Milton Herald - May 11, 2023

Milton opts for 2 Election Day polling sites

City leaning toward hand-counted ballots

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Some Milton residents may have to travel farther to cast their votes for the municipal general election in November.

In a split vote May 1, the Milton City Council voted to operate two polling locations for this year’s municipal election. Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison, and councilmembers Juliette Johnson and Carol Cookerly cast the dissenting votes.

The approved resolution calls for Election Day voting at Milton City Hall and the Milton City Park and Preserve. Advanced voting has already been established, set for one location — City Hall.

Before the vote, Jamison criticized the resolution in a written statement and argued that three locations would allow for greater accessibility for Milton residents used to having more options when Fulton County operated municipal elections.

Jamison argued it is the responsibility for elected officials to represent all citizens and highlighted the “recurring theme” of integrating the Ga. 9 area into the fabric of Milton. The City Council has made progress in enhancing engagement in that corridor, Jamison said.

“However, the resolution before us today does not only take us a step

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison reads a prepared statement advocating for three Election Day polling locations. While his motion drew support from councilmembers Carol Cookerly and Juliette Johnson, it fell short of passage. The council majority opted for two polling locations, one at City Hall and

backward, but potentially several more, which concerns me as it may unnecessarily create division within our community,” Jamison said.

Voter participation

Jamison said the Ga. 9 area, which lies in District 3, has had as many as three voting locations under Fulton County-operated elections, and it deserves the same treatment as Districts 1 and 2. In previous years, Fulton County implemented eight polling locations.

“As elected officials, it is our duty to provide them and every other resident of Milton an equal opportunity to exercise their

fundamental right to vote,” the mayor said.

Following Jamison’s motion to add a third precinct with the Milton Public Safety Complex as its voting location, Cookerly joined the mayor, saying every election is about access.

“If we don’t provide access, perhaps where there are the least participants, then we are not helping to grow participation,” Cookerly said.

District 3, which Jamison said is the “highest density” area in Milton, has a lower voter turnout. In a proposed precinct map, presented by Milton City Manager Steve Krokoff at

See ELECTIONS, Page 10

Polling decision draws division DATA

Pages 10-11

Carolyn

Horse operation clears city hurdle to update facility

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — More than 20 people cheered in favor of Carolyn Bell, founder of Fortitude Farm on Wood Road, after the City Council approved zoning variances for the property.

The council granted Bell the path forward May 1 to update her 13.25-acre farm to allow for a covered riding area and 14 additional stalls. Bell has owned and operated an equestrian facility with training on the site, zoned AG-1, since 2002. But the property, with existing facilities, has operated as a horse farm since 1994.

Bell said she has had to lease

See FARM, Page 4

the other at Milton City Park and Preserve.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Bell, founder of Fortitude Farm, speaks on an agenda item related to zoning variances for her property at the Milton City Council meeting May 1. Her application sought a cover for her riding ring and 14 additional horse stalls.

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Milton Police respond to fake burglary call

MILTON, Ga. — Milton Police were dispatched to a home on Eighteenth Fairway April 24 for a possible home invasion but found that it was a swatting call.

Dispatch said a male caller observed a man in his backyard knocking on the door, trying to get in. While en route, dispatch said the burglar, who was said to have a gun, was now in the caller’s living room while the caller hid in an upstairs closet.

Multiple units responded. But when police arrived, the Milton resident was “genuinely surprised” and asked the officer what police were doing on his property.

The man’s wife said something strange was going on and had been dealing with it all day. The couple said no one had been breaking into their home. The wife assumed the prank may have been by someone who plays videogames with her son.

Painted Horse customer leaves without paying

MILTON, Ga. — The owner of Painted Horse Winery and Vineyards reported a past theft to Milton Police April 25.

She said a man booked a guided one-hour long, two-horse trail ride April 22. The suspect and his girlfriend took the $110 ride and left without paying, she reported.

An employee attempted to contact the phone number the suspect provided, but he could not be reached. The employee also sent a Venmo

request to the suspect, but it was blocked. An invoice sent via Square had also been ignored.

When police searched the phone number in a database, the associated owner had a different name than the person suspected of theft. The phone owner was also based in Florida. Police were unable to find any association between the phone number and the named suspect.

Woman reports check altered for thousands

MILTON, Ga. — An Alpharetta woman reported April 28 that she wrote a check to individuals selling pine straw, but the check was altered for a couple thousand dollars more.

The victim said she was doing yardwork at her home on Country Ridge Road April 21 when two individuals came up to her and asked if she needed pine straw. She was quoted $375, and she wrote the check. But it was cashed for $3,075.

The victim said she attempted to pay a bill, but she noticed the money she expected to be in her account was not there. She then noticed the $3,075 debit from the forged check.

The victim showed police a scan of the check, which appeared to have been altered after she had issued it.

Canna Wellness worker scammed for payment

MILTON, Ga. — The owner of Canna Wellness reported April 30 that one of his employees had been scammed.

The employee told police she had received a phone call at work from someone who identified himself as a FedEx employee. The phone number was based in Mexico.

The caller said he was working with a manager at Canna Wellness on a shipment, but that there were problems with it. He advised the

employee to gather money from the store to pay for an extension of payment for the shipment.

The employee then removed money from the register and safe. She was then instructed to transfer the money through a Bitcoin ATM and through a wire transfer app. A total of $1,350 was sent through the app and an additional $154 was sent through the Bitcoin ATM.

Because the employee was told the store’s money would not be enough to cover the cost, she used $500 of her personal money.

The employee attempted to contact FedEx to confirm the transfers, but the company said they had no knowledge of the transactions and informed her that she may have been scammed.

Police recover van with overdue rental

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police recovered a U-Haul reported missing from its Alpharetta Street storage facility on May 2. The business said a customer never returned the $35,000 van rented on April 13.

A U-Haul employee showed police that the “demand” letter sent to the customer about the van was never successfully delivered. The employee did not know why the delivery failed.

Officers used the address listed on the rental agreement to find the customer and the unreturned van. The customer said he knew the U-Haul was past due, but he had spoken with a woman on the phone about renewing the rental agreement to continue using the van. Other than the call, the man told police he had not heard from U-Haul about needing to return the vehicle. The customer thought he was still on a payment plan to rent the van for longer.

Police towed the van and took the customer into custody for outstanding warrants in Conyers.

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.

Eagles Nest Church announces plans for Kohl’s property

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Eagles Nest Church will find its permanent home next year in a newly announced multiuse development: The Beacon at East Roswell, a commercial multi-use property that will replace the vacant Kohl’s lot on Holcomb Bridge Road.

Eagles Nest Church founder Pastor Lee Jenkins unveiled the development plan at a community meeting on April 30 at Centennial High School. The preliminary plan features event space, multipurpose rooms, a common area with a “Starbucks type atmosphere,” a childcare facility and an 800-seat auditorium for church services on 15.5 acres.

Jenkins expects to start using the space by spring 2024.

“There’s a lot of talk out there, ‘Is this going to be just a church?’ and no, it’s so much more,” Jenkins said.

The church founder and senior pastor has spent years planning to relocate his 3,000-member church to a permanent home.

In the meantime, Eagles Nest Church found a temporary home at Centennial High School across the street from Kohl’s site. The auditorium is small, so many of the church members must attend Eagles Nest services entirely online.

Jenkins spent years eyeing the Kohl’s property, once home to Rite-Aid, Moe’s, Petco and Kohl’s— all but the Petco now shuttered. The rest of the lot has been vacant since 2016.

He attempted to purchase and redevelop the property into a church and pickleball sports and recreation facility in 2020 with Competitive Social Venture, but the developers backed out in March 2022. The pastor said he “had to let the deal die” until he could find a new partner.

Jenkins wanted to keep the church close to the Kohl’s site, though, to get the membership used to the East Roswell area. In December 2022, he found a new partner and purchased the property.

A new partner

Eagles Nest Church is now working with Regent Partners, a real estate development company that specializes in mixed-use properties. Founder and chairman of the company David Allman joined the community meeting to talk about the property plans.

Allman and Pastor Jenkins said that while part of the property is a space for Eagles Nest Church, the plan is to make it a “thriving hub” in East Roswell with more than weekly services.

“It’d be foolish not to think of this as a community asset that you want to leverage for the benefit of the community,” Allman said.

The pastor said he’s been in touch with Roswell city leaders as well.

“We’ve had conversations with the City Council and mayor, and, you know, they’d like to see this be a destination location,” Jenkins said.

Roswell City Councilman Peter Vanstrom, the city’s liaison to economic development, attended the meeting and said the city will be working “hand in hand” to make the Beacon plans a reality.

“I actually campaigned on these subjects right here, making sure that East Roswell is taken care of, and that East Roswell grows and continues to flourish,” Vanstrom said.

For Jenkins, anchoring the property at the Kohl’s site was essential. As a long-term resident of East Roswell, the pastor wanted to spur economic activity in the area.

“From a business standpoint, when I look at East Roswell, I would describe it as being partly cloudy and sometimes storming,” Jenkins said. “I believe what we’re discussing today, we’re going to see the sun rise again in East Roswell.”

While some of the anchoring development plans including the auditorium and childcare facility are set in stone, the developer is still considering options for the rest of the space. Allman said the group is considering food and beverage options, as well as recreational and entertainment opportunities.

“We’re beginning to home in on a few ideas, but you know, there’s flexibility in what we do there,” Allman

said.

Due to the multi-use development plans the property will keep its commercial zoning. Pastor Jenkins also said they will pay regular taxes on the property, not relying on churches’ typically tax-exempt status.

“The majority of this property will be used for non-church related activities; therefore, we will be paying taxes like a regular for-profit,” Jenkins said.

Creating a destination

The pastor showed a general “initial rendering” of plans for the existing property and explained some of the decisions, like keeping the auditorium size to about 800-1,000 seats.

Jenkins said it could benefit Eagles Nest to have a 2,000-seat auditorium, but it would discourage people from using the space for other events like weddings.

“We need to keep it big enough to accommodate what we want to do and a lot of the events we would like to have, but it has to be smaller to not lose that intimate feel,” Jenkins said.

The church and developers plan to open the first phase of development by March or April 2024, Jenkins said. Phase one will focus on the core Kohl’s property building with the auditorium, common spaces and daycare. The other phases will focus on the outparcels, other buildings and businesses on the rest of the property.

Jenkins said timelines are tentative because a “lot of the timing is dependent on resources” and supply chain issues are slowing plans down. Still, he believes the Beacon will be ready for use by next spring.

The developer and pastor opened

the floor to community questions, where they faced concerns about the Petco still open on the Kohl’s property. Jenkins said discussions aren’t finalized, but both parties are working on a short-term lease extension to keep the store open.

A Petco groomer told Jenkins store managers had announced the store would close in a matter of months and employees had already told customers the location was shutting down. Jenkins said he could not speak for the team at Petco, but they haven’t “kicked anybody out” of the property.

Jenkins also outlined how the Beacon will serve different parts of the community. Many residents raised concerns about a lack of space in Roswell for teenagers and children to hang out for free.

Jenkins said a portion of the property will be dedicated to young people with gaming rooms, hangout space and a tutoring company. He is also working with Centennial High School to make the Kohl’s site an overflow parking lot for high school students.

“I love this city, I even did something stupid a couple of years ago and ran for mayor,” Jenkins said. “Our hearts are here, and I promise you we’re going to do something special.”

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Eagles Nest Church Pastor Lee Jenkins and developer David Allman unveil plans for the Beacon at East Roswell, a multi-use development on Holcomb Bridge Road, at an April 30 community meeting at Centennial High School.

Farm:

Continued from Page 1

four different barns so that her business could have use of a covered ring.

“I do own a farm in Ocala, Florida, where I could start over after 20 years of building my business here in Milton,” Bell said. “But I would really prefer to stay here, where my parents are, who are 87.”

Rather than provide public comment, most of her supporters were given the opportunity to perform a public demonstration by standing in Council Chambers during the meeting, which ran nearly four hours.

Fortitude Farm is southwest of the White Columns subdivision’s gated section, whose residents had voiced concerns about Bell’s proposal at a Community Zoning Information Meeting held in January. They said the proposed roof to the riding ring would have a negative visual impact and that their homes would be devalued, a concern reiterated at a second public input meeting in February.

But the city’s Design Review Board, in a courtesy review, said the view of the farm is “very nice” and would not impact the surrounding homes.

Stormwater concerns

White Columns residents also shared that the proposal could have a negative impact on the stream and cause additional water runoff, an issue brought forth again by those in opposition at the City Council meeting.

Aside from an emailed comment, there were only two — Adam Hollingsworth, White Columns Community Association secretary, and attorney Josh Belifante. Hollingsworth stressed that he sought a deferral of the item and wants to “peacefully coexist with [Bell] and [Bell’s] expansion for as many years as she intends to operate.”

Hollingsworth dove into describing a Category 1 dam, which has an outlet control structure adjacent to Fortitude Farm. He said farm expansion may have a direct impact on the dam’s operations and cause a detriment to White Columns property.

“Based on the decision you make tonight, it may cost our designers and our engineers up to $300,000 or $400,000 more to make modifications to the dam,” Hollingsworth said.

Josh Belifante, attorney for White Columns, spoke to the council, arguing that Bell’s application does not have all necessary materials, such as a stormwater management plan.

But in a direct line of questioning

from City Attorney Ken Jarrard, Milton Zoning Manager Robyn MacDonald confirmed that the variance request was in order.

Before the City Council approved the zoning application, equestrian and Councilwoman Carol Cookerly spoke at length about Bell’s “non-invasive” proposal and the “late-stage drama” surrounding it.

“There’s a difference between working with an applicant and trying to control her,” Cookerly said.

She also described the importance of Milton’s equestrian identity.

“If you want the rural heritage to continue, we better protect those that are driving it,” Cookerly said. “And Carolyn Bell is a driver.”

Park budget

In other matters May 1, the City Council reviewed budgets for Birmingham Park and the Crabapple and Deerfield areas.

Councilmembers discussed $1.3 million allocated for Birmingham projects, like erosion control on the old logging road, a gravel trail from parking to Birmingham Crossroads and a new restroom. They also reviewed $2.52 million in projects for the Crabapple area and $4.21 million for the Deerfield area, to add several connectors in those areas.

The council also approved the city’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) map, a tool used to contain high-density development.

The map is intended to provide a protective layer to the city’s sewer map, giving the city more control over the pace and extent of “urban” growth. A seven-member committee had been devising the plan since their inaugural meeting in November.

City Attorney Jarrard clarified that the UGB map should work to enhance city master plans and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, rather than amend them.

Josh Belifante, attorney on behalf of White Columns neighborhood, speaks to the City Council about concerns with an application relating to the nearby Fortitude Farm May 1. He said the zoning application did not include all necessary materials, like a stormwater management plan.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

More than 20 people stand in support of Carolyn Bell, founder of Fortitude Farm.

Alpharetta braces for traffic shifts with Kimball Bridge Road closure

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Thousands of drivers will face year-long commuting challenges on Kimball Bridge Road in Alpharetta as work begins May 8 to replace the bridge over Ga. 400.

Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard said GDOT will restripe Ga. 400 between Haynes Bridge Road and Old Milton Parkway May 6. The restriping will shift lanes during construction of the new Kimball Bridge Road bridge, and the speed limit on the freeway will be reduced to 55 miles per hour on the entire stretch of the highway in Alpharetta.

The highway work will be followed by the closure of Kimball Bridge Road between North Point and Northwinds parkways to allow for construction of a temporary bridge May 8.

The Georgia Department of Transportation estimates 2023 annual daily traffic on Kimball Bridge Road westbound at 5,750 vehicles and eastbound at 4,600. The department estimates average daily traffic on Ga. 400 under the bridge at 128,000.

Drinkard said GDOT and project contractor CW Matthews estimate the demolition of the current bridge and construction will take a full year to complete.

He said construction will continue

into the evening, but GDOT has been in conversation with the nearby neighborhood at Northwinds Parkway and Kimball Bridge Road to provide information and prepare residents for what to expect.

“It’s going to be noisy over there,” Drinkard said.

The bridge replacement is part of the GDOT Ga. 400 Express Lanes Project, which will add paid lanes on each side of the highway between the North Springs MARTA Station in Sandy Springs and McFarland Parkway in Forsyth County.

The new bridge will include two lanes in each direction, a center median, wide sidewalks on both sides, improved street lighting and decorative elements, Drinkard said.

“In the end, capacity for both vehicles and for pedestrians in that area of Kimball Bridge Road will be improved,” Drinkard said.

He said drivers will use North Point or Northwinds parkways to detour to Old Milton Parkway or Haynes Bridge Road to avoid the road closure.

“Haynes Bridge as you’re headed east or northeast, if you’re headed downtown from North Point Parkway along Haynes Bridge, that area is nowhere near capacity,” Drinkard said. “So there’s a lot of ability to still absorb some traffic in that area.”

Further information on the Ga. 400 Express Lanes Project can be found at 0001757-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/.

GDOT/PROVIDED

While Kimball Bridge Road is closed, motorists will use Haynes Bridge Road as an alternate route.

8 | Milton Herald | May 11, 2023

Best friends bring bubbly to Roswell

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — Al Anderson and Leigh Braglia built their friendship on a shared love of champagne. Now, years after they met, the pair co-own and operate Metro Atlanta’s only champagne bar, Pop Alleigh on Canton Street.

Pop Alleigh opened in December 2022, named after Anderson and Braglia who met in 2008 when Anderson coached Braglia’s son in cheerleading. The champagne bar offers more than 220 bottles of sparkling wine for purchase, as well as over 20 bubbly options by the glass. Customers can choose champagnes a la carte or opt for one of the rotating champagne flights, curated by Anderson and Braglia.

The pair only pours champagne they like to drink, Anderson said. The owners hand-pick the selection to ensure they serve what they enjoy and what they can educate customers about.

“Our approach is to be able to offer a high-end experience,” Anderson said.

Part of their push to open Pop Alleigh was a lack of champagne bars across the country. Leigh joked to Anderson that in Sonoma, California,

there’s a “wine bar on every corner” while champagne destinations are few and far between. Anderson said the lack of shops is due to the perception of champagne.

“Having something where people can discover champagne was really important because the conception of champagne is that its rosy and its sweet,” Anderson said.

The selection of sparkling wines at Pop Alleigh is all brut, or very dry, with a few sweeter options for customers who crave it. Anderson said Pop Alleigh offers about “three wines” for people who want something different, but the focus is on champagne.

Neither of the co-owners have any wine certifications, but Anderson said they bring years of enthusiasm for champagne and travel across major sparkling wine regions like Champagne, France, and Cava, Spain.

A bubbly destination

Leigh Braglia discovered the property that would become Pop Alleigh after dinner with her husband at Little Alley Steak on Canton Street. Braglia said she had always wanted a business, and when she saw the space, she decided on the “spontaneous”

Our approach is to be able to offer a high-end experience.

AL ANDERSON, co-owner, Pop Alleigh

POP ALLEIGH/PROVIDED

Best friends Al Anderson and Leigh Braglia made the “spontaneous” decision to open champagne bar Pop Alleigh on Canton Street in Roswell after bonding over a shared love of drinking bubbly. See BUBBLY, Page 22

Elections:

Continued from Page 1

an April 17 work session, the area had around 400 Election Day voters out of some 10,000 registered voters.

“For what – $5,000 — we can cover all our bases, and we stand on the side of as much access as possible,” Cookerly said.

Estimates indicated that in the first year of operating its own municipal elections, three locations would have cost the city around $9,600 more. In future years, the cost difference would have been around $4,300.

In an email, Krokoff said he plans to present a precinct map that divides the City of Milton “in the best possible way” and expects it to align with the Fulton County precinct lines.

Polling locations

Councilman Rick Mohrig was taken aback by Jamison’s statement, saying there was an assumption that there had been consensus for two locations based on the April 17 work session discussion. But City Attorney Ken Jarrard said there was little clarity on what had been decided at that meeting and a formal vote on the number of precincts was required.

More information

“My statement hasn’t changed,” Jamison said to Mohrig.

Mohrig and Councilman Paul Moore, who served on the Milton Election Feasibility Committee that laid the groundwork for city-operated municipal elections, had previously maintained their group’s decision for two Election Day polling locations. At the April 17 work session, Election Feasibility Committee member Lisa Cauley and several others voiced the same sentiments during public comment.

Based on registered voters and the voter turnout data, Cauley said the committee knew the city could run municipal elections with one polling location but recommended two sites to make voting more convenient.

There are around 31,000 registered voters in Milton. Krokoff said that based on municipal election turnout in 2017 and 2021, he estimates 2,798 voters will turn out for this year’s election.

“Adding more locations based on the number of registered voters, average turnout and the percentage of early voting turnout is excessive and unwise use of taxpayer money,” Cauley said.

According to data from the 2021 U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Milton was more

POLLING DECISION DRAWS DIVISION

Milton residents in an area that has historically voted Democrat will have to travel farther to cast ballots in the upcoming nonpartisan election.

The decision affects precincts ML05, ML06A and ML06B in the city’s southeast corner.

Voters in ML06A and ML06B, which run from Francis Road to Windward Parkway, consistently support top Democratic tickets. Sen. Rafael Warnock and gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, both Democrats, won there in 2022. So did Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

ML05, the precinct from Cogburn and Hopewell roads east, recently swung blue. In 2022 voters there supported Gov. Kemp, but they also backed Sen. Warnock over Republican Herschel Walker in the general election and runoff.

The rest of Milton, almost always votes red.

With the exception of 2020, when the city’s northernmost precinct went for President Biden, the southeast corner is the only area with majority blue turnout.

In previous years, voters had four polling sites in the city’s southeast corner: Cambridge High School, Hopewell Middle School, Cogburn Woods and Manning Oaks elementary schools.

than $136,000.

Hand-counting ballots

While there was no formal vote, the Milton City Council agreed to hand-count ballots for the November municipal elections. The discussion followed several public comments, advocating for hand-counting because of the lower cost.

In the first year with two Election Day voting locations, using scanners would cost Milton $6,700 more than a hand-count. In future years, the cost difference was estimated at $10,065.

Many also have argued that hand-counting offers greater election integrity.

“I’m asking each of you councilmembers tonight to give me back integrity, honesty and confidence in my vote by moving to have Milton elections use paper ballots with absolutely no machines,” one Milton resident said.

Some speakers cited last year’s DeKalb County Commission race, in which local media reported that because candidate Michelle Long Spears received zero Election Day votes in all but seven precincts, ballots were recounted. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office discovered a technical error in the precinct scanners affected the count.

Pros and cons

One speaker specifically attributed the issue to Dominion Voting Systems, whose scanners were used in the DeKalb County Commission race and would be used in Milton’s election.

The remarks came in the wake of Fox News’ nearly $800 million settlement with Dominion after the news organization aired comments alleging the machines had been rigged to steal the 2020 presidential election from Donald Trump.

City Manager Krokoff said the pros of scanners outweighed the cons. He said scanners are able to immediately detect problematic ballots, provide quicker results, create log files and images, provide an automated running total, reduce human error risk, and provide check and balance on counts.

The downside to using scanners include cost, increase of technological risk and the absence of human eyes on ballots, unless necessary or required.

“I assumed from the get-go, to maximize integrity away from what we were concerned about historically, that we would go to hand-counting,” Councilwoman Cookerly said.

Election Charts

► PAGE 11

Additionally, during the early voting period, they could participate at any Fulton County location, including the Alpharetta Branch Library. With the city running its own municipal elections this year, that option will go away.

The city’s plan is to have two polling places open on Election Day, one at City Hall and the other at Milton City Park and Preserve. Advanced voting will be limited to City Hall.

Some City Council members who voted in favor of two locations cited low voter turnout on Election Day in the city’s southeast corner.

It is correct that Election Day turnout is drastically less in those precincts by percentage. However, the difference in actual vote count is not so distinct. The area is one of Milton’s most densely populated. The three precincts make up 35.3% of Milton’s voting population. In the most recent election, 31.3% of the city’s votes came from there. More ballots were cast from ML05 voters than any other precinct.

The story is similar with Election Day turnout. The southeast corner has a lower turnout percentage, but with a higher population that can mean more votes cast.

In the 2021 uncontested mayoral race, ML05 voters cast more ballots on Election Day than those in ML01A, which houses Milton City Hall.

Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison has advocated for three polling locations, the third at the Milton Public Safety Complex. But his motion failed to garner a majority.

In light of the council action, a Milton resident living in Kennewick Place, on the outskirts of District 3 in precinct ML06B, must travel more than 6 miles to vote at City Hall and nearly the same distance to vote at the Milton City Park and Preserve. Had the mayor’s recommendation been approved, that same resident would have driven less than 2 miles to cast a ballot at the Public Safety Complex.

VOTER TRENDS IN MILTON ELECTIONS

MAPS BY CARL APPEN/APPEN MEDIA VIA DATAWRAPPER

Votes by precinct, 2022 midterms

The number of ballots cast in each precinct during the Nov. 8, 2022 midterm elections.

Votes by precinct, 2021 municipal Total number of votes cast in the contested District 1, Post 1 race during the November 2, 2021 elections.

When Milton officials point to a low percentage of voter turnout in the Southeast corner, the total number of votes cast is comparable or greater that the rest of Milton.

Note: In this election, votes from ML01C, a small precinct off Crabapple Road, were recorded within ML01B, the precinct farthest west.

Milton polling places

Vote margins for the Senate runoff race on Dec. 5, 2022 by precinct. Negative numbers indicate Democratic leads, positive numbers Republican. In the November 2022 general election, precinct ML05 had supported Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

In prior years Milton voters had eight polling places. They could also vote early at other Fulton County polls such as the Alpharetta Branch Library. The city’s current plan is to reduce that number to two.

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“Be Patriotic. Vape.”

Brought to You by - Brent Taylor, MD, Premiere Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Yes, you read that correctly. Those were the only words written in what must have been size 20 million font on a billboard near Greenville, South Carolina. A beautiful United States flag was proudly portrayed on the billboard behind those words. And, oddly, no company name, logo or other identifying information was present to connect this billboard to a specific business or corporation. From what I could see as I drove by, nothing was on the billboard except an American flag and the words “Be Patriotic. Vape.”

This billboard had me puzzled. Was it a joke? Was it actually trying to convince people that vaping is an act of patriotism? Does it assume that the general population and particularly our young people are so impressionable as to believe this billboard and start vaping because they love our country?

I laughed as I drove by, but the billboard did have me worried. The US military included cigarettes in soldiers’ rations from World War II through 1975, and as a result, nicotine addiction and tobacco use has long been a plight of our veterans. Many adult smokers have attempted to use e-cigarettes and vaping as a way of avoiding regular cigarettes. But the fastest growth of vaping has been among young people. Approximately 20% of those aged 18 to 29 report vaping – the highest for any age group.

Since young people seem to be most strongly prone to vaping, it’s important to spread the word on the negative health effects of vaping to our youth. As a dermatologist, I can attest to negative skin effects of vaping, some of which should grab one’s attention:

1. Black, hairy tongue. Multiple oral problems can occur from vaping. The most newsworthy from a teen’s perspective is probably black hairy tongue. The exact reason vaping can

cause this condition is not known, but it’s well-established that some individuals will develop a black, hairyappearing tongue when they vape. Skin cells on the tongue build up, and certain types of bacteria can overgrow. Go to Google Image and type in “black hairy tongue” to scare any teens you know out of vaping.

2. Genital burns. Many e-cigarettes use lithium batteries that were manufactured poorly and are prone to exploding. Between 2015 and 2017, more than 2000 people went to the emergency room for burn injuries from e-cigarettes. Explosions were often spontaneous while the device was simply in the person’s pocket. Pockets are close to one’s private parts, and genitals were commonly burned. Scare your teen with this one!

3. Acne and aging skin. Nothing seems to motivate a social-media era individual like aesthetics. Cigarettes are known to cause acne, premature aging of skin, enlarged pores and oil glands. Nicotine causes many of these changes, and nicotine is present whether one is using traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes.

Finally, the question of patriotism. In case you were worried that you need to starting vaping to prove that you are a patriot, the answer is that you do not. Patriotism and vaping have NOT been linked. An article in the journal Tobacco Use Insights entitled “The Vaping Teenager” found that teens who identify themselves as “patriotic” are actually less likely to vape than those with other peer crowd identifications. Teens who self-identified as patriotic were more likely to report valuing hard work and enjoying the outdoors. The billboard would have been more accurate had it said “Want to risk burnt genitals, hairy tongue, acne, cardiovascular side effects and a lighter wallet? – Vape.” I guess they ran out of room?

PEXELS

Thank You for Voting US

Why Dr. Hood goes gray for May

In May of 2020, Dr. Destinee Hood self-diagnosed a brain tumor. What first began as mild, infrequent, and short-lasting disturbances in her vision, developed into episodes occurring more and more frequently.

Destinee got connected with a neurologist who would see her as a new patient (during COVID it was exceptionally hard to be seen by doctors!).

After an initial exam, the neurologist told her she had “hormonal migraines”.

After receiving this diagnosis, something just didn’t feel right. She ordered her own MRI scan, and, that night, got the news that she had a brain tumor the size of a lemon.

The following 6 months, she had brain surgery and radiation. Recovery was a slow process, and felt frustrating, despairing, and downright unfair at times. She experienced severe radiation fatigue as well as problems with memory.

One of the biggest hardships was having a 2-year-old who didn’t know why Mommy was tired or couldn’t pick him up.

Destinee is now 3 years out and feels back to normal. She is incredibly thankful to have had the support of her husband Zach, her family, her dental team at Roswell Dental Care, and her mentor Dr. Remaley. She receives a regular 6-month MRI scan to check that she is tumor-free!

Dr. Hood brings her journey and advocacy to her patients at her practice every day. She works hard to advocate for her patients and empower their voice to be heard.

DESTINEE HOOD/PROVIDED

Do you really think that you can make teeth last for 100 years?

Brought

to you by –

Dr. Bradley Hepler and Dr. Jeffrey Priluck, The Atlanta Center for Dental Health

“Hi, how are you doing today?”

She said, “Do you really think that you can make teeth last for one hundred years?”

It caught me off guard, but I love this question. This is a good question. It came from a long-term patient that I genuinely love and respect. And today she came in with a question that she had already given a great deal of thought. People are living longer. They need their teeth to last longer. Average life expectancy has been increasing for years now.

I had never promised anyone that I could make their teeth last for 100 years. But I must admit that I have thought about it and that it has become one of our goals at The Atlanta Center for Dental Health. I have a curious mind and have done some reading about longevity. There seems to be a growing interest in the topic. Some great minds in science and medicine seem to be making incredible progress. Ray Kurzweil has postulated that in a few years we may reach escape velocity.

His prediction is that scientific and medical advancement will reach a state of adding at least one year to life expectancy every year. Doesn’t that mean that I could live forever?

My answer to the question that afternoon: “Yes, I think that we can make teeth last 100 years. I think that we just need to try harder. People must take really great care of their teeth and prevent problems.”

Dentistry has incredible technology for repairing and restoring teeth. With dental implants and the vast array of great materials, we can do amazing things to fix and improve smiles. But my answer to the question really had to do with preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry is the practice of taking care of your teeth to keep them healthy. This includes brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding sugary and acidic foods, seeing your dentist for regular check-ups, and getting sealants and fluoride treatments. These measures help to reduce the risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. If we can prevent diseases of your teeth and gums and prevent people from just wearing out our teeth, I really believe that we can make them

last a very long time. The Atlanta Center for Dental Health’s mission is to help people achieve healthy, attractive smiles for a lifetime. Even a century!

“Preventive Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.” -Dr. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic

And maybe more! A healthy mouth is part of a healthy body. Our wish for you is that you look and feel your best in 2023!

Dr. Bradley Hepler, Dr. Jeffrey Priluck and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in cosmetic dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover which of these options is best for you, please call us at 770-992-2236. Dr. Hepler and Dr. Priluck are highly trained and certified to provide you with the latest and best techniques to allow you to achieve your cosmetic and restorative goals.

Neck Carotid Artery Disease: What to know and what to look out for

Brought to you by - By Dr. Benjamin Zussman, neurosurgeon at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center

This Stroke Awareness Month, learn the signs and causes of a stroke so you can take action right away if you or someone else experiences one. The Neuro Care team at Wellstar works with patients to reduce their risk of a stroke and provide lifesaving care in the event of a stroke.

The carotid artery is a major blood vessel that brings blood from your heart to your brain. There are normally two carotid arteries, one on the right side and one on the left. At the point where the carotid artery divides into a branch that feeds the face and a branch that feeds the brain, there is a natural location for the buildup of debris, called atherosclerotic plaque.

As plaque buildup increases, it takes up more space within the vessel and begins to narrow the path for blood flow through the vessel. This narrowing is called stenosis. Because plaque buildup is typically disorganized, bits of plaque can tear off or rupture. When a plaque ruptures, it may cause a stroke.

Patients with plaque buildup who develop stroke-like symptoms, or an actual stroke are referred to as having “symptomatic” disease, because the plaque is believed to have caused their symptoms.

In contrast, patients with plaque buildup who have never had symptoms before are referred to as patients with “asymptomatic” disease. Patients with asymptomatic disease may be identified during a physical examination when a “whooshing” sound or bruit is heard over the carotid artery or when an imaging study of their neck is done for another reason. In general, the worse the carotid stenosis, the higher the chance of a stroke.

If you know that you have carotid artery stenosis, then you should watch out for the signs and symptoms of a stroke. One easy way to remember the classic stroke symptoms is to BE FAST:

• Balance — One sign is a sudden loss of balance or coordination. This can also appear as a sudden, severe headache or dizziness.

• Eyes — Blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision can be symptoms of a stroke. If you think someone else may be having a stroke, ask if they are having trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.

• Face — One side of the face may be drooping or feeling numb. Ask the person to smile and see if it appears lopsided or uneven.

• Arms — Look for sudden arm weakness or numbness. Check if the person can lift both arms without one drifting downward.

• Speech — Check for slurred speech or difficulty speaking. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence to determine if they are having trouble talking.

• Time — The more treatment is delayed, the more the brain is damaged. Don’t wait to seek care. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

For patients with mild carotid artery disease, there are several effective strategies to reduce the risk of a stroke. High cholesterol contributes to carotid plaque formation, and providers may prescribe medications to lower the body’s cholesterol level. Carotid stenosis narrows the path for blood flow, so other medications are used to keep blood flowing smoothly around the plaque. Finally, quitting cigarette smoking improves the body’s natural repair mechanisms, since smoking limits the body’s ability to heal vessel walls.

For patients with severe carotid disease, there are different procedures to reduce the risk of a stroke. In carotid endarterectomy, the provider will make a two-inch neck incision to expose the carotid artery. First, the artery is temporarily clamped to prevent bleeding. Then, the artery is opened and cleaned to completely remove the plaque. Finally, the artery is sewn, and the incision is closed.

In carotid artery stenting, a small tube or catheter is inserted through the wrist or the leg and steered within the body’s vessels to the carotid artery. First, a protection device is positioned to catch any debris that may become dislodged. Then, a metallic tube called a stent is expanded to push the plaque to the side and widen the artery. Finally, the machinery is removed, and the entry sites are closed.

The neurosurgeons at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center have extensive training and experience in the treatment of carotid artery disorders. The hospital is recognized as a Certified Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center — the highest level of stroke certification available — by The Joint Commission. Our dedicated neurocritical care and vascular neurology teams provide worldclass care for patients before and after they undergo a carotid artery procedure.

To make an appointment with a neurosurgeon on the campus of Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, call (770) 664-9600.

COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CARE

From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship, Wellstar is ensuring the community in this area has access to expert, compassionate cancer care.

The new Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center brings more than 12,000 additional square feet on the medical center campus dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking cancer treatments right here in the North Fulton area. Services include:

• CyberKnife radiation technology

• Physician expertise in many specialties

• Surgery, medical and radiation oncology

Find care at every step of your cancer journey here in North Fulton.

wellstar.org/northfultoncancercare

Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center 4500 Hospital BLVD | ROSWELL (770) 410-4530

Is Semaglutide the answer to your weight loss struggles?

Brought to you by - Hydralive Therapy

Milton

Obesity is associated with numerous chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, infertility, depression and heart disease. Fortunately, with the advancement in medical technology there are a range of weight loss options that can help people achieve their desired weight loss goals. One of the latest medications that have gained popularity in recent years is Semaglutide.

Semaglutide is a tiny, simple, easyto-administer injection you give to yourself once per week subcutaneously (under the skin) in your abdomen, upper arm or thigh.

It works to help reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness, so individuals may start to see the effects of Semaglutide working after the first dose and could start experiencing weight loss within the first two weeks of their program.

But the injectable weight loss medication is not without its downsides. Avoid eating high-fat meals while taking this drug; doing so could cause side effects like nausea and vomiting due to low blood sugar levels

caused by rapid digestion of fat in the stomach area around where food passes into intestine where nutrients absorbed into bloodstream.

Other side effects of Semaglutide include diarrhea, constipation and gas pains in some people taking this medication but these symptoms go away after a few weeks.

Semaglutide is a promising new weight loss drug that can help you lose weight and keep it off. It’s important to remember that this drug isn’t for everyone. At Hydralive Therapy, we take a holistic approach to wellness. We understand Semaglutide can be beneficial across a wide spectrum of people, but we also believe it is

important to use this medication in conjunction with lifestyle changes. If you’re living with obesity or related medical conditions and you think Semaglutide might be a viable choice for shedding excess weight, get started today by contacting Hydralive Therapy Milton at (470) 359-4815. We’re ready to help you succeed!

Stroke awareness and recovery

Brought to You by - Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs

May is National Stroke Awareness month, highlighting the symptoms and recovery challenges posed by the most common cause of disability in our country. Someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, with over 800,000 strokes and 140,000 deaths in the USA each year.

Almost 80% of strokes are caused by lifestyle choices we can address. High blood pressure is a leading cause along with smoking (which quadruples your risk), diabetes, lack of exercise, cardiovascular disease, obesity, being 65 or older and having a family history.

The most common stroke type is Ischemic, when a blood clot blocks a vein or artery in the brain. A Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. It’s important to know the signs and act quickly, as doctors can give clot busting drugs within 4 hours of the onset of a stroke. Early warning signs include face drooping or numbness in the face, arms or legs on one side of the body, arm weakness and motion difficulty, loss of balance, sudden confusion, speech difficulty or words that don’t make sense, sudden severe headache, blurry vision and trouble seeing from one or both eyes. If you suspect a stroke is happening, call 911 immediately.

After a stroke certain physical issues can occur, including weakness or paralysis, walking, speech and coordination difficulties, fatigue, cognitive and memory problems, trouble swallowing, depression and anxiety. Recovery time differs, and almost 10% of stroke victims recover almost

completely. Another 25% recover with minor impairments and 40% will have moderate to severe impairments that require special care. The first 3 to 6 months are the time to make the most strides in recovery, but performance can continue to show improvement 12 to 18 months out. Recovery is likely to start in a rehabilitation center with a team that includes speech and language pathologists and physical therapists. Researchers have found that after discharge, stroke patients who continued rehabilitation and physical therapy at home had a faster recovery and, after three months, performed activities of daily living at higher levels than those who only received traditional rehabilitation.

At Home Helpers we create a unique care plan that can meet your immediate needs and change as recovery progresses. A heart centered, skilled in-home caregiver can assist with daily consistent exercise - helping to follow your occupational and physical therapist’s techniques that are so vital for recovery. Most stroke patients tire easily and will need help with housekeeping, meal preparation or feeding while regaining use of their hand or arm. Many need help with showers and personal grooming. Your loved one may experience vision difficulties that require them to stop driving, or emotional changes that make them anxious or more easily frustrated.

We’re here to help - from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 and live-in care. For a free consultation please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta (770) 681-0323.

CDC reports increasing mental health challenges for U.S. teens

Brought to you by - Cathy Murphy, Director of Community Outreach at Summit Counseling Center

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are continuing to see a trend of declining mental health among our teens. The data showed more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. The

report also showed more than 1 in 5 (22%) students seriously considered suicide and 1 in 10 (10%) had attempted suicide in 2021.

While statistics worsened for all teens during this period, data shows a stark disparity for teenage girls. In 2021, fifty-seven percent of female students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness and 13% had attempted suicide in the past year.

You can read the full report on

the CDC’s website at tinyurl.com/ cdcyouth23.

We Want to Hear from You!

On May 18th, United Way of Greater Atlanta will be presenting new data regarding Child Well-Being both in the Atlanta region generally and in North Fulton specifically.

Your feedback is crucial as we open the discussion to Child WellBeing intersectionality with mental health outcomes. Participants are

invited to share their impressions and implications of these findings. The discussion will inform a comprehensive perspective and provide momentum toward collective action.

Please join us from 10:00 – 11:30 AM in-person on Thursday, May 18th at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 N. Main Street or via live streaming on Facebook @NFMHC. Register online at tinyurl.com/NFMHC523.

Bubbly:

Continued from Page 8

move. She called up Anderson and the best friends decided to go into business together.

The co-owners wanted to create a business that would stand out in Roswell — something “niche, intentional and specific” that differed from restaurants and wine bars.

Without many champagne bars to pull from, Braglia said the two had the freedom to follow their own vision.

“We were just able to do whatever we wanted to do,” Braglia said.

The pair completely renovated the Canton Street space with a focus on the details. Braglia said she had a vision for everything from the glasses to the architecture. The nine-table space is intimate, which lets Braglia and Anderson have a hands-on experience with every customer.

“We’ve got a great thing, just having something different and not having to think about anything else to by,” Braglia said.

Setting the mood

Pop Alleigh offers private events and champagne tasting classes, but Anderson said the bar isn’t as formal as a wine school or as casual as a club.

It’s somewhere in between, with music and conversation as well as information cards and tasting explanations.

“I feel like we have it all, like we’re curating nightlife in Roswell,” Anderson said.

In the months since Pop Alleigh opened, Anderson said the business

has “elevated” the area, offering customers a place “before dinner, after dinner or instead of dinner.” The bar already has a group of loyal customers from around the town and strong support from the city, according to the co-owner.

The business has been successful

enough that Anderson said Pop Alleigh is opening on Mondays and Tuesdays and extending its hours on the weekends. Anderson and Braglia said they feel like they “have it all.”

“In this short of a time to make (Pop Alleigh) what it is, I know I’m really proud for sure,” Braglia said.

POP ALLEIGH/PROVIDED

Pop Alleigh on Canton Street is a small space, with nine tables and hundreds of bottles of sparkling wine. Anderson and Braglia said the intimate feel helps them create a “hands-on” experience.

PRESERVING THE PAST

Milton volunteers honor deceased veterans

No doubt being a Seabee in Vietnam taught Bill Lusk many things, but what set him apart was his family background. His father and his four brothers were in the construction business. All served in the military during WW ll. His grandfather was a master carpenter with whom Bill worked as a youth.

One of the lasting impacts of his ancestry and wartime experience was his creation of the Milton Veterans Memorial Markers program after the City of Milton was formed. Today’s column tells the story of that journey.

After graduating from high school in the Finger Lakes region of New York State where his ancestors have lived for 500 years, Bill graduated from a two-year program at a technical school and worked for the Ridge Construction Company, a division of Eastman Kodak Company. While there, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees reserve in 1964.

His unit was activated the following year and Bill underwent advanced training at the Naval Construction Battalion Center at Port Hueneme, California. When he arrived in Vietnam in 1966 things were getting very hot. The Viet Cong appeared to be winning the war, and the U.S. was rapidly increasing its forces. The Seabees

were destined to play a vital and historic role as the conflict grew, and the need to construct military support facilities increased.

The U.S. Naval Construction Battalions, widely known as the Seabees, is responsible for building much of the infrastructure at U.S. military operations abroad, particularly in combat zones. If you pronounce the first letters of Construction Battalion, it sounds like Seabee, hence the nickname. The Seabees were established in 1941 to meet the growing need for airfields, docks, bridges and other support facilities during WW ll. They primarily serve the Navy and Marine Corps because the Army has its own Corps of Engineers. Seabees are trained for combat as well as construction and frequently saw action in Vietnam when their construction projects were attacked. Their motto is “we build, we fight” and their logo is a bee holding a wrench, hammer and machine gun.

Bill was initially stationed around the Chu Lai combat base in central Vietnam. During his second tour, he was assigned to Khe Sanh, one of the more remote mountain outposts in Vietnam a few miles from the Ho Chi Minh Trail near the Laotian border and later the scene of a bloody battle. He also served near the Da Nang airbase on the coast where his battalion built airfields, roads, bunkers, barracks and revetments to protect the aircraft. In short, the Seabees built anything that needed to be built quickly and well.

On April 29, 2023, the Seabees were honored with a special monument at the Georgia National Military Cemetery in Canton.

When he returned home in 1967, Bill attended Tri State College in Indiana on

the GI Bill where he obtained a degree in civil engineering. His first job after college was as an engineering project manager for the Detroit Water Department. A job offer took him to Atlanta in 1973. Thirteen years later he started Lusk and Company, a firm that continues to build churches, schools and assisted living facilities and numerous projects for Georgia Tech. He sold his company to its employees in 2018. Now in its 37th year, the company is known as Lusk Commercial Contractors. His favorite project is the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens.

When the City of Milton was formed in 2006 from portions of unincorporated north Fulton County, Bill was elected to the city’s first City Council. He felt that as a new city, Milton lacked an identity and thought that one way to create identity would be to honor our city’s fallen soldiers. He was inspired by the City of Duluth’s veterans’ marker program and was determined to institute something similar in Milton that would help create a sense of place and inspire patriotism.

The program launched in 2007 with about 50 markers which Bill hand built in his home workshop. The City of Milton supported the effort by placing ads in the Milton Herald. The program grew rapidly, and soon Bill and a few volunteers were making 50 markers in his workshop. In 2016 a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization called the Milton Veterans Memorial Markers, Inc. was established. Today more than 800 markers are placed along Highway 9 and in Crabapple for two weeks over Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Bill and volunteers such as Justin de Couto and David Garmon help make the markers. More than than 50 volunteers place the markers carried by large trailers, two of which were purchased from donations, while one was presented to the organization by local businessman and veteran Ron Wallace.

For further information on the program or to apply for a marker send an email to info@miltonveterans.org or to luskwc@gmail.com.

I believe that there is a clear link between the background and wartime experiences of one committed citizen and a program that brings recognition to the City of Milton and honors those deceased veterans who served our country.

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

BOB MEYERS Columnist

FAMILY PROVIDED

Eight hundred memorial markers are set out in about two hours by more than 50 volunteers. The markers remain in place for two weeks over Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

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GARDEN BUZZ

Garden hints for growing lavender in Georgia

I have enjoyed growing lavender in my personal garden for many years. As a second-year Master Gardener in 2009, the North Fulton County Extension Agent requested volunteers to open a booth at the new Roswell Farmer’s Market. I agreed to open a booth named “The Lavender Lady” where I sold cut lavender bundles, lavender crafts and garden flowers.

Garden Lavender is a spiky, shrubby plant prized for its wonderful color, scent and appearance. The plant comes in colors of deep purple, lavender, pink, white and several shades in between. There are over 450 varieties of lavender that exist with more currently being identified.

Our Georgia climate is different from the dry, chalky Mediterranean climate where lavender originated. In recent years, growers have developed a species that is more tolerant of our Southern heat and humidity. It is an English lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) named ‘Phenomenal’ that has been field tested from Texas to Georgia and has even been grown in Florida’s hot climate.

Other types of lavender, such as Spanish lavender (Lavendula stoechas), including the varieties “Otto Quast,” “Silver Anouk” and “Anouk” have been successfully grown in Georgia. The main difference between English lavender and Spanish lavender is their size. English lavender is taller than Spanish lavender and typically has longer leaves. Other differences between the two varieties include their color, the appearance of their flowers and their tolerance of cold weather.

An additional type of lavender that may be successfully grown in Georgia is the Lavendula x intermedia. The “Grosso” variety is considered to have the best scent of all the grown lavenders and is a good cut flower. It is a hybrid of English lavender and broadleaved lavender (Lavandua latifolia). Other lavender varieties that have been successfully grown in Georgia are “Dutch,” “Hidcote,’’ ‘‘Munstead’’ and ‘’Provence.’’ Lavender is best planted as young cuttings in the spring after the threat of frost has passed.

If planted in the fall, choose larger, more established plants to ensure survival through the winter. The plants are hardy in growing zones 5 to 9, which encompasses all of the state

of Georgia. Lavender can be planted year-round unless the weather is freezing. October is the best time for planting so their roots will develop by springtime.

Before planting, get a soil test to determine the soil pH, and if needed work lime into the soil. Every two to three years add a maintenance dose of lime. However, Lavendula stoechas and hybrids do not want lime.

Prune young lavender plants after the cuttings have achieved a height of 24 to 36 inches. Pruning them in autumn after they have matured will help them retain their rounded form. However, prune Lavender x intermedia less severely because it is much less hardy than the English lavender. Lavender stoechas are best pruned in the summer after flowering.

Further reading on the topic of growing lavender includes: “The

Lavender Lover’s Handbook”

by Sarah Berringer Bader (Timber Press), “Lavender” by Tess Evelegh (Lorenz Books), and

“Lavender: A Grower’s Guide” by Virginia McNaughton (Timber Press).

If you are interested in learning more about growing lavender in the south and which species do best, the soil type, and weather conditions best suited for optimum growth, please check out my virtual talk, “Growing Lavender,” on the NFMG YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/8IA-Ku8VKo.

Happy gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in

order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net.

About the Author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Sandy Springs resident Rebecca Pinckney. Rebecca, a Master Gardener since 2008, has grown several types of lavender. She is a native Floridian who has lived in Atlanta all her adult life. Gardening, writing, drawing, painting, and reading are her interests. She and her husband are grandparents to six children.

REBECCA B. PINCKNEY Guest Columnist

CITY OF MILTON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR TEXT AMENDMENTS

TO CHAPTER 64 ZONING OF THE CITY CODE

RZ23-01 – Article XIX Crabapple Form Based Code as it relates to possible amendments related to the District at Mayfield and other related topics of the Crabapple Form Based Code

Public Hearings/Meeting: Mayor and City Council Meeting

Monday, June 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Location: Milton City Hall – Council Chambers 2006 Heritage Walk

Milton, GA 30004

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ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ENGINEER

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

Applicants must complete an application prior to 5 PM, May 12, 2023. Apply online: www.sawnee.com/careers. If you require a paper application or an alternate format, please contact us at 770-887-2363 extension 7568.

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

Mining and Raw Materials Engineer (Alpharetta, GA): Lead the process to create and implement mining plans to guarantee the availability of resources, support new mining projects to add new raw materials, lead the study of reserves and new material sources, and coordinate with Operations the required Capex to invest in every quarry. Mail resumes to Argos USA, LLC, Attn: Mark Prybylski, General Counsel, 3015 Windward Plaza, Suite 300, Alpharetta, GA 30005. Reference job number: JB462198.

Landscaping

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Office Space

Administrative Assistant for Youth and Children

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

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

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

Successful completion of a criminal records and child abuse background check is required.

Send resumes to alpharettajobopening@gmail.com.

Wonderful Office Suite Available

Near (.7 mile) Downtown Alpharetta

• Turnkey – Everything provided

• Utilities included

• Marketing can be included

• Conference Room

• Parking

• 24/7 access

• Private office suite within Appen Media Group’s building

• Easily accommodates up to 5 people

• Office has great light. Ground floor

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

• Smaller office space also available in same building

• Short or longer term lease. Reasonable $

Contact Ray Appen via Text (770-527-4042) or email me at RayAppen@Gmail.com – or just call me but best to text and I will return your call.

Dawson’s

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Children’s Healthcare

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