MILTON, Ga. — Members of the Milton City Council had some questions for staff about an extension of a zoning moratorium on properties within the Deerfield district at the Feb. 3 City Council meeting.
The moratorium passed unanimously and set a July 7 deadline for the city to finalize its reassessment of potential changes to Milton’s city code for segments of Ga. 9, Windward Parkway and Morris, Webb and Cogburn roads.
Because the existing three-month moratorium expired Feb. 3, the city needed more time to gather feedback before it opens the door to potential developers.
With the moratorium extended, no applications will be accepted for use permits, rezonings, condition amendments or any sort of approval considered a zoning decision.
The L-shaped commercial district includes Cambridge High School, Stonecreek Church and strip malls off Ga. 9 like Deerfield Place.
The goal of the project, called the Deerfield Implementation Plan, is to create an urban design manual for developers eyeing potential revitalization of the city’s eastern commercial district.
During the Jan. 29 State of the City, Mayor Petyon Jamison said Deerfield is unique in Milton because it’s already developed and predates the city’s building and design standards.
A map shows a draft of the Deerfield urban design manual with different parcels segmented for preferred uses based off community feedback. The draft was set to be presented at a Feb. 4 joint session of the Design Review Board and Planning Commission before the City Council sees it Feb. 10.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
City podcast preps launch
MILTON, Ga. — The first episode of the city’s official podcast, “Milton and Mane,” debuted Feb. 5 with the episode “And So It Begins: Meet Steve KrokoffCity Manager.”
The inaugural episode is available on most podcast applications, featuring Krokoff in conversation with new Communications Manager Christy Weeks. To listen to episodes, visit mil-tonandmane.buzzsprout.com.
The city hopes its podcast will serve as a dynamic space where community connection meets in-sightful conversation. Whether listeners are a longtime resident, local business owner, neighboring official or simply interested in the community, the podcast offers valuable insights into the city and its people.
With short and engaging segments, the platform makes it easy for listeners to stay informed during their commute, a walk or as part of their daily routine.
During the inaugural episode, Krokoff details his journey becoming the top administrator in Milton responsible for its day-to-day operations. The 40-minute podcast weaves through his personal pub-lic service experience with some updates on projects and initiatives around Milton.
Krokoff joined the city in 2015 as its police chief after more than two decades with the Albany Po-lice Department in New York. Less than a year later, former Mayor Joe Lockwood nominated him to be city manager and council members confirmed him unanimously.
See PODCAST, Page 26
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POLICE BLOTTER
All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.
Driver arrested for DUI after single-vehicle crash
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A 22-year-old Alpharetta man was arrested on a driving under the influence charge Jan. 25.
Officers noticed signs a driver was intoxicated after being dispatched to a one-vehicle crash about 11 p.m. on Fox Road at Thornbury Way, according to an Alpharetta Police Department report.
The man admitted he had consumed two alcoholic beverages, according to the report. His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and his breath smelled of alcohol.
Officers asked whether he would complete an intoxicated driving evaluation, and the man agreed to a test of his eyes.
The test showed signs of intoxication, according to the report. He also was unsteady on his feet and almost fell backward while stepping from the curb.
The driver refused to give a breath sample for testing.
Officers arrested the man on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain lane.
— Jon Wilcox
Police arrest unruly patron at Canton Street restaurant
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested a 44-year-old Atlanta man Jan. 24 for felony obstruction after he allegedly got into a fight with an offduty officer at Rock N’ Taco.
The arrest report says the offduty officer was working security at
the Canton Street restaurant and was asked to escort an unruly patron outside.
Responding officers said the man put a patron into a rear-naked choke after starting an argument with him at the bar. Because they were unable to speak with the victim, officers could not charge the suspect with aggravated assault.
After employees broke up the fight, they asked the off-duty officer to escort the man outside. The officer said the man was heavily intoxicated and attempted to re-enter the restaurant a couple of minutes later.
The patron allegedly pushed the off-duty officer after being denied entry and then walked away. When the off-duty officer tried to detain and arrest the man, he allegedly resisted, continued to walk away and a struggle ensued.
The off-duty officer said another nearby security guard helped him get the man in handcuffs.
Responding officers said they transported the suspect to Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, then onto the Fulton County Jail.
The man was charged with felony obstruction of law enforcement, simple battery against an officer, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.
Jail records show he was bonded out for $5,000 Jan. 27.
Hayden Sumlin
Police investigate report of stolen tag, vandalism
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A license plate was reported stolen from a Mansell Road auto shop Jan. 26.
The owner of the shop, which is attached to a gas station, said a license plate was stolen from a work trailer at the business, according to an Alpharetta Police.
The license plate was valued at $50.
A security camera recorded three men at the business the night before
but failed to capture the alleged theft.
The camera did record the men taking three bottles of water from a cooler in the front of the business, the owner said. The owner also discovered damage and burn marks to a new grill, valued at $60.
Alpharetta firefighters were dispatched to the auto shop about 12:15 a.m. Jan. 25 after a fire was reported there. When they arrived, the fire had been extinguished.
The incident was classified as a theft of motor vehicle parts and criminal trespass.
— Jon Wilcox
Officers arrest 2 men in Home Depot theft
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Police arrested two men after one of them allegedly stole two DeWalt leaf blowers from the Holcomb Bridge Road Home Depot Jan. 20.
A loss prevention employee said a male suspect took the blowers, valued at $925, and left the store in a blue Chevrolet pickup truck.
Officers said the vehicle is registered to an 80-year-old Grayson man whose headshot did not match with the suspect captured by Home Depot’s security cameras.
The loss prevention employee said Home Depot has open cases on the suspect as well.
A report says a 49-year-old Dacula man, linked to the crime, was arrested around 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at 550 West Crossville Road.
Another suspect, a 27-yearold Winder man, was arrested in Lawrenceville and transported to Fulton County Jail on a felony shoplifting warrant signed Jan. 28.
While the Roswell Police Department’s report does not explain a connection between the suspects, they were each jailed on felony shoplifting charges related to same incident.
— Hayden Sumlin
THE PICTURE FRAMER
Mid-year state budget sails though Georgia House
By DAVE WILLIAMS Capitol Beat
ATLANTA — The Georgia House overwhelmingly passed a $40.5 billion mid-year state budget Thursday containing hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending aimed largely at helping victims of Hurricane Helene recover from the devastating storm.
The mid-year budget, which now moves to the state Senate, sailed through the House 166-3.
House lawmakers added $197 million to the $615 million Gov. Brian Kemp requested in relief for resi-dents, business owners, farmers, and timber producers who suffered losses when Helene struck South Georgia and the eastern half of the state last September.
“This will just address initial needs,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Matt Hatchet, R-Dublin, said of the $250 million included in the mid-year budget to help timber producers affected by Helene, up from the $100 million the governor recommended. “I’m sure we’ll have additional legislation.”
Another priority of the mid-year budget is public safety. The spending plan calls for hiring more than 400 correctional officers to staff a state prison system criticized last fall in a federal audit for failing to protect inmates from widespread violence.
The mid-year budget also would boost funding for body cameras and tasers to help those correctional officers maintain order.
House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, DColumbus, questioned whether two modular prison units the state Department of Corrections plans to construct will provide enough security. The state plans to move inmates into those units temporarily to make room for projects fixing crumbling infrastructure in ex-isting prisons.
“They are very sturdy,” Hatchett responded. “The concrete reinforcement and insulation of doors and locks are the same ones we use (in the existing prisons).”
The mid-year budget also includes $501.7 million to increase surface water supplies in Coastal Georgia to supply the huge Hyundai electric-vehicle manufacturing plant now under construction west of Savan-nah. A new water intake on the Savannah River is expected to produce 20 million gallons a day by 2030.
Another $250 million would go toward lowinterest loans to help finance water and wastewater pro-jects across the state.
The Georgia Department of Transportation would receive more than $500 million for improvements along the state’s interstate corridors.
The House supported Kemp’s request for an additional $50 million for school-security grants, with each school in Georgia getting more than $68,000 to spend as local school district officials see fit.
See STATE, Page 26
Appen Media named legal organ by City of Mountain Park officials
MOUNTAIN PARK, Ga. — The Mountain Park City Council named Appen Media Group its legal organ Jan. 27, joining other Metro Atlanta governments who place their public notices in the company’s newspapers.
State law requires cities to advertise certain announcements in a paper of record, ensuring public knowledge of official meetings, budgets and other municipal business.
With a population of fewer than a thousand, the halfsquare-mile City of Mountain Park is no different.
Last year Mountain Park ran ads in the AlpharettaRoswell Herald notifying the public about property transfers and the fiscal year 2025 budget. The city placed a bulletin about upcoming municipal elections in the paper’s Jan. 23 edition.
The City Council's unanimous vote ensures these placements for the future. By designating an official legal organ, the city will secure cost savings while providing residents clear, reliable access to public notices.
Appen Media Group Publisher Hans Appen wrote that the company’s goal is to engage and inform the community.
“We are looking forward to the partnership with Mountain Park. Recognizing a paper of record ensures legal compliance, cost savings, and transparent communication of public notice,” Appen said.
Appen Media Group newspapers are also the legal organs for the cities of Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Milton.
— Carl Appen
The City of Milton offers several homestead exemption options to lower people’s property tax bills. But you must act soon to take advantage!
Who’s eligible?
Property owners must own and occupy their home as primary residence as of January 1st of the given tax year. Other requirements apply depending on the exemption type.
When do I have to apply? By April 1 to be eligible for this tax year.
MILTON EXEMPTIONS APPLIED THROUGH FULTON COUNTY (go to: fultonassessor.org/exemptions)
•Basic Homestead Exemption* – $15,000 (no age or income limitations)
•Floating Homestead Exemption* – caps assessed value growth at no more than 3% (no age or income limitations)
• Veterans Exemption – $117,014 (available to disabled veterans, amount subject to change annually)
*Certain exemptions do not apply to Milton’s debt service property tax levy.
MILTON EXEMPTIONS APPLIED THROUGH THE CITY OF MILTON
•65+ Senior Exemption – $25,000 (no income limitations)
•70+ Senior Exemption – Full-value tax relief (your adjusted gross income, and that of the spouse who also resides in the home, must be less than $100,000 for the immediately preceding year)
•Disability Exemption – Full-value tax relief (must provide proof of disability and your adjusted gross income, and that of the spouse who also resides in the home, must be less than the annual maximum social security benefit listed for the immediately preceding year, which was $91,728 for 2024 returns)
For more on these exemptions and other tax relief opportunities, including one-year spousal support and the conservation use value assessment (CUVA), please visit miltonga.gov/exemptions or call the City’s Finance Department at 678-242-2511
The
spring market is here.
The real estate market is heating up, and we are actively matching our well-qualified buyers with their dream homes. We have multiple buyer needs across all price points. If you have a property that fits our criteria, please contact us or have your agent reach out.
THE JENNY DOYLE GROUP
No. 1 Large Team, Company-Wide, 2024
$850M+ Total Sales, $134M+ Closed and Pending in 2024
Up to $900K: Single-family home with primary or bedroom and full bathroom on the main level, ideally turn-key as a second home.
Close to Downtown Alpharetta
Up to $1M: Smaller single-family home with low maintenance and a small yard for dogs. Preferred neighborhoods include Palisades, Enclave at Wills Park, The Park at Bethany, etc.
Milton
Up to $1.5M: White Columns, Nettlebrook Farms, Taylor Glen, Richmond Glen or Highland Manor.
Up to $1.6M: In Milton or Cambridge High School district. Prefers older homes with charm (archways, transom windows) and a front porch. Open to renovations at lower price points.
Up to $2M: In Milton High School district, preferably Harrington Falls or Triple Crown. Flat yard preferred (pool optional). Turn-key with minimal renovations. Must find by the end of summer.
Up to $2.1M: Turn-key home with a great yard (pool or pool space), ideally closer to Crabapple or Alpharetta. Prefers charm and character; open to renovations. Must move by June.
Up to $2.5M: Open search in Milton.
Up to $3M: Six Hills or Lake at North Valley. Pool preferred but not required; open to renovations at lower price points. Must move by June.
Up to $3.5M: The Manor or Wood, Road Brittle Road or Summit Road.
Up to $4M: Wood Road or Brittle Road.
Up to $4.5M: The Hayfield.
Alpharetta, Roswell or South Milton
Up to $1.8M: Within 30 minutes of Swift School. Requires three-car garage, basement, flat yard and privacy. Pool preferred but not required. Newer, wellmaintained home. Must close by May 5.
Land (30004 or South Cherokee) Varying price ranges for 1–2 acres or development opportunities.
Centennial outlasts Cambridge at home
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — The Centennial boys pulled out a close 70-66 home win over Cambridge High Feb. 4 in their last match of the regular season before the region tournament.
Knights guard Kam Stone celebrated by writing his name in the Centennial record books.
His 79th 3-pointer of the season broke the school mark. He tacked on another two before the final buzzer.
In similar fashion to the Jan. 17 game at Cambridge, which the Knights won 80-70, the Bears led at halftime 41-37.
Cambridge guard Avery White was the Bears’ leading scorer in all four quarters.
White’s game-high 28 points, with
minute remaining in the game.
Centennial guard Jacob Turner said the Knights came in knowing the Bears had a must-win attitude.
“We were hungry for the win tonight,” he said. “Everybody that was playing today was out there for the team, not necessarily worried about points or playing selfish.”
Turner checked out of the game with a double-double, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Centennial head coach Matt Barksdale praised the team’s secondhalf defense, especially Turner’s dive for a loose ball with less than a minute left in the game.
“That was a winning play,” he said. “We’re at our best when we have multiple guys in double figures, the ball is moving and we’re playing unselfish.”
Indeed, five Knights scored in double figures, including Turner and
Cambridge girls dominate Centennial in strong second half
By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
ROSWELL, Ga — The visiting Cambridge High School girls poured it on in the second half to defeat Centennial, 62-34, Feb. 4.
Guard Gabi Johnson led the Bears with 16 points, five assists, nine steals and a block.
Cambridge found their stride offensively in the second half, pulling to a 30-point lead.
It followed the same scenario of the Jan. 17 game which Cambridge won 54-14.
This time, Centennial had two key players back from injury, junior Tori Ambroselli and sophomore Avery Holt.
The pair changed the game for the Knights, but it wasn’t enough.
Point guard Ambroselli led Centennial with 13 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Holt brought a strong presence to the Knights’ frontcourt with 6 points, three rebounds and a block.
Centennial’s defense peaked in the second quarter, allowing them to grab
the lead, 20-18, at the break by holding the Bears to just 5 points in the period.
Cambridge forward Parker Pruett was one of four Bears in double figures, stuffing the stats sheet with 10 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
“I feel like we started waking up in the second half,” she said. “We adjusted and got it together once we brought our energy up.”
The Bears began the third quarter with a 12-0 run, and the fourth quarter only furthered the damage.
Centennial had 33 turnovers to Cambridge’s 17, along with a foul discrepancy of 17-8 dug the Knights into a hole they weren’t able to climb out of.
Cambridge head coach Shanteona Keys said they were able to figure out how to quiet Ambroselli offensively and got ahold of more loose balls in the second half.
Keys reflected on ending a losing streak and the team gelling in the second half.
“Our urgency picked up,” she said. “It came down to being strong with the ball, not turning it over, and hustling.”
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Centennial junior Tori Ambroselli leads a fast break against the Cambridge Bears at Centennial High School Feb. 4. Ambroselli led the Knights with 13 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Cambridge junior Grace Miller defends against Centennial junior Meghan Schwenker’s shot at the rim at Centennial High School Feb. 4.
Just opened?
Appen Media Group, Decaturish.com to launch Decaturish Ink
DECATUR, Ga. — Decaturish.com, a trusted source for hyperlocal news in Decatur and surrounding communities, will launch a new publication, Decaturish Ink. The newspaper will provide readers with high-quality, in-depth journalism in a professionally designed print and digital format.
With the same commitment to transparency and thoughtful reporting, Decaturish Ink will elevate community storytelling by featuring long-form articles, profiles of local leaders, arts and culture highlights and engaging opinion pieces.
“Our readers have expressed a desire for deeper, more narrative-driven content that captures the spirit and unique voices of Decatur and surrounding areas like Tucker, Chamblee and Stone Mountain,” said Hans Appen, publisher at Appen Media Group. “We’re excited to bring Decaturish Ink to life and give the community a new platform for thought-provoking journalism.”
Appen Media purchased Decaturish.com in 2024 from editor Dan Whisenhunt, who founded the news website in 2013. Increasing the influence and reach of Decaturish.com by adding a print product to the market was a motivating factor for both parties to reach a deal last year.
“Decaturish Ink is the culmination of more than a decade of providing in-depth, reliable coverage of Decatur and its surrounding neighborhoods,” Whisenhunt said. “It provides an important new way for us to engage with our readers, allowing them to hear all the untold stories of our community. While we are proud of our digital publication, Ink will provide access to many of those stories in a convenient format and exclusive first-run print articles before they appear on Decaturish.com.”
Decaturish Ink will be published monthly from March to May, bi-weekly starting in June, and will transition to a weekly publication beginning in September. The print publication will complement Decaturish.com’s daily online news coverage. The first issue, set to publish March 20, will include new exclusive features and content not previously found on Decaturish.com, and will be delivered to 7,500 single family homes, apartment buildings and businesses in the area.
“Decatur is filled with incredible stories waiting to
be told,” Appen said. “With Decaturish Ink, we hope to capture these narratives and create a publication that becomes a source of pride and inspiration for our readers.”
Common questions & answers
Q: What is Decaturish Ink?
A: Decaturish Ink is a community newspaper serving the City of Decatur and nearby areas. It is a print extension of Decaturish.com, the leading local news source since 2013. Known for its timely and reliable reporting, Decaturish covers government, education, events, and human-interest stories.
Q: How is it different from Decaturish.com?
A: Decaturish Ink will incorporate many of the features that readers appreciate on Decaturish.com, expand on them, and add new ones that are harder to do online – like long form investigations. Also, while digital platforms are popular, not everyone in the community prefers or has easy access to online news. It also gives local businesses an alternative marketing vehicle in which to tell the community about their services and products.
Q: Who will receive it?
A: 7,500 single family homes, apartment complexes and businesses will receive free distribution every week. It will also be available at various rack distribution points. Residents or businesses who wish to be added to our distribution can request that by emailing circulation@appenmedia. com.
Q: Who is involved in publishing it?
Whisenhunt and Assistant Editor Zoe Seiler continue to lead the charge for Decaturish news. They are joined by a team of reporters and contributors at Appen Media that collectively represent the largest newsroom in north metro Atlanta.
Q: How can the community contribute letters, events and announcements?
Decaturish Ink would love to publish submissions from the community, and most of t hem are free. There is a small fee associated with submitting obituaries, wedding announcements and some calendar listings. Letters to the Editor or New Business Spotlights are all free to submit. Submissions can be emailed to newsroom@appenmedia. com.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Sandy Springs Fire Chief Keith Sanders, left, discusses a revamp of the North Fulton Emergency Medical Response Oversight Committee Jan. 21 to supervise the cities’ joint contract with American Medical Response.
North Fulton cities re-form EMS oversight committee
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Eight months after joining with four other North Fulton cities to subsidize regional ambulance services, Sandy Springs now has a seat at the table to evaluate performance.
At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Sandy Spring City Council agreed to adopt the bylaws of the North Fulton Emergency Medical Response Oversight Committee.
A city memo says member cities wanted to re-form the committee after last summer’s contract adoption and the addition of Sandy Springs.
Operating under its own arrangement with American Medical Response in the past, Sandy Springs was notified of an 850 percent price hike a year ago. Its contract for $260,000 a year for 8-minute response times was set to increase to $3.6 million.
The new contract, including all six North Fulton cities, will require a $2 million subsidy in the first year, split among the cities based on a three-year average of population and number of service calls.
Mountain Park, a 346-acre city in North Fulton County, has an agreement with the Roswell Fire Department that provides fire and rescue services.
The combined subsidy buys a system-wide 12-minute response time for critical, emergency calls and a 20-minute response time for minor or uncertain issues.
Sandy Springs will pay around $670,000 a year, or just under $60,000 a month on the contract.
Annual increases to the subsidy will be negotiated but capped at no more than 3 percent.
During the contract’s approval, Sandy Springs Fire Chief Keith Sanders said his department will continue to arrive at emergency medical calls within eight minutes, often before an ambulance. The Fire Department can stabilize the patient but not transport them to a hospital.
Speaking at the Jan. 21 meeting, Sanders said the committee and its representatives from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell will meet regularly to review whether American Medical Response’s service complies with the cities’ joint contract.
The city managers of each member city serve on the committee’s Board of Directors.
Sandy Springs staff said the item will come before each participating city simultaneously, and it has no financial impact.
Sandy Springs council members did not discuss the contract but voted to approve it unanimously.
The North Fulton Emergency Medical Response Oversight Committee originally formed as a partnership between North Fulton cities, excluding Sandy Springs, after the county ended a $10 million subsidy in 2007 amid the Great Recession.
In 2008, Sandy Springs opted for its own model because it wanted an enhanced version with more ambulances.
After avoiding a massive price hike and signing onto a joint agreement last year, Sandy Springs is a member of the regional Emergency Medical Response Oversight Committee.
Fulton County seeks applications for Artists-In-Residence program
By ADAM DARBY adam@appenmedia.com
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Fulton County Arts & Culture is accepting applications from local artists for the 2025 Public Art Futures Lab ArtistsIn-Residence Program.
In partnership with ATL DTN and MARTA Artbound, the annual opportunity is open to artists interested in exploring the intersection of art and technology. Now in its fourth year, the open call for the program ends Feb. 7.
Artists are invited to a threemonth residency to explore artistic themes of public engagement, digital innovation and community transformation. Those accepted into the program are granted privileged access to cutting-edge tools, interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship from leading experts.
Participants from previous years in the program acknowledge the significant impact that the opportunity had on their professional endeavors.
FULTON COUNTY/PROVIDED
For the fourth year, Fulton County Arts & Culture is accepting applications for the 2025 Public Art Futures Lab Artists-InResidence Program. The arrangement is open to artists of all disciplines.
From there, artists can create longlasting relationships with public and private partners. Near the end of the program, participants will share their work with the public through exhibitions, workshops, artist talks or other formats.
Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm, re-imagining how bath & kitchen remodels are done. Complete Remodeling Design and Installation Services. We even remove walls! Guiding you through the whole design process. Ask about our 3D Renderings. Making bath & kitchen remodeling fun, easy and affordable. Open to Public 9-5 Mon-Fri • 10-4 Sat Showroom – Design Center 10591 Old Alabama Road Connector Alpharetta, GA 30022 (near Northpoint Mall)
“The Futures Lab residency was a tremendous developing force in my practice,” said Max Woo, a 2022 MARTA Artbound Artist-In-Residence. “Though I had independently already worked on games of a smaller scale, the residency helped me with resources and guidance from great minds to build and release a product I couldn’t have imagined attempting years prior.”
Other resources for selected artists include a fully equipped studio space, including computers for 3D graphics, programming and multimedia production, as well as VR headsets, projectors, and other technology. Creatives will also enjoy supportive and collaborative partnerships with academic institutions, commercial design firms and nonprofit organizations.
“The support and encouragement from Fulton County’s team inspired me to take more risks, try new things, and develop new ways to make collaborative art,” said Sarah Lawrence, a 2023 MARTA Artbound Artist-In-Residence. “I think art should be touched and built together, not viewed behind glass, and the experimental nature of public art is a perfect alignment with that dream.”
During the program, residents receive a stipend of between $5,000 to $8,000 from residency sponsors.
“My residency with the Futures Lab provided me with the freedom to evolve as an independent artist, educator and curator supporting artists working with technology,” said Jordan Young, a 2024 ATL DTN Artist-In-Residence. “By celebrating artists working with emerging technologies, the Futures Lab invites the larger arts ecosystem to get curious about the expressive capacities of technology and the future possibilities of artmaking.”
The program is open to artists of all disciplines with a focus on expounding on traditional art pieces. The deadline for applications is Feb. 7. Juried evaluations will occur throughout February and March before the final residency announcements are made during the week of March 24.
Artists interested in applying can visit the Public Art Futures Lab website at https:// publicartfutureslab.com for detailed eligibility requirements, FAQs, and the Artist in Residency Application link. Applications must be submitted through Submittable by Feb. 7, 2025, at midnight, EST. For more information about ongoing programs and services, please visit: www.fultonarts.org or contact the Department of Arts & Culture at 404612-4000.
Owner John Hogan & Designer Bobbie Kohm
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Author talks, winter sales fill February book calendar
By KATHY DES JARDINS CIOFFI newsroom@appenmedia.com
February abounds with local authors making their rounds. And one of the must-see speakers is Michael L. Thurmond, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County, in the Georgia Assembly and as Director of
Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services, Georgia Labor Commissioner and Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools.
Thurmond will discuss his latest title, "James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia," Feb. 20 at a free Roswell Roots program hosted by Atlanta Authors and Bookmiser.
Details about Thurmond’s event and seven others are here:
Saturday, Feb. 15, Kelly Silverman details “Hot Boiled Peanuts: A Georgia Food Tour.” 2 p.m. Free. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore. com
Tuesday, Feb. 18, Marie Benedict, with her new mystery, “The Queens of Crime.” Johns Creek Books is offering two ticket options: Free and $27, which includes a book. 1 p.m. Duluth Library, 3180 Main St., Duluth. eventbrite.com/e/marie-benedictthe-queens-of-crime-at-duluth-library-withjohnscreekbooks-tickets-1112910247509
Tuesday, Feb. 18, Grace Helena Walz, “Southern by Design.” Free. 5 p.m. Poe & Company Bookstore, 1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101, Milton. 770-797-5566. Poeandcompanybookstore.com
Thursday, Feb. 20, Michael L. Thurmond. Thurmond will recap his latest work, "James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia," at a free event presented by Roswell Roots, Roswell Cultural Arts, the City of Roswell, Atlanta Authors and Bookmiser. 6 p.m. Free. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., 770594-6232. atlantaauthorsga.com
Saturday, Feb. 22, Angie Williams, “The Raindrop Adventures of Crystal and Sparkle.” 2 p.m. Free. 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.
crossword? Help Stretch
Stan James, 84, has made the crossword puzzles of the Herald and Crier papers for years. Recently one of his dachshunds tragically passed away following a minor surgery. Now Stan’s other dachshund, Stretch, is facing a medical challenge of his own. Stan and his wife Kathi, 77, are trying to raise funds to pay for treatment. If you have enjoyed this paper’s puzzles or simply want to share some kindness, consider lending a hand during the James’ time of need. Visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-stretch-get-urgent-dental-care or, for a shorter web address, www.shorturl.at/wf1fG.
Comprehensive Internal Medicine
Serving as the Medical Home for Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, & Johns Creek, for over 20 years
What is a medical home?
A medical home is an approach to providing comprehensive and high-quality primary care, in a coordinated fashion with specialists and consultants.
A medical home is patientcentered with many aspects that contribute to improved healthcare outcomes
• Accessibility: Care is easy for the patient to obtain, including geographic access and insurance accommodation.
• Family-centered: The patient
and family are recognized and acknowledged, ensuring that all medical decisions are made in true partnership.
• Continuous: The same primary care clinician cares for patient, aiding and support through young adulthood through elder years.
• Comprehensive: Preventive, primary and specialty care are provided.
• Coordinated: A care plan is created in partnership with the patient and communicated with all health care clinicians.
• Compassionate: Genuine concern for the well-being of the patient is emphasized and
addressed.
At Comprehensive Internal Medicine, we involve many team members at various levels to coordinate and provide patient care. Our doctors lead all clinical decision-making in a team approach, collaborating with the patient to tailor care in an individualized manner.
Understanding the intricacies of our patient’s care brings a deeper knowledge of the long-term care plan. Our team of administrative professionals strives to answer each call quickly, avoiding voice mail or a phone tree.
Our scheduling department
quickly accommodates each patient’s scheduling needs.
We save appointment times for same-day appointments and are always welcoming new patients.
Whereas it may be convenient to see Urgent Care, we believe seeing your regular doctor brings your healthcare to a higher level, being seen quickly when needs arise prevents worsening medical symptoms.
Call today to establish with one of our many doctors. We have physicians who focus on young adult care, and others who have special training in the care of geriatric patients.
Providing Medical Care Including the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases
Our physicians are Board Certified, Diplomates in the American Board of Internal Medicine and each has areas of interest and specialization. Whether it’s preventative care, ongoing medical issues, or an illness or injury, Comprehensive Internal Medicine is here to offer you medical care.
Jacqueline T. Pearson, M.D., M.S. Arezou Fatemi, M.D.
Ryan Bozof, M.D.
Laurae Carpenetti, M.D.
Carol Hector, M.D.
Sumera Pervaiz, M.D. Sudeshna Nandi, M.D.
Jeffrey Obiora, M.D.
Frustrated with insurance companies? We are too!
When it comes to choosing a dental provider, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is whether to go with a fee-for-service (FFS) dental office or an insurance-based dental office. Each type of practice has its own set of advantages, and understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about the care you receive. For many patients, opting for a fee-for-service model can offer a more personalized, flexible, and high-quality dental experience.
Personalized Care
One of the standout benefits of our FFS dental office is the level of personalized care we provide. Because we aren’t limited by insurance guidelines or restrictions, we have more freedom to customize treatment plans specifically for you. This allows us to focus on your unique dental needs. In contrast, insurance-based dental offices may be more likely to follow treatment protocols dictated by what the insurance plan will approve, limiting treatment options or focusing on cost-saving approaches.
Freedom of Treatment Options
Our dental office also gives you greater flexibility when it comes to treatment options. Since we are not bound by insurance limitations, you have access to a wider range of procedures, including elective and advanced treatments that may not be covered under an insurance plan. For example, while dental insurance might cover basic cleanings and fillings, it may not cover more extensive treatments such as veneers or periodontal therapy. In our office, you’re able to choose from a broader spectrum of services without worrying about what your insurance will or won’t cover.
Higher Quality of Care
Another important advantage of our dental office is the higher quality of care . Without the constraints of working within insurance networks and reimbursement rates, we can focus on offering the highest standard of care to our patients, including investing in the latest dental technology, using high-quality materials, and providing specialized services. We have fewer patients per day; therefore, we also have more time to spend with each individual, ensuring thorough exams, more comprehensive treatment plans, and higher-quality outcomes.
Insurance-based practices, alternatively, face limitations on the types of materials and procedures they can offer, and dentists might be under pressure to see more patients to meet insurance guidelines.
Transparency in Pricing
One of the most appealing aspects of our dental office is the clarity in pricing . You typically know exactly what you’re paying for upfront. This transparency makes it easier for patients to budget for dental care and allows them to make more informed decisions about their treatments. In contrast, insurance-based offices often involve a complex billing process, with patients sometimes facing unexpected costs after insurance covers only a portion of the treatment.
If you value personalized care , more treatment options , and the ability to make informed choices about costs , Roswell Dental Care may be the right fit for you. Our practice offers a high level of care, transparency, and freedom from insurance restrictions, ensuring that you get the best possible dental experience.
We are a fee-for-service practice but file and make the most out of your out-of-network insurance benefits. This allows us to set our own fees and make the time in our schedule to properly care for our patients. We also offer a Wellness Plan subscription for our practice, which gives you better benefits and less limitations than insurance. Dr. Hood and her team at Roswell Dental Care understand and customize treatment for each person. We assure you will feel confident in the solution you choose before beginning any treatment. For enhanced comfort, we offer FREE nitrous oxide. You can rest assured that your experience will be positive, relaxing, and rewarding on many levels. Give our office a call at 770.998.6736, or visit us at www. roswelldentalcare.com, to begin your journey to happy and pain-free oral healthcare!
• Crowns and Bridges in a few days
• Porcelain Veneers
• Tooth Colored Composite Fillings
• Teeth Whitening- no sensitivity
• 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 Reconstruction (Complimentary Consultation)
• Occlusal Guards and Bite Adjustments
• 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
• Implants
• Root Canals
• Extractions
• Spa-like Relaxing Atmosphere
• Custom Baked Cookies Daily
• FREE Nitrous Oxide and Oral Conscious Sedation
• Facial Aesthetic Enhancements including BOTOX and Dermal Fillers
Dr. David Remaley
Dr. Destinee Hood
Brought to you by - Dr. Destinee Hood at Roswell Dental Care
Do you know someone who’s hiding in plain sight?
Brought to you by - Summit Counseling Center
We often prioritize our physical health, while our mental health is treated as a private matter, sometimes even stigmatized. However, a significant portion of the American population expe-riences mental illness, and it’s crucial to talk openly about it and seek help.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), over 20% of American adults (more than 50 million people) experience some form of mental illness each year and 1 in 6 children aged 6 to 17 have a mental health disorder. Alarmingly, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among U.S. children aged 10 to 14. These statistics are staggering, yet only 45% of those experiencing mental illness receive the help they need.
Join Summit Counseling Center on February 23rd and March 2nd at Dunwoody UMC, 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, for a private screening of Ken Burn’s doc-umentary, Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.
This documentary features first-person accounts from more than 20 young people, ranging in age from 11 to 27, who live with mental health conditions, as well as par-ents, teachers, friends, healthcare providers in their lives, and independent mental health experts. The film presents an unvarnished window into daily life with mental health challenges, from seemingly insurmountable obstacles to stories of hope and resilience. Through the experiences of these young people, the film confronts the is-sues of stigma, discrimination, awareness, and silence, and, in doing so, help advance a shift in the public perception of mental health issues today.
Episode 1: The Storm Sunday | February 23rd | 2:00
The Storm focuses on more than twenty young people who provide an
PROVIDED
intimate look at what it’s like to experience the symptoms of mental illness, from depression to addic-tion to suicide ideation. The film includes insights from families, providers, and advo-cates and explores the impact of childhood trauma, stigma, and social media.
Episode 2: Resilience Sunday | March 2nd | 2:00
Young people and their family and friends talk about how they came to acknowledge and accept the reality of their mental illnesses and, most importantly, start talking about them. They describe their work with providers to determine a diagnosis and the treat-ments they received, and the added stigma of racial or gender discrimination. Throughout, the young people inspire with their resilience and hope.
To learn more and/or register for the event, visit our website at summitcounsel-ing.org/events/.
Insist
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.
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 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA 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.
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
As seen on TV – What is GentleCure™
Brought
to you by –
Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta
In the last few months, I have received a lot of questions about GentleCure™ — a skin cancer radiation treatment that has been heavily advertised on television. In the past, most discussions about radiation treatments for skin cancer were initiated by me, the physician. GentleCure™’s marketing campaign has been so effective that even patients who do not have skin cancer are asking me about the treatment that they have seen on TV.
I wanted to like GentleCure™. I enjoy the part of my job that is presenting different treatment options for my patients. When radiation is preferable over surgery, I get excited to bring it up. Some skin cancers such as superficial basal cell carcinoma are better treated with Mohs surgery in some instances, radiation therapy in others, cautery and scraping treatments at times and even creams such as Aldara™ or other treatments depending on numerous factors. The exact location, local anatomy, immune system status, details on the pathology report, and individual patient goals all factor into recommendations about what treatments to consider. Multiple excellent treatments are available, and one of the joys of my job is assisting patients in selecting the treatments that are right for them. As a Mohs surgeon, I take pride in discussing alternatives to Mohs surgery. I recognize the potential for conflicts of interest, and I cherish the times when patients and I have decided together on a non-surgical treatment. The motto of my Mohs surgery fellowship was, “Put the patient first” and doing so is what makes me feel whole.
Unfortunately, I find myself very disappointed in GentleCure™. This superficial radiation therapy (SRT) treatment likely takes the technology a step farther than previous types of SRT by adding ultrasound imaging to help define the size and depth of the cancer and adjust treatment energies and settings. Technologically, GentleCure™ is likely a step forward compared with some prior radiation treatment devices. However, the way that the company has chosen to represent their technology is mercenary and misleading.
The name GentleCure™ introduces bias and attempts to sway patients towards this treatment in a way that the names “Mohs micro -
graphic surgery,” “excision,” Aldara™ cream, Levulan® Keratick® and other treatments do not.
GentleCure™ has engaged in direct to consumer (DTC) marketing. The United States is one of the only countries in the world to allow DTC marketing of pharmaceuticals, and many physicians and I believe this is a mistake, often to the detriment of society and the patient. DTC is ethically questionable, foremost because of the potential to misrepresent a product and create a false first impression.
In my professional opinion, the GentleCure™ website misrepresents their technology, misleadingly contrasts it with Mohs surgery, and inadequately compares GentleCure™ with other alternative treatments. A few examples:
1. The website gentlecure.com states that “low amounts of x-ray energy” are used, but a typical dose is 50 gray. In contrast, a typical chest x-ray delivers less than a thousandth (<1/1000) of a gray of radiation. Fifty (50) gray is no small amount. It typically permanently kills adnexal structures (hair fol -
states “There is no scarring.” This is not completely true. Yes, by definition, there is no surgical scar, but radiated skin is never the same. Post-radiation changes can include permanently lightening the treated area, causing noticeable redness or dilated blood vessels to develop, causing an abnormal texture as all hair follicles and sweat glands are eliminated, and sometimes leading to chronically irritated areas and even sometimes post-radiation ulcers that never heal. The website contrasts the unusual case of Mohs surgery with the best case scenario after radiation.
I could go on, as I disagree with much of how this company has decided to represent its product. I love doing research myself, and it saddens me when I learn that the patient trying his or her best to do their own research online is set up to fail by misleading websites and faulty information.
What is the verdict, and what is one to do?
licles and sweat glands), permanently changes the area’s ability to heal and carries the risk of actually causing cancer.
2. The website further states that surgery leaves wounds that result in “not doing normal activities” whereas with radiation “you do not need to skip normal daily activities.” However, GentleCure™ treatments are, according to their own website, delivered in separate sessions of typically 18 to 25 visits on 18 to 25 different days. Twenty separate doctor’s appointments for the treatment of a single cancer has the potential to interfere with normal daily activities, I would think.
3. I believe that most people’s primary interest in radiation is the potential to avoid a surgical scar. Again, the website is misleading. Instead of a statement in line with my clinical experience that the scarring after Mohs surgery is typically minimal and inconspicuous, the website focuses on the outliers stating, “scarring may need to be fixed with reconstructive surgery.” And for GentleCure™, the website
Most patients prefer Mohs surgery over radiation treatments for most skin cancers because of the confidence of clear surgical margins, the avoidance of numerous appointments for radiation, and the generally excellent cosmetic results achievable with Mohs surgery. However, individual factors such as cancer subtype, body location, tumor size, and personal goals may tip the scales toward one treatment or another. Moreover, Mohs surgery and radiation are just two of multiple options to be considered on a case by case basis. And, yes, despite my disagreement with how the technology is being marketed, I will absolutely continue to recommend it when it is the optimal treatment for my patients.
The key to making the best decision is to receive recommendations from a doctor who you trust, and to seek second opinions when needed. You should sense that your doctor is faithfully helping you navigate your current skin cancer, is happy to discuss alternatives and is also proactively discussing preventative options to decrease the incidence of future cancers. At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, I pride myself on providing patients with alternative treatment options even if provided by different physicians or specialties and will always answer a patient’s questions with honesty and integrity.
Understanding Cardiac Electrophysiology
Taking care of your heart’s electrical system
Brought to you by - Wellstar Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Mohammad Kooshkabadi
Your heart has an electrical system that helps it beat in a regular rhythm. Sometimes, this system can have problems, causing irregular or abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmias. Cardiac electrophysiology focuses on diagnosing and treating these issues to keep your heart beating normally and improve your overall health.
Many arrhythmias can be treated using a procedure called ablation. During an ablation, an electrophysiologist applies electrical impulses, radiofrequency energy (heat) or cryoablation (cold) directly to the source of the arrhythmia to restore a regular heartbeat.
Here are some services Wellstar car -
diac electrophysiologists offer in North Fulton:
1. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) care: AFib is a common condition where the heart beats irregularly or too fast. Electrophysiologists provide treatments to help control or reset your heart rhythm, reducing symptoms like fatigue, palpitations and stroke risk. For some patients, electrophysiologists use ablation to target and treat the areas in the heart causing AFib, helping restore a steady rhythm and improving your quality of life.
2. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) ablation: If your heart beats very fast due to SVT, ablation can safely and
effectively stop the abnormal electrical signals causing the issue.
3. Premature ventricular contraction ablation: When extra heartbeats disrupt your rhythm, electrophysiologists use ablation to reduce or eliminate these irregular beats, relieving symptoms like palpitations or fatigue.
4. Ventricular tachycardia ablation: For life-threatening fast rhythms from the lower heart chambers, ablation can stabilize your heartbeat and reduce the risk of dangerous episodes.
5. Bradyarrhythmias: If your heart beats too slowly, electrophysiologists can offer treatments like pacemakers to restore a healthy rhythm.
6. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs): These small devices monitor your heart and deliver a lifesaving shock if a dangerous rhythm occurs, keeping you safe and protected.
7. Biventricular ICDs: For patients
with heart failure, this special type of ICD improves heart coordination, helping it pump more effectively.
8. Leadless pacemakers: A newer, smaller pacemaker option without leads (wires) offers advanced rhythm support with less risk of complications.
9. Conduction system pacing: This advanced pacing technique works with your heart’s natural electrical pathways to provide better rhythm control and preserve heart function.
Our goal at Wellstar is to help you live your best life by keeping your heart in rhythm and your symptoms under control. With advanced treatments and personalized care, we’re here to support your heart health every step of the way.
Your Wellstar cardiologist can refer you to an electrophysiologist if you need a procedure to correct your heart rhythm. Find a cardiologist at wellstar. org/heartcare.
KOOSHKABADI
A team of advanced heart care specialists means more expertise for
At Wellstar, you’ll find more than 100 cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons across our cardiovascular services team who are ready to care for you. Whether you need preventive screenings or treatment for complex heart conditions, your heart is in good hands with our skilled team— highly rated by patients like you.
We are leading the way in Georgia and beyond with innovative technology and experienced clinicians to ensure you have the expertise you need close by. Learn how Wellstar can help keep your heart going strong at wellstar.org/northfultonheart.
Have you ever been to the dentist and the dentist needs to make an impression of your mouth? If you have done this before, you may have just taken a deep breath and started to get nervous. Traditional impressions have always involved a large tray loaded with impression material (goop!?!) that must be inserted into your mouth to make a mold of your teeth. Isn’t there a better way? Yes! The latest technology now allows your dentist to take a digital impression instead.
Digital impressions (also called 3-D intraoral scanning) construct a threedimensional digital model of your teeth and your entire mouth. Digital impressions are less messy and more pleasant than traditional impressions. Patients with a gag reflex or sensitive teeth have a better, more comfortable experience. A small (radiationfree) laser wand takes a series of images of your teeth and your gums and stitches them together into a 3-D virtual model of your mouth. You can immediately touch the screen and rotate and adjust the image to see your teeth from all angles. You very likely have never seen your teeth and your
Digital Dentistry Preventive
mouth like this. It’s amazing!
The Atlanta Center for Dental Health has the iTero Element intraoral scanner imaging system. The 3-D model of your mouth is immediately on the iPad-like screen right in front of you. It can immediately be adjusted and looked at from all angles. This image can be uploaded to the dental laboratory for the construction of a crown or clear aligners or other dental prosthetics and appliances. This allows
PROVIDED
for the rapid fabrication of amazingly accurate, perfectly fitting, artistically created natural looking dental restorations that improve your smile and your appearance and wow your friends. One of the most amazing uses of this technology is the ability to immediately see a Smile Simulation. In about a minute, your dentist can show you what your smile would look like if you straightened your teeth or improved your bite
Dentistry can add 10 years to human life.”
with clear aligners, like Invisalign™. We would love to show you this new technology. You are welcome to call or stop by for a quick no cost Smile Simulation of your very own.
Dr. Bradley Hepler and the experienced team at the Atlanta Center for Dental Health provide the most modern advances in cosmetic dentistry. Experience immediate results with procedures to greatly enhance your smile and your health. If you would like a complimentary consultation to discover your options, please call us at 770-992-2236. Dr. Hepler is highly trained and certified to provide you with the latest and best techniques to allow you to achieve your cosmetic and restorative goals.
DR. CHARLES MAYO Mayo Clinic
A life changing gift for the one you love
Brought to You by – Home
February and Valentine’s Day bring thoughts of the perfect gift for a loved one. It’s a great time to consider a gift that can be life changing for an older loved one. That’s recognizing the preventive benefits of in-home care.
All too often in-home care is seen as the service you only seek after serious cognitive decline, surgery or recovery from a stroke and other health issues that require supportive care for the activities of daily living. Viewing in-home care as an earlier preventive step opens the door to prolonging a more vibrant and enjoyable life in the comfort of home.
We know that the key to healthy aging is healthy living. By 2030, 1 in every 6 Americans will be over 65. Over 28% of older adults live alone. While preventive tests and regular checkups catch physical changes early, there are activities that in-home care can bolster that are key to maintaining the best possible health and prevent the loss of independence as we age.
The impact of loneliness and social isolation on the spirit and body can be devastating, and keeping in good shape often needs a nudge and companionship. A skilled caregiver for a few days a week can help keep your older loved one moving and stave off the inactivity that
accelerates the aging process. Social activities and learning new things and skills can boost mental health. Studies continue to show the importance of maintaining a good diet and the impact that nutrition has on maintaining our cognitive abilities. Exercise, diet, social activities and learning can also contribute to a better sleep cycle and a good night’s sleep.
With a heart centered approach and positive spirit, a carefully matched Home Helpers caregiver can help pursue a hobby, enjoy community activities and outings and build relationships that enrich the life of your older loved one.
Perhaps your loved one is a family caregiver. Providing respite care for several days a week or overnight assistance can provide a break and some private time for them to combat burnout, get some rest and relieve some stress. It helps them and the entire family of the loved one they support.
A Home Helpers caregiver can assist with all personal care, help around the house, accompany you on doctor’s visits and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. We have a team with depth and skill that can provide the care you need from six hours a day, several days a week, to 24/7 care. For a free consultation, please call Home Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs at (770) 681-0323.
guarantee a good
is much more than just seeking a professional with great skills. It’s about finding a caregiver with the
and spirit to make a difference in someone’s life.
Helpers of Alpharetta and North Atlanta Suburbs
Kickstart your new year’s resolution with GLP-1s
Brought to you by – OlympusMD - Milton
Shedding extra pounds, can be challenging. That’s where GLP-1 receptor agonists (com-monly referred to as GLP-1s) come in. These innovative medications can help you kickstart your weight loss endeavors and set you up for long-term success. If weight loss is part of your 2025 goals, here’s everything you need to know about integrating GLP-1s into your plan.
What are GLP-1s?
GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, are medications originally designed to help individuals with Type 2 diabetes regulate blood sugar. But one of their most popular and impactful side effects is weight loss. They work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone in the body, which slows digestion, reduces appetite, and promotes feelings of fullness. For indi-viduals struggling to gain control over their eating habits and achieve sustainable weight loss, GLP-1s can be a game changer.
Why GLP-1s are perfect for your new goals
Starting a weight loss routine can feel overwhelming, especially as motivation tends to wane mid-year. Incorporating GLP-1s into your strategy can help maintain that energy and commitment beyond the initial
enthusiasm. Here’s why they’re particularly effective this time of year:
• Kickstart momentum. For many, seeing early progress can be a powerful motivator. GLP-1s help suppress appetite and reduce calorie intake, allowing you to see results more quickly than traditional dieting alone.
• Support healthy habits. GLP-1s work best when combined with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. They complement healthier habits by making portion control easier and reducing cravings, enabling you to stick to your resolutions with greater ease.
• Sustain long-term results. Beyond the initial boost, GLP-1s encourage sustainable changes by helping regulate hunger, preventing overeating, and supporting a more balanced approach to food.
This year, take control of your weight loss goals with the help of GLP-1s. Whether you're making your first attempt or looking for a fresh start after past setbacks, these medications can provide the support you need to achieve meaningful and lasting results.
Consult with a trusted healthcare provider to determine if this option makes sense for your individual needs. With GLP-1s on your side, 2025 could be the year you not only kickstart your resolution—but maintain it for years to come. For more information, please call 470-359-4815
with 3-month GLP-1 package
Brought
New Year, new insurance
– North Fulton Smiles
Dental insurance is a type of health insurance that pays a percentage of the dental care costs that a patient receives. Dental insurance is typically part of a benefit package negotiated by and provided by one’s employer, or a private group. Monthly payments to the insurance companies result in the ability to seek dental care at either a dentist of your choice, a dentist in a network, or a dentist assigned to you. Dental benefits can cover preventative services, treatments, orthodontics, and many more services depending on the plan offered by one’s employer or group and chosen by you. Dental insurance may also have premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, which are the amounts that you pay to have. Dental insurance may be offered as an indemnity, PPO, or DHMO plan, which have different rules of varying restrictions, for choosing providers and paying claims.
Whether dental insurance is beneficial or not depends on your individual needs and circumstances. Dental insurance can be beneficial for gaining access to dental care and assisting in the financial responsibility of it. However, dental insurance is NOT the panacea to your dental care! Having insurance does not guarantee that the care YOU need is part of your benefit package. There is a common misconception that dental insurance should cover all procedures and expenses and frustration builds when patients realize that their dental benefits are not as beneficial as they assumed. Let’s be frank: Dental insurance companies are a third party, for-profit organization that profits by earning in-
terest by withholding the monies that are supposed to be disbursed to patients and dentists for care provided. Not all plans are created equal, and the patient makes that choice depending on desired monthly premiums, employment offers and the employer-insurance company negotiations. Your healthcare provider is not involved in the choice of your plan but is subject to the restrictions that each plan imposes. More often, a patient believes their insurance company and insists on receiving treatment “only what my insurance covers”, disregarding the diagnosis and treatment offered by the doctor! Because an insurance plan promises more than it delivers, the frustrations and blame of these restric tions and nuances are projected onto the dentist or healthcare provider. The insurance company does not
always follow the dental association guidelines for care and create rules that benefit their financial gain, not your care! Lastly, dental insurance companies impose grossly lower fees that are outdated by decades and do not fairly follow industry and cost of living trends such that dentists can continue to serve patients with the highest quality of care. Dental insurance may not be worth the expense if you only require routine periodic dental care or if the premiums, deductibles, and copayments are too high. Here is my challenge to you: why continually pay an insurance company which profits grossly and restricts your choices to dental care? Instead, why not eliminate the third party, develop a relationship with your dentist, utilize the office’s inhouse dental plan and receive the care and treatment you deserve? Considering the dental insurance challenges, several offices, including North Fulton Smiles, offer an in-house plan. In such relationships, the level of trust and confidence in the doctor patient relationship is high, and both parties enjoy the art of caring and receiving treatment.
While having dental insurance can certainly be a financial benefit, it is important to understand that the limitations and restrictions are not the healthcare provider’s rules. You should also consider the type of dental insurance plan you choose, as different plans have different rules for choosing providers and paying claims. For example, an indemnity plan allows you to
Published Deadline
02/06/25 01/29/25
02/13/25 02/05/25
02/20/25 02/12/25 02/27/25 02/19/25
ATTENTION LEADERS
Delivers to 28,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075, 30076. Alpharetta & Roswell’s primary news source. Alpharetta and Roswell’s paper of record. Est. 1983
Delivers to 20,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30022, 30097. Johns Creek’s primary news source. Est. 1997. Johns Creek’s paper of record.
Delivers to 17,000 households every Thursday. Zip Codes: 30040, 30041. Forsyth County’s largest circulation newspaper. Est. 1998
Delivers to 10,000 households every Thursday. Zip Code: 30004. Community news for and about the City of Milton. Est. 2006. Milton’s paper of record.
Delivers to 18,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30338, 30350, 30360, 30346, 30319. Community news for and about the City of Dunwoody and surrounding areas. City of Dunwoody paper of record. Est. 1976.
Delivers to 12,000 households every Thursday Zip Codes: 30327, 30328, 30342, 30350
LANDSCAPING
OPINION
The beautiful history of ugly face pottery
BOB MEYERS
Geogia occupies a dominant position in the history of folk pottery. In this column I will refer to the important pottery center of Mossy Creek, its most famous potter Quillian Lanier Meaders (1917-1998) and his distinctive “ugly” face pottery.
I owe special thanks to John Burrison, Georgia State professor of folk culture whose classes include a course on global ceramic traditions from the stone age to the present. He is the leading authority on Southern folk pottery and was a close friend of Lanier Meaders for 30 years until Meaders’ death in 1998. Burrison notes parenthetically that Buckhead was once a pottery center from the late Civil War to the late 1930s.
Many ancient cultures made pottery for utilitarian, artistic or religious reasons. Local clay was shaped by hand into crude objects.
The earliest pottery vessels found by archaeologists were discovered in China and date back to circa 18,000 BC. Figurines older than that have been found in the Czech Republic. In South America, pottery pieces date back to circa 7,000 BC.
Native Americans were making pottery long before the Europeans arrived. Indian potters sometimes employed intricate designs. Southern slaves in the mid-1800s made utilitarian clay vessels.
Ugly or frightening faces on pottery were thought to keep evil spirits away.
Early folk potters in Georgia settled along the upper Piedmont at the foot of the Appalachians because of the quality of the clay found there. Many potters migrated from the Carolinas in the early 1800s. One family, the Meaders, settled along Mossy Creek.
Today, Mossy Creek is an unincorporated community with a charming name near Cleveland Ga., with approximately 8,000 inhabitants. It is also where generations of the Meaders family lived and made pottery. Lanier Meaders, by far the most celebrated of Mossy Creek’s potters, was quoted as saying that people used to make pottery, and now they make art. He never quite understood his elevation to fame. He just wanted to make pots.
Meaders was quoted in the Atlanta Constitution calling his famous face jugs “probably the ugliest thing a person could make,” although that did not stop him from making an estimated 10,000 of them. Examples of his face jugs are in the
Professor John Burrison is shown in his office at Georgia State University holding two examples of Georgia face pottery. Burrison is the acknowledged authority on Southern folk pottery and was a close friend of Lanier Meaders, famous for his whimsical ugly face pottery. Burrison has written several important books on folk pottery and culture.
Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the High Museum in Atlanta. He was honored by the Library of Congress with Meaders Pottery Day in 1978.
Meaders did not begin to do serious pottery until the1960s when he was in his 50s, although he played in his father’s pottery and did odd chores as a youngster. Like many rural potters, he started out making items needed on local farms such as churns for butter and buttermilk, pitchers and jars for preserving water, whiskey or syrup and for preserving vegetables. He began making his signature face jugs in the 1970s which he sold for a few dollars each. Today, those same jugs sell for thousands of dollars. At an auction last month in Ashville, S.C., one of his face jugs sold for $22,000.
Although he was clearly of rural stock, he joined the Army at age 18 and served as a paratrooper in World War II. He saw combat in Germany, an experience that caused nightmares for the rest of his life, according to the Atlanta Constitution. After the war, he returned to Mossy Creek where he had a variety of jobs. After the death of his father, Cheever Meaders in 1967, he took over Meaders Pottery which his grandfather John Milton Meaders started in 1892. He used local materials, a foot-powered wheel and a wood-fired kiln to make his pieces.
Although Meaders and his wife Betty Jean had no children, Meaders had three brothers and many more distant kin, some who became successful potters. Although some also made face
pottery, none reached Lanier’s level of success.
Georgia is known for its variety of clay types, some particularly well suited for pottery. Meaders kept a Southern tradition alive by using alkaline-glazed stoneware clay in his work. His success inspired other potters in the area to follow his lead. He made alkaline glaze by adding wood ash from his wood burning kiln which imparted special characteristics to his work.
I spoke recently with Irv Smith of Austin, Texas, Lanier Meaders distant cousin. Smith visited several Meaders family potters at their studios in the early 1990s, including Lanier in his home. According to Smith, Lanier “was friendly, gracious and just a good country person.” Irv bought a face mug made by Lanier’s brother Reggie in one of the many pottery shops in the area.
Professor Burrison who wrote two books about Georgia pottery, “Brothers in Clay: The Story of Georgia Folk Pottery,” 2008, and “From Mud to Jug: The Folk Potters and Pottery of Northeast Georgia,” 2010, best summed up Lanier Meaders’ curious life of achievement when he told me that “Lanier was his own person, a very independent guy. He had a dry wit. He had the character of a mountain man, although he wasn’t from the mountains.”
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.
Columnist
NEW GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA, PHOTO BY CAROLINE RICHARDSON
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS Celebrated potter Lanier Meaders at work in his pottery in 1983.
OPINION
The 100 most influential people and things, Nos. 71-72
RAY APPEN Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com
This is a continuing list of people and things – some serious, some not so much – that have had the greatest impact on the world.
No. 71. Wheat/Norman Borlaug
Norman Borlaug was an American agronomist and Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work in combating worldwide hunger. He is known as the father of modern wheat and the founder of the “Green Revolution.”
In the mid-20th century, he developed dwarf, high-yield, disease resistant varieties of wheat which is estimated to have saved over a billion people from starvation. In many areas of the world, wheat production tripled as a result of his work. Wheat production in Mexico increased from 750 kg per hectare in 1944 to over 3,000 kg per hectare in 1960. (1 hectare equals a little more than 2.5 acres). Today, his work is still seen as a positive and critical achievement, although, because his methods were highly dependent upon massive increases in the use of fertilizers, significant increase water use and the general degradation of the soil, the sustainability of his accomplishments are increasingly called into question.
Wheat provides 20 percent of the world’s caloric requirements and 20 percent of its protein requirements. It is grown on more land than any other crop, except for corn and rice. So, 20 percent of the world’s population – about 1.6 billion people – rely on wheat to not starve.
The top 10 importers of wheat today are, in order: China, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, European Union, Philippines, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Of note, many of these countries are also in the top 10 countries importing fertilizer – including China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. The U.S., Brazil, India, China and France are also included in the top 10 importers of core fertilizers. Most of the exporters of fertilizers – particularly phosphates – are in the Middle East. Russia, China, Canada and the U.S. are on the list, as well.
Wheat, compared to other key food stocks, is typically grown in the least fertile soil which requires intensive use of fertilizer and water. Worldwide, we have a diminishing water supply and projected draconian increases in transportation costs; fertilizer is transportation-centric as it is a low value/high volume commodity. So, countries that must import wheat, and import fertilizer, and which have insufficient water, are in trouble soon, especially China, which imports 40-50 percent of its overall fertilizer needs required to feed its people, including having to import 70-80
percent of its potash requirements. Potash, along with nitrogen, and phosphates are three key elements of fertilizer.
The top five exporters of potash, in order, are: Canada, Germany, the U.S., the EU and Spain – all, coincidentally, NATO countries. If you are China or India or any country in Africa, you worry about how to feed your people, especially when “the other side” controls the means of production (potash) and is also inclined to start trade wars with tariffs.
As the US increasingly withdraws from its role in maintaining global order, security of world-wide shipping lanes will plunge. This is especially true in the Gulf of Hormuz, through which 25 percent of the world’s supply of oil and 33 percent of the world’s gas must pass. It is also true of the Red Sea. This will drive shipping costs higher through insurance costs and other factors. Currently transportation costs ap-
assets and commodities increases, leading to higher prices and poverty.
· Malthusian catastrophe: If population growth outpaces agricultural production, a Malthusian catastrophe occurs, resulting in famine or war.
· Population decline: Increased poverty decreases birth rates, eventually causing depopulation.
· Social unrest: If asset prices continue to rise, social unrest may lead to revolution, war, or famine, potentially resulting in societal collapse. (see China very soon)
· Preventative checks: Nature may alter population changes through moral restraint, like postponing marriage or birth control. (as education levels increase, birth rates decrease).
· Positive checks: Natural disasters and diseases are natural limits on population growth. (see Covid and heart disease).
proach zero because of the size of vessels, the containerization of cargo, and because the U.S. has paid the bill to maintain and secure world shipping lanes since the end of World War II. No more. Buckle up.
No.
72. Thomas Robert Malthus (17661834)
Malthus was a British economist who posited that population growth outpaces food supply, leading to population decline through famine, war or disease. He believed that human society couldn’t be free of coercion due to the constant threat of population growth. He proposed the following:
· Population growth: He proposed that population increases exponentially while food supply grows linearly.
· Resource depletion: As population outpaces resources, competition for dwindling
Malthus’ theory has been rightly criticized in a number of areas. For example, it does not take technological advancement into account, and it was based on societal structure in the late 18th century. However, if we look at our world today, it is hard to not see many of the key projections of Malthus’ theory ringing true in so many concrete ways.
Food is not discretionary; we need it to live. Food production is dependent upon resources, which is finite. A large percentage of the world is food-challenged today, and that is only going to get worse. The fallout of this situation, as Malthus has posited, will be war, famine and chaos to various degrees in different areas of the world. North America / the Western Hemisphere, however, is not one of those areas. So, we, primarily by the luck of the draw, get a pass, at least for now. Count your blessings.
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Roger Wise Jr.
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Another $22 million would go to accommodate the increasing numbers of foster children needing shel-ter. Hatchett said the state’s ultimate goal is eliminating the “hoteling” of foster kids in Georgia.
Financially struggling hospitals, many of which pitched in to help victims of Hurricane Helene, would get $35 million in one-time funds to help shore up their bottom lines.
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Overall, the mid-year budget would increase state spending by $4.4 billion above the fiscal 2025 budget the General Assembly passed last spring. Of that amount, $2.7 billion would come from the state’s mas-sive $16 billion surplus.
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House Speaker Jon Burns said the House was determined to pass a mid-year budget as early as possible in this year’s session in order to make the funding available for disaster relief and other vital needs. The mid-year budget, which covers state spending through June 30, was the first bill to reach the House floor this year.
“We’re upholding our commitment here in the House,” said Burns, R-Newington. “We hope our friends across the hall (the Senate) will get the budget out and get it out timely.”
This story is available through a news partnership with Capitol Beat News Service, a project of the Georgia Press Educational Foundation.
Podcast:
Continued from Page 1
“Every part of what we do as a city contributes to public safety,” Krokoff said. “I've learned a lot over my 30 plus years in public service, and one of them was the importance of community coop-eration, community partnership.”
“Milton and Mane” will feature firsthand insights from the people who keep the city running, of-fering updates on local government functions, upcoming projects and community-driven efforts shaping the future.
Each week, listeners will be introduced to key individuals at City Hall, the Police Department or Milton Fire-Rescue, as well as others who live and work in the city.
Upcoming podcast episodes will also touch on the city’s ongoing commitment to preserving its charm while fostering growth and engagement, from history and sustainability initiatives to cultural highlights and key developments.
The city encourages residents with a topic they are curious about or story to send suggestions to Christy.Weeks@miltonga.gov.
— Hayden Sumlin
OPINION
Movie theater made splash at Perimeter Mall in 1973
If you lived anywhere near Perimeter Mall before 2000, you may recall that there was a movie theater in the parking lot of the mall. It was a separate building adjacent to Ashford Dunwoody Road.
I-285 was completed in 1969, Perimeter Mall opened Aug. 11, 1971, and the Perimeter Mall General Cinema triplex opened in December 1973. The theater held 1,700 people. (Atlanta Constitution, Dec. 23, 1973, “Perimeter Mall Gets 3 Theaters”)
The first movies shown were “The Way We Were” with Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford, “The Laughing Policeman” starring Walter Matthau and “The Seven-Ups” with Roy Scheider.
Ned Hastings, who grew up in Sandy Springs, shared his memories of the Perimeter Mall theater. Hastings went to North Springs High School and remembers Perimeter Mall theater showed first-run movies. It was the place to go for high school kids, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
“On Friday and Saturday nights, that theater would be packed, and we’d always bump into packs of kids from school,” Hastings recalled. “If you were there on a date, the whole school would know about it by Monday morning. The lobby was all glass, so you could drive by and see if it was crowded or not.”
He also remembers during this time going to theaters in Roswell and in Sandy Springs at North Springs Shopping Center and at Cinema 285 at Roswell Road and Hammond Drive. North Springs was a dollar theater. Cinema 285 opened in 1971 in the Grant City Shopping Center. The shopping center later became Hammond Square, and the theater was Hammond Square Cinema before closing in 1977.
Hastings graduated from North Springs in 1984 but continued to go the Perimeter Mall Theater during college. He also worked at the mall between 1985 and 1988.
He remembers seeing “The Right Stuff” two times at Perimeter Mall Theater and the film “Platoon.”
Hastings does not think “Star Wars” played at Perimeter Mall Theater in 1977. ‘“Star Wars’ didn’t make its way to the Atlanta market until late June or July of 1977.” The film was intended to show only in theaters that could accommodate Dolby sound. “Star Wars” played at the Weis Doraville Theater on Buford Highway and three other Atlanta theaters in July 1977, although “None of the four theaters showing ‘Star Wars’ is equipped with Dolby para-
This advertisement for Perimeter Mall Cinema I, II and III ran in the Dec. 19, 1973 Atlanta Journal.
phernalia.” (Atlanta Journal and Constitution, July 24, 1977, “Star Wars doing heavenly”)
Ned remembers Perimeter Mall Theater started out with three screens and was later converted to four screens. According to cinematreasures.org, the middle of the three theaters was divided into two by General Cinema, resulting in four small theaters.
Perimeter Mall Theater also had midnight movies showing in the 1980s. In May 1984, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” was on the bill for midnight along with “Ziggy Stardust,” “Risky Business” and “Kentucky Fried Movie.”
(Atlanta Constitution, May 11, 1984)
General Cinema filed for bankruptcy in 2000, and Perimeter Mall Theater closed that same year. The opening of United Artists Perimeter Pointe 10 in 1995 likely contributed to the downfall of Perimeter Mall Theater. Eight, 10, 12 and 14 multiplex theaters were opening all around Atlanta.
Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@ gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
OPINION
Buckeye fan helps old manmfeel significant out of the blue
The call, totally out of the blue, made me feel like I’d won the lottery.
Tim Musselman, whom I hired as a sales rep way back in 1997, lives in Columbus, Ohio.
He wanted to get together, since he was in Roswell, staying with friends in anticipation of last Monday’s Ohio State-Notre Dame national championship tiff. Marie’s Italian Deli was a perfect site for our reunion.
I showed up in Irish attire. Unbeknownst to me, Tim decked himself out in a scarlet Buckeye hoodie.
Breakfast diners, the owner and servers got a kick out of the contrast game gear.
“This was totally unplanned.” Tim told the bemused crowd. “I just wanted to get together with my ex-boss.”
Regardless of the circumstances of our meeting, it was warming to know that Tim, an outstanding sales rep and manager, still thought enough of making an ancient, retired boss feel relevant.
The question I got most before the game was: “Are you going?” With the cheapest, nosebleed seats selling for north of $4,000, it made the Man Cave even more enticing. There was no line, no charge for parking, and no effort to see the game clearly via that 85-inch Sony. No one was standing in front of me blocking my view.
Best of all, no line for the restroom or when I wanted a snack.
It was a nonsensical question. High school and college friend Klint Schahrer, calling from Hayward, just a tad east of San Francisco, had a sensible perspective: “I’d be
so ticked off paying that kind of money and watch Notre Dame lose 42-14.”
My retort: “I’d be a basket case spending four grand to watch the Irish WIN 42-14.”
When all the dust had cleared, I was disappointed at the results. Not shocked. Not angry. Like Tim calling me and wanting to get together, it made me feel relevant. Like Notre Dame was this year.
With college football looking forward to making more moves to snuggle itself up to the pros (transfer portal, silly decisions by a committee, NIL running rampant), there’s a
lot of business to take care of before we do it all over again in late August.
We’re mere weeks (February 16) from the only NASCAR race I watch every year, the Daytona 500. It’s always an entertaining Sunday afternoon. With Dale Earnhardt meeting his demise there, Jeff Gordon merely a memory and all the other “good ol’ boy” stars, NASCAR is too corporate for my liking. But Daytona and all its patriotic pageantry, is a must-see afternoon of viewing.
Two days prior to the race, it’s the last day for Braves pitchers and catchers to report. Baseball is getting increasingly frustrating with the Dodgers’ spending getting close to the GDP of many countries. And even though our team has been outspent, doesn’t mean we’ll get outplayed. Maybe we go into the season with an “Us against the world” approach.
We’ve got the Super Bowl in New Orleans. I hope it’s a good one. Love that city, its food, its culture. With the city’s rough go of it recently, I hope the big game is a gumbo/ muffaletta combo.
It’s not all sports around here. I have been enjoying watching chef Gordon Ramsey raising hell in nasty restaurants before giving them a rebirth on “Kitchen Nightmares.” And if medical dramas are your thing, “Doc” has piqued my interest after the first three episodes.
Lots to keep my mind occupied while I fight personal medical battles.
But I wouldn’t complain a bit if College Game Day was on next Saturday.
Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.
MIKE TASOS Columnist
MIKE TASOS/APPEN MEDIA
Columnist Mike Tasos, left, and Tim Musselman reunite at Marie’s Italian Deli in Forsyth County before the College Football National Championship.
Continued from Page 1
Deerfield: AAPPEN PRESSCLU
“We must make it truly Milton,” Jamison said. “And that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
From late August through December, city consultant Cooper Carry sent out community surveys and held several open houses to gather feedback on what residents want the area to look like.
The initial idea was to work simultaneously on the redesign of the state’s Ga. 9 widening project and the design manual to implement the community’s vision for any future development.
Jamison’s announcement that Milton will be taking over the widening project Jan. 29 has been well received by several residents within the Deerfield/ Ga. 9 area.
Destination Deerfield is what the city is calling the concurrent process.
City Councilman Doug Hene wanted to know the intent behind another extension and when potential code changes and the urban design manual will come before the council.
“It was initially in place until December, and we thought that was good,” Hene said. “Now we’re looking to
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extend it again, and I’m just wondering do we have a legit end in sight.”
City Manager Steve Krokoff said it will probably be three to four months before anything is codified. Because elected officials and the public have yet to see a draft of the urban design manual, the extension allows everyone to get an understanding of any potential changes and proceed with the required public hearing process.
City Councilwoman Carol Cookerly wanted to know if any property owners or businesses were claiming harm from the zoning moratorium.
Krokoff said there are a few entities that have approached the city with development plans that do not currently but may align with the changes that are being developed.
“It’s just difficult to assess those development plans without the moratorium in place,” he said. “Is it impossible? No, but you may see a rezoning coming across one of our meetings as opposed to
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doing this all at once.”
To wrap up discussion, Krokoff said there may be an opportunity to compress the timeline depending on feedback from elected officials later in the month.
“We’re doing everything we can to set ourselves up for success,” he said. “The moratorium is going to keep things more structured.”
The Design Review Board and Planning Commission got a first look at the draft Feb. 4. A formal presentation before the City Council was set for Feb. 10.
The draft of the Deerfield urban design manual is available in the Feb. 4 joint work session’s agenda packet on the city’s website, miltonga.gov.
The urban design manual divides the area into four subdistricts along Ga. 9 with different activity levels, building heights and uses.
North Deerfield, stretching north of Bethany Bend, is a quieter area with mostly one-story buildings, a
strong residential presence and limited commercial activity.
Central Deerfield, from Keyingham Way to Bethnay Bend, is described as a neighborhood shopping area with one- to two-story buildings and minimal residential use.
South Deerfield and South Highway 9, from the Ga. 9 Kohl’s to the Windward Parkway Home Depot, are the most active sub-districts with buildings exceeding four stories.
For each subdistrict, there is a description of the desired architecture, landscaping, green space and mobility for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
The urban design manual is primarily for developers to understand the zoning approval process and how Milton wants to see their specific property fit into the city’s character.
An important part of the design manual is an emphasis on mobility, including a multi-use path system connecting to neighborhoods, new street connections through properties as they are developed and redesigned intersections.
Other noteworthy aspects of the draft include a civic space plan, preserving low-scale commercial areas in the northern subdistricts and renderings of architectural and redevelopment options.
CITY OF MILTON
NOTICE OF MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE CITY OF MILTON
RZ25-02 - Text Amendment to Article 8 Use Provisions, Sec. 8.2.1 Use Table regarding deleting assembly hall, event facility in the C-1 Zoning District.
RZ25-03 - Text Amendment to Article 12 Administration, Sec. 12.3.2.A. Public Hearing and Notice Amendments and Sec. 12.8.6.E. Demolition Permits, Public Hearing to amend notification requirements.
RZ25-04 – Text Amendment to Article 9 Site Development, specifically adding 9.1.4.A.8 to clarify parking of commercial vehicles and equipment within Agricultural and Single-Family districts and modifying Sec. 9.1.6.C. Heavy Construction.
The above items will be considered at the following meetings/public hearings:
Community Zoning Information Meeting Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Design Review Board Meeting Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Public Hearing Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor and City Council Public Hearing Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Milton City Hall – Council Chambers
2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004
678-242-2540
CITY OF MILTON PUBLIC NOTICE OF SALE OF PROPERTY
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the City of Milton will offer the following property for sale at auction beginning Monday, March 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. and the final auction ending Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. Full property descriptions, as well as the bidding process, will be available through the City's website's home page at www.miltonga.gov by following the link provided for www.GovDeals.com
Fire Vehicles:
2013 Ford Explorer
2015 Ford Explorer - (2) 2002 Chevy C7500
The buyer will have up to 5 business days to pay with exact cash, money order, or cashier's check and 10 business days to remove the vehicle. The vehicles will be available for inspection, by for inspection, by appointment only, at 750 Hickory Flat Rd, Milton, GA 30004. Appointment requests should be emailed to Capt. Russell Womack at russell.womack@miltonga.gov
City of Milton Notice of Public Hearing Board of Zoning Appeals
Date & Time
March 18, 2025
6:00 P.M.
Location: City of Milton 2006 Heritage Walk Council Chambers Milton, Georgia 30004-6119
678-242-2500
Consideration of Primary Variance
V25-06, 100 Deerhaven Lane
Applicant: Martin Anker
Request(s):
Sec. 3.1.4, Accessory Structure Setbacks - Unified Development Code. To allow a proposed cabana accessory structure to be located in front of singlefamily home.
Sec. 8.4.2.E.2.a – Unified Development Code. To allow a proposed private recreational pickleball court to be located in front of single-family home.
Sec. 8.4.2.E.2.a – Unified Development Code. To allow a proposed private recreational pickleball court to be located in front of single-family home.
V25-07, 575 Glen National Drive
Applicant: Mishka Parker
Request(s):
Sec. 11.5.7.A.1 - Unified Development Code . To allow an existing home and proposed home addition to encroach the 50-foot undisturbed stream buffer.
Sec. 11.5.7.A.2 - Unified Development Code . To allow an existing home and proposed home addition and covered patio to encroach the 75-foot impervious setback.
CITY OF MILTON NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR A USE PERMIT
Case No. U25-01
Location: 12900 Arnold Mill Road Existing Zoning: AG-1 (Agricultural) Applicant: Ebenezer Methodist of Milton
Request: To request a Use Permit for a Rural Event Facility (Sec. 8.7.1.H of the UDC) for a maximum of 300 attendees within the existing 23,000 square foot activity center on a 6.61 acre property.
The above item will be considered at the following meetings/public hearings:
Public Hearing/Meetings: Community Zoning Information Meeting Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Design Review Board Meeting Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Planning Commission Public Hearing Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor and City Council Public Hearing Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Location:
Milton City Hall – Council Chambers 2006 Heritage Walk Milton, GA 30004 678-242-2540
CITY OF MILTON
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE (UDC) FOR THE CITY OF MILTON, GEORGIA
RZ25-01-A text amendment to Article 6 Special Purpose District of the Unified Development Code for the City of Milton, Georgia to add regulations with respect to a new Arnold Mill Road Hamlet Overlay.
Public hearings on the above item will be conducted at the following Meetings:
Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, May 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Location:
Milton City Hall- Council Chambers
2006 Heritage Walk Milton, Georgia 30004
678-242-2540
Client Services Manager – Food Pantry
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Client Services Manager – Food Pantry position. The Client Services Manager is responsible for creating, managing and implementing client centered intake policies and procedures. This includes maintaining the reception area of the Food Pantry; the end-to-end application processes; follow up on applications and resolving complex client matters.
Additionally, the Manager trains and manages the Client Services Team members and volunteers while maintaining positive employee relations and talent development of the intake staff. A history of exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills and a knowledge of MS Office are required. Working some evening and weekend work hours is also required.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Communications and Marketing Manager
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Communications and Marketing Manager position. The Communications and Marketing Manager is responsible for helping raise awareness of North Fulton Community Charities and its programs and services. One of the primary responsibilities of this role is to create internal and external communications and marketing materials to promote NFCC’s overall mission.
The Manager will manage and update multiple channels including social media, email, websites, newsletters, presentations, and video. Proficiency in WordPress, Microsoft Office, and Canva are required and experience with Salesforce or other CRM and Pardot/Account Engagement a plus.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
Client Services Specialist – Pantry
The Client Services Specialist (Part-time) serves as the first point of contact at NFCC, welcoming clients and managing the intake process. This role connects clients with NFCC’s programs and services while maintaining accurate records through data entry and application updates. The Specialist also keeps clients informed about program enhancements and available services.
The Specialist must be proficient in Spanish and have the ability to work with a team in a professional manner within a fast paced environment. Microsoft office skills are required and Salesforce experience is a plus. Must have the ability to work evenings & weekends.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
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