10-04-2013 Brookhaven Reporter

Inside Road trip City to promote itself as place to ‘stay, recreate’ community 2

Legal eagles Attorneys’ fees less than what city budgeted for community 3

Brookhaven Reporter

Brookhaven p

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oct. 4 — oct. 17, 2013 • vol. 5 — NO. 20

olice

A place for reflection, prayer

Public push Massive DeKalb school system needs overhaul commentary 6

Leaf blower Time to check out local autumn colors out & about 11

High marks Police receiving positive feedback from public community 21

phil mosier

Rachel Smith, left, and Metilda McCard lead the procession during the dedication and consecration of the newly expanded columbarium, the Chapel of the Resurrection, at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church on Sept. 29. More photos on page 22.

County, city spar over parks equipment

North Druid Hills Road townhomes approved

By Melissa Weinman

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By Melissa Weinman

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melissaweinman@reporternewspapers.net

After any breakup, there’s an awkward period of wrangling over what stuff belongs to whom. And it’s no different between DeKalb County and the city of Brookhaven. Brookhaven took over the maintenance and programming of the 11 parks in its borders just after Labor Day. But the city and county disagreed over who has the rights to the furniture and

Brookhaven City Council has voted to approve a 28-unit townhome development on North Druid Hills Road after months of discord between the developer and surrounding neighbors. The application had been deferred by the council for several months in an attempt to give the developer and residents time to work out a compromise. Many neighbors still came to the council’s

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see city council, page 19

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Brookhaven is looking to put itself on the map. With festivals, community events and an Office of Tourism on the way, the young city is looking to create buzz and attract visitors. Plans for the Office of Tourism are still being finalized, but Brookhaven City Manager Marie Garrett said officials are already getting started. “We’re promoting our festivals and events that are occurring in the city right now,” Garrett said. Mayor J. Max Davis introduced the new office in a town hall meeting Sept. 19. “It’s not just some new bureaucratic shell,” Davis said. “We have a requirement that some of our money is spent on tourism… It’ll probably just be one person to allocate those dollars, and make sure people come to Brookhaven, and our hotels are promoted and know what’s going on, whether it’s festivals or food trucks.” Currently, the office is being housed under the city manager’s office, Garrett said. But she isn’t sure whether it will remain there or become an independent agency. A portion of the money collected through hotel/motel taxes in any city is required to be spent on tourism and promotion. Many cities have an agency known as a convention and visitors bureau to do that. Garrett said Brookhaven’s Office of Tourism will be similar. “We’re formulating what the office is going to entail and what the duties and responsibilities are,” Garrett said. “It’s going to be all about promoting Brookhaven as a place to stay, a place to come and visit, to recreate, a place for businesses to have conferences.” The Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce is also working to promote the city. The chamber organized the Roots n’ Brews festival in Brookhaven Park Oct. 5. The festival featured live folk and bluegrass bands, food and beer, and raised money for the city’s parks. Arthur Freeman, executive director of

the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber’s mission is to promote the businesses and livability of the city of Brookhaven. But events like festivals are a good way to partner with the city. “We want to create activities and create a reason for people to want to come to Brookhaven,” Freeman said. Fall is a busy time for Brookhaven. Through the end of the October, the city is hosting the “Food Truck Roundup” every Wednesday evening in Blackburn Park, featuring food trucks, music and activities for kids. The second annual Brookhaven Chili Cookoff, featuring professional and amateur chili cooking teams, is scheduled for Oct. 12 on Apple Valley Road. Also on Apple Valley Road, the Brookhaven Arts Festival is planned for Oct. 19-20. “It’s all part of a program to create us as a very fun place to come,” Freeman said. But not everyone is thrilled about all the activities. At a town hall meeting Sept. 19, several residents complained about traffic around the food truck events and concern about upcoming festivals. One parent with a child at Montgomery Elementary School, just down Ashford Dunwoody Road from where the food truck events are held at Blackburn Park, asked the city to reconsider the location. “In terms of the food trucks and festivals: Love it. Do it. Don’t do it on Wednesday night at rush hour traffic,” he said. A Kendrick Road resident told city council that people don’t like dealing with the special events near their homes. “It’s really nice to have food trucks and festivals to go to, but no one wants them in their yard or neighborhood,” he said. “The people who do live on 10th Street, that’s great, but we live in nice, quiet neighborhoods, and we’d like to keep it that way.”

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Community

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By Melissa Weinman

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City records show Brookhaven has spent nearly $200,000 on attorneys’ fees since incorporating in December. Some residents have complained that the city was getting involved in legal fights too early in its existence, particularly regarding a high-profile lawsuit with the Pink Pony strip club. Residents have spoken out against the city’s legal bills at City Council meetings. One group of neighbors even commissioned a telephone poll to prove that residents don’t approve. But the city’s legal expenses so far have been well below the $425,400 budgeted to pay 2013 legal bills. City Attorney Bill Riley’s law firm, Riley McLendon, was paid $151,809 through the month of August, according to records obtained under the state Open Records Law. Much of the information on the firm’s invoices was redacted by the city, but show Riley charged for several different kinds of work. Riley receives a $15,000 monthly fee as city attorney. He also bills the city for litigation, land acquisition, and for his work as solicitor for Brookhaven’s municipal court. Riley got involved with Brookhaven early on, as a pro bono attorney for the Governor’s Commission on Brookhaven, before the city officially began operating on Dec. 17. The commission was appointed to help set up the city before a mayor and council were elected. Brookhaven City Council appointed Riley as interim city attorney at the council’s first official meeting Dec. 10. The other attorney the city has paid this year is Scott Bergthold. Bergthold, a Chattanooga attorney who specializes in regulating adult businesses, helped the city draft the sexually-oriented business ordinance that caused the Pink Pony to sue the city. Records show that Bergthold billed the city for work on the sexually-oriented business ordinance on Dec. 4, be-

fore the mayor and City Council held their first meeting. Bergthold’s invoice from January lists work beginning Dec. 4. Councilman Jim Eyre was the only Brookhaven council member to be elected on Nov. 6. The other elections were not decided until a Dec. 4 runoff. Eyre said Riley began working on ordinances to present to the council before the elections because of the short window of time between seating the council and the city’s launch. “He was involved in pulling that stuff together early on, so when we were in a group we could start acting on some of those things,” Eyre said. The city adopted all of DeKalb County’s ordinances on Dec. 17, and shortly after, city officials began to discuss replacing the county’s adult business regulations with their own. Eyre said Bergthold has been working with the city since its first days. “Bill brought him in as an expert advisor or consultant,” Eyre said. According to city records, Brookhaven has paid Bergthold $39,942 through the month of August. Eyre said he expected there would be additional costs during the start-up phase, and he feels comfortable with the city’s first-year legal expenses. “Having been involved with a number of start-up companies, I’ve seen how quickly legal bills can add up,” Eyre said. “I had in my mind that we would have more in the first year than we would going forward because of all the work we need to do getting ordinances in place.” Bob Mullen, a spokesman for the city of Dunwoody, said that city spent $277,139 in 2009, its first year in business. The sum included the annual salary for the city attorney, the monthly retainer fees for the law firm of Riley McLendon, and all litigation from the city’s first year, Mullen said. During its first fiscal year, Sandy Springs spent $563,853 on legal services.

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Community

City asks state Supreme Court to lift injunction on annexation By Melisa Weinman

melissaweinman@reporternwespapers.net

The city of Brookhaven is asking the Georgia Supreme Court to remove an injunction imposed by a DeKalb judge that prevents the city from voting on annexing the Century Center office complex. The city of Chamblee filed a response rejecting Brookhaven’s claims and supporting the injunction. On July 1, Highwoods Properties, the owners of the Century Center office complex off of Clairmont Road near I-85, applied to be annexed into the city of Brookhaven. However, the property was already included along with homes in the Dresden East neighborhoods as part of a Nov. 5 referendum for annexation into the neighboring city of Chamblee.

The matter went to court, and on Aug. 16, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie blocked the city from annexing the property until after a trial. Brookhaven’s emergency motion, signed by four lawyers, including former Gov. Roy Barnes, argues that Brookhaven will be “undeniably and irreparably harmed should the interlocutory injunction not be lifted.” The motion claims the DeKalb judge overstepped her authority because, “The Superior Court enjoined a state legislative function, which is entirely inappropriate and outside the jurisdiction of the Superior Court.”

Planning scheduled for MARTA station redevelopment A series of events are planned during the month of October for those who want to be involved in the redevelopment of the Brookhaven-Oglethorpe MARTA station. A collaborative brainstorming and planning session known as a “charrette,” and several background sessions surrounding the proposed transit-oriented development at the station are being hosted by the city of Brookhaven, Southface, the Atlanta Regional Commission, MARTA and the National/Atlanta Board of Realtors. The Atlanta Regional Commission has been working to promote transitoriented development at MARTA stations. The Brookhaven-Oglethorpe MARTA station has been identified as a strong candidate for a mixed-use, pedestrian development due to its location in a thriving city with a need for more office and retail space.

A Livable Centers Initiative study by the Atlanta Regional Commission identified the MARTA station as a centerpiece for a Brookhaven town center that would include a mix of office, retail and public spaces. All sessions will be held at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, 3016 Lanier Drive, unless otherwise noted. Background sessions: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 – Understanding the Brookhaven-Peachtree Overlay and LCI study. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 – Transportation Planning: Putting the Pieces Together for a Multi-Modal Framework. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Mellow Mushroom Brookhaven – Workforce Housing: Good for the Community and Those Who Serve It. Oct. 20-24 – Charrette -Melissa Weinman

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With private education costly, the need to improve the public sector is essential Being a proponent of public education, I find it difficult to abandon it and look to private schools to be the answer. Having 11 grandchildren, five of whom have been or are being educated privately, I have seen the terrible financial burden put on a young family to provide such an education. Most families, even if given vouchers to supplement the costs, would not have the financial resources to put their children through private education. Those with more than three children would, for all practical purposes, be shut out completely. With that as a background, the need to improve and preserve the public sector becomes more and more important. School systems, like any organizations, have a point at which they function best. These points are marked by: the number of students, the size of the budget, the number of employees, the facilities and Jim the physical area. Any of those, if they become too large, lead to the degradation of efficiency of manRedovian agement. A system becomes so large that management is forced to move to the middle and distance themGuest Column selves from the crowd. Understanding of specific and individual needs begin to blur. Contact with decision makers becomes almost impossible, and the student as an individual begins to erode. On the local level, the everyday professionals in the schoolhouse know the needs of the school community, but are stymied by decisions and directions from the system mountaintop. Please understand this is not the fault of those on top of the mountain, it is instead the fact that the mountain is too high. I have high respect for the majority of administrators outside of the schoolhouse, and believe they are hard-working professionals. I have always found that to be true. The problem is that you cannot be everything to everyone, and the farther you spread the peanut butter the thinner it gets. With all that said, although it will be a long difficult road, it is imperative the city of Dunwoody, with the help of State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody), continues to aggressively fight to get the opportunity to have its own independent school system. It’s not seceding from the union, it’s putting the education of all children first. We need to downsize the mountain and make it more accessible. We need more than one member on a school board of nine or seven members that understands our community and needs. We need decisions that affect our community and children being made by administrators that we have access to and relationships with. It would be hard for me to believe that any parent in the county would not desire the same. Because of a constitutional amendment in the 1940s, that is no longer possible. We must work to change that. It is the only hope for communities to begin to make public education in urban areas workable again. If you look around the state, those systems that operate with 40,000 students or less are in most cases the most successful. They can respond more quickly to problems, hone in on them, and make the corrections needed much faster. Who knew in the ’40s, when the constitution was amended, that DeKalb County’s school system would grow from 4,000 students to 98,000 students, 16,000 employees and 21 high schools spread over 26 square miles? It is unfair for local communities to be placed in this box. It completely changes the definition of local schools. A prime example of decisions coming from the mountaintop comes from the decision to build a new elementary school in Dunwoody. It is proposed to close Austin Elementary and build a new, larger school closer to the Ashford Dunwoody corridor. This would mean, of course, that all the students currently attending Austin would have to be bused to the new school, adding even more to the current commute and take away their ability to walk to school. Someone more aware of the community would easily see the advantage of leaving Austin as it is, and building a new facility closer to the needs. The mountaintop’s decision is based on financial concerns and not on the desires of the local community. Aren’t we as a community more capable of making such decisions? In a system as large as DeKalb, it is impossible to get to those making the decisions, and even harder to find out who they may be. There is no perfect solution, but moving to a smaller model has proven very effective. Should not our whole school board be elected by us? Jim Redovian is a former member of the DeKalb County School Board. He lives in Dunwoody.

Phil Mosier

On the record

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Read these articles from our other editions online at ReporterNewspapers.net. “I never have liked the logo and I think there are a lot of people who agree. But I dislike spending money to change the logo just three years after council adopted it. I dislike that even more.” –Dunwoody City Councilman Terry Nall, on a council committee’s decision not to spend $40,000 to develop a new city logo.

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cOMMUNItY

Stars in their eyes for these new U.S. citizens The night before, Muna Omar had been too excited to sleep. “I was up almost all night,” she said. Saturday morning arrived as a bright, sunny fall day. Omar gathered her children from their Doraville home and took them to a small field on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs. There, she joined 69 others who had come from communities scattered across Georgia and Alabama to take part in a ceremony that lasted only about an hour, but would change their lives and the lives of their families. As sunlight glinted on the river, geese honked downstream, and dozens of smiling family members stood and watched, these 70 people renounced their allegiances to their former home countries and became American citizens. “I’m so happy,” said Omar, who was born in Somalia and had lived a dozen years in the U.S. “I’m new. It’s a very, very big thing for me.” On Sept. 28, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services celebrated National Public Lands Day by holding its first naturalization ceremony at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. People from 35 countries, from Bangladesh to Vietnam and Laos to Liberia, became American citizens that morning. Naturalization ceremonies usually are held in government office buildings, but immigration officials said they hope the riverside gathering would offer something different. “We thought this was a change of atmosphere,” said Cheryl Johnson, section manager for the Atlanta Field Office of the citizenship and immigration services. The park, she said, provided “the view of the historic land [and] that scenery here.” Several of the soon-to-be new citizens, who sat on folding or stackable chairs set up in a newly mowed field, endorsed the park setting as they awaited the start of the ceremony. “I like it,” said Balvantkumar Prajapati, who was born in India and now runs a store in Rome, Ga. Segun Oshadige, born in Niger, found the surroundings “calming.” Occasionally, other park-goers jogged by or walked dogs in the vicinity. A small group launched a big rubber raft from the boat ramp where the field touched river. Deer wandered nearby in the forest. “It’s not what I expected, but it’s OK,” said Margaret Mungei, who was born in Kenya and lives in Hoover, Ala. Dora Blanco also was pleased. “It’s nice, instead of the four walls of the building,” she said. “We’re actually going to stay and walk around the park afterwards.” Blanco came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1994, when she was 9 years old. She lived much of her life in the U.S. in Whitfield County, and now lives in Marietta with two young children of her own. “It’s exciting,” she said of becoming a citizen. “It’s something I wasn’t go-

ing to do, and then came my children. ... You almost can’t believe it’s real.” Oshadige said he’s lived in metro Atlanta for 30 years. He AROUND makes his livtOWN ing driving a cab. BecomJoe earle ing an American citizen, he said, “is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.” He wanted to share in freedom and to have “a say in the government,” he said, “a voice.” Omar said she wanted to be part of the nation where her children were born. They’re all citizens of the U.S. and she wanted to be, too. “It’s my country,” she said. “All my kids were born here. I’m so happy. I’m one of them now.” Asked why she left the country of her birth behind, she waved off the ques-

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Muna Omar, right, joined others in becoming a U.S. citizen at a Chattahoochee River ceremony.

tion. “It was a war,” she said. “Killing and doing bad stuff.” She made it clear she’d rather talk about new beginnings than the past. During the ceremony, she was overwhelmed with emotion. At one point, a recording of Lee Greenwood’s song, “God Bless The U.S.A.,” played over the loudspeakers. She sang along, then had to stop to wipe away tears. Lensa, her oldest daughter, quietly massaged her mother’s shoulders. After the ceremony, her children crowded around her, laughing with her and snapping photos with their smartphones. All around them, families recorded the moment with photographs of smiling new citizens posing with their new citizenship papers. “It’s so great,” Omar said. “It’s unbelievable. It’s priceless. “I feel like I have a place, like I have a country. I feel like somebody now. It’s a big day for me and my kids.” She can sleep easier now.

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FAITH

Churches welcome pastors back home By Melissa Weinman

“This was just farmland and a house on this corner,” Shivers said of the melissaweinman@reporternewspapers.net church property. Shivers grew up across the street from Life has led two local pastors back to where the church now sits, and spent a where they started. lot of time riding his bike around the Rev. James Neil Hollingsworth Jr. area. Shivers said took the pulpit as the church was a senior pastor at Secbig part of his childond-Ponce de Leon hood. Baptist Church “It was such in Buckhead – a a special place to church he often atgrow up,” Shivers tended as a teenagsaid. er. Second-Ponce And Rev. David de Leon BapShivers moved back tist Church votto Sandy Springs ed unanimously to in August to take call Hollingsworth, the helm as pasknown as Dock, to tor of First Baptist serve as its seventh Church of Sandy pastor. His first serSprings, a church he grew up in and Rev. James Neil Hollingsworth Jr. vice at the Peachtree Second-Ponce de Leon Road church was where his father, Baptist Church Sept. 22. E.B. Shivers, served Hollingsworth as pastor from 1958 has several connections to the church he to 1980. now leads. Growing up, Hollingsworth Shivers said he left the area to go to attended special events at Second-Ponce college and never moved back. Now 35 de Leon with his high school friends. years later, he’s exploring his hometown, And while at Mercer University as an which he’s found has changed quite a undergraduate, several of his college bit. friends attended Second-Ponce de Leon. According to the church, Hollingy nt 10 We ca r r a f™ sworth had no intention of staying when o a y n n e oo any ar w offe rw r he came to Second-Ponce de Leon as inr ar r yea ain-Pr Seale c o 5 nst ant 1 St nt ruc y terim preacher 15 months ago. He had fo r a ne tio m r n served as interim pastor at nine differe . P ent congregations over the past 12 years. Hollingsworth also worked at Mercer University’s Macon and Atlanta campuses for the past 18 years. He was assistant dean and assistant professor of leadership, and supervised ministry at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. He was also executive director for The Center for Teaching Churches, according to the church. “I fully thought I would retire at McAfee, but the energy and possibility of this place has captured my imagination, and by God’s grace it would not let me go,” Hollingsworth said in an email. For nearly 20 years, the congregation Before Construction After Construction at First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs has been trying to get Shivers to come Specializing in Construction, Renovation, Repair & Maintenance back to Georgia and lead the congregation. Patios/Pool Decks Pools & Spas Outdoor Kitchens Arbors “The first time I got a call was probably around 1994. I had just started pasBrick & Stone Chimneys/Fireplace Decorative Concrete/Pavers toring a church in Mississippi,” ShivDecks • Driveways Efflorescence Cleaning Grading & Drainage ers said. “Life was happening. We were Historical Restorations Masonry Maintenance Contracts growing churches. It was just not the Before right time. I had to wait on God’s perRetaining Walls Stone Patio Restoration & Sealing fect timing.” Stone/Tile Deck Waterproofing & Leak Repair But Shivers said he’s always been interested in returning to First Baptist. “This has been a church I have prayed josh@southernoutdoorcd.com for since I could pray,” Shivers said. “I After have prayed for this church daily. It’s my first love, as far as churches go.” Serving your community Shivers said he hopes to return the www.southernoutdoorcd.com for 15 years church to the vibrancy he remem-

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Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

FAItH bers from childhood. In its heyday, the Shivers admits the church has been church had about 700 members. But through some troubles lately. But he recently, it has dwindled to fewer than said he’s never really asked about why 100. the church has struggled in recent years. “This time when they called, and “I don’t really know why and I’m not told me they needed my help, the timgoing to look backward. I’m only going ing was right,” Shivers said. to look forward,” Shivers said. Shivers moved from a small town in He said he’s still taking stock of the Indiana, where the church and the closest traffic light community around was eight miles him to figure out away. the next moves for “I was in rural the church. But a America and loved social media presit,” Shivers said. ence, day care proHe said he led gram, and upa large, active condates to the church gregation in Indibuildings are likely ana, but with its ruon the horizon, he ral location, there said. wasn’t much room Despite his aspifor growth. “I was in rations for growth, rural America where Shivers said he enthe population of joys the familiarour county was ity of the Sandy 6,000,” Shivers said. Springs communiShivers said he’s ty. always wanted to “There’s still a lead a church to exsmall-town feelponential growth, “I love being at a place where ing about Sanand believes Sandy dy Springs,” ShivI know everybody. We just Springs’ population need to ﬁnd a place where ers said. “Weekly, I provides that ophave run into peoportunity. “There’s people can feel comfortable ple I have had a so many peoconnection to that and connect to God and ple around [Sandy connect to each other. Where I haven’t seen in 35 Springs] who just years.” it stops growing, nobody don’t go to church He said he reor have stopped goknows, but it will grow.” cently got a call to ing for various reaofficiate a funeral sons.” for a woman who – REV. DAVID SHIVERS And so far, it’s used to attend the FIRSt BAPtISt cHURcH working, he said. church. Her neph“In six weeks, we’ve ew was shocked to grown,” Shivers learn that Shivers said. not only knew of Shivers said he’s not necessarily inhis aunt, but used to go fishing on her terested in creating a mega-church, property as a child. though. He said he likes being able to “There’s a reconnection that’s occurform relationships with everyone in the ring that’s benefiting this church,” Shivcongregation. ers said. “I love being at a place where I know Shivers’ office is decorated with old everybody,” he said. “We just need to family photos, including one of him find a place where people can feel comand his father fishing at that pond. fortable and connect to God and con“This church was very important to nect to each other. Where it stops growdad,” Shivers said. “I think dad would ing, nobody knows, but it will grow.” be pleased. I hope.”

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Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | 9

cOMMUNItY

UFO reports common among locals By Dan WHisenHUnT

danwhisenhunt@reporternewspapers.net

The last sighting happened in Sandy Springs on Sept. 16. A Sandy Springs resident walking their dog near High Top Road spotted something in the sky at 8 a.m. A few days later, the resident filed a report about the unidentified flying object on UFOstalker.com, a website that collects witness accounts and publishes them anonymously. “I was finishing my walk with our dog, walking through our courtyard, when I saw four round spheres in a line,” the resident wrote. “They were several hundred feet in the air, I would estimate 500 feet. They were in two sets of two, and basically stationary while slowly rotating. One was reddish in color, the oth-

er three, gray.” The resident later added, “I swear to the truthfulness of this sighting.” While the prospect of visitations from other life forms sounds unbelievable, people living in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Buckhead have all filed reports with UFO Stalker. According to UFO Stalker, there are 13 different reports going back to 1994. In some cases residents report sightings years after the actual event. Seven of the alleged sightings happened in Sandy Springs. The Mutual UFO Network, or MUFON, is another clearing house for this information. Ralph Howard, who lives

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Drawing of object spotted in Sandy Springs in May 2011.

percent of all UFO sightings,” Sowell said. “Because it’s so bright, that when it’s near the horizon, the atmosphere can cause it to twinkle. It’s so bright amongst the trees when it’s down low. A lot of people who aren’t used to looking up in the sky don’t realize how bright Venus can be.” Howard said if there’s enough evidence in a report to warrant a followup, the reporters will receive a phone call from an investigator. He said investigators spend most of their time finding the simplest and most obvious explanations for each report. The internet makes the task more manageable. Investigators can look up the alignment of the planets and even the position of satellites at the time of the sighting. “You have to be methodical, so the few we cannot explain are the ones that carry weight,” Howard said. “It’s the ones we explain away that make the other ones so hard to deal with.”

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in Chamblee, is state director and field investigator for MUFON in Georgia. He oversees a team of 17 active investigators. Howard said the metro area generates fewer reports overall than the rest of the state. “I don’t think there’s anything special going on about Sandy Springs or Atlanta,” he said. “The remarkable thing might be that we do get some sightings every now and then that are hard to explain.” Howard said investigators have yet to come up with an explanation for an object spotted above Atlanta’s new Ferris Wheel on July 24. It’s most likely a kite or a balloon, but Howard says MUFON doesn’t know who put it in the sky. Finding pedestrian explanations is part of Howard’s and MUFON’s mission. Howard said in most cases UFOs can be explained by natural phenomena. He said the organization has seen an uptick in reports filed, but it could be because of greater awareness of reporting sites like UFO Stalker. There’s also an uptick in people using hobby drones and motor-powered kites that could explain the increase in reports, he said. “Some are deserving of actual scientific investigation,” Howard said. “I’m a scientist myself, I’m a geologist. We’ve got a real phenomenon here. It is real.” Jim Sowell, an astronomer at Georgia Tech, said taking into account what we know about physics, there’s almost no possibility of extraterrestrial life visiting our planet. For starters, the universe is almost incomprehensibly vast. The Voyager 1 space probe, for example, launched in 1977, and exited our solar system in 2012. Also, scientists are reasonably certain that traveling faster than light speed is impossible. Even at light speed, the distances would be unachievable in an average human’s lifetime. “The planet Venus accounts for 90

Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

speCIal

Closed down The federal parks of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area closed Oct. 1 with the shutdown of the federal government. A park spokesman said all but eight of the park’s 40 employees were being furloughed. The closing would last until ofﬁcials in Washington, D.C., could agree on a spending bill.

out & about

No need to ‘leaf’ town - there’s plenty of local color around

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PHIPPS PLAZA

The trail through Murphey Candler Park takes visitors for a walk along treelined Murphey Candler Lake. A seat in a picnic shelter or a bench alongside the lake should provide hikers a place to relax while admiring the fall leaves, their reflection in the lake, and the odd duck or goose that drifts past. Br iar Location: wo 1551 W. Nancy Creek Drive, Brookhaven, 30319 Hours: 7oa.m. to sunset d Cost: Free For more information: www.murpheycandlerpark.org ta

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through an old hardwood forest. d During the day, the cenBlv ter offers some of the bestd leaf-peeping in Dunwoody, exIn ecutive director Alan Mothner says. Trails around the center take walkers through wetlands, meadow and forest. On Oct. 11 and 25, the center plans free nighttime hikes so hikers can experience the forest after dark. Location: 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody, 30338 Oakc liff Hours: Dawn to dusk Cost: Free For more information: www.dunwoodynature.org

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This small park built byINDIAN the city of Sandy HILLS Springs offers a leaf-lover’s delight from its vanCOUNTRY tage point above a broad,CLUB tree-lined bend in the Chattahoochee River. The park provides picnic pavilions, a children’s playground, a hiking trail, a fire pit and restrooms, but for fans of fall color, the real draw may be porch swings set up to provide comfy places to view the scenery. Location: 200 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs, 30350 Hours: Dawn to dusk Cost: Free CHATTAH OOCHEE AT LANT A RIVER For more information: www.sandyspringsga. COUNTRY NATI ONAL CLUB RECREAT ION org/City-Departments/Recreation-and-Parks/ AREA Parks-and-Facilities/Morgan-Falls-Overlook-Park

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RECREATIONAL A ATIONAL TIONAL AREA

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Rd The Chattahoochee River National Recreation w lo Area, operated by the National be Park Service, is comum posed of 15 land units scattered along 48 miles of Br the Chattahoochee River as it winds through north metro Atlanta. The park headquarters and visitors’ center is located at Island Ford, a 319-acre unit that CHATTAH OOCHEE provides both access to the river and about 5.5 miles HORSESHOE H RIVER NATI ONAL of trails BEND along the water RECREA and through the woods. T ION COUNTRY AREA Location: CLUB 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs, 30350 Hours: Dawn to dusk; visitors’ center: 9 a.m.to 5 DUNW OODY OODY Op.m. daily, except Dec. 25 COUNTRY TTR RYCost: $3 for a one-day pass; $25 for a season pass Dr CLUB For more information: www.nps.gov/chat Note: This park closed Oct. 1 for an indeterminent period as part of the shutdown of the federal government.

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Come fall, communities in the Georgia mountains justly are celebrated for their seasonal shows of colorful leaves. But you don’t have to drive very far wy to find places where Georgia hardwoods are putting on autumn airs.rietta H a Here are a half dozen spots in Reporter Newspapers com- M munities where we’ve found you can take in fall’s colorful displays much closer to home.

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LENOX Ferry These cross-river units near the southSQUARE Rd ern end of the Chattahoochee River Rd is National Recreation Area offer 755some av L of its best places to check out leaves. ores 30324 30305 Trails through the Powers Island unit inMo Sandy Springs take hikers through the Dr woods and along the river just upstream uid Lindbergh of I-285. On the other side of the river, Dr BOBBY JONES the Cochran Shoals unit provides bikGOLF ATLANTA COURSE MEMORIAL ing trails as well as hiking trails. Tanyard HillsCreek ParkR 30324 Col PARK d Location: 1650 Riveredge Parkway, 85 lier Sandy Springs, 30328 Rd INtown Tanyard Creek Park should appeal to both nature and history buffs as its tree-lined trails cross 30318 8 Hours: Dawn to dusk Civil War battlegrounds. The park features markers describing the Battle of Peachtree Creek, Cost: $3 for a one-day pass; $25 for a fought Rock July 20, 1864, at this spot, now in the center of a Buckhead neighborhood. Visitors can season pass CANDLER C ANDLE NDLER RBeltLine trail and relax on a large, grassy lawn surroundwalk along the creek on the city’sCA new LLA KE LAKE For more information: www.nps.gov/ 30309 ed by trees. Per 14th St ry B chat Location: Collier Road at Walthall Drive, 30309, Atlanta lvd Note: These parks closed Oct. 1 for Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 75 ATLANTA DRUID an indeterminent period as part of the Cost: Free BOTANICAL HILLS 30306 85 GARDEN GOLF shutdown of the federal government. For more information: www.buckhead.net/parks/tanyard-creek CLUB

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30307

30308

www.ReporterNewspapers.net |

Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | 11

Buy Early & Save!

out& about

BROOKHAVEN • BUcKHEAD • DUNWOODY • SANDY SPRINGS

“Vera Stark is a fabulous force of nature!”

An aspiring actress breaks the mold of stereotypical African American film roles of the 1930s.

LEARN SOMEtHING!

Night Hike

Natural Cosmetics

Friday, Oct. 11, 7-8 p.m. – Visitors get a chance

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – It is human nature to want to look and feel our best. Unfortunately, many mainstream cosmetics have harsh chemicals and synthetic toxins that are linked to multiple health risks and can be harmful to the environment. As a result, there is a growing request for natural and organic alternatives. Come learn about the benefits of what nature has already provided. Free and open to members of the Cancer Support Community. Lunch provided. RSVP to 404-843-1880. 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Building C, Suite 225, Atlanta, 30342. To learn more, visit: www.cscatlanta.org.

to connect with nature after-hours at the Dunwoody Nature Center! The family-oriented hike follows trails around the wetlands and back forests of Dunwoody Park. Center educators will guide you as you hear the night time sounds of owls, bats and other nocturnal creatures. Tour is followed by cocoa, stargazing and a warming fire. Free and open to all. Strollers not recommended. 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody, 30338. Questions? Call 770-394-3322 or go to: www.dunwoodynature.org.

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cOMMUNItY

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Chili Cook-Off Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. – Come out

and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of food, fun and live entertainment, while sampling great chili at the 2nd annual Brookhaven Chili Cook-Off! Have a taste from over 60 local restaurants, businesses or amateur teams. Free admission to the festival; open to the community. Limited tasting spoons available for $5 via website, or at the gate for $10. 2740 Apple Valley Rd., Brookhaven, 30319. Visit: www.brookhavenchilicookoff.com.

Series on the Alliance Stage

Gun Safety Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7-8 p.m. – Join others at

The Epstein School for the presentation “Why and How To Talk With Your Children About Gun Safety (Even If You Don’t Own Guns).” A certified firearms safety instructor hosts a 30-minute multimedia presentation about the steps parents can take to reduce the risk of their children being injured or killed in a gun-related accident. Free and open to the community. Childcare available. RSVP via email: melanie.mailman@epsteinatlanta.org or by calling 404250-5770. www.epsteinatlanta.org.

Breastfeeding & Back to Work Saturday, Oct. 12, 1-4 p.m. – Learn how to maintain your milk supply while working. Develop a pumping and feeding plan, and understand how to properly collect and store your breast milk. Get helpful hints on how to talk to your boss about creating a breastfeeding-friendly work environment. Discover why you don’t and shouldn’t have to stop breastfeeding after returning to work, including legislation that increases protection and support for you. $32. Northside Hospital, Interchange Building, Suite 400, Classroom 425, 5780 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., NE, Atlanta 30342. Call 404-845-5555 to register or to find out more.

Defensive Driving

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3-6 p.m. – AARP offers a

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ELIN HILDERBRAND 11.9 CHRIS MATTHEWS 11.10 ALAN DERSHOWITZ 11.16 PAT CONROY 11.17

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TICKETS: 678.812.4005 OR ATLANTAJCC.ORG/BOOKFESTIVAL INFORMATION: 678.812.3981

Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

two-day defensive driving class for adults and teens aged 15 and up. Class continues on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 3-6 p.m. Participants must attend both classes. AARP workbook is required, which is $14 for nonAARP members and $12 for members. Registration required by calling 404-851-6157. Leave local area code and phone number when registering. Sandy Springs Branch Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: comments@ co.fulton.ga.us for more information.

Strengthen Your Bones Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6-8 p.m. – Learn the tricks of leaning into your bones. Effective use of your skeleton helps you gain bone strength and balance. Find out how your mind tricks you into creating stress and anxiety, and treat yourself to some centering techniques. Free and open to members of the Cancer Support Community. RSVP to 404843-1880. 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Building C, Suite 225, Atlanta, 30342. To learn more, visit: www.cscatlanta.org.

KIDS’ StUFF

Crafty Tuesday Tuesday, Oct. 8, 4:30-5 p.m. – Join oth-

er youngsters in making a fun craft. Free and open to everyone. Appropriate for ages 5-12. Brookhaven Branch Library, 1242 N. Druid Hills Rd., NE, Brookhaven, 30319. Call 404-848-7140 to learn more about the activity.

Songs for Children Thursday, Oct. 10, 10:30-11:15 a.m. – The

Alicia Etchison concert includes acoustic fingerstyle guitar songs for children of all ages which are “story songs as peaceful and invigorating as sunset on the beach.” Free, and all are welcome to attend. Suggested audiences: infant, toddler, preschool, elementary school youth. Buckhead Branch Library, 269 Buckhead Ave., NE, Atlanta, 30305. Email: comments@ co.fulton.ga.us or call 404-814-3500 for details.

Turtle Tours Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. – Heritage Sandy Springs’ “Turtle Tours,” an educational series appropriate for children ages 2- 5, continues. In this program, museum mascots “Sandy” the Chipmunk and “Spring” the Turtle learn how to use their senses. Free; donations encouraged. 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, 30328. For more information, email: kbrigance@heritagesandysprings.org, call 404-851-9111 or visit: www.heritagesandysprings.org.

Journey to Literacy Saturday, Oct. 12, 2:30-3:30 p.m. –

Junior League of Atlanta volunteers provide an interactive reading of a favorite children’s book with related craft activities. Each family gets a copy of the book to keep. Free. Open to the public. Appropriate for ages 3 to 6. Sandy Springs Branch Library, in the Story Time Room, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: leah.germon@fultoncountyga.gov or call 404-303-6130 for additional information.

Kids in the Kitchen Saturday, Oct. 12, 4-5 p.m. – “Kids in the

Kitchen” promotes child health and wellness by empowering children to make healthy lifestyle choices, preventing obesity and its associated health risks, and by involving kids and their parents in a handson environment that focuses on preparing healthy foods. Free and open to the community. All ages welcome. Sponsored by the Junior League of Atlanta. Sandy Springs Branch Library, in the Story Time Room, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: comments@co.fulton.ga.us or call 404-303-6130 with questions.

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARtS

Images Around Georgia

“Nature in Transition”

Sunday, Oct. 13, 5:30-8 p.m. – Join oth-

Saturday Oct., 19, 5-7 p.m. – The public is

ers for the opening reception of the Georgia Nature Photographers’ Association exhibition, a juried show of wildlife, landscape and macro images. Free, and the public is welcome. Chattahoochee Nature Center, in the Discovery Center, 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, 30075. Call 770-992-2055 or go to: www. chattnaturecenter.org for details. Visit: www.gnpa. org to find out more about the association.

welcome to attend the opening of “Nature in Transition” in the Blue Heron Gallery at Blue Heron Nature Preserve. Exhibition is a national show from the Society of Layerists in Multi-Media. Free admission. Sales benefit the nature preserve. 4055 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, 30342. To learn more about the artists, visit: www.slmm.org. Go to: www.bhnp. org or call 404-345-1008 for further details.

Brookhaven Arts Fest

Creole Music

Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. – More

Sunday, Oct. 20, 4-7 p.m. – Jeffery Brous-

than 125 juried artists will be displaying and marketing their fine arts. Event continues on Sunday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Live music both days. Held on Apple Valley Road, 30319, directly behind the Brookhaven MARTA station. Free admission and parking at the station. For additional information, go to: www.brookhavenartsalliance. com/arts-festival.

Big Thinkers Science Wednesday, Oct. 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Work-

shop focuses on the past, present, and future of space travel. Discuss propulsion, parts of the rocket, launch safety, and how space travel has affected our life on Earth. Sign-up required and started Oct. 1. Space is limited. Free and open to the community. Suggested audiences: middle school and elementary school youth. Sandy Springs Branch Library, in the Meeting Room, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328. Email: leah.germon@fultoncountyga.gov or call 404-303-6130 to sign up or to ask questions.

Delicious

is a company asset. Boss’s Day October 16th Celebrate all week.

Island Ford Ramble Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. – Take a guided hike on woodland trails with park Ranger Jerry Hightower, then go fishing! For kids of all ages. Free. Open to all Sandy Springs residents. Island Ford, 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs, 30350. To sign up or for more information, email: info@sandyspringsconservancy.org.

Practice SAT Saturday, Oct. 19, 2-6 p.m. – Test your

knowledge with Kaplan, Inc.’s four-hour practice SAT test. Test results will be mailed to participants within a week. A great way to see which areas you need to improve. For high school youth. Registration required by emailing: marlan.brinkley@fultoncountyga.gov or calling 404-303-6130. NOTE: Kaplan requires at least 15 people to sign up to run the test. Free and open to the public. Sandy Springs Branch Library, in the Meeting Room, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, 30328.

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sard & the Creole Cowboys deliver Creole classics and Zydeco. $17; $5 for students. Free beginners Zydeco dance lesson 3:30-4 p.m. Cajun food for sale; cash bar. For more details, go to: www. aczadance.org or call 404-825-9768. Knights of Columbus Post 660, 2620 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, 30324. To learn more about the band, visit: www.jefferybroussard.com.

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Sonya Halpern, left, board chair, National Black Arts Festival, and Myra Bierria, board chair, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and vice president and corporate secretary, AGL Resources, were honored with over 100 other women on Sept. 10 at the Cherokee Town and Country Club in Buckhead for their support of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

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Left to right, Paddy Collins, Port Wilson, Chip Wade and Casey Moon, front, a foursome from the HGTV television series “Elbow Room,” participated in the Hacker’s Ball at the North Fulton Golf Course in Chastain Park on Sept. 28 in Buckhead. Proceeds went to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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Up, up there! The Atlanta Audubon Society hosted a bird walk at Morgan Falls Overlook Park in Sandy Springs on Sept. 21. Far right, pointing, Audubon instructor Nikki Belmonte helps, front left, counterclockwise, twin brothers Sachit and Shlok Bharadwaj, mom Shaila, dad Shantaram, Amparo Velez, son Samuel, 9, Kate Brosnan, 7, mom Beth, and dad Denis, locate 24 species of birds sighted that day.

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Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | 15

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EDUCATION

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Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody) and state education department Deputy Superintendent Martha Reichrath, left, debated the Common Core initiative with Jane Robbins and Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick), right.

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Here’s a multiple-choice test for parents. The state’s new Common Core education initiative is: a) a reasonable way to make sure Georgia students measure up against others across the country; or b) a national takeover of what’s taught in Georgia’s schools that erodes local control. Which way to answer that question touched off extensive debate among Republicans and education experts during a panel discussion sponsored by the Fulton County Republican Party Sept. 26. About 75 people, many of whom loudly applauded opponents of the

Common Core initiative, attended the town hall at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Sandy Springs to discuss the Common Core standards, which state educational officials have adopted, but now are taking another look at. Georgia joined 44 other states in adopting the Common Core curriculum, a set of core standards for kindergarten through high school in English, language arts and mathematics, and in grades 6-12 for literacy in science, history/social studies, and technical subjects, according to the state education department. The standards are intended to “provide a consistent framework to prepare students for college and/or the 21st century workplace,” the department said. During the town hall meeting, State Sen. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody) defended the Common Core, saying education officials and teachers around the state endorse it. “It’s about standards,” he said, arguing the Common Core offered a way to make sure Georgia students were keeping up with students in other states. “We have kids going to college in this state, where between 35 and 50 percent of them require mediation,” Millar said. “We’ve got a problem.” But Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick) argued the Common Core curriculum had been drawn up by outside groups and large corporations, and that Georgians would lose control of what was taught in the state’s schools. “The issues of Common Core are as much about governance as about education,” Ligon said. Jane Robbins, a senior fellow at the American Principles Project and Ligon’s partner in opposition to Common Core, called the development of the Common Core “elitism run amok.” “It assumes Georgia parents and Georgia teachers are incapable of educating our students without help from really smart people ... in Washington, D.C.,” she said. But Martha Reichrath, state education department deputy superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment, said Common Core’s standards were tougher than previous state standards. “It is more rigorous,” she said. “It’s more rigorous in many areas.” But Robbins called Common Core “a work-force development scheme.”

EDUcAtION

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care and youth programs as well as adult education and training programs, Beth helps tutor children. With Open Hands Atlanta, she delivers food to those who can’t get it for themselves, including low-income men, women and children who are dealing with a critical, chronic or terminal disease, and homebound seniors. At Weber, she found herself drawn to working with younger students after school. “I would spend three hours a week there every time I went, and I went three to four times a week.” Beth said. Beth says another extremely important aspect of her life is her family. As an only child, Beth admits to being very close with both her parents, as well as considering people at Weber as members of her extended family.

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Beth’s two main current college preferences are the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Georgia. She hopes to continue working with nonprofit service organizations. This article was prepared by Emma McCabe, a junior at Riverwood International Charter School.

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EDUcAtION

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Veronica Sondervan has always had a passion for the sciences. “I’ve always loved science since I was a little kid,” Veronica said. “It was one of my favorite subjects in school. In kindergarten and first grade we had this after-school program called ‘Mad Science,’ where people would come and do lots of fun and interesting science experiments.” Veronica’s passion for science has paid off. She recently was selected to be one of the few students around the world – as well as the only student from Georgia – to attend the three-day Global Youth Institute hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa, this October. The 16-year-old won a place in the Global Youth Institute by researching and writing a five-page paper discussing strategies to assist Indonesians in gaining more and better access to food. Delegates to the institute are able to discuss their research papers with other delegates, as well as scientific leaders. “I am so proud of her,” said North Springs Advanced Placement environmental science teacher, Science Bowl and Science Olympiad team sponsor, Patti Lawrimore, who will accompany Veronica to the conference. “She will be presenting her paper to a team of global leaders and researchers, while interacting with Nobel and World Food Prize laureates, and participating in other planned events associated with the prize. ... It’s a real honor.” Institute participants are also eligible to apply for a free, eight-week summer internship doing research in the participant’s choice of one of many countries worldwide. The Global Youth Institute is not Veronica’s first scientific foray. At North Springs Charter High, Veronica is enrolled as a dual science and visual arts magnet student. She’s found-

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er and president of the school’s computer science club, and in 2012 was awarded the Steve Fowler Emerging Scientist Award for the school’s most promising science student. After school, she volunteers at Fernbank. In 2011, Veronica founded Potcake EARS, an international, ongoing behavioral study of the potcake dog breed from the Bahamas. The study has had nearly 400 participants so far from across the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos. “I volunteered with an animal rescue called Royal Potcake Rescue for two years. Along with rescuing cats and dogs around Atlanta, they would frequently bring stray potcake puppies from Abaco to Atlanta for adoption, and worked to set up clinics to control the overgrown stray population,” she said. “It is difficult for potcake owners to learn about their dogs, since, unlike other dog breeds, there are no guidebooks describing them or their personalities. So I decided to research them and their behaviors so potcake owners could learn more about their pets. I think it’s nice to be able to know more about your pet and to be able to identify with other potcake owners.”

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Community

City Council gives green light to North Druid Hills townhomes continued from page 1

meeting to voice their concerns about traffic and density. The homes are proposed at 1475 N. Druid Hills Road, the 3.9 acre site of the North Atlanta Gospel Chapel. At the Sept. 24 meeting, Doug Dillard, an attorney representing the developer, agreed to reduce the size of the project from 31 units to 28 units in addition to about 20 other conditions. “We’ve tried the best we know how to meet with the community and address the issues,” Dillard said. “We’ve been very amenable to try to sit down and work out all of our differences.” Dillard said the homes are proposed to be around 2,500-square-feet to 3,000-square-feet apiece, and to sell in a price range of about $500,000 and up. Nearby residents voiced a slew of concerns during the public hearing. Matthews Street resident Jon Margolis said it isn’t fair that residents on the southern side of the project have been able to get more concessions from the developer. He complained that rooftop balconies on the proposed townhomes would invade the privacy of nearby residents. “I’m just alarmed by this whole process,” Margolis said. “We don’t already know the developer like some people

on the south side do. I implore you to make a condition banning balconies everywhere.” Beth Taylor, another Matthews Street resident, said she objects to the density of the project and the developer’s claim that North Druid Hills Road is an urban area. “Nobody in our neighborhood walks to Kroger. Nobody in our neighborhood walks to MARTA. Nobody in our neighborhood walks to Town Brookhaven. This is not an urban town center,” she said. But Dillard said the project reflects the current demand for housing in the Brookhaven market. “This area has grown significantly,” Dillard said. “People want to live close to where they work. People aren’t interested in having a house with a big lot.” Councilwoman Rebecca Chase Williams said she is looking forward to the city creating a comprehensive zoning plan that will help guide zoning decisions. “We don’t have a cohesive vision yet,” Williams said. “I just want us to move carefully and cautiously, especially on parcels like this on our major corridors.” The council voted unanimously to approve the development. Councilman Joe Gebbia was absent.

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Roxboro Road homes approved Brookhaven City Council approved 2-1 a rezoning application for a new development despite concern from some council members that the proposal would require several variances. Artisan Homecrafters plans to build nine single family homes on 2.16 acres near the Roxboro Road and Wright Avenue intersection. The homes are proposed on non-conforming lots that already existed on the property. “Fundamentally, I’m disappointed that what we keep seeing back from the developer is the same plan on the same non-conforming site,” said Councilman

Jim Eyre. “I’m bothered by this too. I really don’t want us to get in practice of approving zoning that’s non-conforming,” said Councilwoman Rebecca Chase Williams. Shea Roberts, attorney for Artisan Homecrafters, said they have worked with the city from Day 1. The scope of the project was reduced by one lot, and the developer donated right of way to the city. “I feel like we’ve bent over backward,” Roberts said. “You’re asking us to go back to the drawing board and we’ve got contracts pending.”

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Community

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is coming back. That’s what we’re both working on,” Garrett said. “I’m confident we’ll reach some resolution to this.” Chad Boles, president of the Friends of Briarwood Park, said crews came to the park to collect equipment and furniture just before Labor Day. “County personnel just showed up and removed everything in the rec center, loaded it all on trailers and trucks and drove away,” Boles said. “But I think most of it is back.” Boles called the incident a “bump in the road.” The things that were taken and later replaced weren’t of significant value, he said. “It was very contentious, and it was mean and nasty and ugly, but it was a month ago, and from what I can tell they’ve made it right,” Boles said. “There’s no hard feelings.” Garrett said the city is hoping to purchase the parks in the next month or so. She said attorneys are working on the deeds, and the total cost hasn’t been determined yet. “We’re working on acquiring the parks now,” Garrett said.

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equipment in the parks. Some neighborhoods groups and Friends of the Parks organizations reported that county officials came and packed up chairs, score boards and swim lanes from parks such as Briarwood and Murphey Candler. Mayor J. Max Davis said the city believes those items belong in the parks. “Some of those things that had been donated by the community for specific use at those pools had been taken up by county workers,” Davis said. “Our position is that naturally, anything that was in the park and had been used in that park for any period of time belongs with that park and should stay with that park.” Bob Lundsten, chief of staff for DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer, has been working with the city to help retrieve the items. He said county workers were given orders to take the equipment and furniture because Brookhaven doesn’t own the parks. “According to state laws, Brookhaven is entitled to the facilities, but not the furniture or the furnishings,” Lundsten said. Lundsten said many things have been returned to the parks. He is waiting on a complete list of missing items from Brookhaven’s city manager and City Council. “I think I’m going to get continued cooperation from county officials,” Lundsten said. Brookhaven City Manager Marie Garrett said she is working with DeKalb Executive Assistant and Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams to come to an agreement over what belongs to the city and what belongs to the county. “The real matter to all of this is what furniture was removed and what furniture

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The most popular people in Brookhaven right now seem to be wearing badges and guns. Since the Brookhaven Police Force took to the streets July 31, residents have given officers a very warm welcome, said Lt. Brandon Gurley. melissa weinman “We couldn’t ask for a better reThe new Brookhaven police force has ception than what we’ve received from people who live and work in received rave reviews from the public. Brookhaven,” Gurley said. He said people often clap when offiwith our police department,” Davis said. cers walk into restaurants. Many will of“We’ve got some excellent officers.” fer to buy them lunch. Gurley said people typically aren’t so “That is something that happens on a excited to see police officers. An encounpretty regular basis that officers have exter with the police is often because of a pressed great gratitude for,” Gurley said. speeding ticket or something more seriThere have also been the doughnuts ous, like a home invasion. left at City Hall for the officers, or the “Usually when we’re dealing with Starbuck’s gift cards given to the departpeople, we’re dealing with them on their ment to thank them for their help with worst day,” Gurley said. “We experience a children’s event. them taking out their frustration on us. “It’s been great,” Gurley said. “It’s “In this particular situation it’s been just little stuff like that means a lot.” very nice being able to interact with peoGurley said people seem to appreciple on their good day when they’re not ate the presence of the new police offidealing with something negative in their cers in their community. life,” Gurley said. “Any time we’re out in public peoGurley said the positive interactions ple are approaching us,” Gurley said. “I motivate the officers to work hard for had two people walk up and tell us how Brookhaven. they’re not used to seeing so many police “The officers that we have are part officers in their neighborhood, and how of a brand new police department, and much safer they feel.” they feel like they have a voice and do Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis have a voice in direction the department said he’s very excited about the new potakes,” Gurley said. lice department. When Davis brought “It’s an experience in years to come up the police force at a recent town hall that they can look back on and say, ‘I meeting, the crowd broke out in an unhad a say in the way the department is solicited round of applause. operating and the success they are hav“I hear things every day from peoing. That’s a unique experience that does ple who have had positive interactions not come around often in our field.”

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Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | 21

COMMUNITY

Paying respect St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church held a dedication and consecration ceremony for its new columbarium, the Chapel of the Resurrection, on Sept. 29. Left, top, the service is led by, from left, Rev. Dr. James Hamner, School Headmaster, Right Rev. Robert Wright, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, and Rev. Dr. John McCard, Rector. Below, left, the service gets under way. Below, Phillip Game lights a candle. Right, front to back, Martin Gueorguiev, Charles Grifﬁn, Patti Gouvas and David Hauser, members of the orchestra, perform. PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER

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Furniture Care – Onsite repairs & touchups. Cell/Text 770-882-5132. Linton’s Furniture Shop Matthew’s Handy Services – Small jobs and chores is my specialty, ﬂexible scheduling, carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing and cleaning. Call 404-547-2079 North Georgia Lawn Care – Honest, affordable and dependable. Free Estimates. Tony 404-402-5435. Local Woodshop – Built In’s & Mudroom Storage; Kitchen & Bath Cabinets; Islands & Bars; Headboards; Furniture; Re-Claimed Wood. the Carpenter’s Co-op 404.914.0412 carpenters.coop@gmail.com

CONSULTATION

I love to clean houses Spic and Span! – Call for the Linton Furniture Shop – Buy, Sell, Trade. Cell/Text Arlington Memorial Park – Two plots, Section F, Lot 770-882-5132. 79C - spaces one & two - $5000. Call 404-237.5412. best prices in town!! 678-333-3898.

Unified Technology Concepts Computer/Phone Repair & SEO Webpages • Mobile apps Perform onsite repairs Solutions tailored to your needs 678-439-7829

INSTALLATION Offering all types of windows, All types of siding – Factory-trained installation. Family-owned, familypriced. Angie’s List (A rated), BBB (A+ rating). 33 Years in Business. Quinn Windows & Siding. 770-939-5634.

GARAGE SALE Multi Family Garage Sale – October 11-12 - 8am-3pm, 3910 & 3925 Spalding Bluff Dr. Peachtree Crns (Norcross) 30092 Household items, lamps, furniture pictures, tools, books, Christmas items, collectible plates, and lots more. Annual Yard Sale in Historic Garden Hills – 40+ families participating. Sat., Oct. 19 from 9-3 (rain date Oct. 20 from Noon-4). Download neighborhood map at www.gardenhills.net Flea Market/Bake Sale – United Methodist Children’s Home, 500 Columbia Dr, Decatur. October 11 & 12 - 9 AM - 4 PM. Bargains galore - rain or shine!

Your home. Our help.

Get help around the house by calling one of our Home Services and Services Available advertisers. Tell them you saw their ad in Reporter Newspapers!

OCT. 4 – OCT. 17, 2013 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

Home Services Directory LET’S GET

ORGANIZED!

FEEL LIGHTER TODAY! BUY 2 HOURS, GET 1 FREE

BECKY

* Organizing Goddess *

404-982-7128

www.beckywhetzell.com

Fred Martin Welding Co., Inc. Mobile and Shop Service. Wrought iron repair and fabrication

404-525-3106 536 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA fredmartinwelding@gmail.com fredmartinwelding.webs.com • Family Owned Since 1938! •

Belco Electric

• Family Owned since 1972 • Fast, Dependable Service by Professional, Uniformed Electricians

770-455-4556

With two professional in-house polishers, we can make your silver ﬂatware, tea sets, bowls and trays more beautiful than ever before. Bring it by or call us for an estimate today!

Check out our new website www.BelcoInc.com

HADDAD LANDSCAPING

404-461-9724

$25 Off with this ad! Trash, Junk Hauled For Less

$35 - $150 per load

We will pick up appliances, furniture, tree limbs, construction debris, basement and foreclosure clean outs.

Call James

Cell (404) 784 5142 Home (770) 455-6237

• New Construction • Additions • Basements • Kitchens/Baths • Siding • Driveways • Brick & Stone Work

• Painting • Roofing • Tile • Carpentry • Handy Man Service • Electrical • Plumbing

678-691-9852

www.TheContractorCrew.com

Oriental Rug Cleaning

15% O

Antique Repair Specialist • Speciality Care Hand Wash Cleaning (front and back with plenty of water) • No Chemicals Used Air Dried, Scotch Guard • Mothproof, Padding, Storage Appraisal & Insurance Statements • Pickup and Delivery Available

With

This A d

In the heart of Buckhead

404-467-8242 • 3255-5 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta GA 30305

“We restore the WOW! back into your Marble, Granite, Travertine and other natural stone and tile!”

www.AtlantaStoneAndTileCare.com • 678-662-0110

and follow us on

A Complete Plumbing Service Center

To place a Classified or Service Directory ad call Deborah at 404-917-2200 x 110.

Residential Landscape Design and Installation. Professional Lawn and Landscape Maintenance. Bermuda / Zoysia Specialist

Oriental Rug Shop Antique and Decorative Rugs since 1976

Best Rug Cleaning & Repair 5548 Peachtree Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30341 404-995-8400

Since 1974

404-622-2211 Bob Haddad, owner

1.5 miles inside 285 in Chamblee Plaza

www.PersianRugParadise.net

% 20 OFF

Cleaning & Repair of All Rugs

With coupon. Minimum $40 charge. Expires 10/31/13.

Summer

Window Cleaning

Services Include

• Gutter Cleaning • Pressure Washing • Family Owned • 3rd Generation • Licensed and Insured • FREE EstImatEs

404.355.1901

www.WindowCleanatl.com

Roofing Re-roofing Roof repairs

Free estimates • 770-251-0707 Creedon

W.S.B. Custom Contracting, Inc. Renovations & Additions Serving Atlanta for 30 years

404.626.8976

wsbcontracting@comcast.net

Gutter covers Gutter installation and siding

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners, LLC Carpet • Upholstery • Rugs • Tile • Stone Commercial • Residential Our business was built on referrals for over 50 years Family Owned & Operated since 1960

www.creedoncarpetcleaners.com 404-256-4355 office | 404-784-1514 mobile

is Save th e ceiv re & d a

ff o 15fo% ents li c w e rn only

The Handyman Can • Plumbing • Electrical • Sheetrock • Floors • Tile • Framing • Kitchens • Painting • Roofwork • Concrete • Stained Glass • Antique Door Restoration • Gutters

John Salvesen • 404-453-3438 thehandymancanatlanta@yahoo.com BK

Automatic Standby Generators www. generatorstore.com www.ReporterNewspapers.net |

Most Air-Cooled models are in stock and ready to install CAll todAy for A free quote

Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | 23

Meet the Most Dedicated Real Estate Team in Atlanta REALTORS OF CHOICE FOR BROOKHAVEN AND NORTH ATLANTA • 22 years of full-time experience selling real estate, specializing in Brookhaven and North Atlanta. • The most strategic, regimented team to assist you in selling, buying and negotiating seamless transactions. • Charter Member in the #1 Residential Real Estate Office. • A former Marine plus a Georgia Tech Engineer: there‘s no more committed team to meet your home selling or buying needs. Caroline & Kent Gipson

• Hardworking and native to Brookhaven, with a proven success rate.

Whether you are looking, listing or both - call us. We look forward to serving your real estate needs. r

f i r s t

at l a n ta

We grew up in and live in Brookhaven. We know the most popular neighborhoods and the qualities that make each special. ©2013 All rights reserved. This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. If your property is currently listed with another real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.

CAROLINE GIPSON KENT GIPSON info@gipsonteam.com

Oct. 4 – Oct. 17, 2013 | www.ReporterNewspapers.net

• •

•

678.468.7778

678.468.7788 www.gipsonteam.com BK