Alpharetta-Roswell Herald — January 28, 2021

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ROSWELL 10731 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell, GA EAST COBB 4880 Lower Roswell Rd, #135, Marietta, GA

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School staffing woes hinder return to class

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Banks report interest in new wave of loans

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Business as unusual

CARL APPEN/HERALD

Even with social spacing restrictions, there were plenty of seats at the Jan. 19 Alpharetta City Council meeting. With infection rates for the coronavirus surging recently, low citizen turnout has been the norm for council meetings, which are streamed online on the city’s website. Council members spent a majority of the meeting discussing a proposal that would establish an annual fund to offset property taxes for homeowners. Read more, Page 4

Woman works to erase Georgian’s medical debt

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2 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Suspects in deadly stabbing captured in Miami-Dade 770-442-3278 | NorthFulton.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 PUBLISHER EMERITUS: Ray Appen PUBLISHER: Hans Appen MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Fox EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: Alpharetta: ext. 118, Roswell ext. 122 Dunwoody Crier: ext. 143 Forsyth Herald: ext. 118 Johns Creek Herald: ext. 123 Milton Herald: ext. 139 Calendar: ext. 122 TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL: News/Press Releases: NorthFulton.com/Sponsored Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar ADVERTISING QUESTIONS: General Advertising: ext. 100 advertising@appenmediagroup.com Classified Advertising: ext. 119 classifieds@appenmediagroup.com Circulation/Subscriptions/Delivery: ext. 100 circulation@appenmediagroup.com OUR PUBLICATIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell Herald: 28,000 circulation Johns Creek Herald: 20,000 circulation Dunwoody Crier: 18,000 circulation Forsyth Herald: 17,000 circulation Milton Herald: 10,000 circulation Answer Book: 40,000 circulation

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ROSWELL, Ga. — Sergio Josue Alvarado, a 22-year-old man suspected of stabbing a man to death during a Jan. 9 armed robbery near the Village Shopping Center in Roswell, was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida on Jan. 14.

Alvarado spent five days on the lam for the fatal stabbing of Rigoberto Corea, 40, of Roswell.

Roswell special investigators traced Alvarado and two alleged accomplices to South Florida. All three were arrested there and remain held at the Miami-Dade County Jail, awaiting extradition to Georgia to face murder charges, Roswell police announced.

Police identified the two other suspects as Edin Alvarado, 33, and Dennis Amilcar Alvarado-Munoz, 35. Those two men’s full roster of charges was not immediately clear.

POLICE BLOTTER 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.

Police arrest suspect in April armed robbery ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Police on Jan. 14 arrested a man allegedly involved in an April 23 armed robbery at the Highlands at Park Bridge subdivision.

Chad Matthew Gange, 20, Bay Overlook Drive, Woodstock, was charged with armed robbery in connection with the incident.

According to police, Gange was one of four people involved in the robbery, which occurred along Breckenridge Lane. The victim, a 21-year-old girl, told officers she was friends with one of the suspects and met them to hang out. As she was sitting in the back seat of a Nissan sedan between the two female suspects, one of the men in the front seat reached back and grabbed her sweatshirt.. She said that man, identified as 18-year-old Quintarious Humphrey, pointed a gun in her face and demanded cash, her gold chain and her Apple iPhone, which was valued at $1,000. He then ordered her out of the vehicle.

Investigators announced Sergio Alvarado as the primary suspect after obtaining arrest warrants on him for charges of malice murder, robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a knife during certain crimes. Roswell Police Department spokesman Tim Lupo said Alvarado and Corea knew each other prior to the fatal encounter and classified them as “family acquaintances.”

The charges stem from a botched robbery attempt that took place early the morning of Jan. 9. According to police, officers responded to reports of a fight outside the La Parranda Mexican Bar & Grill, 1085 Holcomb Bridge Rd. They later realized a robbery attempt led to the deadly stabbing.

A 34-year-old man who shared the same Roswell address as Corea sustained minor injuries during the incident.

The victim grabbed one of the suspects’ phone as she got out and tracked the four to a nearby gas station using the phone’s Life360 app. Detectives nabbed three of the alleged robbers and booked them on charges of aggravated assault and armed robbery, the police report stated. Gange, who was the driver, evaded charges until he was served warrants at the Dooly State Prison, arrest records show.

Man held without bond in alleged sexual assault ROSWELL, Ga. — One man was arrested Jan. 10 after police responded to reports that a woman had been sexually assaulted on the street by a man she didn’t know.

Demarcus Antonio Jenkins, 39, of Patrol Road, Forsyth, was charged with rape. The incident occurred sometime after 11 p.m., the police report indicated.

A passerby found the 32-year-old victim in distress with significant injuries.

She told police she was walking near Mansell Road and Alpharetta Highway when an attacker accosted and sexually assaulted her.

Investigators were led to Jenkins by a witness who saw him and pointed out his getaway path. Officers found him in

DUI & Drug arrests Daron Franzy Nunez, 28, of Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville, was arrested Jan. 11 on Holcomb Bridge Road for DUI and serious injury by vehicle.

Tayler Lindsey Cook, 25, of Birmingham Highway, Alpharetta, was arrested Jan. 11 on Holcomb Bridge Road for two counts of DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Ross Eric Pepe, 31, of Jilstone Court, Duluth, was arrested Jan. 15 on Norcross Street for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Steven Charles Jacob, 65, of Turtle Cove Court, Marietta, was arrested Jan. 16 on Pine Grove Road for DUI and failure to maintain lane.

Alexis Portillo Campos, 25, of Raintree Drive, Roswell, was arrested Jan. 13 on Holcomb Bridge Road for DUI, failure to maintain lane, driving with an expired license and headlight requirements at night. the back hallway of a nearby Goodwill, according to police.

Jenkins appeared before a Superior Court judge who denied him bond during a Jan. 12 hearing, court records show.

SCHOOLS

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 3

Fulton Schools looks to vaccination for return to ‘normal’ Challenges with COVID-19 continue to disrupt staffing

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The expanded availability of the COVID-19 vaccination and the willingness to get the shots may be key to the full return of students and staff to school buildings across the Fulton School System.

Last week, approximately 47 percent of the district’s nearly 90,500 students opted to return to face to face learning for the second semester. This number is slightly higher than the group which opted to return to schools in October when classrooms re-opened.

District officials acknowledge opening classrooms is one hurdle, but fully staffing those classrooms is the bigger issue.

Fulton Schools reservoir of substitute teachers is coming up short.

“The sub challenge is a national one that is significantly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on schools,” said Brian Noyes, chief communication officer for Fulton Schools. “So the challenge still exists for Fulton Schools because COVID-19 remains a significant crisis.”

Teachers and staff are often part of the group that must be quarantined for COVID-19 related reasons creating a constant need for subs. There is also a reluctance of substitute teachers to accept an assignment out of health concerns.

Noyes said the significant increase in substitute teacher pay that went into effect in December should entice more people to sign up to be subs. Daily pay rates now range from $175 to $200 — almost double the pre-pandemic rate.

“We hope [the increase] will help and encourage more subs to accept assignments, but we don’t expect it to fully enable us to overcome the significant impact caused by COVID-19,” Noyes said.

Fulton Schools has approximately 6,900 teachers in its 14,000 total work force.

Earlier this month, Fulton Schools partnered with the Fulton County Public Health Department to offer the COVID-19 vaccination to all employees 65 and older, along with their qualifying spouses.

About half the district’s 1,100 eligible employees received the vaccination, which officials deemed a success. “[Vaccinations] are still a voluntary effort, and we consider it a success that people who wanted to get one were able

Last week, approximately 47 percent of the district’s nearly 90,500 students opted to return to face to face learning for the second semester. to do so,” Noyes said. “We know there are a lot of differing personal opinions, but public health and the CDC are recommending it…so we wanted to offer it.”

Those who received the first vaccination will return for the second round on Feb. 6. Vaccinations will not be mandatory for staff, Noyes confirmed.

The state is currently in Phase 1A of the vaccination rollout, with only medical staff, first responders and those over 65 eligible for the COVID vaccination. The remaining education staff will be priority groups in Phase 1B, with the

state Department of Public Health managing the rollout.

School Superintendent Mike Looney said he along with school leaders across the state are pushing hard to get to the next phase and allow teachers to get in line for the vaccination.

“We are doing everything we can as a school district to advocate for our educators to be vaccinated as quickly as humanly possible,” Looney said. “We are [urging] everyone from the governor’s office all the way through elected officials for that to happen.”

The state’s largest educator advocacy group is also asking the state to speed up the availability of the vaccination to front line teaching staff. The Professional Association of Teachers (PAGE) represents the state’s 95,000 educators and is working to expedite the vaccination rollout.

“As Georgia public schools struggle to meet the challenges of serving students in face-to-face settings and to protect students, staff, and the families both groups go home to, PAGE supports vaccine prioritization of all Georgia educators,” said Craig Harper, executive director for PAGE. State public health officials estimate Phase 1B will begin in early February.

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4 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

NEWS

Alpharetta council balks at plan to offset property taxes Majority argues city is already cash-strapped to maintain what it has

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. — An effort to set aside a pool of money for homeowner property tax relief in Alpharetta appears headed nowhere — at least for now.

At its Jan. 19 meeting, the City Council listened to a proposal that would allow it the option to set aside up to $300,000 a year to offset property taxes for owner-occupied homeowners.

The measure, proposed by City Councilman Ben Burnett, would first require approval by the Georgia Legislature to schedule a referendum for voter adoption.

That isn’t likely, not for a number of reasons.

Early indications are the legislation could not be tailored for one city, then sweep through the General Assembly.

Legislative counsel have indicated such a measure would have to apply statewide, and that could present a challenge.

Secondly, no one else on the Alpharetta City Council supports it. Not right now.

“I struggle with talking about ways to reduce taxes in a situation where we’re sitting on 10s to 20s of millions of dollars of projects that we’re behind on…”

Councilman Dan Merkel said.

Right now, the city doesn’t have the $5 million to fix the nearly 12 miles of sidewalks in disrepair, it doesn’t have the $10 million needed for stormwater repair, and it doesn’t have the money to complete major road projects, Merkel said.

He also objected to establishing a discretionary pool of money that could be used to bribe voters.

“You’re crippling the city,” Merkel said. “You have the potential for some people who are up for re-election to get together and decide to use it as a campaign mark to say ‘Look, I decreased your taxes.’”

Burnett’s proposal, which was pre-

sented at a council workshop for discussion, would act as a sort of additional homestead exemption, but the amount would change. Unlike a regular homestead exemption, which establishes a set dollar amount reduction on the taxable value of a property, this proposal would create a pool of money up to $300,000 set aside to divide among those properties that qualify. Each eligible property would receive a share of the money as a credit on their tax bill.

Burnett said the intention would be to tell homeowners that in times of uncertainty or excess, the city wants to help its homesteaded properties.

“It doesn’t have to be funded every year — or honestly ever,” Burnett said. “[It’s] simply to give the option to fund it without altering the millage rate.”

Alpharetta currently has the highest basic homestead exemption, $45,000, in Metro Atlanta.

Council members, including those who pushed for increasing the homestead exemption last year before the coronavirus pandemic, were lukewarm to the idea.

“We and every city in the state have plenty of dumpster fires to take care of right now,” Councilman Jason Binder said, adding that he wouldn’t oppose considering the proposal in the future when the economy stabilizes.

“There is a time to [put] it in place before we need it,” Binder said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily this year, but I think this discussion is good.”

In other business at the Jan. 19 meeting, the council gave unanimous approval to award Amana Academy $34,918 through the city’s Vulnerable Population Grant Program for its efforts in to supply residents with remote learning support.

The funding comes from a portion of the city’s $2.8 million allocation of COVID relief aid from the federal government. In all, the city set aside $280,000 of its federal aid for nonprofit groups that could document efforts to help the local population facing economic hardship due to the pandemic.

All funding in the city’s Vulnerable Population Grant Program has now been allotted.

Officials relate dangers, stress diligence as vaccine rollout continues

By KATIE ANDERSON newsroom@appenmediagroup.com METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Newly elected State Sen. Dr. Michelle Au and State Rep. Angelika Kausche joined local experts on a virtual community forum to give an update on the area’s COVID situation and address concerns on Jan. 14.

Dr. Audrey Arona, district director of the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, explained that the 14-day positivity rates for the area sit at around 27.8 percent. That’s up significantly from the 6.9 percent rate recorded on Nov. 9, 2020.

“My message to the community is that, look, we have done some major damage over the holidays, and we need to get back to whatever behaviors and everything we were doing prior to Nov. 9, and even do a better job of that now,” she said.

Sen. Au said the variant strain of COVID is now present in the U.S. and Georgia.

Alana Sulka, director of epidemiology and infectious diseases of the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, explained despite the growing fear associated with the new COVID strain, virus mutation is normal and not as scary as it seems.

“I think some good things that we need to remember is that not all muta-

tions make something more dangerous, make something more deadly,” Sulka said. “While it does seem that this may spread a little bit easier... there’s been no indication that it confers more severe disease, or is more likely to lead to severe infection or death.”

Dr. Arona added that the existing vaccine should also cover this mutant strain.

Jessica Corbett, director of External Affairs for Fulton County and a member of the county’s COVID response team, addressed the vaccine rollout in Fulton

and issues the county has faced already.

Fulton County has three vaccine rollout sites, one in Atlanta, a second in Alpharetta on Northpoint Parkway and one at the Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The first issue the county faced, Corbett said, was the demand exceeding the supply. As of right now, the vaccine is available to people who fall into Phase 1A— those over the age of 65 and first responders. The next phase, 1B will concentrate primarily on essential workers, and 1C will target the population 64

years of age and younger with concurrent medical problems.

Phase 2 will move onto group homes, jails and detention centers and homeless shelters. The general population, those who do not fall into any of the other categories, will have the option to be vaccinated in Phase 3.

“One of the things we really want to assure folks is that the plan will allow us to vaccinate more and more people as we get to go through the process,” Corbett said.

The county faced initial difficulties with its scheduling software resulting in severe overbooking and frustrated patients. Corbett said the county is fixing the scheduling issues and is committed to having appointments to schedule online.

Overall, the message to citizens was to continue to be diligent and follow the CDC guidelines, not fall victim to the “COVID fatigue” and to encourage those who are offered the vaccine to take it.

“I totally sympathize with that, I’m sure we all do, with this desire to return back to pre-pandemic life,” Sen. Au said. “But it’s one of those things where we can’t get through this until we get it under control.”

Vaccine rollout information and appointment scheduling can be found on the Georgia Department of Health’s website at www.dph.georgia.gov.

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6 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SCHOOLS

Educator survey focuses on school challenges during pandemic

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com ATLANTA — Persistent teacher shortages, increased workloads and lost learning are the consequences of schools shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent survey of teachers by the state’s largest education association.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has placed new demands on Georgia’s public schools…with no guidebook for best practices to operate,” noted Claire Suggs, senior policy analyst with the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, who authored the 2021 Legislative Survey report.

Nearly 6,300 educators in Georgia responded to the PAGE survey, representing 171 of the state’s 180 school districts.

The results of the survey, conducted in November and December, are used for advocacy efforts at the state and local level.

The survey found the pandemic had direct effects on academics, student well-being and family needs, along with the need to adapt existing policies on student instruction and assessments.

School districts began the 202021 school year with a $1 billion cut in funding from the previous year which impacted the ability to manage COVID demands at the start.

The survey found the pandemic had direct effects on academics, student well-being and family needs, along with the need to adapt existing policies on student instruction and assessments.

CARES act federal funding last spring filled the gaps, and an increase in state funding and additional stimulus funds this year will make up much of the lost revenue and added expenses moving forward.

“Though deeply challenging, current circumstances [because of COVID] provide an opportunity for policymakers and educators to build on the policies and practices they have already implemented to support public schools,” Suggs wrote in the report.

Of primary concern cited by educators was the demands placed on them to teach students in both classroom and

virtual formats, as well as trying to stem the loss of learning after months of flux.

One high school teacher said her students were “missing prior skills they were supposed to gain last spring which makes it difficult to build on top of them [because] math builds as the years progress.”

Fewer than 20 percent of educators believe the state’s annual Milestones Assessments, help educators improve student learning.

Many educators said students are challenged outside of school by the fear of COVID, disruptions in daily routines and food insecurities, especially during breaks and weekends. More than half of teachers said tending to their students’ social and emotional well-being was as important as academics.

Based on the survey results, PAGE recommendations for policymakers include support for student mental health, continuation of efforts to fully fund schools, making Georgia the top state in which to teach by investing in educators, and aligning assessments to meet parent and student needs.

A copy of the PAGE survey results can be found at https:// www.pageinc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/05/2021-LegislativeSurvey-Report.pdf.

Key insights from the PAGE Educator Survey • Nearly 90 percent of educators say the school shutdown had a negative impact including lost learning time in math and reading • Over 80 percent of educators are spending more time communicating with parents and having to cover classes for absent colleagues • 75 percent of educators say students have higher social-emotional needs this year • Nearly half of educators are teaching both in-person and virtually; and having to cover classes for colleagues who are not available • Nearly 30 percent of educators with less than 20 years of experience say they will leave the profession in the next decade; 14 percent say they will leave in the next five years • Fewer than 20 percent of educators say the Georgia Milestones annual assessment provides information to improve education

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 7

We are seeing more demand for Second Draw loans, more so than we are First Draw loans.

JOE BRANNEN, Georgia Bankers Association president and CEO 8 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021

SBA Second Draw loans gather momentum Hardest hit businesses line up for second wave of government support

By PATRICK FOX pat@appenmediagroup.com METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — Small businesses are rushing to get a share of another round of SBA loans being offered through the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

Access to the loans rolled out in stages this month, with minority and community development depository institutions eligible first. Institutions with a billion dollars or less in assets were given access to the process Jan. 15, and all financial institutions came on board Jan. 19.

The new wave of loans is available to first-time applicants and to those businesses that received PPP loans during the first two rounds of the program last year.

The first round of SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program loans, issued in mid-April 2020, totaled some $350 billion and were gone in less than two weeks. A second round for $310 billion was made available April 27, and half the money had been awarded within the first week. But the rush cooled quickly, leaving more than $130 billion unallocated when applications ended in August.

Overall, Georgia’s roughly 235 chartered lending institutions provided more than $14.7 billion in loans to nearly 175,000 small businesses through the 2020 PPP program, said David Oliver, senior vice president of the Georgia

Bankers Association. The average loan was for $84,306.

Nationally, the program is credited with helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.

Demand is high Applications for the current wave of PPP loans is backed with about $284 billion in funding and runs through March 31.

“We are seeing a lot of demand,” said Joe Brannen, Georgia Bankers Association president and CEO. “We are seeing more demand for Second Draw loans, more so than we are First Draw loans.”

Brannen said when the application deadline for First Draw loans closed last August, demand appeared to have been met.

“But, the Second Draw, because that wasn’t available before, we’ve got a fair number of borrowers taking advantage of that,” he said.

Brannen said it’s too early to track which business sectors are applying for the new loans, but logically, it would be those that were the hardest hit.

“That’s what the Second Draw program is for, those businesses that can show they had a 25 percent drop in revenues in comparable quarters between 2019 and 2020,” Brannen said. “That’s going to be hospitality, it’s going to be restaurants, it’s going to be the businesses that didn’t fully reopen.”

Guidelines for the 2021 PPP are generally the same as before for first-time applicants.

Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 or fewer employees, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only

The new wave of loans is available to firsttime applicants and to those businesses that received PPP loans during the first two rounds of the program last year. for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25 percent decline in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.

Brannen said that in general, the loan process this time will be easier.

Many businesses have been through the application process before, and the government is using an upgraded platform that is far simpler for banks to navigate.

Brannen said he hopes small businesses will make use of the program.

“We had a lot of people who just didn’t bother to try last time, and I think that’s why we had a lot of money left over,” he said.

Loans to benefit local economy Kali Boatright, president and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, said she has heard from a number of area bankers reporting interest in the Second Draw is brisk.

“We encourage anyone seeking funds to contact their banker or accountant as

soon as possible,” she said. “As always, if there are any questions, the Greater North Fulton Chamber is happy to assist any business in North Fulton.”

Alan Najjar, director of Business Development at Smith & Howard accounting firm in Atlanta, said the new round of PPP loans will benefit the U.S. economy and especially the businesses in North Fulton. It will allow big and small financial institutions to continue assisting those businesses who did not request sufficient funds last year to get another bite out of the apple, he said.

“This second draw PPP allocation of $284 billion targets employers with less than 300 employees vs. 500 in round one,” Najjar said. “Round Two also specifically mentions the allowable use of proceeds for property damage, supplier costs, personal protection equipment, and it is significant that this new round allows news organizations, destination marketing organizations and 501c(6) nonprofit organizations like chambers of commerce to apply.”

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Upcoming Wednesday Social Dates: Feb 17 • March 17 • April 21 For locations and event details: www.AlpharettaChamber.com

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10 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

Facemasks; not only good for your health Ever order from a drive-thru alone and suddenly feel selfconscious as you pull up to pay and get your bag-o-burger?

You know, those situations in which you have ordered for yourself and another JOE PARKER person who isn’t Editor with you, but it’s not joe@appenmediagroup.com quite obvious the order was for two?

Maybe they wanted a “No. 4,” but you just ordered a la carte. Now it looks like you’re just a big, fat, fatty who needs more than a sizeable burger and several potatoes-worth of fries to satisfy your hunger.

Or maybe it’s just me? I dunno. Do you skinny people think about this kind of thing?

A year ago, I’d just have to pull up and hope that the restaurant workers weren’t silently judging me. But now, hey, just throw on my facemask and worry no more! They don’t know who I am.

Wearing a facemask has become a part of our daily life and wardrobe, a small way to help curb the ongoing pandemic that has impacted every single one our lives.

Of course, there are those that label facemasks as “tyrannical,” probably the same people who raise hell when they are not immediately seated at a ridiculously popular restaurant at 7:30 on a Friday night. But I’m not here to facilitate a debate. There shouldn’t be one.

That said, facemasks are not exactly comfortable or something that goes unnoticed when one is worn for an extended period of time, but they are vital to don when out in public. Plus, I think they have positive attributes that go be-

yond just protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.

In addition to helping quell your shame at the drive-thru, they provide a nice level of anonymity when I’m out and about. Picking up a batch of groceries curbside, for instance.

I don’t really have any reason to want anonymity when my groceries are brought out, other than maybe not wanting the worker to be able to identify the man that goes through that much beer in a week. Of course, it’s not true anonymity considering the store has my phone number, email address and credit card info on file and I’m there every week, but at least they likely wouldn’t be able to identify me out on the street.

And when you have to go into the store, it’s nice to have a mask considering you don’t have to care about fashion.

At all.

If you’re like me, pajama pants or basketball shorts have become your everyday attire. Normally, I would never want to be considered a “People of Walmart” candidate, but throw on a mask and I have no problem wandering the aisles in a pair of pajama pants and a raggedy t-shirt that is held together by nothing more than mustard stains.

There is also the benefit of not having to display a half smile or nod at every single person I make eye contact with because I am from the South and it is innate and involuntary, even if that person happens to be shouting they will stab the next person that looks at them with a rusty spoon.

Masks are also good because, socially distancing or not, when was the last time you smelled someone’s bad breath?

You know, I may just go on keeping a mask on hand for the foreseeable future even after COVID. Let’s just all keep wearing them so we can hopefully get to that point a little sooner.

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COMMUNITY

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 11

Woman works to eliminate How my COVID shot went yesterday in Alpharetta Georgia’s medical debt Bills cripple families already in trouble

By TIFFANY GRIFFITH newsroom@appenmediagroup.com NORTH ATLANTA METRO, Ga. — When Elizabeth Beck was 13, her mother became disabled with a rare condition.

While most teens spent spring break running wild, Beck traveled to Washington D.C., so her mother could undergo experimental surgeries.

Despite her family’s hardships and sacrifices, Beck knows how fortunate they are.

“I’ve been very painfully aware for the last 20 years just how horrible a position we’d be in if she didn’t get to keep her insurance,” Beck said.

“My family would be hundreds of thousands of dollars — at minimum — in the red.”

Beck is grateful her BECK mother’s colleagues at Emory were determined to take care of her, even when she could no longer work. Her gratitude eventually turned to curiosity and concern for those who aren’t as lucky.

“How many other people are going through this, but they don’t have the resources we do?” she wondered.

She began doing her homework on medical debt. It’s more expensive for hospitals and providers to pursue the debt, so it’s sold to collectors for pennies on the dollar. The more it’s traded, the less value it has. And over time, it’s less likely that a person who owes will pay their debt.

But the bill doesn’t diminish for the patient. It could even grow with penalties and interest. Not good news for someone whose bank account has been wiped out to pay for treatments like chemotherapy.

Families forgo treatment Beck said the growing debt has become a paralyzing burden for families statewide, and some choose to forgo expensive, but needed medical treatment to afford basic necessities.

“Just seeing the scope of how ruinous it is, and how it impacts people’s credit, and it makes it harder for them to obtain any social mobility,” Beck said.

“You get stuck in this hamster wheel. It’s really expensive to be poor.”

Data from the United Health Foundation shows 17.8-percent of Georgia adults avoided medical care due to the cost in 2020, and 13.4-percent were uninsured. In 2018, Georgia was above the national average for overdue medical bills, with 30 percent falling behind,

according to ARC Research.

Further studies by the Urban Institute found 13 percent of households in DeKalb County owe an average of $619 with 16 percent uninsured. In Forsyth County, 8 percent of households have an average of $637 in collections, with 9 percent uninsured. As for Fulton County, 12 percent of households owe an average of $554 in medical debt with 12 percent living without insurance coverage.

The debt is significantly higher for communities of color.

Throw in a recession and a once-in-acentury pandemic, and Beck figures the pipeline of medical debt could be devastating for Georgia families. So, in August, she launched a campaign to eliminate Georgia’s medical debt. She partnered with RIP Medical Debt, a 501(C)(3) founded by two former debt collectors.

“When people just can’t afford to be sick during a pandemic, I thought this just might give people some breathing room,” Beck said.

RIP Medical Debt uses the diminishing cost of debt to their advantage.

By purchasing it from collectors, the charity is able to pay off medical bills at a cheaper price. Every $1 raised can eliminate $180 worth of medical debt in the Peach State, Beck said. As of midJanuary, she surpassed her fundraising goal of $25,000. That could eliminate more than $3.5 million in debt, based on the varying averages of each county.

Campaign gains strength Beck’s campaign continues to gain momentum as she reaches out for grants and support from friends, business owners, elected officials and colleagues.

Although her main line of work is with Cushman & Wakefield as an associate appraiser, she is now making it her mission to eliminate Georgia’s medical debt, which currently stands at close to $214 million — and that’s just the amount RIP Medical Debt has access to.

“I can’t not do something knowing how far a single dollar could go,” Beck said.

“This could restore someone’s credit.”

She’s even had the support of complete strangers who donated more than just a dollar.

“A couple anonymous donations came in, too,” Beck said. “One for $1,700 and another for $1,200. And I said, ‘Who did this? I want to kiss you, and I’m so mad that I can never know who you are!’”

There’s an even greater good Beck hopes to accomplish. She sees her campaign as a way to open up the economy and erase the belief that medical debt is a moral failure.

“Healthcare costs being stressfully

See DEBT, Page 21

If you might be interested in a few quick observations on getting your vaccine, this short quick read is for you!

The day they announced that people over 65 could sign up online for RAY APPEN appointments to get Publisher Emeritus their first COVID ray@appenmediagroup.com vaccine shot, I did.

It took about 3 minutes to fill out the short form and I got my appointment for three days later.

The website to sign up is: https://fultoncountyboh.jotform. com/210075657162049. This pulls up a one-page, quick overview guide about who is currently eligible and provides a link to obtain your appointment, if any are available. Of note: on this page is also a field to give your email address to receive updates about vaccine availability.

I mentioned to a friend that I had my appointment, and they asked me if I wasn’t worried about getting it. They didn’t think that they were going to get vaccinated. I asked them if they were

crazy. Then I explained my logic.

Somewhere around 1 person in a thousand will die from COVID, I think.

I may be off in that but probably not by a lot, at least compared to the percentage of adverse reactions to the vaccination that have been reported, a number probably less than 10 or so out of a couple million vaccinations. So, let’s see, 1 in 1,000 you die from COVID, or 1 in more than 1,000,000 that you might have some bad reaction to the vaccine. Is there something I’m missing? As Dirty Harry said, “Do you feel lucky?” I think I like the 1 in way over 1,000,000 odds better.

In all, it took about an hour to get my vaccine. It was close to painless, both the wait and the shot. I got mine near Northpoint Mall, 4700 North Point Parkway.

Warning: The only complication I encountered in the entire process was parking, so instead of arriving about an hour before my appointment, I would encourage you to arrive probably closer to two hours early or get someone to drop you off. I had to park a good quarter mile from the building where the

See RAY, Page 21

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COMMUNITY

12 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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NORTH METRO ATLANTA, Ga. — The COVID-19 pandemic’s toll has been unbiased and widespread. For some, it has resulted in the loss of a job or a cut in pay as mortgage and rent payments hang heavy over some families. Others have lost family members, their worlds forever changed by the virus’ worldwide reach.

While not all have faced such dramatic consequences of the pandemic, almost all have at some time over the past 10 months felt the sadness of isolation, the stress of the unknown and the anxiety of the future, all longing for a time when no one had even heard the term “coronavirus.”

A meal cannot erase these situations or troubles, but it can provide a bright spot in dark times, and, for a while, deliver the contentment of a full belly and the peace provided by a brief escape from the clutches of COVID. Lasagna Love, a nationwide nonprofit gaining a foothold in north Metro Atlanta, looks to provide that sense of comfort to those facing troubling times.

The nonprofit was created by Rhiannon Menn of California during the early stages of the pandemic. Menn began making lasagnas in her home and delivering them to those facing hardships.

Others joined the initiative, and by last summer, Lasagna Love had over 8,000 volunteers.

There is now a group looking to further the program’s reach in the North Atlanta area.

One of the leaders of the push is Alpharetta’s Lynn Hirsch, who first heard about the nonprofit on the TV morning show, “Today.” Since then, she has been making and delivering lasagnas to those in the local community.

Volunteers are paired with a family who has requested a meal through the group’s website.

“Basically, [the group] is trying to feed families that have any kind of need, whether it’s financial, emotional or illness-related,” Hirsch said. “Maybe someone in the family has COVID, or someone is a frontline healthcare worker and has stress from working so hard they can’t think about what to cook their family for dinner. No questions are asked.”

Hirsch said she has made and delivered lasagnas to a family whose husband and wife are police officers, a family who had all contracted COVID-19 and to one family in which a 7- and

SPECIAL

Lynn Hirsch presents two lasagnas she prepared for the Lasagna Love program, which provides meals for those facing challenging times and is expanding its reach in North Fulton.

9-year old were caring for their parents who both had the virus.

People can also nominate others to receive a lasagna.

“Maybe your child’s teacher is doing an amazing job with remote and hybrid learning, or maybe they want to thank the local fire station,” Hirsch said. “There are a lot of aspects of the program.”

All deliveries are contactless, with volunteers letting families know when their meal has been dropped off through a text or call.

Hirsch said volunteers are asked to make or deliver lasagna, but otherwise, they can choose what they want to tackle. She said some also make side dishes or a dessert, and some make one lasagna a month, while others may make 20 a week.

The program has obvious benefits for those facing challenges, and the positivity runs both ways.

“It is beneficial for both parties involved,” Hirsch said. “I’m a grandma, and during the beginning of COVID, especially, I wasn’t seeing anyone or going out, just the occasional walk. I just felt like I really needed some focus and wanted a meaningful way to spend my days. It has been as good for me as the families I have been cooking meals for.”

Those wanting to request a meal or those wanting to volunteer can sign up at lasagnalove.org.

“Spreading kindness, creating communities, that’s what Lasagna Love is accomplishing,” Hirsch said.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 13

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Can bumping your leg cause skin cancer?

Brought to you by — Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta

Multiple times over the last ten years, patients have told me that a skin cancer popped up DR. TAYLOR right where they banged their leg. Initially, I was skeptical of whether such mild trauma could cause skin cancer. One of my teachers speculated that patients were developing skin cancers first and then later noticed them when they bumped the area. However, patient were certain about the timeline and insisted that the bump caused the skin cancer. Who is right?

Can mild trauma cause skin cancer?

The medical literature is rife with examples of chronic trauma indirectly leading to skin cancer. For example, a “Marjolin’s ulcer” is a squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell skin cancer) that arises from a chronic wound. While Marjolin’s ulcers are not common, they are an important diagnosis for doctors to avoid missing. Their danger is often due to delayed diagnosis. For example, a patient with an ulcer from bad veins on his or her leg may go to a wound care clinic and receive dressing changes intended to allow the wound to heal on its own.

When the ulcer fails to heal, everyone involved assumes it is still “just a venous ulcer.” Unfortunately, chronic ulcers can sometimes give rise to skin cancers – usually squamous cell carcinoma. The ulcer is no longer just a broken down area of skin from bad circulation. Instead, it is a skin cancer AND a broken down area from bad circulation. But the two conditions can look nearly identical in ulcerated form, and a biopsy is needed to make the diagnosis. Delays in diagnosis of the skin cancer can give it a chance to spread to other organs and lead to death. The stakes are high.

Why would a chronic wound give rise to skin cancer? The explanation is usually “cell turnover.” Areas of healthy skin usually have cells undergoing cell division (mitosis) at a very slow rate. Skin cells are quoted as replacing themselves every 28 days. Where skin is cut, injured or otherwise wounded, the replication rate goes up. Growth factors are released at sites of tissue damage to spur tissue regrowth and renewal. If you cut your skin or have a wound, cells need to grow and divide rapidly to replace the cells that were lost and to heal. Increased cell division means increased opportunity for error. Cell division is a vulnerable time.

When a cell is dividing, its DNA is more

susceptible to mutations and to making mistakes. Such mutations can increase cell growth rate and otherwise allow them to grow in an uncontrolled manner. Mutations cause cancer. So chronic wounds not unexpectedly generate skin cancers.

If chronic wounds can yield cancers, what about minor/short term wounds? Or even a bump on the leg? There is not a lot of medical literature about skin cancers arising from small traumatic events such as a bump on the leg. However, it stands to reason that a similar phenomenon exists for small injuries as for chronic wounds. Both involve healing tissue, growth factors, and stimulus for cell division. In my experience, the small bumps that were blamed for causing skin cancers almost always occurred in patients with severe amounts of background sun damage. Patients with severe sun damage already have mutations in their cells from the sun’s UV rays. Accordingly, the combination of sun damage and a banged shin is like a one-two punch.

One of the first successful explanations for the cause of any cancer was the “two-hit hypothesis.” It explains why retinoblastoma, an eye tumor, develops in children. The two hit hypothesis states that you need two copies of the same gene to go bad for certain cancers like retinoblastoma to develop. Children with retinoblastoma are born with one bad (mutated) copy in every single cell in their eyes, either inherited from a parent or from a mutation acquired early in fetal development. Additional spontaneous mutations are common enough that the chance that the second copy of the gene mutates in at least one cell is high. That cell now has two bad copies of the retinoblastoma gene.

That single cell will then grow uncontrollably and develop into a cancer. Like retinoblastoma’s second mutation, the “bump on the leg” might be the second hit a squamous cell needs in some individuals’ legs. The first hit is the years of sun damage introducing mutations into many cells in a patient’s skin. Then, the second hit can take many forms – sometimes an additional sun burn, sometimes a chronic wound, and sometimes a literal hit -- a small bump on the leg.

So yes, in my opinion, my patients are probably right. Sometimes a skin cancer really does pop up from a simple bump on the leg.

We hope that you found this article interesting and informative. Please know that if you or a loved one has a skin cancer or any skin care need, we at Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta are here for you and are honored to help. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C would like to be your partners to achieve your skin health goals.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 15

16 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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Knowing these ahead of time will put your mind at ease if or when you experience the need for these medical services.

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 17

Staying Fit: Five ways for seniors to safely stay active From your friends at Addington Place Don’t let social distancing slow you down! Here are a few tips to help you safely get some exercise and have fun, too: FLEXIBILITY FIRST! Be sure to stretch – it prevents injury, warms up your muscles and increases flexibility.

Breathe deeply and go slowly. Start with your arms and work your way down.

Stretching prevents injury, warms up your muscles and increases flexibility.

SHOW OF HANDS! All you need are light weights (or a couple soup cans, plastic water bottles, etc.) to use. With your feet flat on the ground, hold the weights at shoulder height. Raise your arms to lift the weights above your head, and repeat!

GO HEEL-TOE! Heel-toe movements can reduce foot and ankle pain and they’re great for balance too! Simply place one hand on a wall, counter or chair for balance, stand on your toes, then rock back to your heels and repeat.

TALKIN’ TURKEY! Here’s a fun one you can do almost any time! Sit on a

Here are a few tips to help you safely get some exercise and have fun, too chair and hold on to anything that keeps both hands occupied, like a book or a cushion. Then, as you stand up, stretch out your arms as if you’re serving a turkey to guests.

JOG YOUR MEMORY! As you know, not all exercise is physical. Staying mentally limber is essential, and can be plenty of fun. Keep your noggin in tip-top shape with crosswords, word jumbles, sudoku, or a classic jigsaw puzzle!

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18 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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OPINION

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 19

The eagles have landed, and you can watch!

These days, it’s hard to summon the will to turn off the news. If you’re like me, you don’t want to miss anything. And these days, you never know what that thing you miss might be.

But the fact is STEVE HUDSON that too much TV Get Outside Georgia, aa4bw@comcast.net news can be bad for you, no matter what side of the aisle you prefer to sit on. Experts who study such matters say that too much news can actually be bad for you, raising your stress level and affecting your health and making you a much less happy human being overall I feel your pain.

But I have an alternative to suggest.

You might find it helpful. Instead of

watching the news, why don’t you take a break from it and watch a pair of nesting eagles instead?

Thanks to Berry College over in Rome, you can do just that. You see, there’s a pair of bald eagles nesting on the campus, way up there in the top of a tall, tall pine tree, and by simply going to berry.edu/eaglecam you can (thanks to the miracles of technology) get an up-close and personal look at what those eagles are doing, live and in color.

There’s even sound.

The eagles were first spotted on the campus in March 2012. That summer, the college set up its first Eaglecam — an “approach cam” in a nearby parking lot.

A second camera (designated Camera 1) was soon added to provide a good view directly into the nest, with a third (Camera 2) going online in 2014 to provide yet another perspective on the nest.

That’s what’s there today — two cameras focused on the nest itself, with the third providing a great look at the comings and goings of the adult eagles.

Thanks to infrared lighting, you can even watch at night (though the images you see will be black and white).

Eagles tend to mate for life, but last year the original female eagle appears to have moved on. According to the Berry College Eaglecam site, “The original female eagle got into an altercation with the new female eagle at the end of November 2020, and left the area. That new female is now the resident female.” Based on details of its appearance and behavior, the male appears to be the same.

What’s happening at the nest right now? Exciting things! As of this writing, there are two eggs in the nest. Egg No. 1 appeared on Jan. 1 at 4:51 p.m., while a second egg was laid on Jan. 4 at 6:17

p.m. Incubation typically takes about 35 days, and if all goes well, the eggs will probably hatch sometime in midFebruary.

I’m watching one of the adults right now. It’s looking around, and now and then I can imagine that it’s looking right at me.

And that reminds me that I’ve got to warn you. Watching the Eaglecams can be addictive. It’s an experience just seeing the adult birds sitting there or (if you’re lucky) arriving at or departing from the nest – but that’s nothing compared to the excitement that’ll come once those eggs hatch.

Next time you feel the need to watch what’s happening in the world, consider turning your attention to that little corner of things up near the top of that pine tree near Rome.

I’ll bet you’ll be glad you did.

20 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

SPORTS

Spring athletes hopeful, grateful to hit field after cancelled season Local student-athletes get new perspective on sports they love

By JOE PARKER joe@appenmediagroup.com NORTH ATLANTA, Ga. — On April 1, 2020, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that all K-12 schools in the state would lock their doors for the remainder of the academic year. The cancellation of high school spring sports had been looming over coaches, players and others in the weeks ahead of the declaration, but the governor’s call assured that baseball gloves, lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets, golf clubs and soccer kits would go back into storage.

CITY OF ALPHARETTA PUBLIC NOTICE PH-21-AB-03 Please note that, due to ongoing efforts to encourage “social distancing” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted virtually using Zoom meetings.

PLACE To Attend the Virtual Meeting: Using Your Computer, Tablet or Smartphone Go to: https://zoom. us/j/96944591729 February 4, 2021 at 2:00 P.M.

It was a heart-wrenching moment for local student-athletes who saw their seasons come to an end before they got underway, especially for the Class of 2020.

Though 10 months has passed, the state of the pandemic is even worse than before. The daily average of new cases has been in record territory throughout much of January, and the state has recorded its highest levels of daily deaths from the virus several times in the past few weeks.

Even so, it appears likely that play will go on this year.

And it’s given local players a new perspective.

DJ Radtke, a senior, right-handed pitcher at Blessed Trinity, said the cancellation of 2020 season was devastating, and he especially felt for that year’s senior class. But it gives added weight to his donning the school’s colors on the field this year, where he said the drive to compete will be even greater.

“I think a lot of people do take those things for granted,” Radtke said. “That part of this whole pandemic could come out as a good thing as it has made people realize that sports are a blessing and not something to take for granted.”

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Milton High School girls lacrosse senior Brie Catts is among hundreds of local high school spring sports athletes ready to hit the field after the cancellation of the 2020 season.

Milton girls lacrosse is one of the state’s top dynasties across any sport, and there is a renewed desire this year to compete as the program chases its 14th championship ring.

“After watching our last season get taken from us, my team and I became more appreciative of everything,” Brie Catts, a Milton senior midfielder said.

“COVID has taught us a huge lesson that not everything is guaranteed, and we have to be grateful for what we have before it is gone. I have been itching to play since last February, and I am ecstatic to get back on the field this Solution A U D I T

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season. This season, I will truly play every game like it is my last, because as last season proved, you never know when that will be.”

Marleigh Sanders, a Milton attacker committed to Notre Dame, is also thankful for resumption of play.

“Our whole team is extremely grateful that we have the opportunity to compete this season,” Sanders said. “Being back this week, we all realized how much we missed not only playing, but being together every day as well. I truly believe that we take playing and watching sports for granted, especially as an athlete.

COVID made me appreciate the game more than ever and to not take for granted how lucky we are to be able to play this season.”

Erik Holmen, a senior midfielder with Cambridge’s boys soccer program, said he was “gutted” to lose out on his junior season, but he is anxious for his senior season with the Bears to start.

“I’m just really grateful we are going to have the season,” Holmen said.

“We certainly want to take advantage of the season and get out of it as much as we can.”

Holmen said that while he and some teammates play club soccer in the fall, which mostly went on without a hitch, he is thrilled to be back with his Cambridge teammates.

“It’s great to see everyone back on one team,” he said.

Holmen’s teammate, junior center back Patrick Bourne, feels the same.

“I am ecstatic to be playing again for Cambridge this season, to say the least, and cannot wait for the moment when the referee blows the whistle at our first game,” Bourne said. “I definitely can say that my coaches, teammates and I are grateful to be out there playing and coaching the game we love. COVID-19 has taught all of us to appreciate even the small little drills and warm-ups during the season and to train and play every single practice and game like it is our last time on the soccer field.”

New safety protocols will alter the status quo of spring sports competition, but all are willing to make those work for the chance to play.

“The thing I’m looking forward to most is getting to see how creative teams will get with their celebrations while social distancing,” Radtke said.

COMMUNITY

Debt:

Ray:

Continued from Page 11

Continued from Page 11

high is such a ubiquitous American experience,” Beck said. “It just meant the world to me that people who had gone through medical debt and were now in a position to help, were willing to hold the door open so that somebody else doesn’t have to go through this.”

Beck has rallied people from across the state, calling her campaign incredibly meaningful and impactful work. Her next goal is to raise an additional $1 million to wipe out over $180 million in medical debt. She said an eager fundraiser is backing her cause.

“I’m still in absolute shock. All I can say is, whillikers!” Beck said. “I’m really proud of my community and I’m just humbled by the support. I’m going to go as hard as I can for this.”

Beck is grateful for any dollar amount. To support her mission and for more information, visit secure.qgiv.com/ event/cwva-loves-atlanta

shots were being administered. They are also conducting COVID testing at the same location which is one of the reasons there was a traffic issue.

Administration and coordination of the process was exemplary. Fulton County knocked it out of the ballpark in terms of organization, customer service, efficiency and friendliness of all the working staff. I couldn’t have been more impressed. As long as you signed up for an appointment online in advance, there was an absolute minimum of paperwork required and the roughly dozen of the vaccination stations processed everyone quickly.

The processing was held in an office building that looked like it had been converted for the event. It was uncrowded and felt safe, even though there probably were 400 people in various lines when I was there. Everyone wore masks, and there was plenty of sanitizer available.

NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 21

There really weren’t any surprises I encountered when I got my shot other than the fact that all of the roughly 400 or so generally older-than-65 residents who showed up were lily-white, at least that I noticed when I was there. That struck me as odd and as some sort of a red flag, considering that in Alpharetta, only 57.6 percent of residents (as of 2017) were white. Not sure what that is all about.

Anyway, get your vaccine. For those of you who don’t plan to get it, get it anyway because getting vaccinated really isn’t just about you; it’s about the health and welfare of your family, your friends, your co-workers and your community. And it’s about being part of the solution instead of part of the problem in getting this pandemic gone sooner rather than later.

And, don’t forget to arrive a little early.

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Joan Dalton, 88, of Milton, passed away January 13, 2021.

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June Davies, 94, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021.

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Dorothy Davis, 90, of Alpharetta, passed away January 13, 2021.

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Ronald Douglass, 76, of Roswell, passed away January 19, 2021.

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Lou Faber, 95, of Alpharetta, passed away January 12, 2021.

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Jeanne Goldman, 99, of Roswell, passed away January 15, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

John Q. Hall Jr., 79, of Cumming, passed away January 18, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Margie Clyde Hyder, 90, of Cumming, passed away January 18, 2021.

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Jerome Lampe, 70, of Roswell, passed away January 20, 2021.

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Lees, 95, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021.

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John Mark Mathes, 93, of Alpharetta, passed January 16, 2021. Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

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Scarlett Rose McCoid, passed away January 16, 2021. Arrangements by McDonald & Son Funeral Home.

Bernice O’Bryant, 87, of Cumming, passed away January 17, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Nancy Jean O’Tinger, 64, of Cumming, passed away January 15, 2021.

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Ivette Ortiz, 75, of Alpharetta, passed away January 13, 2021.

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Phillip Wayne Pirkle, 64, of Cumming, passed away January 19, 2021.

Arrangements by Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory.

Beverlie Reilman, 95, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

David Studtmann, 77, of Roswell, passed away January 13, 2021. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Director & Crematory.

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Gordon Young, 83, of Roswell, passed away January 14, 2021.

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22 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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NorthFulton.com | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | January 28, 2021 | 23

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24 | January 28, 2021 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com

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3960 Old Milton Pkwy #300 (1.5 miles East of 400)

Gold is at a 7 year high!

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FREE CASH EVALUATION

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Must Present Coupon.

ARH

Monday – Friday: 10AM – 5PM Saturday: 10AM – 4PM • Sunday: Closed Closed Christmas Day, New Years Eve & New Years Day *Appointments may be available outside of traditional store hours.

Paying up to $150,000

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WINNER

Best Of North Atlanta Presented By

Brian Iroff GIA Graduate Gemologist