Spalding Drive Elementary faces board vote on closure
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Spalding Drive Elementary may be shuttering next year, after Fulton County Schools staff recommended its closure due to an aging building and declining enrollment.
The presentation at a Sept. 10 Board of Education work session also recommended that board members consider the closure of Parklane Elementary School in East Point.
Because its enrollment is projected to continually decline past the 450-student threshold the school district identifies as “operationally inefficient,” it is considering consolidating East Point and Sandy Springs elementary schoolers.
This year, Spalding Drive Elementary School has 349 students and is predicted to have seven fewer next year. The district says the 1960s school building needs extensive repairs based on a condition assessment.
Neighboring elementary schools, like Ison Springs, Woodland and Lake Forest, have capacity to accommodate Spalding Drive’s student population, according to the staff presentation.
See SPALDING, Page 13
PROVIDED
A graph shows declining student populations in each region within Fulton County Schools. The Board of Education will vote in February whether to shutter Spalding Drive Elementary, which school officials have called “operationally inefficient.”
Statewide organizations join fray in Appen vs. Sandy Springs suit
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Appen Media’s open records lawsuit with Sandy Springs, now in the appeals process, has drawn a new set of players.
Two statewide organizations have submitted amicus briefs in the case, each supporting different sides of the debate over interpretations of the Georgia Open Records Act.
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation has thrown its weight behind Appen Media, arguing
that an unfavorable ruling could have statewide implications leaving the public in the dark about crime in their communities.
In an opposing move, the Georgia Municipal Association has filed an amicus brief siding with the City of Sandy Springs. The GMA, which advocates for and provides services for some 536 Georgia cities, argues that local agencies should have authority to interpret ambiguous language, like “initial” in the law requiring release of initial police reports.
See SUIT, Page 13
PHOTO GRAPHIC BY JACOB TOMBERLIN/APPEN MEDIA
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Local entrepreneur rides landscaping’s green wave
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Battery technology is creating opportunities for landscapers to opt for more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Elon Musk’s effort to build a world powered by solar energy, rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles has led to downstream effects in other industries, such as landscaping.
Dunwoody’s own environmentally conscious entrepreneur, Lloyd Fisher, has capitalized on evolving battery technology.
Fisher’s Oak Avenue Landscaping received the 2023 Sustainability Hero Award for local businesses in April. City officials lauded Fisher for making the city more eco-friendly.
Oak Avenue Landscaping is an allelectric commercial landscaping company with two field employees alongside Fisher and one administrator. It uses state-of-the-art equipment to service the 15-mile radius around Dunwoody and the Perimeter.
Fisher said there’s a lot his team does at residences across north Metro Atlanta, including landscape design, in-
tree service.
There are some misconceptions about the differences between electric and gas-powered landscaping equipment. Namely, technology has advanced to the point where compact batteries can generate the same level of performance. Not all electric tools match their gas rivals’ torque, but some are out there.
Gas mowers and blowers typically cost less and outperform older and cheaper electric equipment.
On the other hand, Fisher said he saves money and charges his equipment for free using his solar-powered trailer.
Consumer Reports says the benefits of going electric include, environmental and noise concerns, the long-term cost of gasoline, maintenance and storage.
Fisher, along with his journey to the United States, shows that everyone can make a difference in their community, no matter how far from home.
“I used to work in marketing for a couple of companies,” Fisher said.
“Maybe it’s just the nature of the industry since COVID, but I’ve been affected by layoffs multiple times over the last four years.”
OAK AVENUE LANDSCPAING/PROVIDED
Oak Avenue Landscaping’s solar-powered trailer sits in front of a Dunwoody residence after wrapping up a plant installation. The solar panels on the roof of the trailer allow
Sandy Springs schedules food-focused fall festival
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs is rolling out OktoberFEAST — a two-day festival Oct. 19-20 at City Springs with cultural offerings from Bavaria, Germany.
The free family-friendly celebration runs from 3-9 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20. It will feature authentic German culture with live music from the Swinging Bavarians and Auf Geht’s and a selection of Prussian beers and cuisine.
City staff said the Swinging Bavarians, donning traditional Lederhosen and Dirndls, will captivate guests with authentic music and dance, offering a diverse selection of tunes to entertain all ages.
If the six-piece Auf Geht’s group inspires OktoberFEAST patrons, polka dance lessons are available during the festival.
Bavaria, a southeastern state of Germany, celebrates the world’s largest Volksfest in Munich, featuring a beer festival and traveling carnival from late September through the first Sunday of October.
Cities across the world hold Oktoberfest celebrations to pay tribute to the original Munich event, held since 1810.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said the inaugural event’s incredible lineup establishes the city as a hub for entertainment and culture.
“OktoberFEAST will enhance our vibrant event calendar, offering residents and visitors the chance to celebrate autumn with local crafts, seasonal foods and lively entertainment,” Paul said.
Food takes center stage with harvest favorites and Bavarian specialties, including pretzels, German sausages, potato pancakes and apple strudel with caramel sauce.
For patrons 21 and older, a curated selection of specialty beers will be on offer, including Hefe Weissbier from the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephaner.
Additional brews include Festbier from Tucher Brewery and Benediktiner; Oktoberfest Lagers from Goat Island Brewery; and The Brooklyn Brewery.
Celebrated tennis coach partners with local school
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Patrick Mouratoglou, the celebrated tennis coach of Serena Williams, announced a new partnership with Atlanta International School’s Sandy Springs campus this month.
The collaboration launches the Mouratoglou Academy Atlanta at the private school off Brandon Hall Drive.
Atlanta International School says the partnership offers students an exceptional experience in the classroom and on the tennis court.
Mouratoglou, whose expertise helped launch the success of many Grand Slam champions, has developed a philosophy to enhance players’ abilities and cultivate their passion for tennis.
The legendary French tennis coach began to expand his academies internationally at the end of 2020, thanks to the success of the Mouratoglou Academy in southern France.
The initiative marks the first location in Georgia.
Mouratoglou aims to expand his high-caliber instruction internationally, building on his successful centers and academies across the globe.
Mouratoglou visited the campus and its four hard courts Sept. 6 to
meet with the Atlanta International School team, including Head of School Kevin Glass.
The head of school said he’s excited to offer exceptional opportunities to talented youth tennis players.
“Whether the student athletes are coming from here in Georgia or from anywhere around the world, with our new Day and Boarding programs, they will … be part of a welcoming international community of friends,” Glass said.
During the visit, Glass and Mouratoglou discussed the new partnership, explored future projects and even had the opportunity to get on the court together.
Mouratoglou said he’s proud to bring his coaches and programs to an already outstanding facility and curriculum at Atlanta Internation School’s Sandy Springs Campus.
“This approach empowers passionate players to excel both academically and, on the court, enabling them to reach their full potential and train hard every day with our guidance,” he said.
For more information about Mouratoglou Academy Atlanta, visit www.mouratoglou.com/en/ mouratoglou-international/.
ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL/PROVIDED
From left, French tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Head of Atlanta International School Kevin Glass take a break from their match Sept. 6 after launching a new partnership — Mouratoglou Academy at AIS’s Sandy Springs Campus.
DUNWOODY HOME TOUR
Spruill Gallery & Gift Shop part of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club 51st Annual Home Tour
Provided by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club
Exciting news! Included on this year’s tour is an extra stop at the fabulous Spruill Gallery & Gift Shop which is located at 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road. A docent will be on hand to welcome you.
This is part of the 51st Annual Home Tour set for Wednesday, Oct 9, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and is hosted by the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. All profits from the home tour are used to fulfill the club’s charitable initiatives. Home tour tickets can be purchased several ways, as outlined below at the end of this article.
Spruill Gallery features Kate Burke and Aineki Traverso September 19 through October 31, 2024. The two award-winning Atlantabased artists explore contemporary themes through the traditional mediums of painting, ceramics, and needlepoint in fresh and unexpected ways.
Check your home tour ticket for a discount coupon on purchases at the gift shop.
Past and Present
“Around 1842 James Spruill and his wife moved to Dunwoody and had a son named Thomas. They built a log cabin and smokehouse on their property on Ashford Dunwoody Road. The smokehouse still stands today. The log cabin had to be torn down in 1905 due to termite infestation. An addition was built on the log house before the termite infestation. Four rooms and a hallway were added to the front of the home and Victorian trim was added later.” (Excerpt from Past Tense by Valerie Biggerstaff)
Be sure to check out the exciting raffle on the day of the tour for a chance to win one of three prizes. All prizes valued at $500 or more: a shopping spree at Lauderhill’s Fine Jewelry, a Woodhouse Spa basket and gift card, or a 2-hour design consultation with Linda Rickles Interiors. Both cash and credit cards are accepted to enter the raffle.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 on tour day. We look forward to seeing you at the home tour and appreciate your support. Remember, profits of the tour help fund our charitable projects. Buy your tickets today! For more information about the Dunwoody Woman’s Club go to www. dunwoodywomansclub.com.
More information
Home Tour tickets are available now and can be purchased:
• To buy tickets online go to www.dunwoodywomansclub.com/ event-tickets/
• WILL CALL for tickets purchased online – Pick up on October 9 tour day beginning at 9:30 am – at Spruill Center for the Arts, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody.
• To buy tickets in person go to The Enchanted Forest in Dunwoody Hall Shopping Center.
• You can buy tickets from any member of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club
• Scan the QR Code at right.
Land Development team helps raise new ground
AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA
Johns Creek Environmental Compliance Manager, Terrence Byrd, points to construction work in the new Knollwood subdivision off Parsons Road. Working out of the Community Development Department, Byrd oversees the land development process from start to finish.
CIVIC DUTIES: In a new series from Appen Media, Civic Duties will take readers behind the scenes of local government. Senior Reporter Amber Perry and her colleagues will shadow employees across different city departments and turn those experiences into original reporting, so residents get a closer look at what exactly local governments provide the community.
By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Inside a conference room at Johns Creek City Hall, Terrence Byrd and others in the city’s Community Development Department sat with a resident for more than an hour, advising her on a small home project.
The process for Catherine Curtiss to make her backyard in St. Ives Country Club more accessible, by adding a few stepping stones, was more than she bargained for.
Byrd, the city’s environmental compliance manager, a role within the department’s Land Development division, explained that her home is in the River Corridor and with that, comes some restrictions. The River Corridor is defined by its distance to the Chattahoochee River, a 2,000-foot buffer. It’s under the purview of the Atlanta Regional Commission, as part of the Metropolitan River Protection Act, adopted in the mid-’70s to protect a 48-mile stretch of the river between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek.
“When you have a property in a river corridor, you have impervious calculations,” Byrd told Curtiss.
He later pulled Appen Media along
to the new Knollwood subdivision off Parsons Road, turning the designs shown in its land disturbance permit into reality.
Protecting the environment
Each home in the River Corridor is given only so many impervious “credits,” or square footage that can be purchased by homeowners or transferred to them from a next-door neighbor, based on the final plat — the permanent record of a development plan that rests with the county.
Byrd projected the final plat for St. Ives to show Curtiss the number of credits she was working with, just above the amount of clearing allowed. She was in the negative and would also have to pay $300 for a minor land disturbance permit, an application pertaining to work on less than an acre.
“We always do everything by the rules, so whatever we need to do, we’ll do,” Curtiss said.
She said her homeowners association requires that an application be submitted before making any landscaping changes. A committee advised her to go to City Hall to see if she needed a permit — and she did need one. The panel also wanted proof of her landscaper’s insurance.
“I’m just kind of jumping through the hoops to make my HOA happy and Johns Creek happy,” Curtiss said.
Educating the public
Byrd said that there’s a lot of meetings he conducts like the one with Curtiss.
CIVIC, Page 9
Civic:
Continued from Page 8
“The reason why we have people coming in to meet with us before [is] so we can share with you all the rules and regulations or whatever you need to do to get your permit or to get a permit to be in compliance,” Byrd told Curtiss.
Land Development Manager Gilbert Quinones, sitting beside a city planner, said impervious calculations are determined by the Atlanta Regional Commission.
A professional civil engineer, Quinones helped design St. Ives before joining the city and that experience was obvious in the knowledge he was able to impart to Curtiss during their conversation.
Now, Quinones’ role is to review all land disturbance permits. He also oversees stormwater management, the system that dictates how much impervious surface a land lot can have.
Quinones explained the agency’s application for developments within the River Corridor, broken up into five “vulnerability categories”: A, B, C, D, E and F. Each was based on a ratio of the percentage of land disturbed to the percentage of impervious surface that could be allowed.
“It’s too complex a formula for me,” he said.
Quinones described the importance of permits in terms of placing a home on the market.
“What’s the first question he’ll ask you — ‘Is there anything out there that’s not permitted?’” Quinones said of a popular area real estate agent, posing a theoretical situation to Curtiss. “If there’s anything out there that’s not permitted, he won’t buy your house.”
Checking compliance
Taking the reins from the city’s land development inspector, who couldn’t be there that day, Byrd pointed out common issues to look
for in an in-progress development, like Knollwood. Things like fallen silt fences and the status of gravel driveways to each of the homes.
The inspector, Byrd said, focuses on erosion and sediment control.
As the city’s environmental compliance manager, Byrd oversees the land development process from beginning to end. He also manages tree removal permits.
Carrying a number of certifications, Byrd said he entered local government after a few years of pouring concrete.
For the Thursday site visit, he brought along a large, thick scroll of site plans, which he said is standard practice. Several houses, out of a total of 20 planned for the new community, had already been constructed. A crew worked on the roof of one nearby.
Construction begins only after approval of the land disturbance permit and the final plat.
Byrd said a number of departments and divisions are involved in the process — an arborist and staff from the Community Development Department’s Planning and Zoning and Land Development divisions. The Fire Department must also check for ADA compliance and fire truck accessibility. Staff in the Public Works Department review transportation needs, like sidewalk connectivity.
On the Land Development side, inspectors conduct a pre-construction, on-site meeting to review rules and regulations, speaking to a threephase erosion control plan required by the state.
One of the most interesting aspects to his job, Byrd said, is the diverse group of people he gets to meet on a regular basis, “the melting pot of America.”
It’s also the education piece.
“The fun part is really educating and helping people to get a greater understanding … the reward of seeing people say, ‘Thank you so much,’ for the things that they didn’t know, that you helped them with,” Byrd said. “That has a lot to do with it.”
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Friends of Dunwoody Library to host book sale
What better time for a library book sale than when the days are turning cooler? Take this opportunity to stock up on books to get you through the fall and on into the winter. Can you picture yourself snuggled up by the fire with a soft blanket, reading to your heart’s content? Then this sale is for you.
The FODL library sales are a fact of life here in Dunwoody, but unless you are one of the organization’s volunteers or a regular attendee, I predict you’ll find some of these fun facts surprising.
• The most popular genres at the adult sale are fiction—including mysteries, thrillers, romance—history, and cookbooks; and these are also the genres with the largest number of books in the sale.
• Nonfiction genres at the sale include art, religion, history, drama, poetry, science and math, music and show business, travel, health, sports, gardening, and more.
• Also available are reference sets, puzzles, and DVDs.
• Book donations arrive daily at the library, and the FODL finds their four plastic bins full each morning. Weekends see even more books come in the door.
• Library visitors can purchase books, puzzles, and magazines in the lobby during library hours—on the honor system. These purchases are cash only and require correct change.
• On average, 100 items are sold weekly from the lobby.
• Volunteer hours per week=30.
• Setting up and hosting the adult sale takes 570 volunteer hours—eight days for setup, four days for the sale, and one day to clear the Williams room.
Book sale details
Volunteer: Susan Edmondson
I’ve been frequenting these sales since I moved here in 1999, and in those early years, I had the pleasure of meeting Susan Edmondson. She started volunteering in 1984 and is the FODL’s longest serving volunteer. It’s hard to believe that book sales were held at the Shops of Dunwoody when she started her volunteer career.
She has long been responsible for the literature, literary fiction, and philosophy genres, and you can most often find her at the library on Tuesdays sorting and organizing the latest donations. One of her favorite FODL memories is from1989 when she took part in the symbolic Book Brigade—a 300-person human chain that moved a sample of books from the Nandina Lane library location to the current building at 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road.
Susan tells me she mainly reads “fiction and more mysteries than anything else…lots of cozies, especially in recent years.” If you’re in search of an author to try, you can’t go wrong with this list of those she particularly enjoys: Linda Castillo, Nevada Barr, Diane Mott Davidson, Rita Mae Brown, J. A. Jance, Margaret Maron, Louise Penny, Kathy Reichs and Karin Slaughter.
I always look forward to seeing Susan’s smiling face at the FODL sales, and I hope to see her this time. If you catch a glimpse of her on your visit, take a moment to stop by and say hello. I know you’ll be greeted with a smile.
Happy book hunting and reading!
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/.
Location: 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road
Schedule:
• Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 – 1-4 p.m. (members only)
• Thursday, Sept. 19 – 4-8 p.m. (open to all)
• Friday, Sept. 20 – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 21 - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 23 - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Bag Day, fill a grocery
Conglomerated Host, Ltd is looking for an Accountant to join its team.
Job Description: Corporate office located in Milton, GA has an opening in the Accounting Department. Entry level position with opportunity to advance. Starting pay is $20.00 per hour/approximately 30 hours per week. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel is a plus. How To Apply: Email response to conglomeratedhost@gmail.com or fax to 770-521-0809.
KATHY MANOS PENN Columnist
Brookhaven library began on Shows family back porch
The DeKalb County Public Library has announced plans for a new Brookhaven Library. Preliminary building plans are available at the county library website, dekalblibrary.org. This Past Tense article is about Brookhaven’s library history, which began on the back porch of the home of Edna and Weldon Shows.
The Shows moved to 56 E. Brookhaven Drive in 1942. Weldon Shows was one of the mayors who served the municipality of North Atlanta during the years it existed, 1924-1963. (History of Brookhaven, by Mrs. Willig, DeKalb History Center Archives)
Louse Trotti coordinated the DeKalb County bookmobile unit and drove the bus throughout the county. Trotti had certain homes where she could park her bookmobile. In Brookhaven, that was the Shows home. The children of Brookhaven would come to the Shows’ porch, browse the books on shelves they had installed and check out books.
Edna Shows also told stories to the children. Each time they visited the back porch library, she would ask them to name three things they would like to hear in a story next time. This was an added incentive for the children to return.
After a while, the Shows porch and the bookmobile couldn’t manage the demand for books. The closest library was the Ida Williams Library in Buckhead, which
Landscaping:
Continued from Page 4
The COVID-19 pandemic, shutdown of American society and subsequent economic environment could have discouraged Fisher from pursuing his goals, but it got him to the point where he wanted to do something for himself.
“I was helping another landscaper with her marketing and ended up doing more of an operations role with her,” he said. “I felt like, if I’m going to be doing this and I’ve already seen what it’s like, I’d rather do it the way I wanted to.”
Typical landscaping crews, like city contractors at Brook Run Park, work in large teams with gas-powered equipment.
“Guys are wearing equipment to look after themselves, like ear and face protection,” Fisher said. “Because obviously they don’t want to get poisoned, but everyone in the community and the
three days a week from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Local businesses continued to support the library, including Big Apple Grocery Store, DeKalb National Bank and Woolworth’s. Mattie Dodson was the first librarian in Brookhaven and continued in that role from 1951 until 1972. She had previously worked at McElroy’s Supermarket but was offered the job of librarian with a starting pay of $15 per week.
It soon became apparent a more permanent library building was needed for Brookhaven. A bond issue passed to provide the money needed. Rather than purchase land for the library, land that was already owned by the county was selected. That meant all the funds from the bond issue could be used for construction.
charged Brookhaven residents $5 to check out books.
Carol M. Johnson, former society editor for the North DeKalb Record newspaper, suggested the need for a library after seeing children buy books in a drugstore that she believed were inappropriate. She went to the North Atlanta Brookhaven Planning Council to ask for their help.
The American Legion hut was offered to DeKalb County for $1 for the purpose of a library. With the help of DeKalb County Commissioner Scott Candler, the rent-free building was refurbished. In later years, the hut was used as the St. Martin’s School
environment is suffering.”
Fisher immigrated to New York City from South Africa after meeting his wife, Allison. They have a 2-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter.
How he and his wife met on a cruise ship is another story. Fisher said his wife is the backbone of his business, and he couldn’t do it without her.
With his children yet to start elementary school, Fisher said there needs to be a change to preserve the natural environment for future generations.
Fisher has a unique perspective on landscaping.
“My whole family growing up … everyone had a green thumb,” he said.
Hailing from South Africa, Fisher said Georgia has a uniquely beautiful natural environment.
Specifically, he cited the trees that visitors notice when they’re flying into Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Fisher said the whole concept of landscaping has always felt off to him:
Maude Burrus, first librarian of the county, shared her knowledge and guided the citizens of Brookhaven toward their goal of having a community library. Donations came in from individuals and businesses, including Rich’s Department Stores.
On Feb. 10, 1951, a formal opening of the Brookhaven Library, located in the former American Legion hut, was held, and the people who helped make it happen were invited. Nine days later the doors of the library opened to the community.
In the beginning, the library was open
Many times, when property owners are trying to make their slice of the Earth more beautiful, they’re damaging the natural environment and public health in the process.
“It’s so ironic to me,” Fisher said. “If you’re using a two-stroke gas blower, it releases the same amount of emissions into the atmosphere that a regular car does when you’re driving from Atlanta to the border of Mexico.”
In other words, operating a single gas-powered blower generates pollutants and carcinogens equivalent to driving a standard vehicle around 1,100 miles.
The statistic is shocking to some, but it’s commonly cited in the world of environmentalism, including on the Ansley Park Civic Association’s webpage about the negative impacts of gas blowers.
Oak Avenue Landscaping and Fisher go a step beyond using electric equipment, they also work with clients to select native species of plants.
He said a lot of his Dunwoody neighbors plant shrubs, flowers and trees in
In 1955, plans for a $30,000 library, designed by John R. Edwards, appeared in the Atlanta newspapers. The library was referred to as Fernwood Park Library and described as a building of Roman brick, featuring a 2,475-square-foot reading room. Plans included a small basement auditorium, kitchen and storage room. Lillian Gregson, chairperson of the Brookhaven Library Board, announced: “We hope to have the building ready for dedication in time for the February 1956 celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Brookhaven Library’s establishment.” (Atlanta Constitution, Sept. 2,1955, “Northside News”)
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.
their yards that are non-native and don’t last.
“People are planting a lot of annuals every season and just throwing away healthy plants,” Fisher said. “You could put in some perennials, native to this region, that really support pollinators and make it a thriving ecosystem.”
Fisher said clients usually reach out for a free consultation after getting a referral from past customers or seeing positive testimonials online.
There is information online about the benefits of electric landscaping equipment and how native plants interact with their environment.
Fisher said he and his team at Oak Avenue Landscaping are just a call away to give advice.
If homeowners have a yard project in mind, Oak Avenue Landscape invites them to schedule a free consultation to discuss their needs and determine the best solution.
To learn more visit, www.oakavelandscape.com/.
Field Resale Shop.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF/APPEN MEDIA
The current Brookhaven Library, designed by John R. Edwards, first opened in 1956.
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
Suit: AAPPEN PRESSCLU
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Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul has served three terms on the GMA’s Board of Directors and currently serves as its Transportation Chair.
At issue is a December ruling by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Adams that cleared Sandy Springs of violating the Georgia Open Records Act. Adams ruled that the Sandy Springs Police Department is not in violation of the act when it withholds information about the crime, the victim, whether an arrest was made or if a danger exists to the surrounding community.
Instead, the city – for the most part – provides one-sentence narratives and places all vital information in a supplemental report it withholds from the public.
The news organization argues that the responses it receives from Sandy Spring Police after filing open records requests are not the full incident reports required for release under state law. Adams ruled that Appen Media failed to prove that it is unlawful for the Police Department to withhold supplemental information about a crime that police include in a second report, even if that information is added at the same time by the same officer.
Even so, the judge conceded “[Appen] may be correct in its assertion that [the Sandy Springs Police Department’s] practice violates the spirit of the Open Records Act.”
Appen Media alleges that Sandy Springs has repeatedly denied access to initial police officer narratives that are routinely filed during investigations on the same day that the crime incident occurs.
An officer’s full account of a crime incident, which should have been provided in response to every request, has been marked as filed on the same day and at the same time as the skeleton report sent to the newspaper, Appen has argued.
The supplemental full reports exist but are hidden from the public, Appen says.
Initial police incident reports, in most cases, include narratives that
Spalding:
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Between now and the board vote, Fulton County Schools officials said they will host three community meetings in October, November and December.
allow Appen Media to inform readers with details about crimes. Full incident reports with officers’ detailed narratives are provided by police agencies in Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Forsyth County, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell.
Things are different in Sandy Springs.
In a May 15 email to Appen Media, Sandy Springs City Attorney Dan Lee claimed some supplemental reports are exempt from release.
“The law clearly allows that initial incident reports are to be disclosed and any supplements to the initial reports,” Lee wrote. “There are no supplements to initial reports that have not been disclosed, [and the ones] you are mentioning in this complaint are the notes and investigative information dealing with open investigations.”
The notes and investigative information, which other police departments provide to Appen Media every week, are also called “initial reports,” and are the crux of the debate.
The pending decision from the threejudge panel of Georgia Court of Appeals could have widespread implications for how records are shared with the public throughout the state.
Guidance from experts
As part of its court case, Appen Media cited guidance from the current “A Law Enforcement Officer’s Guide to Open Records in Georgia,” which states that “initial incident and police arrest reports are subject to the Act’s disclosure requirements, regardless of whether they are part of an active investigation. Additionally, any report, whether entitled a ‘supplemental report,’ ‘narrative report,’ or similar document name that is produced as part of an initial incident report or can be characterized as such, is likewise to be disclosed.”
The guidance booklet was prepared and endorsed by the Georgia Attorney General in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Sheriff’s Association, Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and Georgia Press Association.
Fulton County Schools’ student populations have dropped roughly 10 percent over the past seven years.
The district estimates enrollment of 87,272 this year. That’s down 600 students from 2023-24.
Fulton County Schools’ overall cohort, or group of students that enter a program together and remain together throughout its duration, saw its larg -
Appen’s suit centered on whether the second document, compiled by and kept out of public view by Sandy Springs Police, is typically prepared by the officers using information obtained at the scene and is considered part of the initial incident report.
In December 2022, Georgia Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Colangelo said it is.
Replying to a request from the media company, Colangelo stated: “A common-sense interpretation of ‘initial incident report’ is that anything written at the same time as the first part of the report is part of the initial incident report.”
Among the hundreds of examples of skeleton reports, one in particular caught the attention of Appen Media.
On Dec. 11, 2022, a Sandy Springs police officer provided the following narrative about a crime incident: “I responded to a person shot at 1208 Cimarron Pkwy.”
This is the only account Sandy Springs Police provided about an incident that took place at an apartment complex.
The document is coded “Person Dead” and includes the name of the victim and two suspects. It also includes the names of two others but doesn’t specify whether they were witnesses, victims or suspects.
The report does not identify the officers who responded to the call and provides no details on whether the incident was a homicide or an accident. It makes no mention of any arrests.
State organizations chime in
In its filing, the Georgia Municipal Association acknowledges “a rare situation” in which if finds itself at odds with the Georgia First Amendment Foundation on interpretations of the Georgia Open Meetings or Georgia Open Records acts.
The GMA filing goes on to say that the disagreement is over “the inclusion of the word ‘initial’ in the statutory text” and the choice of the Georgia Legislature to use the term in creating this exception in the world of open records.
The brief states that “GMA completely agrees with the GFAF that the ‘Georgia General Assembly has mandated that initial police incident reports are subject to disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act.’”
est decline of 526 students in district history.
The district divides school clusters into regions: South, Sandy Springs, North and FAVE, or full-time online schooling.
Atlanta Public Schools, a separate district, is not included in the data and analysis.
The Sandy Springs region, includ -
The municipal association states that Appen Media has cited outdated statutory language, but the law remains the same. The argument from the GMA questions whether the court should interpret the law and advocates for a local agency’s interpretation of the word “initial” over the judiciary’s ruling.
The GMA cites two recent cases where the Georgia Court of Appeals deferred to an agency’s interpretation of legal text when the language is ambiguous.
On the other hand, the Georgia First Amendment Foundation argues that the General Assembly “recognized the public’s interest in the disclosure of initial incident reports when it mandated that they be disclosed.”
The foundation, which submitted its amicus brief Aug. 29, says its interest in the case is “because the trial court’s ruling will have serious and negative implications for the public’s ability to access open records in the state of Georgia.”
It argues that this kind of “informational shell game is contrary both to the purpose of the Open Records Act and to the weight of authority around the country holding that the nature of the requested information — not the title of the report in which that information appears — is what determines whether or not it is public.”
The foundation further argues that law enforcement agencies could disregard this requirement by putting all meaningful initial incident information in another report.
Instead, its filing states that police already have remedies to protect the city’s interests in safeguarding information about its officers and “active investigations,” like redacting a victim’s identity.
The municipal association argues that the word “initial” is ambiguous, and that it is up to local authorities to determine its meaning.
The First Amendment Foundation argues that the Legislature has been explicit in its definition of “initial” police reports, and that its scope includes crime details that law enforcement agencies throughout Metro Atlanta release to the public. Sandy Springs is the exception, the foundation says.
The Georgia Constitution requires the Court of Appeals to issue a ruling by March 14, 2025.
ing all feeders to Riverwood and North Springs high schools, forecasts 207 fewer students from the 2023-24 to 2024-25 school years.
With 8,996 students enrolled during the first month of the 202324 school year, the Sandy Springs region saw a 2.21 percent drop in enrollment, mostly among elementary students.
