union Hill overlay. Commissioner Todd Levent cast the dissenting vote.

The commission vote didn’t draw the same enthusiasm from developers.

While the development has earned a green light from the county, The Gathering staff said commissioners’ lastminute changes to the contract require further legal review before it accepts the terms.

“The goal for the vote last night was to bring a binding [memorandum of understanding] with firm commitments for both financing and planning to the

NHL,” project staff said in a statement. “While a majority of the County Commission voted yes, the MOU that was approved last night did not meet that goal.”

The county has agreed to commit $225 million in revenue backed bonds to finance the 700,000-square-foot hockey arena and a parking deck if The Gathering lands a National Hockey League franchise. The bond would be issued by the County Development Authority.

Revenue bonds are issued by local governments to fund specific projects. Revenue generated from the project is then used to repay the debt. Taxpayers

do not fund revenue bonds, unlike general obligation bonds.

In a nonbinding agreement the Board of Commissioners approved in January, the county’s commitment was a $390 million bond.

The new agreement accounts for a $40 million contribution from the South Forsyth Community Improvement District and possible funds from the state, which developers plan to solicit for an additional $100 million.

The county would receive $1.50 per ticket sale at the arena, and use a third of it to service the debt. The Gathering will also pay the county $100,000 annually in rent, down from $2 million

in the previous agreement.

Forsyth County is seeking redevelopment powers to create a tax allocation district surrounding the property that would devote any rise in property tax revenues to assist paying on the bond debt.

Further, County Manager David McKee said the state granted a 3 percent increase to the county’s hotel motel tax. Revenues from the 8 percent hotel tax would also be tapped for debt service.

Before the March 26 commission meeting, elected officials held a joint meeting with the County Development

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Supporters of The Gathering at South Forsyth mingle with project staff at a Board of Commissioners meeting March 26. The development team asked people who support the project to wear a jersey or red shirts.

Saddle up, Milton!

Get ready for

A hoof-tastic extravaganza where you can mingle with horses, enjoy activities, and meet & greet with fellow equine lovers. Join us on Saturday, April 13th, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Freemanville/Birmingham Greenspace for a day of fun and community spirit!

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unparalleled results. Please contact me today if you are considering a move. Let my experience go to work for you.

Gathering:

Continued from Page 8

Authority to discuss the finances behind the bond.

While the project financing is designed to keep the burden off county taxpayers, Roger Murray, who serves as bond counsel for Forsyth County and the Development Authority, said residents could see an increase to their property tax bills.

Murray said in a worst-case scenario where nothing is built, residents could have to pay an additional mill. If only half is built, just less than a half-mill would be levied.

With an average home value of $520,000, Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Vice President Alex Warner said a one-mill increase would likely show up as an additional $208 on tax bills, or $104 for a half-mill increase.

The March 26 agreement divided the buildout of The Gathering into four phases. Each phase would only start after the previous one is completed.

Phase one would include 600 apartments; between 200,000 and 300,000 square feet of office; 300,000 to 400,000 square feet of retail; a Sheriff’s Office precinct and fire station; a 1.2mile Big Creek Greenway connection; two parking decks; and a hotel with from 120 to 150 rooms.

At the meeting, commissioners added a condition that the county will not issue certificates of occupancy for the

apartments until occupancy is granted for the hotel, office and retail space.

The anticipated arena was moved from phase one to phase two of the development, but if the NHL awards a franchise before then, developers can start construction.

The second phase would also add a practice arena, two hotels, up to 300,000 square feet of retail and up to 350,000 square feet of office.

Further language was added at the meeting that restricts the apartments in phase two until the arena takes off.

Once the county issues a land disturbance permit for the arena, developers are allowed 600 more apartments, but certificates of occupancy would be issued once the arena is halfway completed.

The third phase would add 200,000 to 300,000 square feet of office, and phase four would wrap up the project with 600 apartments.

But, the agreement is subject to change pending legal review and further negotiations.

Krause Sports and Entertainment

CEO Vernon Krause, who owns The Gathering, said he was shocked and disappointed over the additional language after months of negotiating.

“The goal continues to be to strike a deal that is beneficial to the county, its residents — of which I am one — and Krause Sports and Entertainment, and present a solid plan to the NHL for consideration as they ponder possible expansion,” he said. “However, the county cannot keep moving the goal line if that is to happen.”

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

From left, The Gathering Senior Project Executive Frank Ferrara and Stafford Sports managing partner Carl Hirsh address the Forsyth County Commission March 26. The developers say they were disappointed when commissioners approved a contract to initiate the project, but added new terms on the rollout of construction.

REGISTER A VETERAN

The City of Milton has the highest regard for the sacrifice and service of our veterans on behalf of our nation. We certainly are not alone locally in this respect – including a dedicated group of Milton volunteers that visually honors veterans around Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

The Milton Veterans Memorial Markers (MVMM) organization builds and strategically places markers around the city to honor our deceased Milton veterans who lived or have family in Milton. Since this movement started 16 years ago, it has grown to honor over 800 deceased veterans. MVMM continues to seek the names of more veterans to honor.

If you have a deceased veteran to honor, please visit MiltonVeterans.org to register.

If you have any questions, please email info@miltonveterans.org

Submissions must be received on or before May 10 to ensure inclusion for Memorial Day. Submissions sent in after the deadline will be reviewed for a marker in time for the next installation.

MiltonVeterans.org

Scan here to register a Veteran

Milton Veterans Memorial Markers, a group of local Milton volunteers, builds, places and maintains these memorial markers for deceased veterans in our community.

The Kloster Group Proudly Supports Area Non-Profits

2nd Annual Down & Derby to feature local artists in gallery

Brought to you by – HOME Real Estate – The Kloster Group

Horses, hats, and … original art? That’s right! New to this year’s sold-out 2nd Annual Down & Derby, benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and presented by The Jenny Doyle Group and Berkeley Access, is a curated gallery of for-purchase artwork by local and regional artists. As a nod to one of this year’s funding beneficiaries of the event, the Artist-inResidence program at Children’s, event and Milton Friends co-chairs Shelley Massey and Wendy Lewis came up with the concept early in the planning process of this year’s Down & Derby.

“In addition to raising funds to benefit the Children’s Camps program, Friends organizations throughout the Atlanta area are raising funds in 2024 for two new donor-funded programs in Children’s hospitals- the Artistin-Residence and Music Therapy programs,” explains Massey. “These programs are available to all patients in Children’s hospitals, giving patients and their families creative outlets to express their emotions.”

Some of the money raised by the Milton Friends of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the organizers of Down & Derby, will help to purchase art supplies and pay for the salaries of artists and musicians hired by Children’s.

“Knowing that the Artist-inResidence program was one of our fundraising beneficiaries this year, it seemed like a nice fit for our event,” says Lewis, of the committee’s decision to create an art gallery as a new feature this year. “Shelley and I have both been long-time fans of the Trinity Art show in Atlanta, and this seemed like a good opportunity to recreate it

on a much smaller scale.”

Artists whose work will be exhibited, including Isabelle Gautier and Allison Duncan, among others, will donate 20% of all sales through the event to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Unlike artwork available in the event’s expansive silent auction, art purchased through Down & Derby’s gallery will not be bid upon. All artwork in the gallery will be available as an insta-purchase option.

In addition to the new art gallery feature at the 2nd Annual Down & Derby, one of the artists who is a part of the Artist-in-Residence program will be onsite, creating a live event painting of the evening, set against the backdrop of the 100-year-old barn at Chukkar Farm. The completed piece of original artwork will also be included in the silent auction.

“We are overwhelmed by the community’s response to our efforts to raise money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. To sell-out tickets to Down & Derby two years in a row in well under 24-hours each time is just incredible and is a testament to our community’s spirit and generosity,” says Massey.

In addition to the Presenting Sponsors, over a dozen sponsors from our community - both businesses and individuals - pledged their support early and with incredible generosity. The Kloster Group at HOME Real Estate was among the first to commit their support to the 2nd Annual Down & Derby. In addition to their financial sponsorship of Down & Derby, Allison and her team have supported Milton Friends of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as volunteers and as sponsors

of events throughout the year. “Our team, The Kloster Group, is truly honored to be a part of what Milton Friends of CHOA has done and beyond excited for what this community can and continues to do. Children are our future and making their lives brighter by seeing these programs come into place is the best feeling!”

And for those who aren’t art connoisseurs, Lewis assures “there will still be plenty of live music, delicious food, an incredible live and silent auction, and other fun activations that are quintessentially Down & Derby.”

The 2nd Annual Down & Derby will be held Saturday, May 4th at Chucker Farm in Milton. For more information, email friendsofchoamilton@gmail.com, or visit choa.com/downandderby.

Sponsored Section

Breathe in what’s next .

Scan to view this month’s collection of featured properties exclusively represented by our firm.

How to avoid staging faux pas like a pro

Bill

Rawlings

and Sherri Conrad

Brought to you by – Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

When it comes to the art of staging, even the most wellintentioned efforts can fall flat if certain pitfalls aren’t navigated with finesse. The hallmark of successful staging is an environment that appeals to the senses while functioning and flowing well. It involves understanding the unique characteristics of a space and utilizing them to their full potential.

Here are a few ways to avoid common staging pitfalls:

1. Stay on top of kitchen clutter.

Crowded countertops and overflowing cabinets are a definite gaffe. As a focal point for socializing and gathering, the appeal of the kitchen is a critical factor in shaping the overall impression of the property. Therefore, staying on top of clutter is paramount. Declutter countertops, streamline pantry contents and tidy up drawers to showcase the kitchen’s full potential.

2. Layer indoor lighting.

A dark room leaves a cramped and creepy impression. Avoid this common error by incorporating multiple light sources—overhead fixtures, table lamps and accent lighting—in rooms where the amount of natural light is limited. This ensures that your home shines in all the right ways.

3. Stick to neutral colors.

Neutral colors reign supreme for their timeless elegance and broad appeal. Soft whites, soothing grays and warm beiges provide a versatile backdrop that effortlessly complements various décor styles and architectural elements. They also create a sense of harmony and sophistication while enhancing the perceived spaciousness and brightness of each room.

4. Have designated storage for toys.

For families with children, toys can quickly become a source of visual chaos if not properly managed. Sidestep this common mishap by implementing functional, aesthetically pleasing storage solutions—think stylish baskets and bins or built-in cabinets and toy chests—that allow toys to be easily stowed away when not in use.

5. Reclaim garage space.

Often overlooked and relegated to a storage area for miscellaneous items, the garage has the potential to become a valuable extension of your living space. By decluttering and organizing, you unlock its versatility, increase your home’s overall appeal and create room for a dedicated workshop, a home gym or simply a clean and orderly storage area.

Remember, attention to detail is key. Ready to leave a lasting impression that speaks volumes? If you need assistance renovating 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

Buyers and sellers

Brought to you by – Lara Dolan – Craft Dolan

Team

Few businesses are more emotional than buying and selling residential real estate. I often joke my undergraduate degree in psychology was money well spent… I use it every day with buyers, sellers, and the agents I have the pleasure of co-operating with on deals.

Consider that a piece of residential real estate is often an individual’s largest single financial asset, layer on the emotion of the place you live, potentially raised (or will raise) a family, perhaps where a loved one lived or where memories live – buying and selling a home has all the hallmarks of a transaction rife with emotion.

Buyers must be careful not to develop an emotional attachment to a home too quickly (like, before the due diligence period is over), or to the wrong things. It’s important not to fall in love with the charm of certain light fixtures or countertops while overlooking other

Foreign assets and taxes

Brought to you by – Geerdes & Associates

If you have foreign assets, having an estate plan and knowing the rules of the game is doubly important. When you pass away, your foreign asset will fall under the jurisdiction of the country it is located in. Double taxation may come into play and your asset may also be subject to death taxes depending on the country it is located in. If the foreign country has tax treaties with the U.S., you may be entitled to a foreign death tax credit - but you also may not, so it is important that you check with legal and financial professionals in the foreign country to see how you can protect your assets.

Regarding the rules inside the US, while you do not have to report to the IRS that you have purchased a property in a foreign country, you do have to report gains or losses on the property on the Schedule D of your U.S. tax return. Make sure your records related to your investments in the property are complete. In addition:

• If you inherit a foreign home from an individual who was not a U.S. citizen or resident, you must file Form 3520: Reporting Foreign Trusts, Inheritances and Gifts for Americans Abroad.

• If your foreign home was your primary residence and you occupied it during two

of the previous five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 if married) from your taxes.

It is preferable for you to have two Wills - one domestic and one foreign - to streamline the probate process after your death. Make sure the professionals who draft these Wills work with each other to prevent the Wills from nullifying each other. Better yet, you can skip the probate process entirely by setting up a domestic and a foreign Trust, which will allow your beneficiaries to inherit automatically, so long as each Trust is set up according to the rules of each jurisdiction.

Be aware that not all countries recognize trusts. So, if you have real estate located in foreign countries, take the initiative to speak to legal and financial professionals to make sure all your assetsnot just your U.S. ones - are protected.

negatives like a steep driveway or a lot that doesn’t drain properly. Buyers must beware of the “Instagram Effect”, a home that looks great in photos but ultimately, isn’t built to last.

Sellers, likewise, once they decide to sell their house must be mindful to view it as a “property” rather than a “home” and refer to it as such. Once listing prep starts, emotional detachment from the property should also begin. The sooner a seller can begin to cut emotional ties to a home, the easier it will be to stage it to sell to a new buyer who will create new memories.

The best deals happen when buyers and sellers, represented by experienced agents, can look upon the transaction as a business decision. That way they can work well together to achieve a common goal: fair market price for a product. Good data analysis, creativity, interpersonal skills, strong relationships, and sound decisions typically result in successful outcomes for all parties.

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David Patterson Homes introduces

new neighborhoods in Dawson and Forsyth County

Brought to you by – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division

With over 15 years of experience in home design and construction in Atlanta and the Lake Lanier area, David Patterson Homes is renowned for its commitment to quality, customer service, unique designs, and attention to detail. The company is excited to unveil their latest neighborhoods in Forsyth and Dawson Counties, offering distinctive transitional European farmhouse designs.

Sales have commenced at Maddux Path in Cumming, featuring four homes on 2+ acres starting from the $800s. Construction is underway, with move-in dates expected by late spring. Nearby, Brooks Pond will soon offer four homes

on spacious lots with basement options, all within the excellent Forsyth County School District and close to GA 400 and major shopping centers.

In North Forsyth, Fireside Farms provides easy access to GA 400 and Lake Lanier, with homes starting from the high $600s. The community boasts various home designs, large homesites, and amenities such as a neighborhood green space and playground, ideal for families. Homeowners will appreciate the proximity to acclaimed schools like Silver City Elementary and North Forsyth High School.

For those seeking lakeside living, Long Hollow Landing in Gainesville/ Forsyth County is currently offering luxurious lakeside homesites with a boat slip at the community dock with prices from $1 million plus. Amenities

include a community boat dock and gathering area, enhancing the lakeside lifestyle experience. Long Hollow Landing is conveniently located off Hwy 306 and Hwy 53 close to shopping and dining, GA 400, and Gainesville. Children will attend Chestatee Elementary, Little Mill Middle and the new state-of-the-art East Forsyth High School.

In Dawson County, Downtown Fausett will soon introduce 24 townhomes with European transitional farmhouse-style exteriors, each offering three bedrooms and 2.5 baths priced from the $400s. Conveniently located in downtown Dawsonville, this community provides easy access to GA 400 and the North Georgia Outlet Mall.

David Patterson Homes utilizes a team approach, and their use of

advanced technology to ensure an affordable, quality-built home that your family will enjoy for years to come. Combining the latest in new trends and design options, the design team provides exquisite interior finishes and unique architectural features which help to create timeless homes that feel custom and never go out of style. David Patterson Homes has been the recipient of numerous awards from the Greater Atlanta Professionalism Awards for outstanding achievement in new home building and marketing.

For additional information, please call 404.821.9807 or visit www.

DavidPattersonHomes.com. Sales and marketing by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Georgia Properties New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.

GrillFest

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

GrillFest is a celebration of all of our favorite foods that can be prepared on the grill, smoker, or flattop griddle. Guests will enjoy unlimited samples of juicy burgers, smoked BBQ, and an array of grilled meats from wings to steaks. Don’t worry veggie lovers—we’ve got you covered, too, as our restaurant partners and chefs will also have your

Union Hill Park - Alpharetta, Georgia

Saturday, April 20th 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

General Admission: $65

favorites fired up on the grill. GrillFest will include craft beer and craft cocktails, along with bourbon and tequila tastings from our spirits partners. Enjoy live entertainment all day and visit with our vendor sponsors just in time for summer—think outdoor living, summer fun, and grills and gadgets for the outdoor chef.

atlantamagazine.com/grillfest

Chopin Society of Atlanta fosters young talent

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — “This is our kingdom,” said Dorota Lato, walking through the door of Musik21, a conservatory for young musicians off State Bridge Road.

Pianos for sale and rent bordered the large, open space. They are the core instrument of the conservatory, though more than a dozen passionate teachers offer individual lessons on a variety of instruments for students in the early years of elementary school up to 12th grade.

Musik21 is under the auspices of the nonprofit Chopin Society of Atlanta, founded by Lato and her husband Piotr Folkert in 2000 to promote the music of Fryderyk Chopin and advance his legacy.

“All pianists — they talk in a specific language,” Lato said. “Most of the young generation play football or soccer or swimming. Those kids who play piano sometimes feel like not many of them, so they love to be with each other because they understand.”

Lato and Folkert are from Chopin’s native Poland and have been playing piano all their lives. An accomplished concert pianist, Folkert performs around the world.

The nonprofit originally began with concerts at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, featuring some of the world’s greatest pianists like Sergei Babayan, Ingrid Fliter and Kevin Kenner. Posters from over the years lined the back room.

Lato said the first-ever concert she presented sold out, which was the 250th anniversary of Chopin’s death. All 600 seats in the center were filled.

Dorota Lato, founder and president of the Chopin Society of Atlanta, shows off student paintings from the nonprofit’s art competitions while sitting inside Musik21, the nonprofit’s conservatory. Student art is used for programs and other promotional material.

Atlanta, the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the week-long program in June, students take virtual and in-person piano lessons, masters classes and attend lectures.

Students also have the opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City and study abroad on scholarships.

Through the hallway, past classrooms, Lato pointed out dozens of pictures taken with students abroad participating in the nonprofit’s core programs in Vienna and in Paris.

Photos were also from Valldemossa, Majorca, where Chopin wrote some of his most important pieces within piano literature. Majorca was an “unfortunate vacation” for Chopin, Lato said, because he had gone there with his lover and French novelist George Sand as a means to hide the affair.

The Paris International Summer Sessions mostly consists of master classes, through a partnership with another organization, and Lato said the summer program in Vienna is more holistic, having developed it alongside her husband.

This year, students can expect to take lectures on the intersection of music and medicine as well as music and movies. The music for many wellknown movies was composed in Vienna, a favorite site of Hans Zimmer, Lato said.

Folkert said he just returned from a trip with one of his students to see the birthplace of Chopin in Želazowa Wola, Poland, and also described a trip last year, where he saw the death place of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt in Bayreuth, Germany.

The society evolved over time, branching out from solely concertizing. With a desire to introduce Chopin and other classical music to younger kids, Lato said she began hosting art competitions, paintings of Chopin, and competitions on history.

“It was important that they really open their eyes to knowing who Chopin was, where he was born, what he composed,” Lato said.

Lato opened Musik21 in 2010.

Currently, 400 students are enrolled who take multi-level music theory courses, creating their own compositions, in addition to lessons and recitals throughout the year.

The newest summer program for the society is the Chopin Academy of

“You know what kind of feeling that gives you? You know the man through his music, and then you go, and you just look, stare at the bed where he died,” Folkert said. “It opens your imagination and establishes a totally different connection between you and the music.”

DOROTA LATO/PROVIDED

On left, Dorota Lato and Piotr Folkert, founders of the Chopin Society of Atlanta, stand with students during an award ceremony in Vienna last year. The nonprofit sends students to study abroad every year on scholarships.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Roadway:

Continued from Page 1

Widening and sidewalk construction has also kicked off between Cogburn Road and Windward Parkway. Crews continue utility work and storm drain installation between Vaughan Drive and Windward.

Alpharetta drivers should expect lane closures, traffic pacing and construction equipment in the roadway as the project continues.

Despite the delays in Alpharetta, GDOT issued a notice to begin construction in Milton Feb. 27. Just more than 3 miles of the highway will be widened in the city from its border with Alpharetta at Windward Parkway to the Forsyth County line, just before Tidwell Road. The cost is set at $68 million.

GDOT will move utilities, relocate and construct new sidewalks and paths, remove trees, and widen the road to four lanes. A raised 16- to 28foot median will divide the highway.

Left and right turn lanes will be added at main intersections along the stretch, and Ga. 9 will be realigned into two 90-degree intersections at Bethany Bend. Currently, drivers traveling north and south on Ga.

MAP BY JACOB TOMBERLIN/APPEN MEDIA

The Georgia Department of Transportation is widening Ga. 9 from Upper Hembree Road in Alpharetta to Bethelview Road in Forsyth County. Construction in Alpharetta has been extended through 2025, while construction began in Milton in February.

9 turn onto Bethany Bend using separated right turn lanes before the intersection.

The Milton widening is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Farther north in Forsyth County, the Ga. 9 widening is underway in three segments: from the Fulton County border to McFarland Road; from McFarland Road to Post Road; and from Post Road to Bethelview Road.

The $18 million stretch between the county line and McFarland Road is just under 1 mile long and will be widened to four lanes with shoulders and a raised median. Construction began in April 2023 and is expected to wrap up in March 2025.

The 2.4-mile segment between McFarland and Post roads, estimated to cost some $41 million, is slated for completion in October 2026.

The 3.5-mile widening and improvements between Post and Bethelview roads will also replace the culvert over Big Creek with a new bridge. Construction on the $64 million segment is slated to wrap up in November 2026.

$5,300 and counting raised at public safety chili cookoff

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — More than 100 people gathered at Fire Station 81 on Webb Bridge Road March 23 to sample chili and support public safety staff and their families.

The Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation hosted its chili cookoff from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Once an annual endeavor, the fundraiser took a pause around 2018, then fired up the stoves for the 2024 gathering.

Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Alpharetta Public Safety Department programs and equipment, as well as assisting employees and their families who may be in need.

At last count, the cookoff has raised $5,300, but funds are still being tallied.

Police Lt. Andrew Splawn, who entered with his mother’s chili recipe, said the cookoff is all about helping public safety personnel get through tough times. While it was his first time participating, he said he hopes to get more involved.

The chili competition invited staff from the city’s Fire, Police and 911 departments and local businesses to present their best chili recipes. Police Department

Accreditation Manager Katherine Fies said 22 teams participated this year.

Three belts were presented to the winning team in each category: people’s choice champion, public safety champion, and business or restaurant champion.

Guests voted for the people’s choice by presenting tickets to their favorite team, and the business and public safety best categories were chosen by a panel

of judges, including Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard and City Councilman Dan Merkel.

Alpharetta restaurant AJ’s Home Cooking won the people’s choice vote, and judges selected Carl Black Chevrolet as business champion. The Fire Corps’ “Over the Top” chili was selected as public safety best.

The Public Safety Foundation

invited chef Tina Cannon for a chili demonstration between noon and 1 p.m. Cannon won season one of Netflix’s “Barbecue Showdown” in 2020.

Cannon cooked her jacked-up chicken chili, which won her a prize at the World Food Championships.

“So, to me, the main ingredient would be the time and heart you put into it, because it’s a labor of love,” she said.

Forsyth County welcomes Danish officials

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia and Danish officials joined Kamstrup leadership March 21 to commemorate the opening of the company’s new North American headquarters in Forsyth County.

The noon ribbon cutting at the new 150,000-square-foot facility on Forsyth Commerce Way featured remarks from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Danish Ambassador to the U.S. Jesper Møller Sørensen, Kamstrup CEO Søren Kvorning, Kamstrup Vice President and Country Manager Bruce Bharat and Chris Smith, honorary consul of Denmark.

Kamstrup is a water metering solutions and services company based in Denmark that aims to reduce waste and support production of clean water and energy. Its U.S. operations began in 2013 and focus on supporting water utilities. The company’s previous headquarters opened in Roswell in 2018.

Kemp said the new headquarters and manufacturing facility would not be possible without support from Forsyth County government and Georgia’s longstanding relationship with Denmark.

The first Danish consulate in the state was established in 1802 in the Port of Savannah.

“I’m so excited about Kamstrup and certainly want to thank the ambassador for being with us today and for his support of this great company,” Kemp said. “It’s an honor to have him in the State of Georgia. We had a great visit about this, so many things that our state

and his country are doing together, and we’re excited about the future of that.”

Ambassador Møller Sørensen thanked Kemp for the welcoming business climate in the state, and he recognized Kamstrup’s growth in Georgia from a company with four employees to more than 130.

“As we now look ahead, let us continue to build on this foundation of

cooperation and shared goals,” Møller Sørensen said. “And let us work together toward a future that is not only more sustainable, but also full of opportunities for our next generation.”

Local officials including Forsyth County Commission Chairman Alfred John and commissioners Laura Semanson and Cindy Jones Mills also attended the ceremony.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Kamstrup leadership, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Danish Ambassador to the U.S. Jesper Møller Sørensen and Honorary Consul to Denmark Chris Smith cut the ribbon on Kamstrup’s new North American headquarters in Forsyth County March 21.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Dozens of people sample chili at Fire Station 81 at the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation’s chili cookoff March 23. Proceeds from the ticketed event support programs and provide assistance to public safety personnel and their families.

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N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

28 God of war 30 Lease

31 Blubber

34 Magical drink

37 Golf peg

38 Honest one

39 Mouse relative

40 Change places, like a bird

43 Hoodwink

44 College major

45 Mode

46 Caught, like a fish

48 Articulate

49 Lulu

50 Nuisance

51 Web journal

53 Dejected

58 Parting word

62 Ice cream flavor

66 Chinese tea

67 Bran source

68 Modern (Prefix)

69 Long, long time

70 Moray, e.g.

71 Bag thickness

72 Sparkler

73 Animal house

74 Sp. girl (Abbr.) Down 1 Riata

2 Perfect

3 Porridge ingredient

6 Plays a role

7 Winter toy

8 ___ de deux

9 Consent

10 Burlap bag

11 Crumbs

12 Dry run 19 Bar topic 20 Go astray

King’s Ridge Baseball at Veterans Field Varsity vs Mt. Pisgah, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Apr. 10

Varsity vs Galloway, 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Apr. 16

Varsity vs Mt. Vernon, 5:30 p.m., Friday, Apr. 19 www.krtigers.com/sport/baseball/

Bourbon & Cigar Night at the Post

Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Flight of 3 Bourbons, a Cigar & Hors d’oeuvres

Tickets: $50 per person at Clubroom/Bar or Online at www.legion201.org

Dances & Dance Instruction

For Details and Schedules Visit www.club201dance.com/calendar

The simple key to success in business

RAY APPEN

Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

I took the leaf blower back to the big box store. It stopped working. I bought it five months ago – paid like $275 for it. I was not happy, but since my big box always accepts returns, I was not worried.

Yet, when I got to the returns desk, the clerk saw my leaf blower and pointed to the sign behind her that gave the number to call for returns for the brand.

“We don’t take returns for Craftsman products without an ‘AR’ or some sort of code from Craftsman,” the clerk said.

“No bueno” I thought. You guys sell their brand, along with hundreds of other brands. I have never not been able to return something I have bought from you, but, with Craftsman, there is an exception?

You probably know the rest of this story. I call the 888 number which is answered by a machine. The machine prompts me multiple times. It wants my name, address and my first-born great grandchild. In huge letters it informs me that all this information they can use as they please, more or less. Then, after about

15 minutes of this, it informs me that I can call another 888 number to contact a service company somewhere which is contracted out to repair Craftsman leaf blowers. Right.

At this point, I fold. They win. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you. No, Craftsman, you cannot have another single minute of my personal time to fix the problem you created and which I paid good money for.

I have driven to the big box twice. I have spent by now about an hour on the phone and on my computer trying to jump through their hoops. Plus, I think the probability of there actually being a service company that is willing to fix a $275 leaf blower is slim. Check and mate.

This is wrong on so many levels.

The first level of wrong is the fact that Craftsman was the main Sears brand of tools. For decades. The Craftsman brand meant that you could return a craftsman tool forever, no questions asked. Then Sears essentially went into bankruptcy and some hedge fund bought the Craftsman “brand” and relaunched it through the big box store. The reason they were able to do this was because the brand, to consumers, meant you could trust it, that it was reliable and well-made, and the warranty was there to back it up.

Until it was not.

To make matters worse, Craftsman still markets itself as having the best warranty in the business – like it used to have. Yes, they have a warranty. My leaf blower had a two-year limited warranty that was included free with the purchase of the product. Good luck using it.

The cost of using that warranty is high, really high. The cost is your time, something the company behind Craftsman obviously does not appear to value. The reason that I have never been able to talk to a human being so far in the warranty process is that people are expensive. The company has to pay those employees for their time, no? Their solution? AI. They can field all the warranty calls with automated systems, so they don’t have to pay people to do it. But they are not compensating you for your time. In effect, you are voluntarily stepping in for an employee – for free – by allowing a company to use your own time so they can save their own (payroll) time. It seems that “time” actually s valuable when they have to pay for it.

But Craftsman is not the only one out there using people’s time or resources and not compensating them. Most companies do that now. Google’s entire business is based on searching online content that

Google does not pay a red cent for and makes billions. Same deal with all the social media companies. Any company that uses AI/ auto-services for things like billing, banking, warranties, reservations, etc., is consuming your time and not paying for it.

Time, however, is a double-edged sword. If you don’t like being forced to donate your time or your resources to a corporate bottom line, don’t do business with them when you can. Reward those who do value your time, like a local restaurant that actually answers the phone with a person, or a local service company that shows up when they say they will.

One of the biggest companies in the world gets it and values your time more than almost any other company. Using that business model, they have won and will continue to win. When there is a problem, one call or one email fixes it almost every time. No BS. No unnecessary routing. No “prove that you are in the right.” No donating your time for free to fix a problem not of your doing.

The customer – and the customer’s time is the absolute priority – the core business model of this company. It ain’t rocket science. They respect their customers and their customer’s time.

The company? Amazon, of course.

Cozy and calm, except for the murders

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

By now, you know mysteries are my favorite reads, and, yes, I prefer those set in England. For a slight shake-up, this week’s selections include one set in France, and another in a coastal town in the U.S. Never fear, you’ll also get a taste of a third cozy mystery set in England.

“The Armstrong Assignment” by Diana

Xarissa

One of my Facebook followers recommended this author, and I’m so glad she did. I loved Janet and Edward, the newly married couple who are the main characters.

There are a few indicators that they’re a “mature” couple. She retired from teaching and opened a B&B with her sister, and he’s retired from a government job.

On their honeymoon in Paris, he suddenly disappears, called back to an assignment in his old world. Before you

know it, they’re both involved in trying to prevent a murder. The dialogue is witty, and the mystery requires understanding the potential suspects and what their likely motives could be.

I’m delighted to know that this is No. 1 in the series and that there’s a series that precedes it – involving Janet and her sister opening their B&B. I may have to find that one and read it before proceeding to book No. 2 in the Janet Markham Bennett cozy thriller series.

“Boardwalk Betrayal” by Wendy Ledger

I discovered this cozy mystery through my subscription to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program, which allows readers to download a vast selection of books for a monthly fee. If you’re an avid reader, you may want to check it out. Because so many of the books that interest me are not available in my local library, I read quite a few mysteries this way.

The black cat on the cover of “Boardwalk Betrayal” caught my eye. After all, there’s a black cat on the cover of my books, too. When I read the first

line in the blurb, I had to give it a try. How could I resist, “A chatty feline and a tragic murder. Can this loyal wife solve a heartbreaking crime?” This is the first in Ledger’s Black Cat Cozy Mystery series set in Harmony Beach.

Maggie is a journalist, and Pepper is her cute cat, and together they solve murder mysteries. Having a smart cat as a sidekick is an asset to any amateur sleuth. (Admittedly, I may be a bit biased in my opinion.) As a cat lover, I agreed with this review: “I really enjoyed the talking cat. Sometimes I wish my pets could talk to me; it would make things a lot easier!“ If you’re an animal lover who enjoys mysteries that don’t give you nightmares, give this one a try.

“Murder by Candlelight” by Faith Martin

And now, back to England. When I saw that Faith Martin had started a new series, I was eager to read it. I enjoyed both her Hillary Greene and Ryder & Loveday series, though I’ve not read either all the way through. I was especially interested in this new series because it’s set in the Cotswolds, my

favorite spot in England and the setting for my mystery series. The setting for Martin’s latest series is the 1920s.

Its two main characters are younger than those in Faith Martin’s earlier series. Arbuthnot ‘Arbie’ Swift is a bit of a dilettante, though he has written a surprisingly popular book, “The Gentleman’s Guide to Ghost-Hunting.” That activity was great fun for him. His sleuthing partner, Val, is the daughter of the local vicar and much more actionoriented than he is. Their relationship forms an entertaining subplot.

Together, they solve a locked room mystery, uncovering plenty of suspects, motives and puzzles. If you’re looking for a light, entertaining read, complete with a visit to the picturesque Cotswolds, this is the book for you.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Q.A. Wills was an Alpharetta pioneer in many ways

BOB MEYERS Columnist

Quillian Asbury Wills (1900-1986), commonly known as Q.A., or more informally as Quillie, was a human dynamo who was a businessman, politician, cattleman, manufacturer, merchant and real estate developer.

Q.A.’s family came from Midway, a community in Forsyth County a few miles north of downtown Alpharetta. In 1905 when Q.A. was 5 years old, his family moved to a house on Marietta Street, now Old Milton Parkway, in Alpharetta. The house still stands next to the Mansell House.

Q.A. went to school in Alpharetta, then away to either Berry College or Reinhardt University. He married Ollie Mosteller (1903-1990) circa 1920.

As a young man his first job was as a barber, but he soon took advantage of his natural entrepreneurial skills and began to acquire land. He eventually owned most of the acreage from above the Mansell House on Old Milton Parkway down to Main Street in Alpharetta and south to Wills Road. He also owned property on the opposite side of Old Milton Parkway. In 1968 he sold 99 acres to Fulton County at a deep discount with the proviso that it would be used as a park. In 1995 the county sold the property to the City of Alpharetta. The huge Wills Park includes a modern equestrian show facility, baseball fields, several playgrounds, tennis courts, a community pool and many acres of lush greenspace.

In the 1930s, Q.A. operated a cotton brokerage and warehouse in The Cotton House built in 1901 on Milton Avenue in downtown Alpharetta. The building changed hands and names several times, and Q.A. owned the building for a number of years beginning in the late 1920s. He operated a factory there making men’s jeans. He also had an office on 5th Avenue in New York City where he sold cotton “house dresses” he made in the Cotton House.

Around the corner on Main Street, Q.A. owned The Wills Merchandise Store and another building where he made chenille bedspreads and bath robes from chenille fabric he purchased in bulk. He finished the robes and bedspreads in the Cotton House. His manufacturing operations provided flexible jobs for many women during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Local historian Connie Mashburn says “Q.A. allowed working mothers to see their children off to school in the morning, then go to work and leave in time to meet their

WILLS FAMILY/PROVIDED

Quillian Asbury Wills, known as Q.A. Wills, is shown with his wife, Ollie Mosteller. They were married circa 1920. As a leading businessman, politician and gentleman farmer in the community, Q.A. always wore a shirt and standard necktie or bolo tie. This photo was probably taken in the mid-1960s.

Q.A. Wills owned this house on Milton Avenue near the center of Alpharetta. The City Council officially designated the Wills House as a historic structure in 2019 calling it “an outstanding representative of a Vernacular Style home of that time period.” Wills served as mayor of Alpharetta several times in the 1930s and 1950s. Wills Park is part of his legacy to the community.

children’s school bus after school.”

The historic Cotton House was razed, and the upscale Hamilton Hotel opened in its place in August 2021.

Q.A. owned the entire block of buildings on the corner of Main Street and Milton Avenue, today a trendy area of the city. In one of the buildings, Q.A. operated a Western Auto Store.

He built houses and often advertised homes for sale in the Atlanta Constitution. He had roads cut through his property, Wills Road, Wills Drive and Nathan’s Circle which was named after a trusted employee, according to Laverne Hilder, Q.A.’s granddaughter in law. Q.A. filled the streets with mid-century ranch houses and a few state-of-the-art homes in the late 1950s and early 1960s that still exist. He owned a house dating to 1930 on

nearby Milton Avenue that in 2019 was designated as a historic structure by the City of Alpharetta. An Atlanta Constitution advertisement in 1960 promised “Large Homes at Lowest Cost …located ½ mile west of Alpharetta’s New Municipal Building and known as Q. A. Wills Subdivision.”

It was only natural that a man of Q.A.’s abilities and energy would run for public office. He was first sworn in as Alpharetta Mayor in 1925 for a two-year term and was the youngest mayor in the state. He was re-elected several times in the 1930s and 1950s.

Q.A.’s son, George Sr, (1921-1985) also served as Alpharetta mayor beginning in 1965 and again in 1979 when he was obligated to resign early due to family obligations and his own health. George,

WILLS FAMILY/PROVIDED

Q.A. Webb manufactured chenille bedspreads and bath robes as one of his many business interests. This is a rare surviving example of one of his bedspread designs.

who attended UGA and served in the Marine Corps, was an executive with the Lockheed Aircraft Company. He was married to Doris Martin of Roswell. He played baseball for Milton High School. Later, he coached a girls softball city team, the Alpharetta Angels. He formed a reenactment Civil War calvary unit and performed at the 100th anniversary of the battle of Stone Mountain and battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He cared a lot about other people and delivered groceries to the needy at holidays. He was active in Post 201 of the American Legion.

In the 1950s, Q.A. bred Hereford cattle. He often attended cattle auctions and would buy the No. 1 or No. 2 top-rated animals for his small herd of perhaps a dozen head. He raised them for breeding and sold them as breed cattle. He kept his cattle in a field near his house on Marietta Street. His granddaughter, Jenny Wills DeVan, remembers chasing the cattle around the fields. Q.A.’s brother, Glen (wife Pauline), also raised Herefords on his own property on Mid Broadwell Road where it runs into Wills Road. On the corner, Glen operated a feed store which today is Cronan’s Cabinet Shop, explains great grandson Bobby Wills, a fireman and paramedic in Alpharetta.

Q.A.’s contributions to his community were many and long-lasting. Thank you Quillie for a job well done.

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/APPEN MEDIA

Why plant native? An interview with Ellen Honeycutt.

The North Fulton Master Gardeners will hold its annual Garden Faire on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in partnership with the City of Alpharetta at The Grove at Wills Park, 175 Roswell St., Alpharetta. This year, the North Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society will feature a variety of Georgia’s native plants for sale and provide information to visitors on best practices for planting natives. As a preview, here’s an interview with the Georgia Native Plant Society’s Ellen Honeycutt about frequently asked questions about native plants.

First, what is a native plant?

A native plant is one that was here without direct human intervention. Generally, that means before settlers from Europe arrived, but it also addresses plants that were moved around by indigenous people, such as corn, beans, and squash. These are plants that have been here long enough to have developed a life-sustaining relationship with native insects (usually thousands of years).

Why is it important to plant natives now?

Native plants are a critical part of the life cycle of native insects, as I mentioned. Without their host native plants (milkweed and monarch butterflies is a good example), native insect populations would decline, as would the populations of those that depend on them, such as birds. Hundreds of years of human settlement have reduced the population of native plants, replacing them with non-native ornamentals that native insects usually can’t use for their life cycles. We need to start using them in our landscapes to support the food web. I like to reimagine the food pyramid to illustrate how our gardens might be. (See illustration.)

What should we know about native plants?

Native plants can be just as beautiful in the landscape as exotic plants. Native plants also help give us a sense of place, allowing us to celebrate what makes Georgia unique. For example, our native magnolias – we have seven species native to Georgia – represent our landscapes better than the Colorado blue spruce or the exotic crape myrtle.

What inspired you to become so interested in native plants?

I was introduced to the concept of “native plants” in 2000 when I joined the Georgia Native Plant Society. Fostering an appreciation for native plants is now a passion of mine, and I love to help other people learn more about the benefits of native plants. I also like to help people figure out which plants might work best in their garden.

Knowing what’s native and what’s not is confusing. How can you tell?

It is easier than ever to use resources on the internet (even at the store, using our smartphones) to determine if something is native. It is best to search by the scientific name when doing so because common names can be misleading. The USDA Plants database at https://plants.usda.gov/ is a good source and easy to use.

Do native plants require less maintenance? Do I still have to water them?

Newly planted native plants should receive the same amount of care that you’d provide to newly planted exotics. That is, water them as needed for the first six months while they get their roots established, protect them from mischievous squirrels that like to dig up any new plant, etc. Be sure to research their preferred growing conditions just as you would for any plant: sun, shade, moist, dry. Once they are established in your garden, they should be fine. I don’t water my plants after they are established unless something unusual happens.

Do you have some recommendations? What’s your favorite native plant? And why?

I am partial to our native woody plants – trees and shrubs – so one of my favorites is the sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) that blooms in June with tiny white bells. In fall, it has some of the best fall color around. I do like to help people find good ideas for shady areas; we have lots of native ferns and shade-loving perennials like foamflower (Tiarella) and coral bells (Heuchera).

Tell us about the native plants you’ll have for sale at Garden Faire?

We like to provide an assortment of native perennials, shrubs, trees, ferns and vines. Knowing that some folks are new to native plants, we make sure we have some of the most dependable choices but we also like to have a few special things for the experienced

Top Left: Monarch on Symphyotrichum

Top right: Oxydendrum arboreum

Bottom left: Rudbeckia hirta

Bottom right: Southeastern U.S. Plant Pyramid

native enthusiast. We have plants that are donated by our members as well as plants that we purchase or grow especially for the sale.

What if someone wants to learn more?

The Georgia Native Plant Society’s website (https://gnps.org/) provides downloadable education materials (for our area, look for resources for the Piedmont ecoregion) as well as a link for year-round native plant sources including small nurseries that have the deepest selection of native plants. You may also want to check out the UGA Extension publications about native plants listed in this column.

I also have a personal blog that has a lot of articles about using Georgia’s native plants in home landscapes. For example, here is an article about shade-loving plants: https:// usinggeorgianativeplants.blogspot. com/2020/12/made-in-shade.html

You can learn more by visiting GNPS at the NFMG Garden Faire at Wills Park on April 20th.

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. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/.

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandra Shave, a Master Gardener since 2018. Sandy grew up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin and learned to garden at her mother’s knee. She is a recent transplant to Roswell, moving from Wisconsin in 2014 after retirement to be nearer to her children and most importantly her grandchildren! Sandy is the chair of NFMG’s 2024 Garden Faire and Speakers Bureau and is excited to share her love of gardening.

In this week’s Garden Buzz column, Sandy interviews Ellen Honeycutt, the current Chair of the State Board of the Georgia Native Plant Society. Ellen has gardened with and appreciated native plants for over 23 years as a member. Helping others to see the beauty, versatility and ecological importance of Georgia’s native plants — whether in the wild or in the garden — is a passion and a compulsion. Just ask her kids! She uses her personal blog, http:// usinggeorgianativeplants.blogspot.com/, to share her love of nature and native plants in Georgia.

Learn more

•Garden Faire 2024 https://www.nfmg. net/garden-faire.html

• Native Plants in Georgia - https:// gnps.org

• Native Plants for Georgia Part I: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines - https:// extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.

html?number=B987&title=Native%20 Plants%20for%20Georgia%20Part%20 I:%20Trees,%20Shrubs%20and%20 Woody%20Vines

• Native Plants for Georgia Part II: Ferns -https://extension. uga.edu/publications/detail.

html?number=B987-2

• Native Plants for Georgia Part III: Wildflowers - https://extension. uga.edu/publications/detail. html?number=B987-3&title=nativeplants-for-georgia-part-iii-wildflowers

• Native Plants for Georgia Part IV: Grasses and Sedges - https://secure. caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/ files/html/B987-4/B987-4-highres.pdf

PHOTO COLLAGE PROVIDED

SANDRA SHAVE Guest Columnist

HONEYCUTT

Do you remember S&H Green Stamps?

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

I grew up with S&H Green Stamps and other saving stamps around the house. There was a drawer in the kitchen where all the saving stamps were kept. My brother and I helped stick stamps in books until each book had the required number. The stamps were not self-adhesive. Filled books were collected until there were enough to make a purchase, usually a household item.

The only purchase I recall making for my own home with S&H Green Stamps was a coffee pot in 1982. Saving stamps continued to be part of shopping through the late 1980s.

S&H stood for the Sperry and Hutchinson Company, which began in 1896. There were several saving stamp companies. Top Value and Gold Bond stamps were also popular.

Different grocery stores gave out different stamps, and along with the product price they advertised how many stamps were given with the purchase. The program encouraged customer loyalty, as shopping decisions were often influenced by the type of saving stamps offered. The best strategy was to primarily collect one savings stamp brand, and at my house it was S&H Green Stamps.

Advertising encouraged shoppers to plan around these stamps. The September 1960 LIFE magazine features an advertisement showing a mother and son along with the line, “Merry Christmas in September,” and “I’m starting right now to save more S&H Green Stamps than ever for extra gifts to give at Christmas.”

Women were the primary advertising target of S&H Green Stamps. S&H claims, “No wonder four out of five women who save stamps save S&H Green Stamps.” They also appeal to women with these words, “Be smart. Be thrifty. Join the 20 million thrifty women who save S&H Green Stamps.”

Saving stamps was so much a part of shopping and culture in the 1960s, musical humorist Allan Sherman wrote a song called “Green Stamps.” He is best remembered for his song “Camp Granada,” which he performed on the Ed Sullivan Show.

In 1962, there were five

PROVIDED

The S&H Green Stamp Ideabook of 1966 celebrated the 70th anniversary of the company.

redemption centers in Atlanta and the surrounding communities. The S&H Green Stamp Redemption Center on Columbia Drive in Decatur opened that year. There were also redemption centers on Piedmont Avenue, Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, Perkerson Road in southwest Atlanta, and Roswell Street in Marietta. A larger store on Peachtree Street was built in November 1962, just in time for Christmas shopping.

Redemption stores advertised the brand name of products they carried. These included General Electric, Samsonite, Spalding, Kodak, Bulova and Kodak. The company also published a catalog of items available for purchase with stamps. The catalog had different names through the years but is best remembered as the “Ideabook.” In addition to household products, S&H stamps could be used to buy toys.

If this article brings back fun or not so fun memories of saving stamps, contact me at the email address below to share your stories.

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.

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He also said city representatives would meet later in the day to discuss “the desire and political will” for coordinating elections.

“We let Milton take the lead, and there was a lot to it,” Wilson said. “If we were involved with elections on a municipal level, we’d want to do it with our sister cities.”

With local elections returning in 2025, other North Fulton cities are looking to Milton for guidance. The city was the first North Fulton city to break from the county’s long practice of overseeing and operating municipal elections.

“We have a book, in this book we have pages that say how not to do it right and pages about how to do it right,” Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison

CITY OF MILTON PUBLIC NOTICE

PH-24-AB-04

PLACE: CITY HALL

2006 HERITAGE WALK MILTON, GA 30004

DATE & TIME: 4/8/24 6:00 PM

PURPOSE:

Chapter 4 Consumption on Premises Wine, Malt Beverages, Distilled Spirits, Sunday Sales and Resident Caterer

APPLICANT:

Suite 200, LLC

3000 Heritage Walk, Suite 201 Milton, Georgia 30004

Kelli Whitcomb, Contact 561-414-8583

said. “I’m very confident that I can say Milton will probably never have Fulton County running its municipal elections moving forward.”

After more than a year of planning, Milton ran its own election with an estimated actual cost of $115,000. The city saved at least $100,000 in its decision to bring in-house operations of its municipal election.

But, city staff spent a significant amount of time on the project, creating standard operating procedures from scratch with state code as a guide; buying and setting up equipment; interviewing and hiring more than 50 poll workers; all while coordinating work between three teams of volunteers to help pull it off.

Appen Media calculated staff time, in terms of salaries and hours, against an already-busy schedule for Milton’s top city officials. That cost was more than $190,000, and it caused several city projects to fall to the wayside.

CITY OF MILTON PUBLIC NOTICE

PH-23-AB-12

PLACE:

CITY HALL

2006 HERITAGE WALK MILTON, GA 30004

DATE & TIME: 4/8/24 6:00 PM

PURPOSE:

Chapter 4 Alcohol Beverage License Application for Farm Winery

APPLICANT:

JimRoze Corporation

d/b/a D'Rose Vintners

13555 Blakmaral Lane Milton, Georgia 30004

James Rosenberger,Contact 404-357-5295

“Still, we saved a lot of money,” Jamison said. “We are absolutely open to working and sharing resources with the other municipalities in the authority manner, but we need to see exactly what the cost to taxpayers is going to be.”

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said city officials do not think they have had the time to do it in the past.

“From my perspective, now is the time we need to resolve this one way or the other,” Gilvin said. “As communities, we need to decide, are we going to be able to do this in an effective, efficient way or not.”

Because Alpharetta, with no challengers to incumbents, did not hold local elections last fall, Gilvin said the city did not face a decision about running its own polling.

Following the luncheon, he said nailing down the cost will be crucial.

“I just had a conversation with my fellow mayors,” Gilvin said. “They still don’t know how much they gotta pay for the November elections.”

He said the delays are frustrating for local governments currently in the budgeting process.

“I think our council will be willing to have that conversation based on those parameters,” Gilvin said. “But we need to have those parameters, so I can take it to the City Council and the public.”

Roswell Mayor Wilson said he agreed with Gilvin, and he would not like city staff to be overwhelmed with an area-wide elections authority.

Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry and Mountain Park Mayor Bill Kolbrener also said they are committed to looking at locally run elections. A final report detailing Milton’s first self-run municipal elections is expected in the coming months/weeks.

Hey y’all, I’m Hayden Sumlin and I report on all things in Dunwoody, Milton and Sandy Springs. If you have any story tips or ideas please contact me at hayden@appenmedia.com

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Notice of Public Hearing

City of Milton (Council Chambers) 2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004-6119 678-242-2500

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing shall be held at the City of Milton City Hall, on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. before the Milton City Council to consider a Resolution transmitting a draft Capital Improvements Element amendment, relating to the City’s impact fee program, to the Atlanta Regional Commission for regional and State review per the requirements of the State’s Development Impact Fee Compliance Requirements adopted pursuant to the Georgia Planning Act of 1989. Said public hearing will be held in accordance with Chapter 110-12-2-.04 of the State’s Development Impact Fee Compliance Requirements. Any persons wishing to be heard on the draft Capital Improvements Element amendment are invited to attend.

Request for Proposals On-Call Plumbing Services

RFP NUMBER 24-PW03

Proposal Due Date: April 29, 2024, by 2:00PM Local Time

Electronic submission via: www.miltonga.gov

Submissions will be publicly announced on the above date at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004 (opening may be moved online due to public health conditions). The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the highest scoring Offeror whose proposal meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the request for proposals.

The City of Milton is requesting proposals from qualified companies to provide On-Call Plumbing Services at the City's facilities, buildings, and properties on an as needed basis. All qualified proposals will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin.

The request for electronic proposals for RFP 24-PW03, On-Call Plumbing Services will be posted on the following websites the week of April 4, 2024: http://www.miltonga.gov and http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/PR index.jsp

Invitation to Bid

TS2-2318: Crabapple Road Pedestrian Improvements

ITB NUMBER

ITB 24-PW04

Sealed Bids Due Date: May 1, 2024, at 2:00 PM EST

Electronic submission via: www.miltonga.gov

Submissions will be publicly announced via a virtual bid opening at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder whose bid meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the invitation for bids.

The City of Milton is requesting bids from interested parties for the Crabapple Road Pedestrian Improvements project. All qualified bids will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin.

The request for sealed bids for the Crabapple Road Pedestrian Improvements project will be posted on the following websites the week of April 4, 2024. http://www.miltonga.gov or http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/PR_index.jsp

CITY OF MILTON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 6:00 P.M.

Location: Milton City Hall- Council Chambers

2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004 678-242-2500

On the date and time, and at the location stated above, the Design Review Board shall conduct a public hearing to consider the following applications for Certificate of Appropriateness.

1. Demolition Permits:

A. Address: 12245 King Circle

Applicant: Mani Farhan

B. Address: 14735 Freemanville Road

Applicant: Marty Anker

C. Address: 15756 Hopewell Road

Applicant: Maher Budeir

D. Address: 13810 Hagood Road

Applicant: Heather McKeldin

E. Address: 14600 Cogburn Road

Applicant: Paul Nocharli

F. Address: 12595 Broadwell Road

Applicant: Jeffrey Masisak

G. Address: 15555 Hopewell Road

Applicant: Grant Hafner

Request for Proposals On-Call Septic Services.

RFP NUMBER

24-PW04

Proposal Due Date: April 29, 2024, by 2:00PM Local Time

Electronic submission via: www.miltonga.gov

Submissions will be publicly announced on the above date at approximately 2:30 PM at the City of Milton City Hall located at 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004 (opening may be moved online due to public health conditions). The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals. If the contract is awarded, it will be awarded to the highest scoring Offeror whose proposal meets the requirements and criteria set forth in the request for proposals.

The City of Milton is requesting proposals from qualified companies to provide On-Call Septic Services at the City's facilities, buildings, and properties on an as needed basis. All qualified proposals will receive consideration without regard to age, handicap, religion, creed or belief, political affiliation, race, color, sex, or national origin.

The request for electronic proposals for RFP 24-PW04, On-Call Septic Services will be posted on the following websites the week of April 4, 2024: http://www.miltonga.gov and http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/PR index.jsp

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Argos USA, LLC is seeking a Technical Services Planner for its Alpharetta, GA location to support the design, standardization, and continuous improvement of the company project management methodology and maintenance model, aligned with good practices and lessons learned. Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field plus 5 years of experience in Cement operations, projects execution and PMO (Projects Management). Telecommute work arrangement is allowed within commuting distance to Alpharetta, GA and Argos’ office. 30-40% domestic travel required. Send cover letter and resume to Mark Prybylski, Argos USA, LLC, 3015 Windward Plaza, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30005 or email resume to mprybylski@argos-us.com. Reference Job # CEM40004144.

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REAL ESTATE ASSISTING

Healthy, hard-working, very tech-savvy lady, good organizing skills. 1-5 or 6pm. 2-3 days/week. My Johns Creek home. Also willing to help with home organization. Salary approx. $15+/hour based on performance & work accomplished. Have own reliable transportation. 678-524-3881 & send resume: realestatetreasure@msn.com

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