Sandy Springs Crier - January 25, 2024 by Appen Media Group

City council OKs church improvements ► PAGE 3 J a n u a r y 2 5 , 2 0 2 4 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 , N o . 4

Questions surround ‘do not respond list’ cited by police chief

City focuses on youth in MLK Day observance By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A dispute involving police and a manager at the Atlanta North Metro Coca-Cola Bottling Company on Dunwoody Place has sparked questions about the existence of a “do not respond” list at the 911 Center in Sandy Springs. While Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone explicitly references the list in a Nov. 2023 email to the president of the Atlanta Police Foundation, interviews and records obtained by Appen Media indicate the city has no such thing. Late last year, Sandy Springs Police officers were instructed to patrol companies that support the Atlanta Police Foundation after a Nov. 13 clash between law enforcement and several hundred opponents of Atlanta’s proposed public safety training center in DeKalb County. That assignment went sour Nov. 14 when a Sandy Springs patrolman reported in an email that while conducting a business check at the Coca-Cola facility at 8250 Dunwoody Place, he was asked to leave the premises. Through an open records request, Appen Media received emails detailing the incident through the department’s chain of command.

See LIST, Page 8

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The longest-running celebration in Sandy Springs, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, has seen several iterations over the years. Since the city incorporated in 2005, it has sponsored a community MLK-themed event. A decade ago, the event included a speech from a civil rights leader and a presentation of the Sandy Springs’ Humanitarian Award. While the MLK Day events were great for the community, Mayor Rusty Paul said the city opted to shift the focus of the event to youth. To kick off the event Jan. 15, Paul spoke to a packed room inside the Studio Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center on

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul addresses the crowd in the Studio Theatre Jan. 15 before a showing of the 1999 Emmy-nominated film, “Our Friend, Martin.” Paul said the annual event is designed to be an educational opportunity for youth in the community.

Galambos Way. For him, the Civil Rights Movement is not a history lesson but a part of his life. “I lived it,” Paul said. Growing up in Birmingham during the 1950s and ’60s, Paul saw the push for equal rights and justice for Black people firsthand. “It’s important to learn from that history and be better because of it,” he said. Paul remembers taking the bus with his grandmother to shop in downtown Birmingham. He recalled a memory of Black people giving up their seats and moving to the back of the bus for him and his grandmother. He also remembers the day King was shot in Memphis. “This is one of our efforts

See MLK, Page 5

It’s important to learn from that history and be better because of it” RUSTY PAUL Sandy Springs Mayor

PUBLIC SAFETY

2 | January 25, 2024 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

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Each week Appen Media requests police incident reports to inform residents about the safety of their community. Sandy Springs continues to withhold what it calls the “narrative reports.” It is the only city Appen Media covers that follows this practice, which goes against guidance from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Attorney General’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Sheriff’s Association, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and Georgia Press Association. Above at left is a report which includes

one sentence, asserting that a Sandy Springs Police officer responded to “a disorderly person.” A search of records from Fulton County shows the event in question resulted in the arrest of a 47-year-old Sandy Springs resident on charges of felony obstruction and misdemeanor disturbing the peace. As of press time the subject has been in the Fulton County Jail at Rice Street for 10 days. Above is a report from the Johns Creek Police Department, describing a traffic stop. Appen Media contends these full-length

reports exist for most Sandy Springs incidents and that the city is withholding them in violation of Georgia’s Open Records Act. Records obtained by the news company show the city explicitly pursued ways to obscure details within reports with its software provider. An expansive story on the subject is planned for next week’s Crier. Appen Media will continue pursuing the release of more detailed documents that belong to the public in order to inform residents how safe – or unsafe – their city is.

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Council approves Misty Creek Community Church improvements By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Representatives of Misty Creek Community Church took feedback from the Sandy Springs City Council during a public hearing Jan. 16 on proposed improvements to the church. The public hearing considered a conditional use permit to allow site improvements to the church in a protected neighborhood at 590 Mount Vernon Highway. Sandy Springs Unified Development Code includes the 3.39-acre property on Mount Vernon Highway in the RE-2 zoning district, or a residential estate on more than 2 acres. Misty Creek Community Church is located at the northwest corner of Mount Vernon Highway and Glenridge Drive. Because places of worship are often on large lots near residential neighborhoods, they are often zoned under residential estate and are required to apply for conditional use permits for any substantial changes to their property. The site, near the Mount Vernon Upper School and First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs, is developed with a cemetery, church and a three-story building. The proposed site improvements include a 2,000-square-foot pavilion with a 33-foot-tall chimney; a 2,000-squarefoot playground; ADA-compliant ramps; retaining walls; and a baptismal fountain. Planning and Zoning Manager Michele McIntosh-Ross presented the recommendations from staff. Because the site improvements are allowed in the district through a conditional use permit, planning staff worked to ensure that plans aligned with the goals of the city’s 2017 Next Ten Comprehensive Plan and 2022 5-year update. McIntosh-Ross said the church’s proposal meets all standards for conditional use permits in the district, enhances public access and does not adversely affect surrounding neighborhoods. City staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the conditional use permit with two conditions: new fencing around the church cemetery and adherence to the site plan. Residents voiced concerns about potential noise from the addition of outdoor facilities at the church during two community meeting held Oct. 2 and Nov. 9. Hamid Arjmand, representing nearby homeowners Nov. 9, spoke about events at the church during the COVID-19

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A site plan for the improvements at Misty Creek Community Church shows the addition of a pavilion with a fireplace, playground and baptismal fountain. The Sandy Springs City Council approved the request unanimously Jan. 16. pandemic that ran late into the night. Ragan DeFreese, a member of the church’s leadership, reassured Arjmand that the church would comply with city noise guidelines. The second public meeting concluded with Arjmand and DeFreese exchanging contacts, should any issues arise in the future. The public hearing Jan. 16 received one public comment in support of the permit from Bradley Dunckel, a representative from Gainesvillebased development firm, Rochester & Associates. “These are improvements and enhancements to the existing campus of the church,” Dunckel said. “Greatly needed to continue to grow the church and provide adequate facilities for their mission and for worship.” City Councilwoman Jody Reichel, who represents the district surrounding the church, asked Dunckel what the outdoor pavilion and fireplace would be used for. Dunckel said the pavilion could be used for youth groups, a gathering place for the congregation and sunrise Easter services. The fireplace is more of an architectural feature for ambiance, Dunckel said. With 278 feet of frontage on Glenridge Drive and 343 feet of frontage on Mount Vernon Highway, Reichel also asked if the City Council could add a condition to fence in the property. “I guess with a big gathering at the intersection of two major roads, is there any necessity for required screening?”

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Planning and Zoning Manager Michele McIntosh-Ross, left, presents the recommendations from planning staff Jan. 16 for improvements to Misty Creek Community Church. The Sandy Springs City Council approved the request unanimously after discussing the potential adverse effects of the site improvements. Councilman Andy Bauman asked planning staff. Bauman said he wanted to ensure the intersection is aesthetic and people using the outdoor facilities are protected from traffic. The site plan does not include a buffer or screening, which is not required in the development code. “A part of the purpose is to create a somewhat of an inviting space there,” Dunckel said. “The setback is 40 feet from the right-of-way.” Other concerns from councilmembers included the height of the chimney, the

size of the pavilion and firewood storage. Mark Swain, a project manager with BCA Studios, said his architecture firm designed the pavilion and chimney to comply with the development code. Swain also said a rendering of the pavilion, showing it to be larger than the church, was his embellishment. While the City Council had the option to modify the conditions for approval of the permit, they decided to approve the request unanimously. “I suggest you look at the landscaping to see what can be done to soften it a little bit,” Mayor Rusty Paul added.

4 | January 25, 2024 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

BUSINESS

Remodeling company touts quality, peace of mind By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Scott Hessing, owner of United Home Restoration, was in El Trompo Mexican Taqueria in Johns Creek for Taco Tuesday with some of his crew sharing the response from clients whose homes had received a makeover. “They love us,” Hessing said, sipping on the free horchata, courtesy of Taco Tuesday. “They like that we’re really quick. They like that I’m on-site as the owner — you know, quality assurance.” From his experience, Hessing said other contractors tend to go on-site once to take some measurements, make sure the materials are there, then sign on. But, he’s there with his crew throughout the entirety of the job, starting at 8 a.m. sharp. United Home Restoration, a remodeling company based in Johns Creek, installs decks and fences, performs custom trim work as well as interior and exterior painting. The business covers residential and commercial property in Metro Atlanta, but Hessing said he’d charter his crew out of state.

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Middle, Scott Hessing, owner of United Home Restoration, gathers with crew members Vicente Perez Hernandez, left, and Trister Castro Hernandez, right, in front of El Trompo Mexican Taqueria, a go-to lunch spot. Hessing’s Johns Creek business does remodeling work for residential and commercial properties in Metro Atlanta, including installation of decks and fences, custom trim work and interior and exterior painting. Hessing, who his crew calls “Frijoles,” meaning “beans” in Spanish, said his company values three things — safety, quality and efficiency. “The catchphrase is ‘Big Deck Energy,’” Hessing said. Once doing handiwork on his own, he loves the business he built because he gets to see the astonishment from clients who witness “four dudes” quickly putting something together for a fair price. But, he also gets to bounce around, so it’s never monotonous. “It’s a rewarding job, whether you make a bunch of money or not,” Hessing said. “You get to see it come to life and learn something new every day.” He also values the camaraderie with his crew. Trister “Vato Cholo” Castro Hernandez and Vicente “Hefe” Perez Hernandez were at the table, too. Hessing, who would occasionally speak to them in Spanish, has three crews for a total of a dozen employees. His mother is from Cuba, and he improves his Spanish working with the guys, who he calls his brothers — they bond over artists like Colombian singer Karol G. and Mexican singer Peso Pluma. As the small restaurant became packed, Hessing said that meant people were securing jobs. Over the holiday season, as Hessing went to El Trompo during the work day, it was much slower. “God definitely blessed me with that,” Hessing said, who grew up in Johns Creek. Hessing incorporated about a year

SCOTT HESSING/PROVIDED

On right, Scott Hessing, owner of United Home Restoration, stands with his crew and a client in front of a fence they had installed at a home in Duluth. ago with the help of his mentor and owner of StormROOF Systems, Clint Crowe. He provided Hessing with advice on getting United Home Restoration insured. Knowing the area well has helped Hessing grow a client base. One time, while on-site for a job, Hessing was referred to the client’s neighbor who happened to be his sixth grade teacher at Taylor Road Middle School. “I don’t think she would have ever thought that I would have started my own business,” Hessing said. A community advocate, Hessing sponsored North View High School’s

football team, though he attended its rival school, Chattahoochee High School. He also takes breakfast to Lifeline’s animal shelter, along with toys, blankets and newspaper. That day, he had a stack of newspaper in his car ready for transport. “At a very young age, my mother taught me the importance of giving back to the community or giving to the less fortunate,” Hessing said. “As I have gotten older, I have grown to appreciate and value these lessons more and more. I am thankful to be in a position in my life to be involved in nonprofits and community sponsorships.”

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | January 25, 2024 | 5

Fulton County commissioner plans human trafficking forum ATLANTA — A Fulton County commissioner will co-host the 2024 Human Trafficking Forum from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. District 6 Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman invites community members to attend the forum to learn about how to identify and prevent trafficking crimes. Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar industry which targets

the most vulnerable citizens, including low-income individuals, runaway youths and children in foster care. In recognition of National Human Trafficking Month in January, Commissioner Abdur-Rahman will be joined by Wellspring Living, a Christian-based organization that provides care to sex trafficking victims. During the two-hour forum, guests will hear how officials are advocating for survivors and working to stop

human trafficking throughout Fulton County and Georgia. “Human trafficking is the fastestgrowing criminal activity in our country,” Abdur-Rahman said. “It is a criminal industry that strips individuals of their human dignity and rights, with human traffickers preying upon our most vulnerable citizens.” In 2022, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners appropriated $500,000 to Wellspring Living to help victims of domestic sex trafficking

and people at risk with specialized recovery services. “Last year's hybrid event shared valuable tools and insights to the community,” Wellspring Living CEO Christian Murphy said. “This year, our goal is to bring more awareness and solicit a charge to the community and leaders to support survivors and help end sexual exploitation.” Residents can report possible cases in Georgia’s 24-hour Human Trafficking Hotline at 866-363-4842.

MLK: Continued from Page 1 as a city to try and reach our young people…and teach them about Dr. King and his legacy,” Paul said at the Jan. 16 City Council meeting. “I am always proud to be here and be a part of that.” Councilmembers Andy Bauman, Melody Kelly, Melissa Mular and Jody Reichel joined the mayor at the Jan. 15 event. Kelly, Sandy Springs’ first Black elected official, said she was elated to see increased turnout this year. The 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art & Film Celebration gave each child a certificate with seven stars, representing themes exemplified by King’s work during the Civil Rights Movement. Children earned the silver “Community” star certificate for attending. The other six stars, representing freedom, equality, liberty, love, justice and dreams, required completing some specific activity. Students from Innovation Academy in Alpharetta and North Springs High School in Sandy Springs volunteered and were tasked with welcoming attendees, registering kids and running the six activities. Innovation Academy student Varsha Veerappan and North Springs student Georgia Alford spent the afternoon preparing families for activities. The celebration welcomed hundreds of children from Metro Atlanta to participate in interactive art projects and watch the 1999 Emmy-nominated film, “Our Friend, Martin.” The Studio Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center held two screenings of the animated children’s educational film, which follows two teenagers as they time travel to meet King at different points in his life. The theater’s lobby served as check-in for attendees to grab their certificates and begin the activities. Children were encouraged to listen

PHOTOS BY HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Dozens of families from Metro Atlanta gather in the lobby of the Byers Theatre Jan. 15 for the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Arts and Film Celebration. The educational event featured six activities, focusing on themes exemplified by King’s work during the Civil Rights Movement. to King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, read along with Christine King Farris’ “My Brother Martin,” and participate in arts and crafts. Signature Events Director Anna Nikolas said six or seven years ago the city decided to pivot from a day of community service to an educational event. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the city switched its annual tribute to a virtual video presentation. When the city brought back the in-person event last year, Nikolas said there was a need for more space to accommodate the growing community. This year, activities expanded to the lobby of the Byers Theatre, giving families plenty of room to participate. Sandy Springs resident Le’Dor Milteer brought her two children, ages 7 and 13. She said it’s great to have a local event where children can feel seen and heard. While similar events are not embraced in every community, Milteer said it means a lot to have one in Sandy Springs.

From left, Innovation Academy student Varsha Veerappan and North Springs student Georgia Alford hold up certificates Jan. 15 for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art and Film Celebration. Veerappan and Alford joined dozens of high school students who volunteered to run different activities at the MLK-themed event.

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Congregants and community members form a procession down Academy Street Jan. 15 in the annual St. James Alpharetta Martin Luther King Jr. Day unity walk. Hundreds gathered at St. James UMC at 10 a.m. to celebrate and honor King’s legacy.

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Hundreds honor MLK with annual unity walk By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Hundreds packed St. James United Methodist Church Jan. 15 to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with an annual community service and unity walk to downtown Alpharetta. Following an hour of prayer and song, Fulton County Probate Court Chief Judge Kenya Johnson spoke on the theme “Leaving Your Legacy,” a message inspired by Proverbs 13:22. “It has been said that if you want to touch the past, touch a rock,” Johnson said. “If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. But, if you want to touch the future, touch a life.” Using her expertise as a probate court judge, Johnson explored estate planning through the biblical lens of leaving behind an inheritance for one’s descendants. Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin also addressed the crowd to recognize great men such as King, Mahatma Gandhi and Henry David Thoreau, whose legacies encourage unity in times of division. “We all leave legacies,” Gilvin said. “We are all creating a legacy with every day, everything we do. Now, it can be good, or it can be bad. It can be intentional, or completely by accident. But it's important for us, as we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, that we take responsibility because King, unfortunately, gave his life for his legacy.” Gilvin encouraged guests to carry on King’s message through positive, intentional actions. St. James Senior Pastor the Rev.

Fulton County Probate Court Chief Judge Kenya Johnson addresses the crowd at the annual St. James Alpharetta Martin Luther King Jr. Day service. Gregory S. Williams also presented the church’s MLK recognition award to Jimmy McKinney, whose nonprofit, the Jimmy Mac Foundation, assists the needy through youth mentorship, food, community outreach and educational assistance. The foundation has provided more than $70,000 in scholarships and more than 500,000 meals to those in need internationally. After the 10 a.m. service, guests lined up outside St. James for a unity walk to Brooke Street Park in downtown Alpharetta , just over 1 mile from the church at 3000 Webb Bridge Road.

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NEWS

Police investigate break-ins at north metro businesses By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com METRO ATLANTA — Police are investigating a series of smashand-grab break-ins this month at businesses in Roswell and neighboring cities linked to the same group of suspects. At around 4 a.m. Jan. 15, Roswell police responded to a burglary alarm in Ellard Village on Holcomb Bridge Road where suspects broke into four businesses and where there was an attempt at a fifth location.

Police observed the front door to Arte D’Oro Diamonds had been smashed open, the incident report says. The owners told police they were last at the store at 2 p.m. the day before and could not identify what had been taken. While conducting a search on the premises, police also found that Ground and Pound Coffee, Bruster’s, and Dyar Persian Grill and Bar had been burglarized, in addition to an attempt at The Spot sushi bar which had broken glass but no visible entry. Surveillance footage showed four male suspects entering Arte D’Oro

Diamonds, wearing masks and gloves. Police also identified a blue Hyundai Sonata entering the parking lot at around 3:45 a.m. that morning, from which two suspects exited, running toward the jewelry store. According to a second incident report, police also responded to 4 Seasons Wings and Taco Takeout on Holcomb Bridge Road Jan. 15 at around 4 a.m. Cash registers had been taken at each location. Roswell Public Information Officer Timothy Lupo said similar smash-andgrabs had occurred at 880 Holcomb

Bridge Jan. 10, linked to the same group of suspects. In an email, Lupo said investigators are currently evaluating connections between the burglaries and those in Alpharetta, Sandy Springs and in Gwinnett County, that occurred around the same time frame. “Our officers are continuing and increasing our proactive business checks in the area and have been able to utilize the resources of our Roswell Crime Center to establish some excellent suspect information to follow up on,” Lupo said.

Preservation Trust sets date for 2024 Lemonade Days fest DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody Preservation Trust will host its 24th annual Lemonade Days festival April 17-21 at Brook Run Park. The gathering will feature carnival and pony rides, a petting zoo, food and beverage vendors, and the Dunwoody Idol contest. The Time Warp ride and deep-fried Oreo and Snickers concession stands will also

List: Continued from Page 1 The officer said in an email to a lieutenant that while he was sitting in his patrol vehicle, he was approached by a warehouse manager who told him police were not allowed on the premises “due to it being private property.” He told the manager he was sent to check the location due to threats against companies that support the Atlanta Police Foundation. The manager then “insisted” the officer leave the property, according to the email. Documents obtained through the open records request show the officer’s account of the incident was sent to Lt. Matthew McGinnis, Capt. Andrew Spears and Deputy Police Chief Craig Chandler. In the emails, Sandy Springs Police personnel voiced frustration about how the officer was treated at the Coca-Cola facility. Records show Deputy Chief Chandler forwarded the email thread to Police Chief DeSimone, suggesting “someone at APF might want to reach out to Coke executives” about the incident. A Nov. 16 email from the chief to Dave Wilkinson, president and CEO of the Atlanta Police Foundation, shares

return. The first annual High School Battle of the Bands and the Dunwoody Authors and Friends Booth will be held on the weekend dates of the festival. Lemonade Days will run from 4 to 10 p.m. April 17-19. The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 20 and from noon to 6 p.m. April 21.

Unlimited ride wristbands are $20 on Wednesday and Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday. Single tickets will also be available for $1.25 at the park at 4770 North Peachtree Road. Proceeds from Lemonade Days, the Dunwoody Preservation Trust’s only fundraiser, will benefit educational programs, a history camp for children, community events and

the suggestion and references the “do not respond” list. “Do you have any contacts at Coca Cola?” Chief DeSimone asked in the email. “I’m getting ready to put them on the ‘do not respond’ list at the 911 center.” Whether or not that list exists is unclear. The City of Sandy Springs denied an Open Records Act request for the list, stating it had no responsive documents. Sandy Springs Interim Communications Director Dan Coffer says the city previously used a “no response” list to reduce the number of false alarm calls. That practice changed five years ago with a revision to the city’s alarm ordinance, he said. Police departments throughout the country cite false alarms as a major problem, saying they strain vital resources and manpower. Like surrounding municipalities, Sandy Springs has adopted various alarm policies to combat the issue. The current ordinance requires alarm companies to register their customers, pay fines for false alarms and take certain steps before calling 911. When a burglar alarm is triggered, companies must “verify” the emergency using audio, video or in-person signals before dialing authorities for help. The city added the verification requirement in 2018.

The last time the ordinance changed was 2019, when the City Council voted to allow alarm companies 24 hours to supply the verification evidence. When asked about the chief’s “‘do not respond’ list at the 911 Center” remark, Coffer said the city had such a document before implementing the verification requirement, but it is no longer in use. “The ‘no response’ list was used when we responded to all alarms without verification,” he said. “We no longer have a ‘no response’ list for alarms or alarm sites.” Appen Media contacted Coca-Cola United, the local bottler that operates the plant on Dunwoody Place, for comment. “We have the utmost respect for the Sandy Springs Police Department and their duty to serve and protect the communities in which we operate,” spokeswoman Cassandra Mickens said in a statement. “We have addressed this matter directly with the police department and our associates and have no further comment.” City officials could offer no additional details as of press time, and it is unclear why the chief referred to a “do not respond” list that the city says no longer exists. “Chief is out of town, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about this,” Coffer said Jan. 17. “We no longer have our ‘do not respond’ list.”

the rehabilitation and maintenance of the historic Donaldson-Bannister Farm. Fifth Third Bank is the presenting sponsor of the festival. For more information, visit dunwoodypreservationtrust.org/ lemonade-days. — Shelby Israel

About Chatcomm The 911 Center referenced in Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone’s email is the Chattahoochee River 911 Authority, or ChatComm. The cities of Sandy Springs and Johns Creek created ChatComm in 2009, which operates through a contract with IXP Corporation. Dunwoody joined ChatComm in 2011, then Brookhaven in 2014. New Jersey-based IXP calls ChatComm “the largest known 911 public-private partnership in the country.” IXP states on its website that ChatComm, based in Sandy Springs, is poised to add other cities to its services. Sandy Springs Police Maj. Dan Nable is the operation’s executive director. In addition to officials in Sandy Springs, city staff in Brookhaven, Dunwoody and Johns Creek said ChatComm representatives told them the agency did not have a ‘do not respond’ list.

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | January 25, 2024 | 9

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OPINION

Following up on Christmas cards My column in December about Christmas cards generated more response than almost any other one I have written recently, I think. Go figure. I wrote the RAY APPEN column about the Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com decrease in cards we received this year, and I speculated about what was going on. My wife guessed social media was the culprit. I guessed “time-starved” and in a hurry society. My wife, at least according to the responses received, was right – as usual. I got back maybe a dozen responses. All but one agreed that they received fewer cards this year than in previous

years. Most blamed social media. That was the #1 cited reason from readers. Interestingly enough, the increase in cost of postage and cards also was cited in more than half of the responses. Readers responding tended to be older. Many reflected on a tradition of sending and receiving cards. A number commented on the value and satisfaction they got from actually hand-writing notes, addressing envelopes and putting on the stamps. They tended to comment on the nature of doing that – that it was an act of personal connection in a world of flashy objects. I so agreed with that sentiment. A few commented on how much their address list had shrunk. I know mine is down by at least half. I never delete the names on my list though, even if the person has died – and death

is about the only reason that someone stops receiving my Christmas letter and photos. I think I leave the names on my list to remind me of them; I don’t want to forget a single one. I also keep all the names on the list to remind me of time passing – to remind me of mortality. I will say too, that when your Christmas list is down by half, it is hard to ignore mortality. Over and over, I read or I hear about the importance of personal connections – of people spending time with other people – face to face. I hear about how this personal connection – especially at the end of life – is what people need the most. Those who end up alone, with no friends or people to interreact with, surely don’t last as long as those who have them. The connection, the personal connection, I sort of see as blood – as a necessity of life – something that not only sustains

life but also gives a reason to live. Today, the trend of our lives seems to be toward less and less real personal connection – remote work, Facebook friends, texting and relating to the world around you in front of a screen via TicTok or Instagram. We have entire generations now that have no other frame of reference than what they get from a screen. And that is about as sad of a statement as I can imagine. Screens are not people. Saying Merry Christmas via text or on Facebook is soulless. There is no beating heart in screens. The screen will not be at your bedside in the hospital or deliver dinner to you at home when you are convalescing. But we all have the freedom to choose. Our collective march toward a digital wasteland is a choice. It doesn’t have to happen. Ball is in our court!

If patience is a virtue, we may never see heaven’s gate Airline passengers are lucky to have access to information about which airline to choose if ontime arrivals and departures are important. PAT FOX Lounging on Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com airport furniture, reading your Kindle is no substitute for the sunny beach in the Caymans you’d expected to catch that afternoon. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics tracks all sorts of information about flight delays and cancellations. You can get a clear picture of which airlines are most likely to get you on that beach before sundown. The latest data for 2023 ranks Delta as your best bet. The airline and its network carriers pulled up to the gate within 14 minutes of scheduled arrival time nearly 85 percent of the time, according to aviation data firm Cirium. Alaska Airlines came in second with 82 percent of its planes arriving promptly. American was third at 80 percent. Frontier and Jet Blue came in at around 68 percent. And while airlines like to blame weather-related causes for delays, the data shows that most of the time, the fault lies with personnel. Most delays are preventable.

Airlines are required to report performance. There are no such requirements for doctors. More’s the pity. If doctors’ offices were required to track the amount of time patients spend in waiting rooms past their scheduled appointments, imagine the fallout. We could shop around for those practices that value your time as much as theirs. That’s not to say doctors are lazy. There is an enormous shortage of physicians, and it’s getting worse. A 2020 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts the United States could experience a shortage of from 54,100 to 139,000 by 2033. About half of those empty slots will be for primary care. Right now, there are more than 1 million physicians practicing in the United States. Over 40 percent of them will turn 65 or older in the next decade, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. Moreover, national surveys following the COVID pandemic show many of these older doctors are likely to leave their practice sooner rather than later. Will anyone be left? Amid the furor surrounding Medicare funding, it might be wise to consider that even if the program survives in perpetuity, there may be no one available to see about your heart condition, your tennis elbow or your chronic cough.

Even so, there ought to be ways to streamline the process of seeing a doctor. Most practices require you arrive 15 or 30 minutes early, presumably to fill out paperwork you’ve already submitted through that black hole the industry calls a “health portal.” Consider that the entire healthcare experience has become so cumbersome, many patients don’t see a doctor until their condition becomes so severe they require hospitalizations. Others forego the doctor’s office and opt for a trip to the emergency room. Is it any wonder? A couple of years ago, I went in for cataract surgery, a procedure I had discussed extensively with my ophthalmologist beforehand. The day of the procedure, with an IV pumping me with sedatives, I was approached by one of the staff who showed me a large cardboard menu of lens options. He wanted me to pick the one I wanted. Is this Pep Boys? I wondered. So, I did the only thing a reasonable cataract patient on drugs would do under the circumstances. I threw a fit. Nurses and staff went wild, bustling about, screaming that there was a problem with the scheduled procedure. The doctor finally approached me and asked what the problem was. I told him I wanted the exact same procedure he and I had gone over and

agreed to the week before in his office. Systolic off the charts More recently, I visited my cardio doctor for a routine checkup. I arrived early as instructed. Then I waited… and waited…and waited. Forty-five minutes beyond my appointment time, I decided to reschedule. I’d driven over 20 miles for nothing. Just then, a young assistant called me in and deposited me in Room 2 for another 10 minutes. When the cardiologist entered, I bucked up and told him that this wouldn’t be a good time to check my blood pressure, and I told him why. He apologized for the wait, saying the workload is such that patients inevitably get backed up. He recommended one way to avoid this is to schedule appointments for the morning. Then, he went over the medications I was taking, asked whether I was having any issues. I wasn’t till then. And, he wished me a good day, apologizing again for the wait. I am not sure how much time he spent with me, maybe 10 minutes tops. I’m sure there are reasons doctors run late. Emergencies pop up. Some patients require extended visits. Records have to be updated. I get all that. And there is nothing I can do about it. But, doctors should know patients value their time, too. Someone has to say it. Sorry.

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | January 25, 2024 | 11

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12 | January 25, 2024 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

GARDEN BUZZ

OPINION

The story of a once mighty tree, the American chestnut As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the word “pandemic” became a household word. But did you know, over the last one hundred years, the Appalachian CAROLE MACMULLAN Mountain Forest has experienced Guest Columnist several pandemics or transformative events that have reshaped the eastern United States forests. If we could step back in time, back to the early 1900s, the Appalachian Mountain Forest would look different from the forest in 2023. The dominant hardwood forest trees in Georgia today are the oaks, and their acorns sustain directly or indirectly a significant population of forest organisms, making them a keystone plant. One hundred years ago, the dominant keystone tree was the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) tree. You might ask, have I ever seen an American chestnut tree and where are they now? During the late 1800s, wealthy Americans began to import exotic plants to create eye appealing gardens along with their stately homes to highlight their wealth and social status. Bringing in foreign grown plants had its peril! In 1904, newly identified cankers appeared on some of the American chestnut growing in the Bronx Zoo. Botanists identified the blight as a fungal disease (Cryphonectria parasitica) originating from imported Japanese chestnut trees. Japanese chestnut trees have a natural immunity to this fungal disease, but the American chestnut does not! Within a 30-year period, the lethal fungal disease spread throughout the entire Appalachian Mountain chain from Maine to North Georgia. As the American chestnuts died out, the entire ecosystem changed. If you look at pictures of American chestnut trees, you will be mesmerized by their size. Many of the forest animals were dependent on the nutritious chestnuts that covered the forest floor. The timber was highly prized for its durability and resistance to rot. Not only did the chestnuts serve as a food supply for the forest animals but also for human consumption. Chestnut Ridge, near my former, western Pennsylvania home, was named for this ecologically, culturally and economically valuable tree that until the mid-1930s covered the mountain ridge.

About the author

PENN STATE EXTENSION

Left photo: Map of Eastern US showing where American Chestnut trees once grew. Top right photos: American Chestnut Seed with seed coat opened to show the chestnut.

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Carole MacMullan, a master gardener and a Milton resident. She taught biology for 35 years in the Pittsburgh area. In 2012 after moving to Milton, Carole completed the Master Gardener training program and joined the North Fulton Master Gardeners (NFMG) and the Milton Garden Club. Carole uses her teaching skills to create a variety of presentations on gardening topics for the NFMG Lecture Series and Speakers Bureau. She also volunteers weekly at the Assistance League of Atlanta (ALA) thrift store and acts as chair of their Links to Education scholarship program. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, hiking, biking, and reading.

AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

Bottom right photo- This picture, taken in the mid- to late 19th century, gives an idea of just how large and profuse the American chestnut tree was in Eastern U.S. forests. There are now only 100 or so that remain. The rapid spread of this fungal disease was possible since fungi reproduce by airborne spores. When the wind carries spores to the American chestnut host tree, the spores germinate and begin to divide. The fungus cells, in turn, form rootlike hyphae. These hyphae branch out and penetrate the bark of the tree. Over time, cankers grow and interrupt the internal flow of water and nutrients to the tree’s branches, leaves and roots resulting in the death of the tree. Two factors contributed to their extinction. As American chestnut trees began to die in astoundingly large numbers, lumber companies stepped in and quickly cut down any remaining chestnut trees. The result was the complete loss of vast swaths of forest, creating erosion and in some cases, flooding and changing the Appalachian Mountain Forest ecosystem forever! With the loss of a tree that could stand 100 feet tall and produce over 6,000 chestnuts at maturity, there has been a desire to see these trees returned to our eastern forests. How can the goal to create a genetically, blight resistant tree be accomplished? The solution is complicated. The American Chestnut Foundation was organized in 1989 to achieve this goal. Fortunately, Chinese chestnut trees have a genetic resistance to the chestnut blight. As a result, the two chestnut species have been crossbred, but the resulting first-

generation hybrids have only 50% of the desired genetic characteristics of the American chestnut. Over the last four decades, the most blightresistant hybrids have been crossbred with the American chestnut in an attempt create a chestnut tree that is as genetically close to the American chestnut as possible. Currently, a hybrid has been created that contains 94% of the genes of the American chestnut. Another group has used modern genetic engineering techniques to create a hybrid with 99% of the American chestnut genes plus genes to provide immunity from the fungus blight. With the cooperation of federal, state and local forest services, as well as research scientists and private citizens, hybrid trees are being grown throughout the American chestnuts’ former Appalachian Mountain habitat to find the most resistant hybrid. Pilot research projects have been established in several locations in the Atlanta area. There are 18 hybrid chestnuts growing in the Atlanta History Center orchard, and 13 of them have prospered and five are too weak to grow to maturity. In 2019, Big Trees Forest Preserve in Sandy Springs next to the UGA Extension office, planted several dozen young, hybrid chestnuts. Both locations hope their young, hybrid trees will mature and produce chestnut seeds to help the American Chestnut Society reach their goal of re-introducing healthy, blight resistant, American chestnut trees into

Want to learn more? Visit our website at appenmediacom/opinion/ columnists/garden_buzz/. the Appalachian Mountain Forests. Wishing success to the combined efforts of everyone working on the American chestnut restoration project! Happy Gardening! North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Master Gardener Volunteers are trained and certified by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Learn more at nfmg.net. Previous Garden Buzz columns are featured at https://appenmedia.com/ opinion/columnists/garden_buzz/. Solution D A S H E D A M F L O P O G E E T O G A S A U D I A R G O N C H A R A C T E R A L O N E S T A M M E R N I T S I P A I S L E S L L A M A S E R N E R U P T E L O P E A R E A S A R T E R E N D E D I T S S N E E R O L D L I T A N Y E A R N E D B U S F A N T R O U N C E F R I S K G U I L T A G R E E M E N T L O A N A R I D A N D E S A S P S L E T S P A S S

AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs | Sandy Springs Crier | January 25, 2024 | 13

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16 | January 25, 2024 | Sandy Springs Crier | AppenMedia.com/Sandy_Springs

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