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Dunwoody honors fallen heroes
By HAYDEN SUMLIN | hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — U.S. Air Force Maj. Rick Scheff, a Dunwoody native and decorated F-16 fighter pilot, told the Dunwoody community that service is the price of citizenship.
More than 200 people gathered at the Brook Run Park Veterans Memorial May 26 at 10 a.m. to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States.
“Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember those who served this country, specifically those who gave their lives in support of this country,” Scheff said, who has more than 1,000 flight hours and more than 300 combat hours in missions across Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
See MEMORIAL, Page 17
Austin Elementary School noted for academic record
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement awarded Austin Elementary School the 2024 Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) Platinum Award in the Highest Performing category
The prestigious recognition places one of Dunwoody’s elementary schools among the top 1 percent in the state for academic achievement over the past three years.
Out of thousands of public schools across Georgia, only 120 schools were recognized in the Highest Performing category in 2024. Austin Elementary is set to receive the Platinum Award, the highest tier.
Austin Elementary School is within the DeKalb County School District, located at 5321 Roberts drive next to the Dunwoody Nature Center.
The Georgia Department of Education also requires schools to maintain an overall College and Career Ready Performance Index score of 90 or above for three consecutive years.
The index measures how well schools are performing in content mastery, student attendance and preparation for higher education.
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
More than 200 people gather in front of Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park Veterans Memorial May 26 to commemorate fallen heroes during the city’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson said attendance for the ceremony has climbed each year since the COVID-19 pandemic.
FILE PHOTO
Austin Elementary received an award from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, recognizing the school as among the top 1 percent in the state.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Rick Scheff, a Dunwoody native and decorated F-16 fighter pilot, shares the tradition of roll call May 26 during his Memorial Day address in front of the Brook Run Park Vietnam War Memorial.
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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.
Dunwoody girl reports assault, theft by teens
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police responded to reports of an armed person May 19 at the Dunwoody Villas apartments off Peachtree Boulevard after a teenager reported she had been jumped.
The victim, a 15-year-old Dunwoody girl, told officers that one of her friends invited her over to his apartment. Earlier that day, she said the “friend” and other teenagers were bullying her and said they wanted to fight.
Officers said they met with the victim, her boyfriend and her mother after the incident.
The girl said she was approached by four other female teenagers when she arrived, pushed to the ground and repeatedly hit in the head. By the time she came to, she said her phone was missing.
The girl also said one of the female teenagers showed her a handgun during the incident but did not point it at her. The phone is valued at $800.
The victim’s mother and boyfriend told officers they did not see the incident but gave some names of the females who they thought may have been involved.
Officers said attempts to contact the male teenager who had invited the girl to his apartment complex were unsuccessful.
The victim’s mother said she thought she had seen a teenager run into a nearby apartment, but officers searched the area and found no one matching the description.
An ambulance transported the victim to Scottish Rite Hospital. Her mother said she wanted the teenagers held accountable.
Officers said the charges include misdemeanor assault and larceny by sudden snatching, but no suspects have been identified, according to the latest report.
— Hayden Sumlin
Two motorcycles stolen from apartment tenant
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Police responded to a report from a 25-year-old Dunwoody man May 19 after he discovered two of his motorcycles had been stolen overnight at an apartment along Charleston Place.
The victim said he left town May 15 and noticed his bikes were missing from a spot on the south end of his building when he returned May 18. After checking with the leasing office, the man said he called police because both bikes were fully paid off.
The first motorcycle is a teal 2021 Kawaski EX400 “Ninja” with damage to both sides and an aftermarket exhaust. The second motorcycle, which the man had yet to register, is a black 2004 Yamaha YZF R6 with an SC-Project exhaust.
Officers said they found no license plate hits on either motorcycle using Flock Safety cameras.
The owner said he would like to press charges if a suspect is caught or identified.
— Hayden Sumlin
Woman reports attempt to defraud her of money
DUNWOODY, Ga. — One of the Dunwoody Police Department’s civilian public safety ambassadors met with a 65-year-old Dunwoody woman May 19 who recognized an attempted fraud.
The ambassador said he met with the victim at Dunwoody City Hall after she received a call from someone stating she had an active warrant for failing to appear in court for a murder hearing.
She said the caller told her she owed $135,000 for various issues, including faux criminal charges and fees. The caller told the woman that they were with the Federal Bureau of Investigation but provided her different names and badge numbers during the call.
The ambassador said the woman was instructed to stay on the phone, go to the bank to withdraw the money and drop it off at an undisclosed location.
The Dunwoody woman said she was aware the phone call was a scam but wanted to report the incident to police in case it happens to someone else.
— Hayden Sumlin
Man seen entering store, taking cash from register
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A theft was reported at an Old Milton Parkway automobile service business May 15.
Alpharetta police said officers were dispatched to the business about 8 a.m.
The owner told officers a man had entered the business about 7 p.m. May 14, walked behind the reception desk and took $60 from the cash register.
Surveillance video footage shows the suspect wearing a black cap and shirt and blue jeans.
The recording shows the man counting the money before placing it in his pocket. As he exited the business, he bent over to hide from employees in the workshop.
The business closed about 7 p.m., but the door had been left unlocked.
The incident was classified as a felony burglary of a commercial building.
— Jon Wilcox
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City approves contract to replace traffic signal
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council approved a contract to replace a traffic signal damaged twice now by vehicles.
The traffic signal is at the southeastern corner of Perimeter Center Parkway and Hammond Drive within the Perimeter CID. The self-taxing commercial district implements a unique mast arm style throughout Central Perimeter.
Public Works Director Michael Smith said the contract is being awarded to the city’s on-call maintenance provider, Sunbelt Traffic, for around $90,950 with a contingency in case of utility issues.
“We made this a request in the budget last year … because it had been hit before,” he said. “Then it got hit again, so it was fortuitous that we had it in the budget.”
As far as the cost-sharing relationship with the Perimeter CID, Smith said the organization has typically paid for the difference between its style and the city’s standard.
“This is a budgeted item,” he said. “We had already planned to replace it, and then about a month or so ago, it got hit by a truck to the point where we had to put in a temporary signal.”
Passing motorists and pedestrians can easily spot the difference between the temporary wooden pole with debris scattered around it and the big green mast arms at other corners of the intersection.
Smith said crews have already drilled a hole where the replacement traffic signal will be to ensure the mast arm fits. He also said the city will most likely not have to spend the contingency.
“We’re moving it farther from the curb,” he said. “We’re getting it as far away as we can now.”
The traffic signal replacement is budgeted in the city’s DeKalb County SPLOST fund, which uses a onecent sales tax to fund a range of capital projects, most related to transportation.
Smith said the quote came in more than $15,000 under budget.
Council members Rob Price and Catherine Lautenbacher asked about the insurance claim process and whether the city could recoup project costs from
A temporary traffic signal spans Hammond Drive at Perimeter Center Parkway. The Dunwoody City Council approved close to $91,000 to upgrade the signal to match those in the area supported by large mast arms.
the driver.
Smith said the city is asking for “everything,” and tallying all its expenses for later reimbursement.
Police Chief Mike Carlson said his department’s non-sworn officers or public safety ambassadors can direct traffic around work crews.
In other business, elected officials discussed chipping in $18,500 for renovations of a 100-yearold blacksmith shop within the Donaldson-Bannister Farm Historic District & Cemetery at 4831 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
The two-story Plantation Plain-style home was built in the 1870s near the now defunct Roswell Railroad. It sits on just under 3 acres and was last sold to DeKalb County in 2005, according to the Dunwoody Preservation Trust.
Many Dunwoody residents remember the days when the Chesnut family lived at the farm, keeping horses and mules in the meadow. The city acquired it when it incorporated.
Lynn Byrd led the charge to place the historic home and property on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. Nearly 10 years later, the city and its nonprofit partners opened the restored property to the public.
Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Waldron said the Dunwoody Preservation Trust, a history-focused
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
community nonprofit, uses the farmhouse and wants to expand access to one of its summertime programs, Camp Flashback.
“The DPT is doing wonderful things … currently, they are using every inch of available space for their outstanding programming,” Waldron said. “What is called the blacksmith shop is currently used primarily for storage.”
Because of the property’s history, improvements to the building must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Waldron said the Parks and Recreation Department has enough money in its general capital fund to make the renovation.
The Dunwoody Preservation Trust is contributing $34,600 and has already hired an engineering firm to perform a structural assessment and recommend repairs. With the expanded classroom area, the nonprofit estimates an additional 10 children will be able to attend its summer camp, bringing in an estimated $22,800 in revenue.
After confirming the funding source, Mayor Lynn Deutsch said it’s an exciting project for the city.
The $53,094 contract with Litchy Commercial Construction for blacksmith shop renovations is set for approval on the June 16 meeting’s consent agenda.
The City of Dunwoody has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 3.61 percent.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at Dunwoody City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 8 a.m.
Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at Dunwoody City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. and Monday, June 30, 2025, at 6 p.m.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 3.040 mills, an increase 0.106 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 2.934 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $600,000 is approximately $24.38 and the proposed tax increase for nonhomestead property with a fair market value of $2,600,000 is approximately $110.24.
HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Mercedes-Benz plans to expand Sandy Springs headquarters
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Gov. Brian Kemp announced May 22 that Mercedes-Benz will expand its North American headquarters in Sandy Springs by centralizing and uniting key corporate functions.
Mercedes-Benz is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars.
The company is expected to move up to 500 jobs to the existing Mercedes-Benz facility, known as “1MB,” in Sandy Springs, and make a multi-million-dollar investment in a future state-of-the-art Research & Development facility nearby.
Mercedes-Benz opened its “1MB” facility off Abernathy Road in 2018. It currently supports around 800 jobs in the state.
“Georgia continues to lead the way in the future of mobility and technical innovation, attracting worldclass companies like Mercedes-Benz that are driving the automotive industry forward,” Kemp said. “We’re excited that a job creator that already has close ties to Georgia is doubling down on that choice and growing their presence here in the best state for business and opportunity.”
Mercedes-Benz North America CEO Jason Hoff said the company is strengthening its position for continued growth and reinforcing its commitment to the U.S. market.
“We thank the State of Georgia for its support in deepening Mercedes-Benz’s roots in the Atlanta area as we bring even more talented team members to this worldclass city,” Hoff said. “Bringing our teams closer together will enable us to be more agile, increase speed to market, and ensure the best customer experience.”
Assistant Director of Statewide Projects Elizabeth McLean represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce team on the project in partnership with the city of Sandy Springs, Select Fulton,
Mercedes-Benz announced it’s planning to expand its North American headquarters at its existing “1MB” facility at Abernathy and Barfield roads in Sandy Springs. The company said it will open a new research and development hub, invest millions of dollars and bring some 500 jobs as a part of the expansion.
Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power.
Mercedes-Benz says the existing facility will house the current sales teams as well as financial services teams and corporate functions. A new state-of-the-art Research & Development hub is set to be located near Sandy Springs.
Mercedes-Benz anticipates the move will be completed by August 2026.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said the expansion represents “a wonderful opportunity and a significant milestone for our continued development.”
“Since establishing their headquarters here in 2018, they have been outstanding corporate partners,” Paul
said. “Their decision to grow in Sandy Springs highlights the success of the city’s recent infrastructure and capital investments which are now clearly paying dividends.”
Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said having a globally recognized brand like Mercedes-Benz reaffirm its commitment by investing and growing here is a testament to the strength and vitality of the community.
“It proves Fulton County continues to be a destination for corporate solutions, providing major companies an accessible, vibrant, and growing community for their business to thrive in,” Pitts said.
— Hayden Sumlin
GOOGLE MAPS
in line 1 are 5, 5 and 4 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, with each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
AFRICAN & ASIAN ANIMALS
1. Wind instrument. African & Asian cat-like mammal. No-no.
2. African & Asian carrion eater. Brandy flavor. Sailor’s greeting.
3. Surefooted Asian & African goat. 3rd sign of the Zodiac. Part of a royal flush.
4. Practical joke. African spiral-horned antelope. Family man.
5. Hard wood. Morocco’s capital. Three-toed Asian ungulate.
6. Links sport. African & Asian rock rabbit. Dog command.
7. Large B&W herbivorous mammal of Asia. Trojan War hero. Small three-masted vessel.
1 Wind instrument. African & Asian cat-like mammal. No-no.
2. African & Asian carrion eater. Brandy flavor. Sailor’s greeting.
How to Solve: Each line in the puzzle above has three clues and three answers. The last letter in the first answer on each line is the first letter of the second answer, and so on. The connecting letter is outlined, giving you the correct number of letters for each answer (the answers in line 1 are 4, 5 and 5 letters). The clues are numbered 1 through 7, which each number containing 3 clues for the 3 answers on the line. But here’s the catch! The clues are not in order - so the first clue in Line 1 may (or may not) actually be for the second or third answer in that line. Got it? Good luck!
3. Surefooted Asian & African goat. 3rd sign of the Zodiac. Part of a royal flush.
4. Practical joke. African spiral-horned antelope. Family man.
5. Hard wood. Morocco’s capital. Three-toed Asian ungulate.
6. Links sport. African & Asian rock rabbit. Dog command
7. Large black-and-white herbivorous mammal of Asia. Trojan War hero. Small three-masted vessel.
Georgia Public Service Commission seats on ballot
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
ATLANTA — The Appen Media team presents this voters guide as a service to our readers voting in the June 17 special primary for the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Producing this guide was a labor of love, and we encourage you to consider becoming a monthly subscriber by visiting appenmedia.com/join.
We’d do this work for free if we could, but we can’t. We depend on your support.
Here is what you need to know about voting in the June 17 primary. More election coverage can be found at Decaturishvotes.com.
What does the Public Service Commission do?
According to the PSC website, the Georgia Public Service Commission sets “fair and reasonable rates for services under its jurisdiction.” Utilities, like Georgia Power, are typically regulated by the PSC. One of its roles is to govern Georgia Power’s rates and plans.
The PSC is a five-member board that regulates power, energy, natural gas, broadband and railroads, said Paul Glaze, media and public affairs strategist for Georgia Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group.
“What the Public Service Commission does, their mandate is that they are supposed to protect consumers, ensure affordability and make decisions that are in the net benefit of society,” Glaze said.
Every three years, Georgia Power and other natural gas companies present their long-term plans and funding proposals to the Public Service Commission. These plans outline how much electricity the company estimates people will need and how they propose to cover the associated costs.
“The first one is called the IRP or the integrated resource plan. That one is focused on...how much energy are we going to need [and] how do we do it,” Glaze said. “The second one is the rate case. That is where we argue about how much that should cost people.”
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Charles Bullock, a political science professor at University of Georgia added that there are hearings for the IRP and rate case so “citizens or representatives of citizen groups can show up and can argue that what the utility is asking for is too much, that the increase should either be denied altogether or perhaps should be scaled back.”
How does the PSC impact me?
The main way the Public Service Commission impacts your everyday life is by determining how much Georgia Power customers pay for electricity.
The PSC sets rates that Georgia Power customers see on their bills, although Glaze noted that rates and bills are not the same, as the commission also approves other fees.
“Since 2023, the average person’s bill has gone up an average of $43 for Georgia Power customers. Of that $43, just under $13 would have been stopped by the [rate] freeze. About $13 was rate increases, about $30 was all these other things,” Glaze said.
When was the last election, and why was it so long ago?
PSC elections were last held in 2020 and have been on hold since 2022 due to a federal lawsuit alleging the election process for commissioners violates the Voting Rights Act, according to WABE.
The commission is divided into five districts. Candidates must live in the district they are running for, but all Georgia residents vote for each seat. Democrats challenged that setup in 2020, arguing that some cities or counties had to shift to single-member districts because all at-large seats violated the Voting Rights Act, Bullock said.
“What Democrats were hoping to achieve when they challenged that in court was to have only those voters who live in a district able to vote for a particular PSC commissioner,” Bullock said. “The Democrats thought that if you had single-member districts in which only a majority of the people living in your district could vote for you, that one or maybe two of the seats would elect a Democrat.”
The current commissioners are all Republicans. The PSC has had all Republican members for several years.
The legal challenge paused elections in 2022 and 2024.
“They were enjoined from holding elections until they resolved the question of whether or not the existing arrangement was legal,” Bullock said.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger officially called for the pair of special elections in February, but the plan to put the two commission districts on the ballot this year was created by state lawmakers last year, according to the Georgia Recorder.
A federal district judge sided with the plaintiffs, but that lower court’s decision was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case last year.
Last summer, another lawsuit was filed regarding the constitutionality of the Legislature’s plan to restart the PSC elections and extend the current commissioners’ terms, thereby exceeding the terms for which they were initially elected to serve.
A federal judge dismissed the case earlier this year, Georgia Recorder reported.
Who can vote in these elections?
No changes were made to the election structure following the lawsuits. The candidates must live in their districts, but the elections are statewide, so all Georgia voters can cast ballots in both races.
Here are the candidate Q&A’s: Public Service Commission, District 2
District 2 includes much of east and southeast Georgia that includes Athens, Augusta and Savannah. The candidates are Republicans Tim Echols (incumbent) and Lee Muns. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Alicia Johnson in November.
Public Service Commission, District 3
District 3 includes the Metro Atlanta counties of Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton. The candidates are Democrats Daniel Blackman, Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones and Keisha Waites. The winner of the primary will face Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson in November.
*Note: Daniel Blackman’s candidacy has been challenged due to the amount of time he has lived in Fulton County. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has disqualified Blackman from the race and the campaign has appealed the decision.
To view the candidate Q&As for both districts, visit Decaturishvotes.com.
See BALLOT, Page 16
Hal (ID# 57683333) was nervous when he first came to the shelter.
Overall, he could continue to build his confidence here, but we are sure that he’ll be fine in a home.
He is dog-friendly and enjoys our doggy play group. During his photoshoot, he was very polite and enjoyed pets from his handler.
He knows to sit and takes treats gently, always good for training. He enjoys being outside, but most of all he just wants a family. Come meet him.
Expand your family by four furry little feet by meeting Hal and have a loving friend forever.
All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip. All you have to do is provide the love and security that every shelter animal deserves.
If you would like more information about Hal 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 Hal goes to a good home.
Record:
Continued from Page 1
Academic criteria, based on the College and Career Ready Performance Index, includes ranking in the 99th percentile or higher statewide in the average “content mastery score” over the last three year and ranking in the 75th percentile or higher in the average “closing gaps score” over the last two years.
Austin Principal Avis Mooneyham said the award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our students, teachers and families.
“We are honored to be recognized among the top-performing schools in Georgia and will continue to strive for academic excellence in all that we do,” Mooneyham said. — Hayden Sumlin
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Marbles and other Great Depression era games
VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF Columnist
Growing up in the Great Depression meant playing games that required creativity with objects from around the house, home-built toys or inexpensive toys. Fred Donaldson, born in Dunwoody in 1925, recalled playing a game called Annie Over during his childhood at what is now Donaldson-Bannister Farm. He explained that the game involved trying to throw a ball over the house. One player called out “Annie, Annie over.” Other team members tried to catch the ball, leading to a game of tag. (oral history, Dunwoody Preservation Trust archives)
When asked what kind of toys he had growing up, Horace DeLong answered, “That’s easy. We didn’t. We’d make ‘em.” He and his siblings carved wheels and axles from the wood of a black gum tree to construct a toy wagon. DeLong grew up along Jett Ferry Road along what is now Spalding Drive, just east of Roberts Drive.
Growing up on the north side Old Lawrenceville Highway (today’s Dunwoody Club Drive), Richard Adams remembers playing marbles and riding stick horses in the swept dirt yard of the farmhouse where he grew up.
Marble tournaments in Chamblee and Oakhurst were covered by the Atlanta Journal newspaper in 1932. Hubert Head of Chamblee went up against Charles Cochran of Brookhaven. Head was the winner and would move on to the grand finals in Atlanta. (Atlanta Journal, March 31, 1932, “Chamblee, Decatur stage marble elimination contest”)
Twelve-year-old Glenn Austin of Dunwoody competed in the tournament. Harold Jady Gay of Doraville and Max Daniel of Chamblee also competed. Both boys were 12 years old. Competitors W.C. Ware, age 14, and Leonard Kinnard, age 12, lived along Winters Chapel Road, which the newspaper referred to as Tilly in 1932. Hundreds of spectators were on hand to watch the marble contests. Principal M.E. Smith of Chamblee was there, estimating at least 650 people were watching.
By 1934, the Atlanta Journal had assigned Ed Miles as “marbles reporter.” Miles said of the upcoming tournament, “The marbles fever is spreading like wildfire.” (Atlanta Journal, April 16, 1934, “Marble fever spreads fast; state papers carrying news”)
These tournaments were open only to White boys. According to the Atlanta Daily World, March 23, 1936, Black children participated in a marble competition at the Herring Street playground in Decatur. There were contestants representing seven playgrounds from throughout Atlanta. The winner was Bodie from Booker T. Washington High School. The news appeared in the Recreational Activities section of the newspaper.
In 1937, the city-wide tournament for Black children was held at Booker T. Washington High School and was open to girls and boys. (Atlanta Daily World, April 18, 1937, “Marble tournament at BTWHS soon”)
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.
RICHARD ADAMS/PROVIDED
This photo from 1936 shows Richard Adams riding his tricycle on the swept dirt yard where he played marbles. The home was on Old Lawrenceville Highway.
Attic Avoiders Anonymous
Brought to you by -
Rachel Provow, Realtor/Founding Member, HOME Luxury Real Estate
Hello, my name is Rachel, and I have been avoiding my attic for 12 years. I would consider myself a good homeowner. My husband and I have renovated numerous portions of our house, we perform regular maintenance on our appliances and, not to brag, but I even dust my fans. Overall, we keep everything in close to tip-top shape. Through my work, I attend a lot of home inspections. I can point out most of the items that the inspector is already going to document. This is why I shared with my husband
that I knew our attic wouldn’t pass muster. He quickly quipped back that we weren’t selling. While he is correct that my newfound fascination with our attic wasn’t motivated by getting it market-ready, it still bothered me.
Like many others, when we purchased the home, we had the luxury of doing a full rodent exclusion on our 1978 brick traditional, and we literally shut the door on all thing’s attic-related after that. As I reviewed inspection reports on behalf of buyers and sellers, I couldn’t help but take note of attic insulation levels being inadequate, debris notated in attics, and an array of other items hiding out in these unfinished upper levels. I knew it was time to pull down the ladder and address the situation. While I did, in fact, climb up into the attic to lay eyes on it, I knew my strengths
and called a professional company to take it from there. They came out and removed all of the insulation that had likely been there for 40-plus years and blew in new cellulose insulation. Along the way, they discovered some forgotten treasures, including a waterbed.
My husband honestly didn’t understand why this exercise in home maintenance was important to me. Outside of the obvious answer, that proper insulation helps regulate our home’s heating and cooling levels, I think it just boiled down to the fact that I knew too much. I recognize when clients inspect a home that has been well-maintained; it’s honestly something you can feel. We had neglected this aspect of our home long enough, and I’m glad it finally got checked off the to-do list. It’s quite nice
up there if anyone would like to take a tour.
The reason I share my less-thanexciting attic story is because I am curious which projects might be lingering around your house that you are hoping to avoid. It’s always exciting to redecorate, renovate a space, or upgrade appliances, but it is necessary to keep an eye on the out-of-sight spaces. So, take a flashlight to your crawlspace and see if it’s up to snuff, look under the deck to check on its condition, and last—but certainly not least—pull down the attic stairs and peek.
For more information about listing your home, what it might be worth, or to just contact Rachel with questions, call 678-524-1491or email Rachel@HOMEgeorgia.com.
PROVOW
Atlanta native Jodi Halpert brings 25 years of real estate experience and a deep connection to the communities she serves. Raised in Sandy Springs and now living in Dunwoody, she combines professionalism, authenticity, and a background in marketing and design to deliver standout results. Known for her warm, client-focused approach and sharp negotiation skills, 95% of her business comes from referrals—a true “Forever Consultant.” Jodi has earned top honors, including #6 Individual Agent at BHHS Georgia Properties in 2024, Chairman’s Circle Diamond, and Luxury Collection certification. With a Director of Operations managing logistics, she focuses fully on her clients. Outside real estate, Jodi enjoys travel, design, pickleball, and supporting organizations like Savvy Cyber Kids, the MJCCA, and the Sunshine Kids Foundation alongside her husband, Ben, and their three children. C:
Amazing BHHS
Dunwoody Experts
At The Kerry Arias Team, real estate isn’t just about buying or selling homes — it’s about transforming lives. Led by powerhouse duo Kerry and Marcos Arias, this dynamic team delivers a deeply personal, whiteglove experience designed around you. Kerry has earned top honors in the industry, including the prestigious Top Producer awards every year since entering real estate, and holds elite designations such as Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist, and Military Relocation Specialist. With over two decades of executive leadership in customer experience, Marcos Arias complements the team with a client-first approach honed by years of service, strategic thinking, and a results-driven focus. Together, Kerry and Marcos combine their strengths to create a seamless, supported experience from start to finish. Outside real estate, the Arias enjoy traveling, spending quality time with their two children, and supporting organizations like the Sunshine Kids Foundation.
Live exceptionally
Discover the latest move-in ready homes by David Patterson Homes
Brought to you by - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division
David Patterson Homes, a name long associated with quality craftsmanship and innovative design, continues to elevate the North Atlanta real estate market with a curated selection of move-in ready homes across some of the region’s most sought-after neighborhoods. With over 18 years of experience designing and building distinctive residences throughout Atlanta and the Lake Lanier region, David Patterson Homes blends timeless European farmhouse elegance with today’s modern comforts in every home they craft.
This summer, the spotlight shines on several exceptional communities featuring their acclaimed Estate Collection, Townhomes and move-in ready opportunities.
Brooks Pond – Forsyth | From the $900s. Nestled in picturesque Forsyth County, Brooks Pond offers spacious two-acre homesites and a serene, private setting perfect for luxurious family living. One
stunning move-in ready home is currently available, showcasing the Estate Collection’s hallmark: refined architectural details, expansive layouts, and modern finishes that balance sophistication with livability.
Scarlett Grace Lane – Gainesville | From the $900s. Now selling, Scarlett Grace Lane is a boutique community of just four homesites on 2–3-acre lots. Two beautifully crafted homes are move-in ready, each featuring three-car garages, covered outdoor living spaces, and European farmhouse-inspired architecture. These homes perfectly blend rustic charm with upscale functionality.
Rhett Run – North Forsyth | From the Mid $800s. Located in the highly rated North Forsyth High School District, Rhett Run offers five exclusive two-acre+ homesites surrounding a scenic community pond. With two homes currently under construction, this enclave features European transitional farmhouse-style designs with square footages ranging from 3,043 to 3,864. Sophisticated yet inviting, this community offers the ideal combination of privacy, elegance,
and top-tier education.
Long Hollow Landing – Lake Lanier | From $1M+. For those dreaming of lakefront luxury, Long Hollow Landing presents one of the last opportunities to own a new home with direct access to Lake Lanier. Only five homesites remain, including a spectacular move-in ready home on Lot 28, complete with a deeded, covered boat slip. With pricing from $1 million+ and up to $45K in incentives on select homes, this is lakeside living at its finest.
Creekside Overlook – Gainesville | From the $700s. Now selling, Creekside Overlook features 32 homesites in the East Forsyth School District. With a tranquil community pond and current incentives up to $45K, this new neighborhood offers the perfect mix of value and craftsmanship in a beautiful natural setting.
Coming Soon – Aspen Grove | Gainesville. Aspen Grove, a future community located off Hwy 53, will offer 31 single-family homes close to Lake Lanier, shopping, and dining. Stay tuned for more on this exciting
new opportunity.
Downtown Fausett – Dawsonville | From the $300s. Ideal for buyers seeking low-maintenance living, Downtown Fausett offers 24 European transitional-style townhomes with several move-in ready options. Priced from the $300s, these 3-bedroom, 2.5bath residences are an incredible value in a prime downtown Dawsonville location.
Sharon Commons – Loganville | From the $300s. This community features both 3- and 4-bedroom townhomes with four move-in ready homes currently available. Enjoy low-maintenance living without compromising on style or space.
With a legacy built on quality, award-winning design, and customer satisfaction, David Patterson Homes invites you to explore a community where your dream home is already waiting. To learn more, go to www. DavidPattersonHomes.com. Sales and marketing by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties New Homes Division. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Newspaper Delivery Route Openings with Appen Media Group
We are looking for one person or couple interested in delivering weekly newspapers in South Forsyth, Alpharetta and the Johns Creek areas.
Requirements: Must have a perfect driving record and background check, reliable transportation, honest, hard-working and positive attitude.
For more information or to apply, email heidi@appenmedia.com and include a paragraph or two about who you are and any relevant background/experience. In the subject line of the email please put “Delivery Route Application.”
Estate Planning isn’t just for people
you by –
It’s for Your Pets, too! Your beloved pet is part of your family, and ensuring their care after you’re gone is an essential part of estate planning. Here are three keyways to provide for your pet’s future: Pet Trusts – Set aside funds specifically for your pet’s care, managed by a trustee.
Incorporating Pet Provisions –Include instructions in your estate plan to outline care and expenses.
Choosing a Caregiver – Designate a trusted person to provide love and stability for your pet. A well-structured plan means your furry companion will always be safe, loved, and cared for.
Let us help you create a legacy of love that extends to every member of your family—including the four-legged ones. Join our free webinars to learn more about estate planning for your pets!
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HOLLY GEERDES
Sandy Springs’ new tech specialist lays plan for AI initiative
By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The City of Sandy Springs’ tech specialist laid out initiatives he’s working on to integrate artificial intelligence into the city’s operations for improved efficiency and service.
Keith McMellen, director of Strategy, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Integration, told the City Council May 20 that he’s looking to unite technical teams across multiple departments to develop a comprehensive strategy, identify opportunities and implement data-driven solutions.
“We are aligned with national trends, many cities are trying to work on development of AI policies and how to govern the use of it,” McMellen said. “There is a lot of uncertainty …”
Right now, Sandy Springs uses AI-powered data across various departments, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Fire, IT and Communications.
Some recent examples include the 2023 analysis of tree canopy, the CrowdStrike cybersecurity system and emergency response time analytics. The city says the new initiative will build on that by breaking down data silos, promoting data and AI literacy among staff and launching a range of projects to better serve the community.
McMellen, who joined the city early this year, brings more than two decades of experience in the private sector with leadership roles at CP Kelco, Colonial
Ballot:
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Early voting
Early voting begins May 27 and ends June 13.
In DeKalb County, polls are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polls will be open on May 31 and June 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on June 1 and 8 from 12-5 p.m. Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting location.
In Fulton County, polls are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no Sunday voting in Fulton. Voters can cast ballots early in Forsyth County Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early voting is not available on June 8 or on Sundays. For more information about early voting in your area, visit decaturishvotes.com
Pipeline and Intercontinental Exchange. City leaders say his experience leading high-performing teams, modernizing enterprise data systems and delivering impactful business intelligence solutions has equipped him with a deep expertise in AI integration.
McMellen said the Fire Department is currently analyzing incident and response data to identify trends and adjust shift schedules to develop a more efficient emergency response. It’s an example of a potential AI application that can save lives.
“[The Fire Department is] just starting to scratch the surface with this … starting to use some of the advanced features now, which include forecasting,” McMellen said. “As they gain more confidence in their data quality, they’ve also started to explore the augmented analytics features, which does bring AI into the process.”
Expanding data’s reach
Most Metro Atlanta cities have staff specializing in IT or GIS functions, which manage information systems and provide spatial context to data. Sandy Springs’ new Digital Innovation Strategy takes that work a step further.
The city says a steering committee, composed of department heads, will provide strategic direction to the Digital Innovation Initiative, while a working technical group will recommend and implement solutions. The director of data strategy, analytics and AI is a position within the City Manager’s Office.
Another group, the Digital
Election Day
Election Day is Tuesday, June 17.
On Election Day, polls are typically open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but sometimes open later if there are technical problems. Usually, anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their vote. Also, on Election Day, you must vote at the precinct listed on your voter registration.
How do I view my ballot and find my polling place?
The Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page will show you your sample ballot and polling location. Visit mvp. sos.ga.gov/s/ to see your voting information.
The DeKalb County Elections Board has changed some precinct boundaries and polling locations for the primary. Be sure to check your voter registration to confirm your Election Day polling location. Decaturish.com has more information about the polling precinct and boundary changes.
Development Team, is made up of members of the Communications and IT departments, focusing on creating software and information systems tailored to the city’s unique operational and community needs.
To learn more, visit www. sandyspringsga.gov/innovate.
The city is in the review process to receive the What Works City Certification through Bloomberg Philanthropies, an internationally recognized program that analyzes a city’s capacity to use data and provide a strategic framework. There are three levels of certification.
In May, Sandy Springs applied for a PIN Grant in partnership with Georgia Tech to address the significant increase in permit requests since 2020 and to streamline the process for residents. If awarded, the city says work on transforming the permitting process through an AI-driven system will begin in September.
Another project in development is a digital signage system for bird sighting at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
Integrating departments
McMellen told elected officials at the May City Council work session that his plan includes breaking down silos between city departments and better integrate data, including an AI literacy program for staff.
“The need for the solid foundation is important … Consistency, data quality for AI to work as intended,” he said. “We’re working on policies and documentation on how we collect, store,
Absentee Voting
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is June 6. Absentee ballots must be returned by Election Day, June 17.
In DeKalb County, absentee ballot drop boxes will be at the Berean Christian Church, DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Office, Dunwoody Library, New Life Community Alliance, North DeKalb Senior Center, and Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library. During early voting, absentee ballots can be turned in at any drop box.
Absentee ballots can also be mailed to Board of Registrars, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032.
In Forsyth County, absentee ballots can be returned to the Elections Office at 1201 Sawnee Drive in Cumming. A drop box is available at the office during early voting.
In Fulton County, drop boxes are available at the Alpharetta Library, Buckhead Library, College Park Library, C.T. Martin Recreation Center, Ocee Library, Sandy Springs Library and Wolf Creek Library. Ballots can be mailed to Fulton County Registration and Elections
use the data. Think of them as the ordinances on how we interact with data in the city.”
McMellen said the city’s problem is not data collection but how to integrate it. His long-term plan is to centralize it in one easy-to-understand database for all city departments to benefit from.
Mayor Rusty Paul said he designated City Councilwoman Melissa Mular to serve as a Steering Committee liaison. Mular said data quality is essential before it can be used effectively.
When City Councilman Andy Bauman asked about public safety applications, including predictive policing and emergency response, McMellen said he’s been working with the Fire Department more than law enforcement.
“We haven’t really had that conversation about predictive policing, and it’s a long way off,” McMellen said. “You get into very touchy, data ethics areas when you start talking about policing, so those are some of those foundational policy things that we have to work on.”
City Manager Eden Freeman said Sandy Springs is unique because of its leadership’s unified embrace of innovation.
“While we are still in the early stages of developing our strategy, we clearly see the transformative potential of AI,” Freeman said. “That’s why we’re making thoughtful investments in leadership roles like Keith’s, and in resources that will position us at the forefront of digital innovation.”
Absentee Ballot Division, 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road, Union City, GA 30213
Once early voting ends, absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to your local elections office during normal business hours or until 7 p.m. on Election Day, June 17.
What to bring when you vote
DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections says all voters need to bring the following items when they show up to early voting or at the polls on Election Day:
• A valid ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or voter identification card.
• A mask to help ensure your safety and the safety of the poll workers and voters around you. You may also bring a chair, water and snacks if the site has a long wait line.
• Your absentee ballot if you want to vote in person instead. If you do not have your absentee ballot, you must sign an affidavit stating that you are instead casting your ballot in person.
Memorial:
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The Georgia Tech graduate currently serves as chief evaluator pilot at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, where he helps oversee combat readiness for one of the leading fighter wings.
After accepting an invite from Mayor Lynn Deutsch, Scheff discussed the Air Force tradition of roll call, which stems from pilot check-ins during World War II.
“Every other Friday, the head of the squadron would bring everyone in, read down the list of names to see who was still here and who hadn’t made it back,” Scheff said, joking that no pilot he knows has ever been shot down over Germany. “The tradition continues. There are parts of the night, some more important than others. The one part that is very relevant to today is what we call ‘toast,’ or toast to the fallen.”
He went on to describe the longrunning tradition, aiming to keep the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice alive.
“I want to talk about service as the price of citizenship, and I want to talk about sacrifice as the price of service,” Scheff said. “It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to military. Service is any little thing you do to make this world better.”
From picking up a piece of trash or volunteering time to a shelter to sacrificing your life to save others, Scheff said each act of service makes a difference.
He recognized Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson, a retired Georgia National Guard captain and Marine veteran.
“Law enforcement officers are out here working so we can do this,” Scheff said. “Everyone who joins the military sacrifices. You sacrifice control over where you live … having a cool haircut.”
He then pointed out a big one, which he said can be easy to miss for
Americans today.
“For the last several decades, war has been something that happens to them over there, not us here,” Scheff said. “Every single person who raises their right hand … if it is asked of you, is willing to sacrifice up to and including everything.”
One of the most impactful moments of the annual ceremony is the Armed Forces Medley, when members the armed services stand for their branch’s anthem. The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were each represented.
City Councilman Joe Seconder, a retired U.S. Army major and combat veteran, led the Pledge of Allegiance, discussing the importance of upholding the values of the U.S. Constitution.
Dunwoody Baptist Church pastor Robert Comeaux gave the invocation and benediction, thanking service members for upholding religious freedom.
Comeaux said he wanted those praying to remember those soldiers who gave their lives, the families of fallen veterans and troops in harm’s way today.
The Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department and Director Rachel Waldron organized the ceremony. The morning rains held off, and the sun briefly peeked through the clouds.
Another highlight of this year’s ceremony was the Georgia State Defense Force Band, under the direction of Lt. Col. Glenn R. Moore. The brass band received applause and cheers with its renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”
Police Chief Carlson told Moore that the city would be extending an invitation to next year’s commemoration, which also got some cheers.
“Most importantly our veterans, thank you for being here,” Carlson said. “Every year, I can tell you this crowd just gets bigger and bigger. It is a true testament to why you are here, which is to honor the fallen.”
PHOTOS BY: HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson, retired Georgia National Guard captain and Marine veteran speaks May 26 at Brook Run Park during the city’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.
Dunwoody resident and retired Army Lt. Col. Tom Ariail, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10822 attends the Memorial Day ceremony May 26.
Dunwoody City Councilman Joe Seconder, ret. U.S. Army major and combat veteran speaks May 26 at Brook Run Park during the city’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.
The story of Mike Lambert, U.S. Marine
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which brought an end to the Viet Nam War. It is fitting that this week’s column describes the service of one North Fulton veteran.
Mike Lambert was raised in Buckhead. He and his wife Peggy grew up on the same street. Peggy had seven brothers and the first television in the neighborhood. Mike remembers that after school, the neighborhood kids would gather at Peggy’s house to watch the Mickey Mouse Club in black and white. “Her mother and my mother were best friends.”
Peggy’s brother David was a naval officer in Viet Nam. After his tour of duty, he called Mike and said let’s go dancing. Mike said “I don’t know any girls.”
David insisted, saying that his sister Peggy was in town taking a break from her job on Wall Street.
“That was our first date. I went ga ga, and we married 56 days later,” Mike says. “Now we have six children and 28 grandchildren.”
Mike attended high school at Marist College, a school run by the Marist priests in Atlanta. He graduated in 1962 and subsequently graduated from the Jesuit Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
One day a recruiter came to school.
“I had been following the war in Viet Nam,” Mike says. “In 1965 and 1966, Time magazine was covering the war positively. I thought the war was protecting people in need, and I wanted to help and to do it with the best. I signed up with the U.S. Marines in the summer of 1966, finished college, and after training went to Viet Nam in November 1967.”
Mike remained in-country until December 1968, a normal 13-month tour of duty.
Mike’s assignment as a new 2nd lieutenant was as platoon leader of a rifle platoon: the 3rd Platoon, Company H (Hotel Company) of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment of the First Marine Division stationed at An Hoa Combat Base.
“The village of An Hoa was 29 miles west of the Da Nang deep water port,” Mike says. “It was the closest combat base to the Laos/Vietnam border in the sector around Da Nang. Our mission was to block communist infiltration into the area from the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Contact with the enemy was frequent and intense.”
Every morning, the platoon swept a 5-mile portion of the road leading from An Hoa to the Da Nang Combat Base. Each night, the local Viet Cong (VC) buried in the dirt road high-explosive mines that were detonated by pressure. Mike says that sweeping the road was slow and tedious, because if the patrol missed a mine and the mine was detonated by a vehicle or passenger bus, the result would be devastating.
Mike’s initial challenge was to quickly gain the trust of his 46-man platoon. They were seasoned soldiers, just back from a fierce battle where their platoon leader was killed. Mike was well-trained but was on his first tour of duty. The opportunity to prove himself came on day two of his tour.
About halfway up the road during the morning sweep, a sniper opened fire on the platoon from trees about 200 meters away.
“We dropped flat on the ground,” Mike says. “I grabbed my map and compass and took a bearing on the
shooter’s position. My radio operator, who was always by my side, contacted the artillery battery that supported us. I radioed the location of the sniper to the artillery fire direction center in An Hoa. Almost immediately there was an explosion where the sniper was hiding, and the sniper fire stopped. I raised my head and shouted out ‘if my Momma could see me now.’ The platoon broke out in laughter. I was THEIR platoon leader from then on.
“The area was full of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers and Viet Cong guerillas, plus many booby traps which accounted for most of my marines’ serious injuries. We would lay alongside the trails at night and ambush the North Vietnamese with claymore mines and machine guns from November 1967 to late January 1968.”
In February, the platoon was ordered to move up to the beautiful imperial capital of Hue. The communists had overrun the city in one day with 30,000 troops during the infamous Tet Offensive. Their squads would go into homes, drag the residents to the street and march some to the jungles, hold a trial and summarily execute them or bury them alive, the so-called Hue Massacre of January 1968.
“The crime that these people were charged with was being reactionary,” Mike says. “This meant they would not accept a communist form of government. Neighbors had reported them to communist agents, and these victims were on lists held by NVA political officers. There was no appeal for mercy.”
The battle of Hue lasted 26 days from January 30 to March 3, 1968, one of the longest in the war. It was considered to have had the largest atrocity of the war with several thousand residents and prisoners executed.
“The battle was fierce,” says Mike. “It took us six days to move six blocks. Urban combat was new to us. After months of jungle fighting, we learned that new and unique skill as the days progressed – on-the-job training.
leaders 2nd Lt.
and Staff
sit outside their command post at An Hua Combat Base. Command posts typically were where commanders and their staffs made strategic decisions based on real time information.
Following his tour of combat duty, Mike had an assignment at Camp Lejune in North Carolina as assistant officer in charge of the Counterguerilla Warfare Center and then was assigned to attend the Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. He received a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Combat V (V denotes valor). Mike returned to civilian life with the rank of captain. After leaving the military he worked in the magazine printing industry. His current title is “Grandpa Uber” for his many grandchildren.
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.
BOB MEYERS
Columnist
PHOTOS BY: LAMBERT FAMILY/PROVIDED
Mike Lambert, center with green necktie, gathers with family members to celebrate his and Peggy’s 50th wedding anniversary at St. Brendan the Navigator Church in Cumming.
Platoon
Mike Lambert
Sgt. John Miller
Thoughts on tariffs, inflation and consumption
This week, I’m drawing musical inspiration from Ray Stevens’ 1986 hit “Makin’ the Best of a Bad Situation.” The reason? The growing concern among economists and media pundits regarding the potential inflationary impact of tariffs scheduled to take effect later this summer.
On the surface, their argument appears valid. Tariffs are effectively a tax on imported goods, raising the baseline cost of those products. Conventional wisdom suggests that these higher costs will be passed on to U.S. consumers, stoking inflation and potentially slowing economic growth.
But that narrative is only part of the picture — and perhaps not the most likely outcome. Here's where I try to
make the best of this "bad" situation.
As I’ve pointed out before, a price increase only results in sustained inflation if consumers are willing and able to absorb that higher cost. If they are, then yes, inflation takes hold. But the assumption that U.S. consumers will continue purchasing goods at any price is flawed.
In reality, when prices rise, consumers often reduce consumption, seek alternatives or stop buying altogether. That’s the basic principle of “price elasticity.” This elasticity is more relevant than ever. Today’s U.S. consumer is under considerable financial pressure — record-high credit card balances, elevated interest rates, and limited savings are forcing more prudent spending choices. In that context, many price hikes, even if tariff-driven, may be absorbed by retailers or eliminated altogether through reduced demand, limiting their inflationary impact.
There’s another angle to consider:
Where does the revenue from these tariffs go?
If implemented effectively, this could serve a broader fiscal policy goal — perhaps even funding the reduction or elimination of federal income taxes. Imagine replacing income taxes with a broad-based consumption tax collected via tariffs. For many Americans, that could result in a significant increase in take-home pay — potentially $15,000 or more annually for someone earning $100,000.
Even if some of that additional income were redirected toward slightly higher-priced goods, the net benefit to the average worker could still be meaningful. More importantly, a tariff-based system would be universally applied — everyone pays when they consume. No loopholes, no deductions. Even undocumented individuals, who may currently pay little or no federal income tax, would contribute through their purchases.
In essence, a tariff-based system
functions as a universal consumption tax — a model that could simplify the tax code and make tax collection more equitable and transparent. While I’m not an elected official, I would support exemptions for essentials like food and clothing up to a reasonable threshold — ensuring fairness and preserving access to necessities for all.
As Ray Stevens put it: sometimes all you can do is make the best of a bad situation. And with some creative thinking, perhaps what looks bad at first glance could become an opportunity for structural reform and economic resilience.
D.C. Aiken is vice president, producing production manager for CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #3029. For more insights, you can subscribe to his newsletter at dcaiken.com.
The opinions expressed within this article may not reflect the opinions or views of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.
Wind therapy, Harrah’s, a perfect cure for stress
MIKE TASOS Columnist
After surviving the loudest lightning strike that sounded like a backyard sonic boom, I thought it wise to make the most of a beautiful pre-Memorial Day Wednesday. After all, we are primed and ready to perspire, knowing the days of pleasant temperatures in the 70s simply won’t last.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but The Black Beauty (my beloved Harley Trike), sorely in need of a good wash but more in need of a good long ride, beckoned. After a quick bowl of soup at Panera, I decided to head for Murphy, North Carolina. Harrah’s and the local tribe of local Native Americans turned casino operators were calling out for me to donate to their enrichment.
I obliged and spent a couple hours shooting dice, playing threecard poker and a wee bit of roulette. The $120 I netted was miniscule compared to the riches I received on my 190-mile afternoon jaunt.
The Beauty’s GPS knew exactly what I needed and took me to the north Georgia mountains. Billy Rabon, the Frazier’s Harley-Davidson
sales consultant extraordinaire, had planted a seed when he imparted some wise words: “If I have to explain it, you’ll never understand.”
Apparently, those words were once emblazoned on a T-shirt that no longer exists. Wise words indeed for those of us find “wind therapy” a perfect medicine for stress relief and profound thought-inducing sessions with myself.
I’d forgotten what happens when Ga. 400 north ends and after a few turns, morphs into a ride so magical that drives home the point that we are blessed to have such magnificent vistas but a few miles away.
There were enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes, lest me and the trike would have a tragic encounter with a frightening drop of an indeterminable distance. I took my time, rode safely and said a silent prayer of thanks at how fortunate I was to see God’s magnificence in a pristine sensory overload. On the ride, I came to the realization that I was at home in the mountains, which I prefer over any ocean setting.
I’m glad I discarded my Puka shells many years ago.
It was just the relaxation therapy needed, especially after the previous night’s light show and thunderboomers made sleeping an iffy thing, at best. Also, seeing small
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towns with crosses commemorating the town’s fallen military heroes, brought smile-inducing satisfaction that drove home the point that small towns know how to do it right.
There was no relaxation to be had at home either. Cesar Castro, who has never met a tree he couldn’t topple, had his crew of tree choppers in the yard, felling trees that I thought it wise to take down before a goliath-like storm sent a tree trunk into the living room.
The trees he and his crew took care of were all leaning precariously toward the house. While I was in the mood for a little gambling session at Harrah’s, I thought it wise to not press my luck wagering on avoiding a flying oak.
Besides, Cesar has done treetrimming work before, and he knows his stuff. And watching his crew suspended some 30 feet in the air, tethered with a rope that was the only thing keeping a worker from
a one-way trip to terra firma. It truly was amazing to watch, but the constant buzz of a chain saw was akin to a 500-decibel dentist drill, so the marathon ride provided some relief.
Of course, know-it-all authority on absurdity, Burford “Slats” McElroy, questioned my use of Cesar’s services, while I, as usual, questioned the veracity of Slats’ knowledge of tree cutting.
“You should have called my cousin, Seymour “Stump” Grinder,” offered Slats. “He knows his stuff.” I was reticent but had to ask: “Stump is an interesting nickname. How’d he get it?”
Slats didn’t blink an eye, answering: “We always called him that after the unfortunate up close and personal tussle with a 12-foot alligator one day in the Okefenokee Swamp. It was hotter than blazes and Stump wanted to cool off by swimming near the gators.”
As usual, a conversation with Slats made me look for the Goody’s Powder.
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.
D.C. AIKEN Guest Columnist dcaiken.com
Dinnertime at Doerun Pitcherplant Bog
It’s almost too terrifying to recall, but I do it anyway. They say it helps if you confront your fears. We’ll see.
It started like this. I’d been doing some edging and pruning, but mostly I was pulling weeds.
Weed pulling, as you know, can be serious business, and this effort was no exception. In fact, the pile of pulled weeds had grown pretty big.
My neighbor walked by about that time and saw what I’d been doing.
“Man” he said, “just wait till the word gets out in Weedville that you’ve been yanking ’em up left and right. Are they ever gonna be mad at you!”
I laughed about that and said something about revenge of the plants. Then back to work and, later, a shower, supper, some reading, and eventually bedtime.
Sleep… I was walking through the woods somewhere, enjoying the fresh springtime air and the sounds of frogs and birds when suddenly… suddenly…everything went quiet. I mean totally silent. There wasn’t a whisper of sound. It was as if the world held its breath.
So I did too, and that’s when I heard it – a subtle stirring in in the undergrowth…a slight rustle among the leaves…right over there…
And then…and then…
Then I saw it. From the mass of ferns there rose a stalk, a green menace, quivering and shimmering and leaning toward me…
It was a plant. A plant with a hungry gaping maw – cavernous,
carnivorous – and it was stretching silently and inexorably right towards me.
I stood terrified, not able to flee. The plant moved closer…closer… and then…
I sat bolt upright, knocking covers and pillows aside, heart pounding. It had been a close call, I found myself thinking. But it had only been a dream. Hadn’t it?
Dream or not, I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of carnivorous (a fancy way of saying “meat-eating”) plants. Legend and lore are rife with tales of man-eating marigolds and hungry hyacinths and ravenous rhododendron and – well, you get the idea.
Fortunately, we weed-pullers hope, such legends are only that. But the fact is that there are indeed plants that get along by eating things that crawl or fly –and as I pull into the parking area at the Doerun Pitcherplant Bog Wildlife Management Area near the community of Doerun in southern Georgia, I was preparing myself to see ’em firsthand.
Doerun Pitcherplant Bog is on Georgia Highway 133 not too far from Reed Bingham State Park. If you’ve never heard of Doerun, don’t worry about it. Just think “near Moultrie west of Adel,” and you’ll be in the right neck of the woods.
What’s drawn me to this 651acre tract of flat South Georgia landscape is the opportunity to see these plants up-close and personal. I’ll be seeing them in their natural habitat, where nutrient-poor acidic soils means that nourishment must come from somewhere besides the ground. Given such conditions, pitcherplants and other carnivorous flora evolved to get their daily bread from another source – specifically,
by tapping the abundance of bugs with which they share their little corner of the world.
The most obvious carnivorous plants at Doerun will be several species of pitcher plants, fascinating creations with hollow trumpet-like leaves. The inside surface of the leaves is lined with downward-pointing hairs, and at the bottom of each trumpet is a pool of water.
All of that is bad news if you’re a bug. You see, the color and aroma of the plants draws insects to the leaves. They creep up the outside toward the inviting lip, walking tentatively, maybe taking a step too far…for once inside, they begin to slip, sliding down-down-down until they find themselves trapped in the unrelenting embrace of that pool of no return. There they will remain, eventually drowning, while the plant (for its part) digests them at its leisure.
But back to Doerun, where trails provide access to the area and a network of subtle footpaths branches off to let you walk the landscape and look for these plants yourself. The biggest of these is the Yellow Trumpet pitcherplant (Sarracenia flava) with leaves which can grow as much as 3 feet high. You may be able to detect their lemony aroma. Other pitcherplant species at the site include the Hooded Pitcherplant (Sarracenia minor) and the Parrot Pitcherplant (Sarracenia psittacine).
There are other carnivorous plants at Doerun, too, including the diminutive sundews. One species, the Pink Sundew, is a tiny little thing with an overall size about that of a quarter. This plant presents as a radiating rosette of reddish padlike leaves, and each leaf is covered with fine hairlike
fibers. At the end of each fiber sits a drop of sweet, honey-like nectar. Small bugs who venture close for a taste soon find themselves mired in sticky stuff, and their struggles cause the leaf to slowly close around the hapless bug as a hand might close around a treasured coin or a precious stone. Once in the plant’s embrace, the bug has had it. The plant digests it, and then later the leaf uncurls and the carcass falls away.
At the Doerun Pitcherplant Bog, visitors age 16 or older will need either a hunting or fishing license or a Lands Pass in order to access the site. You may want some bug repellant, too, and by all means take your camera.
You’ll have a great time under the South Georgia sun exploring the world of Doerun Pitcherplant Bog. Then later, back home, you will also enjoy your air conditioning as you relive what you saw there. You’ll think about the plants… those meat-eating plants…until eventually, tired from the day’s excursion, you’ll probably doze off. Then… maybe you’ll dream…
STEVE HUDSON Columnist
THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Dunwoody Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Dunwoody City Hall, which is located at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, for the purpose of due process of the following:
RZ 25-05 & SLUP 25-04, 84 Perimeter Center E: JSJ Perimeter LLC requests a major modification of the zoning and special land use permit conditions of cases
RZ 23-02 & SLUP 23-03 to modif y existing zoning conditions, update the site plan, and include hotel and owner-occupied condominiums as allowed uses, as well as a special land use permit for a drive-through restaurant.
Should you have any questions, comments, or would like to view the application and supporting materials, please contact the City of Dunwoody Community Development Department at 678-382-6800. Staff is available to answer questions, discuss the decision-making process, and receive comments and concerns.
DEATH NOTICES
Jane Atkinson, 62 Roswell, GA passed away on April 21, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Susan Carpenter, 88, Milton, GA passed away on May 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
John Daniels, 75, Alpharetta, GA passed away on May 17, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Peggy Donehoo, 93, Roswell, GA passed away on May 25, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
In Memoriam
Robert Byron Jones
December 17, 1949 – March 26, 2025
Robert Byron Jones, 75, passed away at home on March 26, 2025, in Mineral Bluff, Georgia.
Born on December 17, 1949, in Bainbridge, Georgia, Robert was the first child of Nanette and Clant “Buck” Jones. He grew up in Bainbridge and graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1968. He then attended UGA where he met Barbara, his wife of 54 years. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management from the University of Georgia in 1973.
Robert built a successful career in sales, dedicating many years to the field in Birmingham, AL, Knoxville, TN and Dunwoody/Atlanta, GA.
Outside of his professional life, Robert was an avid UGA and SEC sports fan and was highly involved in the Atlanta tennis community. He also had a deep
love for animals and shared much of his free time with their beloved dogs. He spent many hours at Brook Run Dog Park in Dunwoody sharing stories with folks about their fur babies. For over 20 years, both he and Barbara volunteered with and fostered/rescued through AdoptaGoldenAtlanta.
Robert is survived by his wife, Barbara LaMotte Jones, and their daughter, Christi Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nanette and Clant “Buck” Jones.
A memorial reception will take place on Saturday, June 28th from 2-4 pm at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert’s memory to the Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center (www.bu.edu/cte) or AdoptaGoldenAtlanta.com
Marcalee Endsley, 83, Roswell, GA passed away on May 23, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Helen Scarbro, 85, Roswell, GA passed away on April 21, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
David Kirk, 64, Roswell, GA passed away on May 19, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Nan Simpson, 86, Alpharetta, GA passed away on May 17, 2025. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory.
Community Engagement Manager
Handyman
NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Community Engagement Manager position. The Community Engagement Manager oversees all aspects of NFCC’s community events from planning through execution, including creating timelines, managing vendors and securing sponsorships. Events range from the annual golf tournament and fundraising gala to donor recognition and community engagement gatherings. The ideal candidate must be highly organized, creative, and motivated to successfully lead event planning and community engagement initiatives.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
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NFCC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the fulltime Vice President of Client Programs position. The Vice President of Client Programs (VPCP) is a senior leader responsible for creating and implementing the Client Services department strategy for NFCC. This includes creating programs and services, monitoring their effectiveness and ensuring funds are distributed appropriately. The VPCP also leads a team of 13 client services staff who handle client intake, case management, impact and outcomes data, education (GED/English classes) and workforce development programs.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume to jobs@nfcchelp.org
