Milton Herald - December 14, 2023

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D e c e m b e r 1 4 , 2 0 2 3 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 1 8 , N o . 5 0

Milton grades performance in its first self-run election Voter confusion, turnout temper tax dollar savings

See ELECTIONS, Page 27

Jason Griffin appointed new Milton police chief ► PAGE 3

City Council votes against active park on Hopewell Road

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — The nearly 1,900 people who signed a petition against converting city-owned property on Hopewell Road into an active park can take a breath, at least for now.

In a split decision Dec. 4, the Milton City Council reneged its intent to install several lit sports fields on roughly 40 acres of land it owns along Hopewell Road just south of Bethany Bend. Mayor Peyton Jamison and councilmembers Jan Jacobus and Andrea Verhoff cast the dissenting votes.

More than a dozen residents spoke to the proposed project’s negative effect on the area, citing increased traffic and noise; environmental issues associated with the site; and its specific location, surrounded by some of Milton’s most significant horse farms that cement the city’s brand.

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — By almost all measures, Milton’s first self-run municipal election was a success – saving local taxpayers in the neighborhood of $100,000, with only a couple of hiccups.

By the end of Election Day, the paper ballots were counted and reconciled, and the results were called.

But, others say cost just doesn’t measure up. Compared to the 2021 contest administered by Fulton County, the November election had a lower voter turnout, fewer polling locations and confusion among some voters who weren’t sure where to cast their ballot.

Cost was one of two key elements that provided the city with momentum to give it a shot — the other was election integrity, a residual concern of the 2020 presidential election and what prompted a preference for hand-counted paper ballots.

11770 Haynes Bridge Rd. 12305 Crabapple Rd. 770.299.8225

See COUNCIL, Page 26

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Judy Burds, poll manager for advanced voting, and two poll clerks perform the last bit of paperwork for the end of advanced voting Nov. 3 at Milton City Hall.

Cambridge High School Theatre wins contest ► PAGE 6

OPINION

State senator bristles at Alpharetta attack ► PAGE 22

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Milton City Councilman Paul Moore introduces discussion Dec. 4 on whether the city would construct an active park on about 40 acres of land property on Hopewell Road.

PUBLIC SAFETY

2 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

Milton offers tips to help residents reduce burglaries 770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 HANS APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

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MILTON, Ga. — In light of a recent rise in residential burglaries in Milton and neighboring communities, the Milton Police Department has developed a Holiday Operations Plan to direct resources and provide strategies to officers to focus on this trend.

Milton Police say they have responded to six burglaries since Oct. 12, all of them with similarities. Police also said Johns Creek and Sandy Springs are seeing an increase in similar incidents.

Homes are targeted during the evening hours, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., police said, and they are entered through the rear of the residence, typically with force through a glass door.

The burglaries have occurred at homes that back up to wooded areas or areas that have an easily accessible drop-off point, such as a golf course, parallel street or parking lots, according to the city. Burglars have also targeted homes in gated communities that border the outer edges of those neighborhoods, the city says.

Police told Appen Media that an uptick in home burglaries is not necessarily out of the norm during the holiday. Last year, police said they responded to eight residential burglaries in December, and this year, there have been two this month.

There is no indication that those committing these burglaries are or could be violent, the city says. Rather,

they appear to work intently not to interact with residents or police.

“Milton is a very safe city, but that doesn’t mean people here — like anywhere — should be complacent,” Milton Police told Appen Media. “A few, mostly common-sense precautions can go a long way toward preventing someone from becoming a burglary victim.”

Anyone who spots a suspicious person or vehicle can call 911 immediately. If you have information of a non-emergency nature that you think might be helpful to investigators, call 678-242-2570 then press option No. 1.

Man reports burglary, arrested on warrant

police arrested him for a failure to appear for a DUI and transported him to the North Fulton County Jail.

POLICE BLOTTER

MILTON, Ga. — A Milton man was arrested Nov. 27 on a warrant after he had reported to police that his father burglarized his home while on a trip abroad.

The man told police that day his father had taken his $5,000 motorcycle in June and had not returned it after repeated attempts to retrieve it.

The man said a house sitter had told him the house was a mess and that someone had been inside, according to the incident report. The man said his father admitted to taking various items, including his bike, and that he would return them once he got back into the country.

Police contacted the man’s father, who said he was “safekeeping” the items for his son and that he had not returned them because of a physical disability. The father told police he would try to return the motorcycle by Dec. 1, the incident report says.

While investigating the incident, police found the man who filed the complaint had an outstanding warrant. According to a second report,

Man suspects caregivers of raiding joint account MILTON, Ga. — An Atlanta man reported to police Dec. 2 that money had been taken out of a joint bank account he and his sister owned.

The man, who serves as his sister’s power of attorney, told police he suspects his sister’s caretakers of stealing around $20,000 across dozens of smaller withdrawals.

He said his sister, a Milton woman, gives her bank card to one of the caretakers to run multiple errands and that every day dating back to September, someone had gone to Chevron on Deerfield Parkway and withdrew amounts between $100 and $200.

He also said that on numerous days, there had been multiple withdrawals from the account at the Chevron location, none of them authorized, the incident report says.

The man provided police information for three suspects.

See TIPS, Page 3

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

Burglars take valuables from Eagle Ridge home MILTON, Ga. — A Milton man reported to police Dec. 2 that someone had broken into his home on Eagles Ridge and had taken around $250,000 in cash and jewelry.

The man said he had returned home that evening and noticed all the lights inside and outside were off, later finding the main breaker box turned off and Comcast cable wires had been cut.

The man told police he then went to his master bedroom and saw door glass had been broken as well as his drawers and cabinets ransacked. He said a safe containing $50,000 in cash, paperwork and jewelry had been taken from his cabinet, according to the incident report. More jewelry was taken from other drawers in the room, all pieces valued at $200,000 in total.

The scene was turned over to detectives for further investigation.

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NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 3

Agency veteran tapped for police chief position MILTON, Ga. — After 12 years of service with Milton, Jason Griffin has been named the city’s new police chief.

Having served as acting chief since Rich Austin’s resignation Dec. 4, Griffin was promptly named as Milton’s permanent chief of police by City Manager Steve Krokoff. Austin joined the Milton Police Department in January 2017after serving as chief for 24 years with the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department.

“Jason Griffin epitomizes the type of person we want and need as a police chief in Milton,” Krokoff said. “He’s a hard-working, talented, organized professional who relates well with those in his department, in city government and the community. He both knows Milton well and cares deeply about it. I am excited to see where he leads his department.”

Griffin has been a law enforcement professional for two decades, having begun his career with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. After several years as a patrol deputy and K-9 handler, he spent most of his time in and around Covington in the Criminal Investigations Division.

The Georgia native joined the Milton Police Department in 2011, about four years after the city’s incorporation, as a detective assigned to a Drug Enforcement Agency taskforce. Griffin climbed the ranks — to sergeant, then lieutenant, then captain — and assumed a wide variety of roles. These included being train-

Tips: Continued from Page 2 There’s no magic way to prevent all crimes, including in your own home.

Still, property owners can take a few actions to lessen their likelihood of becoming a burglary victim, such as: • Use your alarm and make sure your alarm company dispatches police officers immediately to check your residence if the alarm goes off.

• If you have a monitored video surveillance system, please use it and its

ing coordinator, Criminal Investigations commander, Uniform Patrol commander and Support Services commander.

In addition to extensive time in the field, Griffin also brings academic and professional credentials GRIFFIN to his new job. A graduate of Reinhardt University with a degree in organizational management and leadership, he’s currently enrolled at Columbus State University, where he is scheduled to earn his master’s degree in public safety administration next fall.

Griffin also completed a 22-week Northwestern University School for Police Staff and Command program and holds multiple law enforcement certifications, having amassed several thousand hours of pertinent training throughout his career.

Fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and collaboration are Griffin’s priorities in his new role.

“My commitment is to go beyond traditional law enforcement, embracing a vision that anticipates challenges, builds trust, and empowers both officers and the community,” Griffin said. “I honestly believe that when a group of people with a common goal come together under a truly shared vision that nothing is outside the realm of possibility.” activated motion detection features.

• Illuminate your home with both inside and outside lighting. (If you keep some lights on inside your home, it can give the impression someone is home.)

• Work with your neighbors to keep an eye out on each other’s properties, especially when you’re away.

• Make a “vacation patrol request” through the Milton Police Department if you plan to travel out of town. You can do so at this link: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/police/vacation-patrol-request — Amber Perry

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4 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

NEWS

Wellstar’s Chatman to lead board for Georgia Hospital Association

WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM/PROVIDED

Mary Chatman, executive vice president of acute care operations for Wellstar Health System, will lead the Georgia Hospital Associations Board of Trustees. Chatman was named chair-elect of the Board of Trustees Nov. 10.

ATLANTA — Mary Chatman, the executive vice president of acute care operations for Wellstar Health System, was elected chair of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Hospital Association Nov. 10.

Chatman has served on the Georgia Hospital Associations Board since February 2020. She will lead the Board in developing strategies for association members, advocating for the highest quality of care for patients and supporting adequate reimbursement of hospitals.

Chatman succeeds Dan Owens, who most recently served as CEO of Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta and Emory University Hospital Smyrna.

Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Chatman to the state’s Healthcare Workforce Commission in 2021.

In her position as executive vice president, Chatman oversees operations for 11 Wellstar hospitals, rehabilitation and palliative services and emergency departments. In 2020, she led the opening of Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center’s new emergency department, the largest in the Southeast.

Prior to serving in her current role, Chatman was the chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at

Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, where she was responsible for managing the 654-bed hospital and its nursing operations “Mary Chatman’s extensive leadership experience and skills make her wellequipped to lead our Board,” GHA President and CEO Caylee Noggle said. “She is a strong patient advocate, and her experience will serve our members well.”

Atlanta Magazine named Chatman among the 2021 Women Making a Mark honorees, and Becker named her as one of the 75 Black Healthcare Leaders to Know 2022. She was

also named the 2020 West Cobb Citizen of the Year for serving on the frontlines in Cobb County during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded in 1929, the Hospital Association serves nearly 150 medical centers in Georgia and promotes its mission to advance the health of individuals and communities by serving as the leading advocate for all state health care systems.

The association represents its members before the General Assembly and Congress, as well as state and federal regulatory agencies, and is an allied member of the American Hospital Association.

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AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 5

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SOLD • 14041 Triple Crown Drive Listed and marketed numerous times by other agents with no success, our team staged the home and added new lighting to create renewed interest. We also listed at a higher price and were under contract in 18 days at the full list price.

Dear Milton Neighbor, Sixty-five percent of our buyer-side transactions are off market. We love to make transactions as easy as possible for everyone and have well-qualified clients ready to go who also have flexible timing. Please contact us or have your agent reach out if you have a home or property that fits the criteria below.

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COMMUNITY

6 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

Serving Metro Atlanta Since 1977 Hello@AppenMedia.com 770.442.3278

Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers CAMBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE/PROVIDED

The Cambridge High School Bridge Ensemble Theatre places first in the 5A conference at the GHSA One Act Play State Championship Nov. 11. The students were awarded for their production of “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”

Cambridge High School Theatre wins top spot at state competition MILTON, Ga. — The Cambridge High School Performers Cade Alexander and Nyla ers Tanner Moshell and Manuela Nagliati Theatre won first place in the 5A conference Turner were named all-star cast, and Farias Santos won all-star cast recogat the Georgia High School Association’s Benjamin Terry was named best actor in nitions; Nyla Turner was named best One Act Play State Championship Nov. 11. the 5A conference. actress; and Benjamin Terry was named GHSA awarded the Cambridge Bridge The Bridge Ensemble Theatre also won best actor.

Ensemble Theatre for its performance of first at the GHSA Regional Competition at Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison present“The Miraculous Journey of Edward TuNorth Springs High School in October. ed the Cambridge High School Theatre lane,” a one-act play adapted by Dwayne At the regional competition, the group with a proclamation Nov. 17.

Hartford from author Kate DiCamillo’s novel. won best technical execution. Perform— Shelby Israel

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AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 7

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Health care for our pets is moving much more, more and more [to the] human health care arena.

HEATHER MOORE, PetCentric Health CEO 10 | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023

Vet offers preventative plans to Metro Atlanta pet owners

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com ROSWELL, Ga. — As more people look for cost-effective alternatives to traditional veterinary visits, Peach Vet Pet Wellness and PetCentric Health aim to make care accessible to Metro Atlanta pet owners.

Dr. Juliette Van Galder opened Peach Vet Pet Wellness, a boutique clinic in Suite 900 at 601 Houze Way in Roswell, in March 2022.

Peach Vet offers the standard array of veterinary care, including microchipping; spaying and neutering; wellness exams; surgeries; and diagnostics, as well as dental care.

But, Van Galder said the clinic is dedicated to making visits as fearless as possible for patients.

After opening, she said she offered her own primary care plans to help customers until partnering with PetCentric in June.

“I saw the value in what they could offer as a support system,” she said. “I feel like since we’re a small team, I just didn’t want to have too many caveats with managing the ‘what ifs’ with the care plan.”

Peach Vet’s partnership with PetCentric enables owners to come in sooner, so needed visits are not postponed because of cost barriers. The primary care plans allow owners to budget and save up to 45 percent on annual wellness exams, preventative tests and vaccines.

“That’s always important to me to give someone an option, if they don’t have the budget to pay,” Van Galder said.

Peach Vet is the first Georgia and flagship Atlanta partner of PetCentric Health, a primary care and digital database manager for pet owners and veterinary clinics.

CEO Heather Moore founded

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Dr. Juliette Van Galder owns Peach Vet Pet Wellness in Roswell. The boutique clinic opened at 601 Houze Way in March 2022 and offers primary care plans to help pet owners avoid large bills through preventative care.

PetCentric in mid-2022 to provide pet owners with plans that offer financial predictability, ensuring they can follow their vet’s recommendations without the concern of cost.

“PetCentric Health was founded to be an innovative solution as to traditional wellness,” Moore said. “So, we consider ourselves a subscription-based primary care company. So, we work with clinics to custom design an in-house health plan, primary health plan, for their patients that they can offer through a subscription-

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based method.”

Typically, owners visit the vet when their pet is sick, and vets charge owners on a traditional fee-based model. If owners cannot afford treatment their vet recommends, it is often deferred, which can escalate into more expensive and lifethreatening conditions.

“That model no longer meets pet parents or vets where they need to be,” Moore said. “Anything around health, human through pet, you see that the movement of our society, you know, we’re

not a strong cash-based society. We’re a subscription-based society.”

Owners can pay monthly or annually for primary care plans, which are geared toward preventative care to stop costs from becoming overwhelming if illnesses progress.

At Peach Vet, customers can choose between puppy, adult and senior dog plans based on their pet’s age and needs. The clinic also offers one feline primary care plan.

PetCentric’s plans differ from pet insurance, which often covers large, unexpected bills or compensates clients retroactively through reimbursement.

Although primary care plans do not cover emergency visits like insurance, PetCentric’s plans provide a pet flexible spend allowance that reserves money to be used on exams and expenses outside of routine wellness.

“It’s kind of a catch-all for minor issues for which pet insurance is still not really appropriate,” Moore said. “In fact, it might be below their deductible, or they don’t really need pet insurance, but it’s kind of that bucket that pet parents can use for whatever the individual needs are for their pet.”

Van Galder said she still recommends enrolling in pet insurance as early as possible. As primary care plans focus on preventative and routine check-ups, insurance can help owners navigate large emergency bills.

“I’ve had some situations where even young dogs are diagnosed with this rare disease, and they’re already on insurance, and it has covered and helped them get the treatment they need,” she said.

See VET, Page 11

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Vet: Continued from Page 10 Moore also said inflation and rising medical costs put downward pressure on local vets, as raising the cost of services would make them inaccessible to many customers.

The primary care plans offered by PetCentric help owners afford the services their pets need, while helping local vets retain their customers and remain competitive against big industry players like Chewy, which can undercut local operations with lower costs.

As primary care alternatives bring customers back to their local clinics, Moore said pets win by receiving important care, and veterinarians win by seeing the support of their local community.

PetCentric also offers local vet clinics digital services that would otherwise be managed in-house and place a heavy burden on clinic staff.

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 11

“We manage the pet parent subscriptions,” Moore said. “We manage all of the administrative items for the vet, and then we also create the digital experience for the pet parent.”

The digital experience is like the patient portal or virtual chart that a human would have. Owners can track their pet’s last vaccination dates, view real-time health data and see what is included in their CRABAPPLE health plan.

Van Galder said her main drive for offering the plans is to enable her customers to not wait until their pets are sick.

Above all, PetCentric’s plans ensure owners can get their pets the care they need.

“Health care for our pets is moving much more, more and more [to the] human health care arena,” Moore said. “We need to have better solutions for how people pay for their care than what’s out there or what has traditionally been available.”

To learn more about Peach Vet and its services, visit peachvet.com.

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SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Peach Vet Pet Wellness offers primary care plans for Metro Atlanta pets in Suite 900 at 601 Houze Way in Roswell.

The clinic partnered with PetCentric Health in June to make preventative care more accessible to the community.

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CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT! Internal Medicine Associates Internal Medicine Associates of Crabapple of Johns Creek 875 Mayfield Road, Building A 3380 Paddocks Parkway Milton, GA 30004 Suwanee, GA 30024 678.474.9633 678.474.9633 Scan to be directed to the website

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12 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

Local News Is Growing This year, even more than ever before, the news is in crisis.

More than 17,000 news media jobs were cut just by June, at national and local outlets including at some of the biggest names like NPR, The Texas Tribune and Gannett. In fact, newsroom layoffs are up 20% from last year. Some of these outlets laid off more than 10% of their staff in the last few months — even as we head into a critical election year.

These are devastating numbers. But all is not lost.

Many local and independent newsrooms continue to launch across the country. Small newsrooms like ours continue to grow, adding new journalists and expanding reporting and investigations.

How is that possible? It’s all thanks to readers like you. Local news is different from other outlets: we’re strengthened by supporters who believe in the power of journalism that cares about its community.

Today, during our end-of-year campaign, consider supporting us. Our newsroom — and our community — will be stronger because of you.

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Appen Press Club presents

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

AT

Wednesday December 20, 4–6pm Olde Blind Dog, 12650 Crabapple Rd #100, Milton, GA 30004

Join the Appen Media newsroom on December 20th from 4 – 6 pm at Olde Blind Dog in Milton for a chance to meet local journalists, ask them questions and pitch them story ideas, and to hear directly from them about some of the biggest stories they covered in 2023.

FREE TO ATTEND

(Appen Press Club members will receive a complimentary drink ticket)

TO JOIN

To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level.

Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Sponsored Section 14 | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023

Navigate your breast care with concierge services Brought to you by - Wellstar Comprehensive Breast Health Program When a screening mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can be stressful and scary for patients and their loved ones. The Wellstar Comprehensive Breast Health Program supports patients with a full team of experts dedicated to navigating what can otherwise be an overwhelming process.

This concierge service helps patients who have received abnormal screening mammogram results, along with their support systems, make informed breast health decisions. Our dedicated team of schedulers, nurse navigators and breast care specialists will stay by your side through the entire diagnostic process, offering personalized counsel at every step—and it’s complimentary for anyone who has their screening mammogram performed at a Wellstar imaging center.

This integrative program, available at no additional cost to patients who have received abnormal screening mammogram results, offers consultation services via secure MyChart messaging, email and telephone calls, so you can get care anywhere.

Take the first step with screenings Regular mammograms are essential to helping in the early detection of breast cancer.

“If you’re at average risk of developing breast cancer, you should start annual mammograms at age 40,” said Dr. Paula Greaves, Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health. “However, if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your provider may recommend starting earlier and will help you create a screening plan.”

A 3D mammogram provides a series of detailed images of the breast, allowing healthcare providers to better evaluate breast tissue layer by layer, making fine details more visible and no longer hidden by overlapping tissue. A 3D mammogram is clinically proven to provide more accurate breast cancer screening and can help reduce false-positive callbacks for additional imaging.

Call (678) 581-5900 to schedule your mammogram at one of our two locations in the North Fulton area—Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center in Roswell and Wellstar Avalon Health Park in Alpharetta. You can also ask your Wellstar provider to put your mammogram order in MyChart and you'll have the ability to schedule online.

Compassionate follow-up care If your screening mammogram is abnormal and you need follow-up care, a member of the Comprehensive Breast Health Program team will contact you to schedule additional imaging, automatically

If you’re at average risk of developing breast cancer, you should start annual mammograms at age 40. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your provider may recommend starting earlier and will help you create a screening plan.”

DR. PAULA GREAVES Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health including you in this complimentary concierge program. They can also answer any questions you have about the program, next steps, what to expect at your follow-up appointment and more. If your additional imaging also shows an abnormal result, your care team will remain by your side, guiding you through every additional step, which may include additional imaging, breast biopsy or specialist referral.

If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, your treatment and care will transition from the Comprehensive Breast Health Program to the Wellstar Cancer

Care team. The Comprehensive Breast Health Program team will coordinate this transition, and your breast health navigator will connect you with one of our oncology nurse navigators—registered nurses who bring a highly personalized level of guidance and support to each patient.

Learn more about how Wellstar can support you at wellstar.org/breasthealth. Contact our Comprehensive Breast Health Program team by calling (470) 610-1910 or emailing breasthealth@ wellstar.org.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Dedicated breast care means more support for you.

When a mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can be scary and intimidating—but at Wellstar, you won’t have to navigate your breast health journey alone. Our Comprehensive Breast Health Program will ensure you’re surrounded in care with complimentary concierge services and compassionate experts to guide you every step of the way. Our dedicated team provides a personalized care plan, scheduling assistance and education about your care options.

For more information, call (470) 610-1910 or visit wellstar.org/breasthealth.

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 15

16 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

New year, new you: The ultimate guide to conquering your wellness goals Brought to you by – Hydralive Therapy Milton Special Notice: Hydralive Therapy Milton will rebrand to OlympusMD Wellness in the new year, while still offering the same exceptional services.

As the new year approaches, people make resolutions, determined to transform their lives in the coming year. One of the most common goals? Weight loss.

Shedding those extra pounds and reaching an ideal body weight is a popular aspiration, but let's face it: losing weight can be a real challenge.

The path to a slimmer, healthier you can feel like an uphill battle, filled with temptations and setbacks. That's why having a supportive partner on your side is crucial. At Hydralive Milton, we understand this. Our team is focused on overall wellness and will work with you to create a personalized plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.

We offer a range of services including Semaglutide, IV therapy, and B12 injections to support your wellness journey.

Semaglutide is a standout service. This injectable medication has been shown to be effective in aiding weight loss by suppressing appetite and reducing calorie

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HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 17

Personalized Home Care – Going Above & Beyond WINNER

WINNER

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2023

2022

2021

2020

Presented By

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Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of North North North North Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta

Bring joy home for the holidays Brought to you by - Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs The holidays are fast approaching and it’s easy to get lost in the wonders, gift giving and traditions of the season.

For the older loved ones in our lives, this can be a difficult time. Over 25% of seniors experience depression at this time of year. Whether it’s suddenly feeling physical limitations, loneliness or social isolation, the best gift you can give to older family and friends is making a concerted effort to bring joy home for their holidays.

Spreading holiday cheer starts with a thoughtful assessment of what realistic expectations now are and how to help navigate the holiday with grace. Something as simple as decorating a tree may pose a physical challenge. Have a decorating event - help with unpacking, setting up the tree and unwrapping treasured ornaments. Make sure decorating is done safely, with clear walkways and access. Share a cookie baking session and listen to favorite carols. Take a drive to visit lighting displays. Preparations for holiday dinner can be exhausting, so help with the cooking and table setting. Whether it’s reviving traditions or creating new ones, make sure to take holiday events at their pace. Perhaps they’ll actively engage and participate or just enjoy observing.

Shopping can be very difficult and stressful. You can help put together their shopping list, assist with online shopping that may be confusing, have

a “wrap party” and make sure you help keep the gift giving budget reasonable for seniors on a fixed income. A wonderful gift for your older loved one may be one that helps them continue to enjoy their home. Consider a bath chair or grab bars for their bath that provide safety and continued comfort.

As you think of the perfect gift, it may be time for the gift of care. The companionship and skills of a Home Helpers Caregiver can make a beautiful difference in their life. Caregivers can assist with all personal care, help around the house and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. Our carefully matched and talented caregivers not only bring skills, but a heart centered approach and positive spirit that boosts confidence and provides the best possible quality of life for our clients and their families. Whether it’s a few days a week, helping with recovery after surgery or coming home from a rehabilitation center, we’re here to help.

Don’t forget to bring some joy to the family caregiver on your list. A skilled caregiver can help provide some private time, lend balance and relieve some of the stress and burnout that comes with caring for a loved one.

For a free consultation and exceptional care management by a team with depth and skill from six hours a day, several days a week to 24/7 and live-in care, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323

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At Home Helpers, our focus every day is matching the right caregiver with each of our clients. We guarantee a good match.

Finding the right caregiver is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the heart and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.

Serving Communities North of Atlanta www.HomeHelpersHomeCare.com/Alpharetta

For a free consultation, please call 770-681-0323

Greg and Hilary Eldridge,

Owners – Home Helpers of Alpharetta Certified Senior Advisors(CSA)® Each office is independently owned and operated.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

18 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services

Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist

FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

Fourteen-year-old wins science award for soap that treats skin cancer

Insist on the BEST Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

WINNER

WINNER

WINNER

WINNER

Dr. Brent Taylor

Kathryn Filipek, PA-C

WINNER

WINNER

WINNER

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Presented By

Presented By

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Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of North North North North North North North Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta

Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare.

Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today.

3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 • Alpharetta, GA 30005 PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899

Young innovator Heman Bekele recently won 3M’s Young Scientist Challenge by creating a bar of soap that might be able to treat skin cancer. Starting out, he wanted to invent a treatment for skin cancer that could be used in developing countries. Such a treatment would need to be inexpensive and stable outside of air-conditioned environments.

He wondered if medicated soap could fit the bill.

Heman’s soap combines four ingredients: salicylic acid, glycolic acid, tretinoin and a medication called imidazoquinoline. Tretinoin is commonly known as Retin-A® and is the main ingredient in many anti-acne and anti-wrinkle creams. Salicyclic acid and glycolic acid are common anti-wart treatments.

Together, tretinoin, salicyclic acid and glycolic acid can disrupt a person’s skin barrier so that other medicines can better penetrate the skin. This strategy could allow imidazoquinoline to better enter the skin and perform its job.

Imidazoquinoline is an activator or “agonist” of toll like receptor (TLR) number 7. TLR’s are a family of proteins on the surface of many cells of our immune system. When these proteins are activated, the immune system becomes more active.

TLR7, the protein targeted by Heman Bekele’s soap, is normally activated by certain viruses. TLR7 stimulates a part of the immune system that is important for fighting infections and cancer. Given that some skin diseases such as HPVrelated squamous cell carcinoma are both an infection and a cancer, targeting TLR7 has been a winning strategy for fighting certain cancers. In fact, Aldara®

(generic name “imiquimod”) is a toll like receptor 7 agonist (activator) that has been FDA approved since 1997 and is used for the treatment of superficial basal cell skin cancers, certain types of warts, and pre-cancers called actinic keratoses. Aldara®’s clearance rates for superficial basal cell carcinoma are reasonable at approximately 75%.

Unfortunately, Aldara® is known to be a relatively fragile cream. It is supplied in boxes of 12 or 24 single-use packets. Common wisdom is that a partially used packet may be refrigerated overnight and used the next day. However, the package insert says that they are single use and must be stored at 39 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be frozen. These restrictions are reasonable in the United States but are not conducive to use in developing countries without access to refrigeration and temperature-controlled transportation.

Heman Bekele’s soap could be ground-breaking if clinical trials take place and if they prove that imidazoquinoline can stand up to acids, heat, cold, water and repetitive use. Furthermore, potency with short application time might be an issue – how long would someone need to leave the soap on their skin for it to work? If successful, a hardy soap could be a useful vehicle as a topical cancer treatment.

His research is likely at an early stage, but regardless, it is encouraging to read about young innovators problem-solving, thinking globally and trying to make the world a better place. Congratulations Heman!

We hope that you enjoyed this article.

If you or a loved one has skin cancer or any dermatologic or aesthetic need, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta.

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

A traditional Japanese custom and its reflections in modern dentistry

Thank You for Voting for Us 9 Years in a Row!

Brought to you by - By Destinee Hood, DMD, Roswell Dental Care Ohaguro, the practice of blackening one's teeth, holds a significant place in Japanese cultural history.

Historically, ohaguro was a symbol of beauty, status, and marital eligibility. While the tradition has faded over time, its impact is still visible in various cultural remnants and even resonates in modern dentistry. This article explores the roots of ohaguro and delves into its connection with contemporary dental practices.

Ohaguro dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), where it was initially practiced by the aristocracy and later adopted by commoners. The custom involved blackening the teeth using a solution made from iron filings and vinegar, resulting in a distinctive lacquered appearance. Ohaguro was particularly prevalent among married women, symbolizing their commitment and marital status.

As Japan modernized during the Meiji era (1868-1912), ohaguro gradually lost its significance. Influences from the Western world, changes in fashion, and evolving societal norms contributed to the decline of this centuries-old tradition. By the end of the Meiji era, ohaguro was largely abandoned, although some elderly individuals continued the practice well into the 20th century.

Ohaguro's Influence on Modern Dentistry: While ohaguro itself may be a relic of the past, its impact on modern dentistry is noteworthy. The quest for aesthetically pleasing smiles has always been a constant, and this is where the historical custom finds resonance in contemporary dental practices.

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Teeth Whitening Technologies: The desire for whiter teeth in modern society is the antithesis of ohaguro. Teeth whitening procedures, ranging from over-thecounter products to professional treatments offered by dentists, reflect society's current beauty standards. These treatments use safe and effective methods to remove stains and discoloration, enhancing the natural whiteness of teeth.

Orthodontics and Cosmetic Dentistry: Ohaguro was not only about color but also about the shape and arrangement of teeth.

In modern dentistry, orthodontic treatments, such as braces and clear aligners, address issues

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 19

WINNER

WINNER

2015

2016

2017

Presented By

Presented By

Presented By

Best Of Best Of Best Of North North North Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Dr. David Remaley

Dr. Destinee Hood

WINNER

WINNER

2018

2019

Presented By

Presented By

Best Of Best Of North North Atlanta Atlanta

2020

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

WINNER 2021

WINNER

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

2022

2023

Presented By

Presented By

Best Of Best Of North North Atlanta Atlanta

PROVIDED

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related to tooth alignment and structure. Cosmetic dentistry procedures, like veneers, bonding, and contouring, allow individuals to achieve the perfect smile they desire.

Dental Implants and Prosthetics: For those who have lost teeth due to various reasons, dental implants and prosthetics provide functional and aesthetic solutions.

These technologies mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth, helping individuals regain confidence in their smiles.

Ohaguro may be a thing of the past, but its influence on modern dentistry is undeniable. From a symbol of status and beauty to a relic of history, ohaguro has evolved, leaving a lasting impression on Japan's cultural landscape. Today, as advancements in dentistry continue to flourish, individuals have a range of options to achieve healthy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing smiles—embracing a new era that values the preservation and enhancement of natural dental beauty.

Roswell Dental Care is nominated to win “BEST OF THE BEST” Dental Practice in North Atlanta by Appen Newspaper for the 8th year. We’ve been serving patients in the area for over 40 years.

As your cosmetic dentists, Drs. Hood, Remaley, and Urvi give your comfort and trust top priority. We assure you feel confident in any dental solution before beginning treatment.

For enhanced comfort, we offer FREE conscious sedation, including nitrous oxide. Rest assured that your experience will be positive, relaxing, and rewarding. Take the first step in feeling great about your smile. Schedule your COMPLIMENTARY smile makeover consultation by calling 770-9986736.

Dedicated to providing exceptional dentistry and creating beautiful, healthy smiles for over 31 years.

Our services include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Crowns and Bridges in a few days • Custom Baked Cookies Daily Porcelain Veneers • FREE Nitrous Oxide and Oral Conscious Sedation Tooth Colored Composite Fillings • Facial Aesthetic Enhancements Teeth Whitening- no sensitivity including BOTOX and Dermal Fillers Oral Cancer Screenings on all patients Teeth Cleanings, Digital X-Rays and Comprehensive Oral Exams on all new patients Cosmetic Smile Makeovers and Full Mouth Digital X-Rays Reconstruction (Complimentary Consultation) $100 Value Occlusal Guards and Bite Adjustments New patients only.

Snore Guards and Sleep Apnea Analysis Digital X-Rays (90% less radiation) and Intra-Oral Photos Digitally Scanned Dental ImpressionsNo more gooey impressions!

Electronic Records Accept and File all Major Insurances Implants Root Canals Extractions Same day appointments available!

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470.288.1152 • roswelldentalcare.com 1570 Old Alabama Rd • Ste 102 • Roswell, GA 30076

20 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

Look your best for the holidays Brought to you by – Dr. Bradley Hepler, Atlanta Center for Dental Health The holiday season is a great time to take steps to look and feel your best. One way to accomplish this is to improve your dental health and your beautiful smile.

Surveys show that your smile and your teeth are one of the first things that people notice about you. A smile with balanced proportions makes you look young and healthy and feel confident meeting new people and talking and laughing with friends and family. As dentists, we can offer many options to improve your smile which are conservative, non-invasive, and affordable in one simple and comfortable visit.

Modern dentistry gives you so many options to improve your smile with the advances in materials and technology.

Tooth Whitening – Years of stain and discoloration can be reversed with our inoffice and take home prescription whitening procedures.

Cosmetic Recontouring - A simple process of re-shaping the teeth to eliminate chips and broken teeth can make them look healthier and much straighter.

Teeth Straightening - Creating straighter teeth and a healthier bite is a minimally invasive choice. With the latest

advances in clear aligner therapy, Invisalign gives you an attractive smile in a very short amount of time, without having unsightly metal braces and wires on your teeth. The latest materials allow the teeth to be gently and comfortably repositioned in just a matter of months.

Cosmetic Bonding - With the use of tooth-colored materials, we can repair chips and cracks and make your teeth appear normal, natural and vibrant again.

Porcelain Veneers - A minimally invasive procedure which allows us to use thin shells of porcelain. These act like new enamel for your teeth. Porcelain veneers

allow you to change the color, size, shape, and position of your teeth. They are your teeth, only better. Porcelain veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth to change your smile and give you the smile of your dreams.

Botox and Juvéderm - These are safe and proven materials for therapeutic and cosmetic improvements to your lips and face. They can rejuvenate your smile in a matter of days.

Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide all the modern advances that contemporary aesthetic dentistry offers. You will realize immediate results with non-invasive and often inexpensive procedures to enhance your smile. If you would like a complementary consultation to discover your smile enhancing options, please call the Atlanta Center for Dental Health at 770-992-2236. Dr. Bradley Hepler has spent many hours dedicated to perfecting and updating the latest and best techniques in dentistry. It is with this breadth of knowledge that they provide each patient with the perfect solution to their situation, their life, and their goals. It is our great pleasure to serve this community and help as many people as possible live their best life.

THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST OF NORTH ATLANTA 2023

2023 2022

2022

Best Dentist Dr. Bradley Hepler

Best Dentistry

TRUSTED, COMFORTABLE DENTAL CARE • General and Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns and Implants • Root Canals and Tooth-Colored Fillings • Invisalign

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Most Insurance Plans Accepted Financing Options Available

11190 Haynes Bridge Rd., Alpharetta (770) 992-2236 • atlantacenterfordentalhealth.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 21

Your youthful smile Brought to you by – North Fulton Smiles

Winter wellness Navigating seasonal depression with strength and support Brought to you by- Summit Counseling Center As the winter chill settles in, December not only brings holiday festivities, but it also sheds light on Seasonal Depression Awareness Month.

Amidst the joy, it's crucial to acknowledge and address the challenges many face during this season. Here are some helpful ways to combat seasonal depression if you find yourself struggling this winter: •Establish a routine: Keep a consistent schedule of restful sleep, healthy eating, and regular exercise to ease depression symptoms.

• Embrace natural light: Try to get sunlight, even in small doses, to boost serotonin levels. Light therapy can also help if you're unable to get outside dur-

ing the daytime.

• Connect with loved ones: Social support can be a powerful antidote to the winter blues. Plan regular gatherings, whether virtually or in-person, with family and friends - not only for emotional support, but also to ease isolation during the colder months.

• Consider therapy: Explore the benefits of therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as professional counseling can provide valuable tools and coping strategies to navigate the challenges of the season.

At The Summit, we understand the unique struggles this season can pose.

Our dedicated team is here to offer support and guidance. If you or someone you love is navigating seasonal depression, reach out to us. Visit www. summitcounseling.org

In order to understand a youthful smile, one needs to know the look of aging teeth. An aging smile can occur as a person gets older, however, they can be influenced by various factors such as oral habits, lifestyle choices, and dental hygiene care…at any age!

Some of the most common features of an aging smile are: 1. Teeth yellowing: Over time, and many coffee/tea, chocolate, wine and tobacco indulgences later, teeth can lose their natural brightness and present more yellow.

2. Tooth wear and tear: Years of grinding, taking out one’s stress on one’s teeth, and misaligned teeth can contribute to excessive and uneven tooth wear and flatter and shorter surfaces.

3. Gum recession: gum recession exposes the darker root surfaces and makes teeth look longer and less esthetic.

4. Tooth loss: missing teeth can impact the appearance of one’s smile and contribute to decreased lip and cheek support and fullness causing facial changes.

5. Teeth crowding: As we age our teeth have a tendency to shift in a forward direction, causing the front teeth to become more crowded.

To maintain a youthful smile here are a few tips:

1. Avoid staining: Avoid tobacco and limit stain causing and enamel eroding acidic foods and drinks.

2. Whitening: professional dental whitening can remove most stains and bring back the luster and brightness to one’s teeth.

3. Resin bonding: Tooth colored fillings do a beautiful job of masking exposed root surfaces and restoring the beautiful shape of the teeth, and thus enhance one’s smile.

4. Tooth replacement: In today’s world, replacing a tooth with implant therapy is the gold standard of dentistry and has long lasting benefits in maintaining the longevity of one’s dentition.

5. Orthodontics: Crooked and misaligned teeth can be corrected using braces or aligners and immediately restore the “wellness” of the smile. It is amazing what a straight smile does to restore youthfulness and confidence! 6. Occlusal guard: A bite guard can shield the teeth from the harmful effects of clenching and grinding.

Maintaining a youthful smile is a lifelong commitment to YOURSELF! Regularly consulting with a good dentist who is committed to your optimal dental health and smile will help ensure personalized advice and appropriate care and methods keep your smile healthy and youthful.

Call us for a free consultation (upon mention of this article) on how we can help you rejuvenate your smile! 

Feel good about your teeth.

2018

2020

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

Honored as 1st Runner Up Best Dentist 2018

2023

Best Of North Atlanta

Best Of North Atlanta

Honored as 1st Runner Up Best Dentist 2020

Honored as 1st Runner Up Best Dentist 2021

Honored as 1st Runner Up Best Dentistry 2023

Presented By

Honored as Winner Best Dentist 2019

2021

Best Of North Atlanta

Presented By

We provide full-service general and cosmetic dentistry for our valued patients and measure our success in our ability to always exceed your expectations.

Presented By

• One-Day Crowns • • Implant Therapy • General and Cosmetic Dentistry

770 569-0613

northfultonsmiles@gmail.com | www.northfultonsmiles.com 12315 Crabapple Road, Suite 121, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004

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22 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

OPINION

Alpharetta shifts blame Connections keep coming for its uphill struggles for those who seek them to lasso NHL franchise Alpharetta is all ears, awaiting word from Brandon Beach to explain why he’s promoting a professional hockey franchise in neighboring Forsyth County instead of in his home city.

PAT FOX Alpharetta City Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com councilmembers took turns Nov. 25 berating the executive director of True North 400, a self-taxing community improvement district that promotes and funds improvements in Alpharetta, Roswell and Milton. Beach is also a state senator, representing Alpharetta and other parts of North Fulton and Cherokee counties. Neither his Senate district, nor his community improvement district covers an inch of Forsyth County.

They blasted Beach because he participated in a discussion about unofficial reports that a National Hockey League franchise is destined for The Gathering, a development proposed in Forsyth County.

Alpharetta officials say they’d like the hockey team headquartered in its North Point corridor, an area that has lost much of its retail luster over the past 10 years since the opening of mega-entertainment developments in other parts of the city, like Avalon and City Center.

Beach says the Alpharetta City Council’s scorn is a lot of bunk.

“I was on a radio show…I was bragging about Avalon and the interchanges and all the stuff we’ve done and why we changed our name to True North 400 so we could be more involved in economic development, because since COVID a lot of office space is vacant,” Beach said.

At the end of the interview, Beach said, he was asked about the hockey arena.

He said he responded by acknowledging that it had been in the paper that plans were presented to the Forsyth County Commission in April that might bring a professional hockey franchise to The Gathering in South Forsyth. If approved by the Forsyth County Commission, The Gathering would be a massive, $2 billion entertainment complex along Ga. 400, just 3 miles up the road from Alpharetta. It would include a 750,000-square-foot sports arena.

“In no way, shape or form am I promoting it or was I promoting it,” Beach said. “I was giving facts.”

The senator said the Alpharetta

mayor and council overreacted to his comments.

“Would I love to see it in North Point Mall? Yes, and that would be an ideal location,” Beach said. “But, I will tell you, if it’s not going to go to North Point Mall, I’d much rather it go an exit up than go to Gwinnett or Cobb (counties).”

Alpharetta can blame itself Amid the vitriol leveled against Beach at the Nov. 25 Alpharetta meeting, City Councilman Jason Binder tempered his comments saying pretty much what Beach says: if Alpharetta can’t have the hockey franchise, it may glean some residual economic scraps from having it nearby.

Facts may help resolve this.

While the city made no formal announcement, Alpharetta knew about a possible hockey franchise way back in January. It commissioned a $50,000 feasibility study to determine whether such an enterprise would be a good fit at North Point. Ten months later, that study still isn’t completed. I checked.

In March, local media reported that Vernon Krause, an auto dealership magnate and philanthropist, was laying plans for his Forsyth County stadium. He presented his plans for The Gathering, including the stadium, to the Forsyth County Commission in April. Shortly after, county staff were charged with determining the scope of an independent study to analyze the project’s fiscal impact and requirements from local government.

Alpharetta was either caught flatfooted or Forsyth County got lucky.

Or…maybe Forsyth had made itself a better fit.

Alpharetta has decided to take it out on Brandon Beach.

A power broker Beach has always moved in powerful circles. He’s a state senator and heads a massive community improvement district. He’s a former CEO of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of the Georgia Department of Transportation and chaired the Georgia Senate Transportation Committee.

He is many things: direct, forceful, blunt. But he is not some Himalayan yeti who can wrestle a professional ice rink 3 miles to the south.

See FOX, Page 28

Connections and circles keep on coming when you least expect it. If you put yourself out there, I think it is almost a given that every day can bring something or someone new – if RAY APPEN you look.

Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com As I age, I slowly – much more slowly than most – begin to learn more. For example, my default as an almost 70-year-old guy is to stick pretty close to myself. I have a miniscule circle of friends and I rarely go out or socialize in any way, and I am OK with that. I read. I write.

I read more. And I try to spend as much time at the beach – reading, writing, and sometimes running – as I can. Oh, almost forgot, I also work on my tennis (against a backboard usually) and spend time with my kids and grandchildren.

All that is fine, except I have repeatedly found in my reading that there appears to be a high correlation between dementia and socialization.

That is, it is suggested that the more social one is – the more engagement and interaction a person has – the less likely it is to get dementia. Crap.

Not good.

I also have read that perhaps the variable most tied to dementia is hearing loss. That is, if you want to try to postpone or prevent dementia and you are losing your hearing, get those hearing aids now!

So, I do have the hearing aids, but I am not sure where they are at the moment. But when I know where they are, I definitely wear them. Hmmmm.

But this is not a column about dementia. It is one about connection.

So, after about 10 years on the West Coast – including several years in Berlin – my daughter Amelia recently moved home from Oakland, Calif., to a “holler” – 5 acres with a large stream down a number of gravel roads deep in the woods in Ellijay.

She and her two dogs – a husky and a mastiff – see bears, turkey and assorted other wildlife almost daily on their morning walk.

Previously she was a dancer – a ballerina with a degree in dance from the University of Oklahoma. Now, she studies soil up there in Ellijay. She is close to completing a multi-year online program on soil. She has always wanted to save the world. She used to pack sandwiches for the homeless

people she would encounter on the subway or bus. She tried to create a program for refugees in Oakland.

Now she wants to save the world from Round-Up and the other pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers that are killing us and our food supply.

“Compost” is a big part of what she wants to do. It is a major component of her program. Usually, most people think of compost as something that takes place of many months as organic matter breaks down and finally turns into soil. Amelia now is able to create compost from scratch in about 20 days. The process is fascinating. Who knew?!

To make her compost, she uses wood chips as one of the core ingredients. She has had a difficult time sourcing them, so I told her I knew someone in Norcross who was in the mulch business and might be able to supply her with the wood chips.

Bob Delbridge used to advertise with us off and on since 1990, but I had not had contact with him in years.

I wasn’t sure if he was still in the mulch business, so I called him. He answered. Yes, he is still in the business.

“Sure Ray, just come over and I’ll load up your truck. How have you been?”

Bob and I greeted each other as if it was yesterday that we had last visited instead of a decade or more.

We are both entrepreneurs and used to compare notes on marketing, advertising, sales and such. We think a lot alike. I shared with him that for the past several years all I had read about was related to trees, soil and fungal networks – and that the stimulus for that came from having read a book called “The Overstory,” a Pulitzer Prize work by Richard Powers.

“It’s about the eco-wars back in the ’60s and ’70s on the West Coast,“ I told him.

One of the main characters I told Bob was based on the life of a real person named Julia “Butterfly” Hill, a young environmental activist who lived on a platform in the top of a 1,000-year-old, 200-foot Redwood for a little over two years to protect it from being cut by the Pacific Logging Company. She named her tree “Luna.”

“She is my hero” I told Bob. He looked at me puzzled, with wide eyes.

“Luna…my daughter Jamie was a tree sitter too back then,” he said,

See APPEN, Page 29

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15 More, in Madrid 52 Meager part 73 Put in the hold 17 Some textile 53 “I read you” 50 Supermodel workers 54 Photog’s request Benitez 21 Killer whale 56 Draws nigh 51 Bill ___, TV’s Down 22 High-hat 57 Egyptian water Science Guy 23 Low dam 1 1773 jetsam lily 52 A.A.R.P. 24 Not busy 2 Raggedy doll 59 Neighbor of Ger. members 25 Writes down 3 Angular distance 63 Blackguard 55 British police 27 Gives a hand 4 Sun block?

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See Solution Page 31

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24 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

Artist Clayton Pond shows the power of vibrant color Clayton Pond was a well-known artist in New York City’s Soho artist neighborhood when he and his family moved to what would become the City of Milton in 1955. His wife Marjorie, a vice president for Neenah Paper a former division of Kimberly Clark, was relocated to this area. Clayton was a pioneering resident of the Soho art district for some BOB MEYERS 30 years.

Columnist Once in Milton, he installed his studio on the lower level of his home and continued to produce his distinctively personal paintings in oil and acrylic on canvas and other surfaces. He is known for his very large colorful canvases and his limited-edition silkscreen prints. He was an early adopter of silkscreen printing, or serigraphy. His limited-edition prints often highlight his larger works. Pond has developed a unique and easily recognizable style focusing on everyday items.

Clayton Pond is best known for his use of color to create emotional responses. His paintings feature unique color harmonies that generate excitement. He focuses on manmade subjects, not landscapes.

“I think of color as a fourth dimension,” he says. “No single color by itself means very much. Putting the right colors together can create visual stimulation and energy. I like to see how colors vibrate when next to each other.”

Clayton was born in Bayside, New York, and raised in Port Washington on Long Island. He attended Hiram College near Cleveland, Ohio, where he took some art courses and then transferred to Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1964. He entered graduate school at Pratt Institute in New York City where he began to develop his unique interest in the use of bright, intense (he calls them happy) color relationships. While earning his graduate degree he also taught himself the serigraph (silkscreen) process and began to exhibit in national exhibitions.

In 1966, his silkscreen prints were shown in the Brooklyn Museum’s National Print Exhibition and in the Boston Printmakers Annual Show. The following year, he participated in a group exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. After his graduation from Pratt, he joined the Martha Jackson Gallery, one of the most prominent New York galleries at the time where he remained throughout his New York career.

Immediately after grad school, Clayton traveled to Africa under State Department auspices to lecture about American art and to host silkscreen workshops for local artists in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

He was an early pioneer in the Soho area of lower Manhattan. He occupied his first studio on Broome Street for three years before moving to a studio on Greene Street, where he stayed for 26 years. The interior and exterior of the artist lofts were often his subject material during that period of his life. His Columns series, for example, focused on buildings in Soho that had cast iron facades and columns, inspired by ancient Greece. He says his works are a kind of historic documentation of NYC at that time. Other series include his Shuttle Craft series and a commission for NASA which hangs in the visitor center at Kennedy Space Center.

Over the years, Pond’s work has been exhibited in many important venues. He has had more than 50 solo exhibitions, and his art is in the collections of more than 60

FAMILY/PROVIDED

Clayton Pond, “The Crusher,” 2021, 48 x 72”, acrylic on canvas, Quarry Series .

FAMILY/PROVIDED

Clayton Pond hangs his painting, “Cables with Catwalk and Cables,” at the Marathon Performing Arts Center in Findlay, Ohio, in May 2023. This 2020 acrylic on canvas painting from his Quarry Series measures 48 x 60”.

museums and public collections. At least two dozen leading corporations include his work in their collections. He has participated in countless group exhibitions and has lectured widely.

Pond continues his work in his Milton studio making paintings, collages and more recently small painted relief sculptures made of Styrofoam packing blocks. He devotes many hours, days and sometimes months to a single large painting because of its multiple layers of color and intricate designs. Some of his paintings are 7 x 9 feet. A commissioned painting for the NASA Air and Space Museum illustrating Halley’s Comet was 9 x 11 feet.

His most recent project was a show earlier this year of 50 paintings in his Quarry Series on display in the Marathon Performing Arts Center in Findlay, Ohio, sponsored by the National Lime and Stone Company in honor of its 120th anniversary.

For further information on Clayton Pond, visit his website at claytonpond.com.

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

BOB MEYERS/APPEN MEDIA

Clayton Pond, “Halley’s Comet” 1985, 109 x 132 x 5”, Acrylic on birch wood and Formica. Painted in 1985 for a National Air and Space Museum special exhibition on the return of Halley’s Comet. Halley will next visit our solar system in 2061.

Clayton Pond, left, and astronaut John Young at National Air and Space Museum with a painting commissioned

by NASA, November 1982.

FAMILY/PROVIDED

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 25

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TIP YOUR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON This holiday season, consider giving your newspaper delivery person a tip for their weekly delivery of the free community newspaper to your driveway. These folks work hard to make sure you are informed of all the local happenings, rain or shine, week in and week out.

Importantly, at Appen Media, we have always been intentional about our desire to keep delivery of our newspapers free. That said, it would mean the world to us if you would consider tipping your newspaper delivery person so that they will have a little extra money for the holiday season.

If you can help us help these amazing people, we promise to keep delivering high quality news to your driveway, for free, every week. Free home delivery of 105,000 homes is hard work – and we couldn’t do it without our amazing delivery folks.

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100% of every dollar you contribute will be spread out evenly between the 24 newspaper delivery people that Appen Media employs. Whether you give $5 or $50, they will greatly appreciate it.

2 If you prefer, you can also mail a check made out to “Appen Media Group C/O Newspaper Delivery Tip” to 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

26 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

Council: Continued from Page 1 One speaker was Cindy Hester, who owns a 22-acre farm with her husband Kyle next to the property — horses graze just a few yards away.

“We already can hear King’s Ridge, North Park and some Cambridge High School activity, and they're approximately 2 miles away,” Hester said. “Can you imagine activity being literally 10 to 20 yards from our property … actually our pastures?”

While the City Council set aside plans for an active park following the nearly two hours of public comment and debate, City Attorney Ken Jarrard said one lesson in “Local Government 101” is that one council cannot bind a future council — unless the city sells the property or approves a conservation easement in perpetuity.

No permanent decision was made that night though, leaving the next council to decide on what actually happens to the Hopewell Road property.

Better planning In August, Appen Media reported that the city began planning for the park on Hopewell Road in 2021, drawing up preliminary designs consisting of multipurpose fields, baseball fields, batting cages and field lighting.

At the time, the estimated cost to construct the park was $7.5 million in addition to grading and a parking lot. But, at the City Council meeting Monday evening, that estimate almost doubled to $14 million.

That’s not including the nearly $5 million spent on the land, across two purchases, with about 14.5 acres in a flood plain, rendering that area unbuildable.

City Councilman Paul Moore introduced discussion on the item, which had not yet been publicly discussed by the council. Residents came to know the plans through open records requests.

Moore said the city thought it had performed its due diligence when purchasing the land, with the intent of building an active sports park. But, he admitted he did not visit the location to see what kind of impact it would have.

“I was more enamored with the idea that, ‘Oh my goodness, we know that our repeated studies have shown that we are under-resourced when it comes to a couple of triangles and a couple of rectangles,” Moore said. “I'm not one who dismisses that need. I raised three children in this community.”

Moore proposed the city do better in the future to account for conversations with surrounding neighbors, similar to what City Manager Steve Krokoff had shared with Appen Media.

In a July interview, Krokoff said he had been tasked with looking at alternative solutions for land acquisition. While the city can’t publicize property searches, he said it is considering using the 60-to-90-day due

NEWS

Mountain bikers look to Hopewell Dave Thoman, head coach of Milton High School’s mountain bike team, asked the Milton City Council Nov. 20 to consider placing bike trails at the property it owns on Hopewell Road — a site of much debate.

Thoman also leads the North-Metro Interscholastic Trail Riding Organization, or NITRO, consisting of Milton, Roswell High School and the Cottage School. He said the group must travel to other cities to practice, like Roswell for its trails at Big Creek, and it wants something local.

He was joined by NITRO Team Director Rahul Gupta and a parent, Holly Henderson, who said her son has learning disabilities and has thrived through mountain biking.

“It very much has saved my child’s life,” Henderson said.

She said NITRO doesn’t want a “mega park,” but a place for children who may not be able to participate in organized sports.

That same night, several speakers raised concerns about Milton’s intention to build an active sports park on Hopewell Road, the tail end of a months-long campaign. The same camp would eventually laud the City Council at its Dec. 4 meeting, where councilmembers cast aside those plans.

But, whether the city keeps the property as passive space — which could include trails — remains up in the air.

In an interview, Thoman said mountain biking is one of the fastest growing scholastic sports in the state. In the past six years, he said the number of participants in Georgia doubled to 1,400.

Thoman said there were 43 participants in NITRO this past diligence period to involve residents in a conversation.

Need for field space Not everyone opposes an active park on Hopewell Road. Several residents told the council the city is severely under-resourced, that it needs active park space.

Youth sports coaches, players, parents and other stakeholders made their remarks — many agreeing with those opposed who came before them, that it’s not an “us versus them” debate because everyone wants youth sports in Milton to thrive.

Tim Godby, head varsity coach of the Milton High School girls’ lacrosse team and director of the Eagle Stix Lacrosse, described the current state of his program.

“We are kind of at a point in our program where there is room to grow, but we're kind of at a spot where we can't grow anymore,” Godby said.

Scott Stachowski, a Milton Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member, also raised the lack of city resources, referencing the city’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. With the 8.5-acre Legacy Park sports complex on Cox Road, the document projects the city will need 47.5 acres by 2027 and will be short of four multipurpose fields and six baseball fields.

“There will always be, let’s be clear, a neighbor who says, ‘Not in my backyard,’” Stachowski said.

Finding active field space has been a longstanding effort for Milton.

Krokoff said the city has been allocating money toward its capital program for parks since before he arrived at the city.

The process was sped up, he said, once the city withdrew from an agreement with

DAVE THOMAN/PROVIDED

The North-Metro Interscholastic Trail Riding Organization, consisting of Milton and Roswell high schools and The Cottage School, had 43 participants this past year. The group is seeking mountain bike trails in Milton.

season, 10 more than the year before, who earned a total of 21 podium finishes, five of which were first place.

Thoman said future trails, for both bikers and walkers, could be maintained by a group like the Roswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization and that directional signs would help the flow of traffic.

“It's not going to be one of those sports complexes that it sounds like everyone was up in arms about, rightly so I suppose,” he said.

We are kind of at a point in our program where there is room to grow, but we’re kind of at a spot where we can’t grow anymore” TIM GODBY Head coach of the Milton High School girls varisty lacrosse team Alpharetta for shared programs and money was reallocated.

Between 2012 and 2019, Milton paid Alpharetta a substantial amount each year so its residents could participate in Alpharetta programs — in 2018, Milton residents accounted for 14,300 registrations for Alpharetta-based recreation programs and paid Alpharetta $453,100 in fees.

Milton on its own One solution that had been brought up by those opposed to the active park on Hopewell Road was the city’s potential use of Alpharetta’s North Park about a mile away. During public comment on the item, Milton resident Pitts Carr said the park was “practically deserted” five days out of the week.

But, Councilman Jacobus said Alpharetta has told Jamison sharing its fields was “never gonna happen” and to “take a hike.”

“They’re using their parks all the time,” Jacobus said. “They have no room for us.

— Amber Perry Even though it may look like that park is not being used 100 percent of the time, they don't want to share with Milton. It's up to Milton to take care of itself.”

Jacobus said he didn’t want to continue kicking the can down the road, knowing that kids were coming home from practice late at night because they must travel to play.

“I'm not opposed to selling this property and going somewhere else,” Jacobus said. “But, we've spent, since I've been on council, two years looking for land, and there's been none for sale. We've looked everywhere.”

Mayor Jamison recalled his time as a councilmember in the back rooms during executive sessions, trying to find 30-plus acres for an active park. He said he didn’t want to support Moore’s motion because of the level of commitment in passing up the space.

“I just hate to commit to them one way or the other,” Jamison said. “... I don't want to look them in the eyes, and I tell them I’m not going to put an active park there.”

Since the petition had come to light, garnering widespread support, the city intended to combine the efforts of the Equestrian Committee and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to take a hard look at its inventory of land for active park space.

It didn’t happen though, due to Milton's undertaking of running its own municipal election this year.

Jamison cautioned the council about not having any of the data that would have come from those joint work sessions.

“More study is not going to fix the challenges this property has,” Moore responded.

NEWS

Elections:

Voter turnout

15

Continued from Page 1 Milton City Manager Steve Krokoff, who also served as the election superintendent, said the “actual dollars spent” for the election parked at around $115,000 which included some onetime costs.

A large chunk of the cost was attorney fees — about 15 percent of it. City Attorney Ken Jarrard dedicated one of his lawyers to the election. City staff had her cell phone number on hand when they had difficulty parsing state code.

“There’s so much ambiguity,” Krokoff said in an interview Dec. 5. “And, you know, elections aren’t like horseshoes and hand grenades. You gotta be exact.”

Krokoff’s overall cost estimate is significantly lower than what the city would have paid had it opted to stick with Fulton County. In August, a Fulton County official told Appen Media that the county would have charged more than $217,000 for the general election, and that likely would have increased.

Because Alpharetta later canceled its municipal election due to no contested races, the new county-created, percentage-based formula that determined what to charge would have placed a greater share of the administrative cost on the other cities.

Opportunity cost One camp assesses the election success based on actual dollars spent, calling Appen Media’s effort to quantify the city time dedicated to Milton’s election “absurd” — as one Milton resident put it. One Republican Party-appointed State Election Board member told Appen Media during tabulation that city staff are working “anyway.”

But others disagree, saying extra staff time devoted to the election should be factored into the cost.

The fact is that the election gobbled up hours of employee time.

Appen Media has calculated the city has spent close to $192,000 in staff time from January to November. The figure comes from records and interviews with City Manager Krokoff.

In addition to Krokoff, the staff time figures include Deputy City Manager Stacey Inglis and City Clerk Tammy Lowit, the absentee ballot clerk.

Inglis, who also served as the deputy election superintendent and the chief manager of tabulation, began dedicating 100 percent of her time to the election starting in August. Krokoff said she even worked Saturdays and Sundays.

“The only way to expand our capacity, our bandwidth, was for it to cannibalize our time, our private lives,” Krokoff said.

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 27

13.51%

12 12.09%

9 2021

2023 JACOB TOMBERLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Voter turnout dropped by more than 10 percent from the 2021 municipal election conducted by Fulton County. There are 30,327 registered voters in Milton this year, about 2,000 more than in 2021. The city-run election this year had fewer polling locations on both Election Day and during advance voting. There was also confusion among some voters who didn’t know where to cast their ballots, which wasn’t helped by incorrect voter registration cards sent by Fulton County.

“That was significant, overwhelming, especially as we got toward the end.”

On Election Day, several of Milton’s election workers checked out after 21 hours.

Because of the election, other city projects were put on the backburner.

Most recently, Krokoff told the City Council Dec. 4 that he had been unable to pull multiple city committees together to review land inventory for an active park because of the election.

Krokoff also said Inglis had to put a halt to a performance management project and that Lowit had her share of postponed projects as well.

“There were other projects and things that didn’t necessarily rise that you hear about at the council level that had to be deferred,” he said.

Krokoff said it wasn’t “dragging boulders,” though. There was excitement in such an undertaking.

Lowit chimed in, saying that firsttime moment will never happen again.

“We’re only going to birth that baby once,” Krokoff added. “The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming … I think Council will have to decide whether or not in the future the opportunity cost is worth it.”

Voter turnout Another factor that weighs on the election’s success was voter turnout — it dropped by more than 10 percent from the 2021 municipal election conducted by Fulton County. There were also at least 2,000 more registered voters this year.

But, Inglis noted that Precinct 3’s share of the citywide votes increased in this election, a precinct Milton originally did not intend to have. But, it was added after outcry over the city dis-

enfranchising the area which has the highest number of voters of color, as well as the highest number of Democrats.

Milton resident Andrea Nugent, a Democratic candidate for the Georgia House in 2018, attributed the decrease in overall voter turnout to the number of polling locations during advance voting and on Election Day. It couldn’t have been the weather, she said, because it was beautiful that day.

For advance voting, residents of cities who voted through Fulton County had more than a dozen polling locations to choose from. Milton had one – at City Hall. There were also around quadruple the amount of voting locations on Election Day in other North Fulton cities like Johns Creek and Roswell whose elections were conducted by Fulton County.

“For all residents, the ability to have all of the locations in Fulton County … is far superior, unless Milton is willing to offer 14 voting locations throughout Fulton County,” Nugent said. “That would be the only way that I would consider it being an equal alternative, and I don’t know how you put any money on that.

For me … it’s voter access.”

Nugent, who has lived in Milton since 2013, said she never cast a ballot during advance voting at a Milton location. It was always in another city because of the convenience to or from work.

But, this time around, Nugent voted on Election Day because the hours Milton provided during advance voting weren’t suitable to her work schedule.

And, that day was a confusing one for her — she showed up to the Public Safety Complex on Ga. 9, about five minutes away from her home, but her assigned location was City Hall, 10 more minutes

out of the way.

Nugent said she didn’t check over her voter registration card sent by Fulton County which had her assigned polling location. But, she added, she didn’t know of many who did check it, and that election officials at the Public Safety Complex said it was a common issue.

Fulton County sent out two voter registration cards. The first had inaccurate information. The second corrected the mistake.

After hearing of the distrust of voting machines, Nugent said she found it interesting that the hand-marked, handcounted ballot process didn’t result in a greater number of people voting. She also said she received texts from Milton Families First, an independent expenditure committee, that would have theoretically gotten more people to vote.

“I didn’t see that in prior years … getting text campaigns for a municipal election,” Nugent said.

‘Well-oiled machine’ Milton resident Francia Lindon had a change of heart toward the city’s election project once she took part in the process as a tabulator. It became something she enjoyed, whereas before she had her doubts.

“I was skeptical of the process that had preceded it, and I felt I needed to be involved to trust the results. I had to see it myself,” Lindon said, Referencing the Milton Election Feasibility Committee’s months-long effort to get a self-run election on track, Lindon said the group had “incredible bias” and shut out the Democratic Party.

The Milton municipal election was nonpartisan, but some residents said partisanship had a major influence, nonetheless.

Lindon described the training session for her role as a “good step in the right direction,” leading her to believe the election would be a well-planned, secure and stable process. The session was led by Inglis, whose positive attitude contributed to dispelling some of her doubts.

Lindon described tabulation as a “well-oiled machine,” a checked and double-checked reporting process that was “absolutely above board.”

While Lindon had a positive experience and said the experiment was worth running, she said Fulton County is the better option because of the number of polling locations as well as the time and manpower needed to get the job done.

“If any more people voted … I mean, it’s very labor intensive, and I think that’s cost-prohibitive,” Lindon said.

Four people handled every ballot during tabulation, and there were more than 3,660 of them. “... You can’t sell us that labor cost, against a machine doing it in a matter of an hour or two,” she said. “There’s just no way to compare that.”

28 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

Fox: Continued from Page 22 Alpharetta councilmembers want to blame him for something they’ve known about for a year. Some city leaders went so far as to suggest Alpharetta dissolve its agreement with Beach’s True North CID and create a city service district of its own that would do the same thing: apply a special tax on commercial property to generate money for improvements to the area.

Beach finds this particularly irritating.

Over the course of its 20 years, he said, the CID has contributed $27.4 million to Alpharetta projects.

“You don’t have those four interchanges landscaped without the CID,” he said. “You don’t have Davis Drive without the CID.

OPINION

You don’t have those four interchanges landscaped without the CID. You don’t have Davis Drive without the CID. You don’t have Northwinds Parkway from Jackson Healthcare … You don’t have Westside Parkway without the CID. We led on all of that.”

BRANDON BEACH, Executive director of True North 400

You don’t have Northwinds Parkway from Jackson Healthcare … You don’t have Westside Parkway without the CID. We led on all of that.”

Beach has had his share of run-ins lately. He lost his chairman’s seat on the Senate Transportation Committee in 2021

City of Milton Notice of Public Hearing Board of Zoning Appeals Date & Time 6:00 P.M.

CITY OF MILTON PUBLIC NOTICE PH-23-AB-12

January 16, 2024

Location: City of Milton- Council Chambers 2006 Heritage Walk Milton, Georgia 30004-6119 678-242-2500 Consideration of Primary Variance V24-01, 12880 New Providence Road Request(s): • Part 1 - To reduce the 25-foot minimum side yard to 11 feet adjacent to the north property line for an existing wood building accessory structure. (Sec. 64416(c)(1)) • Part 2 - To reduce the 50-foot minimum rear yard to 28 feet adjacent to the west property line for an existing wood building accessory structure. (sec. 64-416(d)) • Part 3 - To reduce the 50-foot minimum rear yard to 38 feet adjacent to the west property line for an existing metal building accessory structure. (Sec. 64-416(d)) V24-02, 1470 Redd Road Request(s): • Part 1 - To reduce the 50-foot minimum rear yard to 36.7 feet adjacent to the north property line for a proposed detached garage accessory structure. (Sec. 64-416(d)) • Part 2 - To reduce the 25-foot minimum side yard to 18.2 feet adjacent to the west property line for a proposed detached garage accessory structure. (Sec. 64-416(c)(1)) V24-03, 1800 Providence Farms Lane Request: • To allow a proposed detached garage accessory structure to be located in front of the primary single-family home. (Sec. 64-416(i))

PLACE CITY HALL 2006 HERITAGE WALK MILTON, GA 30004

BEACH

after publicly questioning state leaders over the integrity of the 2020 election. He was also among a group of state senators who signed a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence urging him to delay certification of Joe Biden's election victory over Donald Trump.

Beach and I have had some heated exchanges once or twice.

But, over the course of his career, there are few instances where he has been anything but a friend to Alpharetta.

DATE & TIME: 11/20/23 6:00 PM PURPOSE: Chapter 4 Alcohol Beverage License Application for Farm Winery APPLICANT: JimRoze Corporation d/b/a D'Rose Vintners 13555 Blakmaral Lane Milton, Georgia 30004 James Rosenberger, Contact 404-357-5295

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 29

Appen:

Office Space for Lease

Continued from Page 22 “and I think she is friends with Julia Hill. I remember her talking with me about Luna and Julia.”

I was speechless.

Close to Downtown Alpharetta

APPE

Space would be perfect for a bookkeeper or a self-employed person.

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Small private office space (unfurnished) available in Appen Media Office close to Downtown Alpharetta (319 North Main Street, Alpharetta). All utilities included, Internet included (within reason), 24/7 access. Space is upstairs in area of Appen Newsroom. Private, quiet, and open. Approximately 200 sq. ft. (14’ x 14’). $/600 per month, first/ last/security deposit required as well as solid reliable references.

appenmedia.com/join

Contact via text or email: Ray Appen at 770-527-4042 or RayAppen@Gmail.com

We started talking about our daughters and discovering parallel lives.

Jamie lived in Oklahoma, too. For over 10 years, Jamie was an organic farmer in Norman, struggling to make a living producing healthy food, just like Amelia. After 10 years, she too moved back “home” to Dahlonega where she went back to school to be a nurse.

“Her heart is still in farming and organics though,” he shared with me.

“She still wants me to let her take over my mulch and compost company.”

Amelia and Jamie are planning to meet up as soon as they can. They will share dreams. They will connect.

They already have. They will complete something that was waiting to finish I believe. Bob and I will stay connected too I am sure – now more than ever. He would love to figure out how to scale up his compost production.

Maybe Amelia can help. Who knows?

The circle will be completed one way or another.

Locally Owned and Operated

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North Fulton’s Only On-Site Crematory 12050 Crabapple Road • Roswell, GA 30075

DEATH NOTICES Joseph Bowen, 89, of Roswell, passed away on November 28, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Dianne Hauser, 74, of Roswell, passed away on November 26, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Janet Nichols, 88, of Roswell, passed away on November 26, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Donnie Renfro, 89, of Roswell, passed away on December 1, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Dorothy Croom, 101, of Roswell, passed away on December 3, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Johannes Kiemes, 32, of Alpharetta, passed away on November 30, 2023. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Michael Peters, 72, of Roswell, passed away on December 3, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Roger Rodden, 73, of Roswell, passed away on November 29, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Susan Daw, 54, of Alpharetta, passed away on November 26, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Stephen Mitchell, 74, of Alpharetta, passed away on November 30, 2023. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jane Divosevic, 71, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 2, 2023. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Spencer Morrison, 82, Roswell, passed away on November 27, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Ouraiwan Phejlada, 91, of Alpharetta, passed away on November 28, 2023.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Raymond Young, 101, of Roswell, passed away on November 23, 2023.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

30 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

ONLINE INCLUDED C a l l t o d a y t o p l a c e y o u r a d 4 7 0 . 2 2 2 . 8 4 6 9 o r e m a i l c l a s s i f i e d s @ a p p e n m e d i a g r o u p . c o m • FA X : 7 7 0 - 4 7 5 - 1 2 1 6

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Full-time

North Fulton Community Charities Mission has been serving individuals and families in the North Fulton area for over 40 years. Our Mission to ease hardship and foster financial stability in our community and our purpose is to provide opportunities for the whole community to thrive. Full Time employees receive benefits on the 1st day following working 30 days.

Benefits include: Medical, dental and vision insurance after 30 days of employment. 403b retirement plan matching offered, Paid Time Off. Short and Long Term insurance and life insurance are provided by employer.

Full Time Donor Operations Lead NFCC is looking for a Donor Operations Lead is a key team member who oversees the donation door process. They may delegate to other staff, volunteers and community service at the Donation Door. This position is the face of NFCC so they are expected provide excellent customer service and treat each donor with a professional and friendly demeanor. The Associate greets and removes donations from vehicles and then sorts the 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 For a complete job description visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/ Control Systems Engineer – Mangan, Inc. – Alpharetta, GA. Resp for PLC/HMI prgrm’g, sys dcmtn, factory accpt tst’g, & fldstrt-up & comsn’g actvts. Reqs bach deg (or FDE) in Electrical Engnr‘g, Ctrl Systems Engnr‘g, or rltd fld. Mst hv 3 yrs engnr‘gexp in a rltd occ, incl dmstrd exp in: prgrm‘g PLCs & HMIs; Modbus, Ethrnt/IP, CtrlNet, & OPC comncts configs & prtcls; intprt‘g pwr sys sgl ln dgrms; rd‘g elec schmtcs in supp of elecdsgn, fld comsn‘g, & sys trblsht‘g; & ctrl pnl & fld wrg dgrms. Emplr will acpt a mstr deg in one of the abv-lstd flds + 1 yr of the abv-lstd exp in lieu of a bach deg + 3 yrs exp. Up to 25% U.S. dmstc trvl is reqd.

Mst hv lgl auth to wrk in the U.S. EEOE.Mail resumes to Michael Hammond, HR & Safety Director, Mangan, Inc., 3901 Via Oro Ave., Long Beach, CA 90810, or email to mhammond@manganinc.com. Ref job title + PU23 in cvr ltr/subj ln.

Lead QA Engineer: lead software products QA team in cloud & mobile service-based. Bachelor’s degree (US or foreign equiv.) in CS/IT/Eng + 5 yrs. work exp.

CV to Scott.Bracewell@OnSolve.com; OnSolve, LLC (Alpharetta, GA)

OFFICE HELP Crabapple/Crossville. Answering phones, setting appointments for sales crew, scheduling work, applying for permits, phone interfacing with customers; must know DropBox and social media. Accounting & bookkeeping skills a plus. $17-$22/hour based on skills/experience.

Robertbcoombs@gmail.com Business System Consultant (Alpharetta, GA): Form & dsgn automated sys scope & objctvs based on user needs & understanding of applicable biz sys & ind reqs. Plan & execute biz dsgn, assist in integration & acceptance tstng; & create specs for sys to meet biz reqs. Incl anlss of biz & user needs, documentation of reqs, & translation into proper sys requirement specs.

Resumes to: Total System Services LLC, Brian Simons, Associate Director, HR Risk and Compliance, One TSYS Way, Columbus GA 31901. Ref #BD933985 TECHNOLOGY HP Inc. is accepting resumes for the position of Data Performance and Analytics Lead in Alpharetta, GA (Ref. #7176676). Leads a team of data tool developers to provide data driven business analytics for the HP Indigo Americas Region Service Organization. Telecommuting permitted. Annual Salary: $131,602.00/year to $161,602.00/year. Email resume to HP USA Jobs, jobshpusa@hp.com. Resume must include Ref. #, full name, email address & mailing address. No phone calls. Must be legally authorized to work in U.S. without sponsorship. EOE. Software Developers – Multiple Openings Alpharetta, GA Josh Pros LLC, needs professionals: Work on CI/CD, Splunk, AWS, Dynatrace, Docker, Kubernetes, Puppet, Ansible, Maven & Jenkins. Req. – bachelor’s with 2 yr. exp. Comp. salary, Relocation within USA possible. Please mail resume to Ref: HR, 1740 Grassland Parkway, Ste 403, Alpharetta, GA, USA, 30004.

Flooring PHILLIPS FLOORING Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes. Re-grouting is also available.

Call 678-887-1868 for free estimate.

Gutters AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS

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

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

Pinestraw

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

PINESTRAW, MULCH Delivery/installation available.

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

Bargains/Musical DULCIMER: Excellent condition! $120. 678-455-7376

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Office Space for Lease Close to Downtown Alpharetta

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

Tree Services

Small private office space (unfurnished) available in Appen Media Office close to Downtown Alpharetta (319 North Main Street, Alpharetta). All utilities included, Internet included (within reason), 24/7 access. Space is upstairs in area of Appen Newsroom. Private, quiet, and open. Approximately 200 sq. ft. (14’ x 14’). $/600 per month, first/last/security deposit required as well as solid reliable references.

Space would be perfect for a bookkeeper or a self-employed person.

Contact via text or email: Ray Appen at 770-527-4042 or RayAppen@Gmail.com

COMPLETE TREE SERVICES Appen-Rated 98 Text or Call us for a FREE quote appointment.

Tree removal, Pruning, Stump grinding, Free mulch. Fully insured. Emergency 24/7.

770-450-8188

Cemetery GREENLAWN ROSWELL: 2 plots on picturesque lakeview hillside. Market price, $9000 each. Bargain priced at $5000 each! 770-475-7307

Driveway

Roofing

$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

ROOF LEAKING?

Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs. A+ BBB rating. FREE ESTIMATE. Call Rachael at 678-250-4546 to schedule a FREE Estimate. 30 years of experience. ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. Please note we do have a minimum charge on accepted jobs of $4,500.

Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell.

Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Quote: 770-284-3123.

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Deadline to place a classified ad is Thursdays by 4pm

AppenMedia.com/Milton | Milton Herald | December 14, 2023 | 31

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Garage Sales ALPHARETTA Christ The Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4655 Webb Bridge Road 30005. Saturday 12/16, 8am-12pm. HUGE! Used electronics: Computers, laptops, monitors, office color copiers, microphones, iphones, ipads, ipods, Keurig, TV’s, household appliances, etc.

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32 | December 14, 2023 | Milton Herald | AppenMedia.com/Milton

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