Milton Herald - June 1, 2023

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Milton sculptor invites viewers through her story

By AMBER PERRY

MILTON, Ga. — Bouncing from place to place across her basement studio, narrative sculptor Kirsten Stingle provided insight into reimagined worlds. The studio is covered in armoires, storing more than just underglaze. Working in ceramics, but also fiber and found objects, Stingle is attracted to the stories she can tell. She hand-builds each piece, without using a cast, and layers them with detail, asking viewers to take their time.

The latest collection concerns

Court denies councilman’s

petition to

reverse Milton ethics panel ruling

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — After a monthslong court battle, the Fulton County Superior Court May 18 denied Milton City Councilman Paul Moore’s petition that sought to reverse an ethics panel decision from August.

The panel, composed of three attorneys, determined that Moore had violated three of the city’s ethics codes when he voted to defer an item related to White Columns, the neighborhood in which he resides. The council discussion pertained to reimbursing part of the costs for traffic calming devices installed by the White Columns Community Association.

mythology, the stories that reflect a more patriarchal culture. Stingle takes figures who have been “ossified” –rigid or fixed – and “weaponized,” like Medusa, and reincorporates them into the natural world.

After describing the mythical figure, who had been raped by Poisedon and punished by Athena, Stingle said, “You’re looking at weaponization of sex, weaponization of power, weaponization of her.”

A new piece, not yet titled, is a bust of a woman hanging on Stingle’s studio wall. The woman’s hair, in thick strands, swirls around like snakes, but

the texture and color are reminiscent of a fungal network. It’s also embellished with gemstones, flowers and even some scabs of saguaro cactus nests.

“We have to sort of re-entangle ourselves into the environment,” Stingle said.

Stingle’s work is women-centric, as she tends to tell her own story. She paints dots on her sculptures’ lips, a signature, as a reminder to stay true to herself. They often feature pronounced, teased, Regency-era hair — another story-telling platform, additional space

See SCULPTOR, Page 6

Moore’s petition also sought reimbursement for attorney fees spent during the panel investigation from Tony Palazzo, the Community Association's president. Palazzo had filed the ethics complaint.

The court found that Moore’s petition, filed in November, failed to meet time requirements because it had not been filed within a 30day time frame following the ethics panel’s final order Aug. 30.

Moore’s attorney, Doug Chalmers, said he “respectfully disagrees” with the court’s decision and plans to

See RULING, Page 10

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Kirsten Stingle describes a new sculpture,

titled. In September, Stingle’s work will be featured in a Paris exhibition.

amber@appenmedia.com

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Unidentified male reported approaching girl bicyclist

MILTON, Ga. — Milton Police were notified May 24 of a suspicious incident involving a young child in the Deerfield area who reported an unidentified White male in his late teens or early 20s wearing a ski mask approached her the evening before.

According to the Milton Police Department’s Facebook site, the suspect drove up to the child in a black sedan while she was riding her bicycle and asked where her friends were. The child

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Victim’s checks altered for different amounts

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton man reported to police May 18 that someone cashed eight fraudulent checks, totaling more than $43,000.

The victim informed police he had written five checks with varying amounts and dropped them into the Canton Post Office.

According to the victim’s bank statements, all five checks arrived at their intended location. However, eight checks were approved and cashed using the same check numbers, but in different amounts, and there were another five sequential checks cashed that the victim still had in his possession.

The victim and the bank did not recognize the fraudulent activity until around May 7. It is believed that an individual logged into the victim’s bank account and changed the contact information online to hijack his identity in order to cash the checks, the police report said.

did not engage the male in conversation, police said, but instead rode her bicycle directly home.

The Milton Police Department said it is taking the matter seriously, and that detectives have been working to identify the person involved. Police have stepped up patrols in the area, and the detectives in the city’s Criminal Investigation Division are continuing to investigate the incident.

As of May 26, Capt. Charles Barstow

The victim’s bank account has been disabled, and he placed a freeze on his credit.

Unlicensed teen cited, along with his mother

MILTON, Ga. — Police pulled over a teen May 21 for speeding at 57 mph in a posted 35 mph zone on Morris Road. The report said the driver had never been issued a license, nor had he ever applied for a permit.

The teen said his mother had allowed him to drive her vehicle, a white Jeep Grand Cherokee. Police cited him for speeding and for driving while unlicensed.

The mother, a Doraville resident, arrived on scene and said she wasn’t aware he was driving her vehicle. But when police informed her that her son said otherwise, the mother did not deny it. Police cited her for permitting an unlicensed minor to drive.

Man’s credit card used to buy 6 tons of gravel

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton man reported to police May 17 that someone charged more than $630 to his credit card at a Tennessee business.

said there are no updates relating to identifying a suspect. But he said detectives have been canvassing the neighborhood and reviewing video surveillance.

“We will continue to have a heightened presence in the neighborhood and surrounding areas as we continue to delve into this investigation,” Barstow said.

– Amber Perry

The victim said the May 15 charge posted on his bank account listed Pope’s A1 Lawn Care in La Vergne, Tennessee. He contacted the business, whose associate provided the invoice showing that the suspect bought six tons of gravel, which was delivered to Moonlight Trail in Brentwood, Tennessee.

The associate also said the suspect had another invoice with her company the next day, using different credit card information.

The victim reported the fraudulent activity to his bank and canceled his cards. The bank did not advise the victim to seek a police report, but the victim said he wished to prosecute.

‘Down and Derby’ Spring Fling raises

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

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

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

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

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

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

Celebrating Award-Winning Pet Care... For Over 49+ Years

(or 343 dog years!)

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

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

MEGAN BOWMAN/PROVIDED

Sculptor:

for layering.

A banner in the far end of her studio: an illustration of Marie Antoinette and the words: “Let them eat cake.” Stingle likes to steal from different time periods and has an eye for fashion porn. She cited fashion photographer Tim Walker as an inspiration.

First time in Paris

In September, four of Stingles’ sculptures will be featured in the “HEY! CERAMIQUE.S” exhibition at the La Halle Saint-Pierre museum in Paris. While not her first international exhibition, it will be Stingle’s first in Paris.

“Being in a different country for a different clientele, collector base … is amazing,” Stingle said.

The exhibition is curated by Anne Richard, founder of art magazine HEY! Modern art & pop culture, and will feature 34 ceramic artists from 13 countries.

The exhibition will be a “rehabilitation” of the ceramic medium, Richard said, as part of her magazine’s attempts to “defy dominant conventions and codes.” Rather than a history of ceramics or an illustration of traditional techniques, she said it is a “testimony to the spectacular energy that permeates contemporary sculpture today.”

Richard chose the artists based on their devotion to exploring an “original relationship to clay as a means of expression and action.” She had an eye on Stingle for some time, having featured her work several years ago in the pages of HEY!

“The quality of [Stingle’s] work, and [her] dexterity with mixed media,

is exactly what I’m looking for in this exhibition,” Richard said. “[Her] work is ‘very American,’ so it’s going to be a great discovery for French and European audiences.”

The exhibition runs until August 2024.

Threading human experience

Stingle’s collections fall under varied overarching themes, concluded once they begin to feel stale. But a commonality among them exists, and it is the desire to thread human experiences in an often-isolating world. To promote a better understanding with one another, Stingle encourages selfunderstanding, revelation.

She intentionally creates figures that are approachable, palatable. But she still gets comments from viewers who perceive some horror.

“It’s supposed to be a dialogue with you,” Stingle said, of those viewers who are alarmed looking at her work. “That also reflects some of the thoughts that you have, and what you might have dealt with in the past …”

Lately, Stingle has begun to advance her mixed media with fiber. She highlighted some pieces, animals with detailed stitchwork, that will be in “Animalia,” an exhibition at the Blue Spiral 1 gallery in Asheville, North Carolina.

One was a bust of a deer with a neck covered in buttons made of mother of pearl, which took her a year to stitch together as she worked between projects.

Everyday, Stingle walks downstairs with a cup of coffee, flips on her studio lights and gets to work. There’s no weekend off. Work and play become enmeshed, she said.

“My work is so much me,” Stingle said. “I’m always in the studio. It’s very much a grounding thing.”

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Four of Kirsten Stingle’s ceramic sculptures will be featured in the “HEY! CERAMIQUE.S” exhibition at the Museum of La Halle Saint Pierre in Paris from September 2023 to August 2024. The exhibition will have 34 ceramic artists from 13 countries.

Continued from Page 1

Kirsten Stingle, narrative sculptor, is represented by Signature Contemporary in Atlanta. Visit kirstenstingle.com.

Milton resident Kirsten Stingle is a narrative sculptor, who primarily works in ceramics but incorporates found objects in ornate mixed media displays.

Roswell officials pushes forward on Canton Street task force

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wilson called the statement unbelievable.

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

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

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

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

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

Run it in the newspaper!

Appen Media files suit against Sandy Springs in police records case

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Appen Media Group has filed a lawsuit against the City of Sandy Springs over access to information from police reports.

In an official complaint filed in the Superior Court of Fulton County May 12, Appen Media Group, which publishes the Sandy Springs Crier, AlpharettaRoswell Herald and four other weekly newspapers in north Metro Atlanta, alleged that it has repeatedly been denied access to initial police officer narratives that are routinely filed during investigations.

Excerpts from police reports included in the complaint involve cases of aggravated assault, street racing and reckless driving, indecent exposure and weapons law violations. But in each case, the investigative report narrative contained one sentence with limited details about what allegedly occurred during the incident.

The newsgroup alleges that despite guidance from the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and multiple other state agencies that initial narrative information must be released under Georgia law, Sandy Springs has denied records requests under the pretense that releasing narrative information would hinder police investigations.

“In requesting the incident reports from Sandy Springs, The Newspaper has asked for arrest reports, including any supplemental reports or narratives from the reporting officer,” Brooks K. Hudson, an attorney representing Appen Media, wrote in the complaint. “Sandy Springs will then provide the Newspaper with an incident report that either has no narrative, or a one-line narrative that gives little to no detail about the incident.”

Without narrative information about what occurred during initial police investigations, Appen Media executives said that neither they nor members of the public will have an accurate understanding of crimes that occur in the community.

While not referenced in the lawsuit, reports filed alongside the complaint also redact the names of officers, without any justification for why the redactions would be permitted under Georgia law.

“The law requires that all initial reports are subject to open records laws, regardless of whether they are called ‘initial incident reports’, ‘supplemental reports’, ‘narrative reports’, or something

else,” Appen Media Publisher Hans Appen said. “Cities cannot avoid disclosure requirements by simply calling files something other than what they are.”

In an email from February, Sandy Springs City Attorney Dan Lee claims that Appen Media’s reading of the law is mistaken, and the city is only required to provide “public supplements” to initial police incident reports, but not other types of supplemental reports.

Lee said that when cases are closed, and there is no threat that an investigation will be compromised, the city is willing to release more documents.

“It is apparent Appen believes that more information is required in the initial incident report, but Georgia Law does not support that requirement,” Lee said. “The City prides itself on transparency and has not encountered this complaint from any other outlet.”

Appen argues they believe that Sandy Springs is violating both the intentions and spirit of Georgia’s Open Records Law by upholding a policy that provides citizens with virtually no details about what crimes are occurring in their community.

“Our ability to obtain complete reports is one of the best tools we have for giving the public an account of how their tax dollars are being spent, how police resources are being prioritized, and how safe their families are in their homes, schools and driving down the street,” Appen said. “We do this accountability journalism and file these open records requests so that the public doesn’t have to. We do need the city to their part though in supplying us the information to relay.”

Beyond that violation, Appen said that Sandy Springs is the only municipality in north Metro Atlanta that provides limited or no narrative as part of incident reports released through open records requests.

“We do not have this issue with our public safety coverage for Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Forsyth County, or Dunwoody,” Appen said. “They generally do a good job of giving us initial incident reports, which provide the public with a baseline of the who, what, when and where a crime has occurred.”

In 2018 Appen Media Group sued the City of Roswell over similar alleged violations of the Georgia Open Records Act.

As part of the lawsuit, Appen Media alleged the Roswell Police Department

See RECORDS, Page 26

Boutique education service to launch in north Atlanta

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

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

Ruling:

Continued from Page 1

file an appeal. He had argued that the City Council’s final determination was a “quasi-judicial” process, meriting Moore’s petition as timely.

“We intend to do everything in our power to assure that Paul is ultimately vindicated as he should be,” Chalmers said.

The court has also given Palazzo 30 days to seek damages from Moore, which he plans to do. Palazzo said he has incurred around $30,000 in fees throughout the process.

He said the ruling was a “resounding victory” for all Milton residents.

“Ultimately, this isn't about me,” Palazzo said. “It's about transparency and accountability in local government.”

The city had acted as “bystanders” throughout the process, Palazzo said, washing its hands of the matter. He said the city and the city’s ethics panel should have been the parties responsible for opposing Moore’s petition.

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

TutorVille offers holistic, individualized and nurturing approach to tutoring, homeschooling and allaround support from primary school all the way through college, officials said. This branch of the TutorVille franchise will serve nine zip codes in Buckhead and will be operated by the Atlanta-based start-up entrepreneur, Ryan Moore.

— Alexander Popp

While they had been named in the case, Palazzo was the defendant.

“It's extremely important that the average citizen should not have to incur these costs, because it's wrong and sets a dangerous precedent that, if left unanswered, will keep citizens from bringing forth potential wrongdoing of elected officials in the future,” he said.

Palazzo shared remaining concerns about the City Council, which had “ignored” the ethics panel recommendation that Moore receive a written censure or reprimand outlining the ethics violations he committed and that they be publicly announced at one of its regular meetings and included in the official minutes.

In October, Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison announced Moore had been already “sufficiently sanctioned.” Palazzo said Moore was then “rewarded” by the City Council’s vote to make him mayor pro tempore in January.

“I think there's a ton more work to do,” he said. “But this should be a wakeup call for our public officials, elected public officials, including Mr. Moore, who sued me as being a concerned citizen.”

TUTORVILLE/PROVIDED

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

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Medley tax incentives spark Johns Creek debate

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

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

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

At issue is a loss in tax revenue for the City of Johns Creek. Kimberly Greer, Johns Creek assistant city manager, said the city will forgo $300,000 in tax revenue in year one. But she said the city would also be getting the same amount in taxes, an increase over the current annual tax revenue received of roughly $80,000.

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

City asks for notification

Fulton County Economic Development Director Samir Abdullahi led the Johns Creek council’s work session discussion. Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne also listened in.

Councilwoman Stacy Skinner questioned whether the Development Authority notifies the city in advance of tax abatement approval. While it

Samir

wouldn’t be “first right of refusal,” Abdullahi said there could be a “courtesy notification.”

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

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

Councilman Larry DiBiase cited a comment made in front of the Development Authority Board, stating that Medley was “dependent upon” the tax abatement.

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

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

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

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

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

“We will see over time that the

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

Hortons loses zoning case

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

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

14 | Milton Herald | June 1, 2023

Hawkers loads senses with street food culture

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

The second and third pieces show themselves later.

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

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

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

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

Street food, an Asian subculture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KALEB HARRELL, co-founder and CEO, Hawkers

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

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

Ashanti Bates, server, and Samantha Benson, general manager, stand together inside the restaurant. See HAWKERS, Page 15

Hawkers:

Continued from Page 14

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

A place for regulars

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

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

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

Benson has been a part of the

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

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

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

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

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

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

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

In late April, Ashford Lane saw the newest of 14 Hawkers locations.

PROVIDED

What truly defines less rather than more when designing a perfect space…

Brought

to you by

- Riccardo Apreda, Tuscany Fine Furnishings

Designers often use the expression “less is more” when consulting with their clients, realizing that there are many things to be considered. Adopting this approach is accomplished by exchanging cluttered and disorganized space for one that reflects simplicity, functionality along with great style. This is something a designer can assist even the most reluctant client with.

In my earlier years I referred to myself as a dense designer. I took great pride in my ability to place many pieces of furniture and art objects into limited spaces. Over the years my thoughts and opinions on what is less and what is more regarding design has changed considerably.

I do prefer less, let’s begin with those built-in bookcases which flank either side of the fireplace or perhaps other built-in display areas throughout the home. Our past trend was to fill the evenly spaced shelves to the maximum. They were often cluttered with books of no distinction, cascading pots of artificial ivy, trinkets from nowhere in particular and indiscriminately scattered framed photos. I suggest eliminating many of these objects along with some of the shelving and painting the back panels. This

creates a subtle contrast when painted a shade darker color than the walls in the room, covering them with a textured wallpaper, such as grass cloth also looks great. Hang larger paintings, mirrors, architectural elements or framed photos on the back panels in the space made available by removing shelves. Staggering the shelf placement allows for showcasing larger single statement objects of art, while symmetry is important, mirroring one side to the other lacks interest and creativity.

Another “less is more” consideration is accomplished by removing those objects which often cover every inch of a side or coffee table. One perfectly placed accessory is elegant. Here is another great example of too much, those sofas and chairs layered with so many pillows that they are uninviting, causing hosts to often toss them “more to less” upon the floor before their guests while encouraging them to sit.

The china cabinet displaying wedding china, crystal and “more” mementos from various occasions is certainly an additional place where “less” needs to be seen. Simply remove the china from the hutch and replace it with a limited selection of fine pieces or remove the hutch completely. I often place the cabinet in another room where it can be used to display books and fine objects of art. Replacing the hutch with a credenza to store the china and crystal is a good

option, this eliminates the visual void when using them to entertain. Enhancing the sideboard or buffet with lamps and hanging a stunning work of art or mirror on the wall above it is truly “more”.

It is easy for a creative designer to move from one room to another in your home and suggest ways to create less, allowing you to see and appreciate more. The difficult question you may ask yourself is whether you are ready for “less” making your home “more”.

Riccardo Apreda, Store Manager and a accomplished, award winning interior designer, with Tuscany Fine Furnishings, providing … Lifestyle Driven Design...Furnishings for Every Room in Your Home, 1570 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 315, in Roswell, 770-993-0640 ext. 2, Showroom Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 p.m. Sun. 1-5 p.m… See why…26,000 Families Follow and Shop Tuscany on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, WHATSAPP BUSINESS, GOOGLE BUSINESS AND YOUTUBE...

Everyday!

How does a School District impact home values?

Brought to you bySam DiVito, REALTOR® HOME Real Estate, The Kloster Group

We all know the ageold saying location, location, location. When it comes to school districts, this reigns even more true. Even if you never plan to have schoolaged children, buying in a good school district brings a multitude of benefits to your home’s value. A good

school district typically means safer neighborhoods, access to sidewalks, restaurants and shops, better parks and recreation departments and active communities. All of this leads to the higher price points for homes located in these areas. The link between school districts and property value is so strong that there has been a recent trend of foreign real estate investors buying property in certain school districts without ever seeing the house. That’s how sure they are that the value of the property will increase.

When a market starts to correct itself

or has a downturn, the schools can significantly impact how much the pricing fluctuates in those areas. People will always pay more to invest in their children’s future, so it is a great strategy to buy in an area that will likely maintain stable and rising home values.

It’s not just important to find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about houses. They should also have extensive knowledge of the house’s surrounding area to best guide each buyer on school districts and the areas in which each school excels to best fit their specific needs.

Homebuyers are encouraged to gather information and research from various sources and tour each school to find the right one for their family!

Investing in your home is one of the hardest and most important decisions you will make for your family. You don’t have to do it alone! Call or email Sam today and we’ll evaluate your needs and get your family into the best schools the area has to offer. Call 404-8035999 or email sam@homegeorgia. com and get a response within 24 hours.

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

Brought to you

by- Holly Geerdes, Geerdes & Associates

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

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

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

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

Mediterranean estates.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trilith’s commitment to providing a holistic lifestyle extends beyond

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

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

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

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

“Where there’s a Will”

Brought to you

byHolly Geerdes, Geerdes & Associates

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

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

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

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

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

There are many things that you still need to be aware of when it comes to being a beneficiary of a Will. That’s why it’s always best to speak to the attorney who drafted the Will or another estate planning attorney to know what your rights are as a beneficiary. Don’t lose your family’s legacy to an irresponsible Executor, and always stay on top of your inheritance so it is not taken from you by creditors, debtors, or the government.

GEERDES

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Five ways to make sure your landscaping impresses this summer

Brought to you by – Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

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

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

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

2. Make a garden plan.

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

3. Install seasonal plantings.

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

variety.

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

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

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

Bill Rawlings and Sherri Conrad

Here comes the inventory

Brought to you by –Tracey Craft, Realtor, The Craft Dolan Team

Ansley Real Estate | Christie’s International

So much for a flat 2023 real-estate market. Those of us in the industry have been feeling the multiple-offer love of 2021 all over again so far this spring. And yet, inventory has just doubled! What’s going to happen now?

With May flowers have come new listings, as months of inventory in North Fulton have reached the highest levels since the first quarter 2020.

Active listings in the seven-city North Fulton market were low at the start of the year. Months of inventory hovered around two, similar to what we saw throughout 2021 and the start of 2022 when inventory levels toggled between one and two months.

Low inventory creates a competitive situation for Buyers,

as more people vie for less homes. Sellers enjoy this type of market because it brings them multiple offers, which not only escalate home prices but also bring amazing terms like minimal due diligence days, waived financing and appraisal contingencies, occupancy after closing, and a quick sale.

We’ve been feeling it. Interest rates have come off the 7% mark and Buyers have been out in droves this spring, competing fiercely for the homes.

But this recent inventory boost gives Buyers more to look at, and it will create another shift in the market. Sellers need to be top of their game this summer if they want to continue to command multiple offers. It’s back to survival of the fittest.

What can you do as a Seller to stand out and feel the multipleoffer love of 2021?

Freshen-up paint, flooring, and soft textiles. Remove door mats, sink mats, small rugs.

Check your lighting. All bulbs should work, and temperatures should be consistent. We recommend soft white.

Remove clutter and pieces of furniture you are not taking with you. This is a great opportunity to make donations to your church, community charity or call a junk-removal service.

Edit back your personal items in the home.

Clean out attics, basement storage areas, garages and closets. Buyers want to see the back of the walls and the floors of these areas.

Repair broken appliances, leaky sinks, damaged blinds or faulty locks and latches. It’s time to do those things you’ve been meaning to do.

Get your HVAC and water heater checked if you aren’t on an annual maintenance plan. If you are on septic, consider having it pumped. A pool? Make sure the equipment is running smoothly. Being one step

ahead instills confidence in Buyers that you have taken care of the home and are presenting them with a topnotch product.

Get a deep clean.

Don’t underestimate the power of curb appeal. If Buyers don’t come through the door, they won’t be buying your house. Plant your flowers and freshen up your mulch or pine beds. Have the gutters cleaned and all hard surfaces power washed.

And if you are not occupying while you list, consider hiring a professional stager. Houses sell faster when they are furnished. We can make recommendations for the right stager, taking into consideration your home type and price point.

Contact The Craft Dolan team for specific pre-listing guidance and a market analysis for your home. We are here to help you get the highest return on your investment. www.ansleyre. com/site/the-craft-dolan-team, tracey@ansleyre.com, 770.722.3119.

North Fulton nonprofits honored at 2023 celebration

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rena Olsen, communications director for Vision Warriors said that with grant funding from Fulton

Records:

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had consistently withheld vital information about criminal incidents from public records. The lawsuit also alleged that the Roswell Police Department had failed to meet time

County, they were able to perform specific outreach targeting veterans in the community to serve them better. Vision Warriors was awarded $86,000 in Veterans Services Program grant funding in 2023.

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

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

requirements for supplying the reports after requests were made.

After a year of legal maneuvering on both sides of the suit, members of the Roswell City Council voted to settle the lawsuit in 2019, agreeing to pay the media company $10,500 in attorney’s fees and provide them a year’s worth of free open records requests.

“Filing suit was always our last and

Hope CDC.

“These programs are so important because they are a key ingredient when we look at the social determinants of health, all of those nonmedical conditions that actually impact health outcomes,” said Pamela Roshell, chief operating officer of Fulton County’s Department of Health, Human

least desirable option,” Appen said. “We spent months and months going back and forth with the city [of Sandy Springs] giving them every opportunity to comply with the law and fill our records requests. They refused, so here we are.”

In an email, Sandy Springs Communications Director Andrew Allison said the city stands by its interpretation of the Georgia Open Records Law and

Services and Public Works. “All of this is connected, not only to their overall well-being and peace of mind, but also to their health outcomes. And we’re grateful for that.”

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

they are ready to meet the complaint in a court of law.

“Sandy Springs will continue to release all appropriate information required under the Open Records Act and, if the lawsuit proceeds, the city will seek to recover costs, damages and attorneys’ fees to respond to these allegations which question the city’s integrity," Allison stated.

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

The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell was one of 25 nonprofit groups in North Fulton honored at a partner celebration held at the nature center May 24. Groups were honored by Fulton County leaders at the celebration.

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Muralist brings smarts to street art class

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

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

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

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

Changed perspective

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

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

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

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

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

Uplifting communities

Aysha Pennerman, a professional muralist, guided students as they

etched their images on concrete.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How a city can paint itself into a corner

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

What about early voting?

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

Publisher Emeritus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s complicated

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florence Barnard Boykin: ‘Mother of Camp Gordon’

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

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

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

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

Boykin began her efforts soon after Camp Gordon opened, having a special

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

Florence Boykin was president of the Atlanta Woman’s Club and used that position to help at Camp Gordon and in her other causes. She served as chairperson of the war savings stamp drive during WW I, recruiting 270 soldiers to sell $1 million in stamps. (Atlanta: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, by John Hornaday, 1922)

The Atlanta Commission on Training Camp Activities held a meeting in March 1918 to recognize the efforts of various organizations and individuals who worked to help the soldiers of the camp. Florence Boykin was given a wristwatch at the meeting in recognition of her work. (Atlanta Constitution, March 2, 1918, “War workers hold meeting on Friday”) Boykin had other causes beyond Camp Gordon, including the AntiSaloon League, Poppy Day, and the anti-tuberculosis league. The AntiSaloon League was a temperance movement, with a goal of making America dry. One of the ways they

See FLORENCE, Page 36

VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist

PAST TENSE

A quick discussion of the art of gardening

Vincent Van Gogh

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

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

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

The “walls” of the garden are determined by the structures surrounding it. In a backyard, there may be a fence or tall trees and hedges. There may be no barriers and just a view into the distance. If it is an attractive view, it may be enhanced by framing it with shrubs or trees or by adding an arbor that can be covered with flowering vines. Tall shrubs and plants that have yearround interest can be used to define the boundaries and provide vertical interest. A variety of textures, color and scale will enhance the periphery and prevent monotony. Selecting a color palette of ornamental plants and flowers can be one of unity or contrast. An all-white garden, such as Vita Sackville West’s renowned Sissinghurst Garden in England, has ethereal, timeless beauty. Gardens can be monochromatic, in vivid primary colors or done in soft pastels.

Continual flowering year-round is a

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

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

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

PROVIDED

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

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

pSQ7BWvjyLkFjL9ZieNAc6/ view?usp=share_link.

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

Happy Gardening!

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

About the author

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

“Art is But an Imitation of Nature.”

GARDEN BUZZ

LINDA MCGINN Guest Columnist

Design in Linda McGinn’s backyard garden

Painting of sunflower by Linda McGinn

The evolution of financial planning

LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP

The Investment Coach

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

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

In 1972 the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation was introduced and 40 men and two women graduated with the first class in 1973. The graduates decided to

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

Access to financial planning

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

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

a person’s fundamental necessities, allowing one to feel safe, secure, and confident.

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

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

Planner specialties

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

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

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

Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group (CIG); 770-441-3553; lewis@capitalinsightgrp.com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA), which is otherwise unaffiliated with CIG. Lewis a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).

Mystery thrillers can sweep you from Manhattan to London

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

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

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

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

“The Cartographers” by Peng Shepherd

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

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

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

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

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

See PENN, Page 34

Columnist

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

THE INK PENN

Harley deal was sealed with a hug

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Penn:

Continued from Page 33

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

“A Curious Beginning” by Deanna Raybourn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I think I’m hooked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIKE TASOS

Columnist

Florence:

Continued from Page 30

hoped to accomplish this was by closing bars and saloons.

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

Florence Barnard was born in

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

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

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS BENEFITS BROKERAGE SERVICES

RFP NUMBER 23-HR01

Proposal Due Date:

June 22, 2023, 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 highly qualified consultants to provide professional services for the update to the Benefits Brokerage Services. 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 23-HR01, Benefits Brokerage Services will be posted on the following websites the week of May 25, 2023: http://www.miltonga.gov and http://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/PR_index.jsp

Facilities/Property Manager for church in Alpharetta area.

Bene ts.

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

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

GENERAL CLERK III - CUSTOMER SERVICE

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

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

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

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ENGINEER

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

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

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

Administrative Assistant for Youth and Children

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

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

Community Events Manager

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

HIRING ACCOUNTANTS!

Entry level to Senior level.

Direct Hire and temp to hire.

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

HIRING EXPERIENCED TREE CLIMBERS GROUNDSMEN

RYAN’S GRAPPLE OPERATORS

CDL DRIVERS

770-292-1998

SUSIE@TREECAREOPS.COM

Human Resources Manager

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

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

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

Volunteer Services

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

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

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

Donor Operations Associate

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