Sandy Springs Crier - May 9, 2024

Sandy Springs begins process to draft budget

Inflation, property tax revenue weigh on 2025 spending plan

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Elected city officials and staff packed the Barfield Conference Room at Sandy Springs City Hall April 30 for the first of two public workshops to draft a 2025 budget.

The financial plans for operations and capital improvements make up the bulk of the city’s overall budget, which topped more than $1 billion across all funds last year.

Sandy Springs operates on a fiscal year budget which runs from July 1-June 30.

The budget process starts in January with the City Council’s adoption of priorities as part of its annual retreat,

Keying on a developing economy

From left, Paul Corely, regional president of Empire Communities; Warren Jolly, president of The Providence Group; Freda Hardage, community liaison for Northside Hospital and MARTA Board member; and John Hunt, founder and president of MarketNsight, discuss available housing in North Fulton County. See story, Page 7.

City Manager Eden Freeman said. Freeman then meets with department heads to review finances and requests before holding two budget workshops. Like many cities that depend on property taxes to help pay their way, Sandy Springs is facing revenue challenges with commercial real estate. Data from the Fulton County Tax

See BUDGET, Page 13

NEWS ANALYSIS

his funding requests for 2025 at the first budget workshop April 30 at City Springs April 30.

City bars public access to council budget talks

By CARL APPEN carl@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Appen Media staff reporter Hayden Sumlin, Director of Content & Development Carl Appen and Publisher Hans Appen were all denied entry to a public meeting April 30 in which the Sandy Springs City Council was discussing the 2025 budget.

Sumlin arrived to Sandy Springs City Hall first, intending to report the council’s discussion as he does with all important public meetings. Security stopped him in the lobby, saying they were unsure whether he was allowed to proceed. After checking with city staff in the upstairs conference room where the council had gathered, a security officer informed Sumlin they had been instructed to deny entry to anyone seeking to attend

To our readers

A news analysis provides a perspective on events from the point of view of the writer who is qualified to speak to the subject. It frees the author to take measured steps away from pure reporting and include opinion, backed by evidence, to make a point. Appen Media strives for objectivity in all its news content and clearly marks articles that include opinion.

the meeting. The justification given, incorrectly, was that the event was not open to the public.

By Georgia law, anytime a quorum, or

See ACCESS, Page 8

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Public Works Director Marty Martin discusses

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New bids for Ga. 400 express lane project due this week

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — State transportation officials were set to receive a new set of bids May 7 for a project to add express lanes along a 16-mile stretch of Ga. 400 north into Forsyth County.

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Brandon Beach made the announcement May 1 at the North Fulton Futures Summit, an event hosted by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce which featured panel discussions, insights from economic development partners and input from regional mayors.

The project calls for two toll lanes in each direction from the North Springs MARTA station in Sandy Springs north to about a mile past McFarland Parkway.

Appen Media reported that the project first hit a snag in 2021 when the State Transportation Board rejected the only qualified bid for the work. MW 400 Partners’ proposal came in far higher than the $1.7 billion GDOT had budgeted.

The project was delayed again last year after one of three contractor

finalists dropped out of consideration, according to Capitol Beat.

State Express Lanes Administrator Tim Matthews told Appen Media the contracting mechanism for this goaround is different, a design-buildfinance model where the private sector developer with financial equity will maintain and operate the project for a 50-year term once it has been built.

Previously, Mathews said the Georgia Department of Transportation used the availability payment model, which operates like a home mortgage.

The bids will first be reviewed by the P3 Steering Committee then go before the State Transportation Board in August for final approval. The P3 Steering Committee provides oversight and guidance related to activities of GDOT’s Public-Private Partnership program.

Financial close on the project is slated for a year after final approval, but Matthews said the timeline may be shorter. The process, he said, is

to ensure the developer team has the money in place to build and operate the project before construction. The project has major ramifications for Alpharetta where two Ga. 400 overpasses will be replaced. The city will also inherit a new interchange just north of Webb

Bridge Road exclusively for express lane traffic.

Roswell also will be affected.

The GDOT plans to add a partial express lanes interchange at Old Dogwood Road. It also will enhance the Ga. 400-Holcomb Bridge Road interchange.

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

Graduating Senior Announcements

Congratualations

Sally White

Throughout her time at Milton High School, Sally has been an active member of various clubs and sports teams, including the Debate Club, Science Olympiad, and Drama Society. Her leadership skills shone brightly as the captain of the soccer team, leading them to victory on numerous occasions. Sally’s commitment to excellence extended beyond athletics; she also excelled academically, earning recognition for her outstanding achievements in advanced mathematics and literature.

As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her life, we are filled with pride and excitement for Sally’s future endeavors. Congratulations, Sally, on this remarkable achievement! We can’t wait to see the incredible things you’ll accomplish next.

Class of 2024

A rendering of the first phase of Campus 244 shows a completed five-story office building on the left and the 145-key hotel, Element by Westin, on the right. The mixed-use development, with phase one construction still underway, is expected to welcome patrons this fall.

First phase nears completion for Perimeter’s Campus 244

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. — With views of Perimeter, Buckhead and a sliver of the Bank of America Plaza, the developers of Campus 244 in Dunwoody are betting on its location and uniqueness.

The 12.8-acre campus, with plans for an additional office building and parking garage in phase two, is nearing completion of phase one.

With the hotel topped off and interior office build-outs underway, tenants are nearly ready to move into the new mixed-use development behind the Perimeter Expo shopping center.

By fall, the development will feature a five-story building with 405,000 square feet of Class-A office space, a 145-key boutique hotel and several onsite restaurants.

The central greenspace and twostory restaurant pavilion are yet to be built.

The plan is for phase one to open in stages, with office tenants moving in later this spring, CT Cantina & Taqueria serving by summer and the hotel and its restaurants opening in the fall.

The developers, RocaPoint Partners and The Georgetown Company, tapped Winter Construction as general contractors for the buildout of Campus 244.

Vision Hospitality Group is constructing the Element Hotel by Westin and the restaurant space below.

Heather Tuskowski, operations

director at Winter Construction, said her team oversaw construction of the parking garage and office building, which is almost wrapped up.

S9 Architecture, known for Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, designed the redeveloped, former Gold Kist headquarters.

When RocaPoint Partners and The Georgetown Company purchased the 13 acres surrounding the 1970s office complex in 2020, the site had been vacant for nearly a decade.

Following completion of a new parking garage abutting I-285, the developers popped off the roof and got to work.

Architects kept the footprint of the building but added two additional floors with a timber overbuild, Tuskowski said, creating a unique architectural draw for prospective tenants.

She said the timber is lighter but takes longer to arrive on-site with high demand across the country.

A state-of-the art fitness center, outdoor spaces and on-site restaurants create the atmosphere that draws white-collar workers back to the office.

Danielle Handy, government relations and development manager at RocaPoint Partners, led a tour of the redeveloped office building April 26 along with Tuskowski.

With wide stairwells and room for two more elevators, the Palladium Building underwent some significant changes during redevelopment. While

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Stuti Mohan, a sophomore at Chattahoochee High School, showcases her Girl Scout Gold Award project at Halcyon’s Spring Market April 28. For the project, Mohan is working to address early childhood literacy in infants and toddlers by distributing around 400 books as well as literary guides to areas like South Fulton and impoverished villages in India.

Girl Scout leads campaign to promote youth literacy

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

METRO ATLANTA — Stuti Mohan, a sophomore at Chattahoochee High School, spoke with library directors, childcare specialists and teachers in the area to arrive at her Girl Scout Gold Award project — addressing early childhood literacy.

The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. It involves understanding the root cause of a community issue and acting to produce long-term benefits.

“A lot of them told me that, especially with the pandemic, they saw a larger gap between kids who could read and kids who couldn’t,” Mohan said. “A lot of kids were coming into kindergarten miles behind their peers because they simply weren’t offered the same education before entering the school system.”

After a number of conversations, Mohan said she began to research best practices to prepare infants and toddlers for kindergarten for her project, “Literary Lullabies.”

“We’re really trying to emphasize that literacy starts from in the womb, and literacy starts from the moment you’re born,” she said.

With a copy of “As I Lay Dying” by William Faulkner on-hand, Mohan set up shop at Halcyon’s Spring Market April 28 to sell homemade books and bookmarks to fundraise $2,000 to buy new books in addition to ones she plans to collect through a book drive.

The goal is around 400 books, which will be distributed to obstetrics

Monetary donations toward “Literary Lullabies” can be done through Zelle at 224-388-2831. Books for infants and toddlers can be dropped off at 12250 Stevens Creek Drive in Johns Creek from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Stuti Mohan at 770-310-8743 or literarylullabies@gmail.com.

clinics, nonprofit organizations and hospitals along with literary guides that list the benefits and methods of reading to a child.

Mohan also intends to host workshops to educate families on the importance of literacy and provide them with resources to obtain a library card.

South Fulton is one area Mohan is focused on. Another is in India.

She plans to distribute 100 book bags filled with books, reading calendars and guides translated to Hindi throughout maternity and pediatric wards of hospitals in Lucknow, which see more low-income patients, in addition to hosting workshops in impoverished villages.

“A lot of times people who are in lower income situations, who grew up in these lower income situations, stay in lower income situations their entire lives, and that creates a system,” Mohan said, describing the correlation between literacy and college admission. “So, by providing them with these opportunities, we can break out of that system.”

North Fulton Futures Summit keys on economic development

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — A team of industry experts provided perspectives on economic development May 1 at the annual North Fulton Futures Summit.

City officials and business leaders packed the Studio Theater at City Springs to hear about housing availability in the region, efforts to return to the office and the development of workforce talent.

While the 2023 summit featured a panel of the six North Fulton mayors, this year’s event heard more from the business community and educators.

The summit is sponsored by The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

In his introduction of the first panel, Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said it’s critical to have a conversation about housing when talking about economic development.

“We’re living at a time when the entire Metro Atlanta area is growing faster than we can keep up with,” Gilvin said. “The levels of housing … just too much demand.”

The mayor touted his city’s April 29 approval of two projects from residential developers on the panel, Paul Corely with Empire Communities and Warren Jolly with The Providence Group.

Gilvin said Alpharetta is doing its part to make housing attainable in the region.

John Hunt, housing expert and principal at MarketNsights, traced the shortage in housing supply to the Great Recession, which began in December 2007.

After economic recovery and a revamp of construction, the COVID-19 pandemic created a housing boom, decreasing an already low supply.

With inflation and interest rates at a 23-year high, the costs of borrowing and building limit developers’ ability to increase supply.

Hunt said housing availability is measured in months of supply, or the amount of time it takes for the existing inventory to sell, with 6 months as a target to meet demand.

Metro Atlanta has a 2 and a-half months’ supply, and North Fulton’s inventory is a month less than that. Hunt said the housing shortage is worse in the region because of the high demand for schools, amenities and public safety.

Affordability is another issue that Hunt identified in the region’s housing market, with the average home price during resale at $800,000.

A potential solution is to change zoning and restrictions to allow more apartments and homes with a smaller square footage. Without a diversity of housing options, the housing market

freeze is unlikely to disappear soon, he said.

Corely struck a slightly different tone, discussing the effects of regulation and cost escalation on building attainable housing units in a timely manner.

He and Jolly agreed that local governments need to consider land use planning and where density works.

Corely said he doesn’t do much business in Roswell, he hopes Mayor Kurt Wilson listens to a recording of the summit and decides its time to build more residences in the city.

Milton Mayor Petyon Jamison joked that $800,000 couldn’t buy a dirt lot in his city.

Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney led the next panel which focused on attracting talent to the region and retaining its young people.

Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College, and Anthony Davis, a recruiter at Ford Motor Company, discussed their partnership and the ASSET Automotive Program in Lawrenceville.

The program trains two-year students and provides them with entry-level access to Ford automotive technician positions at dealerships.

Cannon said the graduates of Gwinnett Technical College programs have an opportunity to make a living and afford housing in high-demand areas like North Fulton. The technical college has a 25acre satellite campus across from Avalon in Alpharetta.

Representatives from Amana Academy and Fiserv in Alpharetta talked about a partnership that introduces middle schoolers to the world of financial technology.

With large companies decreasing their office footprint and trending toward hybrid schedules, a return to the office is a focus of the commercial real estate industry and city officials.

Kennedy Hicks, chief investment officer at Cousins Properties, said it’s important to create a draw for white-collar workers to come back to the office.

Because converting office buildings to residential is so expensive, Hicks said opportunities for those kinds of redevelopments are limited.

She said bringing workers back to the office and retaining tenants is challenging, but creative solutions can attract employees.

MARTA Board member Freda Hardage and Jacob Vallo, assistant general manager of real estate development for the transit authority, touted transit-oriented development as another solution.

Panelists agreed with Hicks, saying dictates from employers do not work but giving folks a reason to come into the office does.

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Georgia State Sen. Brandon Beach, who represents parts of Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek, speaks at the 2024 North Fulton Futures Summit May 1 at Sandy Springs City Hall. Beach emphasized the importance of Ga. 400 and its future expansion to economic development in the region.

At left, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney discusses the development of workforce talent with representatives from Gwinnett Technical College, Ford Motor Company, Amana Academy and Fiserv at the May 1 North Fulton Futures Summit.

Kennedy Hicks, chief investment officer at Cousins Properties, talks about backto-office trends with representatives from the engineering, transportation and commercial real estate industry. Hicks said white-collar workers are looking for more amenities in and around their offices.

Greater North Fulton Chamber awards local leaders at soiree

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A slate of local leaders were honored as recipients of the 2024 North Fulton Regional Awards, presented at the Spring Soiree hosted by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce April 25.

The awards recognize outstanding local leaders and businesses whose efforts have notably advanced the region’s economic and community development.

The soiree, held at Ameris Bank Amphitheater, marked a milestone as the largest event to date for the organization with over 550 attendees, more than 75 sponsors, and participation from 15 area restaurants. The Chamber serves Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs.

Marilyn Margolis, former CEO of Emory Johns Creek, earned the Lifetime Achievement Award. Margolis began her career more than 35 years ago as a staff nurse in the Cardiac Care Unit at Emory University Hospital and led Emory Johns Creek for more than 12 years.

Roger Lusby, who earned the Pioneer Award, retired as a tax partner and the managing partner at Frazier & Deeter’s Alpharetta office. Lusby specialized in

GREATER NORTH FULTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/PROVIDED

From left, Jim Teel, board chairman of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, stands with 2024 North Fulton Regional Award winners Roger Lusby, Marilyn Margolis and Glen Cannon at the Chamber’s Spring Soiree April 25. Kali Boatwright, president and CEO of the Chamber, stands at far right.

complex tax planning across sectors including healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and service industries.

Glen Cannon, president of Gwinnett Technical College, earned the Community Service Award. Under Cannon’s leadership, the college’s enrollment increased by 30 percent, reaching more than 22,000 students annually.

For more information about the North Fulton Chamber and other events, visit GNFCC.com.

Access:

Continued from Page 1

voting majority, of a city council gathers, the public is allowed to attend. The meeting was also posted on Sandy Springs “Public Meetings” page online.

Sumlin tried to call Acting Communications Director Dan Coffer, who did not answer. Sumlin then alerted Carl Appen to the situation.

Coffer, who has been with the city since 2008, eventually came to the lobby after someone in the meeting alerted him to the presence of the media. When Sumlin again requested entry to the meeting, Coffer said he had to check and went to the conference room. A few minutes later, Coffer returned and escorted Sumlin inside.

Sumlin entered the meeting 20 minutes after it started, just as Police Chief Ken DeSimone began making his department’s budget presentation. The discussion would go on to include Open Records practices and funding for the proposed shooting range and training facility.

Shortly after, Carl Appen, and later Hans Appen, arrived in the lobby and faced the same barrier to entry. Security repeated they had just received guidance that the meeting was closed to the public. Carl Appen contacted Coffer. The communications chief returned to the lobby, invited the Appens upstairs and informed them both that, “of course the meeting is public.”

Coffer gave differing explanations of how the event occurred. He acknowledged a mistake had occurred and said that instructions given to security were incorrect. He declined to identify who spoke with the guard, who alerted him to the presence of media and whether it was the same person. When asked why he, himself, needed to return to the conference room before granting Sumlin access, Coffer did not answer.

anything else, especially for discussions surrounding how to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars,” he wrote. It is not the first Sandy Springs complaint to come across the Attorney General’s desk in recent weeks.

Sandy Springs has repeatedly denied requests for payroll records, hiding the names of those the city paid more than $43 million – including $970,000 in bonuses – during 2023. To obscure the payees, Sandy Springs cited an Open Records Act exemption meant to protect the city from “sabotage, criminal, or terroristic acts.” After hearing about these actions, the Attorney General’s Office got involved.

Assistant Attorney Kristen Settlemire sent a letter April 4 to Sandy Springs City Attorney Dan Lee. In it she writes, “It is unclear how either of the exemptions being relied upon by the city apply to the redacted portions of the record herein.”

Settlemire gave the city 10 days to respond, “and specifically indicate how the employee names and position IDs within the requested record fall under the exemptions to disclosure cited.”

Lee replied April 15, telling the Attorney General’s Office that the city is maintaining its position. Settlemire told Appen Media her agency has, “been considering next steps in light of the response,” and plans to send a follow-up letter to Sandy Springs this week.

It is unclear whether the city had received that letter before three members of the news media were barred from covering a public meeting. And, while it’s not directly related, it weighs in the balance that one of the three people barred is a Sandy Springs resident.

Appen Media will continue to pursue all avenues to secure and protect the public’s right to know how the City of Sandy Springs spends taxpayer dollars. Appen Media has never asked the city for anything that does not belong to the public.

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The following day, Publisher Hans Appen filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office about the exchange. In the letter, he wrote of the importance of maintaining public access to public meetings. “There is no excuse for doing

Sandy Springs readers and residents who want to help can do so by contributing to Appen Media’s legal fund at appenmedia.com/openrecords, joining the Appen Press Club at appenmedia.com/join or contacting their elected officials.

Facts about sunscreen

Brought to you by – Dr. Titilola "Lola" Sode of Epiphany DermatologyBrookhaven

What type of sunscreen should I use?

The best sunscreen is one that offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 or higher. Look for sunscreens labeled "broad-spectrum" to ensure protection against both types of harmful rays. Additionally, consider your skin type and any specific skin concerns when choosing a sunscreen. For oily or acne-prone skin, opt for oil-free or non-comedogenic formulas. If you have sensitive skin, choose sunscreens labeled hypoallergenic or fragrance-free. Water-resistant sunscreens are ideal for outdoor activities or swimming. Ultimately, the most effective sunscreen is one that you

will use consistently and reapply as needed.

How Often Should I Apply Sunscreen?

It's essential to apply sunscreen liberally and frequently for adequate protection against sun damage. Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure to allow it to absorb into the skin fully. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating heavily. Remember to reapply after towel drying as well. Additionally, apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including your face, neck, ears, and any other uncovered areas. Sunscreen is a vital component of sun protection, but it's also essential to seek shade, wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak UV hours.

SKIN CONCERNS?

Celebrating Older Americans Month and the power of connections

finding ways to reengage and enhance their life.

For over 60 years Older Americans Month (OAM) has been celebrated every May, recognizing the contributions, aging trends and commitments to serving older adults in our communities.

This year OAM is focused on going beyond the readily apparent needs for physical assistance with things like the activities of everyday living or recuperating from surgery, embracing the critical power of connections for emotional and social interactions that have a profound impact on wellbeing and healthy aging.

A recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General cites an epidemic of chronic loneliness and isolation that has drastic affects for the elderly. These include increasing the risk of developing dementia by 50%, and heart disease and stroke risk by 30%. The stress that comes from a lack of connection to other people can be equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

As we all age, there are challenges to face. Whether confronting obstacles from changing physical abilities, the transition from the loss of a partner, loss of a career or social contacts, it can seem like the world is shrinking. Over 27% of seniors now live by themselves. For some people, the resulting social isolation and loneliness can be a huge hurdle to overcome. At Home Helpers we know that promoting social interaction for your older loved one can be transformative,

Reconnecting can come from enjoying cultural activities, joining a social club, pursuing a new hobby, taking a class, trying new activities in their community or enabling giving back to others through volunteering or virtual mentoring. Reinventing ways to build new relationships yields rewards that make for a longer and better life.

For your older loved one, the warmth of companionship from a well matched and skilled Home Helpers caregiver can make a beautiful difference in their life. A heart centered approach and positive spirit can boost confidence and provide a better quality of life for our clients and their families. Creating new pathways to expand the social circle of our older loved ones helps us share in the richness of their lives, both past and present.

Caregivers can assist with all personal care, help around the house, accompany them on doctor’s visits or social outings and provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. If your loved one is just getting home from a rehabilitation center or recovering from surgery, we can help safely speed up recovery.

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

Nature for all

Celebrating mental health awareness in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Brought to you by – Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on our well-being and explore ways to care for our minds. Studies show that simply stepping into nature can offer a powerful boost to mental health, reducing stress, anxiety and even symptoms of depression.

Did you know there's a national park right in your backyard? The Chattahoochee National River Area (CRNRA) offers 66 miles of trails and 48 miles of Chattahoochee River to explore and connect with the calming power of nature. Whether it’s running at Cochran Shoals, paddling at Jones Bridge, fishing at Bowmans Island, or hiking at East Palisades, CRNRA has something to soothe every mind.

If you’re looking for a challenge, take part in our Hike CRNRA initiative! This program encourages hikers to explore each and every mile of trail within the park. It's a fantastic way to experience the park's beauty and diversity while getting some serious exercise - both great for your

mental and physical health.

Want to make a lasting impact?

PROVIDED

Consider becoming a member of Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC), the nonprofit partner of CRNRA. Your membership helps to preserve this natural treasure for future generations, ensuring everyone has access to the mental health benefits of spending time in your backyard national park. Learn more atchattahoocheeparks.org/join. Join us in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy! A little fresh air never hurt anyone - unless you’re allergic to springtime pollen. Take your antihistamines and we’ll see you in the park!

OPINION: PAST TENSE

Book tells story of Frank Murphy serving with 100th Bomb Group

Frank DeSales Murphy was a member of the U.S. Army 8th Air Force, 100th Bombardment Group during World War II, which became known as The Bloody Hundredth. On Saturday, May 18 at the WW II Atlanta Round Table, Chloe Melas, NBC news entertainment correspondent, will participate in a panel discussion and speak about her father’s book, “Luck of the Draw: My Story of the Air War in Europe.”

Frank Murphy was born at St. Joseph’s Infirmary in Atlanta in 1921. He was attending Emory University when Pearl Harbor was attacked, Dece.7, 1941. Murphy had taken flying lessons while at Emory. He applied to be an Aviation Cadet, but a depth perception issue prevented him from becoming a pilot. However, his role as a navigator was essential in every mission.

The 100th Bomb Group was stationed at Thorpe-Abbotts air base in England. On Oct. 19, 1943, Murphy was on his 21st mission as navigator when the plane was shot down over Muenster, Germany. He was sprayed with shrapnel. Murphy parachuted into the field of a German farming family, hurting his ankle as he landed. The family helped him to their home, then reported him to the police.

Murphy was picked up and taken for interrogation by the Germans. They kept him in solitary confinement for six days. Then, he was sent by railroad boxcar to Stalag Luft III. Two men on board the plane died, the remainder were captured and taken to Stalag Luft III.

Murphy spent 19 months at the prison camp. He writes extensively about his experience in “Luck of the Draw,” including how the German guards were harsher following an attempted tunnel escape by 76 British soldiers.

After the war ended, Murphy returned to Emory to finish his degree. He attended law school and met his wife Ann. They married in 1949.

Frank Murphy self-published his WWII memoir in 2001. His daughter Elizabeth Murphy, a children’s book author, encouraged him to write down his experiences. Frank Murphy died in 2007 at the age of 85. His daughter, granddaughter and wife took on the

task of bringing the book to the public by publishing it in 2023. Elizabeth Murphy and Chloe Melas wrote a new forward to the book. The book was one of the sources for “Masters of the Air,” available on Apple TV+ and produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. The series portrays the events of the 100th Bomb Group beginning in 1943. A quote from Tom Hanks is featured on the cover of the book. “In the pursuit of authenticity, of accurate history, and undeniable courage, no words matter more than, ‘I was there.’ Read ‘Luck of the Draw’ and the life of Frank Murphy and ponder this, how did those boys do such things?”

Although Murphy is a supporting character in “Masters of the Air,” he is featured prominently in the accompanying documentary “The Bloody Hundredth.” The documentary is narrated by Hanks and features video clips of participants. Several video clips of Murphy sharing his detailed history are featured. His full interview is available on the Atlanta History Center website at https:// album.atlantahistorycenter.com/ digital/collection/VHPohr/id/596/ rec/4.

Murphy was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal and U.S. Prisoner of War Medal for his service. He later served on the Board of Trustees of the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, Georgia just outside Savannah.

The May 18 WWII Round Table meeting will be at Dunwoody United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1548 Mt. Vernon Road. Contact Bill LeCount at 404-886-7383 by May 12, 2024, to make a reservation. Meetings include lunch and social time, beginning at 10 a.m.

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

GET OUTSIDE, GEORGIA!

Notes from Ireland: Things that change your life

This time of year, hiking in the great outdoors usually means one of two things. If the day is unseasonably warm, it can mean you’re sweating before you’re even a quarter mile into your hike. All those layers that once seemed like such a good idea are now conspiring to cook your pitiful self, kind of like you’d steam an ear of corn. Ugh. Should you hike back to the car and shed a few, or should you (in the interest of the total hiking experience) suffer silently and soldier on?

On the other hand, if it’s one of those days when the thermometer unexpectedly drops, getting outside may mean you freeze. You know how it is. Your world is in the mid 80s one minute and in the mid 30s the next. Oh, how you wish for the sweaters! That’s just the way it is with springtime in the South.

But this temperature thing is not limited to north Georgia. Apparently, it is a worldwide phenomenon.

I am thinking about that as we walk down the main street in Kenmare, a lovely little town in southwestern Ireland. Now we step into to the woolen goods store in search of a couple of wool sweaters. She likes sweaters because they keep her warm in the winter, and I like sweaters because they keep me warm 11 months of the year. We figure that made-in-Ireland

A Kenmare, Ireland, shop touts an offer too good to pass up.

sweaters made from wool from Irish sheep would be ideal souvenirs, practically perfect in every way. I pick a green one. Hers is a subtle shade somewhere in the neighborhood of light blue. It matches her eyes. And I get gloves too. You may remember the gloves I picked up a few weeks ago, high-tech insulated gloves with no fingertips on the index finger and thumb. Perfect fishing gloves! But (yep) I left those in Georgia. We’re going fishing tomorrow, and I need gloves to keep my hands warm, and what should I find in that very same store but hand-knitted fingertip-less wool gloves? And they fit.

I have to have a pair, and so I add them to the pile.

We pay for the sweaters and the gloves and step back into the clear, clean light of the Irish afternoon. The day is on the cool side. I put my hands in my jacket pockets. That helps a little. I think of digging my new gloves out of the bag to see if that will help more –

And then I see it: a bold sign proclaiming hot chocolate. But not just any hot chocolate.

“Life-changing hot chocolate!” I say,

reading the sign and the message it proclaims in vivid white letters against a chalkboard-gray background. An arrow points the way to the door, which is framed by electric orange-painted trim. Who am I to say no to something like that?

“How about it?” I ask.

She looks at me, hesitates an instant, and says, “Sure.”

I open the door for her, and we step into a tiny chocolate shop. There are packages of fudge and bars of flavored chocolate and confections behind glass by the check-out. I linger over some of chocolate bars. Have you ever tried orange chocolate? You should.

But what’s really on my mind is the kind of chocolate that comes in a cup, the kind of chocolate designed for sipping. Hot chocolate.

Life-changing hot chocolate!

There’s a tiny, little kitchen behind the counter, and the shop’s proprietor is seated there near a small stove. I see a pot atop one of the burners.

“Is this the place for life-changing hot chocolate?” I ask.

The proprietor looks up and says, “Well, yes it is.” I have to ask.

“Does it change your life for the better?”

The proprietor looks directly at me then and says, “What? Oh. Well, It might.”

“We will have one then!” I say. “She and I will share it!” For one can never have too much betterness in one’s life, can one?

The proprietor turns to fixing our drink. A moment later it’s ready. I take a

sip. It’s hot and warming and sweet and smooth.

“Mmmm!” I say.

She takes a sip too.

“Not bad,” she says.

“How is your chocolate?” the proprietor asks.

“It is good,” I say. “And warm. But I still wonder what changes to expect?”

The proprietor looks at me quizzically.

“You know,” I say. “When the hot chocolate changes my life. Like on the sign.”

“Oh, that bloody sign,” says the proprietor. “It’s been there for years. I hate that sign!”

We sip some more hot chocolate, she and I do, and then step back through the door and onto the street. The warm drink knocks the edge off the cool afternoon air, and we stroll slowly down the line of shops back towards our car.

“Do you feel any changes?” I ask her. “You know, from the life-changing hot chocolate.”

“Not yet,” she replies. “But it was very good.”

And she adds:

“I don’t think I want any changes.” She leans into me a little. “I don’t think I want anything to change.”

We visit another shop or two, looking, perusing, savoring the day.

She buys some wool yarn. It is the color of my new sweater.

“I will crochet you a scarf,” she says. “To match.”

And she adds, “You do like scarves, you know.”

I do.

Pick your poison, a cozy mystery or a thriller

“Death and the Lit Chick” by G.

This is book two in the author’s St. Just series, and I found it even more enjoyable than the first. The bonus is that it can easily be read as a standalone. A writers conference in Scotland is the setting, and, of course, a writer is the murder victim.

The references to the world of writing and publishing made it especially enjoyable for me as an author, but I think avid readers will find them amusing as well. Who hasn’t read a romance novel and heard the genre dissed as chick lit or light fare, not worth

reading? The same question could be asked about cozy mysteries.

The sprinkling of snarky remarks provides a humorous touch to the book. Yes, they’re over the top, but I suspect there’s a kernel of truth in the depiction of backbiting among authors, editors, and agents. Fortunately, I haven’t experienced that behavior in my author career.

Toss in a castle where the attendees are staying and a drawbridge that is mysteriously stuck in the up position, and you have the makings of an Agatha Christie novel. No, DCI St. Just is not Poirot, but neither is he a bumbling member of the constabulary. Oh! Did I mention that the authors all write mysteries? Who better to commit murder?

“Everybody Knows” by Jordan Harper

This book is a shift from my reading fare

of late. I’m most often found reading British mysteries — usually cozies and police procedurals. From time to time, I branch out to a title I find reviewed in the local paper or the Wall Street Journal. Jordan Harper’s latest novel is billed as a murder thriller and praised by the likes of authors Michael Connelly, Megan Abbott, and S.A. Cosby.

Set in Los Angeles, its protagonist is a black bag publicist. I had no idea what that was until I read this book, but it makes sense that people like her exist. I have no doubt that crisis PR firms are in the business of making the messes of the rich and powerful disappear. With enough money and enough power, the rich and famous can have their debauchery and depravity managed and whitewashed.

As I read of Mae Pruett’s work for the firm, I could easily put celebrity names to

some of the scenarios she handles. Sometimes, real life situations are referenced, like the discovery of John Belushi dead of an overdose. It only takes a small leap to imagine what would have happened if he’d been found in time to save his life. With someone like Mae working her magic, we might never have known he overdosed.

If you’re looking for a book to keep you up late at night, a book to keep you guessing until the end, this one’s a keeper.

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/KathyManosPennAuthor/.

M. Malliet

THE INK PENN

KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist

STEVE HUDSON Columnist

STEVE HUDSON

Budget:

Continued from Page 1

Assessor and city contractors at Haddow & Company indicates Sandy Springs may see around an $850,000 decrease in tax revenue from office properties.

Still, Freeman said overall revenues are growing modestly.

Inflation and interest rates

At the April 30 workshop, City Councilman Tibby DeJulio expressed concerns to the city manager about inflation and interest rates at a 23-year high.

Freeman said she does not have a crystal ball but takes macroeconomic trends into consideration.

“I can tell you we have included everything in here with the costing we have most recently got from vendors,” Freeman said. “That’s not to say that on some of these capital projects, I won’t have to come back to you.”

Mayor Rusty Paul said he thinks Freeman is doing a good job managing increased costs and decreased revenue from the office market.

Assumptions in the operations budget include funding subcontractor agreements, around $12.5 million in debt service for the Public Facilities Authority and a more than $1 million increase to insurance costs. The city is budgeting $37.2 million for its operating assumptions.

The requests from department heads related to operations, like staffing, are paid for through the general fund.

The other requests from each department fall within the capital projects fund.

Sandy Springs employs prioritybased budgeting, which ensures requests for funding are tied to specific projects and objectives identified by the City Council at its retreat held in January.

Excluding the Community Development Block Grant, Tree and Fleet funds, the requested enhancements are just under $27.4 million.

DEATH NOTICES

Robert Bachman, age 83, of Roswell, GA passed away on April 27, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Edward Burek, age 98, of Johns Creek, GA passed away on April 23, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

City officials gather in the Barfield Conference Room April 30 at City Springs for the first 2025 budget workshop. Each department, from Police to Recreation and Parks, presented requests related to capital projects, staffing and supplies.

“Many of these are assumptions because they are got-to-haves,” Freeman said. “They are things that we have to do, or things that we have previously started and need to complete.”

For example, Freeman said working on Old Riverside Park is a priority.

The City Council approved a contract with Lose Design in September 2023 to design and manage the 23-acre park abutting the Chattahoochee River in west Sandy Springs.

Freeman said construction will start next year, but more funding will be needed in the 2026 budget.

Recreation and Parks Director Brent Walker requested an additional $2.5 million next fiscal year for its buildout.

“We hope to get the bid in, so we can realize what that true construction cost is,” Walker said. “The probable cost is $6 million.”

City officials said they hope to have the project completed in 2026.

Dave Wells, director of Facilities and Capital Construction, requested $100,000 for a scoping study related to the proposed shooting range off Morgan Falls Road. He said the study would help

Brian Custance, age 50, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on April 27, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Rosalie Gransden, age 84, of Roswell, GA passed away on April 28, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

determine the number of lanes and their width.

Council ranks projects

When additional funding is available, councilmembers receive a ballot and rank a list of projects.

Once ballots are submitted May 10 to the City Manager’s Office, the city directs available funding to the highest priority areas.

The list of projects includes $1.75 million for a band shell at Heritage Lawn, $300,000 for illuminated street signs, $750,000 for improvements to Morgan Falls Dog Park, $200,000 for a Perimeter Small Area Plan, $400,000 for improvements to Ridgeview Park and $200,000 for a study of Roswell Road north of I-285.

Of the $3.5 million needed to fund all the projects, only an estimated $1.85 million is available for allocation, City Manager Freeman said.

Councilwoman Melissa Mular asked whether there might be a potential sponsor for the band shell at Heritage Lawn. The site at 6110 Bluestone Road is home to a museum dedicated to the

David Healy, age 82, of Alpharetta, GA passed away on April 26, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Jason Leary, age 58, of Roswell, GA passed away on April 29, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

community’s history and the spring that gave the city its name.

Freeman said the first year of work on the project would involve design, which does not yet have construction funding. She said the city can look for sponsorships moving forward if the project is approved.

The total cost is around $3 million, Freeman said.

Mayor Paul said the city will have to look at how it approaches development to attract potential sponsors.

“Corporate sponsors look at us as a tax-funded operation,” Paul said. “We are going to have to come up with a novel development program.”

The purpose of budget workshops is for city staff to receive feedback and direction from councilmembers. The city’s website lists the sessions under its public meetings schedule.

The second budget workshop is planned for May 14.

Following a formal presentation of the proposed budget scheduled for May 21, two public hearings will be conducted before the City Council adopts a final spending plan June 18.

William Thompson, of Roswell, GA passed away on April 24, 2024. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

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Campus:

Continued from Page 4

maintaining some characteristics of the former Gold Kist headquarters, like wood paneling and 90,000-square-foot floor plates, architects focused on more access to open-air spaces.

“It was an older concrete structure that had less access to lighting and open air, we really opened it up significantly,” Handy said. “There’s way more access to fresh air and sunlight on terraces and balconies.”

So far, Insight Global and Transportation Insights have leased the first four floors, with 64,085 square feet of rentable office space available on the fifth floor.

Handy said a friend who works in Perimeter takes MARTA to the office from Buckhead.

She said she thinks the proximity of transit to Campus 244 attracts tenants like Insight Global, a staffing agency, and Transportation Insight, a logistics company.

Edge City 2.0, a joint effort between the City of Dunwoody and the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, created a communitysupported roadmap for development in Perimeter.

“Interconnectivity is one of the things that I was picking up on with that plan,” Handy said, pointing to a trail connection in the wood line. “We have done our part to participate in that.”

The location between Hammond Drive and I-285 is a 3-minute walk to MARTA rail and a 5-minute walk to Perimeter Mall.

Handy said the goal is to have multi-family residential units built as a part of the second phase.

Developers of Campus 244 have announced Skidmore, Owings & Merrill will construct a six-story, 300,000-square-foot office building — The Stacks — to the east of the Palladium Building.

“We are looking at office at the moment, Class-AA space,” Handy said. “That’s the objective, but we will keep our options open, if that doesn’t work out, multi-family is an option there.”

She also mentioned Campus 244’s live, work and play design, which looks to keep housing, offices, shopping, recreation and amenities within one

neighborhood or area.

RocaPoint and The Georgetown Company reference their development in Forsyth County’s Halcyon as an example of mixed-used development that increased connectivity and economic growth.

“Our dwell time at Halcyon is three hours,” Handy said. “People are not just going there to grab a bite to eat and leave, they want to sit on the green for a while and walk around.”

She said that’s what developers are trying to achieve at Campus 244.

The location promises even more visitors than Halcyon, with its proximity to I-285, Ga. 400, MARTA rail and Perimeter Mall.