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November book events pay homage to veterans
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Sandy Springs looking to fill director positions
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, far right, highlights the success of City Springs at the North Fulton Futures Summit Oct. 26. Paul was part of an economic development panel that included, from left, MARTA Board member Freda Hardage; Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin; Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson; Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry; Mountain Park Mayor Jim Still; and Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison.
Mayors push ‘competitive competition’
North Fulton political, business leaders forge effort to foster economic growth By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — North Fulton County is home to six cities, each with a distinct character and vision for the future. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce hosted a summit Oct. 26 drawing on political and
business leaders to help chart an economic course for the region. About 200 business and community leaders packed the City Springs Studio Theatre on Galambos Way to hear an economic accounting from the six North Fulton County mayors on what lies ahead for their cities. True North 400 – formerly North Fulton Community Improvement
District ¬– Executive Director Brandon Beech touted the organization’s transportation and infrastructure projects. “I talk about three economic engines in our state, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the port of Savannah and the World Congress Center,” said Beech, who also serves in the Georgia Senate. “I add a fourth economic engine when I speak now, and that’s the Ga. 400 corridor.”
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SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City of Sandy Springs has a new communications director, or at least, an acting one. Former Communications Director Andrew Allison announced he joined the government relations team at Kennesaw State University Oct. 16. “Looking forward to seeing my #gapol friends again and grow the footprint of KSU,” Allison wrote on X. Allison’s departure from Sandy Springs comes after 10 months on the job. Prior to his role as communications director, Allison was the Georgia Senate Press Office Director for three years. Acting Communications Director Dan Coffer said no decision has been made on Allison’s replacement. Coffer has worked in the Sandy Springs Communications Department since 2008. He served as assistant director before Allison departed. There are 23 current openings on the Sandy Springs Career Center’s website. Approximately 370 people work for Sandy Springs’ municipal services, operations and public safety. The city posted a job opening for Parks and Recreation Director last month. Coffer said Parks and Recreation Director Michael Perry will be retiring soon, so the city is already looking for a replacement. Perry has served as director of the department since Jan. 2017. Prior to his work in Sandy Springs, Perry spent 25 years with the City of Alpharetta in a similar role. Replacing both directors will take some time, Coffer said.