Dunwoody Crier - November 2, 2023

Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival raises funds for area charities ► PAGE 3

N ov e m b e r 2 , 2 0 2 3 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Innovators strive to make government more accessible

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

KEN LANGLEY PHOTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED

Dunwoody High School’s girls flag football program comes together for a team photo before the fall 2023 season.

Dunwoody girls flag football team eyes spot in playoffs

Head coach Montez Swinney talks to Linsay Parks on the sideline during a girls flag football game at Dunwoody High School.

By HAYDEN SUMLIN | hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody High School’s girls flag football team has high expectations in its fourth season.

Head coach Montez Swinney remembers appearing weekly in the Crier as a student-athlete on the Dunwoody High School football team. He thinks it’s time the 7-2 Lady Wildcats get their due.

“I think the girls deserve just as much opportunity as the boys,” Swinney said. “To be honest, I think they’re tougher than boys when it comes to certain things.”

Swinney said the Atlanta Falcons are a driving force behind girls flag football in Georgia.

In partnership with the Georgia High School Association, the sport became officially sanctioned in 2020.

See FOOTBALL, Page 20

ROSWELL, Ga. — When James Dillard created Recap Roswell, a website that breaks Roswell City Council meetings into digestible chunks, he drew from his time living in Switzerland as inspiration.

“Switzerland is a very high trust society with a very high degree of civic participation,” he said. “When you’re living abroad, you see your home differently, and that caused me to place a greater value on participating, in making the system work.”

Dillard also said Robert Putnam’s nonfiction book “Bowling Alone” was an influence. Putnam writes about the decline of social capital, how society is becoming less participatory, even in smaller institutions like social clubs.

Dillard is not alone. Other innovators are developing tools to help keep citizens engaged in government.

“I feel like Roswell, Georgia, the United States would be healthier if we have more of those institutions, or micro institutions, where people are connecting and going through the process of deciding what they think they should do together and then, trying to make that happen in the real world,” Dillard said.

In May, Dillard built Recap Roswell from scratch using ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model developed by the nonprofit organization OpenAI. For each post, he creates a transcript from the video recording of the latest council meeting. Then, he runs the transcript through the OpenAI API, based on a chain of different requests which synthesizes it down to a quick summary.

DUNWOODY HIGH SCHOOL/PROVIDED

50th Anniversary Celebration!

770-393-0321 | 4500 4500 Old Suite 200, 200, Atlanta, 770-393-0321 Old Perimeter Perimeter Way, way, Suite Atlanta, Georgia Georgia,30346 30346 | www.jewelryartisans.com www.jewelryartisans.com

50th Anniversary Celebration!

See GOVERNMENT, Page 29

2 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

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.

770-442-3278 AppenMedia.com 319 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009

K-9 unit busts Atlanta man at traffic stop

HANS APPEN Publisher DICK WILLIAMS Publisher Emeritus CONTACT NEWS TIPS Contact reporters directly or send story ideas to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

LETTERS, EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Send your letters, events and community news to newsroom@appenmedia.com.

See appenmedia.com/submit for more guidance.

ADVERTISING For information about advertising in the Dunwoody Crier or other Appen Media properties, email advertising@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

CIRCULATION To start, pause or stop delivery of this newspaper, email circulation@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Judged a newspaper of General Excellence 2023

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police transported a 26-year-old Atlanta man to jail Oct. 21 after discovering narcotics inside the man’s vehicle during a traffic stop, according to a report obtained by Appen Media.

An undercover officer reported he saw a man arrive in a Nissan Altima at an apartment on Dunwoody Crossing and leave 3 minutes later.

Dunwoody Police identified the apartment as a known drug location.

Police conducted a traffic stop after the driver allegedly blocked the crosswalk at North Peachtree Road and Cotillion Drive.

Police said the driver was detained due to the presence of drug paraphernalia, his nervous behavior and the possibility of a narcotics exchange at the apartment.

A Dunwoody officer responded to the scene with a K-9, or a dog specifically trained to assist law enforcement. Police say the K-9 detected two bags of narcotics in the Altima, one of marijuana and one of cocaine.

The driver was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana less than 1 ounce.

Police arrest Texan for drunk driving DUNWOODY, Ga. — A 29-year-old Houston woman was transported to DeKalb County Jail Oct. 20 after she passed police on the wrong side of Ashford Dunwoody Road.

Police said an officer conducted a traffic stop after a Honda Civic passed

ASK APPEN

PUBLIC SAFETY his patrol car headed northbound in the southbound lanes around 1 a.m.

The driver told police she had been confused by the roads since she is from Texas.

Police told her people drive on the right side of the road in Texas and Georgia.

When officers began to place her under arrest for driving under the influence, the suspect began resisting and yelling obscenities at the officers, according to reports.

Police said Strong-Belin repeatedly refused to listen to officers as they read the implied consent notice for suspects over 21-years-old and asked her for a blood test. The Houston woman was charged with driving on the wrong side of a roadway, driving under the influence and disorderly conduct.

Officers transported her to DeKalb County Jail.

Nordstrom employee caught returning items, report says DUNWOODY, Ga. — A 24-year-old Atlanta man was issued a warrant for felony theft by deception Oct. 21 after Nordstrom determined he was fabricating customers’ returns.

Dunwoody police were dispatched to Nordstrom on Ashford Dunwoody Road after the company’s asset protection team discovered an employee committing thefts.

The suspect allegedly conducted a $5,000 return Oct. 4 with no proof of purchase from the customer.

After Nordstrom’s Ashford Dunwoody Road location learned about the events of Oct. 4, employees discovered the subject had conducted additional thefts.

Police said the suspect stole at least another $4,000 during two incidents Oct. 3 and Oct. 16.

The officer on scene decided to arrest the subject for theft by deception solely based on the incident Oct. 3 because of clear evidence and security footage.

He was transported to Dekalb County Jail.

Family business account defrauded through forgery JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man reported to police Oct. 16 that he and his family’s business were victims of fraud after $4,500 had been withdrawn from his father’s bank account.

The man told police that $9,000 had been transferred from the account of his family’s Atlanta furniture business to a linked bank account belonging to his father. He said that a $4,500 check had then been cashed from his father’s bank account and issued to an identified man for “Hvac Work.”

According to the police report, the cashed check was forged, and the victims did not issue the check to anyone. The man said he nor his father gave anyone authorization to move, sign or cash a check from the accounts, which have since been frozen.

Police investigate threats reported at Home Depot JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Police criminally trespassed a Jacksonville, North Carolina, man Oct. 18 from the Home Depot on State Bridge Road after he allegedly threatened to cut people with a blade in the store’s bathroom.

While on the scene, police spoke to the store manager who said the suspect had been in the bathroom for two hours. When the suspect exited the bathroom, police searched the suspect for weapons and asked the victim, a Duluth man, and a witness for a statement.

The victim told police the suspect said he was “lucky that he did not have a razor,” the police report said. The witness also told police he had heard the suspect say he would cut people.

While the victim declined to press charges against the suspect, the store manager asked that the man be criminally trespassed from the property.

What do you want to know about the community?

Submit questions at appenmedia.com/ask or scan QR code.

COMMUNITY

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 3

Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival raises funds for area charities

BY ADAM DARBY newsroom@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Close to two dozen teams and a hungry crowd were on hand Oct. 22 of David annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival at Brook Run Park.

Teams competed in the kosher brisket, beef ribs, chicken, and chili categories. The charity event offered free admission with taste tickets available at $1.25 each. The family-friendly outing also included a silent auction, children’s activities and live music performed by the Roswell New Horizons Band.

“It’s special because it’s our way, as Jewish people, to share part of our heritage and Jewish cooking with all of the people that come to the event,” said Stan Sloan, former president of HOD Lodge Carmel. “It’s a joyous event. And with what is going on in the Middle East, it’s one way of celebrating peace.”

For 11 years, the barbeque competition and festival has celebrated Jewish culture while raising funds for major charities. While this year’s targeted charities await their final selection, all the festival’s proceeds will benefit community organizations in addition to the current events happening in Israel.

Previous recipients include the Jewish Education Loan Fund, Backpack

ADAM DARBY/APPEN MEDIA

A crowd estimated at more than 4,000 sample offerings at the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival in Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park.

Buddies, County Police K-9 Unit, Cobb County Sheriff’s Department and the Greater Atlanta Jewish Community.

“Proceeds are going to Israel after the terrible events that happened,” said

David Joss, deputy Grant President of HOD International. “We’re trying to raise funds for them in any way that we can.

We’re trying to support the Jewish community and the community at

Vote YES for the Dunwoody Parks

large.”

While remaining fully compliant with kosher food handling requirements, every attendee enjoyed the opportunity to taste food from competing teams. Judges are also in attendance to select the winning team for each category. One of this year’s judges, Rabbi Joshua Heller, has seen the growth of the festival over the years while appreciating how it brings people together.

“This event started at my synagogue and grew into something much bigger,” Heller said. “This is neat because it is something that many different segments of the community can come together for…people from all over town come to be a part of this.”

The festival is supervised by the Atlanta Kashruth Commission. While all spectrums of the Jewish community are invited to participate, the HOD encourages the entire Atlanta community to join in on the food and celebration annually.

“This is one of the most diverse festivals in Georgia…and the one thing we have in common is that we all love barbeque,” Joss said.

To learn more about the event or how to become a sponsor or volunteer, visit www.theatlantakosherbbq.com.

& ra s ond

For softball, lacrosse, splashpad, & more

For safer sidewalks to schools, shopping, and dining For increased quality of life for citizens For improving home values For encouraging strong business investment in Dunwoody

Vote YES for a Better Dunwoody Early Voting at the Dunwoody Library - now through 11/3, Election Day 11/7 Paid for by A Better Dunwoody - www.abetterdunwoody.com

TALK BACK TO THE CRIER

4 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

TO THE CRIER,

CRIER NOTES

The great pumpkin is alive and well Pictured is Harlan Evans of Ft. Riley, KS visiting Dunwoody earlier this month.

He is the great grandson of resident Sasha Evans and here to offer the Crier proof the Great Pumpkin is alive and well.

Tell the Crier The Crier is first and foremost a community newspaper.

Send your notes, awards and photos to newsroom@ appenmedia. com.

I write as a Dunwoody Citizen, proud of all that we’ve accomplished, especially our independence from DeKalb County.

But at the same time, I’m concerned about our governing body spending more than it receives in revenue, resulting in widely acknowledged structural deficit issues. The City’s proposed 2024 General Fund budget has a $3,036,320 deficit and the proposed 2024 total government budget has a whopping $14,176,168 deficit. WOW!! Don’t believe me?? Check this data yourself on the City website.

Why then would the City propose a $60 million Bond Referendum that would take us even deeper into debt, prioritizing parks and paths over police, knowing full-well that a 2023 survey of taxpayers commissioned by the City of Dunwoody revealed that traffic congestion, crime and public safety, were among the top three concerns of resident respondents.

This same City survey of Dunwoody Residents further revealed 96% satisfaction with overall quality of life, 90.9% satisfaction with existing parks, and 75.8% satisfaction with existing trails and sidewalks.

A $1.4 million budget increase requested by our Police Chief for additional uniformed officers and civilian support was

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Many groups had a hand in Home Tour’s success

TREATS

FOR THE TROOPS Once again, trick-or-treaters are invited to bring their excess candy to

Dentistry with a Difference

“Drop Off” November 1-8 Doctors Nordone and Oh will donate all to our service men and women.

The candy must be unopened – no bites!

Albert P. Nordone, D.D.S. Hannah Oh, D.D.S. 5548 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 770-393-9450 Dentistry with a

On behalf of the members of the GFWC Dunwoody Woman’s Club, I would like to thank the homeowners for opening their beautiful homes for our Annual Home Tour held on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. This was a milestone event as this was the club’s 50th annual Home Tour.

We appreciate their gracious hospitality and generosity with our major fundraiser.

Each homeowner was presented with a painting of their home created by local artist, Pat Fiorello.

We want to express sincere appreciation to Southern Comforts for hosting the

denied by the Mayor and City Manager in a 2024 Budget review. Yet $1.1 million in extra funding for parks and recreation was accepted. I again ask—“Which is more important, our safety or maintenance of right of ways and greenspace?” You decide.

The further success of our city will be predicated by the accountability of our elected officials. We need city leaders who will listen to our crime and safety concerns, and act upon them.

In the meantime, we need to vote “NO” for the proposed $60 million Bond Referendum which prioritizes parks and paths over public safety and police.

Bob Hickey Dunwoody

Crier Fact Check Does the city’s proposed 2024 budget have a deficit of $14,176,168?

Yes. State law mandates cities pass “balanced” budgets each year.

To meet that threshold, the city plans to use prior year reserves. Those amounts include $3 million from General Fund, $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and $5.8 million from Capital Projects Fund.

fun and entertaining decorator showcase, “Fall Entertaining,” as part of the tour.

To the sponsors of our annual home tour we say a big “Thank You” for your support of this fundraising event. The proceeds of the tour are used to fulfill the club’s commitment of service through our charitable programs.

We extend special thanks to the community for their participation each year and to the Dunwoody Crier for its outstanding and invaluable assistance with publicizing our event.

We appreciate the community’s continued support for our charitable work.

Terry Kemp, chairman Dunwoody Home Tour GFWC Dunwoody Woman’s Club

Talk Back to the Crier Send your letters to newsroom@appenmedia.com by Sunday night and they’ll end up here that week. Park locations, treelined medians and backyard chickens welcome.

Rules of engagement: • Typically we restrict letters to 300 words. To limit fury from the copy desk, try and stay below that line.

• We normally do not publish letters written in response to other letters. We are going to waive that policy for the time being.

• We won’t publish your letter or name without explicitly getting your approval.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 5 PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Top Ten Reasons to vote “NO” on the $60 million Dunwoody Bond Referendum 1. The proposed Bond issue would be for up to $60 million at a maximum interest rate of 8%, with repayment up to 20 years.

2. Official voting language does NOT require City Officials to spend Bond proceeds on any specific project, with NO audit requirement of expenditures.

3. The actual cost to residential and business taxpayers is estimated at between $87 and $108 million over the 20 years, or $4.4 to $5.4 million per year, at a time when the City is already operating beyond its means with a structural deficit. As such, the City has raised property taxes four out of the past five years.

4. City property taxes on a $500,000 home would increase 53% starting next year and continue to increase every year for the 20 years. This is based upon City supplied data that shows the average current residential property taxes are $296 per year, and the additional taxes will be $157 per year.

5. The City Council has selected nine projects from a list of over four hundred projects generated through various public meetings, with an estimated cost of more than $450 million for trails, paths, intersections, new and improved facilities. This $60 million bond issue is the “Tip of an Iceberg.”

6. A 2023 survey of taxpayers commissioned by the City of Dunwoody before passage of The PATH Foundation Master Trail Plan revealed that 96% of respondents were satisfied with their overall quality of life; 90.9% were satisfied with the availability of existing parks; and 75.8% were satisfied with existing trails and sidewalks. The top three concerns were traffic congestion (29.5%), crime/public safety (25.5%), and preserving open spaces/maintaining a small-town feel (15.2%).

7. No proceeds from this Bond Referendum will benefit the Police Department, which is underfunded and undermanned. Yet the annual cost to repay the proposed bonds, estimated at $5.4 million per year, is approximately 45% of the 2024 Police Department Budget.

8. Our streets are congested and badly in need of maintenance. Yet proceeds from this Bond Referendum will not be used to remedy these needs. Rather, they will fund bicycle lanes and twelvefoot- wide multiuse sidewalk trails, which will only make a dire situation worse.

9. Dunwoody residents voted 15 years ago to become a city, independent of DeKalb County, to better control our own destiny, not to amass more debt and higher property taxes.

10. The Vote “No” Concerned Citizen Group is not averse to making an already good Dunwoody even better. This is all about accountability and addressing the real needs of our City.

Vote “NO” Tuesday, November 7 Early Voting begins Monday, October 16 at 7AM at the Dunwoody Library Learn more and help fund at www.NoDunwoodyBonds.com

NEWS

6 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

ACAP Atlanta offers course to guard seniors from fraud

Outside The Circle Travel presents a special 9-day group guided vacation

IRISH GOLD

Kilkenny Castle

October 4, 2024 STARTING AT

$2,795* LAND ONLY per person, *Restrictions apply.

based on double occupancy

BookBook

by November andReceive Receive a 5% Discount!

by October 2nd 17 and a 5% Discount!

Contact April Abbott at 404.892.5600 Contact April Abbott from Outside The Circle Travel. Call 404.892.5600 or april.abbott@avoyanetwork.com or email April at april.abbott@avoyanetwork.com

APPE

second Wednesday of the month at the Town Square Sandy Springs Adult Day and Alzheimer’s Resource Center.

Registration and refreshments are available from 5 p.m. to the start of the program at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, or to register for this and other upcoming free programs, visit www.acapcommunity. org/atlanta, or contact the chapter coordinator, at atlanta@acapcommunity.org

RESS NP

A

UB CL

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Adult-Children of Aging Parents Atlanta will offer its free monthly educational program, “The Wolf at the Door: Shielding Loved Ones from Scams and Frauds,” at Town Square Sandy Springs Adult Day and Alzheimer’s Resource Center Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

The in-person program will be in Building 1, Suite 130 at 8601 Dunwoody Place.

Attendees will learn about several ways they can help protect their loved ones from fraudulent phone calls, doorto-door solicitation and online fraud.

Barabara Scurry, founder and CEO of “Your Senior Partners,” and Rachel Donnelly, founder and CEO of “AfterLight,” will present the program Nov. 8.

Scurry and Donnelly have experience working with seniors to maintain their financial independence.

ACAP Atlanta is one chapter of a nonprofit organization geared toward providing resources and support for adult-children as they care for their aging parents and for themselves.

The group meets on the

appenmedia.com/join

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 7

8 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

NEWS

Pandemic-forged gym strives to build community

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com

A Place for ALL Jews Ashkenazi Orthodox Rabbi Yitzchok Werbin 5075 Roswell Rd 1 mile inside I-285 Sandy Springs

www.KesherTorahAtlanta.org

ROSWELL, Ga. — When you think of a CrossFit gym, a group of people with different skills, circumstances and strengths may not be what comes to mind.

Mike Vialpando said it’s a dream to be in his third year as owner and head coach of Forge Roswell at The Mill in Historic Roswell, 23 Maple Street.

“What separates us, I believe, from other gyms is not that we’re ‘better,’” Vialpando said. “We’re intentional about what our goals and values are… community, coaching and programming.”

While some members joined the gym for general conditioning and a sense of community, Forge Roswell’s unique style has allowed it to retain and expand membership.

The workout programs at Forge Roswell are geared toward the individual’s desired level of functionality. Most gyms affiliated with CrossFit differ in some ways.

While some are geared toward CrossFit competitions and high-intensity workouts, others, like Forge Roswell, modify the fitness regimen to suit individuals.

During the COVID-19 pandemic,

20 ANNUAL 23 MEETING FEATURING LEGENDARY BROADCASTER

Monica Kaufman Pearson Thursday, November 16th 11:30 am to 2:00 pm Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter For tickets and more info: www.perimeterchamber.com/events SPONSORED BY

FORGE ROSWELL/PROVIDED

The Roswell Forge staff and gym members gather in the middle of the 6,000-square-foot facility at 23 Maple Street. Mike Vialpando sits in the center, wearing a hat and a light blue shirt. many gyms across the country closed permanently.

When Vialpando acquired CrossFit NBK in Oct. 2021, membership had declined amid lockdowns.

The 6,000-square-foot gym needed a community based revival, Vialpando said.

“We’ve been growing ever since,” Vialpando said.

There was a group of five coaches from the prior gym when Vialpando acquired it in 2021.

Today, there are 10 coaches at Forge Roswell.

The start of Vialpando’s coaching journey began when he left a 10-year healthcare career at St. Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta. He said starting a youth fitness program was spurred by his desire to address healthcare before

patients reached the hospital.

Because of his experience in a hospital, Vialpando said he thinks the cost of a gym membership is much less than the cost of healthcare later in life.

“I created youth programs to get ahead of it,” Vialpando said.

Prior to acquiring the gym, Vialpando was head coach and manager for several years at another gym in Metro Atlanta.

“In the Roswell area, we are saturated with other CrossFit gyms specifically [and] just fitness organizations for adults, so there’s a lot to choose from,” Vialpando said.

Following a 2020 controversy in the CrossFit organization, in which founder Greg Glassman resigned amid charges

See GYM, Page 9

PRE-BROADWAY ATLANTA PREMIERE

Gym: Continued from Page 8 of racism in his social media posts, Vialpando and his coaching staff have taken measures to promote an inclusive culture at Forge Roswell.

“CrossFit comes with some stigmas,” Vialpando said. “But if somebody steps into our gym, they will see themselves reflected in the leadership.”

Forge Roswell has community events, like Trivia Night at Summit Coffee on Atlanta Street Oct. 19.

The community at the gym participates in competitions and gatherings around North Fulton, Vialpando said.

“Ruck the Mill” is a 1-hour hike, two Sundays a month at 8 a.m. Forge Roswell invites anyone interested to enjoy the Vickery Creek Trail at Roswell Mill.

The Forge Roswell coaches have crafted unique classes with modifications for individuals based on their fitness condition and lifestyle.

The gym has programs for CrossFit athletes, as well as a low-impact functional training program for people with less experience.

There are six CrossFit classes Monday through Friday, with two classes on Saturday and Sunday.

Each class throughout the day is 60-minutes and designed for people with CrossFit experience.

The competitive lifting class is 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Saturday.

The low-impact functional training classes are twice a day Monday through Friday.

Vialpando’s own LIFT classes are designed to sustain everyday activities by focusing on strength training and aerobic conditioning.

Vialpando said he thinks Forge Roswell’s modified CrossFit workouts create a community designed for any committed individual regardless of experience.

“Our goal is to help support the activities that you’re already doing,” Vialpando said.

Vialpando encourages men and women of all ages to consider a 60-minute class at Forge Roswell.

The gym also has a summer teen program, which meets three days a week starting June 5.

“We taught kids how to safely and properly lift and move weights,” Vialpando said. “The whole goal is to create an active lifestyle.”

Kids who play year-round sports and kids with other interests are encouraged to attend youth classes at Forge Roswell.

Vialpando said he hopes to start week-long youth programs when school is out for the holidays.

To learn more about classes at Forge Roswell, visit https://www. theforgeroswell.com/

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 9

PRE-BROADWAY ATLANTA PREMIERE

ON SALE NOW NOVEMBER 14 – 19 ON SALE NOW FOX THEATRE

BroadwayInAtlanta.com

NOVEMBER 14 – 19 FOX THEATRE

BroadwayInAtlanta.com

10 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

COMMUNITY

Students pack matinee for ‘Fiddler’ at Sandy Springs theater

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Around 900 students from Metro Atlanta public and private schools packed the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center Oct. 18 for a matinee of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

High school students from Barrow, Cobb, Gwinnett, Forsyth and Fulton counties took buses to see the City Springs Theatre Company’s full-scale Broadway musical at a 10 a.m. performance.

About 3,500 students from across Metro Atlanta attended four matinees of “Fiddler on the Roof” spread out over the final two weeks of the production’s run.

“Fiddler on the Roof” launched the sixth season of productions at City Springs on Oct. 6.

The musical production concluded Oct. 22.

The company ensures students get the full production at their matinees.

That includes an orchestra, every act of the play and memorable performances from thespians.

“The different ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ that you heard when Perchik reached over to get Hodel to dance with him doesn’t

after students attend a matinee.

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul wrote a note for educators who take their classes to a student matinee.

“Without question, art enhances a city’s economic health and enriches its quality of life,” Paul said. “More importantly, it unites and brings communities together.”

CITY SPRINGS THEATRE COMPANY/PROVIDED

Tevye and his family recite the “Sabbath Prayer” during a performance of the City Springs Production Company’s “Fiddler on the Roof” which ran from Oct. 6-22. happen in public performances,” CSTC’s Education Director Jenna Gamerl said. “But the students are audibly reacting to what they’re seeing on stage, so they make for a really fun audience.”

The City Springs Theatre Conservatory, the arts education training arm of

the City Springs Theatre Company, is designed to equip the next generation with the tools to succeed in the performing arts.

The Conservatory includes an educational guide for teachers to be able to connect musicals to classroom studies

Connecting students to ‘Fiddler’ Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, “Fiddler on the Roof” tells the story of a tight-knit Jewish community in Czarist Russia at the beginning of the 20th century.

Tevye, the musical’s protagonist, tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social norms and growing antisemitism.

Broadway’s Jacob Fishel, who plays Tevye in the City Springs production, said watching “Fiddler” as a student had a profound impact on his decision to pursue a performing arts career.

“That’s what I thought about this morning when I didn’t want to get out of bed,” Fishel said. “There’s going to be a little Jacob there, and what I do on stage might change things.”

See FIDDLER, Page 14

KEHINDE RAJI OLUMESI, MD | LOLA SODE, MD | BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGISTS NEW! BROOKHAVEN, GA

4360 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd Ste 280 Atlanta, GA 30341

S C H E D U L E T O D AY:

(470) 903-8886 WWW.EPIPHANYDERMATOLOGY.COM

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 11

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Providing an exceptional college preparatory program since 1976 Brought to you by - Saint Francis School Saint Francis School is an independent, not-for-profit school with no religious affiliation, providing an exceptional college preparatory program serving the students of metro Atlanta since 1976. The mission of Saint Francis School is to provide a college preparatory program to students with diverse academic ability in a structured environment that is challenging and supportive.

Kindergarten – 8th grades are located on the 24-acre Roswell Campus while the High School is located on the 47-acre Milton campus. The

school’s commitment to small class sizes, low pupil-to-teacher ratio, and a strong emphasis on structure and organization allows students to enjoy success in academic areas and develop the self-confidence necessary to be successful in college. Curriculum offerings include AP, Honors, Traditional, and Support classes.

With a 100% acceptance rate to college and with the majority of graduates qualifying for the Hope Scholarship, Saint Francis alumni attend a wide variety of programs ranging from Ivy League schools to small private colleges to prestigious Art Institutes. Saint Francis is a Google

Apps for Education Classroom, utilizing laptops in grades 4 – 12. Specialized reading programs offered include Fundations®, Wilson Reading System®, Just Words® and supplemental support from Cars® and Stars® Reading Comprehension. Sports are offered at both the middle and high school (GHSA) including football, soccer, baseball, track, swimming, wrestling, softball, volleyball, and equestrian. Full-day Kindergarten.

For more information, call 770.641.8257 Ext. 151 (Grades K– 8)

and 678.339.9989 Ext. 33 (Grades 9 – 12) or visit our website: www. saintfrancisschools.com.

12 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

NOTICE OF BOND ELECTION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on November 7, 2023, an election will be held in all of the election districts of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia (the “City”), at which election there will be submitted to the qualified voters of the City the question of whether the City should issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 (the “Bonds”) for the purpose of financing the capital projects listed in the form of the ballot below, the costs of issuing the Bonds and capitalized interest on the Bonds.

The Bonds, if so authorized, may be issued in whole or in part and in one or more series. The Bonds shall be dated the first day of the calendar month in which the Bonds are issued or the day the Bonds are issued and shall bear interest at rates not exceeding 8% per year (based upon a 360day year comprised of twelve thirty-day months). The principal shall mature (by scheduled maturity or by mandatory redemption) in the years and amounts, as follows: Year 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 2042 2043 2044

Amount $1,815,000 1,905,000 2,000,000 2,100,000 2,205,000 2,315,000 2,430,000 2,555,000 2,680,000 2,815,000 2,955,000 3,105,000 3,260,000 3,420,000 3,595,000 3,775,000 3,960,000 4,160,000 4,365,000 4,585,000

The principal of and interest on the Bonds shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at a bank or banks to be designated later.

Voters desiring to vote for the issuance of the Bonds shall do so by voting “YES” and voters desiring to vote against the issuance of the Bonds shall do so by voting “NO” as to the question propounded substantially as follows: “Shall the City of Dunwoody, Georgia (the “City”) issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 for the purpose of financing (a) the acquisition, construction, installation, improvement and equipping of (i) parks and recreational areas, (ii) greenspace and (iii) trails, (b) the costs of issuing the bonds and (c) capitalized interest on the bonds? Such approval shall also constitute an approval of the increase in the City’s current millage cap of 3.04 only to the extent necessary to repay the bonds.”

The several places for holding said election shall be in the regular and established election districts of the City, and the polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on the said date fixed for the election. Those qualified to vote at said election shall be determined in all respects in accordance and in conformity with the laws of the State of Georgia.

The last day to register to vote in this election shall be October 10, 2023.

Those residents qualified to vote at said election shall be determined in all respects in accordance with election laws of the State of Georgia.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 13

Any brochures, listings or other advertisements issued by the City or by any other person, firm, corporation or association with the knowledge and consent of the City, shall be deemed to be a statement of intention of the City concerning the use of the proceeds of the Bonds; and such statement of intention shall be binding on the City in the expenditure of any such Bond funds or interest received from such Bond funds which have been invested.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 36-82-100, the City notifies all interested parties that no independent performance audit or performance review (the “Bond Audit”) will be conducted with respect to the Bonds. However, the City will continue to ensure that Bond proceeds are expended efficiently and economically, as intended by the Bond Audit.

This notice is given pursuant to a resolution of the City Council and an intergovernmental agreement between the City and the Dekalb County Board of Registrations and Elections.

ALPHARETTA ALPHARETTA ALPHARETTA

ALPHARETTA ALPHARETTA

BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS SUMMIT SUMMIT SUMMIT

CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA

By:_______________________________________

BUSINESSSUMMIT SUMMIT BUSINESS

START. START. START. GROW. GROW. GROW. THRIVE. THRIVE. THRIVE.

Its Municipal Elections Superintendent

Presented Presented by Presented by by

START. GROW. THRIVE. START. GROW. THRIVE.

It takes It takes more more than It takes athan great more a great idea thanand idea a great marketing andidea marketing and for a marketing business for a business for to successfully a business to successfully to scale successfully –scale – sca you need you need knowledge you knowledge need and knowledge techniques and techniques and that techniques make that make the that difference themake difference the between difference between profitbetween profit and loss. and profit loss.a Our experienced Our experienced Ourgroup experienced group of leaders ofgroup leaders will of share will leaders share success will success share stories, stories, success challenges challenges stories, andchallenges valuable and valuable and va insights insights learned learned insights alongalong learned the way. the along This way.isthe This anway. opportunity is anThis opportunity is anyou opportunity cannot you cannot afford youafford to cannot miss. toafford miss. to miss

Presented Presented by by It takes a great ideamarketing and marketing for a business to successfully – It takes more more than athan great idea and for a business to successfully scale scale – you need knowledge and techniques that make the difference between profit and you need knowledge and techniques that make the difference between profit and loss. loss.

Our experienced of leaders will share success stories, challenges and valuable Our experienced groupgroup of leaders will share success stories, challenges and valuable insights learned theThis way.isThis is an opportunity you cannot to miss. insights learned alongalong the way. an opportunity you cannot affordafford to miss.

MEETOUR OURSPEAKERS: SPEAKERS: MEET

MEET MEET MEET OUR OUR OUR SPEAKERS: SPEAKERS: SPEAKER ®

Shane Shane Shane Jackson Cindi Cindi Filer Filer Cindi JamieJamie Bendall Bendall Jeff Levitan Jeff Levitan Jeff Levita ItJamie takesBendall more than a Jackson greatJackson idea and marketing for a Filer President PresidentPresidentCEO &CEO Founder & Founder CEO & Founder Founder Founder Founder

EmceeEmcee Emcee

Jamie Bendall Jamie Bendall Emcee Jamie Bendall

NOV

99

NOV

EmceeEmcee

Jeff Levitan Shane Jackson Cindi Filer Founder Shane Jackson Cindi Jeff Levitan President CEO & Founder Shane Jackson Cindi Filer Filer Jeff Levitan President & Founder All For OneFounder President CEO &CEO Founder Jackson Innovative Founder Jackson HealthcareInnovative Innovative Outsourcing All ForAll For One Jackson Healthcare Outsourcing One Healthcare Outsourcing

7:30AM 7:30AM TO 1:30PM TO 1:30PM

SCAN REGISTER! SCAN HEREHERE TO TO REGISTER!

NOV

NOV

99 9

NOV

Jackson Jackson Healthcare Healthcare Jackson–Healthcare Innovative Innovative Outsourcing Innovative Outsourcing Outsourcing business to successfully scale you need knowledge and All ForAll One For One All For On techniques that make the difference between profit and loss. Our experienced group of leaders will share success ALPHARETTA ALPHARETTA ALPHARETTA 7:30AM 7:30AM 7:30AM stories, challenges and valuable insights learned along the TO 1:30PM TO 1:30PM TO 1:30PM CONFERENCE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE CENTER CENTER CEN way. This is an opportunity you cannot afford to miss.

SCAN HERE TO REGISTER!

SCAN SCAN HERE SCAN HERE TO REGISTER! TO HERE REGISTER! TO Tickets: $150 perREGISTER! person. Table for (8):

Tickets: Tickets: $150Tickets: $150 per person per$150 person (Early per (Early person bird Deadline $125 bird (Early $125 before bird before $125 October before 1, 2023) October 1, 2023) 1, 2023) Starting at $1500. toOctober Register: TableTable for (8): for Table Starting (8): Starting for at(8): $1500.

Starting at more $1500.

For at more For $1500. more information, For information, more information, Nov. 3rd For information: Email us at contact contact the Alpharetta the contact Alpharetta theChamber Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce ofatCommerce 404-445-8223. at 404-445-8223. ator 404-445-8223. memberservices@alpharettachamber.com

call 404-670-9921.

ALPHARETTA ALPHARETTA CONFERENCE CENTER CONFERENCE CENTER

ASK APPEN

Tickets: per person bird $125 before October 1, 2023) Tickets: $150 $150 per person (Early(Early bird $125 before October 1, 2023) forStarting (8): Starting at $1500.

For more information, TableTable for (8): at $1500.

For more information, contact the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce at 404-445-8223. contact the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce at 404-445-8223.

What do you want to know about the community?

Submit questions at appenmedia.com/ask or scan QR code.

COMMUNITY

14 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

PROPERTY TAX 2ND INSTALLMENT DEADLINE NOV. 15

Customers paying their DeKalb County property tax bills at the Memorial Dr. office will use the UGA Extension Service entrance located at the front of the building from Nov. 6–15, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–6 PM (extended hours). CLOSED Nov. 10 for Veterans Day holiday.

Disabled customers may still use the Property Tax entrance off Northern Ave.

Know before you go Second installment is due Nov. 15. City of Atlanta/DeKalb full payment due Nov. 15.

Prior year, outstanding taxes must be paid in full in order to pay current year taxes. If a property is scheduled for tax sale, please call 404-298-3053 for delinquent payment options.

Bring your tax bill stub and a valid Georgia ID or Georgia driver’s license.

Acceptable payment methods include a credit/debit card, cash, check or money order. Processing fees apply for credit/debit card payments.

Parking is available near the UGA Extension Service lot facing Memorial Drive.

Disabled customers may use the Property Tax entrance off Northern Ave. Security screening is required for service.

Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the responsibility of paying taxes due. Property owners who have not received their bill may contact the tax office for assistance, or access a copy of their bill online at https://publicaccess.dekalbtax.org.

Please consider these payment methods Online: publicaccess.dekalbtax.org. Credit/debit card payments are accepted; processing fees apply. There is no service fee for paying by e-Check.

Drop box: 24-hour drop box available at all three office locations. Payment must be placed in the box by the due date; cash is not accepted.

Pay-by-phone: Call 770-336-7500, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM. Credit/debit card payments are accepted; processing fees apply. There is no service fee for paying by check.

In person: Offices located at 3653 Clairmont Road, Chamblee, GA 30341, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30034 in South DeKalb Mall, and 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032.

Mail: Mailed payment must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by the due date to avoid late fees; metered or kiosk postage dates are not accepted as proof of timely payment. We encourage customers to consider other payment methods to avoid mail delivery issues.

Payments made by check may take up to four (4) business days to appear on the website. Due to volume, payments received by mail during payment season may take up to a week or longer to post once received. DO NOT cancel payment. Please contact the tax office for payment concerns to avoid late fees.

DeKalbTax.org/property-tax

p: 404-298-4000 | e: proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov @DeKalbTaxGA

THE DAVIS ACADEMY/PROVIDED

The Davis Academy sent over 300 people to the Oct. 18 student matinee for “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center’s Byers Theatre.

Fiddler: Continued from Page 10 The Davis Academy, the largest Reform Jewish Day School in the country, sent a 275 fourth through eighth grade students, 47 faculty and staff members and 38 supportive parents to the matinee Oct. 18.

“The sizable turnout demonstrates the enthusiasm and commitment of the school to embrace the powerful learning that live theatre affords,” Principal Drew Frank said.

Students at the Davis Academy participated in a series of classroom activities designed to deepen the connection to the themes explored in the musical, such as community, family and traditions. “‘Fiddler on the Roof’, more relevant than ever, serves as a poignant mirror to life, and witnessing it live allowed our students to deeply connect with the narrative,” Performing Arts Director Kendrick Phillips said.

Students are the focus Led by Executive Director Natalie DeLancey and Tony Award winner and Atlanta native Shuler Hensley as Artistic Director, the City Springs Theatre Company has served over 158,000 patrons and 124,000 students through musicals and educational program offerings since 2017.

“We’re serving Metro Atlanta, and

that’s the goal,” DeLancey said. “We certainly want to make sure that we’re always serving here in Sandy Springs… but the more we can do, the better it is for the community.”

The theater company hosted a matinee Oct. 12 for Houston County students who traveled more than two hours by bus.

Student matinees are scheduled to resume in March 2024 for the City Springs Theatre Company’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.”

Over 4,000 tickets to the four student matinees for “Beauty and the Beast” have already been sold, Delancey said.

“Our goal is to do this a couple times a year, so we want to serve roughly 10,000 kids a year through all of the efforts we do,” Delancey said.

She estimates 300 students receive the Conservancy’s weekly educational programming and theater training at their Northridge facility.

The new Marietta facility is used as a production shop for building sets, like the original design of the City Springs Production Company’s “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Henry Faal, a senior at Lanier High School and Conservatory student, wants to pursue a career in the performing arts following graduation and has already started auditioning for colleges.

“This is my first time seeing ‘Fiddler’ actually, and I loved it,” Faal said. “This is definitely what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

15 | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023

Sponsored Section

There’s no stopping Bath & Kitchen Galleria Brought to you by – Bath & Kitchen Galleria After nearly a decade in Roswell, Bath and Kitchen Galleria has moved to a larger 10,000 SF showroom in Alpharetta. Owners, Bobbie Kohm and John Hogan, have expanded their business by tripling the size of the showroom to keep up with the amazing growth of the company. “North Atlanta has thousands of homes built in the 90’s and 2000’s and homeowners need a way to remodel their homes. They need a company that offers design assistance, has a large showroom, provides installation services, and does it all cost effectively, too”, says co-owner Bobbie Kohm, “… and that’s what we do.”

Bath & Kitchen Galleria, (formerly Remodeling Expo) has grown by more than 400% since 2018 and the company attributes this to one simple best practice, “listening to the customer”.

Customers want cost effectiveness, projects completed on-time, and they demand quality design assistance. “So, we responded with exactly that”, says co-owner John Hogan, “in short, we’ve brought service excellence to an industry that is known for low service standards.

We’ve changed this and now we perform over 300 projects each year.”

Bath & Kitchen Galleria recently moved from Roswell to Alpharetta where they found a huge new showroom to show their amazing versatility: cost effective to fully custom bathrooms and kitchens, from $10,000 to $250,000, styles from farmhouse to traditional to transitional, project scopes from partial room update to fully rebuilt rooms. They have cabinetry, tiles, plumbing fixtures, countertops, shower glass, knobs and pulls, lighted mirrors, accessories and most importantly, remodeling consultants to help you. “We take the anxiety and pressure out of the process and make it fun” says Bobbie, “and that’s how it should be.”

John and Bobbie have built a great business that provides personal attention to every customer; because every home is different, and every homeowner is different. “I wish we could say that we have some secret widget; but our competitive advantage is pure “service excellence”. Bath and Kitchen Galleria (BathAndKitchenGalleria.com) is located at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta. 770-765- 6000. Open Weekdays and Saturday.

Dunwoody’s #1 Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeler

FREE IN-HOME DESIGN CONSULTATION

Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Re-imagined

Remodeling Design and Installation Services

BathAndKitchenGalleria.com 10591 Old Alabama Connector Rd. 10591 Old Alabama Connector Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30022 Alpharetta, GA 30022

16 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DUNWOODY-SANDY SPRINGS TOP PRODUCERS

#1 Jodi Halpert

#2 Joe Illescas

#6 Michelle Moore

#7 Claudia Huff

#3 Jodi Mekyten

#4 Kerry Arias

#5 Kristina Blass

#8 Mary Ellen Harris #9 Karen Meagher #10 Susan Kaplan

VALERIE LEVIN

Senior Vice President, Managing Broker Midtown | Dunwoody & Sandy Springs

D. 770.238.7719 | O. 770.393.3200 E: Valerie.Levin@bhhsgeorgia.com www.Dunwoody.bhhsgeorgia.com

#1 TEAM The Whitney Agee Team

D u n w o o d y

|

S a n d y

S p r i n g s

O f f i c e

•

7 7 0 . 3 9 3 . 3 2 0 0

|

©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berks

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 17

Local Experts. Outstanding Results.

2960 COLES WAY SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30350 | $950,000 Jodi Mekyten | 770.374.4500

5 4 8 1

2244 OLD BROOKE LANE DUNWOODY, GA 30338 | $849,900

3286 NORTHSIDE PARKWAY NW #607 ATLANTA, GA 30327 | $950,000 Jodi Halpert | 404.513.5151

Mary Ellen Harris | 770.656.0768

4131 BRITTS GATE LANE TUCKER, GA 30084 | $569,000

178 BARONE PL NW ATLANTA, GA 30327 | $415,000

Whitney Agee Team | 470.345.1668

Kristina Blass | 404.414.9944

2080 BENCAL DR SE ATLANTA, GA 30316 | $450,000

2198 MILLGATE LANE BUFORD, GA 30519 | $345,000

1250 PARKWOOD CIR SE #3301 ATLANTA, GA 30339 | $305,000

Kristina Blass | 404.414.9944

Alicia Lee | 770.827.9300

C h a m b l e e

D u n w o o d y

R o a d ,

D u n w o o d y ,

Amy Ilardi | 678.886.9761

2285 PEACHTREE RD NE #503 ATLANTA, GA 30309 | $185,000 Tom Sheeran | 404.307.5538

G A

3 0 3 3 8

shire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.

18 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties' New Homes Division Shines again at 43rd OBIE Awards Brought to you by - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties' New Homes Division The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association hosted the 43rd annual Professionalism (OBIE) Awards Saturday, October 21st at the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division, led by President Lori Lane, and their builder clients took home an astounding 30 gold and silver awards.

With over 100 different categories, the OBIE awards celebrate outstanding achievements in homebuilding and highlight those in the homebuilding industry for excellence in building, marketing, and personal achievement.

This year Berkshire Hathaway’s New Homes Division was honored to receive the gold award for Best Website, Best Online Banner ad, Best Email Marketing Message, Best Newspaper Ad, and Best Print New Homes Publication to name a few. In addition to winning numerous market-

ing accolades, Berkshire Hathaway’s builder clients Trilith Development, Patrick Malloy Communities, JW Collection, McKinney Builders, Loudermilk Homes, Vision Development Partners, and David Patterson Homes all received top honors.

Lori Lane has earned her reputation as a powerhouse in the new construction industry. Alongside her dedicated team, she has crafted innovative strategies for the marketing and sale of new construction, resulting in the accumulation of numerous industry awards.

As a testament to their unwavering determination and tireless efforts, the New Homes Division also continues to deliver outstanding sales results. For the past 12 months, the New Homes Division has consistently held the position of the #1 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in the region. It also earned a prestigious spot as one of the top 30 offices across the entire Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices global network.

Lori Lane, the President of the New Homes Division

at BHHS Georgia Properties and Senior Vice President of Luxury and Global, attributes this success to the team's unwavering commitment. She emphasizes, "Success is about hard work and determination, and you have to pour yourself into it every day." Lane expresses her deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with builder and developer clients she respects and enjoys.

Lane and her New Homes Division are redefining the landscape of new home and luxury real estate sales and marketing in Atlanta. Their continuous contributions are leaving a lasting impact on the city's real estate industry.

The success of the New Homes Division reflects the resilience and commitment of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties as a whole. Despite the challenges posed by the real estate market, this division's unwavering dedication to excellence in sales, marketing, and client relationships has propelled it to the top ranks of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices regional and global network.

NEWS

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 19

More poll workers, staff time, legal fees raise Milton election costs

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — Prompted by cost savings when it opted to run its own municipal election this year, the City of Milton will have spent more than it would have paid Fulton County to run the show.

An Appen Media study conducted through open records and interviews shows the city will have spent at least $60,000 more.

Soon after the City Council adopted Milton’s fiscal year 2024 budget in September allocating $102,280 for the municipal election, a dozen more poll workers were hired.

City staff discovered during a trial run that they needed more tabulators to count the ballots at the end of Election Day. Paid at $17 an hour in addition to $40 for training, the 12 new hires increased the election budget by $1,500. Five hours of work was estimated for each.

Milton now has a total of 55 poll workers. That’s not including Deputy City Manager Stacey Inglis, who will double as the chief manager of tabulation, and Lavinia White, the city’s new election consultant.

Some poll workers have also served on one of three volunteer committees, pulled together to cut the workload of election preparation. Two committees, one for training and one for tabulation, are no longer active.

The Training Committee was responsible for assembling the poll worker training manual. The Tabulation Committee helped determine the best way to count votes and helped finalize the tabulation training manual.

Members of the Communications Committee, headed

by Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho, have been making recommendations on how to best inform the public on various aspects of the election through website content, social media posts and printed material. They will continue to meet until the conclusion of the municipal election.

Another factor to consider in the city’s election budget, which has not been previously calculated, is city staff time dedicated to elections. While the city’s volunteers may have helped, Appen Media estimates tens of thousands of election dollars have been spent in time against a sixfigure salary for city employees involved in the process.

In a May interview, City Manager Steve Krokoff said he spent around 30 percent of his time on the city election, which amounts to more than $5,800 in a month based on his current $232,061 salary. Today, half of his work time is spent on election matters.

Krokoff is not alone apportioning time away from regular duties.

Back in May, Inglis was already dedicating half of her work schedule to elections. For Inglis, whose current annual salary is $176,562, that figure jumped up to 100 percent in August — or $14,714 a month. She and City Clerk Tammy Lowit share the responsibility of deputy elections superintendent and deputy ballot clerk.

Lowit, who also serves as the city’s absentee ballot clerk, has a current annual salary of $97,294. She has also dedicated more of her time, around half of it, to election-related work in recent months, and that time will likely increase once advanced voting begins Oct. 16.

Lowit must also deal with an onslaught of open records requests; Krokoff has had his fair share of media inquiries as well.

Appen Media calculates the city has spent a total of $146,694 in city staff time since January, based on time estimates provided by Krokoff from January to September.

Krokoff also told Appen Media the legal fees Milton has incurred due to the municipal election have more than exhausted the budget’s 10 percent contingency. He was correct.

From September 2021 to August 2023, Milton City Attorney Ken Jarrard said the city has spent $27,700 in legal fees related to the November general municipal election — $17,472 more than the 10 percent buffer.

Legal fees are the result of drafting election-related resolutions as part of standard council procedure, or interpreting state election code for city staff. But the city is also billed when Jarrard’s office responds to election inquiries from the media or private citizens.

Fulton County officials said they would have charged Milton $216,565 for its municipal election this year. With the extra poll workers, the consideration of city staff efforts, and all the legal fees, the city is looking at an election budget of about $280,000. That figure does not include projected staff time or legal expenses for October and November.

Updated 10-27-23

UPPER LEAGUE A TEAM GP 1 BLUE CREW A 9 2 SW DEKALB 7 3 LAKESIDE LOLLAR 10 4 KNIGHTS 9 5 DHS WILDCATS 9 6 NV TITANS 9 7 PHILLIES 6 8 BLUE LAKE MONSTERS 10 9 PYTHONS 7 Standings calculated by:

W 8 5 6 4 4 2 2 2 1

L T 1 0 1 1 3 1 4 1 4 1 5 2 4 0 7 1 5 1

GB 1.25 1.75 3.25 3.25 4.5 4.5 5.75 5.25

RF 73 62 78 51 65 53 24 55 25

RA 20 32 58 62 69 78 39 62 66

P1 0.889 0.786 0.650 0.500 0.500 0.333 0.333 0.250 0.214

P2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0

P1: Weighted Percentage (.5 * Ties + Wins) / Games P2: Head to Head Tied Team A beat tied Team B before P3: Strength of Schedule Cumulative strength of teams beaten.

P3 3.69 2.23 1.93 1.30 1.80 0.55 0.75 0.55 0.65

OW 8 7 6 4 5 3 2 2 3

OL 1 1 3 5 4 5 5 7 5

OT 0 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 1

HOW HAVE COST ESTIMATES FOR THE MILTON 2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS CHANGED OVER TIME? City of Milton figures are for first-year expenses only.

CALCULATING MILTON STAFF TIME

TOTAL COST OF INGLIS’ TIME: $77,983 TOTAL COST OF LOWIT’S TIME: $22,297 TOTAL COST OF KROKOFF’S TIME: $46,414

Municipal elections Appen Media has covered the movement in North Fulton toward city-run municipal elections since breaking the story in August 2021.

Send thoughts, tips and story ideas to newsroom@ appenmedia.com.

Navigate the Real Estate Market Confidently Experience the Difference with Our Award-Winning Team.

Your Home, Our Business.

KarenCannon.com 770-352-9658

dy Crier 11/2/23 Crossword

PuzzleJunction.com

NEWS

20 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

Across

1 14

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

15

11

12

13

16

1 Tournament favorites 18 19 17 6 Exchange 21 22 23 24 20 10 Kaput 14 Come out of 25 26 denial 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 15 Anthracite 16 Dry stream bed 36 37 35 17 Kind of ray 18 Creole vegetable 38 39 40 41 42 19 Bailiwick 45 46 47 43 44 20 Health org.

21 Gangster’s gun 50 48 49 23 Enduring 51 52 25 Make a sweater 26 Palooka 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 27 Overseas 62 63 64 65 61 30 Life, for one 35 Thinking cap?

67 68 66 36 Kyrgyzstan range 70 71 69 37 Handout Copyright ©2023 PuzzleJunction.com 38 Arctic bird 8 Bern’s river 66 Townshend of 36 Eve’s son 39 Hot sauce the Who 9 Passionless 40 Tuna type 42 “___ the land of 10 Overshadowed 67 Regrets 41 Brunch order the free ...”

68 Small pastries 11 Merit 44 Sofas 43 No-win 12 Not in port 69 Baby blues 47 Coat part situations?

70 Proof word 13 Pigeon pea 49 Actress Farrow 45 Tax 22 Assist 71 Take up space 50 Adage 46 Kenyan 24 Consume 52 Singing voice tribesman 25 Colorful carp 53 Make do 48 Corps de ballet Down 27 Die down 54 Comply with 50 Unruffled 28 UCLA player 55 Musical mark 1 Heroic tale 51 Spanish aunt 29 Croupiers’ tools 2 Dutch export 56 See the sights 52 Unguent 3 Austen heroine 30 Word hard 58 Delhi dress 53 Send an email 4 Slow-witted 31 Effortless 59 Liberal pursuits 57 Astonish 32 Hemp necktie 5 Not moving 60 Cousin of “ahem” 58 Plant production 33 Fresh from the 6 Sir Walter, for 63 Dowel 61 Slender reed one shower 65 Woodwind 62 “My bad” 7 Stir-fry pan 34 Bone-chilling instrument 64 Autocrats of old

See solution Page 30

SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS 740.569.2800 Ame r i c a’s Favor ite Tre asu re Hu nt s !

D 2ND WEEKEN H EVERY MONT

November 9,10,11,12 A N T I QU E & D E S I G N E R I T E M S SolutionExpo on next page - Atlanta, GA Atlanta Centers Show Hours:

ONE coupon per person.

Cash or Check Admission only.

Expires: 11-13-23

Thurs. 10:45am-6pm Fri. & Sat. 9am-6pm Sun. 10am-4pm

Directions: 3 miles East of Atlanta Airport, I-285 at Exit 55 (3650 & 3850 Jonesboro Rd SE)

www.scottantiquemarkets.com

Football: Continued from Page 1 Georgia was the fourth state to sanction the sport at the high school level.

Girls flag football was prioritized by the Falcons to provide more girls the opportunity to play high school sports.

The Falcons provided Dunwoody High School a grant to start the program in 2020.

Now, there are more than 250 teams competing across the state, sparking national attention to the success of the Falcons funding efforts in Georgia.

Swinney said NFL franchises in other cities, like the Buffalo Bills, are looking to replicate the Falcons’ model through pilot programs and sanctioned high school sports.

The Lady Wildcats have made a name for themselves.

With just 22 girls on the team in the inaugural 2020-21 season, the team made the state playoffs.

“It was one of those years that everybody was trying to figure it out,” Swinney said.

The Lady Wildcats have made the playoffs each season.

“Basically, it ended up taking off,” Swinney said. “Now, we have over 100 girls coming out, and we’ve started a junior varsity team as well.”

Before practice began for the 2023 season, Swinney and his staff cut about 60 girls at tryouts.

Swinney said the problem is a good one to have.

The team sports a 7-2 record after bouncing back from a 7-8 loss to Dacula Oct. 23.

Typically, high school girls flag football teams will play two games a night.

The team didn’t let their loss weigh on them for long, beating Chamblee 22-0 in their second game of the night at North DeKalb Stadium.

The team will play 18 games in the 2023-24 season. The Lady Wildcats will play two more non-region games, before they play rivals in their division’s area.

The top four teams from Dunwoody’s area in Division 3 will advance to the playoffs, which begin Dec. 5.

The Flag Football State Championships for each division will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 11-13.

Swinney said the team’s defense is the key to everything they do on the field.

The play calling from defensive coordinator Jake Hill has been essential to the team’s success, Swinney said.

“He’s calling in plays from the sidelines, getting them in different coverages and making adjustments,” Swiney said.

On the offensive side of the ball, Swinney singled out three key players: center Laura Pollock, wide receiver Anna Kate

DUNWOODY HIGH SCHOOL/PROVIDED

All-Region wide receiver Anna Kate McGee turns up-field after a catch against Lakeside Oct. 2.

It is great to see that we have gained support from our local community.

Even after I graduate and cannot be a part of the team, I am excited to see the future for this great program!”

ANNA KATE MCGEE Dunwoody’s All-Region wide receiver

McGee and quarterback Sadie Shulman.

“We try to spread people around and ding and dunk the ball down the field,” Swinney said. “If we see some teams easing up, catching them in cover two, we try to hit them over the top with a big play.”

Anna Kate McGee, All-Region wide receiver the past two seasons, is a senior at Dunwoody High School.

“It is great to see that we have gained support from our local community,” McGee said. “Even after I graduate and cannot be a part of the team, I am excited to see the future for this great program!”

McGee said she is excited to start area play against Northview and Johns Creek Nov. 1.

The team has two non-area games against Forsyth Central and Cherokee Oct. 30.

The popularity of girls flag football isn’t slowing down, McGee said.

The sport will debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

›

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 21

Calendar

NOV. 2 — NOV. 12

SKYLER SAUFLEY

What: Skyler Saufley, a blues player, will perform at this free concert. No coolers, outside food, outside alcoholic beverages, cans, glass bottles or smoking allowed. Friendly dogs onleash are welcome. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets.

When: Friday, Nov. 3, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center, 423 Candon Road More info: cummingcitycenter.com

PUPPET PALOOZA SATURDAYS

What: In collaboration with Piccadilly Puppets, Stage Door Theatre will host a puppet show as part of a series.

When: Saturday, Nov. 4, 10:30 a.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Cost: $10 More info: stagedoortheatrega.org

‘HAMLET’

What: Presented by Act1 Community Theater, “Hamlet” is Shakespeare’s most popular play. It follows the form of a “revenge tragedy,” in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark.

Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties.

When: Friday & Saturday, Nov. 3-4, times vary Where: Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: act1theater.org

DIWALI FESTIVAL

What: To celebrate the symbolic meaning of Diwali, a “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance,” this familyfriendly festival will feature a DJ, performances as well as a variety of food and retail vendors.

When: Saturday, Nov. 4, 4-8 p.m.

Where: Atlanta Athletic Club, 1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov

THE ELEGANT ELF HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE

What: This two-day gift market features more than 80 carefully

‘HAMLET’

What: Presented by Act1 Community Theater, “Hamlet” is Shakespeare’s most popular play. It follows the form of a “revenge tragedy,” in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties.

When: Friday & Saturday, Nov. 3-4, times vary Where: Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: act1theater.org

selected vendors who offer handcrafted items, artistic creations and the latest gourmet delights.

When: Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 4-5, times vary Where: Sandy Springs Performing Arts & Conference Center, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs More info: sandyspringssociety.org/ the-elegant-elf

WALTER ISAACSON, ‘ELON MUSK’ AUTHOR TALK

What: The 32nd Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA presents Walter Isaacson, who authored “Elon Musk,” in conversation with Gail Evans, former executive vice president of CNN and bestselling author.

When: Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m.

Where: Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody Cost: $38 More info: showclix.com/event/ walter-isaacson-elon-musk

FEATURE YOUR EVENT ONLINE AND IN PRINT! It’s even easier now than ever to promote your event to hundreds of thousands of people, whether online, through our newsletters or in the Crier and Herald newspapers.

‘ONE PINT AT A TIME’

STOMP

What: As part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, a free screening of “One Pint at a Time” will be featured. The film, directed and produced by Aaron Hose and co-produced by Brigitte Hose, is about Black brewers, brand owners and influencers reshaping the craft beer industry.

When: Monday, Nov. 6, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell More info: roswell365.com

What: Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center presents STOMP, the stage show that’s dance, music and theatrical performance blended in one rhythm when matchboxes, brooms, trash cans fill the stage with energizing beats.

When: Friday & Saturday, Nov. 10-11, times vary Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs Cost: $46.35 to $94.80 More info: citysprings.com

HONORING OUR VETERANS

THE WARMTH OF AUTUMN

What: Celebrate, honor and thank those who have served in the United States’ military services.

When: Saturday, Nov. 11, 9-11 a.m.

Where: Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekga.gov

To promote your event, follow these easy steps:

1.

2.

3.

4.

What: The Chattahoochee Evening Stars Quilt Guild is exhibiting a collection of seasonally inspired quilts capturing the warmth of the fall season.

When: Until Nov. 14, business hours Where: Community Gallery at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: alpharetta.ga.us

Visit AppenMedia.com/Calendar Provide the details for your event including title, description, location and date Click the red button that reads “Create event” That’s it! Submissions are free, though there are paid opportunities to promote your event in print and online.

22 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

PAST TENSE

OPINION

Chamblee’s Lawson General Hospital during World War II Lawson General Hospital construction began in 1940, before the U.S. entered World War II. It was located on the property where CDC Chamblee campus and IRS are today, where Buford VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Highway, Chamblee Tucker Road and West Columnist Hospital Avenue meet.

The name West Hospital Avenue reflects the former history of the area.

The hospital was completed in May 1941 at a cost of $3.5 million. Naval Air Station Atlanta was next door. (“Chamblee, GA-A Centennial Portrait, 1908-2008,” Diane J. Shearer and Brenda Deily Constan) Lawson was known for treating amputees and training them to use their prosthetic limbs in everyday life. Dr. P. J. Moore Jr. was a surgeon at Lawson General Hospital.

“I was re-amputating soldiers coming from the Battle of the Bulge and the European Theatre,” recalls Dr. Moore. “I had a ward of thirty-four beds kept full. We had five or six surgeons at Lawson.” In addition to performing surgeries, Dr. Moore demonstrated how golf was possible for recovering patients. (Personal interview, February 2020) Dr. Jack Schreeder of Chamblee worked at Lawson General after serving in the European Theater and receiving the Bronze Star and French War Cross. He attended Emory University Medical School, then did his residency at Grady Memorial Hospital and Lawson General Hospital.

Sister Frances Whitman worked at Lawson General Hospital one summer. She was a teenager attending Christ the King School in Atlanta. Whitman remembered that experience “brought home very seriously what war does to people.” She saw the sadness and devastation of war at the hospital. (Atlanta History Center Veterans History project, oral history of Sister Mary Sue Thomas and Sister Frances Whitman) Sister Whitman’s father was a warden for their Atlanta neighborhood and would sometimes patrol at night. Sister Whitman and her school friend Sister Mary Sue Thomas recall tea dances on Sunday afternoons at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Peachtree Road. All military personnel in the Atlanta area were invited to the dances.

Whitman recalled watching Lawson General Hospital baseball games after work. The hospital and NASA were both part of Atlanta’s City League. Businesses and military operations were in either the City League or the Scott League. Lawson’s Medical Department Technicians School was part of the Scott League. Whitman also played board games with patients or simply sat and listened to them talk.

PROVIDED

A volunteer at Lawson General Hospital, sometimes referred to as a Pink Lady, brings books and magazines around to patients.

Harold Russell learned to use prosthetics at Lawson General Hospital. He then moved to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for occupational therapy. He was recruited by the Army to be in a film about disabled veterans called “Diary of a Sergeant.” This short film can be viewed on YouTube.

According to the National Archives, the 1945 film led to Harold Russell being chosen to play Homer Parrish in “The Best Years of Our Lives.” Russell won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the film won Best Picture in 1947.

Both Lawson General Hospital and NASA were constructed on land that was Camp Gordon during WW I. Today, the former location of Naval Air Station Atlanta is home to DeKalb Peachtree Airport.

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

PROVIDED

Dr. P.J. Moore demonstrates golf to Lawson patients. He also showed them the possibility of playing the sport, even after their injuries.

PRESERVING THE PAST

OPINION

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 23

Ancient fossils are calling across Georgia Long before the ancient pyramids and before man first walked the lands of the Southeast, woolly mammoths, eastern bison and even a few dinosaurs roamed the land where Alpharetta, BOB MEYERS Milton, Roswell and Columnist other Georgia cities are today. Michael Buchanan, local amateur fossil hunter, filmmaker and beekeeper, is excited by that. He says that 5000-year-old spear points were found when the land was cleared for North Point Mall in the early 1990s. Spear points were also found when work began on the McGinness Ferry Road/Ga. 400 interchange improvement project.

Michael notes that fossils can be found in every state and that the best places to hunt for dinosaur fossils are Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and the Dakotas. Erosion takes place over millions of years and reveals old river bottoms where ancient creatures went to drink. Michael has found parts of dinosaurs and hundreds of bone fragments which he tries to piece together.

Georgia is fossil country to a lesser degree. It was once inhabited by animals such as mastodons, woolly mammoths, camels, bison, tapirs, dinosaurs and giant ground sloths up to 20 feet tall which were first described in 1797 by Thomas Jefferson. During the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago), the climate was tropical and there were no glaciers at the north and south poles.

Consequently, the sea level was very high and covered half of the state. Many vertebrate and invertebrate fossils were left behind including mollusk shells, shark’s teeth and some dinosaur bones.

Shark’s teeth are particularly plentiful, because a shark can grow and lose 30,000 or more teeth during its approximately 20 - 30 year lifespan. It is not surprising that the official Georgia state fossil, adopted in 1976, is the giant megalodon shark tooth. The megalodon is the largest shark to ever have lived.

They measured from 30 up to 70 feet long – the size of an 18-wheeler – and weighed between 60,000 and 140,000 pounds. Their teeth, up to 7 inches long, have been used since ancient times for their size and serrated edges as spear points, knives and jewelry. Compare those teeth to today’s great white shark’s teeth which measure about 3 inches.

Michael has found many megalodon teeth in alligator-infested rivers in South

PROVIDED

Fossil hunting in Hulett, Wyoming. Every year for four years, Bonnie Steadman spent part of her summers on the Waugh Ranch in Wyoming digging for dinosaur bones as part of a program of the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. Over time she collected about 250 fossils.

MICHAEL BUCHANAN/PROVIDED

The megalodon shark was one of the most terrifying prehistoric predators on earth. It reached lengths of up to 60-70 feet and lived from about 16 to 2.6 million years ago.

Each shark had 276 teeth in five rows. They regularly shed their teeth which makes them relatively easy for fossil hunters to find. Teeth could grow up to 7 inches long. Here we see two megalodon teeth collected by Michael Buchanan, a local fossil enthusiast.

Carolina, a process which he describes as “a major rush.” Michael is available for presentations to schools. Contact him at mike@tinrooffilms.com.

The most common dinosaurs in Georgia were the duck billed hadrosaurs and the albertosaurus. The duck billed hadrosaurs were plant eaters and usually walked on four legs. They were about 30 feet long and weighed about three tons.

The deadly albertosaurus walked on two legs and measured about 30 feet from

their large head to their tail and weighed up to 3 tons. Both dinosaurs lived in Georgia for millions of years about 75 million years ago. Dinosaurs disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous period, possibly as the result of an asteroid or comet.

Bonnie Steadman is chair of the Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission and has been a fossil enthusiast since she was 8 years old. She says “I would break open rocks. In one I

found a fossil and I was hooked. I took it to show at school and I still have it.”

As an adult she took classes at the Fernbank Museum and Perimeter College, joined a group of fossil devotees in Atlanta and connected with a museum in Hill City South Dakota where she learned how to dig for and identify fossils.

For four summers she returned to the same dig site in search of dinosaur fossils. Eventually she had a collection of some 250 specimens.

Bonnie believes there is always something to learn about fossils.

Researchers have found, for example, that by studying dinosaur skin it is possible to tell if a dinosaur was spotted or striped and whether or not it had feathers. Modern technology can tell what it ate for its last meal, if it had an injury or cancer. She says “The fact that a dinosaur you may find is millions of years old and that you are the first human to ever look at and touch that fossil is an amazing experience.”

Her proudest moment came when she uncovered a triceratops spike in the Hill City dig that was 3 ½ feet in length. She donated it to the local museum.

Genevieve Brown works for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. She has degrees in geology and anthropology and knows a lot about Georgia fossils. One of her personal interests is the Georgiacetus, a giant whale no more than 20 feet long that according to Genevieve “looked like a cross between a dolphin and otter.

They had legs and were descended from land animals that adapted to life in the ocean.”

Previously unknown, the almost complete skeleton of the whale was discovered in 1983 when it was unearthed during the construction of Plant Vogtle, a Georgia Power Company nuclear facility in Waynsboro. The full scientific name of the whale is Georgiacetus vogtlensis, which means the “Georgia Whale from Plant Vogtle.”

Among the favorite fossil hunting locations in Georgia are Cumberland Island and Amelia Island.

Genevieve says that Georgia has been almost every ecosystem you can imagine, desert, forest, ocean, mountains and plains. The fossils are there for those who are willing to search for them. Can you hear them calling?

Bob is director emeritus of the Milton Historical Society and a Member of the City of Alpharetta Historic Preservation Commission. You can email him at bobmey@bellsouth.net. Bob welcomes suggestions for future columns about local history.

24 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

OPINION

Several odds and ends about the week’s news I just ran out of razor blades.

I got a large box of the twin-blade Gillette Sensor refills as a gift some time ago, and now I’m out.

Stores no longer carry them.

PAT FOX Razors used to Managing Editor pat@appenmedia.com come with a single double-edged blade seated onto a bulky head. You twisted the handle to secure the blade down to a level that suited you. You can still get single blades.

When the twin blade cartridge came along, the whole apparatus was a godsend, slim at the top, easy to maneuver around your chin, on your upper lip.

Today, razors wield three, four and even five blades. Leaving aside the obstruction a head that size creates in the mirror, how is it possible to fit something that massive on your upper lip without erasing your nose?

I can switch to a disposable twin blade, but there’s a reason they call them “disposable.”

Another option might be to order them online, but really?

I can grow a beard. It worked for Lincoln.

Business as unusual Gov. Brian Kemp announced Oct. 3 that, for the 10th consecutive year, Georgia has been named the No. 1 state for business by Area Development magazine.

How could you not know this? It was on every news website in the state.

It’s hailed from the rafters every year about this time.

I don’t want to trip local economic development agencies halfway through a victory lap, but not all financial publications place Georgia atop the list of best states to do business.

CNBC ranks Georgia 4th. Forbes has us at 6th. We’re No. 8 with Precision Global Consulting, U.S. News and World Report ranks the Peach State at No. 14.

What gives?

For your convenience Tax season is here, and if that isn’t bad enough, consider that county tax collectors now charge a “convenience fee” for payments made through certain channels.

Sometimes, not always, E-checks can be used without a fee.

In Fulton County, you pay a 2.5 percent fee for the convenience of paying your taxes with a card. Pick a card, any card. Pay a fee.

DeKalb County taxpayers pay a fee of 2.35 percent for using a credit card.

If you pay in person with a debit card, you’re still charged a 1.5 percent fee for your convenience.

One could bypass the whole thing by paying in person with cash or mailing a check.

Or – and I don’t necessarily recommend this – one could move to Gwinnett County. They don’t charge convenience fees for tax payments.

The Diving Swan The Andale (Kansas) High School football team did something recently that it hadn’t done in nearly five years.

It lost.

Andale’s streak of 57 consecutive wins was the longest in the country until the Oct. 13 overtime loss to Cheney High School.

I played only my freshman year at Andale. I was big for my age, so I played offensive and defensive tackle – and kicker. I kicked off at the beginning of the game and after we scored.

Most times, I could kick it all the way to the 10- or 15-yard line. Not bad for a rookie.

We had a play called “The Diving Swan” that was a trick play for an onside kick. I was to trip and fall on my approach to the tee. Then, as I picked myself off the turf amid the laughter of the opponents, my teammate standing next to the tee was to side-kick the ball while we rushed forward for the recovery.

Even as a freshman, I thought it was ridiculous, so I intentionally botched things so badly in practice the coaches opted to have someone else fill in whenever The Diving Swan was called.

Whew!

The only time we ever used the Diving Swan was during a day game in front of the entire student body.

When the play was called, I remained safely on the sidelines grinning at the comedy about to unfold on the field.

Except, the public address announcer didn’t know that.

“Kicking off for Andale, Pat Fox!!”

I pulled off my helmet and ran up and down the sidelines waving up at the box, pointing at my jersey number.

Too late. The play was already underway, and it was a disaster.

We lost the game, and my name was forever attached to that debacle.

THE INVESTMENT COACH

Quincy and Amazing Grace, baby boomers in good standing Born in 1947, Quincy was an inquisitive child interested in allthings-electronic and technical.

Like Sheldon Cooper of “Young Sheldon” televifame, his LEWIS J. WALKER, CFP sion favorite store to Columnist poke around in The Investment Coach was Radio Shack.

In 1977, Radio Shack introduced the TRS-80 home microcomputer featuring a 12-inch video monitor, a cassette recorder and a cassette tape containing the games blackjack and backgammon. It cost $599, a stretch for the young father, but Quincy really wanted it. His wife, Grace, surprised him with the purchase on Christmas morning. As an outgrowth of his interest in the expanding world of micro computing, Quincy became an early investor in emerging companies such as Intel, Microsoft and Apple, among others.

Quincy was not a speculator. Actually, he was quite conservative. He bought stock in companies he believed in, reinvested dividends and held on through market ups and downs. He had some clunkers, but in the main, he built a core group of long-run winners. He and Grace, a school teacher, had three children. When they in succession headed off to college, Quincy used his stocks as collateral for loans from a local bank at favorable and tax-deductible interest rates, sparing his children from college debt burdens. Graduate school was on them, however. When Quincy and Grace retired, they had a paid-for home, a tidy financial nest egg and a strong flow of dividend and interest income. Financial freedom allowed them to travel the world in comfort.

Even before they retired, Quincy and Grace took their three children on adventures around the United States and abroad. They were active in their church, and Grace put many miles on a station wagon shuttling children to and from sports and cultural activities. An avid tennis player, Grace’s older daughter called her mom “Amazing Grace.”

Quincy and Grace embody what we call WOOFs, well-off-older-folks. Per “The Wall Street Journal,” 10/9/2023, seniors aged 65 and up comprise 17.7% of America’s population, the highest percentage since 1920. They’re an economic and “spending force to be reckoned with.” As the Journal noted, they accounted for 22% of consumer spending last year, the highest share since

recordkeeping began in 1972. Americans aged 70 and older control almost 26% of household wealth, and they’re spending it on hobbies, travel, sports, home renovation and other interests. They are key donors to local, national, and transnational charities, often involving time and talent in addition to treasure.

Like all consumers, rising prices for food and essentials bite, but seniors did get an 8.7% cost-of-living-adjustment in Social Security payments this year. Of those, they still have a mortgage, many locked in low rates when money was cheap. Medicare helps to cushion the rising cost of medical care. Retirees aren’t worried about layoffs or job losses, unless such things adversely impact their grown children. The WSJ quoted Ed Yardini of Yardini Research, a respected forecaster, who thinks that spending by seniors will help prop up the economy, avoiding a deep recession. This thinking parallels a comment made by this writer in a previous column that the WOOFs will save Delta Airlines from a shortfall of premium-fare-paying-business-flyers flying first class domestically and Delta One internationally. The WOOFs are flying up-front on planes and buying suites on cruise and river ships.

The oldest baby boomers turn 77 this year. The Journal noted that boomers control $77.1 trillion in wealth. But as many seniors find out, the Bank of Mom and Dad never really closes. Many are assisting grown children with challenges, including helping to pay for private elementary or high school expenses or college tuition for grandchildren.

A 2021 Gallup poll found that church membership and attendance strongly correlates with age. Sixty-six percent of traditionalists, those born prior to 1946, belong to a church, synagogue or mosque, versus 58% of baby boomers, 50% of Generation X, and 36% of millennials, also known as Gen Y. Quincy and Grace are even more active in their church now that they’ve retired. Seniors increasingly comprise the bulk of volunteers and donors. Their giving patterns and philanthropy objectives often reflect religious values. Grandma and Grandpa are setting an example by attending religious services and church leaders need to step up, working to attract more young people to participate in organized religion.

Quincy and Grace are fictitious characters, but they represent a composite view of families who have achieved financial independence over my many years of active financial life planning counsel-

See WALKER, Page 29

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 25

26 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

NOTICE OF BOND ELECTION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on November 7, 2023, an election will be held in all of the election districts of the City of Dunwoody, Georgia (the “City”), at which election there will be submitted to the qualified voters of the City the question of whether the City should issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 (the “Bonds”) for the purpose of financing the capital projects listed in the form of the ballot below, the costs of issuing the Bonds and capitalized interest on the Bonds.

The Bonds, if so authorized, may be issued in whole or in part and in one or more series. The Bonds shall be dated the first day of the calendar month in which the Bonds are issued or the day the Bonds are issued and shall bear interest at rates not exceeding 8% per year (based upon a 360day year comprised of twelve thirty-day months). The principal shall mature (by scheduled maturity or by mandatory redemption) in the years and amounts, as follows: Year 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 2042 2043 2044

Amount $1,815,000 1,905,000 2,000,000 2,100,000 2,205,000 2,315,000 2,430,000 2,555,000 2,680,000 2,815,000 2,955,000 3,105,000 3,260,000 3,420,000 3,595,000 3,775,000 3,960,000 4,160,000 4,365,000 4,585,000

The principal of and interest on the Bonds shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at a bank or banks to be designated later.

Voters desiring to vote for the issuance of the Bonds shall do so by voting “YES” and voters desiring to vote against the issuance of the Bonds shall do so by voting “NO” as to the question propounded substantially as follows: “Shall the City of Dunwoody, Georgia (the “City”) issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 for the purpose of financing (a) the acquisition, construction, installation, improvement and equipping of (i) parks and recreational areas, (ii) greenspace and (iii) trails, (b) the costs of issuing the bonds and (c) capitalized interest on the bonds? Such approval shall also constitute an approval of the increase in the City’s current millage cap of 3.04 only to the extent necessary to repay the bonds.”

The several places for holding said election shall be in the regular and established election districts of the City, and the polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on the said date fixed for the election. Those qualified to vote at said election shall be determined in all respects in accordance and in conformity with the laws of the State of Georgia.

The last day to register to vote in this election shall be October 10, 2023.

Those residents qualified to vote at said election shall be determined in all respects in accordance with election laws of the State of Georgia.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 27

Any brochures, listings or other advertisements issued by the City or by any other person, firm, corporation or association with the knowledge and consent of the City, shall be deemed to be a statement of intention of the City concerning the use of the proceeds of the Bonds; and such statement of intention shall be binding on the City in the expenditure of any such Bond funds or interest received from such Bond funds which have been invested.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 36-82-100, the City notifies all interested parties that no independent performance audit or performance review (the “Bond Audit”) will be conducted with respect to the Bonds. However, the City will continue to ensure that Bond proceeds are expended efficiently and economically, as intended by the Bond Audit.

This notice is given pursuant to a resolution of the City Council and an intergovernmental agreement between the City and the Dekalb County Board of Registrations and Elections.

CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA By:_______________________________________ Its Municipal Elections Superintendent

PET OF THE WEEK

Omar Meet Omar (ID# 52235183) and your first words might be oh my, what a cutie. And you would be right because Omar is a cutie, not to mention affectionate and gentle. Omar is medium sized at 53 pounds, and has a few scars, but this boy is a lover, not a fighter.

He's calm, friendly and easy to walk on leash. That face, those eyes, just the sweet way he looks at our volunteers are so precious. No doubt he will look at you the same way when you give him the loving home he deserves.

Expand your family by four furry little feet; meet Omar and have a loving friend forever. All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip! If you would like more information about Omar or if you have questions about adopting, fostering or volunteering please email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165; all potential adopters will be screened to ensure Omar goes to a good home.

The shelter is full; foster or adopt to save a life and meet your new furry friend, stop by DeKalb County Animal Services. We are located at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee GA 30341 or give us a call at 404-2942996. No appointment necessary.

THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The City of Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council of Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338, for the purpose of due process of the following: ZBA 23-15, 4972 Wyntergate Drive: Two variances from Sec. 27-58 to allow a porch to encroach into the rear setback and to exceed the maximum lot coverage to allow construction of a porch.

ZBA 23-18, 4994 Delverton Court: Two variances: one from Sec. 27-58 to allow a deck to encroach into the rear setback and one from Sec. 27-269 to allow a retaining wall to encroach into the rear setback.

ZBA 23-19, 5071 Vermack Road: Variance from Sec. 27-58 to allow a house to encroach into the rear and side setback.

Should you have any questions or comments, or would like to view the application and supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department at 678-382-6800. Members of the public are encouraged to call or schedule a meeting with the staff in advance of the Public Hearing if they have questions or are unfamiliar with the process. The staff is available to answer questions, discuss the decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.

28 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

INK PENN

OPINION

Keep calm and carry on with three British reads It’s possible I’m stuck in a rut, or maybe I have a reading hangover from my summer trip to England’s Lake District. Whatever the reason, my recent reads are all set in This week’s KATHY MANOS PENN England. list contains two set Columnist during World War II and a third set in modern times. If my to-be-read (TBR) pile is any indication, this trend may continue for quite some time.

“Playing it Safe” by Ashley Weaver This is yet another Electra McDonnell book I couldn't put down. I love this spunky heroine--her willfulness, her confidence in the face of adversity, and her no-nonsense attitude.

Once again summoned by "the Major" for a spot of undercover work, she rises to the challenge. It's World War II in London during the blitz, and she must travel to Sunderland with an assumed

identity.

The subplots continue in this engaging series: Electra's dalliance with her friend Felix, the sparks between her and the Major, and her quest to discover more about her mother.

I am hooked on this series, and I can't wait until the fourth book arrives.

Meanwhile, I've picked up book two in Weaver's Amory Ames series. The first one was well written and entertaining but not quite as intriguing to me as the Electra McDonnell books.

“Untrue Blue” by Emma Jameson Some readers find a series they like and binge-read every book. I prefer to savor them, and so it’s been with this series by Emma Jameson. Each title in this seven-book series contains the word Blue. The first— “Ice Blue”—introduces Lord Anthony Hetheridge and Kate and Deepal, his subordinates on the Toff Squad at Scotland Yard. Lord Hetheridge is the perfect person to lead this unit, dedicated to handling crimes involving members of Britain’s upper class. He’s a Lord, and he’s rich, but

he’s also a respected member of Scotland Yard.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series ever since I stumbled upon it several years ago. The relationships among the three key characters continue to evolve, often in surprising ways.

As with the rest of the series, this book has dark elements combined with wit and humor and likeable characters.

It’s also filled with twists and turns and surprises concerning three cold cases.

Though it was published in 2021, and the note at the end says there will be more to follow, I've seen no mention of anything on the horizon. I hope something appears soon!

If the premise appeals to you, I recommend you start with “Ice Blue.”

in a manor house in a small Cornish village, Dr. Bones and Lady Juliet have their work cut out for them. The bumbling local bobby, of course, is clueless, and wants only to close the case and get back to ensuring villagers are adhering to blackout protocol and gasoline rationing.

Book two in what appears to be only a three-book series is another delightful outing with Dr. Bones and Lady Juliet in 1939 England. The murder mystery and the subplot concerning the two amateur sleuths and their relationship will keep you guessing.

Despite having a never-ending TBR list, I’ve already grabbed the third book, “Bones Takes a Holiday.” If you like gentle mysteries, this one’s for you.

“Bones at the Manor House”

by Emma Jameson Emma Jameson is equally adept at writing mysteries set during World War II. After enjoying the Blue series, I looked for other books by her and discovered the Dr. Benjamin Bones mystery series.

When a bloodless corpse is found

Award-winning author Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident. Find her cozy mysteries on Amazon or locally at The Enchanted Forest, Bookmiser, Tall Tales, and Johns Creek Books. Contact her at inkpenn119@gmail.com, and follow her on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ KathyManosPennAuthor/.

Patience tested? Try nice instead of nasty.

Despite the difficulties facing us, we’re speeding towards the time of the year when we need to take a deep breath, smile and move on.

I recently got caught in a traffic jam and was three MIKE TASOS minutes late for the Columnist start of 9 o’clock Mass. Three minutes! Traffic and a wreck totally out of my control. I’m one of those “Lombardi Time” guys, where if you weren’t 15 minutes early, you were late.

What inspired me to think about how important it is to be nice was the stern look and “Harumph” I was greeted with by the snarling, disapproving “greeter.”

Perhaps I am looking at this in an upside-down way, but aren’t those charged with welcoming folks to worship charged with making anyone feel welcome to be there?

If the motto is “We Are Family,” I don’t think making one feel like the disdained red-headed stepchild was what the parish had in mind.

Church is no place for snarls and “Harumphs.” What if it had been my first time walking into Mass at this house of worship (It wasn’t)? What if I had been

away from any type of service for some time (I wasn’t)? What if I had said that frowns and disapproval years ago had inspired me to stay home and watch TV in the first place (not applicable)?

I believe the entire purpose of volunteering is joy and fulfillment with a sense of purpose. When volunteering and service doesn’t make one happy, it’s time to fold the tent, say “Sayonara” and find another venue to unpack your bag.

There’s a guy at my church who is perpetually frowning. Even when he’s passing the collection plate. Any chance a smile would improve the “take” each week. I go out of my way to smile and ask him how he’s doing, even though I’m going to listen to a litany of complaints about a panorama of things he wants me to know.

I swear I try to listen, but the bottom line is this: We all face issues and have things that we want to complain about.

In reality I don’t want to hear yours and you don’t want to hear mine.

Problems? That’s where the priest comes in. They get paid for things like these and he’s undoubtedly more adept at handling issues and providing timetested solutions.

Besides, he’s got a direct line to the ultimate arbiter.

This is when of year we should start thinking about the most wonderful time

of the year. There are others who are continuing a battle that has been fought for way too many years.

No, I’m not referring to Dawgs-Jackets or ‘Bama-Auburn. I’m talking about the misguided miscreants fighting in the Middle East where there is seemingly no end in sight.

Here, in our small slice of North Georgia, we are about to be tested. I’m not talking about trying not to pull a muscle from toting the voluminous quantity of catalogs that will clog our mailboxes.

No, we’re smack dab at the precipice

of the holiday season, where chaos, clutter and crankiness are an easy trap.

Let me be the first to promise to take a deep breath, to smile a little more and be kind to those who would literally kill for a little kindness. There’s a chance your kindness will make a difference and turn nastiness into niceness.

I’m willing to take that chance.

Mike Tasos has lived in Forsyth County for more than 30 years. He’s an American by birth and considers himself a Southerner by the grace of God. He can be reached at miketasos55@gmail.com.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 29

Continued from Page 1 “You now are taking hundreds of hours of time and condensing it to something that someone, like yourself, can get through in 15 or 20 minutes,” Dillard said.

But, using AI is not without its pitfalls. He has to check the summary for “hallucinations,” or errors presented as fact.

“I don't want to minimize the chance that I invent a decision by the City Council,” Dillard said.

He said Recap Roswell also spawned from wanting to understand where the political fault lines are in Roswell government.

“All of the candidates sort of say the same things,” Dillard said, referring to his latest post on candidates in Roswell’s upcoming municipal election. “It's very difficult to parse what the choice actually is between them, right?”

Roswell’s local election is one of the most contested in north Metro Atlanta, where at least two candidates

This story is brought to you by members of the Appen Press Club

A

Support trusted, local journalism at appenmedia.com/join

When more people are engaged in their local government, the more likely it is that people will vote; the more likely it is that people will run for office; and the more likely it is that they have a stake in what's happening.”

SABA LONG Executive director of Atlanta Civic Circle (ACC) are vying for each seat. In other cities, some candidates – many of them incumbents – will automatically get a council seat because they have no opponents.

Because there were no contested races in Alpharetta this year, the city canceled its municipal election.

It did the same in 2015 for the same reason.

In the past couple of decades, other area cities have canceled their municipal elections, including Roswell in 2003, Johns Creek in 2009, Milton

In Memoriam

Thomas Walter Hash

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness to share that Thomas (Tom) Walter Hash passed away peacefully October 20, 2023, with his family at his bedside. Tom was born November 15, 1940, in Marion, Virginia to Walter Abram Hash Jr. and Alma Cornett Hash.

He graduated from the University of Richmond in 1965 and then later received a master’s degree from Georgia State University.

After his retirement from working for the federal government, Tom combined two of his greatest passions - teaching others and history, particularly the Civil War. He worked as a substitute teacher for over a decade, winning the hearts of both students and staff members alike because of his garrulous nature, sharp wit and his uncanny ability to explain dense subject matter in ways that’d make it interesting and understandable. When he wasn’t sharing his love of history and teaching others, Tom spent lots of his time gardening, doing yardwork, fishing, and visiting his grandparents’ home and our creek and dam in the mountains

RESS NP

UB CL

Government:

APPE

in southwest Virginia. Tom also held a deep love for any and all animals, always treating every animal he met with profound kindness and gentleness. He passed this love for animals to all of his children, including his grandchildren. Tom is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Cecilia Hatcher Hash, and his four children - Paige Hash Yost, Thomas Walter Hash II, Sarah Elizabeth Hash and Catherine Anna Hash. He is also survived by four grandchildren - Andrew Fielding Yost, Caroline Cecilia Yost, Sibley Elizabeth Hash and Thomas Walter Hash III - and two nephews - John Burris and Darrell Burris. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Burris, and his beloved childhood best friend, Rosemond Fields.

The family will hold a private service in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia to honor him in his most treasured place.

Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899

in 2013 and Cumming across three years. There have been cancellations in Sandy Springs, too.

Incumbents who get their re-election bid without challenge might mean there’s less accountability, said Saba Long, executive director of Atlanta Civic Circle (ACC).

With the slogan “Complexity shuts you out, ACC opens the door for you,” the nonprofit is a civic engagement and media outlet that covers local democracy and housing affordability challenges in Metro

Walker: Continued from Page 24 ing service. They used debt prudently and invested in quality stocks over the long run, recognizing that ownership of potentially appreciating assets was the answer to ever-present inflation that varied in intensity over time. They drove used, off-lease cars and shopped for bargains, especially when the kids were growing up and expenses were high. Grace clipped coupons and was a good shopper. They maintained adequate levels of health and disability insurance, insurance on home and autos, as well as umbrella liability insurance, very important when they had teenage drivers in the family. Both Grace and Quincy carried levels of life insurance designed to support the family in the event of death of either one or both of

Atlanta.

“When an elected official is not adhering to the public trust, when they are not making decisions that are in the best interest of their constituents and the public at large, then they should be contested,” Long said.

She said the number of candidates running for office runs parallel to the level of civic engagement.

“When more people are engaged in their local government, the more likely it is that people will vote; the more likely it is that people will run for office; and the more likely it is that they have a stake in what's happening,” Long said.

To increase public engagement, and thus accountability, she said local government meetings need to be “de-mystified.” She said a solution could be that municipalities add a webpage explaining how citizens can sign up for public comment or interact with elected officials.

“Public meetings can be intimidating for those who aren't familiar with it and don't know about it,” Long said. them. Planning for death and disability is a prudent part of any financial plan.

When Mom and Dad get older and need assistance, when one passes away, becoming a widow or widower, they may depend on an adult child for help, often a daughter. Grace and Quincy arranged a family meeting with their adult children and their financial adviser. They put key documents in place along with instructions, a “family love letter,” so that when emergencies occurred, the family was prepared. Lives well lived.

Lewis Walker, CFP®, is a life centered financial planning strategist with Capital Insight Group (CIG); 770-441-3553; lewis@ capitalinsightgrp.com. Securities & advisory services offered through The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (SFA), which is otherwise unaffiliated with CIG. Lewis a Gallup Certified Clifton Strengths Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).

DEATH NOTICES Thomas Abercrombie, 96, of Roswell, passed away on October 20, 2023. Arrangements

by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Kathleen Rice, 78, of Roswell, passed away on October 17, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Isabelle Doneff, 91, of Roswell, passed away on October 20, 2023. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

Roberta Van Pelt, 77, of Roswell, passed away on October 22, 2023.

Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.

30 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

ONLINE INCLUDED C a l l t o d a y t o p l a c e y o u r a d 4 7 0 . 2 2 2 . 8 4 6 9 o r e m a i l c l a s s i f i e d s @ a p p e n m e d i a g r o u p . c o m • FA X : 7 7 0 - 4 7 5 - 1 2 1 6

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Full-time

North Fulton Community Charities Mission has been serving individuals and families in the North Fulton area for over 40 years. Our Mission to ease hardship and foster financial stability in our community and our purpose is to provide opportunities for the whole community to thrive. Full Time employees receive benefits on the 1st day following working 30 days.

Benefits include: Medical, dental and vision insurance after 30 days of employment. 403b retirement plan matching offered, Paid Time Off. Short and Long Term insurance and life insurance are provided by employer.

Full Time Donor Operations Lead NFCC is looking for a Donor Operations Lead is a key team member who oversees the donation door process. They may delegate to other staff, volunteers and community service at the Donation Door. This position is the face of NFCC so they are expected provide excellent customer service and treat each donor with a professional and friendly demeanor. The Associate greets and removes donations from vehicles and then sorts the merchandise in a designated area.

They are responsible for keeping the merchandise secure, all areas free of debris and the donor door area neat and clean For a complete job description visit https://nfcchelp.org/work-at-nfcc/

Painters

Garage Doors

Quality Without Compromise

Dunwoody Door Lift Co.

ROBERT CROAWELL REMODELING Full Service Contractor

Additions • Kitchens • Basements • Bathrooms Interior/Exterior Paint • Minor Repairs • Licensed Insured

Office: 770-814-0064 Cell: 678-642-8314 Electricians

Belco Electric

“Family Owned Since 1972” Fast Dependable Service by Professional Uniformed Electricians

770-455-4556

Check out our new website: BelcoInc.com and follow us on:

Announcements CITIZENS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GEORGIA Meeting of the Minds; Contact Janet 770 938-8506 publishershometown@gmail.com

RESS NP

A

UB CL

APPE

Advertise your ITEMS TO SELL in the newspaper and you too can say... Solution

appenmedia.com/join

S E E D S S W A P D E A D C O A L W A S H A D M I T G A M M A O K R A A R E A A M A G A T E T E R N A L K N I T O A F A B R O A D S E N T E N C E B R A I N A L A I D O L E A U K T A B A S C O O E R L46E9 V YmailM A S A I T I E S e r o 22.8 L E dia.cSomE R E N E ll 4S70.2 CaN E E M pB penme s@ d e classifi T Ia A B A L M C O N T A C T A W E S A P O B O E O O P S T S A R S R U E S T A R T S P E T E E R G O E X I S T E Y E S

Home Improvement

ROT-DOC

Rot Repair Technician

Don’t waste good paint on rotten wood.

Minor repairs make a major difference!

Interior/Exterior Painting Pressure Washing Rotten Wood Deck Repair Free Estimates

Thurman | 770.899.1354 | www.rot-doc.com

Wanted To Buy WANTED

WHITE MINIATURE POODLE; 2-5 year old female.

Good personality, smart, healthy.

678-524-3881

Bargains/Misc FREE ART & NUMBER BOXES. All household items. Clothing.

678-327-9901

The ONLY garage door company in Dunwoody!

We sell, install and repair garage doors and openers.

Authorized Genie Dealer serving Dunwoody since 1973.

770-393-1652

If you can’t lift your door, let Dunwoody Door Lift it!

Handyman MATTHEW THE HANDYMAN Carpentry, Painting, Drywall, Plumbing, Electrical and Small Jobs.

404-547-2079

Roofing 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

KETNER CONTRACTING • Re-roofs •Repairs & Painting • Licensed/Insured • Excellent Referrals • Free Estimate • 25+ Years of Experience Neil Ketner 770-318-7762

Tree Services

DANGEROUS REMOVALS & TRIMMING

Budget Fabrics

FREE ESTIMATES INSURED & REFERENCES CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL 20% OFF WITH THIS AD! griffintreeservices.com

*DISCOUNT PRICES*

404-234-4810

Miscellaneous And Upholstery

-FREE Design Consultation• Thousands of designer 770-396-6891 fabrics IN STOCK 770-396-6824 Mon-Fri 8-6 • Sat 8-3

Neumann’s Landscape & Tree Service Joe Neumann – 770-452-1173 or 404-644-7179

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 2, 2023 | 31

ONLINE INCLUDED C a l l t o d a y t o p l a c e y o u r a d 4 7 0 . 2 2 2 . 8 4 6 9 o r e m a i l c l a s s i f i e d s @ a p p e n m e d i a g r o u p . c o m • FA X : 7 7 0 - 4 7 5 - 1 2 1 6

Landscaping

Concrete/Asphalt

AwArd winning LAndscApes

ALEX FRASER MASONRY INC.

20 years of Keeping Dunwoody Green

Installation Maintenance Seasonal Color

Ogletree Enterprises

a MALTA Award Winning Firm

• BRICK • CONCRETE Alex Fraser, President www.alexfrasermasonry.com E-Mail: afrasermasonry@aol.com

770.840.8884

FULLY INSURED Tel: (770) 664-2294 Cell: (404) 281-0539

Concrete

Driveways $250 OFF NEW DRIVEWAY!

Ken Ogletree

• BLOCK • STONEWORK

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 $5,000.

MARTINEZ MASONRY

Retaining Walls • Patios• Repairs

Walkways • Masonry Work

martinezmasonry281@yahoo.com

Licensed • Insured • References Pressure Washing

404-408-4170

Ask for Tony Martinez

Driveways

A1 DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT CO. Specializing in

CONCRETE DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT SIDEWALKS, PATIOS, AND SLABS Since 1974 Insured – Free Estimates www.a1drivewayreplacement.com

770-493-6222

32 | November 2, 2023 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

A Community of Advocates For Local Journalism Join today for $16/month

In 2022, Appen Media Group created the Appen Press Club, its mission driven news division dedicated to creating a sustainable infrastructure for local journalism in the north metro Atlanta area. Residents of that community, like you, join the Press Club by committing to small monthly or annual dues, 100% of which is dedicated to producing reliable, professional journalism on local issues that affect your lives.

Join your neighbors in support of local journalism CHARTER MEMBER Big Sky Franchise Team David & Michelle Bertany

Amour & Duane Carthy Adam Corder

Robert Flint Robin Fricton

Roderick Liptrot Tom McMurrain

Bob Meyers Ross & Lori Ramsey

Kim Truett Roger Wise Jr.

Charlcie Forehand Marie Gualtiere Vickie McElroy

Anne Peer Robert Popp Mark Rundle

Carol Williams Marilyn Colarossi-Woods

Chris Miller Christine Miller Fred Moeller Carol Morgan Kathy Morgan Stu Moring Jack Murphy Tricia Novarro Bob O’Brien Joy Pooler Debra Powell Righteous PR Chuck Pugh Ashwin Ramaswami Cheryl Rand Jan Satterfield Stephanie Schuette Susan Searles Tina Shelton Lisa Shippel Joanne Simmons

Cindy Simpson Faye Sklar Judith Slaughter Andy Smith Wesley Stewart Cathryn Stovall Celeste Strohl Andy Sumlin Mike Tasos Candice Teichert Lisa Tilt Michael Townes Matthew Tyser Ollie Wagner Lewis Walker Jonathan Washburn Sally White Jamie Wimberly Nancy & Dave Wistrand

MEMBER+ Kerry Arias Scott Baynton

James Bennett Amy Bergin

Rita Brown Mark Casas David Conti

MEMBER Alpharetta Lions Club Omar Altalib Ron Altman American Legion Post 201 Barbara Anderson Mary Asbury Barbara Bauschka Kathy Beck Bill Bentley Leslie Berry Tom Billings Ron Boddicker Jodi Bogen Debra Bowen DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Joe Bowen Erendira Brumley Mike & Theresa Buscher Mary Busman Gary Butterfield Clea Calloway

Carla Campbell Kirk Canaday James Carr Bridgette Carter William Cartwright Pat Check Christopher Cleary Ann Coaloa Evelyn Collazo Michael Mackenzie Communications Joan Compton Terri Coons David Davis Rebecca Donlan Tom Driscoll Michael Dudgeon Mim Eisenberg Danny Elkins Martha Fasse Lee Fleck

Cathy Flynn Nanci Foster Amy Frederick Kelly Frommer Carol Fry Tracey Ganesh John Gilberto Leslie Gilliam Michelle Glotzbach Harvey Goldberg Christopher Goodrich Marilee Hamilton Susan Hanna Joe Hirsch Penn Hodge Dianne & Steffan Holmquist Joan Hostetter Lynn Johnson Tyler Jones Arthur Kebanli Mark Kelly

Allison Kloster Larry Krueger Jess & Chris Kysar Malinda Lackey Ken Leffingwell Carol Lehan Bonnie Lind Francia Lindon Harlan Little Ross Long Rita Loventhal Momma Nature Madan Karen Magill Kyile Marshall Valerie Matthews Rachel McCord Austin McCully Lynn McIntyre Mike McLoughlin Jennifer Mendoza Al Merrill

To join go to appenmedia.com/join and follow the prompts to select your membership level and select your t-shirt size! Questions? Email Hans Appen at hans@appenmedia.com or call 770-442-3278.

Scan QR code to join Appen Press Club