Milton Herald - December 29, 2022

from top left, Lt. Col. Byron LeCounte of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office speaks during an Oct. 26 ceremony celebrating the newly reopened North Fulton Jail; 9/11 survivors Sal Puglisi and Jamie MacDonald present a plaque to Milton High School Principal Brian Jones at a ceremony Sept. 9; supporters of Billy Allen’s piano bar turn out for an Oct. 3 City Council meeting to discuss revisions to the city’s alcohol ordinance.

NEWS TIPS

770-442-3278

AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

APPEN Publisher RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus

CONTACT

Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com. See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.

ADVERTISING

For information about advertising in the Milton Herald or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@ appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

CIRCULATION

To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

POLICE BLOTTER

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

Milton Police investigate series of home burglaries

MILTON, Ga. — Milton Police are investigating three recent burglaries, as well as another attempted breakin.

Police have not yet determined whether these incidents, which took place on different nights in two different neighborhoods, are connected, but they are encouraging residents to take basic home security precautions this holiday season.

Around 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, police responded to two burglaries of unoccupied homes on the same block of Haystack Lane, a gated community in central Milton known as The Hayfield. Both homes were ransacked

PUBLIC SAFETY

and had items taken.

Milton police detectives are now leading the investigation. The department also stepped-up patrols in the neighborhood as a precaution.

The following night, police responded to an attempted home burglary in the same community but this time, along Lower Meadow Lane. Unlike earlier, nothing was believed to have been stolen in the Saturday night incident.

Police increased their presence in The Hayfield and nearby neighborhoods.

Police were notified of another burglary Monday, Dec. 19 on Tree Loft Road in the Crabapple Brook subdivision. The burglary took place the Friday before, but homeowners were not made aware of it until Monday morning.

No arrests have been made, nor suspects named, in any of these cases. Anyone with information can contact Detective Scott Harrell at scott.harrell@miltonga.gov.

For home security tips from the Milton Police, check out the Dec. 19 post on the Milton Police Department’s Facebook page.

Read Local, Shop Local

Read at appenmedia.com/business

HANS

Buoyed by savings, Milton to run its own municipal elections

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — The City of Milton is set to conduct its own 2023 municipal elections, and it likely will save a bundle doing it.

The City Council voted unanimously Dec. 19 to administer the election for the council’s three Post 2 positions up for grabs next year. The election will be conducted “absent any impediments,” Milton City Manager Steve Krokoff said.

A six-member committee, which studied the feasibility of Milton running its own municipal elections, made its recommendation to the City Council Dec. 5 on grounds of big cost savings.

The committee reported that In the first year, the city is looking at an expense of $72,254 to run its 2023 municipal general election. In subsequent years, with one-time costs out of the way, it is estimated the city will pay $56,589.

Up till now, Fulton County conducted the city’s municipal elections.

If the city were to renew its agreement with Fulton County for 2023, the Milton Municipal Election Feasibility Committee projected the cost to range from more than $186,000 to almost $190,000, excluding the cost of a potential runoff election.

It turns out that estimate was based on a previous discussion with Fulton County, which reported the cost per voter was expected to rise from $2.96 to more than $6.

But at the Dec. 12 Fulton County Registration and Elections Board meeting, Elections Preparation Manager Nadine Williams said the cost per voter will be $11.48 per voter in 2023. With the revised cost, Milton would be expected to pay more than $350,000 for Fulton County to run its 2023 municipal election.

“We use the machinery that we are required to use,” Board Chair Cathy Woolard said at the Dec. 12 meeting. “Increased costs are not costs that we have chosen to bear, but they are costs that are put on county voters as a result of the State Legislature and the decisions that they make.”

While the packed Council Chamber was mostly filled with supporters, who clapped after every public comment that called out Fulton County’s alleged mismanagement, two residents felt differently.

Milton resident Robert Fricton said he voted in 77 elections in Fulton County and never had a problem with Fulton County. He said he was never worried about election security before,

but Milton-run elections raise that concern.

“It’s not about the money,” Fricton said. “This is something about trying to get an election that someone besides the citizens of Milton have controlled.”

Fricton called out the two residents on the elections committee, Mark Amick and Lisa Cauley, for lacking trustworthiness. He also suggested an alleged partisanship among the City Council.

“I know you’re all Republicans,” he said. “I don’t know if you’re deniers or not.”

Milton City Councilman Rick Mohrig, who was one of two councilmembers on the elections committee, later addressed Fricton’s concern over election security.

“This isn’t something that Milton can just come up with,” Mohrig said. “We have to follow what the state mandates.”

Traffic calming

In other business at the Dec. 19 meeting, Milton Public Works Director Sara Leaders looked for direction on potential revisions to the city’s traffic calming program.

The program had been a highly contested issue earlier this year when the White Columns Homeowners Association installed radar feedback signs. At the time, HOAs were not required to petition the neighborhood before acting on their behalf.

The White Columns HOA sought the city’s cost-share agreement after installation, which was approved by the City Council in August.

Leaders asked for the City Council’s direction on whether to require neighborhood support of 67 percent

and to remove the HOA provision in the city’s traffic calming program, which allows HOAs to act on behalf of the neighborhood. Other options were to eliminate the cost-share agreement altogether to make traffic calming a private issue or require the City Council’s approval on traffic calming measures.

Councilman Mohrig suggested striking out the HOA provision to ensure homeowner buy-in. He also said the city should keep the program but eliminate the cost-share agreement, one out of several sections in the ordinance.

Councilman Paul Moore agreed with Mohrig and said the neighborhood was not properly represented by the HOA.

Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison said he would like to exclude the City Council from HOA matters but supported the petition agreement.

Also at the Monday night meeting, the City Council extended a moratorium on development and design permits in the city’s Mayfield District to allow city staff time to develop the area’s zoning ordinance. The moratorium will end in June 2023.

“The last thing we want to do is to continue holding up the people’s property, so the sooner the better,” Mayor Jamison said.

Milton resident Sally Rich-Kolb opposed the extension because she had been waiting to sell her property.

“I’m not sure if this is ‘eminent domain,’ but it sure does feel like it,” Rich-Kolb said.

Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery

Foot and Ankle Fractures and Trauma Pediatric Foot and Ankle Treatments Sports Medicine and Tendon Injuries Bunion and Hammertoe Correction

Laser Treatment Ingrown Toenail Correction

Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery Podiatric Dermatology Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis

ALPHARETTA

13057 Hwy 9 N., Suite 210 Alpharetta, GA 30004

Phone: (770) 559-0348

CUMMING

765 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 1

Cumming, GA 30041

Phone: (678)208-6788

Twenty-six bones, 33 oints, and thousands of steps a day. Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia looks forward to helping you get back on your feet!

Dr. Shamir Bhikha Dr. James Livingston

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Lisa Cauley, Milton Municipal Feasibility Committee member, records the Milton City Council decision to move forward with self-run municipal elections at the Dec. 19 meeting. The decision drew applause after the council’s quick, unanimous vote.

City leaders further plans to expand park opportunities

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Throughout the year, the Milton City Council hunkered down on city code and kept a keen eye on new development, basing many decisions on the city’s rural heritage.

Under a new Milton mayor and three new councilmembers, the city saw discussion on urban growth boundaries and its alcohol code to keep the city’s character intact. City leaders also led a host of environmental initiatives, renovated park space and passed a groundbreaking plan that set up the city to run its own municipal election next year.

Peyton Jamison was sworn in as the city’s second mayor, replacing Joe Lockwood who held the office for 15 years. New councilmembers Jan Jacobus, Juliette Johnson and Andrea Verhoff also took the oath of office in January.

Urban growth boundaries

A seven-member committee, tasked with developing Milton’s Urban Growth Boundary map, gathered for its inaugural meeting in late November. There will be two more meetings over the course of six months.

Used by communities in 11 states, an urban growth boundary (UGB) is a tool used to contain high density development — a strategy identified by the Milton Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) to manage growth and tackle development pressures.

Milton reached an agreement with Fulton County in the early 2000s to limit sewer lines in the city’s rural areas, which has kept 90 percent of the city as low density. But a revisable UGB map is intended to provide a protective layer to the city’s sewer map, giving the city more control over the pace and extent of “urban” growth.

The last phase, following the conclusion of all stakeholder meetings and map development, will be to adopt the map and incorporate it into the next comprehensive plan set for 2025.

City Council settles alcohol code

After months of debate over manufacturing limitations, the Milton City Council voted in October to a set of caps on the amount of alcohol local microbreweries, microdistilleries and brewpubs can produce each year.

The vote cemented a key element of the city’s alcohol regulations and ended a nearly year-long moratorium

on new alcohol license applications.

The revised ordinance places an annual production limit of 3,000 barrels for microbreweries and microdistilleries and a 5,000-barrel cap for brewpubs. Wrapped into the vote were details related to standard and non-standard on-premise consumption, retail package, hybrid, manufacturing, specialty and add-on licenses.

A green city

In January, the city will implement the Trash and Recycling Advisory Committee to oversee the forthcoming 10-year Solid Waste and Recycling Management Plan. In addition, the Public Works Department applied at the end of September for a grantfunded program for hard-to-recycle items and for the recycling expansion at Bell Memorial Park.

The grant allocates money to various eligible projects. Milton focused on recycling and waste diversion infrastructure, improved organization and waste reduction.

The city also received awards for its environmental work. The Atlanta Regional Commission recently upgraded Milton from a bronze to its first silver Green Communities honor for its 2021 environmental efforts.

Milton City Arborist Sandra Dewitt recently accepted an award from the Georgia Tree Council’s Outstanding New Initiative Grant Award for newly launched Plant! Milton. Milton was the lone recipient of the award and was one of only five municipal governments honored across several categories. In November, Dewitt also led the city’s first tree tour at the Mark Law Arboretum.

For the 10th consecutive year, Milton has been certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat, a special distinction that recognizes efforts to make the city “healthier, greener and more wildlife-friendly.”

City improves park space

Since passing a $25 million Greenspace Bond in 2016, Milton has worked to acquire land for parks, trails and greenspace including conservation land, wildlife habitat and natural areas.

Previously the Cox Road Athletic Complex, Legacy Park is an 8-acre property and $1.43 million project that has two full-sized multipurpose, artificial turf fields used for a variety of sports. The city bought the property in January 2020 for its ribbon-cutting in November this year.

With the introduction of a new turf complex, Milton continues its

stride to greater independence for sports programming. In past years, Milton and Alpharetta participated in joint programming, which cost Milton thousands of dollars. Legacy Park provides more flexibility and opportunities for expansion to those subject to existing memorandums as well as other cities, groups or nongovernment organizations that may want to rent the fields.

In addition to Legacy Park, Milton unveiled a remodeled clubhouse turned community center at the former Milton Country Club on Dinsmore Road in April. The 137-acre property consists of an active area for recreation programs and facilities, and a passive portion consisting of 130 acres of undeveloped land.

Election autonomy

Since June, a six-member committee studied whether or not Milton could run its own municipal elections. In December, the City Council approved plans to administer the election for the council’s three Post 2 positions up for grabs next year. The election will be conducted “absent any impediments,” Milton City

Manager Steve Krokoff said.

The Milton Municipal Election Feasibility Committee reported that in the first year, the city is looking at an expense of $72,254 to run its 2023 municipal election. In subsequent years, with one-time costs out of the way, it is estimated the city will pay $56,589.

Meanwhile, Fulton County municipalities will be charged more than $11 a vote. This would have put Milton on the hook for more than $350,000 in next year’s municipal election.

Also in this section

Mayor Jamison looks towards bright 2023

► PAGE 5

A timeline of sales tax negotiations

► PAGE 6

Exceeding expectations in 2022, Milton sees bright future

This time last year, I was just beginning my role as Mayor and eager to get to work. Fortunately, years of outstanding leadership and dedication from our elected officials, staff, appointees on our many committees, boards and commissions, and finally, our involved and supportive community members, positioned us well for success this past year.

Even then, 2022 exceeded my expectations. Given the excellence I’ve seen, our team’s quality, and our citizens’ tremendous support, I have every reason to believe Milton will continue to set the example for others to follow.

Some of this momentum is more obvious. Within nine months, our Parks and Recreation Department opened the Community Center and first natural trail at Milton City Park and Preserve, unveiled the

popular Freemanville at Birmingham pasture-like greenspace, completed equestrian-friendly improvements at Birmingham Park, and had athletes enjoying Legacy Park’s multi-sport turf fields. Plus, people packed city events from Earth Day to Pancakes with Santa – and, of course, Crabapple Fest – with record attendance.

Yet less visible actions are important, too. The city laid the groundwork to expand its park-space with a property purchase off Bethany Way and others in the works. There are more Parks and Rec programs than ever, some exclusive to Milton (like upcoming arts classes) while others (like softball) come thanks to a no-cost MOU with Alpharetta. With all this going on, no wonder Milton’s Parks and Recreation was the reigning District 7 Agency of the Year.

You see similarly communityfocused, diligent, well-planned efforts in all city departments (and, in many cases, spanning departments). The Local Road Safety Plan – aimed at improving Milton’s transportation network for drivers, bicyclists and

pedestrians through engineering, education, and enforcement – came together thanks to our Public Works, Police and Communications teams as well as citizens involved at every turn.

Such a community-first approach is the Milton Way. Fire CARES bridges the gap between emergency care and everyday health care needs with firefighters are out every day doing house visits, leading vaccine clinics, conducting medical assessments, and more. Another Fire initiative, Milton Community Connect, lets residents and business owners share life- and propertysaving information so firefighters can respond more effectively to emergencies.

Examples of excellence abound. Plant! Milton – our Arborist-led initiative encouraging tree planting, education, and care – recently earned the Georgia Tree Council’s Outstanding New Initiative Grand Award. Our sustainability efforts kicked into overdrive with Milton earning its first Silver Green Communities distinction, being

among six Georgia cities certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat, and making inroads in adopting a sound, citizen-minded trash and recycling strategy. The Trails Advisory Committee also formed to guide City leaders on upgrading walking, biking, PTV and equestrian experiences.

This is all a fraction of what Milton’s government accomplished in 2022. And this new year, I foresee more of the same. We’ll open a rebuilt Fire Station 42. We should culminate work to institute Urban Growth Boundaries, adopt a Unified Development Code, and craft a concept plan for the District at Mayfield. And with downtown Crabapple’s buildout nearly complete, we’ll focus in 2023 on promoting quality, vibrancy and a uniquely Milton feel for the Highway 9/ Deerfield area.

Some of what’s to come is already in the works; and other opportunities will emerge to enhance our collective quality of life. And in everything we do, we’ll never lose sight of what makes Milton special and why we fell in love with this city in the first place.

PEYTON JAMISON Milton Mayor

Fulton County officials begin 2022 LOST negotiations with a recommendation that would have given 35 percent of revenues to the county and 65 percent to the 15 cities. City leaders immediately opposed the proposal saying the county’s pitch was unacceptable.

SEPT 23

SEPT 21

Mayors of eight Fulton County cities meet with residents at a public information session at Roswell City Hall. During the meeting, city leaders rallied the 100 residents to contact their county commissioners.

SEPT 28

County and city leaders meet at the Georgia Municipal Association in Atlanta for a scheduled negotiation session. Proceedings were held separately after county leaders refused to hold a public discussion over LOST.

Fulton County, cities squabble over local sales tax distribution

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — It wasn’t easy or quick, but Fulton County officials and city representatives finally came to a compromise over distribution of the countywide local option sales tax, which is expected to generate $3 billion over the next 10 years

And like every good compromise, by the time county and city negotiators had signed their agreement at a ceremony on Dec. 15, no one was particularly happy with the outcome.

The LOST one-penny sales tax is used by local governments to fund services like public safety, parks and recreation and libraries, and by county governments to fund state-mandated services like county courts, jails, health departments and elections.

foot by suggesting the return of a pre-2000 distribution in which Fulton County would receive 35 percent of the tax revenues, leaving the cities to split the remaining 65 percent. The proposal represented a 700 percent increase in the county’s share, which had been set at 4.95 percent over the past 10 years.

The county’s opening stance sparked outrage among city leaders who claimed such a split would cause immediate and lasting damage to the cities.

“That’s millions of dollars that we’ll either have to cut services, which I don’t see us doing, or increase property taxes,” Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said at the time. “I mean, that would be a third of the revenue that’s generated by the sales tax. And the sales tax is critical, especially in a city like Alpharetta.”

Mayors of 11 Fulton County cities gather for a second town hall meeting with south Fulton County residents at the Georgia International Conference Center in College Park. City representatives spent nearly two hours answering questions from residents at the meeting.

OCT 7

City and County representatives meet for another negotiation session at the Georgia Municipal Association in Atlanta. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said at the meeting that the county wouldn’t budge on getting a larger share of LOST revenues.

OCT 17

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens hosts a press conference with 11 other mayors, committing to a municipal coalition to oppose Fulton County’s demands and urging county leaders to negotiate in good faith.

Every 10 years, city and county officials are required to negotiate how the sales tax revenues for the following decade will be split between the county and it’s 15 cities.

County negotiators started the process on what many cities considered the wrong

After months of negotiation meetings, Atlanta and Sandy Springs signed an agreement in November granting Fulton County about 10 percent of total revenues generated over the 10-year life of LOST, and the deal was finalized at a ceremony held at Atlanta’s Central Library Dec. 15.

NOV 2-DEC 15

City councils in each of Fulton County’s 15 cities vote to approve the LOST agreement, settling for a staggered decrease in distribution percentages over the 10-year life of LOST, so that the county share can increase from 4.9 to 9.9 percent.

NOV 2

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sign an agreement granting Fulton County about 10 percent of total revenues generated over the 10-year life of LOST. Fulton County commissioners approved the deal at a Nov. 2 meeting, with Commission Chair Robb Pitts and Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman abstaining and Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington, Jr. absent from the vote.

DEC 15

Fulton County and municipal leaders finalize the $3 billion LOST agreement during a ceremony held at Atlanta’s Central Library.

Nonprofit director marvels at heightened charity during holidays

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga.—In November, North Fulton Community Charities welcomed Sandra Holiday as the nonprofit’s new executive director, where she dove into the nonprofit’s several seasonal events.

Holiday came from Atlanta Children’s Shelter, where she worked as executive director for 13 years. She’s spent over 25 years in the field of advocacy.

Holiday said she enjoyed the work she did at the urban core of Atlanta but wanted to help people before they struggled with homelessness.

“I wanted to get into prevention, poverty prevention, hunger prevention,” Holiday said.

NFCC serves more than 8,500 individuals each year with emergency financial assistance, food assistance, life skills & workforce readiness classes and holiday programs.

Holiday joined NFCC at the onset of multiple seasonal programs, including Giving Tuesday, a worldwide event that encourages people to donate time and money to charities the day after Thanksgiving.

She also joined weeks before the start of NFCC’s Toyland Shop, where people donate new, unwrapped toys for families to “shop” for gifts.

Holiday said she was shocked by the turnout for this year’s Toyland, especially given high price tags that are impacting most Americans.

“Whether you’re a single person, a parent, a five-person family, a recent college graduate, everybody is feeling that current climate,” Holiday said. “Food prices go up for everybody. The cost of goods goes up for everybody.

In September, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that food costs had spiked 11.4 percent in the past year, and people nationwide face rising inflation.

“I can tell you I was quite surprised by the level of giving from the community,” Holiday said.

In her few weeks on the job, Holiday said she’s learned that despite rising costs, people are still able to step up for families in need.

NFCC has multiple programs that are “high barrier,” in which people must show proof of financial hardship to participate, like financial assistance classes or long-term programs.

They serve the most people, though, through the food pantry and thrift store across the street from their office. The food pantry is what Holiday calls “low barrier,” where all someone must do is prove they live in the area.

“People are going through hardship, you don’t have to give them more barriers,” Holiday said.

People in need simply visit the food pantry, where they type their grocery lists on a kiosk. The list is sent to the stock room, where volunteers fill a shopping cart with their requests.

On average, the pantry serves 200 people a day.

The stock room is packed with donations from major grocery stores like Publix and Whole Foods and is staffed by many long-term volunteers. Holiday said the volunteers trained her in how to work the pantry.

The thrift store is connected to the food pantry, and it’s open to the public.

Marten Jallad, NFCC thrift store director, said the charitability from the programs and pantry carry over to the store. The store receives more than 100 donations a day, enough to keep the

shelves filled.

“A donation could be a bag of items, or it could be a U-Haul,” Jallad said.

Some donations come from stores. There are bins of new Walmart blankets next to stacks of unworn Target clothing mixed in with personal donations.

“It’s amazing throughout the year how much stuff we get,” Jallad said. “We’re able to present quality items at such an affordable price for people.”

Jallad said Holiday arrived just in time to see the seasonal operation in full swing, and he thinks she appreciates the drive and energy.

“She’s come in with an attitude of let me learn and let me see, while she has plenty of ideas, she’ll be able to share

outside of the North Fulton Community Charities offices on Dec. 19 in the middle of the big season drive to deliver hope to the needy. Holiday joined the organization

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Sandra Holiday stands

as executive director in November. See CHARITY, Page 19

Pontoon pours Sandy Springs relaxed craft brews

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Craft beer can often be seen as pretentious, snooty and unapproachable.

And it’s no wonder why – how is a normal person supposed to know the differences between an IPA, Double IPA and a Hazy IPA, or what the term “barrel aged” could possibly mean in the context of taste and flavor?

But according to Pontoon Brewing CoFounder and CEO Sean O’Keefe, enjoying well-made craft beer should be as a day spent floating on the lake. And with the right help, anyone can find a beer that’s right for them.

At Pontoon Brewing, whether you’re a complete beer novice or a certified brewmaster, O’Keefe said you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy a good beer, in a relaxed environment.

“Craft beer is oftentimes thought of in this pretentious way … So, we wanted to have this laid-back approach, because it allows us to be more approachable,” O’Keefe said.

Pontoon Brewing opened in Sandy Springs in 2017 after years of homebrewing by the business’s four founders, O’Keefe, Marcus Powers, Eric Lemus and Eddie Sarrine, who met at the University of Florida and became friends over a shared love of craft beer.

But O’Keefe said their dream really took off around 2013, when they thought it might be fun to put their recipes to the test by venturing into the world of contract brewing, where a commercial brewery makes batches of beer using the recipes of small brewers.

When their contract brewing venture

turned into a success in 2015, O’Keefe and Powers knew it was time to buckle down and bring their beer to the world. O’Keefe said they took a huge risk, and he personally turned down several job opportunities to focus on the brewery and the dream of making it real.

“When Marcus and I moved to Georgia and decided to take on full time, then we started brewing like every weekend, for

about two years,” he said. “It was a big risk.”

But as risky as it was, Pontoon’s founders came to the Atlanta area at the exact right time when the local beer scene, especially the world of homebrewing, was making big waves, as Georgia prepared to change it’s brewery laws.

O’Keefe said that when they first came to Atlanta, Georgia still had restrictive

laws that didn’t allow breweries to sell beer directly to customers, which he said stifled innovation in the craft beer market.

He said that without the ability to sell beer directly to people, breweries had less of an incentive to try new things and take risks on strange-sounding recipes.

The proof for that, he said, was seen

My favorite thing is when people come in, like family members or friends and are like, ‘So happy for you, I’m just not a big beer person...

SEAN O’KEEFE, Co-Founder and CEO of Pontoon Brewing

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Located off Dunwoody Place in Sandy Springs, Pontoon Brewing has been entertaining the north Fulton County community with laid-back craft brews since 2017.

Brews:

in the months leading up to when Georgia’s brewery laws were changed, when homebrewers and professional breweries went into overdrive and started tinkering with many of the beers that are popular today.

“What you saw was people homebrewing and making a lot of beers that exist now, the big crazy overly hot New England IPAs and the big, overly fruited sours and the barrel aged beer thing,” he said. “You started seeing breweries put out higher class beer, barrel aged beers, you know, bigger IPAs with more hops in it.”

“You’re starting to see that now in the market, because people can put a price tag on it and people will pay.”

Pontoon finally found its permanent home in Sandy Springs in 2018 after a ton of hard work by O’Keefe and his team. And while it wasn’t exactly where they initially expected to be located, he said that locating the brewery in Sandy Springs turned into one of the best decisions they made.

“The plan for Pontoon was never to be where we are right now,” he said. “So, it’s been cool to prove our projections wrong and to have this awesome program that was supported by the City of Sandy Springs.”

As the first brewery in Sandy Springs,

O’Keefe and his team had to help the city rewrite its laws to make sure that they reflected state laws regarding breweries, and after that process, they found they had made a true partner out of city leaders.

“It’s been a symbiotic relationship since then,” he said.

Being the city’s first brewery, Pontoon Brewing was also able to lay groundwork for what “Sandy Springs beer” is, cultivating a personality and following that O’Keefe and his team hope will inspire others. Just like they were inspired by Mon-

day Night Brewing in Atlanta and Creature Comforts Brewing in Athens.

Recently, Pontoon Brewing opened a new location, The Lodge in Tucker, that O’Keefe said was the product of years of blood, sweat and hard work. Right now, customers can visit the location’s new taproom, and in the coming years, the brewery will move all of its production to the larger Tucker location.

But no matter where they’re located, or how busy they get, O’Keefe said Pontoon Brewing will always hold onto its love of

trying new things and the idea there’s a beer out there for everyone.

“My favorite thing is when people come in, like family members or friends and are like, ‘So happy for you, I’m just not a big beer person,’” he said. “Every single time, I’m like, alright bet. Let’s find you a beer that you like.”

To find a Pontoon Brewing beer you might like, visit their Sandy Springs Taproom at 8601 Dunwoody Place or their new location at 4720 Stone Drive in Tucker.

Frank

Tara Tucker

PHOTOS BY ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

As the first brewery in Sandy Springs, the team at Pontoon Brewing had to work closely with city leaders to ensure local brewery rules reflected updated state laws. After going through that process, Pontoon Brewing formed a true partnership with their city, founders said.

January book events include writing classes, football recollections

By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com

For anyone making a resolution to finally write their story – ideally with assistance – help is near in the new year. One of Atlanta’s preeminent authorities on the craft of writing will be teaching an eight-week course on exactly that in Roswell beginning Jan. 10.

George Weinstein, executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club and author of six novels, will be leading “Telling Your Story: Start It, Finish It & Share It.” Offered by Seniors Enriched Living, a nonprofit interfaith organization, classes will be held at the Roswell United Methodist Church for anyone 50 and older.

the business of writing. Details about the 28th Atlanta Writers Conference May 5-6, which Weinstein will direct, are at atlantawritersconference.com.

For readers simply in search of local inperson author events, several will be offered in January, including an evening featuring Buck Belue, star quarterback of the 1980 National Championship Georgia Bulldogs football team. Belue, a sports radio host in Atlanta, will be discussing his book, “Inside the Hedges: The Quarterback’s Journey to the National Championship,” in Alpharetta Jan. 17. BELUE

More information

Buck Belue, former UGA star quarterback, will discuss his book about the Bulldogs’ 1980 National Championship run in Alpharetta Jan. 17.

Weinstein also has resources to assist writers of all ages. Since 2009, he has directed the AWC’s biannual Atlanta Writers Conference. Each event offers a host of acquisitions editors and literary agents to help members better understand

George Weinstein, executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club, will lead an eight-week writing course beginning Jan. 10 in Roswell.

Literary Events Around North Atlanta

Tuesday, Jan. 10: Terri Parlato. The North Atlanta Author Series continues with Parlato discussing her debut suspense novel, “All the Dark Places.” Roger Johns, winner of the 2018 Georgia Author of the Year in the detective-mystery category, will moderate the event, and Bookmiser will have books for sale. Starts at 6 p.m. Discussion, signing. Free. Milton Branch Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Milton, 30009. 404-613-4402. bookmiser.net

Tuesdays, Jan. 10-March 7: George Weinstein. Weinstein, executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club and author of six novels, will lead “Telling Your Story: Start It, Finish It & Share It,” an eight-week interactive class for anyone 50 and older. The program is offered by Seniors Enriched Living, a nonprofit interfaith organization. 1 p.m.-2 p.m. weekly. $70. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-993-6218. sites.google.com/ selroswellga.org/seniors-enriched-living/ classes/winter?authuser=0

Tuesday, Jan. 17: Buck Belue. A Novel Idea hosts an evening featuring Belue,

quarterback of the University of Georgia’s 1980 National Championship football team. He will be discussing his book, “Inside the Hedges,” which is a look back at that season through the quarterback’s eyes. 6 p.m. Conversation, signing. Free. Alpharetta Branch Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, 404-613-6735. anovelidea.us.

Saturday, Jan. 21: The Talking Book Podcast Atlanta. To celebrate the podcast’s first anniversary, several local authors will be interviewed. Refreshments, giveaways, signings. Free. 11 a.m. Johns Creek Books and Gifts, 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Suite B500, Johns Creek, 770-696-9999. johnscreekbooks.com

Saturday, Jan. 21, Anju Gattani. Gattani will be discussing “Dynasties,” the debut in her “Winds of Fire” series. Conversation, signing. Free. Noon. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton, 770-797-5566. poeandcompanybookstore.com

To submit an author event for the upcoming month, email Kathy Des Jardins Cioffi at kathydesjardins3@gmail.com by the 15th.

Safe Kids North Fulton group shares holiday safety tips

Celebrating Award-Winning Pet Care...

Alpharetta Animal Hospital has been serving the Alpharetta community and surrounding area for over 49 years. We offer a variety of medical services to treat your dog or cat and strive to provide excellent care with established and emerging medical technology.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Christmas is approaching fast, which means that local roads and highways will soon be packed with people traveling to see friends or family, enjoying the holiday season.

But to make sure that everyone really does enjoy the holidays, and everyone gets home safely, the Roswell Fire Department and Safe Kids North Fulton have released a set of holiday travel tips and recommendations.

“For many families, the holiday season usually means traveling to visit friends or relatives, so we want every family to know the simple things they can do to stay safe in and around cars,” Roswell Fire and Life Safety Educator Chad Miller said. “Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States. Meanwhile, correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent; however, half of the car seats are installed incorrectly.”

Safe Kids North Fulton recommends the following holiday travel tips:

your destination and when you travel to and from the airport. Let car rental companies know in advance if you need to rent a car seat or booster seat.

• Watch out for small kids and distracted drivers in parking lots that are busier than usual during the holidays.

• Remind your inexperienced teen driver to be extra alert during the holidays when people are more distracted, and the weather can be tricky.

• Avoid distractions while driving. No text message or playlist is worth the risk of taking your eyes off the road. Set your GPS to voiceactivated so you can concentrate on driving without having to look at your phone.

• Plan to use a designated driver or car service to make sure you get home safely if you drink alcohol.

• Secure loose objects. Put hot foods, large gifts, and anything that could fly around in a crash in the trunk.

80 Milton Ave., Alpharetta Mon-Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 7am-noon 770.475.7613

AlpharettaAnimalHospital.com

• Everybody needs their own restraint. Make it a rule: Everyone buckled— every ride, every time—whether it’s the long trip to visit family or around the block to the mall.

• If you are flying, take your car seat with you and use it on the plane. It will be a benefit to have it with you at

• Prepare for weather emergencies by packing extra blankets, food, and diapers. Keep your phone charged and make sure someone at your destination knows the route you are planning to take.

To learn more holiday safety tips, visit: www.safekids.org/holidays.

WEINSTEIN

Senators pitch more help for disabled Georgians

By JILL NOLIN Georgia Recorder

ATLANTA — A bipartisan Senate panel has proposed funding services for an additional 2,400 people with disabilities next year, putting the state on track to eliminate Georgia’s waitlist in three years.

And those state senators are also pushing for a wage increase for the workforce providing direct care for people with disabilities so they can live in their homes and communities.

The Senate study committee has proposed funding the jump in new waiver slots and the wage increase in the new state budget that would take effect next summer. The shortage of direct-support professionals has hamstrung recent efforts to serve more of the 7,000 people waiting for Medicaid services.

Increasing funding to provide services for 2,400 more people would cost about $66 million, according to one estimate. That would be a significant increase, and it would follow a year where lawmakers covered an additional 513 people.

“It’s critically needed,” said D’Arcy Robb, executive director of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities who also served on the study committee.

“As a state, we have under invested in this population for a long time. I think we’ve heard very clearly in the testimonies: people are breaking. And these are Georgians, these are folks with disabilities who can live lives and thrive and contribute. These are families.”

The committee drew a crowd at the series of meetings held across the state this year, with the attendees in Tifton spilling into an overflow room. More than 100 people also submitted written testimony.

In the longer term, the study committee has proposed creating a commission like the one established in 2019 to overhaul the state’s behavioral health system and that was the driving force behind last session’s parity bill.

Sen. Sally Harrell, an Atlanta Democrat who pushed for the examination of the waitlist, and her Republican co-chair Sen. John Albers share the vision of creating a reform-minded commission this coming legislative session that will take a comprehensive look at Georgia’s system for caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and identify solutions. The new session starts next month.

“This is the beginning. This is the kickoff of a process of solving these issues, which are deep and complex,” Harrell said.

Kevin Tanner, who started and led the behavioral health reform commission, became the commissioner of the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities on Friday.

‘A

crisis in the care economy’

The state agency responsible for Georgia’s safety net system for people with disabilities is in the middle of reviewing the pay of direct-support professionals.

But the lawmakers behind the Dec. 14 committee report said they are frustrated by preliminary findings that would justify raising the hourly rate in Georgia to about $15, up from about $10.

“I personally was disappointed in the amount they came up with which was like $15.18 an hour,” Harrell said.

“We certainly heard testimony that there were organizations that had done enough fundraising and had gone up to that and it didn’t make a difference.”

The rate study is being conducted at a time of steep inflation, which is compounding a long-standing workforce problem nationally. Even before inflation strained the pocketbooks of direct-support professionals, provider groups in Georgia were warning the workforce shortage had already reached crisis levels.

“I’m disappointed too,” Albers said. “But you know what, there’s too much other good things happening – this is advancing the ball – to walk away disappointed over one out of all the other issues.”

Albers committed to revisiting the wage issue later if inflation does not ease and if the proposed rate increase does not help address the shortage.

The cost to the state to fund what the rate study ultimately recommends was not available Wednesday because the study is still ongoing. The state is seeking public comment on the study’s initial findings through Jan. 13.

Dom Kelly, president and CEO of a new advocacy group called New Disabled South that is focused on a 14-state region, said he had not seen the study’s results but struggled to see how a $15 hourly rate would help grow and preserve this important workforce.

“Overall, $15 an hour is not a livable wage for really anybody, especially today with inflation and even without inflation,” Kelly said Wednesday. “Fifteen dollars an hour is not a livable wage, and especially in a vital role like that where this is actually people’s lives that we’re dealing with.”

Kelly said there is an urgent need to shore up this workforce.

“There is a crisis in the care economy right now, and there aren’t enough people willing to do the work,” he said.

Robb with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities said her organization’s position is for lawmakers to raise the rate to $15 an hour at a minimum in the near term. It would still be a jump from the current rate, she said.

She said she’s encouraged by talk of forming a commission.

“I think what’s come out is that this problem is deeper and wider than was really

realized before,” Robb said. “So, I think the commission is going to be really key going forward to keep these issues in the limelight and address this on an ongoing basis because ‘waivers and wages,’ to my mind, that’s the start.”

Managed care model

The panel also wants to task the new commission, if created this session, with exploring the prospect of delivering services for people with disabilities through managed care, which has prompted concerns.

If deemed a viable option, the panel recommends limiting the approach to a small number of people and only those

who are newly enrolled in NOW and COMP waiver services.

Albers said after the meeting that he’s aware of the concerns that moving to the managed care model for these services might diminish the quality of care.

“The reality is we don’t know,” he said. “The fear of the unknown is a healthy fear. But we also should do our homework, we should study it and see if it could work, and if it could, how would we pilot that to make sure.”

This story comes to Appen Media through a reporting partnership with Georgia Recorder, a nonprofit newsroom that covers statewide issues.

JILL NOLIN/GEORGIA RECORDER

State senators Sally Harrell and John Albers, center, react Dec. 14 after their committee passed recommendations for improving access to services for those with disabilities. Harrell, a Democrat, and Albers, a Republican, co-chaired the panel.

Food historian revives ethnic cuisine

By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga.— Clarissa Clifton spends her Saturdays over a roaring fire, stirring pots in historical attire. For the past five years, she’s been a food historian at Smith Plantation, where she volunteers twice a month to cook her specialty— historical Southern poverty food.

“I cook all year because this is my passion,” Clifton said. “I love doing this.”

Clifton, a Brookhaven resident, practices open-hearth cooking, a method of preparing food over an open fire, with cooking pots suspended over the flame. The setup is simple, but the pots can produce everything from stews to biscuits.

It’s Clifton’s preferred way to cook. Clifton’s food background began in South Georgia, where she was born and raised. She grew up watching her family cook traditional recipes and later came to love their significance.

“The area that I’m from is South Georgia, it’s probably why we’re so high in Nigerian,” Clifton said. “We probably came over very late in the slave trade.”

The food she makes is traditional, often pulling from recipes from slaves and poor people in the South. Much of it is familiar, though, as traditional Black American cooking has risen in popularity – collard greens and shrimp

and grits are recipes Clifton specifically acknowledges.

On Dec. 17, Clifton prepared a meal of Hoppin’ John, whiskey ham and spiced cider. As she stirred the pot of Hoppin’ John, a dish of black-eyed peas, rice and pork, she detailed the history behind the rice.

“Rice is one of the first things that slaves were brought over for,” Clifton said.

The rice she uses is Carolina Gold, a crop Clifton said was a big push for slavery.

“It’s one of those things that was a cash crop before cotton took over,” Clifton said. “After that, the only people who continued to grow the rice were slaves and descendants of slaves.”

Clifton has always been passionate in this kind of history. She’s interested in the Revolutionary War and has participated in many reenactments and events. At first, though, she didn’t know food history was an option.

The combination of her love for food and history came when she watched a television show in the ’90s and saw a guest who called herself a “food historian.”

“I was like, ‘Oh my God… that’s what I want to do,’” Clifton said.

That’s when she started working at the Atlanta History Center. She’s since worked in Atlanta, Virginia and North Carolina, relocating with her day job in information technology.

Clifton makes it clear that her real passion is the volunteer work she does in open-hearth cooking. She hopes to retire from her career soon and take on more cooking in her free time.

Before the onset of COVID-19,

Clifton also taught open-hearth cooking classes, often instructing professional chefs and food enthusiasts in food ways they weren’t familiar with.

Clifton recalls teaching a chef her recipe for vinegar pie, a traditional Southern dessert with sugar, butter, vinegar. When the chef began cooking, he exclaimed “This is chess pie!”

Of course, Clifton said she knew that. Chess pie is simply another name for vinegar pie. The name sprung from a misunderstanding of “just pie” as “chess pie.”

Education is essential to Clifton’s passion for food history. As much as she loves cooking, she loves teaching people about the techniques and dishes. She also loves feeding people the meals.

“When people come, they want to eat all the time, but we can’t feed the public, because I’m not a chef, I’m a cook,” Clifton said.

When Clifton teaches classes, people can eat what they cook, and possibly pick up a new favorite recipe. They can also learn the history behind meals they may already know.

The history Clifton teaches is complicated. She’s volunteered at multiple plantations, places that used to house slaves. Despite that difficult past, Clifton sees the sites as valuable destinations.

“Only about 10 percent of the people were actually plantation owners,” Clifton said.

Instead of focusing on the plantation owners, Clifton points her spotlights toward most of the population on a plantation: enslaved people. For Clifton, the sites are a key part of Black history.

It’s why Clifton plans to host a cooking event for Black History Month she calls “A Taste of Struggle,” in which she will join a chef to make traditional meals like chicken feet, to emphasize the fare that came out of difficult times.

She also spotlights poverty cooking and emphasizes that many poor White people were mistreated as well.

“The 90 percent of poor Whites and slaves were basically eating the same thing,” Clifton said.

For Clifton, remembering the history is vital to bringing traditional food into the modern day, and doing it authentically — not the trendy, expensive Southern food.

“We’ve been taught to be ashamed of our food for so long that we don’t like to push our things through,” Clifton said. “That’s how you end up with people buying collard greens for $75.”

DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA

Clarissa Clifton leads an open-hearth cooking demonstration Dec. 17 at Smith Plantation in Roswell, where she’s volunteered for the past five years.

Robin Fricton

Roderick Liptrot

Support your local press. 100% of the $13/month that you give goes directly to supporting your local press. Every article we write about local elections, school board budgets, public safety and more is made possible by your donation. The more members we have, the more coverage of these important issues is made possible.

• Appen Press Club T-Shirt & Mug.

• Name listed on our membership directory in print and online.

• Free entry to all Appen Press Club

events and seminars.

Scott Baynton

Rita Brown

Mark Casas

Alpharetta Lions Club

Barbara Anderson

Mary Asbury

Barbara Bauschka

Kathy Beck

Leslie Berry

Tom Billings

Joe Bowen

Mary Busman

Clea Calloway

Carla Campbell

Kirk Canaday

James Carr

Bridgette Carter

William Cartwright

Tom McMurrain

Bob Meyers

Ross & Lori Ramsey Kim Truett

MEMBER+

Charlcie Forehand Marie Gualtiere

Anne Peer

Pat Check

Ann Coaloa

MEMBER

Robert Popp Mark Rundle

Roger Wise Jr.

Suraj Sehgal

Rebecca Donlan

Tom Driscoll

Mim Eisenberg

Danny Elkins

Martha Fasse

Cathy Flynn

Amy Frederick Carol Fry

Tracey Ganesh

Christopher Goodrich

Joe Hirsch

Penn Hodge

Tyler Jones

Mark Kelly

Allison Kloster

Ken Leffingwell

Karen Magill

Valerie Matthews

Mike McLoughlin

Al Merrill

Christine Miller

Fred Moeller

Kathy Morgan

Jack Murphy

Bob O’Brien

Righteous PR

Stephanie Schuette

Lisa Shippel

Cindy Simpson

Faye Sklar

Judith Slaughter

Andy Smith

Cathryn Stovall

Lisa Tilt

Ollie Wagner

Lewis Walker

Nancy & Dave Wistrand

Tree-bound cat inspires expedited invention

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

CUMMING, Ga. — Little Guy, an orange Tabby cat, was stuck in a tree for seven days before being rescued.

On July 1, a “biblical thunderstorm” was underway with rain, lighting and wind that caused the branches to violently sway. It took Normer Adams, the 70-something-year-old operator of Cat Man Do Rescue, around five hours to retrieve Little Guy from the end of what looked like a vein-width’s limb 50-60 feet high with a pole.

The tree stands to the right of Michelle Lacobelle’s front porch, one house down, atop a ridge that overlooks her subdivision.

“I did tell God — I said, ‘If you take him, take me,” Lacobelle recalled, who at one point was hoisted up 30 feet herself.

Lacobelle said she lost 10 pounds in that week from stress.

“I would see little eyes and hear him meow every night,” she said.

But the taxing event sparked an idea for Lacobelle, a senior principal systems engineer in the defense and aerospace industry, leading her to produce a now-patented, cat rescue tunnel and apparatus, which she calls “Little Guy Cat Rescue.”

With the help of Mike Holihan, a longtime friend, former co-worker and serial inventor, Lacobelle received patent approval for the device Nov. 24. Both names are on the application, but Lacobelle is the first-named inventor.

Installation

Lacobelle and Holihan provided a demo of the invention Dec. 9. Similar to a cat tunnel that can be found at any pet store, Lacobelle’s creation is a long, plastic mesh tube about 10 inches in diameter with a coiled wire inside. The tunnel is flexible, lightweight and collapsible.

The cat tunnel itself can’t be patented, Lacobelle said, because someone let the tunnel claim go abandoned. Patent ideas can go somewhere like a boneyard composed of “prior art,” Holihan said.

“You still have to fight that even though it’s been let go and no one claims it anymore,” Holihan said.

Every foot or so, Holihan cut a hole in the tunnel to allow for a zip tie, intended to be hammered to a tree using a staple — the patented method of installation to be fine-tuned in the manufacturing process. Zip ties aren’t necessary, Lacobelle said, but they allow a space for the staple to be used and secured to the tree.

Patent holders can have a “continuation pattern,” Holihan said, which allows a patent to be continuously modified. If a new application is filed within a year from the first, additions can

be made, he said.

“There’s other things that we’ve talked about that can be done with electronics,” Holihan said. “There are different things.”

One iteration of the tunnel, the “S-shaped configuration,” was already installed, nearly vertical but with kinks, running up one side of a tree by a horse pasture in a neighbor’s backyard. For demonstration, Lacobelle and Holihan created the second and last design, a “spiral configuration.”

Using a ladder, Holihan slowly wrapped and nailed the tunnel around the tree with Lacobelle assisting.

No guarantees

Holihan went up about 20 feet to attach the tunnel. But Lacobelle said if a cat were up higher, any tree climber could install the tunnel, walk away and let the cat come down. Lacobelle’s patent submission notes that multiple tunnels can be adjoined to fashion any length.

“A tree climber is not really a cat rescuer, and they’ll charge you like $500 to rescue a cat with no guarantees,” Lacobelle said.

Before Adams showed up in July, Lacobelle tried calling the Forsyth County Fire Department. But the department said they couldn’t do anything — it was too risky. Forsyth County Division Chief Jason Shivers said the fire department gets these kinds of calls about once a month.

Half of the time, there’s not much they can do, Shivers said, so they usually suggest a local tree climber.

Lacobelle called the tree climber, but he couldn’t get Little Guy down after several attempts.

Using her immense cat knowledge, Lacobelle then began to think of the many ways to deliver Little Guy from his predicament, like constructing a hammock from netting and a 35-foot catwalk. But none of her efforts worked.

“The cat just wasn’t coming down,” Lacobelle said. “It was like a suicide mission.”

Afterward, a neighbor helped Lacobelle find Adams, who had appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The day after Adams succeeded in his mission, Lacobelle began the process of what would become Little Guy Cat Rescue, writing the application alongside Holihan.

Patent approval

At the Dec. 9 demonstration, Lacobelle offered cinnamon coffee and a Danish. She flipped through the official patent approval, submitted Aug. 2 — only three weeks after Little Guy was rescued.

“It’s just a matter of time before they publish it fully on the website,” Lacobelle said.

Some of Lacobelle’s cats were lounging about in her bedroom upstairs and

were hard for her to catch. But Little Guy had a calmer demeanor. Given the moniker “Bruce Lee” for his agility, Little Guy missed the birth of his litter while suspended. Most of his kittens, who Little Guy frequently cuddles, still reside with Lacobelle and have “Little” as their first name.

Lacobelle showed off a dedicated room for her cat, which had litter boxes, tunnels and a pink doll house.

“Of all the things I brought from California. I brought this,” said Lacobelle, who moved from Los Angeles a year and a half ago. “My daughter said, ‘You don’t need a playhouse.’ I said, ‘I do when I have kittens again.’”

Opposite the upstairs common space, Lacobelle’s vision board included plans

for her invention as well as an easy, rich retirement.

“I want a million dollars,” Lacobelle said. “I want callbacks, interest, licensing, Petco…”

Lacobelle has been having conversations with Petco to market the product.

Now that her patent is approved, Lacobelle is a member of The Breakfast Club — a group of Holihan’s inventor colleagues from California, including Dave Crouch. Crouch, who has 50 patents and a PhD in physics, moved out east and met up with Lacobelle and Holihan for breakfast in northern Georgia.

“... One of the many blessings from rescuing Little Guy, who I love so much,” Lacobelle said.

There are two ways to configure the tunnel along a tree, an “S-shape configuration” and a “spiral configuration. On left, the S-shape configuration is installed on one side of the tree. The spiral configuration, on right, is installed by wrapping the tunnel around the tree.

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/ APPEN MEDIA

Michelle Lacobelle holds Little Guy, her cat that inspired a new cat rescuing invention Dec. 9. Lacobelle created a method for installing a mesh cat tunnel to a tree, allowing tree-bound cats to crawl down. The tunnel is flexible, lightweight and collapsible.

The realizations that come with age

The big news from me in 2022 is that I’m getting old.

It’s bad enough that journalists fresh out of J-School at UGA have been calling me “Mr. Appen,” but now my oldest child, Phoebe, has started to call me “Hans” when she gets mad at me. If she grows any more like her mother in 2023 I’m in big trouble.

fact that I’m even mentioning these two social platforms is causing some snickers amongst the whipper snappers in my office.

HANS APPEN Publisher hans@appenmedia.com

Said oldest child is also quick to point out the influx of gray hairs on my head and pat my big belly in mock concern.

“Wait, do you have grays in your beard, too?!”

I am officially out of touch and behind the times with the latest advancements in technology, and frankly, I give up. I never jumped on TikTok and I am not going to even try with BeReal. I’m sure the

Speaking of, outside of dear June in our Classifieds department, I am now the most tenured employee on my own staff. How did that happen? This year, I hired someone for the first time whose birth year doesn’t begin with a 19. What?!

I am middle of the rung now when someone on staff needs help with a computer program, and I am rarely called upon to represent the “younger generation” in a meeting involving diversifying for an evolving media environment and younger readers.

Just tell me what to do and when to do it, folks.

Recently, I joined a group of about 15 of my uncles, male cousins, and husbands of female cousins for 48 hours in Vegas. We caught the IU/Arizona basketball game at the MGM and walked up and down the strip for hours. At about

hour 30, I patted a few on the back, told them to have fun, and me and my sore hips made their way back to the hotel for a nap. I slept like a baby.

Lastly, it used to be that elderly neighbors would call me to help them lift something heavy or keep an eye on their house while they were out of town. Recently, my middle child, Leo, got the call instead.

Yep, I’m getting old.

The thing is, I’m more than OK with this stage in life, and I quite like it, actually.

While Mom and Dad inch closer to retirement and further away from Appen Media, I still have brother Carl on staff with me to continue the tradition of multiple Appen family members working – and coming to blows – in the company that bears their name. He is the ying to my yang at the office, and we do a good job of covering for each other. He’s got my back and I’ve got his.

At home, my favorite thing to do is

spend time with my kids. We are neck deep in baseball, soccer, karate, piano, playdates, fishing – you name it, we’re doing it.

The highlight of my day is making my way to each child’s room for their bedtime story. Phoebe and I are on Book 6 of the Harry Potter series, Leo and I are on Book 3 of the Little House on the Prairie Series, and youngest child, Annie, refuses to read anything other than Peppa Pig.

For me, I love to be outside and have my hands in the dirt. I recognize and enjoy moments in life I used to ignore, or take for granted. Blooming flowers, the art of and joy of building something with your own hands, the laughter of a child, a good sermon, good people and the gift of another day.

Life is good, and I am good with it.

So, from Alpharetta’s newest old geezer, I hope you have a wonderful New Year filled with good friends, good health and happy memories.

But first, get off my lawn.

An array of topics: What do you think?

RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com

So, this column is sort of like a mini “house-cleaning.” There have been a number of things that have occurred recently that are either solid potential “column topics: or at least semi columnworthy.”

One item has to do with one of my recent columns about social media. Another has to do with a longer article that our reporter Amber wrote about drag theater, and another consists of a few things that happened, or I observed when we were in New York to see a Broadway show this past week (“Music Man”).

Don’t know where I live

Every week we deliver just over 100,000 local newspapers (Heralds and Criers) to homes. These are free, nonsubscription-based, so every week we usually receive a few requests to stop delivery – for whatever reason. However, it is not that unusual that when we ask the caller their address and the name of the subdivision in which they live, so we can stop delivery, they give us the address but cannot give us the name of their subdivision because they don’t know it.

They don’t know the name of the subdivision in which they live?

I am not sure what the opposite of “woke” is but is it possibly “comatose” or “oblivious to anything but their own field of vision, sensibilities, and values.” “Myopic,” but with a more negative twist, comes to mind. Yes, they might have just moved in last week, but my guess is that is only the case in a few instances.

Not all social media is bad

A reader took the time to correct me about a recent column in which I focused on all the negative/toxic aspects of social media without acknowledging the positive ones. My bad. He was right to call me on that. While I did consider it when I wrote the column, I think in my mind I was thinking that the positives are obvious – just as are the negative aspects. Again, I should have addressed that aspect.

NYC/Broadway/honking

We walked a lot on Broadway as well as took Ubers and Lyfts. One thing was constant – thousands of cars and trucks and honking – honking, honking, and more honking. So, at some point one sort of just stops hearing those honks; but, at another point I had an epiphany about them. Those honks in NYC were not personal; they are not road-rage like they very often are in Georgia. It felt like –opinion here – like those NYC honks were saying “move on,” “quit holding everyone up”, “wake up.” That’s in contrast to the toxic, often threatening, name-calling

personal outrage that is honking in Georgia and specifically in North Fulton. The volume of honks in NYC surely would have resulted in – how many? –people pulling out their guns and … in Georgia?

Tik Tok and Elon

Another reader pointed out to me that in my column about social media, I should have been defending First Amendment rights of free speech instead of trashing social media. I get his point of view. But I also believe that free speech is not absolute; that you cannot shout “fire” in a crowded theater. I also pointed out to him in my reply that, in my opinion, that an un-regulated, unencumbered Internet – which is the main conduit of “free speech” is incompatible with all forms of government. I have not heard back from him yet, but I am sure he will not agree.

Of note, I noted that Congress just passed a bill banning TikTok from being loaded onto any computer belonging to the U.S. federal government; free speech vs what?

The story about theater and drag actors

So, we have received a lot of “feedback” about a recent story about a drag show in Forsyth County.

One reader who had previously emailed me to complement us on how much progress we had made in our Forsyth coverage expressed his

disappointment in our story choice – “you digressed.”

A good friend – who I respect and like – reached out to me about how sad he was that we reported/promoted anything to do with the topic

So here is a poignant local example of choices that must be made and the impact of those choices for a newspaper or media of any sort – and for the audience served. None of the choices are easy. Where does one draw the line? Ban TikTok? Ban reporters because they write true stories about you (Elon Musk)? Ban politicians because they shout “fire” in a crowded theater? Who gets to define “fire?”

Is all we (the media) have to do is make sure that what we write is objectively the truth - (yes)? But, what about story selection? If we write about crime, does that mean we are promoting crime? Do all people have a fundamental right to live their lives as they choose so long as they do not harm others – and more. Are some lifestyles more important than others? Is someone “woke” if they think people should be treated the same? Are people “comatose” if they attack others as being woke because they are different than they are? And on and on.

Respect, honesty, the truth, and common sense are some of the markers that should lead a media – and individuals – to the best middle ground I think.

Peace on Earth, good will to everyone.

Thank You!

Our local news is free to read but not to produce. Milton Herald relies on advertisers to keep the lights on, pay our reporters and publish your news. That’s why we want to say thank you to all the advertisers, large and small, who have stuck by us through thick and thin. Consider giving them your business, just as they have done with us. Buy local, eat local, read local.

and implement,” Jallad said.

Holiday said her time at NFCC so far has been a whirlwind, but a good one. She’s watched the holiday events and sat in on English as a Second Language classes, and even attended a class graduation ceremony.

While she’s still learning and observing, Holiday has started working out her goals for the future of the charity. Economic stability and events are key,

but Holiday wants to spotlight mental health and dismantling stigmas in the coming year.

“I think, for as many people that have the courage to come to our food pantry and our thrift shop and come here and ask for emergency assistance with rent or mortgage, there’s probably three more people that don’t,” Holiday said. “And that’s really critical.”

Holiday hopes to destigmatize the need for help in North Fulton, especially as rent and food costs continue to rise.

“You don’t know when you’ll be in need,” Holiday said. “It’s important that as a community we remain aware and

open-minded.”

Charity: Is Your Company Hiring?

Holiday said North Fulton has an “out of sight, out of mind” perception that creates a stigma. It’s the responsibility of her organization to educate the community that people in need are their neighbors, not strangers.

As executive director, Holiday said she sees herself as a link between the community and North Fulton Community Charities.

“I really see myself as this conduit of maybe a better understanding of a more open mindset, just a conduit, where all these great things can flow in between,” Holiday said.

Did this ad catch your eye?

Then imagine the number of other readers that noticed it too!

Advertise your products and services in our newspapers and get noticed by our 262,500 readers every week in North Atlanta.*

CONTACT YOUR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE TODAY! 770-442-3278

319 North Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

AppenMedia.com

*Based on total circulation of 93,000 homes delivered x 2.5 readers per home (newspaper industry standard).

Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group

We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.

Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.

For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

A LOCATION AND DESIGN PUBLIC INFORMATION OPEN HOUSE

For P.I. No. 0016582

Fulton County

The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) is placing project information for review and feedback into an internet platform to allow citizens to review and comment on the proposed project. We appreciate your participation in this process.

Georgia DOT has posted information at https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/ PublicOutreach.aspx related to the proposed bridge replacement at City Street (CS) 34/Freemanville Road at Cooper Sandy Creek.

This project proposes to replace the existing bridge (GDOT Bridge ID# 121-51230) carrying CS 34/Freemanville Road bridge over Cooper Sandy Creek, 1.75 miles north of the City of Alpharetta limits. The existing bridge consists of two 9-foot lanes. The proposed bridge would widen the lanes to two 12-foot lanes. The bridge would be replaced on existing alignment and would require a 4.3-mile offsite detour during construction.

The purpose of this internet posting is to replace an in-person meeting, while allowing the public to review the proposed project, provide feedback, or write in with questions.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities contact the District Planning and Programing Liaison Joshua Higgins at johiggins@dot.ga.gov, or (770) 216-3896.

Comments will be accepted concerning this project until January 27, 2023. Written statements may be submitted to:

Mr. Eric Duff

State Environmental Administrator Georgia Department of Transportation 600 West Peachtree Street, NW – 16th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Full-time

POOL TECHNICIANS WANTED

Part-time & Full-time positions available. Pay is $12-$14 per hour. Hours starting at 6:30AM, Monday-Friday. Pick-up truck not required but must have your own reliable transportation. Gas allowance provided. Looking for people who enjoy working outside and are enthusiastic, dependable & punctual. Able to contribute independently or on a crew with consistently friendly attitude.

Well-established commercial pool maintenance company providing service in the North Atlanta Metro area.

Call Bill: 404-245-9396

ENTERTAINMENT ATTENDANTS.

ALPHARETTA, GA.

Assist coach/athletes, prepare locker room before games & clean up after games. Monitor activities.$12/h. jessica@wfpimmigration.com

Home Improvement

PHILLIPS HOME IMPROVEMENT

We offer drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Basements finished, kitchen and bath rehabs. All types flooring. Also total home rehab for those who have a rental house or one to sell. Call 678-887-1868 for a free estimate.

BASEMENTS-FRAMING-DRYWALL-TRIM-PAINT

Decks repaired/built. Labor payment upon completion. 30-plus years experience. John Ingram/678-906-7100. Act now before prices increase next year! Heritage Home Maintenance homerepairga@ gmail.com. heritageconstructionga.com

Pinestraw

PINESTRAW, MULCH Delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS

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

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.

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

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

COMPLETE TREE SERVICES

Tree Services 20% OFF ALL 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

Free consutation. 20 years experience.

Fully insured. References. Call Tree Expert for an appointment @ 470-588-5339.

ROOF LEAKING?

Roofing

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.

Christian Brothers Roofing

Flooring

PHILLIPS FLOORING

Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes. Regrouting is also available. Call 678-887-1868 for free estimate.

Cemetery

ROSWELL GREENLAWN 1 lot, Crucifiction Section. $3995. 678-232-6816

Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protec-tion. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833610-1936

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo!

Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Become a published author. We want to read your book!

Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-479-1516

The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services.

$0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877-539-0299

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service.

Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Fi-nancing available. 1-855-417-1306

Switch and save up to $250/yr on talk, text & data. No contract or hidden fees. Unlimited talk & text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service.

Limited time get $50 off any new account. Use code GIFT50. 1-855-903-3048

Attention Homeowners! If you have water damage and need cleanup services, call us! We’ll get in & work with your insurance agency to get your home repaired and your life back to nor-mal ASAP! 855-767-7031

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892

!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! GIBSON, FENDER, MARTIN, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. TOP DOLLAR PAID. CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-433-8277

Caring for an aging loved one? Wondering about options like senior-living communities and inhome care? Caring.com’s Family Advisors help take the guesswork out of senior care for your family. Free, no-obligation consult: 1-855-759-1407

FREE $20 Cash App Everyone! Yes It’s Real. Very Limited supply until we run out! Go to Free20Now.com

Donald Kjenstad, 75, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 19, 2022.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Solomon McDaniel, 87, of Roswell, passed away on December 16, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Florrie Silvers, 78, of Roswell, passed away on December 19, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jeanette Sullivan, 93, of Alpharetta, passed away on December 21, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

“Pam has handled 3 transactions for us over the the past 6 years. During that time, she has acted as both our seller and buyer agent. In our sales transactions, she consistently secured us top dollar within days of listing our properties. As our buyer agent, she guided us expertly and patiently through our decision process. Overall, Pam has gone above and beyond what was expected to ensure she represented our best interests at all times. In addition to being a top-notch professional with in-depth knowledge of the Milton and Alpharetta markets, she is a genuine pleasure to work with. Without qualification, we highly recommend Pam Gillig for any