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WWII pilot’s story lives on

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Insurance pitch irks Fulton residents Some say letter with county logo looks more like bill ►►PAGE 4 – 5

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North Atlanta Dance marks 20 years with ‘The Rainbow King’ Costume designer Valerie Gruner puts the finishing touches for dancer Simone Harris as Lilla Gillen waits her turn. North Atlanta Dance Theatre is producing an original work

with choreography and libretto by Michael Garrison. The NADT celebrates its 20th year in style. Read more, Pages 34 – 35.

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JC Chamber Gala parties like 2017 Members honored then the party begins ►►PAGES 30 – 31

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2 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell: ex. 118 Forsyth Herald: ex. 143 Johns Creek Herald: ex. 121 Milton Herald: ex. 139 Business Post: ex. 116 Northside Woman: ex. 102

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A man reported Jan. 27 that his former employee had been making fraudulent charges using the company’s customers. The man told police that he found out that an ex-employee had been falsely charging customers at the LA Fitness on Medlock Bridge Road for training sessions. The employee had allegedly set up a Square Up account labeled as LA Fitness, but the funds would go solely to the employee.

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Three men were arrested Jan. 23 for theft by deception and fraud, after a wary employee recognized some of them from an earlier warning. The employee at the Best Buy on North Point Drive had received a call earlier in the day from another Best Buy at Perimeter Mall warning the store about an attempted purchase by multiple people using fraudulent information. Later in the evening, the employee spotted two people in the store acting in a similar manner. They were later identified as 21-year-old Zaid Clark of Buford and a 19-year-old from The Bronx, New York. The two told the employee that they wanted to add two new cell phone lines and cell phones to their existing account. When the employee asked one of them, the 19-year-old gave him another person’s personal information, including their Social Security account numbers. Officers arrested the 19-year-old at the Best Buy, but Clark left in a Ford Explorer before police could arrive. Police tracked the SUV and Clark to

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Two customers had informed the man about the employee’s fraudulent transactions, which totaled $400, after he had already been fired Jan. 17. The man had fired the employee earlier when he was caught trying to sell “excess” fitness equipment on Craig’s List. A lot of equipment had gone missing during the employee’s time at LA Fitness, the owner said. According to the man, the employee had worked at multiple LA Fitness locations across the Atlanta area.

the Chuck E. Cheese down the road. Inside the car, police found multiple electronics and gift cards from Best Buys in Florida, New Jersey and Georgia. Clark was arrested along with an accomplice, 22-year-old David Castillo from Sugar Hill.

Resident chases, catches alleged burglar

DUIS & DRUGS All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

DUI arrests ►► Roxanna Barzegar-Darvish, 26, of

MILTON, Ga. — A man was arrested for burglary Jan. 26 after one of the residents chased the man down to confront him. A woman and her son had seen an unknown truck parked on their driveway, and when they went to investigate, they saw someone rummaging around in their barn. A man then left the barn, jumped into the truck and drove away. The son, however, pursued, first running after the suspect to bang on the truck, and then getting in his own car to drive after him. He chased the man, later identified as 37-year-old David Lumus of Canton, to Cherokee County, where he blocked Lumus in a driveway to confront him. The son wrote down Lumus’ information and tag number, since neither of them had a phone to call police. Police used the information to locate Lumus and arrest him for burglary. During the arrest, police found that Lumus has a history of armed robbery and several thefts.

Roswell Road, Marietta, was arrested Jan. 19 on Marietta Highway in Roswell for DUI, open container and following too close. ►► Rejo U. Johnson, 37, of Hunts Cliff Court, Atlanta, was arrested Jan. 19 on Ga. 400 in Roswell for DUI, failure to maintain lane, attempting to elude and speeding. ►► Jose MacDonald Ceron-Flores, 36, of Alstone Field Drive, Milton, was arrested Jan. 17 on Holcomb Woods Parkway in Roswell for DUI and driving on the wrong side of the roadway. ►► Osvaldo Alvarado Perez, 26, of Gwinnett Square, Duluth, was arrested Jan. 15 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for DUI, failure to maintain lane and expired license. ►► Erik Marvin Laslie, 38, of Mineral Springs Road, Jasper, was arrested Jan. 24 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI and use of multiple beam road lighting. ►► Donald Keith Zackery, 24, of Brookwater Court, Stone Mountain, was arrested Jan. 24 on Mansell

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 3

What are the pros and cons of astigmatism correcting lens implant? By Niraj Desai, M.D.

shaped corneas, a plain IOL isn’t ideal as it does not help corneal astigmatism. Toric IOLs, hence, can be utilized to neutralize one’s astigmatism (no matter how long you’ve had to live with it) and enable excellent vision, usually without the need for glasses. Here is what a Toric

This week we return to address an old foe - astigmatism! Astigmatism can be corrected several ways. Spectacles, which have been available for millennia, have a wonderful track record in correcting this optical irregularity. Modern day spectacles have reached an unparalleled degree of clarity and style and perform admirably in the correction of not just astigmatism but near and far sightedness as well.

IOL looks like. If you pay close attention, you will notice a line of small dots at the edges of the circular portion where the arms meet. We call the circular portion the optic and the arms the haptics. Those marks is where there is negative astigmatic power lies (read: where the magic of the lens is). Your surgeon uses those marks to align the lens during surgery matching where your astigmatism lies in an attempt to neutralize it. You are correct if you think it cannot be that simple - your surgeon actually spends much time studying and poring over maps and calculations to arrive at precise numbers used intraoperatively.

Modern day techniques take a departure from spectacles and frames and bring us into the world of lasers and wavefront guided optics. Beyond spectacles, astigmatism can be corrected via LASIK, PRK, Arcuate Keratotomies, Limbal Relaxing Incisions and Toric Intraocular Lenses. If you have braved all those complex words and want to learn more, read on! Niraj Desai, M.D.

Cataract & Refractive Surgeon

LASIK and PRK are cousin procedures that are performed with high performance and high precision lasers that re-shape the window the eye called the cornea. Simply put, an individual’s ‘refractive error’ or ‘eyeglass prescription’ is plugged into the laser and the laser does the rest. Along with astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness are corrected as well allowing clarity without the need for spectacles. Of course, you have to ensure a patient has the right ocular qualities and characteristics (personality counts too!) before employing this technology.

Toric IOLs have been revolutionary in the battle against our old foe, astigmatism. They have allowed many who have been burdened with significant irregularity in their optical system to see in a way they have never seen before. Imagine that person who has worn glasses for since 1st grade well into their 60s is suddenly unburdened of the need for spectacles to see clearly. What many who have astigmatism do not realize is that after cataract surgery, sometimes the only reason they are in glasses is because of their astigmatism. In other words, nearsightedness and farsightedness are often corrected completely and for someone without astigmatism, clarity without spectacles is the norm.

Arcuate Keratotomies (AKs) and Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRIs) are precision incisions that are made with a laser or by your friendly neighborhood eye surgeon’s hands with the aim of ‘relaxing’ the cornea. Why do you need to ‘relax’ the cornea? Well, as wonderful as the cornea is in providing you vision, it can be a bit misshapen at times (see image below and notice two focus points, instead of one) and AKs/LRIs can help achieve a more spherical shape to an, otherwise, oblong cornea.

There are limitations to this technology, however, I have listed them below with a succinct explanation.

If you are struggling with astigmatism or have questions about it, please contact Milan Eye Center today! Lastly, we have Toric IOLs. These intraocular lenses, by definition, come into play when one is having cataract surgery. Cataract surgery, for the uninitiated, is a mostly painless, 10 minute outpatient procedure that serves to clear up vision by way of removal of the natural, human lens and replacement with an artificial, permanent intraocular lens. For those of us who have egg

- Toric Multifocal IOLs are not FDA approved. Simply put, multifocal IOLs are implants that allow patients the ability to see near and far without spectacles. If you have significant astigmatism AND want the ability to see near and far, you will need to call your travel agent and book a trip to see a European ophthalmologist. We are hopeful to have this technology on our shores in the next 1-2 years. - Toric IOLs can rotate. If you understood that Toric IOLs have to be aligned on a particular axis, you realize that should a Toric IOL rotate after surgery, the accuracy of the astigmatism correction could suffer. This is not common, thankfully, and there are good solutions should this occur. - Toric IOL calculations are complex and because of technology constraints, sometimes an accurate assessment of total astigmatism in the patient’s optical system cannot be made. Hence, at times, enhancements with a laser are necessary to optimize outcomes after surgery.

Call to make your appointment:

470-326-0330

4 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

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HomeServe, county partner in offer, some residents say looks like bill By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY – The Fulton County Board of Commissioners entered into a joint partnership with HomeServe USA Corp, also known as USA Repair Management Corp., to sell what the county calls discounted insurance for water-sewer lines. This is a voluntary insurance program intended to protect homeowners should their water or sewer lines need repair. Those lines leading from the house to the meter are the homeowner’s responsibility, said Fulton County Director of Public Works Director David Clark. According to Clark, HomeServe is allowed to use the Fulton County logo in correspondence introducing its optional insurance program to homeowners. “In exchange for the use of the logo, HomeServe provided Fulton County with a $100,000 royalty payment,” Clark wrote in an e-mailed response about the relationship. The solicitation material was reviewed by Fulton County before it was mailed out by HomeServe. In light of concerns expressed about the use of the logo by some Fulton residents, Clark said the county has suspended further mailings by HomeServe. Also in the solicitation letters, residents were directed to the website, www.FultonCountyPlans.com. When the screen comes up, both the HomeServe logo and Fulton logo appear on the screen, with the Fulton logo in the center. Under it the website states: Fulton County has partnered with HomeServe to offer their customers affordable emergency repair plans that can help protect against costly and inconvenient repairs to systems throughout their homes and properties. Nevertheless, residents have complained that the letter looks like a bill. The solicitation letter has the Fulton logo only followed by the copy which states: Exterior Service Line Review for Fulton County Resource Division Customers Under that is the name of the homeowner and address in a box on the left margin and on the right it states: Status: NOT COVERED Reply Requested within: 30 Days. Some residents say it looks more like a summons. The letter goes on to state that HomeServe and Fulton County Water Resources Division (the county depart-

This screen shot shows the Fulton County logo featured prominently on HomeServe website www.FultonCountyPlans.com. HomeServe paid the county $100,000 for the rights to use the logo in association with its service plan for the county. ment dealing with water services) are partnering to offer insurance for damage to water or sewer lines at a “reasonable cost.” The letter does state further down HomeServe is an independent company and separate from Fulton County. Fulton Commissioner Liz Hausmann said she has not been happy with the rollout of the HomeServe campaign. Originally, it was presented to the Fulton Commission as a straightforward opportunity for residents to get the insurance at a discounted rate because if there is a break in the line between the street and the house, it is the responsibility of the homeowner. “When the letters came out it had our logo on it and there was a tone to the letter that was not what we thought we were entering into. It looked like [the insurance] was not an option,” Hausmann said. The first wave of letters went out six months ago and the board demanded HomeServe adjust the mailings to make plain the insurance is purely optional to the homeowner. “They subsequently sent out a second round of letters, and that was not what we intended [the program] is to be communicated to our customers,” Hausmann said. There are now discussions ongoing right now to rework the letter once again, making it clear that the program is completely optional and offered at a discount, she said. The commission’s intent was to offer residents a service only if desired. “If we can’t get it straightened out,

we will terminate the agreement,” Hausmann said. “We recognize it is a problem.” Commissioner Bob Ellis said the agreement was entered into before he came aboard as commissioner and he didn’t like the arrangement. “When the [first] letter came out, I didn’t like the concept in general. I particularly didn’t like the fact that it had our logo on it,” Ellis said. “I thought it was misleading and confusing to the people who received it.” Ellis said he inquired about it, and discovering what it was he lobbied to soften the language so people understood it was optional and not something they were obligated to do and get the logo off. The language for a second letter was reworked, and the logo was taken off the envelope, but it remained on the HomeServe solicitation letter. “Hopefully we will revisit this to see whether we want to continue with [the partnership],” Ellis said. “I would prefer we did not have any arrangement.” HomeServe spokesman Myles Meehan said the company got involved to meet a need outlined by Fulton County Division of Water Resources to provide water line insurance. Most residents do not know they are responsible for those repairs until they discover a problem. HomeServe responded to a request for proposals sent out by Fulton County to companies offering the optional insurance and repair services, Meehan said. “As noted in the opening paragraph

line insurance pitch of the mailing materials to residents, this is a partnership between [Fulton County] and HomeServe,” Meehan said. The county is making the services available at the resident’s pleasure and HomeELLIS Serve is the provider. “All mailing materials [intended for residents] were and will always be reviewed and approved prior to use,” he said. Meehan said the first two mailings in October 2015 and February 2016 to a limited group of residents raised no red flags to the company’s knowledge and had been approved for mailing. Meehan did state HomeServe frequently modifies the format “while maintaining the key messages and content.” And this was done for the third mailing in December 2016. “We are constantly adjusting our mailing materials, purely as part of our commitment to better communicate to and serve our customers,” Meehan said. HomeServe is developing another mailing and is in discussions with Ful-

NEWS

Hopefully we will revisit this to see whether we want to continue with [the partnership]. I would prefer we did not have any arrangement.” BOB ELLIS Fulton County Commissioner ton County about it, he said. Nationally, HomeServe works with more than 400 municipalities and utilities to provide their service to 2.8 million homeowners. Meehan also noted in the time HomeServe has worked with Fulton County, it has provided more than $100,000 in service work to Fulton customers who otherwise would have dipped into their pockets to complete.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 5

FULTON’S UNEASY PARTNERSHIP:

HomeServe USA alleged ‘deceptive practices’ have history with N.Y., Maryland attorneys general By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY – A letter from a company offering insurance to Fulton water and sewer residential customers has some residents confused and Fulton County commissioners angry. The letter, headed by the Fulton County logo, offers to insure Fulton residential water customers for any water/ sewer line damage for which residents are legally responsible. Fulton County agreed in 2015 to enter into an agreement with HomeServe USA Repair Management Corp., to allow it to offer county residents water/sewer line “discounted” insurance for any repairs. But county officials may not have been aware that the company had already agreed to pay the attorneys general of New York and Maryland more than $300,000 to settle allegations about the way it does business. HomeServe agreed to pay the Maryland Consumer Protection Division $115,000 without admitting any guilt to settle claims that HomeServe allegedly: • Without prior notice required consumers to release it from liability for consequential damages caused during repairs;

• Provided only 11 months of coverage during the first year of service offered; • Used only general language to disclose certain coverage limitations. Under the terms of the settlement with Maryland, HomeServe extended coverage one additional month and would not represent an affiliation with any municipality, government entity or public utility unless such a partnership did exist. The agreement also called for HomeServe to refrain from requiring consumers to sign releases in order to claim covered repairs. It also required HomeServe to describe eligible repairs, and conspicuously disclose limitations of coverage. Later in 2015, HomeServe also settled with the state of New York to pay $100,000 for consumer redress, costs or fees. HomeServe also voluntarily agreed to establish a fund of $115,000 to provide free exterior water service line repairs to low-income New York consumers through its charitable program, HomeServe Cares. HomeServe and Fulton County did enter into an agreement allowing the company to sell water lines repair insurance, and Fulton County allowed the use of the Fulton County logo, for which HomeServe paid Fulton County $100,000.

NEWS

6 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

NFCC offers free tax preparation services VITA to help North Fulton residents through April 17 By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com NORTH FULTON, Ga. — As tax season rolls around, North Fulton Community Charities is looking to smooth out the hassle for local families. NFCC is now offering free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance with a team of IRS trained and certified volunteers. Any individuals or families making less than $55,000 in a year are eligible to take advantage of these services. “Any moderate or low income families can prepare and file their 2016 income tax returns with us and not incur any additional expenses,” said Eden Purdy, NFCC’s director of programs. “A lot of times, folks around here will become victims of fraud and will be subject to scams when it comes to filing taxes. This is a way of protecting people.” The NFCC tax assistance not only helps people avoid scams, but can

Required Documentation Individuals interested in preparing tax returns with VITA tax services at NFCC should bring: 1. Proof of identification 2. Social Security Card, for spouse and dependents as well, or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration, or 3. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number assignment letter, for spouse and dependents as well 4. Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN 5. Birth dates, for spouse and dependents as well 6. Wage and earning statement forms from all employers (W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc) 7. Interest and dividend statements from banks (1099 forms) 8. Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check 9. Optional: Copy of last year’s federal and state returns Both spouses must be present to file taxes electronically on a married-filingjointly tax return. also potentially identify tax credits and deductions. “Another major reason we offer this program is to make sure that people understand the credits that they can get or may qualify for, like the earned income tax credit,” Purdy said. “The volunteers file the tax returns directly

with the IRS, so people can get their refunds in a much more timely manner.” The volunteers are recruited through NFCC and United Way of Greater Atlanta, and they go through rigorous training to learn the most up-to-date tax rules and regulations. They are also tested for certification before they can

help people with their tax returns. Some of the volunteers are also specialized in preparing military or out-ofstate tax returns as well. According to Purdy, the services only help with basic tax returns and cannot offer much assistance for more complicated returns, like for small businesses. This is NFCC’s eighth year with VITA tax preparation, and the first year that they are also offering appointments along with their regular walk-in hours. Appointments can be made directly on their website. NFCC is expecting to help over 300 people in this year alone, according to Purdy. The services will be offered through April 17 at the NFCC Education Center, 1125 Elkins Road in Roswell. People can sign up on their website to make a specific appointment Mondays-Thursdays, 1-3 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and on certain Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Walk-ins are also accepted Fridays and Saturdays. To learn about VITA tax preparation services, available dates or to make an appointment, visit nfcchelp.org or email vita@nfcchelp.org.

Calendar & City Events

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City Council Work Session 5:00 p.m.

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EVENT LOCATION IS CITY HALL UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Public Art Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.

City Administrative Offices Closed President’s Day

For a complete list of events, meetings and classes please visit: www.johnscreekga.gov/calendar

Board of Zoning Appeals 7:00 p.m. Arts & Culture Board 6:00 p.m.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 7

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8 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

OPINION

What I want my daughters to know East Roswell residents LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Our country is splitting at the seams. The air is thick with accusations, protests, conflict, and hate. You can feel the hate. Just a couple of weeks into a new presidency, the curtain of blame, allegations, and disapproval hangs thick as smog. Regardless of one’s political affiliation, regardless of whether you hoped to make America great again or if you were with Her, we can all agree on one thing: We all want – need! – an America that we’d be proud to leave for our children. So here is a wish list, though Hanukkah is long over. As a white, Jewish woman who’s an immigrant, a mother, a wife, a daughter, and many other things, here is what I want my American-born daughters to know: You deserve a country where you will be judged solely on your skills, talents, and smarts. You should be judged only by what you bring to the table, so bring it big. You deserve a country where you have the option of deciding what’s right for you and your family. You may be an executive; you may be a stay-athome mom; you may work part-time. You may marry, or you may not. The choice should be yours. You deserve to have full control of your body and what happens to it at all times. No government should ever have a say over your choice to have or not to have children. This should never mean using abortion as a means of birth control! Be smart, be responsible. But know that your body is yours; you are its only ruler. You deserve a country where, regardless of your faith, you can worship without fear. Be proud of who you are, who we are. Be grateful that in this land, freedom of religion is one of our greatest rights. This country is a fusion of cultures with a beautiful rainbow of people from everywhere. That is our greatest strength. Don’t ever believe otherwise! Don’t let fear of the unknown dictate who your friends will or won’t be. Be open to all people, and you will have a wealth of experiences more valuable than anything money can buy. (For everything else, there’s MasterCard.)

Do you want to submit a letter to the editor? Email kathleen@ appenmediagroup.com Here’s what I really want my daughters to know: kindness, not hate, is what will bring our country together. In the end, after the protesters have marched, after the dust has settled, after this new administration has found its rhythm, the sun will continue to rise and set over our country, which is, without a doubt, the greatest in the world. I repeat this to my children time and time again – we live in the best country in the world, where we are offered all the freedoms and opportunities we could want. Only with kindness and openness will we be able to move forward, to live with each other, to live with ourselves. I recently had the privilege of judging a high school essay-writing contest with the topic of “Stop the Hate.” I sat on a Sunday afternoon, reading essay after thoughtful essay, written by unknown-to-me students from an undisclosed-to-me high school somewhere in this great nation of ours. Though I didn’t know anything about these high school seniors, I clearly saw the common thread in their beautiful writing – stop the hate. These students all wrote about their personal experiences with hate and discrimination, how they faced these experiences, what they learned, and how they are moving on to make the world better. Reading these essays was a gift that could not have come at a better time. Here is what I want my daughters to know: there will come a time in your life when you will face hate, discrimination and bigotry. It’s not a question of “if,” but “when.” I hope that when this moment comes, you will rise above, you will be strong, you will push back, but also remember that at the root of all bigotry is fear. And fear never wins; kindness always does. – Alla Umanskiy, Johns Creek

You deserve a country where, regardless of your faith, you can worship without fear. Be proud of who you are, who we are. Be grateful that in this land, freedom of religion is one of our greatest rights.

turn out for change I went to a public meeting in East Roswell with city officials discussing the state of their community and what could be done to reverse what they see as receding quality of life on the HATCHER HURD east side of Ga. 400 Executive Editor hatcher@appenmediagroup.com along the Holcomb Bridge corridor. A crowd of around 240 East Roswell residents packed the East Roswell Park’s meeting room looking for answers to what was apparent to everyone in attendance: The decline of the Holcomb Bridge corridor is not only visibly apparent but it is getting worse. Empty storefronts have been an ongoing problem for years, but with the loss of the Target store across from Horseshoe Bend community and the Kohls at the Centennial Kroger shopping center, the desertions are trending upward. One resident rose to say he and neighbors had received letters from Kroger feeling them out whether they would shop at other Kroger stores should the Kroger most convenient to them were no longer available. It was clear to him that Centennial Kroger’s days could be numbered as well. The Office Depot is rumored to be considering leaving. People are clearly alarmed because the flight of business in the area is having an effect on the quality of life for residents, and if the trend continues – property values as well. Roswell Development of Community Development told residents when anchor tenants leave a shopping center, the businesses in the entire center are hurt. “It is called an anchor for a reason. They bring traffic into the center and the other stores benefit from it,” Alice Wakefield said. Mayor Jere Wood organized the meeting and brought in the people working to improve the city’s economic viability: Roswell Inc Executive Director Steve Stroud, who heads the city’s public-private partnership for economic development. Also present were the city’s Downtown Development Authority’s Chairman Randy Schultz and Dave Schmit. The DDA is an authority chartered by the state but separate from the city government. It also acts as an economic develop-

ment entity for the city specializing in blighted areas needing the most help. Schultz told the residents he has no “magic bullet.” What he did say was economic redevelopment should be an ongoing part of the city’s business. He’s right, of course. You don’t stop in the middle of a race because you are ahead. Soon you are no longer ahead but behind. And it is a struggle playing catch-up. But the message to the audience was clear. East Roswell has a problem and it is not going away. What East Roswell does not have is a plan. This meeting is a first step in that direction. What was different about the meeting was the reaction of the residents. Always in the past, any talk about bringing up new development of any kind in East Roswell and the residents began issuing pitchforks and torches. Not this time. People were listening carefully and asking the kinds of questions that showed they knew there was a problem. And it showed they were searching for solutions. They listened as the experts and the neighbors thrashed out some ideas. They tried them on to see how they fit. What I did not see – as I have in the past – was a bunch of closed minds on the subject of redevelopment. Any new development was seen as bad and only a recipe for more traffic congestion. The reality is the cars are coming anyway. The question is how do we make it work for us and not against us? The realization has sunk in that change cannot be stopped. It is inevitable. This is ground zero for a wave that will continue to fill out North Fulton, South Forsyth and West Gwinnett. Can we remain what we were 20 years ago when we first came? No. The good news is we are not Flint, Mich., or Allentown, Pa. We have options to be the best we can be. What this meeting showed was: (A.) We need a plan. And (B.) There are good options available. Nothing is going to keep Holcomb Bridge Road from remaining one of the few major east-west arteries for Cobb, North Fulton and Gwinnett. For once, there were no cries to simply raise the drawbridge. That option doesn’t exist. Now it is up to the city to provide the leadership to create workable solutions with the residents.

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 9

East Roswell ponders future of Holcomb Bridge Road City, citizens discuss solutions to revitalize area By JULIA GROCHOWSKI julia@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. â€” Roswell residents met Feb. 1 to discuss the future of the Holcomb Bridge Road corridor, from Alpharetta Highway to the Gwinnett County Line. The open forum invited people to give their vision for East Roswell and to let residents discuss how they want to revitalize their flagging community. According to Mayor Jere Wood, this was one of the largest crowds he has seen for such meetings. Some of the main concerns were over a feeling of disconnect between East Roswell and the rest of the city and a frustration over the lack of vibrancy in the area, especially after the announcement that the Target was leaving. People were troubled by the loss of big commercial tenants and the general decline of the area, which some thought were driving people out of the area. â€œI feel so separated from Roswell,â€? one resident, Judy Smith, said. â€œI feel like I live in Alpharetta. What can I do

to help the situation?â€? â€œThe answer is not a simple one, like adding another lane on 400 or getting a new retailer,â€? said the Downtown Development Authorityâ€™s Dave Schmit. â€œItâ€™s happening all over the country. Weâ€™re not the only community thatâ€™s faced with these issues.â€? Many in the crowd were concerned about how they could keep people living in and enjoying the community, especially with competition from nearby places like Canton Street and Avalon. Some residents urged the council and DDA to consider multiple solutions outside of bringing more retail or development. â€œPeople donâ€™t come to East Roswell to shop, because we have access to North Point Parkway and all of these places,â€? resident Diane Jacoby said. â€œWhat are we doing to attract people? Georgia is the fifth most popular film industry spot in the United States right now. We are number five. What are we doing in the city of Roswell, with our beautiful parks and our historic homes to attract these film businesses? I donâ€™t think we need to be focusing on retail,

JULIA GROCHOWSKI/HERALD

Dave Schmit, a member of the Downtown Development Authority, outlines some of the issues plaguing East Roswell and how to potentially combat them.

when there are other business opportunities.â€? One of the solutions that was passed around was to create an area where people would want to go and spend time in East Roswell, like Avalon in Alpharetta. â€œMy experience has been that in places that are of high demand these days, they tend to be centered around

places of vibrancy,â€? Schmit said. â€œThey must be experiential. Weâ€™re not necessarily just going there to shop. Weâ€™re going there to experience the sidewalk, to get an ice cream.â€? Roswell has attempted in the past to pass such mixed-use development projects, like Riverwalk Village, but they were shot down because they did not receive enough community support. There are solutions, however, as long as three conditions are met, Schmit said. â€œOne is that the community has to well define what they want, in codes, petitions and community support. Second thing is that there needs to be a market. Any business needs to want to transact there. There must be demand. And the third thing is economic counts. None of us are going to invest in anything that doesnâ€™t make money,â€? Schmit said. â€œSo when we think about solutions, it canâ€™t just be two of the three boxes. Itâ€™s got to be all of the three boxes.â€? The city of Roswell is now asking people who live or own a business in the area to give their input in the East Roswell Vision Survey, which can be found at roswellgov.com.

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Meeting set to discuss downtown Alpharetta parking deck Plan includes third option By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com

3rd parking deck meeting set What: Latest plan for downtown parking deck; includes 3rd option Where: Alpharetta City Hall When: Monday, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – After nearly five months of deliberation, Alpharetta city officials will unveil their latest plans to provide public parking in downtown. costs, their capacity and how much A public meeting with city leaders disturbance construction would cause. has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Feb. Merkel said the third option calls for 13 at City Hall to present the latest constructing smaller decks at each proposals for a parking deck west of location which would preserve a pedesMain Street. trian gathering area near Smokejack Residents, including business that citizens use during downtown leaders, have been following the issue events. Both sites, he said, could be since last August when constructed with an eye the City Council voted for future expansion. 6-1 to locate a multi-mil“We had feedback lion-dollar parking deck from those who didn’t between Roswell Street want the lot behind and Old Roswell Street, Smokejack, and we had just behind Smokejack people who said that’s restaurant. where it needs to go Since then, the city to support business,” has had to go back Merkel said. “We had to the drawing board people who said we need twice – first, because of to put it back by the public objection over the cemetery and make it a proposed site; second, more walkable commubecause an alternative nity. We had very emosite on Milton Avenue tional input from people near Rest Haven Cemwho supported one of the etery included errant two locations we were calculations. considering as options.” Details of the latest He said he hopes the proposal have not been latest plan will address DAN MERKEL released, but one city all the concerns and he Alpharetta City Councilman official has disclosed that is anxious to hear feedthe new proposal will back. have a third option that will include two Funding for the project will come decks, one at each location. Estimates primarily from the sale of city-owned for the project have run from between lots at the downtown City Center devel$5-$7 million. opment on the east side of Main. Councilman Dan Merkel said last Assistant City Administrator month that the third option addresses James Drinkard said details about parking in both earlier proposals and the project will be presented at the called it a “good, viable alternative.” forum when city officials and repreConsultant for the study, Pond & sentatives from Pond will be on hand Co., was brought in to provide more to answer questions and field comdetail about the two options, their ments.

We had very emotional input from people who supported one of the two locations we were considering as options.”

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12 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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A hero’s journey The story of Air Force pilot Ben King and his family’s determination to keep his memory alive By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – Last fall, Roswell resident Mary Jo Wood completed an odyssey worthy of her brother, Air Force General Benjamin H. “Ben” King, who was an air ace in World War II and led an incredible life filled with equal measures of daring and duty. It took nearly five years for Wood to organize a trip to Mono Island, a tiny dot of land in the vast Pacific Ocean among the Solomon Islands. She wanted to retrace the journey of her Uncle Ben who was shot down by enemy fighters in 1943 and survived a harrowing escape over water, land and sea to go on to a fabled military career. Mono Island is a remote island of about 20 square miles that figured briefly in the Solomon Islands campaign but played the critical role in the life of Ben King. But 73 years after King’s amazing adventure, Mono Island is as remote from the rest of the world as it was then. Around 2,000 inhabitants are almost completely cut off from the rest of the world except for an occasional mail boat and most recently cell phones. Wood wanted to visit the island and retrace his journey that brought him back not only to civilization but a career as a combat pilot that would span three wars. Wood’s perseverance to make the trip almost matched her uncle’s. Finally, she made it to that island where King with the help of friendly islanders would dodge Japanese soldiers and make a daring escape on a raft. But a story is best told from the beginning. And so it began for Ben King when he was born in 1919 in Addie Lee, Oklahoma. He entered aviation cadet training in 1942 in Texas, and came out a commissioned lieutenant in the Army Air Force. He was 23 years old with the looks of a matinee idol. He probably had

a streak of cockiness in him. After all, being a fighter pilot in World War II was about as glamorous as it got stateside. But all the glamour quickly disappeared when he arrived June 22 on Guadalcanal Island at Henderson Field. He quickly settled in flying escort to U.S. bombers as a member of the 339th Squadron and had already claimed one air victory piloting his P-38 twin-engine fighter plane. July 17, 1943, he and seven other pilots were escorting 12 B-26 bombers. In the past the Japanese would answer these sorties without much enthusiasm and made only desultory passes without making much contact. King left to posterity his action report of this day’s combat and he also made a recording that the Wood family has about his survival on a Japanese-held island. Flying at about 20,000 feet while the bombers were flying at 12,000, Japanese Zeroes rose up in force, more than 40 planes, and they came directly toward the escort planes. Four of the American pilots reported engine trouble or problems with their guns and broke off. King’s action report relates a melee of planes diving at one another as dogfights erupted in the skies. King related he quickly shot down two enemy planes as his wingman kept Zeroes off his tail. He damaged a third plane but could not tell if it went down. Meanwhile, his wingman had disappeared (he was later reported shot down and never found), and King was dodging two Zeroes on his tail. In his action report, he wrote he would watch the tracers of the enemy bullets, and as they would begin to stitch down his wing, he’d slip and slide his plane to get out of the

This is the one remaining paddle Ben King used to get tot shore. It is inscribed with the names of fellow soldiers hiding from the Japanese.

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 13

Ben King after his return to Guadalcanal.

[King] described his canopy being “shot to pieces” and bullets destroying the instrument panel in front of him. “One engine was so shot out the other engine had begun to lose power” and it became difficult to dodge his determined pursuers. line of fire. He described his canopy being “shot to pieces” and bullets destroying the instrument panel in front of him. “One engine was so shot out the other engine had begun to lose power” and it became difficult to dodge his determined pursuers. The armor plating around the cockpit probably saved his life, but by now it was badly shot up as well. He radioed he would make for Vella Lavella, an

Allied air base. “But I realized I wasn’t going to make it so I had to go in the water,” he said. With the two Zeroes following him down, he continued to take evasive action. Then he suddenly banked right and set the plane down on the water – no easy task anytime. The Zeroes were caught unaware by the maneuver and had to circle back to the plane now floating on the water. King jettisoned his parachute, useless now, and grabbed the inflatable life raft. He hung onto the cockpit which was beginning to sink. But he hung on anyway, because the Zeroes were coming in to strafe the parachute which had spilled on top of the water. He hung onto the plane as it began to slide under, and that saved him. He said he was struck by a bullet in the head which knocked his helmet off but did not injure him. Bullets lose most of their energy as soon as they hit water, and the bullet that hit him was most likely spent by the time it struck him. The Zeros flew off and he was able to inflate the raft and begin to make for the Treasury Islands that he said were just visible on the horizon. The nearest,

See JOURNEY, Page 14

14 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Journey:

COMMUNITY

Continued from Page 13 Mono Island, was said to be uninhabited and not any troops there. Military intelligence would prove to be wrong on both counts. He had to bail out of his bright yellow raft and flip it to expose the blue bottom when four Zeroes returned to strafe again. But the enemy was satisfied with a couple of passes at the parachute again and never saw him. King knew he would have to paddle a long way and his emergency rations had been ruined by saltwater. After four days, he was almost spent, burned by the sun and passing out. Twice, an albatross had landed on the raft, and he killed and ate both. But his strength was failing and he knew if he couldn’t make land by the fifth day or possibly the sixth, he would never make it. “But that night a little storm blew up. Now the wind was with me when, before, it always blew against me,” he said. Miraculously, the wind had taken him to Mono Island. Two enemy patrol planes did not spot him as he got to the island and waded up a freshwater estuary. Bathed and refreshed, he followed the stream and in a clearing he saw a native village and three Japanese soldiers (There turned out to be seven soldiers manning a lookout post). King hid until he saw an “intelligent-looking large-built villager coming up the trail. “I stood up with my gun by my side, and asked if he could help me. He waved his hand and told me to get down.” He left King there and soon returned with about 20 men. They led him up into the hills where he was introduced to a young man about 27 who spoke very good English having worked for the British before the war. His name was John Oveo, and he would be his friend for many years after the war. The first thing Oveo did was take him to a house next to a stream where he was introduced to the crew of a U.S. Navy torpedo bomber, the ensign pilot, the radioman and the bombardier. They had been shot down a month earlier. The next day, a second crew of three sailors shot down in their torpedo bomber, brought their number to seven. They were kept by the villagers – they hated the Japanese soldiers – but the Americans grew worried that sooner or later the Japanese would stumble upon such a large group – especially now that it appeared the small garrison was to be reinforced. Their first attempt in two of their inflatable rafts lashed together failed. The

I stood up with my gun by my side, and asked if he could help me. He waved his hand and told me to get down.” BEN KING WWII Air Force pilot villagers helped them make a second raft and they shoved up toward Vella Lavella. They did not fare well. They were weak, one was sick and by the third day they were exhausted. But that day, a bomber spotted them but could not land. Later at dusk, they heard a PBY Landing Ship Boat. King fired off his pistol because he knew one round was a tracer round which the PBY might see. Again King’s luck was with him. The crew had been searching for them after the other plane radioed. Now it was dark, but they lit a small lamp to guide the PBY which landed and picked them up. “When we got aboard, the pilot told us he had radioed for permission to land and pick us up. When he didn’t get an answer, he decided to go ahead. Just then, we heard the base radio back and order them not to pick us up, it would be too dangerous.” So the four airmen were flown back to base and were soon up and about. The pilot received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor in being the first pilot to land a PYY at night and in rough seas. King had been missing 65 days. The family has both wartime telegrams, the first that said he was missing, and the second joyful one of his return. Their comrades on Mono were rescued a few weeks later by a reconnaissance party scouting for intelligence in U.S.-Australian plan to seize the island. King continued to fly missions from Guadalcanal and was credited with his third Zero shot down. He was wounded on a mission Nov. 1, 1943, and earned some time stateside before being sent to Europe to fly the P-51 over Germany. His biography states he was one of the first P-51 planes over Normandy on D-Day. His service did not end there, but this story does. Next week is the story of Mary Jo Wood’s journey to Mono Island to meet some of the people who still remember her uncle Ben. With her on the trip were her brothers Jere Wood, mayor of Roswell, and Benjamin Wood, the internationally known architect.

NEWS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 15

DOWNTOWN ALPHARETTA:

Developers poised to begin work on City Center Commercial phase expected to take up to 18 months By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Before long, Alpharettans should see a flurry of activity downtown. Representatives from the consortium behind development of the commercial and residential phase of City Center said Monday night that work is set to begin soon, and they plan to tackle the project all at once. Cheri Morris, president of Morris & Fellows, who heads the retail portion of the project, said work should begin within two or three weeks of closing on the property, which she said is “imminent.” The land sale has been delayed for more than six months, partly because of a lien on a piece of property the city has been working to clear. When the city clears title to complete

the sale, Morris said workers stand at the ready to construct a complex consisting of 70,000 square feet of restaurant and retail, a four-story office building with three floors of office over retail and 168 one- and two-bedroom apartment units atop commercial shops. The major focus Monday night was how the city would handle major construction in its downtown. City councilmembers said they want measures in place to guarantee the safety of pedestrians and provide for free flow of traffic. Morris said the early phase of construction will involve closing all but one of the roads within the City Center complex. Traffic will be allowed to flow on Park Plaza in front of City Hall. Park Plaza will also serve as the lone access to and from the 450-space parking deck near the library. Councilman Jim Gilvin suggested the Public Works Department consider placing a temporary traffic light at Park Plaza and Academy Street to help accommodate traffic during construction. Crews will also fence off much of the perimeter, a condition that could impede current foot traffic in the area.

City Councilman Chris Owens said he wants to ensure allowances are made for pedestrians. “Safety of the public is paramount,” Owens said. To that end, contractors will use heavy barricades to cordon off a path along Academy Street to provide safe passage for pedestrians. The walk from the deck, Owens said, should be no more than 200-250 feet longer than the current trek. The first order of business will be construction of the office building, Morris said. Construction is expected to take 12 months. “We have a tenant who is anxious to get started,” Morris said, adding that the unnamed tenant has signed a letter of intent to occupy all three upper floors of office space. In addition, Morris said she has about 20 signed letters of intent from restaurants and boutiques to occupy the nearby shops once completed. Plans call for the project to take about 18 months. Will Casaday, vice president of development at South City Partners,

Crews will also fence off much of the perimeter, a condition that could impede current foot traffic in the area. said construction will be confined to the City Center and the surrounding streets should not be affected with lane closures. There will be a pathway along Academy Street to accommodate pedestrians, he said, but it will not require permanent lane closures. City officials also directed the development team to coordinate with the city Planning Department to arrange for off-site parking for construction crews. Owens said he doesn’t want nearby businesses and visitors to find parking space taken up by work crews for 18 months.

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Being raised on Southern food inspired the vision behind the concepts going into Halcyon. MARC TAFT, owner of Southern Fried Hospitality 16 | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017

Halcyon names first restaurants Chef set to also open spot in Avalon By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Halcyon, Forsyth County’s 480,000 sq. ft. mixed-use development off Exit 12 on Ga. 400, will be getting a taste of Southern food. Three leases were signed in January with Atlanta chef Marc Taft who plans to bring three restaurant concepts, including Co-Op Community Table and Bar, Feed - Fried Chicken and Such and a market hall burger concept. The restaurants are set to open in spring 2018. “Being raised on Southern food inspired the vision behind the concepts going into Halcyon,” Taft said. “I’ve worked hard to create these concepts and to find the perfect place for them to operate. Halcyon is such a unique, exciting development that I think will enrich these restaurants. I expect all three to do very well in Forsyth County.” Co-op Community Table and Bar will be a full-service, farm-to-table concept with a Southern ingredient focus. Co-op is planned to be a neighborhood gathering place that will provide effusive Southern hospitality while emphasizing the importance of sustainability. Feed - Fried Chicken and Such is a fast-casual concept that was inspired by Southern roadside restaurants Taft ate at with his family while traveling from Alabama to East Tennessee to see his grandmother. Feed’s first location will open at the Battery Atlanta, the new home of SunTrust Park and the Atlanta Braves baseball team. For the third restaurant, Taft’s team is currently crafting more details about the burger concept. “Chef Taft has an impressive resume and a spectacular vision for these concepts,” said Patrick Leonard, principal of RocaPoint Partners, the developers behind Halcyon. “The three new restaurants will fit in effortlessly with the overall tenant mix we have in mind for Halcyon and will be a fresh, exciting addition

Some of the food will be inspired by traditional Southern fair, such as chicken and dumplings. to the Forsyth County restaurant scene. Residents and visitors will soon be able to walk from the Big Creek Greenway into our food hall or restaurants, and we believe Taft is setting the perfect tone for the concepts we’re bringing to the area.” Opening restaurants in metro Atlanta is not new for Taft. He said he appreciates the “lack of chefdriven concepts in the suburbs and wanted to offer diners an alternative to chain restaurants.” He currently owns and operates Chicken and the Egg in Marietta, which opened in August 2011 and has been well received, he said. He also recently announced a concept for Avalon, Brine Seafood Shack, a “Cape Cod meets Santa Monica”-inspired eatery, which will offer lobster rolls, tuna poke, fresh oysters and more, along with a roof-top bar. It is set to open this spring. “Brine and Feed are two brands that we plan to grow, so it’s important to make sure guests know what they represent,” Taft said. “I firmly believe that having solid teams in place to lead these restaurants,

Chef Marc Taft has opened several Southern cooking inspired restaurants around metro Atlanta. taking care of guests and evaluating how diners respond will determine our long-term objectives. Our restaurants reflect the experiences I have had throughout my career. Although guests will see the majority of our brands heavily influenced by Southern heritage, we will be branching out with other unique concepts.” But Taft doesn’t just do business in Georgia. He has led restaurants in New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami, Nashville and Dallas. In total, he’s overseen the opening of 41 new restaurants. Halcyon is set to include more than 480,000 square feet of office and retail, two hotels and 690 residential units once completed. In November 2016, the first tenant was named. CMX, a state-of-the-art cinema venue, will anchor the development. The theater will have 10 screens, 500 seats, 38,000 square feet and is slated to open April 2018.

READY... SET... EXPO! 9TH ANNUAL

BUSINESS EXPO GREATER NORTH FULTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NETWORKING WITH THE STARS MARCH 10TH 2017

Make plans now to join us on March 10, 2017 at the Alpharetta Marriott.

GNFCC is rolling out the red carpet for our businesses and the spotlight is on you! Booths will be adorned with glamorous people and the stars will be out! This event is the mainstay for new entrepreneurs and long-established business owners with 80+ exhibitors and over 1,000 attendees Don’t Miss the Oscars of Expos! COME NETWORK WITH THE STARS

Networking • Seminars • Delicious Lunch • Business After Hours Where: Alpharetta Marriott • 5750 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005 Parking: On-site parking at the Marriott is available but limited. Overflow parking across the street at MARTA. Take free shuttle to Marriott. When: Friday, March 10, 2017 Register: Pre-register by March 3 for FREE admission • $10 at door

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.GNFCCEXPO.COM OR CALL 678-397-0554

BUSINESSPOSTS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 17

Supporting our schools is a great business plan IT management is important for small businesses I was lucky enough to find myself in the company of a Fortune 100 CEO 17 years ago. After a very brief chat, he took it upon himself to give me some great advice. GEOFF SMITH He said: “You can Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com only control what you can control. Keep your head down, do good things and you’ll be amazed how things improve around you.” That guy was Sy Sternberg, then CEO of New York Life. He was visiting Forsyth County from his headquarters in New York City to attend the grand opening of their new office. It was a big deal for Forsyth County because they went through a significant round of vetting and won the office over several locations from around the county. There wasn’t as much in Forsyth as there is today and this move was seen as a huge deal: If New York Life approved of the area, that would open the door to many other businesses to follow. And of course, many did. Since then the entire Metro Atlanta area has grown to become a premier, global city for business investment. And there are so very many reasons why. Today the question is: Will we be saying the same thing in 20 years? What will be the reasons for our success in 20 years? One thing I know for certain is it will be our constant improvement of our schools and our continuous output of a smart, hard-working and useful workforce. Many of our community leaders here in North Fulton and Forsyth have done a really fantastic job of helping to establish the best public schools in the state and schools that are competitive with the best schools

in the country. And I say competitive because it is most certainly a competition. As our business leaders recruit businesses to move and stay in the metro area, schools are a top priority. Corporations want to move somewhere, and want to stay somewhere that guarantees a talented workforce. And good schools provide that. Good schools also provide good reasons for other talented professionals from around the world to want to move here and work for those corporations. North Fulton, Cobb County, Gwinnett County and lately Cherokee County boast the best schools in our state – by far. And because of that, businesses are moving here and executives are living there. Just ask any real estate agent. They will tell you how important a good school is. I currently serve as Chairman of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Education Connection. Every year we host the Partners In Education Expo. It is a high-energy event where all of our North Fulton public schools, and most of our

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North Fulton Private schools, set up booths and meet with attending businesses. We invite all businesses, whether you are in North Fulton or not, to attend for free. Walk around, talk with each school’s business outreach team and see if you can find a way to help that school. In the shortterm, it’s a great marketing plan for your business brand: do good in front of your community. In the long term, you will be fueling the gift that keeps on giving by ensuring the future success of our business community. The event is this Thursday February 9 at AdancED in Alpharetta. If you are interested in attending, go to GNFCC. com and navigate to the events page to register. Geoff Smith gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

Are you having challenges managing your information technology? Do computer problems or issues with software and printers take up too much of your time? Most small business owners rely heavily on technology to run their DICK JONES business, and it is very Founder & President Jones Simply Sales important that they manage and maintain it in an efficient manner. Here are some options you may want to consider if you’re the first person your employees contact when an IT problem arises. Option 1: Utilize a part-time IT professional. There are plenty of IT professionals that can help you manage and maintain your information technology. They can be hired by the hour, or you can have an ongoing arrangement for them to check-in on a regular basis to make sure everything is running correctly. Option 2: Utilize an IT Managed Services Provider. Many essential IT management tasks can be performed remotely over the Internet. Managed service providers provide many options including help desk services and on-site resources if needed. Having a “virtual” IT department is a great option if you need to be up and running 24/7. Option 3: Hire a full-time IT resource. Depending on the size of your small business and the significant risk of your computers, servers, printers or internet access not functioning correctly, the cost of this resource could very well pay for itself. If you’re spending too much time on IT, and not enough time on growing your small business, these options can provide you with solutions to make sure your information technology is managed without impacting your time.

Not Quite Ready To Buy A Home? Rent it now with the right (but not the obligation) to Purchase it in the future. Ask me about the new Lease with a Right to Purchase Program.

Linda W. Hall Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 3800 Mansell Rd, Ste 100 Alpharetta, GA 30022 (o) 770-642-0399 • (m) 770-570-6081 Linda.Hall@ColdwellBankerAtlanta.com *The Lease with Right to Purchase Program is offered and administered by an independent third party not affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and its representatives do not in any way represent or warrant any of the terms, conditions, or benefits of the Lease with a Right to Purchase Program. Applicant and property must meet certain eligibility requirements. Other terms and conditions apply. Please review all other terms and conditions of the program before proceeding. ©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered service mark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.

18 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

BUSINESSPOSTS

Growth presents unique challenges for North Fulton chamber Transportation, workforce head list of trials facing business group

get captured in those reports. “But, that’s really small business working at its best, and that is really what is By PATRICK FOX behind the economic pat@appenmediagroup.com growth in the entire country.” NORTH FULTON, Ga.. - With the surge The two industry LUSBY in business growth over the past sevgroups identified as eral years, the North Fulton Chamber needing the most assistance are the of Commerce has worked to keep the health care sector and the technology climate ripe for economic expansion. sector, he said. Few areas in Metro Atlanta have The Technology Committee is vital seen over the last 25 years the influx of to the 900-plus technology companies commercial interests one sees in North that are in North Fulton, Lusby said. Fulton. And the recent growth in health care In Alpharetta alone, the city has facilities makes training in that field filled up more than 4 million square equally important. feet of vacant office space in just the “I would say the growth of busipast few years, according to Peter nesses is expanding at such a rate that Tokar, Alpharetta director of Economic the workforce will not be able to keep Development. pace without us stepping in and doing Similar trends can be found in a better job of promoting and making neighboring North Fulton cities, where sure that that does not become an good schools, high quality of life and issue,” he said. ascending property values hold sway. To that end, Lusby said the chamYet, with that growth, come chalber promotes expansion of post-seclenges, said Roger Lusby, chairman of ondary education in the area such the Greater North Fulton Chamber. as the new Gwinnett Tech campus in Lusby, Alpharetta office managing Alpharetta. partner for the gi“Gwinnett Tech was ant Frazier & Deeter huge,” he said. “So, accounting firm, said working with them is the chamber’s mission important. We’d love to is to gather the varied have a four-year college business interests in up here in this area if the area and focus on that were ever possible. common goals. “Georgia State has “I think the mantra some classrooms up really is creating jobs here, and we try to get and creating business them more involved. for each of the memWe’ve tried to get North bers,” he said. “We do Georgia College to come that through a number farther south and get of different ways. We them more involved.” do that through some The high caliber ROGER LUSBY very structured comof high schools in the Greater North Fulton Chamber Board mittees, which workarea has helped, he Chairman force placement and said. technology have been Another area of fotwo of our biggest.” cus is transportation. Workforce development focuses on Lusby said the recent appointment developing and ensuring that the area of state Sen. Brandon Beach to chair provides an adequate workforce for the the legislative Transportation Commitsignificant number of companies that tee was a major step in the direction of exist and are moving to the area, he helping solve North Fulton’s transporsaid. tation needs. Indeed, the chamber has logged Beach is also executive director of more than 1,000 new jobs created over the Greater North Fulton Chamber. the past year by corporate expansions “Certainly everybody up here would or relocations. But, that’s only part of be in agreement that Ga. 400 and some the story. of the East-West road systems need to “I think always the untold story is be enhanced and improved immedithe number of workers added through ately,” Lusby said. expansion in existing businesses,” The passage last November of the Lusby said. “It may be only two or three .75-cent transportation special purpose or five positions, but those never really sales tax will go a long way in fixing

I think the mantra really is creating jobs and creating business for each of the members.”

Major job announcements New business locations in North Fulton over the past year. COMPANY

FACILITY

BUSINESS

NEW JOBS

majicjack

Corporate HQ

Communications

150

Deliv

Branch office

Delivery Services

KQ Communications

Branch office

PR, marketing

VANAD Group

U.S. HQ

IT consulting, products

Azalea Health Innovations

Corporate HQ

Services

200

Dispersive Technologies

Corporate HQ

Software development

200

emids Technologies

Corporate HQ

Health IT/software

100

Hi-Rez Studios

Corporate HQ Dev. Center

Online video gaming

Muffley & Assoc. Real Estate

Branch office

Real estate brokerage

Intelligrated

Corporate HQ

Automation/ software

Landis+Gyr

Regional HQ

Tech/software development

Bomgar

Branch office

Remote support/ management

Sword Apak

Corporate HQ

FinTech/software

some of the problems, he said. “I don’t know where they are with getting the additional one-quarter of a penny, but I’m sure that will be brought back up to the voters at some point in time,” Lusby said. In the long run, though, the chairman said North Fulton must make itself appealing not only to businesses but to residents as well. “We’re really trying to come up with a ‘cool factor,’ in which kids coming out of college would want to live and locate up here,” he said. “Housing is an issue, because housing tends to be expensive here. Although Forsyth has done a good job in reaching price points for people, I think with Avalon and so forth we would like to have a lot of the young people locate and work in this area.” Lusby said his firm has a big down-

town Atlanta office with about 200 people, and young employees seem to be drawn to the glamour of downtown living. “I came out to run the Alpharetta firm which has about 26 people,” he said. “So, we encounter that same issue just within our firm. “Most of the kids coming out of college want to come and work for the big office in downtown Atlanta and live downtown, as opposed to coming out here. Once they get married and have kids, I’ve got them all lining up to come out here.” The same goes for other business sectors. “The technology companies especially are concerned about this issue since their workforce tends to be younger,” he said.

BUSINESSPOSTS

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 19

Roswell Inc offers speaker series to improve your business By HATCHER HURD hatcher@ appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga. – Business leaders are not born, they are made through dint of hard work and experience. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a shortcut and learn from someone else’s work and experience. Welcome to Roswell Inc’s 2017 Roswell Business Academy! Four monthly sessions can give your business a breath of new life, said Roswell Inc Executive Director Steve Stroud. Each expert will help business people be more successful at what they do. This year’s seminars cover: • Overcoming barriers to business growth • Leadership development for you and your team • De-clutter the workspace – something we all need

• Crafting the perfect bio to market on social media “The sessions are designed to challenge you, inspire you, and help you achieve your business goals for 2017,” said Roswell Inc’s Communications and Partnerships Director Carisa Turner. Roswell Inc program is designed for small business entrepreneurs to equip them with the tools to be successful. This is the third year offering the series, and it has been well-received, Turner said. “This is a natural fit for us as we continue to foster a positive business environment in Roswell,” she said. Registration is open now. Seating is limited. Parties may register for individual sessions or all five at once. Log on to www.eventbrite.com/e/ roswell-business-academy-2017-tickets-29584373658#tickets.

Location: Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA 30075 Essy Lucas Rise-up; become a leader worth following’ Thursday Feb. 16, 7:30-9 a.m.

Beth Hermes Define: Enhance you business presence with a great bio Thursday April 27, 7:30-9 a.m.

In this session, you will learn how to strengthen the core of your leadership ability and create a culture of empowerment for your company. Essy Lucas will share practical visual tools developed by GiANT Worldwide, a global company dedicated to leadership transformation, that will help you become a more effective and influential leader one everyone wants to follow.

A compelling bio is one of your most important marketing tools. Beth Hermes teaches how to turn an interested audience into loyal clients by creating a clear, engaging bio that highlights your accomplishments, business philosophy, and life experiences – all while telling your unique story.

Sara Fisher De-Clutter: Create a space for success Thursday March 23, 7:30-9 a.m. Discover the joy of a beautiful and organized workspace. Sara Fisher, owner of A Simple Space, shows simplifying, organizing, and personalizing your office can increase productivity, foster greater creativity, enhance critical thinking and problem solving.

Mallie Hart Engage: Build your brand on social media Tuesday May 23, 7:30-9 a.m. While business cards and in-person networking will never go out of style, having an online presence is essential to reaching the right audience. This session will focus on best practices for creating, building and maintaining a Facebook presence.

share your news

She is an adjunct professor at Georgia Perimeter College and a guest lecturer at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia.

Georgian Landscape wins ‘Best of Houzz’

Left to right, Mark McNaron, Marty Holloran, Conleth O’Flynn, Ryan Carter, Kevin Jensen and Jesse Foley.

AHA celebrates 25 years of service ALPHARETTA, Ga. — AHA Consulting Engineers, Inc. recently celebrated 25 years of service with an open house at their new location on Mansell Road in Alpharetta. Serving clients locally and nationally, their expertise is grounded in mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection design. They have since expanded into the complementary arenas of advisory, energy and sustainability, and building commissioning services. With over 140 professionals in Atlanta, Boston and D.C., they pride themselves in taking building science to a level beyond engineering.

Anita Anand joins Brady Ware as manager ATLANTA — Brady Ware & Company recently announced that Anita Anand, J.D., has joined the firm in Alpharetta as a senior manager. Anand supports the firm’s tax practice, state and local tax ANAND practice, and serves as a firm-wide resource in the area of tax research and consulting. This includes providing taxpayer representation in matters requiring federal and state private letter rulings. She is also responsible for federal, state and local technical tax support involving a range of clients and industries, such as renewable energy, commercial real estate, affordable housing and others. Along with these day-to-day responsibilities, Anand also contributes her expertise to a number of local government agencies, industry organizations and nonprofits.

SUWANEE, Ga. — Georgian Landscape Design has recently won “Best of Design & Customer Satisfaction” on Houzz.com. This is the fifth straight year the business has received the honor. The 16-year-old landscape design and build firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that compose the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals. The Best of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: design, customer service and photography. Customer service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2016. “We’re so pleased to award Best of Houzz 2017 to this incredible group of talented and customer-focused professionals, including Georgian Landscape Design,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “Each of these businesses was singled out for recognition by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts for helping to turn their home improvement dreams into reality.”

Bob McCormick joins Keller Williams ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Bob McCormick, one of the area’s real estate professionals, has left RE/MAX after 21 years to join the Keller Williams Realty team in the North Atlanta Market Center in Alpharetta. MCCORMICK “We’re excited to welcome Bob McCormick to the Keller Williams family,” said Aubrey Baily, CEO and Team Leader of Keller Williams North Atlanta. “At Keller Williams we believe in succeeding through people and having Bob McCormick on our team is a huge win for us.” McCormick has been recognized for over 11 million sales in 2016 and has been named on the “Top 100 Communities Realtor” list in the greater Atlanta area.

northfulton.com

20 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

CALENDAR TEEN DRIVING SAFETY CLASS

“HAVING OUR SAY”

See the story of the Delany sisters, both over 100-year-old descendants of slaves, as they recount their family history and careers in this play that celebrates history, women and men, African Americans and the human spirit. Shows are available Feb. 16-19 and 22-26, times vary. See the play at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St. in Roswell. Tickets start at $21 and can be purchased at get.org. Looking to get the word out about your event? Submit it to our online calendar at NorthFulton. com/Calendar.

EVENTS: ISM ATLANTA

What: ISM Atlanta will be holding their monthly meeting in Roswell, featuring Jeff Berk, COO of Client Loyalty Co., who will be speaking about procurement and supply management. When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 6-8 p.m. Where: Country Club of Roswell, 2500 Club Springs Drive, Roswell Cost: $30 for members, $35 for nonmembers More info: ism-atlanta.org

MINI JOB FAIR

What: Attend the first Mini Job Fair hosted by Roswell United Methodist Church Job Networking. There will be classes and workshops prior to the job fair. The full schedule is online. When: Monday, Feb. 13, 6:45-8:30 p.m. Where: Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell More info: rumcjobnetworking.com

SAVE THE HORSES VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

What: Roswell Roots will be hosting their first College and Greek Fair. Come out to meet college recruiters and Greek letter organizations. This free event is open to all high school students. When: Sunday, Feb. 12, 3-6 p.m. Where: East Roswell Recreation Center, 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell More info and registration: roswellgov. com or 770-641-3705

DOWNTOWN ALPHARETTA PARKING DECK MEETING

What: Join the community conversation on the planned downtown parking deck as the latest ideas are presented. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts and impressions. When: Monday, Feb. 13, 6:30-8 p.m. Where: Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

FREE PROSTATE SCREENING

What: Alpharetta healthcare professionals will administer free prostrate screenings, including a blood test. Spanish interpreters will be available. Call to schedule an appointment. When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 5:30-8 p.m. Where: Northside Alpharetta Medical Campus, 3400 Old Milton Parkway, Building C, Alpharetta More info and registration: northside. com or 404-531-4444

GREAT DECISIONS

What: This discussion program will focus on the South China Sea and competing territorial claims, presented by the University of North Georgia and Forsyth County Public Library. When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 7-8 p.m. Where: Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega St., Cumming More info: libraryaware.com

FREE TAX PREP

What: Get free tax preparation assistance by trained volunteers. See website for full list of documents to bring. Walk-ins welcome Fridays and Saturdays. Appointments available. When: Through April 17, times vary Where: NFCC Education Center, 1125 Elkins Road, Roswell More info and registration: nfcchelp.org or vita@nfcchelp.org

What: Learn about Save the Horses Rescue’s farm, animals and how to help. Children can also volunteer, but adult supervision is required. When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 9-11 a.m. Where: Save the Horses Rescue, 1768 Newt Green Road, Cumming More info: savethehorses.org

ROOTS COLLEGE AND GREEK FAIR

What: Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. is offering a free program addressing driver’s attitude, knowledge and behavior. Students will learn about laws, crash dynamics and peer pressure. When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107 F, Milton More info and registration: cityofmiltonga.us

PARK PLACE SINGERS

What: The Park Place Social Singers will provide an opportunity for people to come together to sing for pleasure with song leaders Tom and Robin Yackley, the artistic directors of the Alpharetta Community Chorus. When: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 p.m. Where: Park Place at Newtown School, 3125 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov

RADON WORKSHOP

What: The City of Alpharetta and the University of Georgia Extension - Fulton County will offer a free workshop on radon and the dangers of elevate radon in the home, presented by Gabrielle Dean. When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2-3 p.m. Where: City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info and registration: alpharetta. ga.us or 678-297-6200

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER: DEB BOWMAN CONCERT

What: Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with Deb Bowman’s New York-style jazz cabaret as part of the Autrey Mill Unplugged concert series. Doors open at 7 p.m. for socializing and light refreshments. When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Where: Warsaw Church, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek Cost: $20 More info and tickets: autreymill.org

“I, TOO, AM AMERICA”

What: View original works at “I, Too, Am America,” a multimedia exhibition by local artists exploring the experience of being black in America. When: Through March 3, time vary Where: Johns Creek Art Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekarts.org

SPOTLIGHT ARTIST: GREG FERGUSON What: “Bearing Witness” The Photography of Greg Ferguson will showcase Ferguson’s award-winning photography of the natural world. When: Through March 31, times vary Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell More info: gregferguson.us.com or 770594-6232

LIBRARY EVENTS: CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH

What: Learn how to speak and practice conversational French with Samyukta Rajen as part of a six-part series. Ages 15 and up are welcome. Limited to 20 participants. When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Where: Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta More info and registration: afpls.org or 770-360-8897

LITTLE KNOWN BLACK HISTORY FACTS

What: Hear the journey of African-Americans in this free multi-media presentation with a hands-on learning workshop for children, presented by Israelite Nation History and Culture. Registration required. When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 1-2 p.m. Where: East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell More info and registation: afpls.org or 404-613-4050

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

What: Learn about the power of super foods and how to supercharge your health for 2017. Keep your New Year’s resolution with the help of this cooking demonstration by Chef Lynn Ware. When: Saturday, Feb. 11, noon-1 p.m. Where: East Roswell Library, 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell More info and registration: afpls.org or 404-613-4050

MOCK SAT EXAM

What: Get prepared for the SAT with this full-length mock exam. Each participant will get a free, individual score report to target personal strengths and weaknesses. When: Sunday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info and registration: afpls.org or applerouth.com

CALENDAR

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 21

BUDDING ARTISTS COLLECTIVE

What: Children, ages 5 and up, can let their inner artists shine through with this arts workshop led by My Clayground. Registration is required. When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 4-5 p.m. Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info and registration: info@myclayground.com or 770-998-2983

SIT-TO-STAND

What: Learn how to exercise throughout the day despite a sedentary job and understand the effects of sitting vs. movement on physiology. When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta More info and registration: milton. branch@fultoncountyga.gov or 404613-4402

PET ADOPTIONS:

FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958

OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE: FREE TAX PREP SERVICES

What: Get free tax assistance, counseling and preparation. No appointment is necessary. Bring all relevant tax forms, last year’s return, a photo ID, Social Security card and checkbook. When: Through April 18, times vary Where: Gwinett Technical College, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Building 700, Busbee Center, Lawrenceville More info: aarp.org

Gold Branch – wilderness hiking close to home A few weeks ago, we looked at the new boardwalk trail through some of the wetlands areas near the Chattahoochee Nature Center. I’ve enjoyed hearing from folks several of you who STEVE HUDSON have enjoyed that Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net neat and easily accessible hike! But did you know that there’s more great hiking not far from the new boardwalk? There is indeed – and one place to find it is in the Gold Branch Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The Gold Branch Unit’s trails have a different feel than many of the other trails in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. There’s something about many of them that almost gives you a sense of being in the backcountry. The unit’s trails crisscross and intersect to form a complex network, allowing you to combine them in a variety of ways to create just about any sort of hike you desire. We don’t have room here to describe all the great hikes offered at Gold Branch, though detailed maps of these and other CRNRA trails are included in the book “Hiking the Hooch.” But we do have room here to take a look at the unit’s South Loop Trail. It’s one of my personal favorite trails in all of CRNRA. In fact, if you’re looking to get away from it all without having to drive a long ways to do so, then that South Loop Trail may be the perfect trail for you. The South Loop Trail takes you far from the beaten track, at least by CRNRA trail standards, and that remoteness adds to its wilderness feel. The loop features some leg-stretching elevation changes as well as relatively level hiking along ridges or along the shoreline of Bull Sluice Lake. Some parts of this loop definitely lean toward the “rugged” category, so it may not be the best hike to choose if your party includes small children. But if you’re looking for a bit of challenging hiking, this is the trail for you. You’ll start this and all other Gold Branch Unit hikes at the trailhead located in the back corner of the Gold Branch Unit parking area off Lower Roswell Road. To reach the parking area, follow Willeo Road to its intersection with Lower Roswell Road and turn left on Lower Roswell Road. The entrance to the parking area will be on

your left about 0.7 miles beyond that intersection. It’s worth noting that this parking area is paved with a special porous concrete that lets storm water percolate slowly through the concrete instead of running off all at once and potentially causing erosion or thermal shock to the nearby waters. From the trailhead, you’ll enter the woods and descend to a boardwalk which carries you through a wetland area. Just beyond the boardwalk is intersection G2. These trail intersections are numbered by the National Park Service, which makes it much easier to keep track of where you are. Turn right at G2 and continue to intersection G3; then turn right again and make your way to intersection G10. There, turn right yet again and continue to intersection G11. At last, you’ve reached the South Loop trail. Now which way should you go? How about clockwise? Sure! Begin the loop proper by turning left at G11 and making the long descent to intersection G12, where you’ll turn right and begin following the shoreline of Bull Sluice. Every yard of trail seems to take you farther from the bustle of urban life, and you’ll feel yourself relaxing with every step you take. You’ll eventually ford a small creek in a scenic little cove, reminding you of a scene that you might encounter in the mountains of Northern Georgia. The murmur of the little creek and the whisper of wind just may be the only sounds you hear. Beyond the ford, the trail follows the cove back toward Bull Sluice and then again turns to follow the shore-

line. For the next 500 yards or so, the hiking is fairly easy, but you’ll eventually encounter about 75 yards of rough and rocky going. Take your time as you pick your way over that more challenging section of trail. A small wet-weather branch crosses the trail near the end of the rocky stretch, and about 150 yards beyond that, you’ll cross another small branch which rises from the deep gully to your right. A third such branch crosses the trail a few hundred yards farther on. Beyond that third branch is a bit over 100 yards of fairly decent trail. But then the trail undergoes a sudden change of character, turning to red clay and beginning a steep climb that continues for 150 yards or so. After the climb, you’ll enjoy about 40 paces of fairly level hiking before the trail begins to climb again. Several hundred yards of hiking will eventually bring you a point where the trail bends right – and that’s where you may be able to spot a classic artifact of the southern woods: a rusted piece of bullet-riddled sheet metal. Exactly what that sheet metal might have been is open to interpretation, but part of an old car (or maybe a washing machine?) seems to be as good a guess as any. The shot-up sheet metal is just one of the quirky surprises that await you along this section of trail. There are many. I could tell you what they are, but that would take the fun out of it. Keep your eyes open as you hike, and see what you can discover on your own. Another 500 or so yards of hiking beyond that unfortunate piece of metal will ultimately bring you back to intersection G11. From there, turn left to backtrack toward the trailhead to explore other Gold Branch Unit trails or, if you’re ready for a break, to return to your car. Or you can turn right at G11 and hike the south loop trails again! Now is a perfect time of year to explore this and other hiking trails within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and you can learn about these trails in Steve Hudson’s book HIKING THE HOOCH. Check out HIKING THE HOOCH at local outfitters, on Amazon, or at www.chattahoocheemedia.com.

22 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

22 | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017

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30 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

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JC Chamber rocks the night away Annual gala sold out By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce annual gala Feb. 3, was proof that city business people work, they work hard. And when they let their hair down, they let it down to the ground. No early risers were spotted leaving once the hardware was passed out and the dance floor was packed. Chamber President John Beamont said that was as it should be. “The gala is supposed to be a reward for members and staff. We work hard and we play hard,” he said. The night was also a night of recognition for all of the hard work members perform to make the chamber “exceptional.” Among those honored were: Connect, Grow Thrive Awards: • Connect: Lee Dawkins • Grow: Paul Creamer • Thrive: Premiere Logistics Partners Leadership Awards: • Bill Hamilton – FastSigns of Johns Creek • Betsey Liermann – Crye-Leike

Welcoming Johns Creek’s own Miss Georgia Patricia Ford are Chamber President Johns Bemont and Renasant Bank’s Jim Pope. Realtors • Stuart Perry – American Family Insurance Business Spirit Awards • Ben Wilson – FastSigns of Johns Creek • Niki Karr – Jersey Mike’s Subs • Chamber Spirit Awards • Peggy Titus-Hall – People Growth LLC • Branden Côté – Legacy Planning Group Inc.

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 31

PHOTOS BY HATCHER HURD/HERALD

Georgia Patricia Ford, Betsy Liermann, Niki Karr, Peggy Titus-Hall, Bill Hamilton, Mayor Mike Bodker, Ben Wilson, Branden Côté, Paul Creamer and Lee Dawkins.

Chamber revelers enjoy the live music of The Infinity Show Band to the hilt.

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32 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Mount Pisgah Christian School names new leader Published Selects Ruston Pierce poetry reading as new head of school at Spruill Oaks Library JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Board of Trustees for Mount Pisgah Christian School has selected Ruston Pierce as its next head of school. Pierce, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, has 15 years of experience in many educational roles within Christian school organizations and most recently served as head of school for Concord Christian School, a K-12 private school, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Prior to this role, Mr. Pierce held various positions in educational leadership at Bryan College, Grace Baptist Academy and Silverdale Baptist Academy. Ruston is a graduate of King College with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. He earned a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. He will pursue a Doctorate of Education degree from Liberty University. The board’s selection follows an extensive search, conducted with the assistance of Atlanta-based search firm CarterBaldwin. “Our goal was to seek an experi-

Ruston Pierce enced spiritual and educational leader who embraces our mission and further expands our Vision 2025 Plan, with the aim of positively impacting future generations of students,” said Chairman of the Board Doug Williams. “Ruston will bring exceptional qualifications and talents to Mount Pisgah.” Mount Pisgah recently celebrated its 30th year of creating excellence in independent school education grounded in Christian faith and values, helping prepare youth for life and college. “Our commitment to furthering our

foundations of faith-based education remains strong,” Williams said. The school’s recently developed strategic plan is anchored by its commitment to build a better future for all students by affirming its spiritual formation. It is incrementally investing in the school’s teachers and expanding differentiated instructional programs. “Ruston’s character and rich experience drew us to him in helping us build and sustain an enduring legacy for Mount Pisgah Christian School,” Williams said. Pierce said he was drawn to Mount Pisgah and he shares its vision for creating excellence in independent school education. That excellence is grounded in Christian faith and values with a goal of preparing students for college and life beyond the classrooms, he said. “I believe Mount Pisgah Christian School has unlimited potential. I am excited to start implementing the remarkable strategic plan the Mount Pisgah School Board has crafted.” Pierce and his family will relocate to Johns Creek in March. He has been married for 15 years to his high-school sweetheart Aimee. They have four children.

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – “Poems in Progress,” a presentation by three published poets, will be the featured program at the Johns Creek Poetry Group meeting at Northeast Spruill Oaks Library Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. If you want to learn to express yourself through poetry, improve your writing skills, or just appreciate the craft, join this group for a lively Open Mic, thoughtful presentations, helpful workshops and gentle critiquing. Ages 10 and older are welcome. The library is at 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek. No registration required. For more details contact Karen Swenson at 770-360-8820 or Karen.swenson@ fultoncountyga.gov.

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Emory JC Hospital to offer free health screenings at women’s health event JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Emory Johns Creek Hospital will host its annual Ladies’ Night Out event devoted to women’s health on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 6-8:30 p.m. Free health screenings will be offered to women including: glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index. Clinicians will also be on hand to educate women about breast health, cardiovascular disease and signs of stroke and heart attacks. Jennifer Graham, NP, Emory Heart and Vascular Center; Maria Piraner, MD, diagnostic radiologist, director of the Center for Breast Care at EJCH; and Patricia Yugueros, MD, chief of plastic surgery at EJCH, and will hold a panel discussion about trends in women’s health at 6 p.m. Doors will open to the Ladies’ Night Out event at 6:30 p.m. Women will also have a chance to visit retail booths offering chair massages, beauty tips and enter drawings for raffle prizes. Light refreshments and dessert will be served. RSVP for Ladies’ Night Out at goo.

Women will also have a chance to visit retail booths offering chair massages, beauty tips and enter drawings for raffle prizes. Light refreshments and dessert will be served. gl/LFd182. For information about Ladies’ Night Out, visit emoryhealthcare.org/ johnscreek or call 678-474-8017.

The Hooch students with perfect scores as pictured above are Amanda Bao, Akash Mandavilli, Apurva Nemala, Puneet Singh and Harry Traub.

Chattahoochee students earn perfect ACT, SAT scores JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Five Chattahoochee High School students recently earned perfect scores on their ACT or SAT college entrance exams. The Hooch students with perfect scores are Amanda Bao, Akash Mandavilli, Apurva Nemala, Puneet Singh and Harry Traub. “The Chattahoochee High School community celebrates their success as these students have found a way to be the best versions of themselves and have let their light shine,” said

CHS Principal Tim Corrigan. “Each student was able to select a teacher who has had the most influence on them as a student and helped them step into their purpose. We also celebrate these teachers for their positive influence and for their part in leading these talented students to their full potential.” The teachers considered particularly influential by the five students include Terri Engelberth, Matt Mihordea, Matt Sharp and Estelle Sirot.

34 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

NORTH ATLANTA DANCE:

Original ballet ‘The Rainbow North Atlanta Dance’s $80,000 production celebrates 20 years bringing dance to area By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com

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JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – When Michael and Kitty Garrison first opened their dance school, North Atlanta Dance Academy, 20 years ago, they had a dream to eventually add a professional dance theater to the mix. On a wing and a prayer, Atlanta Dance Theatre, was launched 2 years later in 1999 as a 501 c3 not for profit entity and the Garrisons and the theater have never looked back. “It’s been an amazing and humbling journey. We worked on [the theater] for two years. When we came out with it at Blessed Trinity Church it was a dream come true,” Michael said. “It doesn’t seem like 20 years. We just got a wedding invitation from one of our first students. “Now we are teaching the children of the children we taught. It’s like a large family in many ways.” Kitty agreed. She said the mothers sit and watch their children dance. “One is battling cancer, and we all give her support. It is like family,” she said. They have since moved on to produce their much-anticipated annual spring concerts at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth. “There is an 8-year waiting list, so

If you go What: North Atlanta Dance Theatre presents “The Rainbow King” Gala When: Sunday, Feb. 19, 6-10 p.m. Where: Country Club of the South Ballroom Tickets: $125 per person $825 table for 8 Call 770-772-8000 for tickets. Dinner, dancing, silent auction and sneak peek of “Rainbow” we are so happy to be locked in every spring,” he said. Some of the more memorable productions have been their “Giselle,” Swan Lake” and “Carmen” to name but a few. But in honor of their 20th production, Michael has choreographed an original ballet called “The Rainbow King” that was inspired in part by their friend and artist Thom Klika, who was known for his Pop Art trademark rainbows. “We actually met Thom first in the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco in the 1960s. He was a primitive artist but with amazing talent. But his favorite subject was the rainbow,” Michael said. NADT’s story is a fable that begins

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 35

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PHOTOS BYHATCHER HURD/HERALD

These dancers are so colorful, they’re tutu much. June Jensen, center in orange, is surrounded from left by Lilla Gillen, Jemma Bunker, Jordan Sosnovsky and Emilia Osgoode. with a young couple in love and betrothed who live in a world of dazzling color. But there is trouble in this kingdom when evil goblins steal all the color in their world and leave everything drab and gray. This is where Kitty Garrison gets excited because she is the “choreographer of color” for the production. She oversees the elaborate costumes and scenery – with the most enormous budget ever for an NATD production. “The costumes alone are $30,000. But it will be an amazing thing to see,” she said. When the young couple is celebrating their coming nuptials, that is when the goblins strike. “And in an instant all of the color in the country vanishes right onstage before the audience’s eyes,” Kitty said. “It will be a spectacular effect.” Of course the heroes must follow the Goblins and return the color to their world. It is a huge cast and the sets are the most elaborate for NADT ever. “We actually have dancers on stilts who will be performing as trees in the dark forest where the goblins are hiding all the colors,” she said. “It will be a feast for the eyes.” The goblin heads are being molded by artisans who also work for Walt Disney. Kitty said the masks are permeable to light and air so wearers will be

able to see and breathe while wearing them. With a cast of 50 it will be not only the most expensive show the company has done but the most populous also. “Everything is being made locally. We have an unbelievable costume maker, Valerie Gruner. She does beautiful work. And the costumes she is making for us will allow the audience to see the colors literally torn from the backs of the dancers,” Kitty said. Of course many volunteers are involved too. Parts of the sets are built by volunteers. One of the parents is building two great thrones in his basement. Meanwhile the grandmother of lead dancer Julia Patterson designed the art for the program and posters. Nick Hagelin, a finalist on TV’s “The Voice,” is the male lead. The score was meticulously pieced together from dozens of works. “I put the score together from every piece of classical music, I think,” said Michael. “When I decided to do a ballet after meeting Thom, I wrote the libretto two days after I got the idea. “It only took me 20 years to bring it to fruition,” he said. But now is the time and here is the place. Patrons can get a sneak preview at the “Rainbow King” gala Feb. 19 (see box). “It would make a really different sort of Valentine’s gift,” said Kitty.

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Hooch’s Lynch to play volleyball at West Virginia JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Chattahoochee High School’s Briana Lynch has recently accepted an athletic scholarship to West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia University is a Division I school competing in the Big 12 Conference. At West Virginia, Lynch will play volleyball as a middle attacker under Coach Reed Sunahara. While at CHS, Lynch was a four-year letterman and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2015, 6-AAAAAA All Area First Team, 7-AAAAAA All Area First Team, GVCA All Region First Team and received the Chattahoochee Cougar Award. In addition to playing in high school, Lynch, an honor roll student, played volleyball for the A5 Volleyball club starting in middle school.

Sitting, from left, are Mimi Lynch, Briana Lynch and Rod Lynch. Standing are coach T.J. Lemons, CHS Principal Tim Corrigan and CHS Athletic Director J.J. Hicks.

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Sitting from left are parents Dennis and Sandra Sands with son Travis Sands. Rear row grandfather Donald Sands, brother Trevor Sands, Principal Jimmy Zoll and Athletic Director Jason Holcombe.

JCHS’ Travis Sands signs at Georgia Highlands College JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Johns Creek High School senior, Travis Sands signed Dec. 5, 2016, to attend Georgia Highlands College to play baseball. Sands has played Baseball for 13 years, including all four years at Johns Creek High School. Highlights of his career include: • Earning the JCHS Baseball Coach’s

Award his freshman year; • Perfect Game Underclassman Preseason All-American Honorable Mention; • Perfect Game Southeast Underclass Showcase Top Prospect Team; • Six-time Perfect Game All Tournament Team; • Two-year Varsity Letterman.

In the front row, from left, are Bryce Meyer, Joe Whalley and Coach Zach Nave. In the back row are Tammy Meyer, Angela Whalley and Graham Whalley.

Meyer, Whalley commit to Milligan college JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Northview High School seniors Bryce Meyer and Joe Whalley recently committed to Milligan college in East Tennessee. Meyer who is a four-time State Cross Country qualifier will join the Cross country and Track teams at Milligan. Whalley who is a three-sport Varsity Athlete at Northview (cross country, track and swim) and also competed with the South East Junior Elite Triathlon team will join the cycling team at Milligan. Coach Zach Nave represented Milligan College at the signing.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 37

38 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Boys region basketball tournament preview By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

Region 6-A boys Led by a roster full of underclassmen, St. Francis looks poised to have a shot at securing its fourth straight region championship. Sophomore CJ Riley, senior Wallace Tucker and freshman Dwon Odom and Chase Ellis are all averaging double-digit scoring for the Knights, with Odom averaging 17.2 points per game. Defensively, the Knights enter the tournament averaging 10 steals and 5 blocks per game. In addition to leading the Knights in scoring, Odom leads the team in steals and blocks. St. Francis rolled to a 21-4 overall record this season and finished 13-1 in region play after falling to Whitefield Academy in overtime last week. The Region 6-A tournament pits the top four teams of each sub-region. St. Francis earned the No. 1 seed from sub-region B and will play Mt. Zion in the first round. If the Knights knock out Mt. Zion, they could likely face Darlington which is hosting the tournament. Knights’ head coach Drew Catlett said it would be challenging to play the talented team on their home court. Catlett also said if his team can advance to the championship game, they will likely face North Cobb Christian, who has had a dominate season and enter the tournament undefeated in region play. The Eagles (22-3, 14-0) are outscoring all opponents by an average of 20 points per game. Before a potential game between St. Francis and North Cobb Christian, both ranked in the top-five in the state, the Eagles will have to go through King’s Ridge, their first-round opponent. King’s Ridge secured the No. 4 seed from sub-region B. The Tigers began region play 5-1, but then encountered a difficult stretch of playing St. Francis, Mt. Paran, Mt. Pisgah and Whitefield Academy twice. King’s Ridge would lose all five games to put its hopes of a region tournament berth in jeopardy. However, the Tigers were able to beat Fellowship Christian and Walker last week to earn the No. 4 seed.

Region 7-AAAA boys In their first season in Class 4A, Blessed Trinity will enter the Region 7-AAAA tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Titans beat Marist last Friday in a game that decided the No. 1 seed. The Titans have had a breakout season in their new region and classifi-

cation with depth along the bench and standouts Kyle Swade, CJ Abrams and Ben Shappard. The Titans have already secured a spot in the state tournament this season after missing out with a region tournament semifinal loss last year.

Region 7-AAAAAA boys Former Alpharetta head coach Frederick Hurt stepped down after Alpharetta’s 11-18 2015-16 season to take over at West Forsyth. In to replace Hurt was longtime Pope assistant Jason Dasinger, and the Raiders are flourishing under their new coach. Alpharetta (23-2, 14-2) enter the Region 7-AAAAAA tournament as the No. 1 seed and are the favorites to capture the region title. The Raiders are led by a host of talented seniors including Ellis Merriweather, who set a personal best of 37 points against Cambridge earlier this season, David Swillum, Carlos Carriere and Garrett Davis. The Raiders have also had production from juniors Jaycee Horn and Marcus Hill as well as from sophomore Bradon Barron. The Raiders offense averaged 65 points per game in the regular season. Teams will always have extra motivation to down the No. 1 seed, but the Raiders will have an extra target on their backs in the region tournament given their only two losses of the season came to Centennial (5-20, 4-12) and Northview (6-19, 2-14). The Raiders will take on the winner of the Centennial/Northview play-in game. Northview downed the Raiders in Alpharetta’s last game of the regular season. Centennial ended Alpharetta’s eight game winning streak to open the season, and they will look to upset the Raiders once again if they beat Northview in the play-in game. For No. 3 seed Cambridge, what a difference a year makes. This time last year, Cambridge’s season came to an end with a loss in the first round of the Region 7-AAAAA sub-region B, ending a 6-20 overall season. But this season has seen the Bears’ go 18-7 overall and capture the third seed in the region tournament after moving to Class 6A this season. The Bears’ have found offensive success behind sophomores Kamar Robertson, junior Kyler Ingram and seniors Jackson Boyea and Josh Leonce who have led the Bears to an 9-2 record against region opponents in their last 11 games. The Bears’ only two losses in that span was a four point loss to No. 2 seed Pope and a three point loss to No. 1 seed Alpharetta.

Cambridge takes on North Atlanta (7-17, 5-11) in the first round. Much like Cambridge, Chattahoochee’s year is going far better than the 2015-16 season. The Cougars earned the No. 4 seed with a 10-6 record in region play. The Cougars will take on Dunwoody in the first round. In the teams’ latest meeting on Jan. 31, Dunwoody beat the Cougars in a tight 48-45 win. Seventh seed Johns Creek will take on Pope in the first round. The Gladiators had their most successful season in school history last year, but they lost seven players to graduation, including standouts Ian Joseph, Mason Henkel, Miles Clay and Garrett Anderson. They lost Nick Lancaster to transfer and went under new head coach Keenan Temple as Pete Goggin stepped down. Johns Creek lost to Pope twice in the regular season, 77-64 and 51-38. Region 4-AAAAAAA boys Roswell will look to play in a region championship game for the first time since its last appearance four years ago. The Hornets (20-4, 9-1) will take on the winner of Etowah/Walton in the first round. In earning the No. 1 seed, the Hornets will have a first round bye before facing the winner of Etowah/Walton. Roswell’s only region loss of the season was to Etowah, 51-46, on Jan 27. With reclassification, Roswell is no longer grouped with Milton and powerhouse Wheeler. Roswell will face stiff competition from Woodstock and Cherokee if the teams should meet. Roswell head coach Ty Phillips has said he has much respect for the Cherokee program which enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed.

Region 5-AAAAAAA boys Lambert ran the table in Region 5-AAAAAAA, going 10-0 in region play and outscoring region opponents by an average of 16 points per game to earn the top seed in the region tournament. The Longhorns have size and a prowess for outside shooting. Senior point guard Andrew Melms, Jordan Mcilwain, Damon Stoudamire Jr and Austin Deckard lead the Longhorns offense which averages 77 points per game. Lambert enters the tournament having won its last two region tournament titles, both in Region 6-AAAAAA. Lambert set a school record for wins in a season (27) last season before being knocked out of the Sweet Sixteen last season in the state tournament. With a first-round bye, Lambert will

take on the winner of Forsyth Central and North Forsyth. After reaching the Final Four last season, it’s been a year of changes for No. 2 seed Milton. Milton lost six of its first eight games of the season. The six opponents who beat Milton have gone on to compile a combined 126-21 record as of Feb. 3. Just three weeks later, Milton head coach Matt Kramer stepped down, forcing the Eagles to find a new head coach midway through the season. Sean Revels, a longtime Milton assistant, took over. Since Revels has taken over, Milton has gone 8-2 in region play behind sophomore standouts Jordan Yates and Donovan Hariston, as well as senior and Duke commit Alex O’Connell. Milton’s only two region losses of the season came to Lambert. Lambert head coach Scott Bracco and Revels said they expect to meet once again with the region tournament at stake. Behind Lambert and Milton, No. 3 seed South Forsyth looks to play spoiler, and with a talented core, the War Eagles could act in that role. Senior Evan Cole and Santhosh Saravanan lead a fast-paced offense that scores well in transition. If the War Eagles are to play spoiler, they must clamp down on defense against the talented offenses of Lambert and Milton. South gave up an average of 71 points per game against Milton and Lambert this season. In its first season in Class 7A, Forsyth Central finished 4-6 in region play and enters the tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Bulldogs will take on South in the first round. The results for West Forsyth’s firstyear head coach Frederick Hurt haven’t been any better than last year’s 7-20 record. West (4-21, 2-8) hasn’t found immediate success under Hurt, who led Alpharetta to two region titles and a quarterfinal and semifinal appearances in the state tournament in his tenure with the Raiders. West will take on Forsyth Central in the opening round of the region tournament.

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 39

Girls region basketball tournament preview By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

Region 6-A girls Seeking its fifth straight region championship, St. Francis seemingly cruised to the No. 1 seed from sub-region B and will enter the tournament as undoubted favorites. The Lady Knights outscored sub-region opponents by 50 points per game and went undefeated in region play. The Lady Knights are led by the four senior D-1 commits of Kasiyahna Kushkituah, Maya Dodson, Nichel Tampa and Taja Cummings. Dodson and Kushkituah, who lead the team in points per game, are both McDonald’s All-Americans. The Lady Knights’ (21-4, 12-0) four losses on the season all came to teams outside of Georgia. St. Francis takes on Excel Christian in the first round. Pinecrest Academy entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed from sub-region B and will face Christian Heritage in the first round. The Paladins are in the midst of their third straight winning season after Ken Lacy took over the program. Pinecrest was knocked out of the region tournament and state tournament contention last year by St. Francis. The Paladins have won seven out of their last nine games. Fellowship Christian will look to make a return to the region championship game and state playoffs after falling to St. Francis in the region title game last season. The Lady Paladins enter the tournament as the No. 3 seed having won four of the prior five games entering the tournament. Fellowship will take on Gordon Lee, the No. 2 seed from sub-region A, in the first round.

Region 7-AAAA girls

Blessed Trinity’s Lady Titans were unable to finish the regular season with a winning record for the first time since the 2012-13 season, but BT can secure a playoff berth with a win in the region tournament. The Lady Titans earned the No. 4 seed and will play fifth-seed White County in a play-in game. With a win, the Lady Titans will earn a trip to the state tournament. BT and White County split their regular season series, each team winning its game by a double-digit margin.

Region 7-AAAAAA girls With the departure of the Forsyth County schools to Class 7A this season, a new region-dominating team has stepped forward — Northview. The Lady Titans (22-3, 16-0) are seeking their first region championship. Northview went undefeated in region play this season and has already set a school record for number of wins in a season. Northview is led by senior forward Shannon Titus who leads Northview in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game. Titus is already a defensive force, averaging 5.5 steals and 4.3 blocks per game. Sophomores Ashlee Austin and Maya Richards have also contributed to the Lady Titans’ success. Austin leads the teams in rebounds and Richards is averaging 9.8 points and 2.1 blocks per game. Last season, fifth-seeded Northview saw an unexpected run to the region 6-AAAAAA championship after upsetting Lambert in the first round, then making it to the region title game where they fell to West Forsyth. Almost the entirety of last year’s team is back. Northview will take on the winner of Dunwoody/North Atlanta in the first round. In contention with Northview for top spot in the region standings much of the year was Alpharetta. The Lady Raiders lost two of their last three region games against Northview and Chattahoochee, but will look to a trio of top performers to lead it to its first region title since the 2012-13 season. Sisters Gogo and Juju Maduka and sophomore Croix Bethune have led the team. Though lacking in size, Bethune is all over the court for the Lady Raiders, leading the team in steals and assists and setting up much of the offense. The Maduka sisters lead the Lady

Raiders in rebounding and have strong outside shooting ability. Alpharetta will take on Cambridge in the first round. Cambridge began the season with multiple wins over Class 7A teams but has struggled in region play. The Bears’ only region wins have come against Dunwoody and North Atlanta, the eighth- and ninth-seeded teams. Last year, Chattahoochee won a play-in game against Johns Creek to keep its season alive, but the outcome pitted the Lady Cougars against South Forsyth, the No. 1 seed led by Maryland-commit Sarah Myers. But as region tournaments usually go, a major upset unfolded when the Lady Cougars, who were 4-13 against region opponents entering the tournament, defeated South 49-41. Hooch would fall the next game to Northview, but their surprising late-season surge earned the Lady Cougars a playoff berth. This season Chattahoochee is in the running for a region title, compiling an 11-4 record in region play, and they seem to be getting hot at the right time. After back-to-back losses to Northview and Johns Creek, the Lady Cougars bounced back with a pivotal win over Alpharetta, the first of five wins to end the regular season. Siena Gore is averaging 20 points per game for the Lady Cougars and senior Alayna Ford is a rebounding force under the net. Hooch will square off with Centennial in the first round. Centennial has hovered around the .500 mark for much of the season and will enter the tournament as the No. 7 seed. The Lady Knights are led by junior Shekinah Guthrie who averages 13.4 points per game and leads the team in rebounds and steals. The Johns Creek boys program has its most successful season in program history last year. That distinction goes to the girls program this year. Under first-year head coach Kirk Call the Lady Gladiators have compiled an 18-7 overall record and will enter the Region 7-AAAAAA tournament as the No. 3 seed. Entering this season, the Lady Gladiators had not won more than 11 games in a season since the program’s inception in 2009-10. The Lady Gladiators are led by senior standout Sydney Tanguilig who has led Johns Creek to eight wins in their last 10 games.

Region 4-AAAAAAA girls

Opening the season with a challenging non-region schedule, the Lady Hornets hovered around the .500 mark for much of the season. But in the final two weeks, Roswell has put together six wins in seven games to improve to 14-8 overall and 6-4 in the region. The Lady Hornets lost a tiebreaker to Etowah for the No. 3 seed and will enter the tournament as the fourth seed. Roswell will take on Lassiter — a team it has trounced twice — in the first round. If the Hornets can beat Lassiter in the first round, they will face Woodstock, who swept Roswell in the regular season, in the second round.

Region 5-AAAAAAA girls Lambert went undefeated in region play, capturing the No. 1 seed for the region tournament. The Lady Longhorns’ only two losses in the regular season came to Brookwood. Lambert allowed just 38 points per game and outscored region opponents by 25 points per game. The Lady Longhorns will be favorites to capture the region title this season after taking a first-round exit last season and missing out on the state tournament. The Lady Longhorns will take on the winner of West Forsyth/ Milton in the first round. South Forsyth also took an early exit from last year’s tournament after being upset by eighth-seed Chattahoochee. However, South looks to contend with Lambert for the region title behind senior guard Emily Dreslinski, leading scorer for the Lady War Eagles. North Forsyth, the No. 3 seed, swept West, Central and Milton, but couldn’t overcome South or Lambert in the regular season, finishing 6-4 in region play. The Lady Raiders shouldn’t have trouble dispatching Milton in the first round and should face South Forsyth in the second round. North was beaten by South 43-22 and 47-32 in the regular season. Fourth seed West Forsyth captured its first region championship in program history last season, but with the loss of 2016 Georgia Girls Player of the Year Jenna Staiti and the departure of Carsen Parker and Brooke Pirkle to concentrate on their soccer careers, West’s season has been lackluster this year. However, as is typical of tourneytime, upsets are to be expected and West, behind four seniors from last year’s squad, could make a run at another region title. West will take on Forsyth Central in the first round.

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SPORTS

Johns Creek soccer preview By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com

BOYS MT. PISGAH

(2016 record: 3-9, 2-6) Head Coach: Trey Arnette What is the overall outlook for your team this year? Last year we missed out on the state championship playoffs by one goal. We hope to reclaim that goal and once again compete in the tournament for the state championship. Who has graduated from last year and who will step up to fill those roles? We lost three great seniors last year, Chase Clark, Nick Poline and Simon Kim. They were tremendous leaders for us and greatly contributed to our successes as a program. This year we have an even stronger senior class of leaders as well as a really talented and confident freshman class who will help fill the ranks. Who are some key players we should watch out for this season? We have two seniors who are simply unstoppable. JP McGuigan and Zach Miller are two of the most naturally talented players I have ever coached. To watch them play is a delight, as everything they do seems so effortless and yet it is incredible. Whether I play them at center-back or striker, they are the best players on the pitch. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? Unless something changes in the coming weeks, our focus will be on defending well while capitalizing on our opportunities. How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? We hope to be competitive. Our new region looks like the state playoffs. If we play our best, our opportunities are endless. If we do not, our opportunities are limited.

CHATTAHOOCHEE

(2016 record: 18-1, 9-0) Head Coach: Les Meenan What is the overall outlook for your team this year? There’s a good feeling around this year’s team. Last year we lost one game, and the year before that it was two games. A lot of these upperclassmen have been playing with those teams, so they have a lot of experience and they are expecting a good season. Who has graduated from last year and who will step up to fill those roles? Top goal-scorer Shane Burke. Shane scored a lot of goals for us, so we

have to get somebody or a few people to chip in to get a few more goals to replace those. Who are some key players we should watch out for this season? Goalkeeper Jack Corrigan. Jack’s only going to be a junior this year, and we expect a lot from him, but there’s a line of kids in front of him that help protect him. No matter how good you are going forward you’re not going to win many games if you can’t get [your opponent] out. We’ve got pretty much the same defensive lineup as we had the last two years. We’re hoping those guys have learned and will be even better. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? We are going to try and play fast, play pressure and try and stop the other team’s attack when they have the ball — a high-press sort of game. We are going to try and hang on to the ball and control possession. How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? In this area, there are always strong teams and you have no idea to what expect in this region. You have teams like Johns Creek, Centennial and Alpharetta who have lots of talent, so it depends on how your team melds together and hopefully we have gelled better than them. There’s a whole lot of talent here, so I don’t think there are going to be any games that are going to be a walkover.

NORTHVIEW

(2016 record: 5-11, 2-7) Head Coach: John McCombe What is the overall outlook for your team this year? This year’s Northview team has a lot of talent. We have nine seniors as well as a number of returning juniors who were starters last year. We had 55 boys show out at tryouts this year, and there were as many as 30 who possessed the quality to play on most varsity teams. We have made a number of changes in the coaching staff and how we approach games and practice, and I look forward to seeing the impact that this will have on the field Who has graduated from last year and who will step up to fill those roles? We graduated Andrew Grodhaus, Brian Killian, Eric Tan, Kenny Zhou and Kedar Godbole last year, and while those were some very good players, I feel our upcoming seniors will step into those roles. Maroun Sassine will step into the leadership role left by the two graduating captains, and a combination of players are starting to gel together to give us a very fluid and potent front line to replace Andrew. A

How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? We change regions this year, but there are still some very familiar names on that list. Chattahoochee must start as favorites for the region. Coach Meenan has done a fantastic job building a program that gets the best out of his players. However, after that, there is a lot of parity within the region, and any given game anyone can beat anyone else. That’s why it is so important to build an appetite and culture for success that coach Greenfield (my assistant coach) and I want to instill in our athletes.

JOHNS CREEK

Jack Corrigan and the Chattahoochee boys soccer team will try to build off of last year’s success, going 18-1. number of returning seniors as well as an outstanding sophomore and junior class this year helps us fill the gaps left by Eric, Kenny and Kedar. Who are some key players we should watch out for this season? Jun Cho was exceptional at times last year and started this year in the same way. During tryouts he possessed the talent and ability to unlock teams apart with his vision from the midfield. Both of our center backs, Michael Owen and Ryan Williams from last year return, which gives us consistency at defense. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? This is my first full season as varsity coach at Northview, having stepped into the role part way through the season last year. My goal for the team is to rebuild that culture of success that the team had between 2008-2012 when they made playoffs every year and even played for a state championship. I believe that we have the quality and ability to return to that level of competitiveness, and our focus this year will be building and creating a program that creates players and teams that can achieve this.

(2016 record: 11-4, 5-4) Head Coach: Kelly Bowler What is the overall outlook for your team this year? I think we have a chance to surprise a lot of people. We graduated a lot of players from last year’s team that went 11-4-0, but we had many log-jammed behind them that in most years would have already been on the varsity. That showed by our JV having a dominant season last year. Who has graduated from last year and who will step up to fill those roles? With 11 seniors graduating, five or six were starters. Several players will step in to fill those roles and the team should have a good overall balance. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? We pride ourselves on playing quality soccer at the high school level, so maintaining that quality and consistency in quality of play is always a top priority. Success in high school soccer is also based so much on intensity and the leadership of seniors, and I believe we will have both of those when we take the field this Friday. How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? It is always our goal to make the state playoffs and to compete for a region title. I am very excited for the prospects for this team, and they are ready to get started.

GIRLS MT. PISGAH

(2016 record: 7-5, 2-4) Head Coach: Trey Arnette What is the overall outlook for your team this year? Last year we made it to the elite eight of the state championship playoffs. We were the only third-seeded team to not only beat a second-seeded team to advance in the tournament, but then to beat a topseeded team as well. We hope to do at

least as well as last year. Who has graduated from last year and who will step up to fill those roles? We only graduated one senior, Caroline Norman, one of our captains, and she will certainly be missed. But many of our players have significantly improved and matured in the off-season, and we expect them to not only fill her shoes, but take us even further. Even the freshman class we have brought in this year are all girls who can step into any varsity match and hold their own. Who are some key players we should watch out for this season? All of them. We might possibly have the most talented team to ever take the pitch under the Mount Pisgah crest. Dani Moore will sign with Furman to play soccer on February 1st. We have many other players who are being actively recruited by notable soccer programs, including Ansley Diamond, Annabelle Geier, and Katelyn Smith. Hannah Ferry and Dakota Williamson will also be key players this year as they will be anchoring our defense for a second year. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? Absolutely. We won a lot of games and made it to the playoffs last year, but we never dominated a game. My goal for our girls this year is to learn how to take control of a game and keep control of a game until the final whistle blows. How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? There is no doubt we are in the group of death, this year. Our region looks like the state championship playoffs brackets. Whoever makes it out of region play will be a strong contender for the state championship.

CHATTAHOOCHEE

(2016 record: 8-7, 4-5) Head Coach: Danny Jenkins How has your transition to Chattahoochee been so far? Before accepting the offer to teach and coach at Chattahoochee, I spoke with educators, parents and faculty to get a feel for what they think about the school and the athletics program. The feedback was always the same — they all referred to the school as the “Hooch

SPORTS

Family.” I honestly didn’t hear anything negative going in. After being here for a semester, I agree. The culture is that of “family.” From the administrators to the faculty and staff to the parents in the community, the support of our students and student athletes has been tremendous. I’m very happy to have made the move. What is the overall outlook for your team this year? If the pre-season is any indication, we will have a team that works hard, supports each other and plays attractive, creative soccer. Who has graduated from last year and who will step up to fill those roles? We had some significant losses to graduation. I wasn’t here last year, so I can’t say what type of impact those players had on the day to day, but having competed against them the last couple years, I know that it’s hard to overcome the loss of senior starting players like Riley Pinion, Kelly Hart, Katie Weger, Sydney Lee and Hope Kemp-Hanson. All of those players had experience in ECNL or RPL, the two top leagues in the country for girls club soccer. It will take a collective effort by the entire group to overcome those losses. Some of our talented younger players are going to have to assume leadership roles on the field, and our seniors are going to have to get everyone working together and push them to improve in a very short period of time if we want to have success. Who are some key players we should watch out for this season? Chattahoochee returns a very strong senior goalkeeper in Molly Swiger, who will play her college soccer at the U.S. Naval Academy. She is a tall, technically gifted goalkeeper who is as tough as she is talented. She has set the example for effort and commitment to improvement throughout the pre-season. The back line will be led by junior All-Region standout Cecily Mohammed, who is committed to play collegiate soccer at the University of Georgia. Cecily is an extremely athletic player who was on Chattahoochee’s football team in the fall and runs track in the spring. She has the ability to shut down attackers, but she is also a threat to join the attack at any time. Sophomore Ashton Smith is a pure playmaker. She uses

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 41

her superior technical control of the ball, creativity and gritty competitiveness to create goa- scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. She has been invited to several national level camps and events and is committed to LSU. Senior attacker Skylar Bertram is a fast, athletic goal-scorer who can be dangerous from the target forward position or out on the wing. Her speed, toughness and finishing ability will be key to Chattahoochee’s success. Skylar will bring her talents to Georgia State University next year, where she has committed to an athletic scholarship. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? We have placed a lot of focus on individual technical ability, understanding the principles of play and the roles of players within different systems, and establishing a culture of respect, support, effort and efficiency. The high school season is a sprint more than a marathon. The quicker we can have everyone comfortable on the ball, confident in their decision-making, and excited about doing the work necessary to be able to compete, the better chance we have of being successful. How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? It is really hard to say. GHSA realigned our region so we will be competing against a few teams that we haven’t seen on a regular basis. We also have a whole new coaching staff. Picking up Mike Muller, a well-respected and successful club coach, as the varsity assistant coach was like adding another head coach. Mike Sincos, the JV coach and varsity assistant, has already attracted more players to our program and sets the tone for development and enthusiasm. So far, the players have responded positively in practices and in the classroom. We have some very talented players. How they respond to the new coaches and how quickly we can find the right system for the mix of players that we have will determine how well we will do.

NORTHVIEW

(2016 record: 6-10, 2-7) Head Coach: Jen Barr What is the overall outlook for

your team this year? Northview soccer has a long legacy of contending in playoffs, but lately all female sports numbers have dropped off and we don’t have a JV program for the first time ever. We are a small team but we want to pack a big punch. Who has graduated from last year and who will step up to fill those roles? Erin Rhodes & Izzy Messawer were two vital players for us last season (lost to graduation). Who are some key players we should watch out for this season? Keep an eye on Shelby Shepherd, Tala Samarah, Emma Chanavier. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? Our focus will be to stay healthy. We don’t have a JV program this season. How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? We want to get back to the playoffs. Last year was the first year since 2009 that we didn’t make the playoffs. We want to make another run.

JOHNS CREEK

(2016 record: 11-4, 8-1) Head Coach: Mary Byrne What is the overall outlook for your team this year? I am incredibly positive about this upcoming season. The girls are really working hard and coming together. This is my first year as the Johns Creek girls varsity coach and I am excited to coach this team with a fresh perspective. Who are some key players we should watch out for this season? Our team is very strong overall. We have a strong senior class this year that is going to do very good things this season. We also have a large, solid sophomore class that is going to be very impactful. Is there a particular focus your team will have this year? As a team we are focusing on unity this season. The girls are coming together and playing with a high level of intensity. How do you believe your team will fare in region play this year? I am excited to see the girls step out on the field and give their all each and every game. I feel that we will be competitive in the region due to the girls’ hard work and focus.

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BT basketball seeking first region championship Titans win twice last week to secure No. 1 seed in region tournament By JOE PARKER news@appenmediagroup.com ROSWELL, Ga.— Blessed Trinity will look to finally overcome the region championship hurdle this week as the Titans captured the No. 1 seed for the Region 7-AAAA tournament. The Titans have never won a region championship, finishing as runner up three times in the 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2013-14 seasons. The Titans secured the No. 1 seed with two region wins last week over White County and Marist. The win over Marist was a winner-take-all for the top spot in the region tournament. On Tuesday, the Titans used a 14-2 run in the first half and outscored White County 22-6 in the third quarter to cruise to a 64-42 win. Ben Shappard led the Titans in scoring with 21 points, followed by CJ Abrams with 18. After the win over White County, Blessed Trinity improved to 6-1 in region play, enough to put it in a tie with Marist at the top of the region standings and setting up a deciding game for the top seed in the region tournament. It was the second meeting between the teams. Marist won the first matchup 55-46 on Jan. 17, a game

JOE PARKER/HERALD

Blessed Trinity sophomore CJ Abrams defends. Abrams scored 18 points, all in the second half, in the Titans’ 64-42 win over White County last week. in which Blessed Trinity head coach Patrick Hughes said his team was “pushed around” by the Eagles. “We wanted to make sure we took care of business and show that we are a better team than the first time we played Marist,” he said.

The Titans used sound defense and put three scorers in double-digits to down the Eagles 49-35, securing the No. 1 seed for this week’s Region 7-AAAA tournament. Hughes said his defense was key in the win, holding Marist to just 10

points in the first half. Junior guard Ben Shappard led the Titans in scoring with 16 points. Senior Kyle Swade scored 15 and sophomore guard CJ Abrams scored 10. BT shot 6-8 from beyond the arc and the team made 15-16 on free throws. Hughes said capturing the region championship was a goal for his team at the outset of the season. Though his team has captured the No. 1 seed, Hughes and his team know that much work is left to be done. “Getting the No. 1 seed doesn’t guarantee [a region championship] by any means, but it sets us up in the best possible position. Getting that No. 1 seed was big in attempting to accomplish our goals.” “Our seniors want to leave a line on the banner and leave a legacy.” In securing the top seed, the Titans have a bye in the first round and will take on the winner of Chestatee/West Hall this Friday. “We are going to take it one game and a time and continue to enjoy the experience,” Hughes said of his team’s run for a region title. “This is the only time in their lives they are going to be playing on this team. Each year the team is different, and this year we have a great group of guys that enjoy being around each other and we want to make it last as long as we can.”

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-07

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-06

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-05

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-17-AB-04

PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers February 16, 2017 3:00 P.M.

PLACE City Hall Two Park Plaza Council Chambers February 9, 2017 2:00 P.M.

PURPOSE Consumption on Premises Liquor, Beer & Wine Sunday Sales

PURPOSE Convenience Store Beer & Wine – Sunday Sales

APPLICANT Rumi’s Avalon, LLC d/b/a Rumi’s Kitchen 7105 Avalon Blvd. Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

APPLICANT MF Bar, LLC d/b/a MF Bar 7135 Avalon Blvd. Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

APPLICANT District III, LLC d/b/a District III 7140 Avalon Blvd. Alpharetta, Ga. 30009

Owner Rumi’s Avalon, LLC Registered Agent Stephen Kaplan

Owner MF Bar, LLC Registered Agent Tramanh Nguyen

Owner District III, LLC Registered Agent Tramanh Nguyen

APPLICANT Sabrina Enterprise, Inc. d/b/a Chevron Food Mart 3955 Old Milton Parkway Alpharetta, Ga. 30005 Owner Sabrina Enterprise, Inc. Registered Agent Siraj Ali

COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 43

Kathy Floyd appointed to governor’s new Older Adults Cabinet ATLANTA – Kathy Floyd, executive director of the Georgia Council on Aging, has been named to Gov. Nathan Deal’s newly created Older Adults Cabinet. Deal announced last week the creation of Georgia’s Older Adults Cabinet, a committee working to enhance the state’s capacity to serve older adults. The Older Adults Cabinet is a committee tasked with identifying ways for Georgia to improve the well-being of its older residents. The Older Adults Cabinet mission is to identify ways for Georgia to improve the well-being of its older residents by bringing together state agency heads whose work supports older Georgians, as well as stakeholders in the business, philanthropic and education communities. “Georgia has one of the fastest-growing populations of older adults

in the country — a statistic we expect to continue to rise as baby boomers reach the age of retirement,” Deal said in his press release. “The members of this cabinet will be instrumental in examFLOYD ining issues that affect elderly Georgians and ensuring we have the infrastructure to meet their needs and the needs of their caregivers.” Deal said the Older Adults Cabinet will bring together leaders from across the state to address the issues affecting older individuals and families in Georgia. The cabinet will identify ways in Georgia to improve the wellbeing of its

older residents. Cabinet members are state agency heads whose work supports older Georgians and stakeholders in the business, philanthropic and education communities. Floyd has advocated for Georgia’s seniors for many years. In addition to her leadership of the Georgia Council on Aging, she worked for AARP Georgia for 19 years. She has spearheaded legislative campaigns on state and federal issues including Society Security, Medicare, long term care and consumer issues. Floyd is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and received her Master in Business Administration from Georgia State University. She and her family live in Roswell. “Georgia has one of the fastest-growing populations of older adults

in the country — a statistic we expect to continue to rise as baby boomers reach the age of retirement,” said Deal. “The members of this cabinet will be instrumental in examining issues that affect elderly Georgians and ensuring we have the infrastructure to meet their needs and the needs of their caregivers.” The committee is co-chaired by First Lady Sandra Deal and Department of Human Services Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden. The Older Adults Cabinet will focus on issues that affect older Georgians, including health care, nutrition, transportation, housing and abuse, neglect and exploitation. The cabinet will hold six meetings per year, three meetings for Executive Committee members and three meetings of the full cabinet.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, March 2, 2017 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, March 27, 2017 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. a. MP-16-13/Z-16-11/CU-16-19/V-16-25 TPA Fuqua Development/Peridot (Deferred by Planning Commission) Consideration of a request to amend the Peridot (A.K.A. MetLife) Master Plan and previous conditions of zoning to allow 320 ‘For-Rent’ residential units, 167 ‘For-Sale’ Attached units, 55,500 square feet of retail/restaurant use, 664,400 square feet of office use, and a 200-room hotel. A rezoning is requested on 15.51 acres from O-I (Office-Institutional) to MU (Mixed-Use) and a conditional use is requested to allow ‘Dwelling, ‘For-Rent’ and ‘Bank, Savings and Loan’ uses. A variance is requested to allow first floor ‘For-Rent’ dwellings on three building sides and to allow first floor ‘For-Rent’ dwellings on a Storefront Street. The property is located on the west side of Haynes Bridge Road south of Lakeview Parkway and is legally described as Land Lots 744, 745, 752, and 753, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. b. MP-15-01/CLUP-15-01/Z-15-01/V-15-01 KB400 Master Plan/1699 Land Company Consideration of a request to rezone approximately 12.4 acres from O-I (Office-Institutional) to CUP (Community Unit Plan) in order to develop 25 ‘For-Sale’ Townhome units and 57 ‘For-Sale’ Detached lots in a gated community. A master plan amendment to the KB400 Master Plan is requested to add ‘Dwelling, ‘ForSale’ Attached and Detached’ to the list of permitted uses and to change required setbacks. A Comprehensive Land Use Plan amendment is requested to change the designation of the property from ‘Corporate Office’ to ‘High Density Residential’. A variance is requested to reduce the 100-acre minimum lot size in the CUP district. The property is located at the southwest corner of Kimball Bridge Road and North Point Parkway and is legally described as being located in Land Lots 807, 808, 849 & 850, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. c. Z-17-01 Tribble/285 Karen Drive/DT-R Consideration of a request to rezone 0.817 acre from R-12 (Dwelling, ‘For-Sale’ Residential) to DT-R (Downtown Residential) to allow for the construction of 3 ‘For-Sale’ Detached homes. The property is located at 285 Karen Drive and is legally described as being located in Land Lot 696, 1st District, 2nd Section, Fulton County, Georgia. d. PH-17-02 Historic Preservation Incentive Zoning – UDC Text Amendments Consideration of amendments to the Historic Preservation Incentive Zoning Ordinance to remove and add historic properties to Appendix A: Historic Resources Inventory, as well as miscellaneous text amendments. Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

44 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

ADVERTISEMENT FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

Arrests:

CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA

Continued from Page 2

FOR RENOVATION OF WILLS PARK POOL RFQ 17-1010 The City of Alpharetta (City) is requesting statements of qualifications from highly qualified contractors for the renovation of the Wills Park Pool. The pool renovation project includes, but is not limited to, the following items; interior and exterior renovations to the existing pool building; the construction of one new competition pool, one new leisure pool and amenities; and the construction of a bioretention area. The Request for Qualifications document will be available online Thursday, January 26, 2017 at our bid posting website, https://www.ebidexchange.com/alpharetta. Interested parties are required to log in to review the RFQ documents. Statements of Qualifications will be due on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. For information, please contact Debora Westbrook at the City of Alpharetta Finance Department via email at purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us or at 678-297-6052.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following items will be heard at a public hearing held by the Planning Commission on Thursday, February 2, 2017 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. Items forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered by the City Council on Monday, March 6, 2017 commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Alpharetta City Hall Council Chambers, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia. a. PH-17-03 Alpharetta 2035 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Consideration of an amendment to the Alpharetta 2035 Comprehensive Plan to add language to the Kimball Bridge Activity Center Character Area in order to clarify the vision for the redevelopment of the Alpha Park neighborhood. b. PH-17-05 Unified Development Code Text Amendments – Sign Code Consideration of amendments to Unified Development Code Section 2.6 Signs, to increase the maximum allowable wall sign area associated with Industrial and Office Parks from 156 to 240 square feet as well as revisions to Downtown Parking Regulations. Note: Georgia law requires that all parties who have made campaign contributions to the Mayor or to a Council Member in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the past two (2) years must complete a campaign contribution report with the Community Development Department. The complete text of the Georgia law and a disclosure form are available in the office of the City Clerk, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Path, Decatur, was arrested Jan. 18 on Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell for possession of marijuana and suspended license. ►► Cassandra L. Robinson, 32, of Graniteville, S.C., was arrested Jan. 29

on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and hallucinogen distribution. ►► Jerel Marquis Thomas, 28, of Deer Trail, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 27 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana. ►► Andre Ainsworth Green, 34, of Mid Broadwell Road, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 24 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana and failure to maintain lane. ►► Kimberly-Ann Bradley, 29, of Creekside Court, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 23 on North Point Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana, possession of drug-related items and following too close. ►► Kourtney Gainell Perry, 32, of Wyoming, Michigan, was arrested Jan. 23 on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta for possession of marijuana.

Blotter:

3 suspects seen stealing from Target

Continued from Page 2

ROSWELL, Ga. — On Jan. 19, police responded to a call about three suspects allegedly stealing from the Super Target on Holcomb Bridge Road. When police arrived, they were told that three men had been seen fleeing from the store in an unknown car. They pursued, signaling the driver to stop, but he did not. The car continued to travel east toward Gwinnett County. During the chase, the driver allegedly broke several traffic laws while driving in a reckless manor at a high speed. The pursuit took police all the way to DeKalb County, where the chase was called off. Back at the Super Target, the front doors were shattered, and surveillance footage showed three men throwing rocks at the doors to break the glass. A shopping cart full of garbage bags with merchandise was found just inside the store. Several electronics were taken from the store, including Xbox Ones and speakers, worth $4,000 total.

Road in Alpharetta for DUI, speeding, reckless driving and attempting to elude a police officer. ►► Emma Ruth Parson, 23, of North Augusta, S.C., was arrested Jan. 26 on Ga. 400 in Alpharetta for DUI and speeding.

Drug arrests ►► Florence A. Alozie, 23, of Shepherds

Woman gets $10K in fraudulent checks ROSWELL, Ga. — A woman alerted police Jan. 18 to an instance of fraud once she realized that some checks she had deposited were not valid. The woman had found a job on a website for couriers by someone she knew as “Charles Powell.” Powell would mail checks for the woman to deposit into a designated bank account. She was then instructed to withdraw cash for her fee and transfer the money to another checking account. The woman received two checks, for a total of $10,000, which she deposited as instructed. After she transferred the money, however, she was notified that they were fraudulent. The woman said that she was afraid that she had been involved in a money laundering scheme and reported the information to police immediately.

NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 45

DEATH NOTICES Florene Kay Adduci, 74, of Cumming, passed away January 25, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Gloria Viola Badley, 81, passed away January 24, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. William R. Benson, 87, of Roswell, passed away January 21, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Edward Marion Borg, 88, of Cumming, passed away January 30, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Frankland D. Boroughs, 83, of Forsyth County, passed away January 29, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Leslie Brown, 83, of Alpharetta, passed away January 16, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Barbara Caggiano, 76, of Alpharetta, passed away January 13, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Lillian Mae Dodd, 77, of Cumming, passed away January 28, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Jane M. Gigliotti, 87, of Roswell, passed away January 19, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Mary F. Gunsten, 73, of Cumming, passed away January 19, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Rachel Hammons, 49, of Cumming, passed away January 21, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Donald A. Hyde, 73, of Roswell, passed away January 21, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Lawrence A. Jones, 72, of Roswell, passed away January 11, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Elena Y. Kurr, 36, of Cumming, passed away January 29, 2017. Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home.

Gordon Kenneth Lee, Jr., 80, of Cumming, passed away January 29, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Robert D. Means, 92, of Milton, passed away January 20, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Judith Van Horn Pett, 63, of Cumming, passed away January 24, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Nellie Thaxton, of Roswell, passed away January 28, 2017. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors. Allen Ray Thomas, 61, of Cumming, passed away January 29, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. James Tinsley, 78, of Roswell, passed away January 17, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home.

Pat Truitt, 80, of Cumming, passed away January 24, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Ann F. Underwood, 87, of Roswell, passed away January 19, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Marie Watson, 85, of Forsyth County, passed away January 28, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. Sheila Gail Wheeler, 54, of Cumming, passed away January 29, 2017. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home. James C. Whitaker, 84, of Roswell, passed away January 22, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Thomas Wilson, 72, of Alpharetta, passed away January 16, 2017. Arrangements by Roswell Funeral Home. Richard John Wollak, 66, of Suwanee, passed away January 24, 2017. Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

ONLINE INCLUDED

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Call today to place your ad • 770-442-3278 • classifieds@appenmediagroup.com • FAX: 770-475-1216 •

Help Wanted

Full-time

Now Hiring: Advertising Sales Executive Job Description & Duties: Appen Media Group is hiring sales executives for the marketing and advertising department. Primary responsibilities will be managing a book of existing business by consulting on and selling advertising campaigns, and growing the existing book of business through cold calling and networking. Qualifications: Must be ambitious, hard working, good with people, and goal oriented. Previous sales experience preferred, but not required. Compensation: Base salary of $18,200/ year with aggressive monthly commission. Full medical benefits, matching 401k and PTO.

four weekly newspapers in the north Fulton and south Forsyth markets totaling 75,000 in circulation per week. In addition to its weekly coverage, AMG also publishes the monthly womens magazine, Northside Woman, as well as quarterly community guides, called Answer Books. Digitally, AMG has a vast online presences through various social media platforms and through its operation of northfulton.com and northsidewoman.com. Email a resume and cover letter to: christina@appenmediagroup.com and CC hans@appenmediagroup.com.

About Appen Media Group: Appen Media Group is a multimedia news company with a focus on print newspapers. AMG publishes

Help p Wanted? Help Fo ound!

State Farm Agent (Johns Creek) is seeking new team members. Full/ part time positions available. Salary plus commission. Email resume or contact info to: rich@richsf.com SAP Systems Analysts (Johns Creek, GA openings. Travel not required, but must be willing to relocate to unanticipated locations across the country per contract demand): Perform SAP ABAP programming, testing and debugging functions related to the implementation of SAP Modules. Fax resume referencing job code ID0217SAP to HR Manager, Idhasoft, Inc. at 404 601-9171

Full-time

Client Scheduler

ORDER ENTRY/ SALES SUPPORT: Norcross promotional product company seeks a detailoriented person for order processing. Great computer skills required. 9am-6pm. Email resume to awise@gpcorp.com

for premier homecare agency in Alpharetta Must have excellent communication skills and enjoy working with elderly. CNA or LPN certification desired. Prior homecare or scheduling experience a plus. Call 678-230-5971 PRESCHOOL TEACHER-FT/PT INFANT TEACHER. PROGRAM SUPERVISOR. Positions open immediately! Benefits available. E x c e l l e n t pay. Friendly environment. Call 678-648-3175 or info@krk52.com

Fill your position today! Call 770-442-3278

DRIVERS Class A CDL openings to run S.E. Regional. 2015 and newer trucks. Home weekly, Excellent Pay and Benefits! Apply: www.osborntransportation.com Call 855-395-6630 x 113

*Some Restrictions Full-time

The CITY OF SUWANEE is accepting applications for full-time positions: Communications Officer ($16.92 hr.), GA. P.O.S.T Certified Police Officer (starting $18.68 hr.), and Inspections Assistant ($16.92 hr.). Go to www. suwanee. com., send application/ resume to City of Suwanee HR, 330 Town Center Ave, Suwanee, GA 30024 or Fax; 678546-2120. E/O/E; Drug Free Workplace

MAIN CLASSIFIEDS continued on page 46

46 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

MAIN CLASSIFIEDS continued from page 45 Full-time

Part-time

CDL DRIVER:

CDL, D.O.T. Deliver brick & sundries (mortar, block, steel, etc.) to comml & res job sites. Truck loaded for NGB Driver at various yards & plants; unloaded by NGB Driver at job site via Princeton (forklift). 5:45am-5pm, can be later. Making several deliveries/day through metro Atl traffic TRUCK MECHANIC: Need valid DL, basic hand tools, strong mechanical aptitude & troubleshooting skills. Diesel exp & ASC cert a plus. Ability to handle physical workload. Maintain/repair industrial equip. Min 40 hrs/ wk& some Sats. Perform Class A, B, & C svcs on Semi Tractors & Trailers; routine preventive maint, other duties as req’d to support operations; respond to work order requests in timely fashion; adhere to all safety policies & procedures TRUCK DISPATCHER: HS Diploma, knowledge of N. Fulton & Northside Atl roads; very good communicator; ability to organize workload efficiently; must handle itineraries of several trucks (multitasking skills important!) Mon-Fri & Sats. CDL Class B a plus. Comprehend work orders by ensuring workload is studied thoroughly; determine most efficient routing & transportation ways for delivery & pick-up of goods; Communicate w/drivers to provide them w/route & delivery times info for direct scheduling of deliveries. Resumes: Tina Ph 770-205-3554

Johnson,

Full-time Systems Analyst (Multiple Positions): Systems Analyst: Associate Degree or equiv. + 1 Year Application Development experience utilizing Java, Applets, SQL, Servlets, JSP, Tomcat, XML, HTML, Hibernate, Struts. Mail resume to Northstar Technologies, 3650 Mansell Rd., #225, Alpharetta, GA 30022 Part-time UPSCALE HOUSECLEANER: Wonderful company, specializing highend beautiful homes. Monday-Friday 8:304ish. $13.00/hour (start), approximately 30-35 hours/week.. Wonderful for stay at-home mom 770-309-7335

tjohnson@ngabrick.com

Part-time Director of Youth Ministry, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church

APC is a vibrant, 900-member PC(USA) church seeking a part-time Director of Youth Ministry to work with youth in grades 6-12. Please view full job description and requirements at www. alpharettapres.com/ youth. Submit letter of interest, resume, and 3 references to office@ alpharettapres.com, 770-751-0033. HOUSEKEEPER Experienced. References, transportation and background check required. English-speaking; non-smoker. 404-229-0846

#1 News Website in North Atlanta www.appenmediagroup.com

Delivery on Phone books Make extra in The Metropolitan area of Atlanta, GA Great pay and flexible hours. Visit our Office: 3370 Panthersville Rd, Decatur, GA 30034 Or Call us: (877)-581-0555 Ext 82, or apply online: www. deliveryellow.com/ FRONT DESK Doctors office. Computer experience. pleasant team player. Positive attitude. Alpharetta/ Roswell. Resume: medoffice123@gmail. com PRESCHOOL TEACHER-FT/PT INFANT TEACHER. PROGRAM SUPERVISOR. Positions open immediately! Benefits available. E x c e l l e n t pay. Friendly environment. Call 678-648-3175 or info@krk52.com

Sales Moving Sale ALPHARETTA/ WINDWARD: 1911 Seven Seas Court. Saturday 2/11, 8am-4pm. Moving! Competitive fisherman selling gear. Unique teen bedding set. 3’ snowmen. Furniture. Clothes. Ping-pong table.... ALPHARETTA/ WINDWARD 1911 Seven Seas Court. Saturday 2/11, 8am-4pm. Competitive fisherman selling gear. Unique teen bedding set. 3’ snowmen. Furniture. Clothes. Ping-pong table....

Fill your position CALL 770-442-3278 to place your ad

Animals

Furniture

Miscellaneous

Wanted to Buy

Legal Notice

Horses

CHERRY HUNT TABLE with mirror, $700. 404-889-3233

JOHN DEERE GATOR for kids $200. 404-889-3233

Regina Hamilton looking for Augusto Hamilton for divorce.

ROLLAWAY BED; Folding, single. Used once. Mint! Plus single-sheet set. $150. Originally $208. $45 extra for single bed quilt. 770-343-8075

POLARIS 4-Wheeler 404-889-3233

Vintage Barbie and Friends, Ginny, Madame Alexander, and other dolls, clothing and accessories. (Local). Cell 214-883-8215

PONIES

7 fabulous, loving, well-mannered ponies! 10 hands to 14.2. They ride English & Western. . $1000 & up. 770-663-7565

Pet Training GEORGIA K9 National Training Center specializes in elite dog training and behavior modification. Call today! Located in Canton. 770-721-6959 www.gak9.com

Bargains Building Supplies VELUX SKYLIGHTS, used. (Eight, 21”x44”, two miscellaneous sizes). $475/all. 770-992-6848 leave message DRIVEWAY GATES; two, 10’ wide total, wrought iron. $800 both/obo. 678-492-2300

Cemetery ARLINGTON/SANDY SPRINGS Oakhill Section, #284C Space 4. Beautiful, near tree. $3500/ obo. Retail $4995. 770-564-1628, 770-695-9045 GREENLAWN ROSWELL Fountain-B Section. 4 plots. Fair market value $5000/each. Asking $4000/each OBO. C. Palmer 615-764-6170

Furniture DINING ROOM TABLE, glass top, cherry inlay, 6 covered roll-back chairs $800. 404-889-3233 SWIVEL ROCKER RECLINER, LazyBoy: Beige. New! $850. Retail $1099. 678-957-8335

CHILDRENS’ TABLE, cherry Delta $90. 404-889-3233 BARSTOOLS 30” cherry 404-889-3233

(3) $300.

Octagonal poker table; black/gold micro pattern sleeper sofa; black/gold stripe loveseat; black/gold rocker (vintage); ivory Queen Anne chairs (2); small bar cart; oval glass top coffee table; wood/glass oval coffee table. 770-889-8812 BAR STOOLS, swivel seats & backs. Two 24”, one 29”, all wood construction; great condition! $20 each. 770-888-2790

Garden/Lawn TORO WEEDEATER, heavy duty. like new. 6.5HP Lawn Boy mower, self-propelled; mulching blade. $200 both. 770-594-7825

Household F R I G I D A I R E FREEZER $125. 404-889-3233

Medical Equipment P O W E R WHEELCHAIR: Invacare Pronto M-91. New batteries. Like new! $1000. 404-396-7807

Miscellaneous LITTLE TYKES COUPE and Fire Engine, both for kids $70. 404-889-3233 DUNE RACER (kids) $150. 404-889-3233

Kids’ $150.

JOHN DEERE KIDS’ GROUNDLOADER $150. 404-889-3233 STROLLERS 404-889-3233

$40.

YAMAHA 4-WHEELER 404-889-3233

kids’ $150.

Musical Instruments PIANO: Kimball Upright with bench, in excellent condition! Completely refurbished and tuned. $1100. 770-861-7537 PIANO, Baby Grand: Elegant case, matching bench; warm, rich tone. Sacrifice $1650 obo. 678-445-3654 PIANO: Henry F. Miller Upright, matching bench $500/firm. 770-552-4034

Recreation FITNESS ELLIPTICAL BIKE: New-Octane XR600 $1,300.00 OBO. Contact: Steve 925- 549-4733 SKIS, BOOTS, POLES, womens’ and mens’ 7/1/2 and 9-1/2. $400. 404-889-3233 GOLF CLUBS: Ladies’ complete set, Lynx irons, graphite woods, ball retriever, wood covers, new bag $275. 770-740-9757 Golf Cart: 2013 citEcar Street legal, 48-V, on-board charger,4 Pass Neighborhood Buddy. $4250; new $8000. One Owner, 300 miles. 770-401-4097

Wanted to Buy RECORDS: LP’s. Pay cash, Rock & Roll. Mojo Vinyl, Roswell 678-534-5042

Entertainment & Event Services Weddings Tianna’s Place Creating impeccable memories, one event at a time. Full-service, special event-planning. Focusing on corporate and celebratory events. w w w. t i a n n a s p l a c e . com. 678-879-5253/ 404-903-2441

Personal Services Child Care NANNY; Experienced, seeking Cumming family to work for. Excellent references. One or two children, infant-preschool. 804873-6956 (Cumming) Phone calls only; no texting or email.

Eldercare YOUR HOME Nights or days. 8-12 hours. $14/hour. Verifiable references. 20+ years experience. Transportation. Nonsmoker/Englishspeaking. No pets. 470-779-4723/ 470-545-1910

Business Services Business for Sale FERNANDINA BEACH, FL Retail gift shop in historic area. Inventory, fixtures, goodwill. Call Bonnie 904-491-1294

BOLD TYPE

will really make your ad stand out. Ask your sales rep about making all or part of your ad bold. 770-442-3278

Public Notice of Closure The At Home Hospice of Alpharetta, LLC dba New Century Hospice of Alpharetta hospice agency located at 290 S. Main Street, #300, Alpharetta, GA 30009-1949 announces its closure and will no longer participate in the Medicare program (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act) effective February 28, 2017. We will continue to service this area through an affiliate provider.The agreement between At Home Hospice of Alpharetta, LLC dba New Century Hospice of Alpharetta and the Secretary of Health and Human Services has terminated on February 28, 2017 in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act.No payment for patients whose plan of care that began on or after the date of closure will be made by the Medicare program. For patients whose plans of care began prior to the closure effective date, payment to the agency can be made for services furnished up to 30 days following the effective date of closure.We would like to thank our staff, physicians and community for their trust and support.

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NorthFulton.com | Johns Creek Herald | February 9, 2017 | 47

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48 | February 9, 2017 | Johns Creek Herald | NorthFulton.com

Luxury home in Windward’s Northshore exclusively offered by The Ash-Jones Team. 1495 Portmarnock Drive Offered at $1,150,000

• Exceptional four sides brick in gated community • Inviting, private backyard oasis perfect for entertaining • Amazing saltwater pool/spa, outdoor kitchen & fireplace • Luxurious master suite w/renovated bath & fireside sitting room • Fun, flexible terrace level w/wine cellar, billiards/TV room, bed/bath, office • Unparalleled amenities of The Lake Windward Club including 195 acre lake To preview this wonderful property or if you are thinking of selling your home, call The Ash-Jones Team.

The

Ash- Jones Team

Over $30 million closed sales in 2015-2016 Award-winning Relocation Specialists

ashjonesteam.harrynorman.com

Patty Ash 678-557-2877 cell patty@pattyash.com

Eve Jones 770-365-1406 cell eve.jones@harrynorman.com

NORTH FULTON OFFICE | 678-461-8700 | 7855 North Point Parkway, Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 | www.harrynorman.com