Alpharetta-Roswell Herald - September 29, 2022

Alpharetta, Milton settle with former solicitor

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The cities of Al pharetta and Milton have agreed to pay their former solicitor, Fran Shoenthal McQueen, $100,000 to settle all claims she was not selected to continue in her position because of her age and race.

McQueen signed the settlement agreement Sept. 20, one day after the City of Alpharetta released a report on the ethics investigation of retired city judge Barry Zimmerman, who stepped down from the bench earlier this year amid accusations of “improper involve ment” in several local cases.

Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Randolph G. Rich was assigned to investigate the allegations made by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission to the Georgia Supreme Court, including whether any other parties were involved in alleged wrongdoing and criminal conduct.

The four-page redacted report con cluded the allegations were valid, and it cited six cases from the Alpharetta Municipal Court in which Zimmerman allegedly represented criminal defen dants using another attorney’s name and signature as a “straw man” defense attorney to file pleas with another Al pharetta judge.

The alleged scheme reportedly involved attorney Keith F. Brandon, who shared office space with and was a tenant of Zimmerman’s and McQueen. Records show Zimmerman represented McQueen in the Court of Appeals of Georgia in a 2015 case involving the dis tribution of her late husband’s pension.

At the time, McQueen had already served as city solicitor for Alpharetta and

JASON BINDER Alpharetta city councilman

between Alpharetta and Milton intended to further strengthen the cities’ bond.

In a May 5 demand letter, McQueen accused the cities of discrimination for replacing her with a “far younger and less experienced African American employee.” She also claimed she was misclassified as an independent contrac tor for the 20 years she worked as city solicitor for Alpharetta and Milton.

While the cities denied any wrong doing, they initially offered to pay McQueen $25,000 to settle all claims. But, after going back and forth for sev eral months and McQueen demanding $125,000, all parties ultimately agreed to settle for $100,000.

Milton for over a decade. The settlement agreement did not sit well with a couple of Alpharetta officials.

Speaking at the Sept. 26 City Council meeting, Councilman Jason Binder said the public report on the situation left him with more questions than answers, and he could not support the proposal.

“I just cannot be supportive of awarding monetary compensation as a settlement,” he said

Councilman Doug DeRito voiced similar reservations but said he would support the settlement only to end the situation that could easily be protracted in court, costing more time and money.

“Am I happy about supporting this, absolutely not,” he said. “With that said, I think the right thing to do is to support this so that we mitigate any additional liability to the city.”

Zimmerman presided over thousands of cases McQueen prosecuted in the municipal court. Then, in April, Kelsie Mattox was sworn in as city solicitor fol lowing an intergovernmental agreement

The final settlement agreement also states the cities will provide McQueen with a “neutral employment reference” and that she cannot seek future employ ment with the cities or file any other complaints against them or their current or former employees.

“McQueen shall provide such tes timony, background information, and other support and cooperation as the cities may reasonably request,” it states. “… Nothing in this paragraph shall pro hibit McQueen from testifying truthfully pursuant to a subpoena in any legal pro ceeding in which the cities are involved.”

The City of Alpharetta’s report on the ethics investigation of retired city judge Zimmerman ends with the assertion that it would be possible for the city to fully investigate how widespread his alleged indiscretions go, which could involve McQueen.

City officials still need to decide if and how to advance the investigation.

Staff writer Alexander Popp contributed to this article.

I just cannot be supportive of awarding monetary compensation as a settlement”

City Council defers vote on Alpharetta townhome project

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Plans for a new townhome development off Old Mil ton Parkway in downtown Alpharetta seemed poised for approval Sept. 26, until questions about architectural design standards unexpectedly derailed the project until further notice.

Midwest home builder, Fischer Homes, has proposed building 24 forsale townhomes on 6.15 acres of vacant property on Old Milton Parkway, just east of Haynes Bridge Road.

Presented to the Alpharetta City Council at its Monday meeting by Plan ning and Development Services Manager Michael Woodman, the plan includes some townhomes facing the roadway and some facing away, with green space, amenity space and guest parking.

Woodman said the plans were approved by the Alpharetta Planning Commission Sept. 1, subject to multiple conditions.

Problems with the plans arose after Dina Swetlik, a Fischer Homes rep resentative, shared renderings of the buildings that would front Old Milton Parkway, and several council members questioned whether the designs met the city’s architectural design standards

“It just does not comply,” City Coun cilman Donald Mitchell said. “It does not comply with our downtown historic guidelines.”

Mitchell said from the building fa cades renderings, he didn’t see the usual things they require from downtown buildings and thus, couldn’t support the plans without more work.

“It shouldn’t have come before us to night looking like this,” he said. “There’s nothing to differentiate those condomini ums and I think that’s why people in our community are getting tired of condo miniums after condominiums, because there’s no real articulation.”

Responding to Mitchell’s comments, Swetlik said all the designs have already been proofed by city staff, the city’s ar chitectural consultant and the Planning Commission, with no problems raised about the style.

“We’ve been in correspondence with the city’s consultants, before even mak ing an application to the city,” she said.

But when called to give an opinion on the style and the problems brought up by Mitchell, Community Develop ment Director Cathy Cook said she saw the problems and didn’t know how her department didn’t catch them sooner.

“Councilman Mitchell is correct,”

ALEXANDER POPP/ APPEN MEDIA

Alpharetta City Councilman Donald Mitchell speaks at a meeting Sept. 26.

Cook said. “I mean, it doesn’t look like Historic Tudor, it is a Tudor but it’s more contemporary, and that’s something we should have caught, even though the consultants have looked at that.”

Cook said if she had caught the problems before the meeting, she would have asked the applicant to defer for changes, but if approved, the designs could be corrected before they go before the city’s Design Review Board.

After further discussion, Councilman Dan Merkel made a motion to approve

the plans, with several conditions Cook had outlined, but the motion died after Mitchell requested to remove a provi sion in the plans that would allow the applicant to use “substantially similar” designs, until they are reviewed by the Design Review Board.

“No, I would not accept that,” Merkel said.

“Then I’d like to make another mo tion that we table that until such time as these items can be worked out,” Mitchell responded.

Mitchell’s motion to table the plans were eventually approved, but not before Merkel shared his frustrations on the hardships they were placing on the ap plicants, who had flown in from out of state to attend the meeting.

“I appreciate the passion that comes from our leaders, this city looks amaz ing for a reason,” he said. “The part that troubles me with this right now is that these folks came all the way from Ken tucky or Ohio, because an architectural firm that ‘represents the city’ told them this was okay.”

Merkel said that in effect, they were sending the applicants home for doing exactly what they were told, simply be cause some members didn’t agree with how the designs looked.

Lawrenceville man sentenced for his role in fatality crash

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Carlos Sierra-Gonzalez was 19 years old in September 2021, when he was chased by police who spotted him laying drag at Holcomb Bridge Road and Ga. 400.

Roswell patrol officer Robert Hulon, who initiated the chase, called the pur suit off 10 seconds before Sierra-Gonza lez lost control, hitting a structural brick column, and ejecting two people from his black Infiniti G37. Dahian Silberio-Peña, 19, died, and two others were hospital ized with minor injuries.

While Sierra-Gonzalez initially fled from the scene, he turned himself in about a month later. He was charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, hit and run resulting in serious injury or death, driving in a circular or zigzag course, reckless driving, speeding and two counts of serious injury by vehicle.

In August, the now 20-year-old Si erra-Gonzalez, of Lawrenceville, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle in the first degree and two counts of serious injury by vehicle. He was not prosecuted for the remaining charges. Three others were not presented to a grand jury.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker sentenced Sierra-Gon zalez to 15 years, with the first five to be served in prison, followed by another five on probation. The remaining five years were suspended under Georgia’s First Offender Act. The sentencing op tion allows a person with no prior felony convictions to dispose of their criminal case without a conviction.

As part of his probation, Judge Whita ker also ordered Sierra-Gonzalez to com

SIERRA-GONZALEZ

plete 800 hours of community service, 500 of them meeting with young people about avoiding dangerous behaviors. He was prohibited from driving within the first three years of his probation.

According to a copy of his indictment, Sierra-Gonzalez was driving over 100 mph at the time of the incident in an area with a speed limit of 45 mph. For several years now, police departments across Metro Atlanta have been cracking down on dangerous, illegal street racing.

Just this May, more than 80 people were arrested in connection with street racing in Gwinnett County.

Shortly after the 2021 incident, an ac quaintance of the victim helped SilberioPeña’s grandmother set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral expenses.

One of his former teachers at Berkmar High School, Jessica Layana, wrote on an online memorial that it was an honor to teach him and thanked him for allowing

Dahian Silberio-Peña, 19, died Sept. 12, 2021, after being involved in a police chase through Roswell. He and three others were inside a black Infiniti G37 seen laying drag at Holcomb Bridge Road and Ga. 400.

her to guide him without resistance.

“He was so smart and charismatic,” Layana wrote. “His energy was contagious and for any teacher, that is a huge plus. ‘Pero Ms…’ was all I heard when I asked him to finish an assignment. Lol. He didn’t want to, but he always did. ... You embraced a new language and everything high school had to offer. You welcomed challenges and strived to be great. You will never be forgotten my sweet Dahian.”

While Roswell officer Hulon does not

appear in the witness list, the indict ment states he was in uniform promi nently displaying his badge of office and in an appropriately marked police vehicle when he attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Sierra-Gonzalez’s vehicle.

A month-long investigation conducted by the Roswell Police Department deter mined there was not sufficient evidence to clearly prove the pursuit was the cause of the accident. Hulon was returned to duty.

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Roswell initiates East Roswell Park improvements

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — East Roswell Park is due for a series of improvements after the Roswell City Council approved a fiveyear park master plan Sept. 26.

The master plan, one of the items in Mayor Kurt Wilson’s 100-day plan, is intended to provide a comprehensive review of the city’s parks, goals and recommendations for implementation over the next five years. It also includes a review of long-term strategies that extend beyond that period, such as land acquisition recommendations to support the continued growth of the community.

After collecting input from a variety of stakeholders, staff concluded that residents want to see the city improve and upgrade many of its existing facili ties, protect the natural environment, and connect the community through trails and sidewalks using the bike and pedestrian master plan.

Some of the new facilities that will be developed as part of the five-year park master plan are a skate park, disc golf course, pickleball courts and neighbor hood parks. In East Roswell, staff will largely focus on replacing major infra structure ranging from stormwater and drainage to asphalt and sewer repairs to ensure that no new improvements are constructed on top of falling infrastruc ture.

While the project is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months, many of the improvements have already been initiated. That includes a scope of work for the design of the dog park improvements and a request to the city’s on-call contractors for pricing submittal.

Earlier this year, the City Council allocated $2.53 million in the fiscal year

2023 budget for the East Roswell Park improvements. Additionally, $473,000 from the park maintenance allocation has been included to expand the impact of the overall project scope.

Jeff Leatherman, director of Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs, said at the Sept. 26 City Council meeting that investing in existing facili ties has been a city priority for a long time. Councilwoman Lee Hills said the project was “a big deal.”

“This is a huge win for all of us, working for our residents in any part of Roswell but particularly in East Ro swell where none of us live,” Hills said.

“We are team Roswell. We are about the whole city. So, this to me, is a very proud moment that we’re knocking this one out first. It’s happening.”

In other business at the meeting, the City Council approved:

A resolution to accept $117,076 in HOME funds through its participation in the Georgia Urban County Consortium, led by Cobb County. HOME funding can be used for building, buying and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people in Roswell.

The appointment of Steve Stroud to

the North Fulton Community Improve ment District. Stroud is the executive director of Roswell Inc and a Roswell resident.

A resolution to apply to the fiscal year 2023 Glass Recycling Foundation Grant for glass recycling trailers. The city intends to use the grant funds to purchase a hydraulic dump recycling trailer to place on East Alley and/or West Alley for businesses to dispose of glass. Each trailer is expected to cost be tween $8,000 and $10,000. The trailers would serve as a pilot program and the Environmental/Public Works Depart ment would assess its success to see if a larger program would be sustainable.

A resolution to apply to the Solid Waste Trust Fund Grant Program for a fiscal year 2023 Recycling, Waste Reduc tion and Diversion Grant. The Roswell Recycling Center is seeking $50,750 in grant funding for a Polystyrene Densifier Recycling and Waste Diversion Infra structure project. The city will be re quired to provide local matching funds of up to $20,000 of the total project costs from the city’s Grant Match Contingency Fund. The project is expected to cost a total of $70,750.

A contract renewal for the city’s par ticipation in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program in coordination with the Georgia Department of Human Services. The current contracts ends Sept. 30. Since the program began last Novem ber, Roswell residents have been awarded $7,481 in assistance. The renewal will extend the city’s participation for an ad ditional year. The program assists quali fied low-income households with past due balances related to water utility services.

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. at Roswell City Hall.

CHAMIAN CRUZ/APPEN MEDIA

Park and facility approvements are coming to East Roswell Park after the Roswell City Council unanimously approved a five-year park master plan on Sept. 26.

Mayors, county commissioner face public over sales tax split

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ROSWELL, Ga. — After months of nego tiations with the county over 2022 Local Option Sales Tax distributions, eight Fulton County mayors met with resi dents Sept. 21 for a public information session at Roswell City Hall.

Every 10 years, the county and its cities – now 15 in number – renegotiate how money collected from the 1 percent local option sales tax, or LOST, is dis tributed. Most often, the pot is generally apportioned based on each city’s popula tion, while the county keeps a small portion for administrative fees.

At stake is more than $3 billion col lected over the 10-year period, money cities rely on to help fund hundreds of expenses, from park maintenance to light bills and almost everything in between.

Wednesday night’s meeting included mayors from Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Sandy Springs, East Point, College Park and Mountain Park. It was the first time the cities have coordinated to speak with the public and answer questions about LOST since Fulton County announced it wants to increase its share of LOST proceeds from 4.9 percent to 35 percent.

That initial offer, a 600 percent increase from the prior agreement, drew outrage from city officials, who said the proposal would have a profound and wide-reaching impact on Fulton Coun ty’s communities.

County and city negotiators have returned to the table several times since that initial offer, and according to Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul there are now three proposals on the table, all representing a greater share of the LOST pie.

“We’ve got a lot to lose,” Paul said. “Even if there’s a significant change in the current distribution, that will come out of the city’s pockets, out of your pockets, and it will affect fire, police, ambulance, parks, all the other things that you enjoy in that process.”

About 100 people attended the meet ing as city officials shared their disap pointment with how Fulton County has handled LOST negotiations thus far.

“This is an unprecedented challenge that we’re facing,” Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. And so, it’s really great to see so many people here.”

Each of Fulton County’s seven com missioners had been invited to partici pate in the meeting, but only outgoing District 1 Commissioner Liz Hausmann attended.

Bargaining positions have changed

After introductions were made, the meeting quickly jumped into questions from the audience.

One Johns Creek resident asked why there wasn’t an option for no increase in either the county or city’s sides. He was told that the county’s original position made that option impossible.

“You’re right. That’s not an option,” said East Point Mayor Deana Holiday In graham. “When you have a party on the other side that starts at a 600 percent increase, you realize that the agreement, if there’s going to be one, has to be somewhere in between.”

Holiday Ingraham, who serves on the negotiating team representing the 15 cit ies, said that Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts and commission ers Bob Ellis and Marvin Arrington have made it clear they will not approve a split that does not improve the county’s portion.

“Chairman Pitts told us in our ne gotiating session, that Fulton County gets so little money out of it, they might as well just let it go away,” Paul added. “So, we know we’re gonna have to give something. But what we’re trying to do is make sure in the process of giving something, we don’t damage our abil ity to deliver the basic services that you require.”

Another Johns Creek resident asked Hausmann directly, “whether the county has suffered” under the 5 percent share it currently receives.

Hausmann said that no, the county hasn’t suffered, but that currently the county is faced with several large projects, at the Fulton County Jail and to make up for the Atlanta area hospi tals that have closed in 2022, that will require more funding.

“I don’t know if any of y’all have seen the conditions in the Fulton County Jail, its horrendous,” Hausmann said. “So that is going to be very expensive, about $500 million.”

But the panel of mayors shot down Hausmann’s points.

“The jails and prisoners are not an allowable expenditure for the LOST proceeds.” Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry said. “The population that they serve for the public safety as far as police and fire … it has been reduced. But somehow, in just a few years, the administration costs went from $2 mil lion to $32 million.”

Hausman’s comments on the hos pital closings were also countered by Holiday Ingraham, who said that county commissioners had a chance to help support one of the closing hospitals, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center in East Point, before the pandemic.

“I think that is an absolutely disingen uous argument to be made by the county at this point,” she said. “This newfound election year desire to stroke checks for healthcare is an absolute insult.”

Another resident asked Hausmann what expenses, beyond the jail and hospital, the county needed to account for their request.

“I mean, the reality is it’s such a small amount of money, that I can’t even answer that question, because it’s only about 2 percent of our budget,” she said. “So, it’s almost miniscule.”

Hausmann reiterates points

Others from the audience pressed Hausmann to answer in more detail, but she deflected the question saying that the proposed 35 percent increase isn’t on the table anymore, pointing at the jail and hospital as the main expenses Ful ton County is expecting for the increase in their share.

“Really the two major expenses are the jail,” she said. “That is a public safety item, so that is not considered illegal, and then the medical health needs that we have are the two main things.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, a Roswell resident asked the panel, “What can we do that will actually make a dif ference?”

Paul answered that by consistently reaching out to the Fulton County Commissioners by phone and email, residents could ensure that their voices are heard.

“If they’re not calling you back, send them emails,” he said. “I guaran tee you they’re reading their emails. So, get their email address and let them hear from you. We’re gonna be up here working on your behalf, but you’re gonna have to weigh in on this debate.”

PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul speaks at forum at Roswell City Hall.

Seats for Fulton County commissioners sit empty at Roswell’s LOST Town Hall Meeting on Sept. 21. Aside from Com missioner Liz Hausmann, the county did not attend the meeting.

Commissioners draw curtains on sales tax negotiations

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — It appears that if Fulton County and its 15 municipalities are to reach a deal over how to divvy up billions of dollars in future sales tax rev enue, the bargain will be struck behind closed doors.

At a scheduled negotiation session Friday in Atlanta – which had been billed as a public discussion – represen tatives from Fulton County sequestered themselves from the public and about a dozen mayors, and left word they would not bargain in an open meeting.

Mediator Barry Fleming told the city negotiating team that the county repre sentatives came close to leaving on Fri day before discussions could even begin. He said the county team’s position was that if negotiations were to take place, they would need to happen privately.

“The Georgia Open Meetings Law al lows the mediation process as an excep tion for the doors to be shut for private discussions to be had, because the law recognizes that quite often mediations have more success that way,” Fleming said. “[They argued] Your insistence that it began this way is not in the best good faith.”

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin later said the city negotiating team felt disap pointed the county changed the terms of their agreement at the last minute and chose not to face the public for the negotiations.

“It’s hard to have productive negotia tions when one partner refuses to make commitments that they’ll follow,” Gilvin said. “However, it’s something we’re growing used to.”

From the outset of talks over the new

Seats for the county’s negotiation team remain empty while members refused to publicly engage in the discussion.

10-year agreement, Fulton County has insisted it wants a greater share of local option sales tax money than the 4.97 percent it has been receiving over the past 10 years.

While the mayors waited in the main meeting room at the Georgia Municipal Association building Friday, the county did relate through Fleming that it would accept an 8 percent share from the start, graduating to 20 percent over the next 10 years. It also offered a flat 15 percent cut of the proceeds.

After several hours of private discus sion, in which media was excluded from the room and the streaming cameras were shut off, city officials returned a counterproposal offering the county 7.5 percent of LOST proceeds.

Another offer was returned from county negotiators several hours later, proposing basically the same offer as before, but with slight alterations to how revenues would be allotted over the next 10 years.

However, Gilvin later said the 15 cit ies are unlikely to accept this proposal because it still falls outside the 5-15 percent increase negotiating range cit ies agreed would limit impacts on city residents.

“The disappointing thing from their offer was that they tried to dangle an incentive for a few cities, which would

allow the few cities to only have to make tax increases up to the point where their charters would be invoked,” he said, “I don’t think that’s something that is equitable or even something that can be justified.”

After spending so much time renego tiating terms of how the meeting would be conducted, the city negotiating team said they did not have time to offer an opinion on the proposal before the meet ing concluded on Friday.

They are expected to return a coun teroffer at the next mediation session on Friday, Oct. 7.

PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison and Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin, middle, wait for negotiations to begin at the Georgia Municipal Association on Friday, Sept. 23.

Mental health takes center stage in north

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — September is nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention and Recovery Awareness Month. And, some cities in north metro Atlanta are reminding themselves of that.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness says September is a time to raise aware ness about suicide, a “stigmatized, often taboo, topic.” Suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in 2020, claiming the lives of almost 46,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven tion reporting database WISQARS.

Milton and Johns Creek city coun cils have made proclamations at recent meetings to raise awareness about mental health challenges. But, the cities’ initia tives to break down stigmas extend beyond September.

At the Sept. 7 Milton City Council meeting, Mayor Peyton Jamison declared September as Mental Wellness Month in the city. Since 2019, the City of Milton and the Alpharetta-based LRJ Foundation have partnered to provide educational program ming about mental health throughout the community.

Teressa Ruspi Stann, LRJ Foundation co-founder and executive director, began the nonprofit after losing her brother to suicide in 2012.

While the foundation focuses on men tal health in schools, Stann said that Mil ton’s efforts extend beyond the classroom.

“They like to wrap in the support of workplace wellness,” she said. “And I think

that’s very important to connect to the community on all different levels.”

Mental wellness webinar

Stann introduced the Sept. 21 men tal wellness webinar for Milton residents, which focused on Milton first respond ers. Last year’s webinar focused on older residents.

Mayor Jamison made opening re marks.

“The reality is that many people from all different places, all different back grounds and in all different situations struggle daily,” Jamison said. “We in Mil ton are committed to doing what we can to raise public awareness, combat stigmas and to let people know that help is out there, and they’re not alone.”

The webinar featured other speak ers, including Milton firefighter Jamie Leavell,who spoke about the benefits of having a therapy guide dog at the sta tion. Katey, who has been registered as an emotional support animal, sat next to her fishing for treats.

“With the fire service, specifically in public safety in general, the stigma is where we run into the big issue,” Leavell said. “And with the dog, it doesn’t seem like you’re getting therapy. It’s just something that makes you feel a little bit better.”

She said Katey bridges a gap and breaks the ice for people who want to reach out for help but who don’t feel like they can.

Police Chief Rich Austin spoke about the free mental health support officers

receive as well as the training that helps them handle on-the-job situations that involve people in mental distress. He also mentioned the Police Department’s goal of implementing a co-responder team that would allow a licensed mental health pro fessional to assist with crisis calls.

Advocate and educator Chantal Webb, whose organization, In It Together, works with children with special needs and mental illness, talked about ways parents can help their children during times of stress.

Around 4.4 million children between the ages of 13 to 17 are diagnosed with anxiety, Webb said. That number reflects those who have been diagnosed, so the number is probably much higher, she said.

“One of the important things we want to do is teach them coping mechanisms,” she said. “So, the message isn’t that we’re not going to have stress in our lives, be cause we do, but how do we cope with it?”

Counselor and author Veronica White Fernandes, who’s been with the LRJ Foundation for nine years, was the last to speak. Fernandes described ways to keep a balance among areas of personal wellness: emotional, occupational, intel lectual, environmental, spiritual, physical and social.

Throughout her presentation, she answered the question, “How do we cope?” by describing ways to manage emotions, improve communication skills, maintain relationships and boundaries. She also focused on mindfulness.

AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Johns Creek City Councilwoman Stacy Skinner, at left center, applauds during a ceremony Sept. 12 to recognize September as Mental Health and Suicide Awareness and Recovery Month.

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“Sometimes mindfulness can sound like a contradiction because it feels like we’re in our mind, when actually we’re doing our best to be more still than in our thoughts,” Fernandes said.

‘No Shame’ campaign

In Johns Creek, City Councilman Chris Coughlin led a No Shame proclamation to promote Mental Health and Suicide Aware ness and Recovery Month at the Sept. 12 council meeting. Councilwoman Stacy Skinner followed up with a reading of the No Shame pledge.

Mayor John Bradberry offered ad ditional context by speaking about Patriot Day Commemoration, a 9/11 event the city hosted, and he highlight ed how the event’s speaker focused on how 9/11 heightened mental health challenges.

Citing statistics among first responders and military, Bradberry said law enforce ment officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. He also said that military suicide rates are four times higher than deaths that occurred during military operations since 9/11.

“I mean, think about those very sober ing statistics,” Bradberry said.

Johns Creek partnered with One Johns

Creek Coalition to participate in the SAFE Project’s No Shame campaign, which encourages individuals to take a pledge to provide a shame-free environment by learning more about mental health chal lenges, stigma and the disease of addiction.

This is the first year Johns Creek is participating in the campaign.

Pursuing strategies

One Johns Creek Coalition, which sits under the 501(c)(3) Pathways2Life, only just established itself in Decem ber 2020, after receiving a grant from the city. The coalition then acquired an MOU agreement with the city in Decem ber 2021.

The coalition pulls together represen tatives from all sectors of Johns Creek to accomplish seven strategies of community change, including things like modifying policies and laws and reducing barriers, said Kendal McMichael, youth coordinator for the coalition and prevention specialist at Pathways2Life.

Organizations can become a coalition partner and sign up for a 30-minute pre sentation from the coalition on shame and stigma. The nonprofit also offers a presen tation on trauma.

“Trauma impacts the ability to relate, and it impacts shame and stigma,” said Alyse Hensel, the coalition’s program director. Hensel also does marketing and operations for Pathways2Life.

Most of the coalition’s initiatives are school-driven because they’re student-

PHOTOS BY AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison stands with Teressa Ruspi Stann, LRJ Foun dation co-founder and executive direc tor, at the Sept. 7 Milton City Council meeting. Jamison read a proclamation, once again declaring September as Mental Wellness Month in Milton. The city partnered with the LRJ Foundation a few years ago to provide educational programming about mental health to residents.

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focused, she said.

McMichael went to Centennial High School in Johns Creek and shared her per sonal struggles as a teenager.

“I couldn’t even put terms to what I was dealing with because there was no av enue for me to talk to anybody about what I was dealing with,” she said.

McMichael said she wants to create a community where it’s normal to talk about mental health.

The No Shame pledge is set for the month of September. But, Hensel and Mc Michael are working on another wave from October to December.

They also suggest that people continue posting throughout the year, several times a month, to embrace “no shame” as part of organizations’ internal conversations.

One Johns Creek Coalition is also developing a student-led program in senior care facilities, where drug deactivation bags will be distributed. The bags allow people to dispose of dangerous leftover drugs.

For National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 29, the coalition will have an information booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kroger on State Bridge Road. Drug deactivation bags for liquids will be provided.

banking & finance

SCREENSHOT

Milton firefighter Jamie Leavell discusses her therapy guide dog, Katey, who sits beside her. Leavell was one of several speakers at the Sept. 21 mental wellness webinar hosted by Milton and the LRJ Foundation.

SWAT makes arrest in Panama City Beach Florida homicide

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County authorities arrested a man wanted for allegedly shooting and kill ing his father in Panama City Beach, Fla.

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office

Deputies with the county SWAT Team arrested Tyler Moore Davis, 27, in the Woodberry subdivision on Thursday, Sept. 22.

According to the Bay County Sher iff’s Office, deputies in the Florida beach community of Treasure Palm were called to a residence at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, after a man named Julian Clifton Davis, was found, dead from an apparent gunshot wound in his home.

“Evidence indicated Davis was a victim of foul play and the gunshot was not self-inflicted,” the sheriff’s office said.

After beginning a homicide investiga tion and turning Davis’s body over to the local medial examiner, police reported that a person of interest in the crime

had been identified was believed to have fled the state.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office later reported that Tyler Davis was tracked traveling north on Hwy. 231 in Florida, and contact was made with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office to intercept him.

Within an hour of Davis arriving in Forsyth County, the local SWAT team had been mobilized, and a perimeter was setup in Forsyth County, reports said.

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Davis was taken into custody without incident and is being held in the Forsyth County Jail awaiting extradition to Bay County.

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* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 090822. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 090822. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

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Sweet tooth Chocolate drives chef’s journey

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — Chef Ale Peek started her journey as a chocolatier five years ago, brandishing her assorted boxes of chocolate with “Art & Taste.” In the beginning, creating artisan chocolate was a way to represent the Acworthbased chef.

Peek’s boxes of assorted, brilliantly colored artisan chocolate contain unexpected flavor profiles, like chia lime, mango chamoy and Cafe Canela, a Mexican spiced coffee. Assortments are vegan and gluten-free, made with natural ingredients and without preser vatives. Peek said health is her number one focus.

“I love chocolate, and chocolate loves me,” she said.

Her father, who recently passed, also loved chocolate.

“My father was a very important piece in my life,” Peek said with tears in her eyes. “He was a chocoholic. We were chocoholics together.”

They shared many good moments, she said. Her father was the first one to tell her that cacao is from Mexico.

“Yeah, he loved chocolate,” Peek said, laughing.

Peek, who’s from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, has an extensive background in the culinary arts, earning culinary degrees from Colegio Superior de Gas

tronomía in Mexico City and Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. In Paris, she honed her pastry skills, which is another of her specialties.

Peek found her love for cooking at an early age.

Her maternal great-grandparents owned a hotel where her great-grand mother cooked for guests. Peek said her great-grandmother had a natural talent, and she would eventually learn from her through her mother’s reci pes.

She also recalled spending holiday vacations on her grandfather’s ranch near Capula, a town known for its beau tiful, iconic clay Day of the Dead catri nas. While on the ranch, Peek formed a relationship with food, learning every thing about cows, the milk, the cheese, the cream, and produce like zucchinis, corn and Mexican cherries, which are called capulínes.

“When I was a little girl, I was always curious, always helping, always making a mess in the kitchen,” Peek said. “I was always trying to learn.”

She grew up and decided on a culinary career, despite her family’s wishes.

When she moved to the states, Peek worked as a pastry chef for Chef JOEL’s and as an instructor at Le Cordon

See CHEF, Page 15

LEADERSHIP NORTH FULTON ANNOUNCES CLASS of 2023

Ashley Allen Roswell Inc

Lori Allen Wellstar Health System

John Asbell Georgia Power Company

Lenor Bromberg City of Roswell

Sarah Buckley Amana Academy

Mary Beth Byerly University of North Georgia

Fabiola Clermont Chattahoochee Nature Center

Kevin Drucker Home2 Suites by Hilton Roswell

Bob Erramilli City Council MemberJohns Creek

Christopher Gardner The Hilbert Law Firm, LLC

John Gilmore Truist Bank

Bill Godshall Frazier & Deeter, LLC

Maggie Goldman Buy & Sell Differently

Charles Hagins Atlanta Gas Light

Ben Huard GO Agency

Anita Jupin City of Milton Nakia Mattis Fresenius Medical Care

Tangela McFarlane The Cottage School

Lance Morsell City of Alpharetta

Davis Myers Choate Construction Company

Rachel Newcomer Summit Counseling Center

Sophia Niemeyer Greater North Fulton Chamber

Alison Nooks Mercer University

Kyle Paske Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC

Ashton Pellicano Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC

Melissa Pinsky North Fulton Community Charities

Sophia Pittman Gwinnett Technical College

Terry Vilayhong Truist Bank

Jacob Wasson Parrish Construction Group

www.gnfcc.com

The Greater North Fulton Chamber is pleased to announce the members of the Leadership North Fulton Class of 2023 led by Chairs Lalitha Alladi, JMG Law Firm, and Jeff Wolfe, Mercer University. Learn more about the Chamber’s leadership programs at www.gnfcc.com and join us in congratulating the following leaders!

I love chocolate, and chocolate loves me.

ALEX PEEK, Chef and chocoholic

CHEF ALE PEEK/PROVIDED Chef Ale Peek hugs her two children at a 2020 Fernbank Museum foodology exposition. Peek was invited to talk about chocolate, its history and the process of making it. At the event, she showed visitors how to make truffles.

Chef:

Bleu in Atlanta.

After settling down, getting mar ried and having two children, she felt the urge to start creating again and chose chocolate, a touchstone to her father.

Over time, becoming a U.S. citizen and developing more relationships, Peek said her work evolved from a means of self-representation to incorporate the American market.

The business grew for Peek. In addi tion to her chocolatier work, she started catering for different companies. The food is wide-ranging, including Latin dishes like chiles en nogada (poblano peppers stuffed with ground beef and pecan-Jerez sauce) to Italian bruschetta. She also sells weekly meals, primarily for working mothers who don’t have time to cook, and hosts seasonal classes for kids, ages 5 to 12.

This past month, Peek introduced a new product, a vanilla paste sourced from a summer trip to Mexico.

“Vanilla is supposed to be from our land,” she said, amid remarks about Mexico’s history involving the Span ish.

While her artisan chocolates remain at the center, Peek said that teaching is

CHEF ALE PEEK/PROVIDED

Chef Ale Peek is held by her cousin on the right. Her father stands in the middle with a chef’s hat and apron. Peek said she always had food and family around her.

the most important feature in her array of offerings.

“Teaching is the best way to grow,”

she said. “My mom told me one day, ‘If you want to leave something in someone, try to teach.’”

The pandemic interrupted plans to open a business front. For now, Peek uses a commercial kitchen at her church, St. Clare in Acworth. But, Peek said that she’s been considering at least another office.

She’s currently working on a book of Mexican recipes. Her audience is twofold.

The book would be for people like her American friends, who have asked her to make dishes such as Adobo. But, it’s also for people from Mexico who cur rently live in the U.S. and want a taste of home.

An online store is in the works.

Dunwoody recently hosted a His panic Heritage Month celebration at the Dunwoody Cultural Arts Center, where Peek sold her Art & Taste choco lates alongside her homemade vanilla paste.

Peek said that at Latin festivals, like the one in Dunwoody, she’s noticed something from conversations with those who attend.

“I can see how people from other countries who have arrived here to stay in the United States — they are very, very thirsty,” she said. “They are thirsty for their roots.”

For more information, visit alechef. org. For consultation with Chef Ale, email chefaletoile@gmail.com or call (678) 906-0074.

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Milton Historical Society shares agrarian history at Shindig

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — The Milton Historical Society shared its love for history at its second annual Shindig Sept. 17 on Wildberry Creek Farm, one of the few remaining cattle operations in Milton.

Society co-founder Jeff Dufresne defined “shindig” through a brief sum mation of Milton’s agrarian history.

“Milton was a farming community, not an affluent community at all — hard-working,” Dufresne said.

Since the 1850s, farmers would gather after a good harvest of crops like cotton, peanuts and corn. The gathering would be a lively celebration, a “shindig,” with music and good cheer and storytelling, he said.

Occasional guttural lowing interrupt ed the conversations of around 125 visi tors who attended the Shindig, adding a special kind of ambience. Beer from Six Bridges Brewing and Dreamland barbe cue was provided.

In addition to the bovine choir, blue grass band The Herd returned to the event by popular demand. The Herd is a human ensemble using standing bass, violin, mandolin, banjo and guitar.

Proceeds from the event fund Milton Historical Society activities. Founded in 2018, the organization dedicates itself to researching and preserving Milton history. There are close to 100 members, and some use the society’s Crabapple Road office for in-depth research.

Outside of events, the Historical Soci ety presents monthly lectures at Crabap ple market, writes quarterly newsletters and relays information on social media.

A lot of places in Milton are still in peril, Dufresne said, and part of the His torical Society’s mission is working with developers to help preserve those places.

“There’s got to be a middle ground,” he said. “Rather than develop it and put a subdivision in, incorporate [the histo ry] into the design, and give it identity.”

Dufresne said the Milton Historical So ciety tries to get people excited about local history and history, in general. It has plans to take lectures to schools, so that younger people become interested in history.

“If you don’t know your history, you’re not really grounded in your roots,” Dufresne said.

Exhibits on display included the set of documents that contain the original deed to Wildberry Creek Farm.

Byron Foster and wife Laura are fourth generation owners of the 48-acre farm. While the 1832 deed wasn’t in his family’s name, Byron’s family has lived in the Milton area since the 1800s. His grandparents and great-grandparents are buried in the nearby Hopewell Bap tist Church cemetery.

Byron, who grew up in Sandy Springs, recalled making frequent trips to the farm, where he worked alongside sharecroppers and picked wild berries. At that time, By ron said he didn’t want to have anything to do with the farm and became an engineer.

But, his perspective changed over the years. Byron started taking care of the farm in 2000 when he moved into its hilltop house. The range currently has 15 cows, which are raised for beef. For the past four years, the Fosters have leased the farm to two people, who fertilize the farm, mend the fences and tend the cows.

“This is a labor of love,” Byron said. “As you get older, you get attached to the land you had a lot to do with as a child.”

Shindiggers had the opportunity to view several classic cars, including David Garmon’s 1929 Model A pickup truck. Garmon has driven his collection of Model A’s all over the country.

“I always liked old cars,” Garmon said.

When Garmon was a kid, there were Model A’s at a bank’s grand opening. Owners were letting kids ride in them. But, when he went over there, they

A hero that lived among us, Part 1

► PAGE 21

wouldn’t let him ride.

“So, I never rode in one until I bought one,” he said. “I can ride in ’em now. I have five of ’em.”

Local authors had their own tent. Rona Simmons, an award-winning author of historical fiction and nonfiction, had books for sale. Most concern war time.

Simmons said her stories are a tribute, much of them rooted in her own family’s history. For her latest novel, “A Gathering of Men,” Simmons wrote about her father-in-law, who served as a fighter pilot in World War II. The book is about those who didn’t complete their missions in the war, which Simmons said, is a story that hadn’t really been told.

“You don’t hear about these guys who didn’t finish,” Simmons said. “What happened to make them not able to?”

On a more expansive note, the ben efit included hayrides, where visitors received a partial tour of the farm’s roll ing hills. The driver encouraged riders to toss sweet feed onto the trailer floor, persuading some cows to steadily walk behind the tractor. Fifteen are on the range.

“It’s like a treadmill for cows,” one rider said.

PHOTOS BY: AMBER PERRY/APPEN MEDIA

Bluegrass band The Herd prepare for another set at the Milton Historical Society’s annual Shindig at Wildberry Creek Farm.

Byron Foster, owner of Wildberry Creek Farm, hugs sister Shirley Morgan while discussing the farm’s history. Byron found the original deed to the farm, dated 1832, which was on display in the nearby barn.

Auburn University classes draw local high schoolers

By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — More than five dozen Fulton County students are fin ishing out their high school career while taking college courses through Auburn University this semester – all without having to pay out-of-state tuition.

Fulton County Schools entered into a landmark agreement with Auburn University last year that allows all public high school students access to free or re duced-cost classes. So far, 63 students, representing 13 local high schools, have enrolled, according to Fulton County Schools Chief Academic Officer Clifford Jones.

About 38 percent of the students are seniors, and 62 percent are juniors. The top three schools with students enrolled in the program are Roswell, Johns Creek and Milton high schools. Jones told Appen Media in July the most popular courses are English 1100, Psychology 2010 and Economics 2020.

The first-of-its-kind arrangement allows the university to establish virtual learning locations in the county to assist in outreach classes, including virtual learning centers at the district’s two innovation academies in Alpharetta and Fairburn.

Under terms of the agreement, stu dents are allowed to take up to 24 hours of college courses through the univer sity without paying out-of-state tuition. Students receiving free or reduced lunch can apply for the classes at no cost. Other students pay $550 a class.

At last count, 63 Fulton County stu dents are enrolled in free or low-cost classes at Auburn University.

When the partnership was an nounced in September 2021, Julie Huff, Auburn assistant vice president for Strategic Initiatives and Communica tions, said the university had stepped up efforts in recent years to expand oppor tunities to students who may have felt left out of the traditional path to college.

Introducing the college experience into high school, she said, could help students garner some success, gain confidence and help put them on a path that might have intimidated them before.

Fulton County Schools spokeswoman Anne Boatwright said while it is too early to engage in interviews, the district is thrilled with the “incredible opportunity” to partner with Auburn University, and students and families are committed to active participation in the program.

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Lineup set for Wire & Wood festival

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A lineup of more than 50 national, regional and local per formers are headed to Alpharetta for the free annual Wire & Wood Festival, coming to the city’s downtown Oct. 7 and 8. The city is preparing for 34 per formances on six outdoor stages for the two-day festival, as well as 17 other musical showcases at businesses throughout downtown.

Performers include Pop and R&B Performer Samm Henshaw, interna tional singer/songwriter Eric Hutchin son, Grammy-nominated artists The Secret Sisters, Americana artist Will

Hoge, singer-songwriter David Ryan Harris and many more artists.

“Wire & Wood attracts the best sing ers and songwriters each year to perform their original music, and this year’s lineup will not disappoint,” Alpharetta Director of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services Morgan Rodgers said. “This festival has a special way of bringing our community to gether. The streets of downtown Alpharet ta will be filled with the sounds of music, and you won’t want to miss it.”

For a full lineup of the festival and more information, visit wireandwoodal pharetta.com.

Tailgate to raise money for Lionheart Life Center

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — In partnership with the City of Alpharetta and other local sponsors, The Lionheart Life Center will hold its 9th annual Grilling & Gridiron fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 1, behind Truck & Tap on Old Roswell Street from 12-7 p.m. Tailgate Tast ings will be served from 12-3 p.m., and wine and beer will be served from 12-7 p.m.

This annual fundraiser will feature the University of Georgia vs. Missouri football game along with other SEC football games on a large LED screen, grilling and other tailgating tastes, Jekyll Brewing beer, wine and several children’s activities. Tailgating tastes will feature creations from local res taurants, including Ceviche, Edible FX, Crabapple Tavern, Crave Pie, Fairway Social, Truck & Tap, Nothing Bundt Cakes and more.

“Grilling and Gridiron is a wonder ful time when our community gathers to give back and have fun,” Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said. “I love seeing families enjoying food from local restau rants while supporting the Lionheart School. We are proud to be a partner with Lionheart on this event for nine years strong.”

There are various ways to support the event from tailgating tickets to spon sorships. Admission is free for all kids

under the age of 8.

You can support the campaign through:

• All-you-can-eat Grill Tasting ticket: $25

• Raffle tickets, for a chance to win a one-night stay at the brandnew Hamilton Hotel in downtown Alpharetta; Gift card for break fast or lunch at The Nest Cafe and gift card for Chiringa for dinner and drinks: one for $20, two for $30, five for $60

• SEC Champion sponsor: $2,500

• Game Day sponsor: $1,000

• Touchdown sponsor: $500

• Reserved table for 10 persons: $350

• Restaurant or Community Par ticipant, includes a booth and option for event tastings: $50

For more information about Grilling & Gridiron, visit thelion heartschool.com or contact Ashley Cheek.

For more than 20 years, The Lion heart Life Center, which includes The Lionheart School and The Lionheart WORKS program, has provided individu als with autism and other neurodevel opmental challenges a comprehensive range of educational, therapeutic and vocational services to maximize the po tential for their highest level of indepen dence.

North Fulton CID announces newly elected officers, board

ATLANTA —The North Fulton Commu nity Improvement District announced the election of new officers during its regu larly scheduled board meeting on Sept. 6.

Newly elected officers include: Chairman Tim Perry, managing partner of North American Properties Atlanta; Vice Chairman Leslie Day-Har rell, executive vice president of Jackson Healthcare; and Treasurer Al Nash, Parallax Advisory Group LLC.

Former Chairman Kerry Armstrong, managing director at Pope & Land Enterprises, and former Vice Chairman Moses Brown were recognized for their distinguished service to the Community Improvement District.

In addition to new officers, Bernie Tokarz, principal with Cloverhurst LLC, was sworn in as a new CID board member. Tokarz was appointed by the

City of Milton after John Bell stepped down last month.

Tokarz has been heavily involved in transportation throughout his career. He currently serves as vice chair of the Fulton DeKalb Hospital Authority and on the Board of Directors for the Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation.

“The North Fulton CID Board of Directors is a group of business profes sionals volunteering their time and efforts to make our community a better place to live, work and do business. Their leadership has allowed our orga nization to deliver significant and need ed infrastructure improvements and we look forward to our future success providing more important projects,” NFCID Executive Director Brandon Beach said. To learn more about the North Fulton CID, visit www.NorthFult onCID.com or call (678) 397-0570.

FILE PHOTO

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression plays at the 2021 Wire & Wood festival in Al pharetta. This year’s event will feature 34 performances on six outdoor stages.

Pulitzer Prize winning author to discuss new book at event

ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell Reads, in partnership with the Roswell Cultural Arts Center and in association with Bookmiser, is kicking off National Arts & Humanities Month with an in-person presentation by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks.

Brooks, the bestselling author of six novels and two acclaimed nonfiction works, will be discussing her new novel, “Horse,” Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell.

Australian-born Brooks began her career in journalism, eventually working as a foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, where she covered crises in the Middle East, Africa and the Bal kans. In 1990, with her late husband, Tony Horwitz, she won the Overseas Press Club Award for best coverage of the Gulf War. The following year they received a citation for excellence for their series, “War and Peace.”

Brooks’ first novel, “Year of Wonders,” published in 2001, became an inter national bestseller. Then, in 2006, her second novel, “March,” won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Four more bestselling novels followed, including “Horse.”

Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, who became America’s great est stud sire, “Horse” is a gripping, multilayered novel of art and science,

Our mission

Investigative journalism is one part of local news. Appen Media will contin ue to spend money on FOIA requests, comb through police reports and keep an eye on city spending.

love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism.

To purchase books prior to the event, visit bookmiser.net. Books purchased in advance can be autographed and picked up in-store, at the event, or mailed. Bookmiser will also sell copies of “Horse” at the event which Brooks can sign and personalize. For ques tions regarding book purchases, contact Bookmiser at 770-509-5611.

Tickets for the Oct. 1 talk are $20 and are available either online at ro swellcac.com, by calling 770-594-6232, or at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.

Roswell Reads will follow Brooks’ in-person appearance with two virtual book discussions featuring “Horse” on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The author is not part of these Zoom presentations. Similar to book club meetings, these online events feature a facilitator who leads the discus sion and encourages audience participa tion. Register for the virtual discussions by emailing your name, city and preferred time (2 p.m. or 7 p.m.) to roswellreads bookdiscussions@gmail.com.

Since 2005, Roswell Reads has been promoting the value of reading, literacy and lifelong learning through the shared community-wide experience of reading and discussing a common book. For more information, go to RoswellReads.com.

— Kathy Cioffi

It’ll also remain dedicated to featur ing baseball tournaments, board ap pointments and everything else that makes up community news. Send tips, story ideas and announce ments to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

From left: Emma Winklmann, 9, Johns Creek; Remi Hammock, 9, Statham; Blythe Cammack, 9, Johns Creek; Jo Hancock, 9, Alpharetta; assistant coach Ian Win klmann, Johns Creek; Maggie Park, 8, Kennesaw; Riley Borod, 10, Johns Creek; Ellie Hancock, 8, Alpharetta; head coach J.P. Borod, Johns Creek; Gianna Harris, 10, Winder; Phoebe Appen, 7, Alpharetta; assistant coach Trent Hammock, Sta tham; Addie Greene, 10, Rome; and Evie Barton, 10, Dawsonville.

All-female baseball team wins area championship

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The 10U Georgia Peaches, an all-female travel baseball team based in Johns Creek, competed in the Cobb County Sunday Series tourna ment on Sept. 18 in Powder Springs. After finishing 2-0 in pool play, they went on to defeat the Smyrna Slammers Pros pects, 8-7, in the championship game.

This is the first known instance of an all-female baseball team entering and winning an otherwise all-boys travel baseball tournament in Georgia.

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HANS APPEN/APPEN MEDIA

A hero lived among us, Part 1

Ordinary people sometimes do ex traordinary things. At times, heroes may live conventional lives among us without our knowing of their selfless acts nor the sacrifices or suffer ing they may have endured. Charles Edwin Mansell (1917 – 1996) was such a person, a modest farmer who did heroic deeds as a member of the Greatest Generation in World War II. Here is his story.

One of seven children, Charles was raised on a farm in Roswell where Highway 9 and Crossville Road meet. He attended a one-room school in Roswell and subsequently Milton High School. He was energetic and always looking for excitement. He joined the Army in 1939 along with his two younger brothers Pete and Hugh.

Charles’ first overseas assignment was Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. A natural athlete, he participated in track, swimming and taught boxing. He was on duty at the base gate on the morning of December 7, 1941, when Japanese aircraft attacked.

“As soon as I saw red balls on the wings, I knew we were in for a lot of trouble,” he recalled years later, accord ing to his second cousin Linda Martin. The plane flew so low that Charles saw two airmen sitting in the cockpit. He was credited with downing one of the attack ing aircraft but suffered a concussion and permanent hearing loss in one ear from the explosions during the attack.

Sgt. Mansell was sent to Guadalca nal in September 1942 where he par ticipated in the first major invasion of a Japanese-held island. He remembered that the American troops lacked suf ficient equipment to fight with in the early days. Charles suffered shrapnel wounds in his left shoulder and chest from mortar fire but quickly rejoined his unit when they were ordered to move north. Four pins in his shoulder forced this southpaw to learn to write with his right hand.

The following summer President Roosevelt called for volunteers for an elite outfit that would operate behind Imperial Japanese Army lines in Burma. The Japanese had conquered Burma two years earlier. Charles joined the group of nearly 3,000 men led by Gen. Frank D. Merrill. Its formal name was The 5307th Composite Unit Provisional. Its codename was Galahad. The group quickly became known as Merrill’s Marauders.

They trained in the jungles of central India. Then, in February 1944 marched hundreds of miles through the Hima layan Mountains and Burmese jungles carrying their equipment and supplies on their backs and on the backs of pack mules. Once in Burma they coordinated closely with a Chinese force. Often out numbered, the Marauders fought five major battles and 30 minor engagements in the jungles of Burma for five months, The hard-won capture of the critically important Japanese airfield at Myitkyina (Mitch-in-a) and subsequent capture of the fortified town of Myitkyina in 1944 by the Marauders was their most signifi cant victory which played a vital part in the war.

Only 130 Marauders of the original 2,750 were still fit for duty after the capture of Myitkyina. The field hospital reported that “many of the Maraud ers were seriously ill and they were so tired, dirty, and hungry that they looked more dead than alive. They suffered from exhaustion, malnutrition, typhus, malaria, amebic dysentery, jungle sores, and many other diseases resulting from months of hardship in the tropical jungle.”

In September 1944, Charles was

transferred back to the United States. He spent the remainder of the war as first sergeant in charge of a POW camp in Louisiana where German prison ers of war were held. While in Loui siana, Charles married Montez Haley (1918–2005) a neighbor and childhood friend with whom he had carried on a correspondence throughout his military service.

Charles was wounded four times. He was injured by mortar fire in the shoulder and chest in Guadalcanal and by machine gun fire in a leg in Burma. He received a purple heart, four Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars and two Presiden tial Unit Citations. He suffered from seri ous illnesses, but he never gave up. His daughter Connie Smith recites words he wrote in a letter home: “I’m fighting until the war is over because I want to come home a free man in a free country.”

Connie has carefully and lovingly preserved many letters and other re membrances of her father.

To be continued.

Bob is the Milton Historical Society Director Emeritus. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net.

This is the patch worn by Merrill’s Ma rauders during the World War II Burma campaign against Japanese forces. The all-volunteer unit was heavily outnum bered, but in the end defeated the Japanese at a very high human cost.

BOB MEYERS

PHOTOS BY MANSELL FAMILY/PROVIDED

A natural athlete, Charles Mansell participated in track, swimming and boxing at Hickam Airforce Base in Hawaii in 1940. He was on duty when the Japanese at tacked Pearl Harbor. This photo shows members of the track team. Charles, on the right, was a cross-country runner.

Gaunt and malnourished Members of Merrill’s Marauders walk across a bridge across the Tanai River in Burma in 1944.

for investors: Don’t fight The Fed

Main Street at the gas pumps, but dour news for Wall Street as Mr. Market saw a stronger chance of recession.

One of the best quotes about prognosti cation is the famous 2002 comment by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP

Marty Zweig (1942-2013) was a celebrated American stock investor, invest ment adviser, and financial ana lyst. In his book, “Winning on Wall Street” (1970), he penned the now famous phrase, “Don’t fight the Fed.” He saw trends in interest rates and monetary policy driven by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank as one of the dominate factors in attempting to augur the direction of the stock market.

Efforts at prognostication have equity market participants reacting to every tidbit of news, especially comments such as those made by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell at the Fed’s annual gather ing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in August. Powell said that interest rates must be raised further to fight inflation, despite growing recession risk. Zwieg’s advice was for investors to align portfolio strategies with the current trends in monetary poli cies rather than against them. Simple, yes?

Not really. So-called “sophisticated investors” are constantly sifting through the tea leaves, attempting to assess the meaning of data and news items and the potential impact on market direc tion. The highly watched S&P 500 stock index dropped 4.2 percent in August. Oil prices continued a three-month

“There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tends to be the difficult ones,” he said.

Rumsfeld was talking about evidence purporting to link the government of Iraq with the supply of weapons of mass destruction and terrorist groups, but his thought process can also apply to guess work relative to market trends.

September opens the political war fare floodgates leading up to the No vember elections. While most political advertising consists of trying to smear the opposition rather than tout spe cific fixes for the problems bugging the electorate, most politicians should heed the warning offered in 1992 by Demo cratic strategist James Carville, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Understanding what’s on voter’s minds by-and-large may have a bear ing on both political and stock market outcomes. A 9/3/2022 report by pollster Rasmussen indicated that the majority

about the economy, most are not sold on electric vehicles (cost, limited range, and lack of charging stations); most rate Joe Biden as “poor” on immigration; just 8 percent rate public schools as “excellent”; only 29 percent say America is headed in the right direction. Given concern over public schools, many families are opting for private schools, introducing added financial planning considerations.

What is interesting is that when you or any stockholder sells given a worrisome outlook, someone is on the other side of the trade, buying in the spirit of bargain hunting. By the time a positive trend is confirmed, the bargain price is long gone. If we have learned anything over time, it’s “the certainty of uncertainty.”

Reflecting strategies in his persis tent pursuit of value, Warren Buffet’s shareholder letters are rife with timetested wisdom. To wit: “While it’s true that downturns can create opportunities for investors, short-term investing still comes with a substantial amount of risk. Over the short-term, the direction of the market can be impossible or nearly impossible to predict with any level of accuracy. Over the long-term, trends begin to emerge, and we can see that the market consistently rises over time. A market downturn doesn’t make the short-term more predictable, and it may even make it less predictable. Do not take yearly results too seriously. Instead, focus on four- or five-year averages.”

Investment advisers can help to align

money managers with your need for li quidity, ability to tolerate risk and volatil ity, time frames, tax posture, and overall goals and objectives. There is always a tradeoff of some kind in the strategies touted by advertisers and radio and tele vision pundits at the heights of market uncertainty. If you increase certainty relative to principal preservation, often you must cap the rate of return potential. Absolute safety, for example, in a money market fund currently results in negative inflation adjusted terms after tax.

Buffett is a big fan of dollar-costaveraging, consistent and patterned investments in a diversified equity port folio over time, made regardless of what the market is doing. Contributing on a regular basis to a 401(k), Roth or regular IRA, 529 College Savings Plan, or other type of retirement and wealth accumula tion plan works given time frames of five to 10 years or more. Don’t worry about known and unknown unknowns. Like things that go “boo in the night” that plague overactive childhood imagina tions, they are always present. They are tools of opportunity for the persistent!

Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group; 770-441-3553; lewis@ lewwalker.com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA). Lewis is a registered representative and investment adviser representative of SFA, otherwise

Thank You!

Our local news is free to read but not to produce. Alpharetta-Roswell Herald relies on advertisers to keep the lights on, pay our reporters and publish your news. That’s why we want to say thank you to all the advertisers, large and small, who have stuck by us through thick and thin. Consider giving them your business, just as they have done with us.

Buy local, eat local, read local.

SOUTH MAIN LCI Study Public Open House

SOUTH MAIN LCI Study Public Open House

September 29th , 2022: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Alpharetta Community Center Dance Room

September 29th , 2022: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Alpharetta Community Center Dance Room

The City of Alpharetta has engaged a set of planning experts to develop the South Main Street Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Study, which includes the area along South Main Street (Hwy 9) from the Town Center south to the city limits. This plan seeks to develop opportunities for safe walking and biking while promoting transit ridership. It also aims to examine opportunities for redevelopment that promote creative placemaking and the continued success of the Downtown Alpharetta LCI.

The City of Alpharetta has engaged a set of planning experts to develop the South Main Street Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Study, which includes the area along South Main Street (Hwy 9) from the Town Center south to the city limits. This plan seeks to develop opportunities for safe walking and biking while promoting transit ridership. It also aims to examine opportunities for redevelopment that promote creative placemaking and the continued success of the Downtown Alpharetta LCI.

Join us to learn more about the proposed concepts for this study area and help shape the future of the South Main area!

Join us to learn more about the proposed concepts for this study area and help shape the future of the South Main area!

Learn more at: www.alpharetta.ga.us/south-main-lci

Learn more at: www.alpharetta.ga.us/south-main-lci

Proposed Concept for South Main Street

Proposed Concept for South Main Street

When: Thursday, September 29th 5:30-7:30 p.m.

When: Thursday, September 29th 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Community Center Dance Room

Where: Alpharetta Community Center Dance Room

Shell game

Tourist guides

Capital of Ghana

Others, to Ovid

Fictional terrier

Church section

Bad place for a change of mind

Recycle

Illinois River city

Bovril, e.g.

A Bobbsey twin

Menu phrase

Store posting (Abbr.)

G.I.’s mail drop

Singer Seeger

In times past

Jack of Dragnet

Bring to life again

Buffalo's county 42 Turkish honorific

Kind of table

Frown upon 48 Positive 49 Pa. neighbor 50 Barbershop call

Trendy

Back on board

Modern (Prefix)

Embrace

Haiphong locale

Cereal topper

Copycats

Hipbone bone

Charades, e.g.

Girasol, e.g.

Pigeon’s perch

Heidi’s home

Depend, with "on"

Ogled

Nom de plume

Entreaty

Breathes out 51 Yellowfin, e.g. 53 Benefit 54 Girl, in France 55 Lukewarm 57 Alpha’s opposite

Swamp snapper

Hoodlum

Can be found in the road

Slangy denial

Shrinking Asian sea

Bien’s opposite

Artful

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Fulton County should act of behalf of its residents

As a resident, voter and taxpayer in Fulton County, I am disturbed by the state of the LOST negotiations. How ever, I am choosing to give you all the benefit of the doubt and believe that you entered public service to improve your community and the lives of your constituents. I urge you now to remind yourself of the reasons you choose to serve.

Think about this from the perspec tive of a resident – which all of you are. Do you believe the residents are served well by gutting local munici pal budgets? Do you think pitting the county against the cities benefits the residents?

Why are you squabbling over $15 million when you have a budget in

excess of $1.2 billion, and the cities are working with budget totals that are a fraction of that amount? Fulton County has the most bloated budget in the state, full of wasteful spending and inefficien cies. One very public example is the Tax Commissioner’s salary. Fulton County budgets as much as surrounding coun ties but provides fewer services – notably police, fire and parks. Don’t you think an effort to reduce wasteful spending would serve the public better than a bid to steal funds from the smaller city budgets?

I applaud State Sen. John Albers for his comments at the town hall. He expressed the disgust that most of the residents are feeling and chastised you like you were children because

you are acting like children – like bullies. It should never have come to this point, and I hope you will all step back and reevaluate your positions. I hope you remember why you serve and come to the negotiating table on Friday with the residents as your priority.

I expect you to agree to 5% of the LOST funds and find other ways to fund your needs. I hope you will start by do ing the hard work you were elected to do and cut out the waste. Based on the town hall last night, the residents are fully backing their mayors, and it would serve all of you well to get on board.

Christine Austin Johns Creek

Richard Higgins, 91, of Alpharetta, passed away September 12, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Joseph McPartland, 18, of Roswell, passed away September 12, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Kevin Chojnacki, 61, of Alpharetta, passed away September 13, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Betty Kennedy, 84, of Alpharetta, passed away September 14, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Thomas Upton of Alpharetta, passed away September 14, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

NOTICE CITY OF ROSWELL PUBLIC HEARING PLACE ROSWELL CITY HALL 38 HILL STREET, SUITE 215

DATE & TIME Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 10:00 A.M.

PURPOSE APPLICATION FOR: Package Liquor, Beer and Wine

APPLICANT Alireza Hafezi

BUSINESS NAME Gelareh

BUSINESS ADDRESS 890 Atlanta St., Ste #F Roswell, GA 30075

Donna Williams, 70, of Alpharetta, passed away September 15, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Nicolas Quintana, 31, of Roswell, passed away September 15, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Raffaela Cavalli, 97, of Alpharetta, passed away September 19, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Christina Jones, 75, of Roswell, passed away September 19, 2022.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

David Shafer, 77, of Roswell, passed away September 19, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Margaret Bayersdorfer, 82, of Roswell, passed away September 19, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Elizabeth Dinsmore, 91, of Milton, passed away September 20, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Michael Brown, 71, of Roswell, passed away September 20, 2022. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Full-time

POOL TECHNICIANS

WANTED

Part-time & Full-time positions available. Pay is $12-$14 per hour. Hours starting at 6:30AM, Monday-Friday. Pick-up truck not required but must have your own reliable transportation. Gas allowance provided. Looking for people who enjoy working outside and are enthusiastic, dependable & punctual. Able to contribute independently or on a crew with consistently friendly attitude.

Well-established commercial pool maintenance company providing service in the North Atlanta Metro area.

Call Bill: 404-245-9396

Part-time

ASSIST PARTIALLY DISABLED EXECUTIVE

Onsite at his place of employment. Perfect for retired nurse. Helping with meal prep, drive to doctors appointments, some shopping. Salary negotiable. English speaking non-smoker. Charlotte 678-208-0774

Carmichael, Brasher, Tuvell & Company is hiring an Income Tax Preparer, Corporate and Individual. Great pay and flexible, relaxed work environment. Seeking full and/or part-time individual for individual and corporate tax preparation and accounting. Prior tax preparation required and have working knowledge of QuickBooks. Our office is located in the heart of Dunwoody and work from home is an option. To apply email your resume to gbrasher@cbtcpa.com

ASSISTANTS & KENNEL HELP

FULL & PART TIME

Currently hiring Veterinary Assistants and Kennel Help. If you enjoy working with small animals, please contact us. This position offers Dental, Vision, and Major Medical. Please send Resume to docjch@bellsouth.net. 678-327-7008.

Bargain / Furniture

FORMAL DINING ROOM SET, solid wood, excellent condition, like new.

Table, buffet, china cabinet and six chairs (two end chairs have armrests). $1,000. Call or text 470-546-1898

TEAKWOOD TABLE, 8 chairs, China cabinet. $1000/obo. Call or text 404-433-3414

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Haulers

Retaining Walls

Brick or Wood

Contact Ralph Rucker. Many local references. Honest, punctual, professional and reasonable prices!

678-898-7237

Bush Hogging, Clearing, Grading, Hauling, Etc.

Many local references Call Ralph Rucker 678-898-7237

Home Improvement

Roofing Landscaping

Full Service LANDSCAPING Company

Retaining walls (brick or wood), grading, sod, tree services, hauling, topsoil & more.

Ralph Rucker

678-898-7237

Pinestraw

$250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Mention this ad. Concrete driveway specialists. Driveways, Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways, Slabs.  A+ BBB rating. FREE ESTIMATE. Call Rachael at 678-250-4546 to schedule a FREE Estimate. 30 years of experience. ARBOR HILLS CONSTRUCTION INC. Please note we do have a minimum charge on accepted jobs of $4,500.

Concrete/ Asphalt Driveway Flooring

PHILLIPS FLOORING

Hardwood, laminate, carpet & tile installation and repairs. We do tile floors, showers, tub surrounds and kitchen back-splashes. Re-grouting is also available. Call 678-8871868 for free estimate.

PHILLIPS HOME IMPROVEMENT

We offer drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Basements finished, kitchen and bath rehabs. All types flooring. Also total home rehab for those who have a rental house or one to sell. Call 678-887-1868 for a free estimate.

ROOF LEAKING?

Call us for roof repair or roof replacement. FREE quotes. $200 OFF Leak Repairs or 10% off New Roof. Affordable, quality roofing. Based in Roswell. Serving North Atlanta since 1983. Call to schedule FREE Quote: 770-284-3123.

Christian Brothers Roofing

PINESTRAW, MULCH

Delivery/installation available. Firewood available. Licensed, insured. Angels of Earth Pinestraw and Mulch. 770-831-3612

Gutters

AARON’S ALL-TYPE GUTTERS

Installed. Covers, siding, soffit, facia. www.aaronsgutters.com. Senior citizen discount! 678-508-2432

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

Health & Fitness

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00. 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-4455928 Hablamos Español

Dental insurance - Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real in-surance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www. dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-929-9587

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855948-6176

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. 1 TB of data/mo. Ask how to bundle & SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. 1-855-3643948

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY!

Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398

HughesNet - Finally, superfast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/ mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-7294998 or visit dorranceinfo. com/ads

Paying top cash for men’s sportwatches! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 833-6033236

Put on your TV Ears & hear TV w/unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original - originally $129.95 - now w/this special offer only $59.95 w/code MCB59! 1-888-805-0840

Aloe Care Health medical alert system. Most advanced medical alert product on the market. Voice-activated! No

wi-fi needed! Special offer w/code CARE20 for $20 off Mobile Companion. 1-855341-5862

DISH TV $64.99 For 190

Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866-479-1516

The Generac PWRcell solar plus battery storage system. Save money, reduce reliance on grid, prepare for outages & power your home. Full installation services. $0 down financing option. Request free no obligation quote. 1-877-539-0299

Vivint. Smart security. Professionally installed. One connected system for total peace of mind. Free professional installation! Four free months of monitoring! Call to customize your system. 1-833-841-0737

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306

Protect your home from pests safely and affordably. Pest, rodent, termite and mosquito control. Call for a quote or inspection today 844-3949278

Discount air travel. Call Flight Services for best pricing on domestic & international

flights inside & from the US. Serving United, Delta, American & Southwest & many more. Free quote! Have travel dates ready! 844951-2014

Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather sup-ply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.

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